The LeBron James Thread

[brahmagoul]

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

With two max players, you're going to have little flexibility. And this year's New York pick going to Utah is huge. If the Knicks had a John Wall type coming in, things would be different, but LeBron would be starting over completely in New York.

The reason the Cavaliers fell short was because in the regular season they won in spite of Mike Brown. Against Orlando last year and Boston this year, the difference was him getting out-coached.

[Scott812313]

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

There are 3 teams that LeBron could realistically go to that would be loaded with good young players. First off if the Nets win the lottery, he's going to NJ. Wall, Lebron, Lopez, T-Will and whatever they get for Harris will make them a force.

Secondly, he could go to the Bulls and team with Rose and Noah and whatever they can get for Deng. That would be the foundation of a great team. Also, don't forget that it will be much easier for him to get FA's to come to Chicago than Cleveland. They haven't signed anyone worth a damn since LeBron has been there, most of their pickups came via trade.

Thirdly, the scenario that doesn't get much play, is going to the Clippers. LeBron, Gordon, Griffin and Kaman would form a really good nucleus of young players that complement each other well. They also have a lottery pick this year to add another young guy to the mix.

Only way I can see him going to the Knicks or Miami is if they can find a way to get 3 USA guys on the same roster. Odds aren't good on that.

[Altimus]

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

There are 3 teams that LeBron could realistically go to that would be loaded with good young players. First off if the Nets win the lottery, he's going to NJ. Wall, Lebron, Lopez, T-Will and whatever they get for Harris will make them a force.

Secondly, he could go to the Bulls and team with Rose and Noah and whatever they can get for Deng. That would be the foundation of a great team. Also, don't forget that it will be much easier for him to get FA's to come to Chicago than Cleveland. They haven't signed anyone worth a damn since LeBron has been there, most of their pickups came via trade.

Thirdly, the scenario that doesn't get much play, is going to the Clippers. LeBron, Gordon, Griffin and Kaman would form a really good nucleus of young players that complement each other well. They also have a lottery pick this year to add another young guy to the mix.

Only way I can see him going to the Knicks or Miami is if they can find a way to get 3 USA guys on the same roster. Odds aren't good on that.

If he wants the money more than winning, it's NY.

However, NJ can offer both and the fact they have the richest owner in all of American sports has to be a incentive.

[OSUFan_88]

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

If he wants the money more than winning, it's NY.

However, NJ can offer both and the fact they have the richest owner in all of American sports has to be a incentive.

I fail to see this concept.

LeBron would not make more money if he went to NY or NJ. People need to stop acting like he needs a big market. LeBron can play in Afghanistan right now and sell millions of jerseys and get thousands of endorsement deal offers.

LeBron will need to choose between either taking a chance with another organization bringing him what he wants or staying with what he knows. With all due respect, I know people look at the Cavaliers roster and say they can't make moves, but Ferry has show the willingness to be risky and Gilbert is willing to take on whatever salary obligations are necessary. I'm not so sure that other teams are willing to do that.

We'll see. LeBron is an extremely loyal person and he knows what it would mean to leave Cleveland. He would be letting down his hometown and basically become a villain if he left before bringing what he promised. I'm not sure he could live with that if he didn't do everything possible.

It's a predicament and one that likely won't be solved quickly. If I were him, Chicago would be really enticing...

[Scott812313]

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

If he wants the money more than winning, it's NY.

However, NJ can offer both and the fact they have the richest owner in all of American sports has to be a incentive.

I honestly believe he wants to be extremely rich and powerful more than he wants to win. I also think he is a very smart kid. He knows he has to at least give the illusion that he is going some place to win, especially after how down the media has been on him this past week. Yeah the NJ owner with the 15 billion or whatever is a huge factor. I've always said, since it became apparent that the Cavs weren't going to win anything this year that if the Nets get the #1 pick, he is going to NJ.

[Anavar]

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

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nb...ris&id=5185810

[Altimus]

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

I fail to see this concept.

LeBron would not make more money if he went to NY or NJ. People need to stop acting like he needs a big market. LeBron can play in Afghanistan right now and sell millions of jerseys and get thousands of endorsement deal offers.

