The LeBron James Thread

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

i still think the Heat will be great by the end of the year but its just so disappointing to watch Lebron sacrifice so much. People dont realize how much the guy has sacrificed. Aside from the money, he's sacrificed being the #1, and pretty much has sacrificed his legacy because his numbers are gonna drop big time. Its just weird watching him not be as involved the whole game because he's the best player in the NBA but will step aside to let Wade do his thing when he gets it going.

Plus i dont think the people of Miami are deserving of this team. Its ridiculous that they have to hand out flyers begging fans to show up to the games and cheer and show up on time. Its a joke that the arena is half empty until the 2nd quarter and then everyone is gone by the time the 4th quarter starts.

That's the point, that's why LeBron went to the Heat. He didn't want to be the #1 anymore, he didn't want to be the guy that was ridden every night to win a game.

Right or wrong, LeBron was tired of being "the guy".

I disagree strongly with the both of you.

First off, trying to say James sacrificed so much? I just when I read that. He could still prove he's the best player in the world with his play, and so far I am having my doubts. He's come straight back down to Earth since he quit in the playoffs last year, dude just looks like he lost "it". I am amazed, because there was a long period where he was the undisputed best player.. not so much now.

Second, no the point of going to Miami was to win titles. Because All-Time players are remembered in a much better light if they have rings.

Nobody questions who his teammates were. Nobody talks about how talented the Showtime Lakers were or the Bad Boys or the Bird teams... they were all Super Teams. So get out of here with the "he didn't want to be the guy".

Maybe he was just tired of having talent that was less than Boston/LA/Orlando hell even Atlanta.

Both of you guys are completely off base IMO.

[capp34]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

That's the point, that's why LeBron went to the Heat. He didn't want to be the #1 anymore, he didn't want to be the guy that was ridden every night to win a game.

Right or wrong, LeBron was tired of being "the guy".

No he went to Miami to win who you think gonna take the heat if Miami disappoints, it sure as hell not gonna be Dwayne.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

I never said he didn't go there to win a title, he just tried to take the easy way out.

He was sick of being the man so he teamed up with another guy so he didn't have to bring it every night, especially in the season.

I'm sure titles was also up there, but he went to Miami because he wanted it to be easy. Otherwise, we'd see LeBron in NJ/NY/CLE right now.

[BlueNGold]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

I disagree strongly with the both of you.

First off, trying to say James sacrificed so much? I just when I read that. He could still prove he's the best player in the world with his play, and so far I am having my doubts. He's come straight back down to Earth since he quit in the playoffs last year, dude just looks like he lost "it". I am amazed, because there was a long period where he was the undisputed best player.. not so much now.

Second, no the point of going to Miami was to win titles. Because All-Time players are remembered in a much better light if they have rings.

Nobody questions who his teammates were. Nobody talks about how talented the Showtime Lakers were or the Bad Boys or the Bird teams... they were all Super Teams. So get out of here with the "he didn't want to be the guy".

Maybe he was just tired of having talent that was less than Boston/LA/Orlando hell even Atlanta.

Both of you guys are completely off base IMO.

I agree with most of what you said here. It had nothing to do with not wanting to be "the guy" any more, he just wanted a team that had the talent level of a Boston/LA/Orlando.

But I disagree with you saying LeBron lost it. I just don't think that's the case. I also don't think he has necessarily sacrificed like Jersey said, but he's still adapting to the change in his role IMO.

In Miami he's a "facilitator" whereas in the past with Cleveland he was an "attacker". I think once he figures that out, he'll be back to being as dominant as he was in Cleveland, just in a different way.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

I agree with most of what you said here. It had nothing to do with not wanting to be "the guy" any more, he just wanted a team that had the talent level of a Boston/LA/Orlando.

Well then, he failed spectacularly.

Miami is top heavy with talent, but their depth is hilarious and they are soft up front. They are not winning a title without a good big man and Bosh is...yeah.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

I never said he didn't go there to win a title, he just tried to take the easy way out.

He was sick of being the man so he teamed up with another guy so he didn't have to bring it every night, especially in the season.

I'm sure titles was also up there, but he went to Miami because he wanted it to be easy. Otherwise, we'd see LeBron in CLE right now.

Had to fix that for ya there because he'd more than likely still would be there.

