Somewhere fans rejoice; somewhere fans are disappointed. Pro basketball stars changing teams is always such a zero sum game. Except for when it's not.

The league MVP was looking for something else. He had his share of good moments with his team; there were fun times, good friends, the aforementioned MVP award, and so on. But he wasn't going to be satisfied with what he had there. At the ripe, old age of 25, it was time to move on.

Would people understand? Would this new journey be considered acceptable by his fans? Would there be backlash? Maybe a jersey or two thrown in the fire? Certainly not, for the MVP is a hero to all--or at least some.

So Mr. MVP packed his bags and headed to some place where the sun does shine. And, out of respect to a legend/boyhood idol, he arrived with a new number on his jersey.

He embarked on joining a new team in hopes of gaining the fulfillment that was tantalizingly thisclose to being complete in his old home -- but this would be different. 

And now the hero arrives on the scene of a new quest, likely with the necessity of sacrificing some of his scoring, minutes, touches or whatever the current stat du jour is. And he will do it gladly, playing alongside some of the best basketball talent in the world. Expect little to no adverse reactions in this chemistry experiment; winning at the highest levels is what he seeks. It's also what he has partially found, just not at the NBA level. Having won a title overseas is nice, but now it's time to hoist the hardware stateside.

And now the summer's big signing has arrived. Thank you, R.C. Buford, Pop and the gang for bringing Tiago over (PTR user "completely deck" did all right, too).

(alternate post title: "Tiago Splitter vs. LeBron James")