The LeBron James Thread

[ehh]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

Probably not! Thing is, I don't think Wade or James would rather play with each other than with a big man. Dwyane knows what it's like to play with a big man, and I think he knows he needs that again. Neither Wade nor James is a stellar shooter from deep, and neither of them excel in catching and shooting, so they aren't the most ideal matchups with one another as far as free agents go.

We would see opposing defenses sagging into the middle and shutting down the lane something fierce if LeBron & Wade end up together. That's why I don't think the supporting cast is all that great in Chicago. The only shooter on the roster is Hinrich and he's an inconsistent one at that. Rose, Deng, LeBron....that's a whole hell of a lot of guys you sag off tremendously against.

[USF11]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

We would see opposing defenses sagging into the middle and shutting down the lane something fierce if LeBron & Wade end up together. That's why I don't think the supporting cast is all that great in Chicago. The only shooter on the roster is Hinrich and he's an inconsistent one at that. Rose, Deng, LeBron....that's a whole hell of a lot of guys you sag off tremendously against.

Lebron and Rudy to chicago.

Rose
Rudy
Lebron
Gibson
Noah

No way Rudy is a max player.

[ehh]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

I hope to God know one gives Rudy max money, but hasn't Memphis said they plan on matching any offers and plan on keeping Rudy anyway?

You never know though with Rudy's contract though, Deng got a $70m deal and is making $10-14m per year the next four years so I guess Rudy is going to get a better deal than that. Not sure if Chicago has the cap space for that or if they'd want to invest $25m per year in Deng & Gay since they play the same position.

I still think the key to this whole summer for Chicago is Deng's contract. If they can move it somehow, they are golden. I think things will be tough if they can't though.

[USF11]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

I hope to God know one gives Rudy max money, but hasn't Memphis said they plan on matching any offers and plan on keeping Rudy anyway?

You never know though with Rudy's contract though, Deng got a $70m deal and is making $10-14m per year the next four years so I guess Rudy is going to get a better deal than that. Not sure if Chicago has the cap space for that or if they'd want to invest $25m per year in Deng & Gay since they play the same position.

I still think the key to this whole summer for Chicago is Deng's contract. If they can move somehow, they are golden. I think things will be tough if they can't though.

Rudy won't get a max deal. I think the Bulls will find a way to move Deng or Kirk.

As it stands now the Bulls can get a Max and a 3/4 Max player.

I also dont think Joe Johnson is a max player - but he may end up with max money.

[ehh]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

I'm not a huge Rudy fan but I would sign him over JJ, and that's not just based on what happened in this year's playoffs.

[USF11]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

I'm not a huge Rudy fan but I would sign him over JJ, and that's not just based on what happened in this year's playoffs.

I think Rudy as Athletic 6'7-6'8 SG next to Rose and LBJ would be lethal defensively.

[ehh]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

As a UConn fan and someone who's followed Rudy since Day 1, I can tell you he plays absolutely no defense. The effort, toughness and commitment just aren't there on the defensive end of the floor. And that's just trying to guard wings, if you start him at the 2 and have him guarding the opposing SG, that won't end well.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

I view Rudy Gay the same I do about guys like Ben Gordon and Josh Smith

[USF11]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

I view Rudy Gay the same I do about guys like Ben Gordon and Josh Smith

Ben wasn't appreciated in Chicago. The fact we payed Deng and not Ben is crazy.

[brahmagoul]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

From a basketball standpoint, Chicago is the only team that makes more sense than Cleveland. And by basketball, I mean the roster and depth.

If he goes to New York, and it's with Bosh -- which is the best free agent I think you could pair with him -- that team would win 50 games and be eliminated in the second round. Still not better than the Cavaliers with LeBron, and wouldn't be for a few years.

The Nets' record this season speaks for itself. Lopez is overrated as is Harris, who might not be there if the Nets land John Wall and the No. 1 pick.

So, if LeBron is going somewhere to win, it's Chicago or Miami, and I have a tough time picturing him with Derrick Rose or Dwyane Wade. All three are facilitators that require the basketball.

Meanwhile in Cleveland, you have a franchise that has bent over backwards for him and will continue to do so. They built a new practice facility in Independence, Ohio, which is literally on the way to The Q from Akron. Plus, Danny Ferry didn't go throw punches at Mike Brown for not playing J.J. Hickson this last series when he could have traded Hickson in an Amare Stoudemire deal.

Come July 8, we're going to find out what kind of guy LeBron truly is ...

[Altimus]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

I've changed my vote.

If he wants to win now he'll go to Chicago and NJ can be put in that spot as well. If he wants marking, it will be NY.

I voted Cleveland but the more I think about the more I think he's gone from there.

[brahmagoul]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

Ya know, considering how this series went with Boston, he very well could just take his player option at the last minute. And we go through all of this for another year!

[Altimus]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

Ya know, considering how this series went with Boston, he very well could just take his player option at the last minute. And we go through all of this for another year!

With the CBA around the corner he will not take a player option. Last thing LBJ wants to have is no contract with a possible lock out looming.

[23]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

Especially when the new CBA will be focused on players taking a paycut

[NYJets]

Re: The Official "Where is LeBron going?" Thread

From a basketball standpoint, Chicago is the only team that makes more sense than Cleveland. And by basketball, I mean the roster and depth.

If he goes to New York, and it's with Bosh -- which is the best free agent I think you could pair with him -- that team would win 50 games and be eliminated in the second round. Still not better than the Cavaliers with LeBron, and wouldn't be for a few years.

The Nets' record this season speaks for itself. Lopez is overrated as is Harris, who might not be there if the Nets land John Wall and the No. 1 pick.

The Cavs went for it this year and didn't come close. They don't have many young players, they don't have cap flexibility or high draft picks. They don't have many opportunities to make their team better next year.

Knicks and Nets both have young players, and cap flexibility. If they Knicks paired him with Bosh and then just filled out their roster with cheap contracts, they could either trade Curry's expiring for another big piece if it comes along, or wait until next year and sign another big free agent. It's not going to be a few years. I agree somewhat that way too many people are hyping up the Nets talent, but Lopez is legit, and that is a huge piece. I think the lottery will have a huge impact on how good a situation that is, and if they are able to create any more cap room.

Lebron could stay with the Cavs and probably have a better team next year, but if they don't make a move that would put them in position to win a championship(s), and I don't think it's likely they will, than what's the point.