LeBron will need to choose between either taking a chance with another organization bringing him what he wants or staying with what he knows. With all due respect, I know people look at the Cavaliers roster and say they can't make moves, but Ferry has show the willingness to be risky and Gilbert is willing to take on whatever salary obligations are necessary. I'm not so sure that other teams are willing to do that.

We'll see. LeBron is an extremely loyal person and he knows what it would mean to leave Cleveland. He would be letting down his hometown and basically become a villain if he left before bringing what he promised. I'm not sure he could live with that if he didn't do everything possible.

It's a predicament and one that likely won't be solved quickly. If I were him, Chicago would be really enticing...

You mean having his face and name plastered all over Times Square wouldn't produce more revenue over a city like OKC for example? I'm not saying he needs a market though. He'll make money anywhere as you pointed out but he would make more based on marketing in a market such as NY.

Cleveland is in a tough spot with making moves. To me their only really asset is Hickson and then mostly a bunch of overpaid guys. Thing is if for some reason Cleveland gets the ability to persuade a big name to come to Cleveland in a sign and trade then Hickson would be enough to get it done I'd assume. The only question would be matching contracts to get the trade done. LBJ has a lot of time to think everything through and we won't know anything really till sometime July. He's never been recruited before so I'm sure this is a experience he is really looking forward to.

[Altimus]

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

I honestly believe he wants to be extremely rich and powerful more than he wants to win. I also think he is a very smart kid. He knows he has to at least give the illusion that he is going some place to win, especially after how down the media has been on him this past week. Yeah the NJ owner with the 15 billion or whatever is a huge factor. I've always said, since it became apparent that the Cavs weren't going to win anything this year that if the Nets get the #1 pick, he is going to NJ.

Oh the Nets chances are definitely riding on the ping pong balls. If they fall else where so goes any chance of LBJ I'd assume.

[Po Pimp]

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

It's gotta be between Cleveland and Chicago.

Cleveland is in his homestate and 40 minutes from his hometown city. He's trying to accomplish something big there, and while he hasn't got over the hump, his teams have won 60+ games in back to back seasons. The problem with Cleveland more than the players was the coaching. Playoffs is different from the regular season in that teams make adjustments. Mike Brown made no adjustments and his rotations were wacky.

If he chooses Chicago, he's going to a team that has heart and YOUNG talent. The Bulls played the Celtics tough last year and even though they lost in 5, they played Cleveland tough. Derrick Rose is like a mini-Lebron, and he would take the pressure off LeBron more than Mo Williams or any of those other Cavs did. Plus LeBron may be the type of arrogant cat that wants to emerge from Jordan's shadow. The Bulls would ONLY get better with LeBron. They won 41 games this year after a 10 game losing streak in which 3 starters were injured.

OKC is another option, but they already have Durant where he's the leader. If he goes to Miami, he would have to accept that it's Wade's team.

Any other team he chooses would be a step backwards.

[OSUFan_88]

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

You mean having his face and name plastered all over Times Square wouldn't produce more revenue over a city like OKC for example? I'm not saying he needs a market though. He'll make money anywhere as you pointed out but he would make more based on marketing in a market such as NY.

He already has a few billboards in NY. I mean, a few billboards more maybe, but to suggest that he goes to NY he becomes an instant billionaire is crazy.

Cleveland is in a tough spot with making moves. To me their only really asset is Hickson and then mostly a bunch of overpaid guys. Thing is if for some reason Cleveland gets the ability to persuade a big name to come to Cleveland in a sign and trade then Hickson would be enough to get it done I'd assume. The only question would be matching contracts to get the trade done. LBJ has a lot of time to think everything through and we won't know anything really till sometime July. He's never been recruited before so I'm sure this is a experience he is really looking forward to.

The Cavs have never really had a big time trading chip. They have turned bad players with expiring contracts into decent players with bad contracts. I could see someone like Philly biting on an Iggy trade or maybe even Toronto biting on a Bosh Sign and Trade for Hickson, West/Williams or both, maybe even Jamison.

The thing is, if they don't have the talent chips, they will take on more money than any team in the NBA. Hell, they took on that albatross of a contract in Shaq for average production, they knew he wasn't going to live up to his contract. I'm not sure another team would take on that money.

The long and short of it is, the Cavaliers will not let money or a lack of aggression stand in their way of a title. I would think this offseason more than any, they'll be extremely aggressive trying to get a player or two to ensure LeBron comes back to Cleveland.