As for the talent part well....he wasn't exactly helping out in that regard in getting GOOD players to go there. Don't know why that's even being discussed again since that especially obvious now after what went down this summer.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

Had to fix that for ya there because he'd more than likely still would be there.

As for the talent part well....he wasn't exactly helping out in that regard in getting GOOD players to go there. Don't know why that's even being discussed again since that especially obvious now after what went down this summer.

Cleveland was not in a position to do a damn thing with that roster with all of their salaries.

Even if LeBron begged other stars to come, Cleveland wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. LeBron would have rotted in Cleveland for the next two or three years.

So there's that.

On the other hand you have a situation where you can team with Bosh, Wade, Mike Miller, Haslem....

That's an easy answer. And that has nothing to do with "not wanting to be the man" that's a bunch of rubbish.

[BlueNGold]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

Well then, he failed spectacularly.

Miami is top heavy with talent, but their depth is hilarious and they are soft up front. They are not winning a title without a good big man and Bosh is...yeah.

Not really. I know we aren't the great predictors like we'd like to be (well at least I'm not ), but most people thought that Miami team would be one of, if not the best in the league.

Yes they might not have the greatest depth, but when you put 3 of the top 20 players in the league, including 2 of the top 5 on one team, you have to like your chances.

Obviously in hindsight they don't stack up depth-wise as good as the Lakers and Celtics, but it's still so early in the season. They can still put it together and challenge teams like that in a playoff series IMO.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

Cleveland was not in a position to do a damn thing with that roster with all of their salaries.

Even if LeBron begged other stars to come, Cleveland wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. LeBron would have rotted in Cleveland for the next two or three years.

So there's that.

On the other hand you have a situation where you can team with Bosh, Wade, Mike Miller, Haslem....

That's an easy answer. And that has nothing to do with "not wanting to be the man" that's a bunch of rubbish.

There is simply no way you can say that with any fact. Sorry, but that's pure speculation on your part.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

There is simply no way you can say that with any fact. Sorry, but that's pure speculation on your part.

Which of my points were you referring to

[OSUFan_88]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

Which of my points were you referring to

Cleveland not being able to do anything with their contracts.

[BlueNGold]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

Well, this doesn't have anything to do with Cleveland not being able to do anything with their contracts, but they did drop the ball with the Wally Szcerbiak situation.

I know why they didn't trade him since they didn't want to mess with team chemistry or whatever the reasoning was, but in hindsight it was a mistake.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

Cleveland was not in a position to do a damn thing with that roster with all of their salaries.

Even if LeBron begged other stars to come, Cleveland wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. LeBron would have rotted in Cleveland for the next two or three years.

So there's that.

On the other hand you have a situation where you can team with Bosh, Wade, Mike Miller, Haslem....

That's an easy answer. And that has nothing to do with "not wanting to be the man" that's a bunch of rubbish.

Taking the easy way out and not wanting to be the man(in his case)is basically the samething and there's really no way you can argue otherwise because if that wasn't the case he would've took his talents to NY instead.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

Uh no, what does NY have to do with this? Taking the easy way out? When you have options in front of you, you pick what's best... going to a team with Wade/Bosh =/= "I don't want to be the man, I'm scared". It means he wants titles.

Cleveland not being able to do anything with their contracts.

Really? Just looking at their payroll, I think they could only afford some MLE guys... I could be wrong but it really doesn't look like they have any room to maneuver.

Jamison on the books for two more years at 13 and 15
LeBron would have gotten a max deal
Mo has 2-3 more years at 9 and 8 million
Andy has a 5 year 8/yr contract
etc etc

Trying to be reasonable, I really don't think they could have made any significant moves for two years.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: The LeBron James Saga

Someone already reported that the Cavs had a MO for Baron Davis and Chris Kaman deal on the table if LeBron re-signed.

Jamison next year is going to be a massive expiring contract.

The Cavaliers also had their full MLE and were probably going to sign Mike Miller if LeBron re-signed.

Add that with a coach that would demand LeBron play his system and an emerging JJ Hickson, I don't know how anyone could argue the Cavaliers would never have been buried.

Whatever, no point in talking about it anymore. Didn't happen.

I will say, though...LeBron looks very unhappy in Miami. I don't know if he thinks he made the wrong choice, but it's obviously not what he thought it was going to be.