The LeBron James Thread

[jmood88]

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

My sources tell me that Lebron is going to the Bobcats so that he can be closer to Michael Jordan.

Spoiler

Someone send this to realgm so that it gets passed around the internet as a piece of news

[Bornindamecca]

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

What you are saying is that Derek Fisher is one of the top 5 players of all time, a legend, because he has 5 championships.



Besides, hes already a Legend to the world....just watch the news...Hesjust as big, if not already bigger then kobe in the spotlight. If he leaves Cleveland, hes going to loose his hometown fans. Im telling you, thats not what he wants. If I were the Cavs, Id grab another all star, and give no reason for him to want to leave.

Why do people love this straw man argument so much? Does anyone think comparing roleplayers to superstars ever holds any weight? No one has ever said anything about comparing Fisher to Lebron or Horry to Barkley. One people compare GREAT players, the amount of championships that they LEAD their teams to is one of--but not the only--the biggest factors in how they rate people. It's not a perfect system and it's not math, but the bottom line is that once you get to the Finals, people can see the ultimate test of your skill, particularly if both conferences have legit contenders like in the 80s and the modern era.

On your other point, it's well documented that Kobe is "at least twice as popular as James on the international level." They talked about it during the Olympics, and it has only been reenforced by Kobe winning back to back championships and going to the Finals 3 times in a row. Lebron will be the most popular player in the world soon enough.

[Cebby]

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

So if he goes to a good team, wins some championships, hes a legend, but if he stays in cleveland, plays unbelievable, yet has a bad surrounding team and never wins one championship, hes not one of the greatest, and a legend?

This makes me laugh.

I don't know why you would laugh.

Look at where Karl Malone, the #2 scorer and #7 rebounder (#1 of players who entered the NBA after 1980) of all time and 2 time MVP ranks on most all time lists.

You cannot be in the truly elite without multiple rings, let alone without any.

What you are saying is that Derek Fisher is one of the top 5 players of all time, a legend, because he has 5 championships.

That is not what I am saying.

Multiple rings does not make you an all time great. However, to be an all time great you need multiple rings.

And the reason Lebron might care more about what Ohio thinks, vs the world, is because of pride we have of where we live. Ive lived in California for 3 years, and Ohio for 30+. I cant begin to explain the differences in people and bonds that we have here, then many other places do. It may not be what it once was here when I was younger, but I can tell you Lebrons family, friends, and community will be a huge factor, regardless of if he goes or stays. As I said, I dont expect all people outside of Ohio to really understand this, because people think so much differently here then many of the other places Ive been.

Every area takes pride in their teams.

The only place that's an exception is southern California. They're bandwagoners.

Besides, hes already a Legend to the world....just watch the news...Hesjust as big, if not already bigger then kobe in the spotlight. If he leaves Cleveland, hes going to loose his hometown fans. Im telling you, thats not what he wants.

He's going to lose his hometown fans and gain the fanbase of Chicago, New York, or most of the south.

Those are slightly bigger populations than Cleveland.

On your other point, it's well documented that Kobe is "at least twice as popular as James on the international level." They talked about it during the Olympics, and it has only been reenforced by Kobe winning back to back championships and going to the Finals 3 times in a row. Lebron will be the most popular player in the world soon enough.

Exactly

Kobe has had the #1 jersey three of the past four years, and the other year he was #2 behind KG who had just switched teams. Kobe is the most popular player in the world (and the US) and the time he retook that part was...when the Lakers started winning again.

[ZB9]

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

My sources tell me that Lebron is going to the Bobcats so that he can be closer to Michael Jordan.

Spoiler

Someone send this to realgm so that it gets passed around the internet as a piece of news

lol yes Lebron loves Larry Brown

you should work for ESPN

[Altimus]

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

I'm honestly surprised no one has mentioned LBJ going to play for CSKA Moscow. At least for hits.

[jmood88]

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

I'm honestly surprised no one has mentioned LBJ going to play for CSKA Moscow. At least for hits.

Or the Shanghai Sharks.

[ZB9]

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

Folks cant see him in a Mavs jersey, but Lebron should try to force a S&T to Dallas

Kidd, Dirk, and Lebron all hungry for a ring, that could be an interesting story line

[Cebby]

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

Folks cant see him in a Mavs jersey, but Lebron should try to force a S&T to Dallas

Kidd, Dirk, and Lebron all hungry for a ring, that could be an interesting story line

Or he could be smart and not do that.

[ex carrabba fan]

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

Or he could be smart and not do that.

Dallas would be cool but I want to see him stay in the East.

[ehh]

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

Passing the peace pipe in the MSG offices I see........


Source: Knicks Will Present LeBron With Three-Star Plan

Jun 29, 2010 11:53 PM EST

The Knicks are preparing to pitch LeBron James on an ambitious proposal under which two other All-Stars join James in New York to form a dominant roster capable of winning multiple championships.

SI.com spoke with a "league source with complete understanding of New York's plans" that said the Knicks will sell James on the team's vision of surrounding him with shooting guard Joe Johnson and either Chris Bosh or Amar'e Stoudemire at power forward.

The Knicks have been seen as outsiders in the pursuit of James but their bold attempt to bring three stars to New York represents a significant shift in strategy.

The team would divide its estimated $34.5 million in cap room equally among all three free agents, meaning each would start at about a yearly salary of $11.5 million.

The source said that, with bonuses achieved, each player can earn an average salary of $15.7 million over a five-year contract.

On top of those salary and bonus amounts paid on the player contracts, the Knicks will emphasize that with many off-the-court opportunities for star athletes in the world's largest media market, the players would be able to earn more in New York than they would make on a maximum-salary contract in other NBA cities. If the players reach their potential and win a championship, additional endorsement opportunities will be available to them.

If three top free agents are ready to come aboard, then Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Toney Douglas, Bill Walker and three to four veteran-minimum players would surround the team's 'Big Three.'

The team will also promise James that the front office will use the cap space created by Eddy Curry's $11.3 million expiring salary to pursue a fourth free agent, potentially Carmelo Anthony, in 2011. James will be told that this additional flexibility next summer is another element that James will not have in any of the other markets.

[Altimus]

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

I've been asking this for a while. Who is the big man?

[ehh]

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

Does it even matter? Those guys are not agreeing to an $11m/yr deal.

[Altimus]

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

Does it even matter? Those guys are not agreeing to an $11m/yr deal.

I'm just saying.

Amare will get destroyed with no legit big man and Bosh won't sign. Not sure what the asking price is for Haywood, but he may be necessary.

Do you think these sources are correct? I mean, unless Curry gets moved then the Knicks shouldn't offer such plans. Too much money cut.

[ehh]

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

The source might be legit since the Knicks are desperate but I don't know, asking these guys to take that big of a pay cut is idiotic. I assume LeBron would laugh Walsh out of the room.

And they're going to use Curry's $11m expiring contract to go after Melo next season?

[NYJets]

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

I don't believe that at all.

If guys are going to take less money to play together, they would do it with Wade, not Johnson.

Also, Curry does not make the max so they can't spend all their cap room this year and then go after Carmelo unless the cap goes way up, not that a lineup like that makes sense anyway.

Donnie Walsh is not that crazy to think this is has a chance at happening.