The LeBron James Thread

[boomhauertjs]

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

One of the biggest factors working against the Bulls is Reinsdorf's history of being not will to spend the big bucks, even during the Jordan years. Wade himself even said it. I'd say it'd be a realistic concern to LeBron that the Bulls wouldn't be willing to pay out 4 max contracts in the next couple of years.

[Altimus]

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

Wade said something else. He said he questioned the Bulls' loyalty which is something he knows absolutely nothing about. He pissed a lot of people in Chicago when he said that because he's never played for this organization.

Look at all the past Bulls players and how the Bulls have supported them. From website article writers to coaching to commentary to Bulls management.

Wade's statement was a joke and shouldn't be taken seriously.

As far as spending, it is a question mark but if he says he'll spend, he'll spend. He said so himself, as long as it is intelligent spending.

[Starlin4Prez]

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

No one said the Knicks would win a title in Year 1. But as I've said from Day One, he's not winning a title in Chicago next year (unless Chicago can somehow get Bosh/Amare) or Cleveland anyway. Year 2 is where things would get interesting in New York. Neither Cleveland nor Chicago have the free cap space next summer that the Knicks will have.

I would imagine LeBron wants to contend for a title year one. And it has already been said that if LeBron is going to Chicago he is not going alone. You're assuming that he would be. So your stacking the chips a little unevenly.

Bulls with LeBron and Bosh/Stoudemire/Boozer are contending.
Knicks with LeBron and Bosh/Stoudemire/Boozer aren't contedning.

How is he taking a step-back? He would be coming here with the side-kick he never had with that 2nd MAX FA. A shooter who can spread the floor in Gallinari. A nice player in Wilson Chandler & a competent PG with Toney Douglas.

So your saying that LeBron would rather play with Darko Gallinari and Toney Douglas, than Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson/James Johnson/Luol Deng/Joakim Noah?? And that is just comparing the Bulls scenario.

I think the roster looks a little better than the Knicks on the Cleveland side. With the current roster and because Cleveland can work out a sign and trade deal. If they do that makes the Cleveland roster look that much better than the Knicks. LeBron doesn't want to wait around for contracts to expire, he wants to win now.

[ehh]

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

Explain to me how I am wrong.

Explain how you're not. I can't even think of a single comparison.

1. LeBron wasn't in his prime
2. No other FA's were friending to play with him (hell, Boozer left)
3. Cleveland had no young piece in place like Gallo
4. Cleveland didn't have the cap flexibility that the Knicks have (Big Z)

[King_B_Mack]

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

One of the biggest factors working against the Bulls is Reinsdorf's history of being not will to spend the big bucks, even during the Jordan years. Wade himself even said it. I'd say it'd be a realistic concern to LeBron that the Bulls wouldn't be willing to pay out 4 max contracts in the next couple of years.

Once again, Myth. Reinsdorf doesn't have a problem spending money if he feels he has a championship caliber team. He was paying Jordan 60 mil at one point and upon Scottie's departure got him his extra 30 million by granting him a S & T. Once again the reason he wouldn't pay the luxury tax in regards to the Gasol trade and Reinsdorf has said this himself, is he didn't see Gasol making that Bulls team a championship level team. If the Bulls have James on their team, he's obviously going to pay the luxury tax. You honestly think Reinsdorf is going to allow GarPax to basically wipe out the entire team to put themselves into position to get Bron and Bosh if he has no intention of paying the luxury tax in two years?

[Starlin4Prez]

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

The fact that people are acting like Wade's opinion of the Bulls organization is credible is laughable when the man hasn't played a single game for us.

[ehh]

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

I would imagine LeBron wants to contend for a title year one. And it has already been said that if LeBron is going to Chicago he is not going alone. You're assuming that he would be. So your stacking the chips a little unevenly.

Bulls with LeBron and Bosh/Stoudemire/Boozer are contending.
Knicks with LeBron and Bosh/Stoudemire/Boozer aren't contedning.

I've said all along that if the Bulls can somehow get one of those PF's then LeBron is a lock to CHI - but how exactly are the Bulls getting Bosh, Stoudemire or Boozer right now? The Bulls DO NOT have room for a 2nd max deal and cannot get one unless they move Deng. Boozer is not going to be involved in a S&T. What is Chicago giving Toronto in a S&T? I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just asking for a few legit/realistic examples of how one of those three PF's.

[OSUFan_88]

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

Explain how you're not. I can't even think of a single comparison.