[NYJets]

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

The reason the Cavaliers fell short was because in the regular season they won in spite of Mike Brown. Against Orlando last year and Boston this year, the difference was him getting out-coached.

We will see if Lebron feels that way. And if they are going to be able to hire a proven coach who everyone knows will be an improvement.

The thing is, if they don't have the talent chips, they will take on more money than any team in the NBA. Hell, they took on that albatross of a contract in Shaq for average production, they knew he wasn't going to live up to his contract. I'm not sure another team would take on that money.

That's just not true. You really think they are more willing to take on money than the Knicks? The Knicks whole problem the last 10 years was they never once had a problem taking on money. The Nets have a billionaire owner now who is going to spend whatever it takes. Not sure about the Bulls, but they are a big market, so I doubt if they had Lebron they would be too worried about money.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nb...ris&id=5185810

No one says that he needs New York, just that it would help. Of course he's a big star anywhere.

[Scott812313]

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

He already has a few billboards in NY. I mean, a few billboards more maybe, but to suggest that he goes to NY he becomes an instant billionaire is crazy.



The Cavs have never really had a big time trading chip. They have turned bad players with expiring contracts into decent players with bad contracts. I could see someone like Philly biting on an Iggy trade or maybe even Toronto biting on a Bosh Sign and Trade for Hickson, West/Williams or both, maybe even Jamison.

The thing is, if they don't have the talent chips, they will take on more money than any team in the NBA. Hell, they took on that albatross of a contract in Shaq for average production, they knew he wasn't going to live up to his contract. I'm not sure another team would take on that money.

The long and short of it is, the Cavaliers will not let money or a lack of aggression stand in their way of a title. I would think this offseason more than any, they'll be extremely aggressive trying to get a player or two to ensure LeBron comes back to Cleveland.

There is a certain Russian guy worth almost 14 billion dollars that would have to disagree with you on that. The guy plunked down like 500 million dollars for a DEPOSIT on an estate, then decided he didn't want it anymore and the deposit was non-refundable. So basically he took 500 million and flushed it down the toilet. NBA money is chump change to this guy. He didn'y buy the Nets to move them to Brooklyn to be a penny pincher or worry about the luxury tax.

[OSUFan_88]

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

And Dan Gilbert has the 3rd highest payroll in the NBA and looking to add more to it.

Let me ask you this, would you rather have Gilbert as an owner or James Dolan? This Russian dude has no track record other than being totally insane and having a bazillion dollars.

[Hassan Darkside]

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

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nb...ris&id=5185810

http://knicks.realgm.com/articles/52/20100513/debunking_broussards_flawed_anti-knick_logic/

The thing is, if they don't have the talent chips, they will take on more money than any team in the NBA. Hell, they took on that albatross of a contract in Shaq for average production, they knew he wasn't going to live up to his contract. I'm not sure another team would take on that money.

The long and short of it is, the Cavaliers will not let money or a lack of aggression stand in their way of a title. I would think this offseason more than any, they'll be extremely aggressive trying to get a player or two to ensure LeBron comes back to Cleveland.

The problem with this is that the only reason Cleveland's been able to get guys or would be able to get guys is because LeBron was playing there. Shaq definitely would not have welcomed a trade to Cleveland if LeBron was gone. And also, Shaq's got an expiring deal, so there really was no sacrifice involved in taking that risk.

Cleveland can't attract any free agents with their current cap situation so they'd be forced to work through trade. I really don't see them having the parts to get someone of note anymore. Hickson? Yes. But Jamison really depreciated his value and I doubt there's a team out there willing to take on the $29 mil he'll be owed over the next two seasons. Especially since he's 34. Tough situation for Cleveland.

[Altimus]

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

And Dan Gilbert has the 3rd highest payroll in the NBA and looking to add more to it.

Let me ask you this, would you rather have Gilbert as an owner or James Dolan? This Russian dude has no track record other than being totally insane and having a bazillion dollars.

If he's anything like Roman Abramovich (Russian owner that bought Chelsea FC a couple years back), which it seems like he is, then NJ is in very good hands.

I think the Nets will explode in a couple years but the first two might translate to a lot of overspending which doesn't net results. It just seems the trend with these owners that have no limit in the money they spend.