1. LeBron wasn't in his prime
2. No other FA's were friending to play with him (hell, Boozer left)
3. Cleveland had no young piece in place like Gallo
4. Cleveland didn't have the cap flexibility that the Knicks have (Big Z)

1. Uh...okay. I was comparing the teams outside of LeBron.

2. I know you don't remember, but there was a TON of talk about Michael Redd coming home to Ohio and being LeBron's Robin. There was also a lot of talk of Ray Allen coming to Cleveland as well.

3. You and I disagree on the Knicks young players.

4. The Cavaliers had millions of dollars coming off the books, were getting ready to sell the team and were a year away from firing their coach. They basically did a completely rebuild and in 05, they started 5 years of extended playoff runs.

I see the Knicks in roughly the same spot with a huge roster turnover and a lot of cap space.

[Altimus]

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

Once again, Myth. Reinsdorf doesn't have a problem spending money if he feels he has a championship caliber team. He was paying Jordan 60 mil at one point and upon Scottie's departure got him his extra 30 million by granting him a S & T. Once again the reason he wouldn't pay the luxury tax in regards to the Gasol trade and Reinsdorf has said this himself, is he didn't see Gasol making that Bulls team a championship level team. If the Bulls have James on their team, he's obviously going to pay the luxury tax. You honestly think Reinsdorf is going to allow GarPax to basically wipe out the entire team to put themselves into position to get Bron and Bosh if he has no intention of paying the luxury tax in two years?

Reinsdorf has also won championships in two different sports so it has to count for something.

[Altimus]

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

I've said all along that if the Bulls can somehow get one of those PF's then LeBron is a lock to CHI - but how exactly are the Bulls getting Bosh, Stoudemire or Boozer right now? The Bulls DO NOT have room for a 2nd max deal and cannot get one unless they move Deng. Boozer is not going to be involved in a S&T. What is Chicago giving Toronto in a S&T? I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just asking for a few legit/realistic examples of how one of those three PF's.

Whoever bites on Deng has to be intrigued by Deng or want Taj Gibson enough to take on Deng.

I doubt Deng gets moved.

[bigfnjoe96]

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

So your saying that LeBron would rather play with Darko Gallinari and Toney Douglas, than Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson/James Johnson/Luol Deng/Joakim Noah?? And that is just comparing the Bulls scenario.

I think the roster looks a little better than the Knicks on the Cleveland side. With the current roster and because Cleveland can work out a sign and trade deal. If they do that makes the Cleveland roster look that much better than the Knicks. LeBron doesn't want to wait around for contracts to expire, he wants to win now.

No matter what team he goes except for MIAMI he ain't winning in year-1, so your point is moot

[Bornindamecca]

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

If CHI added LBJ/JJ or LBJ/Bosh or LBJ/Amare I think that would be enough for a title this year. Not to be favorites, but that could get it done.

I agree.

In response to some of the other posts, the people who are talking about Lebron having no help in New York are just hating. The current Knicks roster is pretty much bare, but what they do have is solid for the amount of players and money that those players are earning. It's not as favorable as Chicago, but right now the Knicks have more money than Chicago and with Curry coming off the books, they have more money to spend in the next off season. So the Knicks situation should be looked at as: Lebron/Douglas/Gallo/Max Player/Chandler/Rodriguez/Walker/11 million to spend in a year(Gallo's salary goes up, but Rodro comes off of the books, giving them another 2 million and change)

No matter what team he goes except for MIAMI he ain't winning in year-1, so your point is moot

The only team that can definitely compete next year is Cleveland. Right now Chicago doesn't have enough space for two max players yet. The reports stating otherwise were inaccurate. The only teams that can sign two max players as of RIGHT NOW are the Knicks and the Heat, with the obvious caveat being that the Heat are already signing Wade.

[OSUFan_88]

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

No matter what team he goes except for MIAMI he ain't winning in year-1, so your point is moot

How can anyone say that with authority, Miami has no team right now.

If Cleveland or Chicago gets another Max player, they are both better than anyone on the market.

[ehh]

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

I see the Knicks in roughly the same spot with a huge roster turnover and a lot of cap space.

That part is similar, the rest we'll have to disagree on.

[Starlin4Prez]

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

No matter what team he goes except for MIAMI he ain't winning in year-1, so your point is moot

Keep dreaming bud, if he goes to Chicago with Bosh or Stoudemire they are contending for a title in the East. Plus can we let go of the Miami super team dream? It's not happening so YOUR point is moot, I'm trying to be realistic, you're in a fantasy world.