The LeBron James Thread

[jeebs9]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I think that would be the most shocking move. Is if they all take less just to stay together.

That's why the talk of Melo and James going to LA is shaky in my opinion. Kobe just said he wouldn't take less. Which is really greedy in my opinion. James has already proven he will take less just to win.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

It's not tough I just don't believe it's realistic but hey anything can happen. I personally think they will all reconstructure their contracts for even less money than what they have now.

I don't think there is any way Bosh would do so. He has been exposed and I seriously doubt he could make another Max contract.

The big question is would Wade do it? He'd need to take significantly less to make it worth it.

[d23x]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I think that would be the most shocking move. Is if they all take less just to stay together.

That's why the talk of Melo and James going to LA is shaky in my opinion. Kobe just said he wouldn't take less. Which is really greedy in my opinion. James has already proven he will take less just to win.

It is greedy and why I believe Kobe will scare off any big free agents that the Lakers try and recruit.

[jeebs9]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I don't think there is any way Bosh would do so. He has been exposed and I seriously doubt he could make another Max contract.

The big question is would Wade do it? He'd need to take significantly less to make it worth it.

I just don't get when people say Bosh has been exposed. If anyone still think he was going to average the same thing he did in Toronto. Your wrong. As much as people don't see it. Bosh is a major part of the Miami Heat. And it's not reflected in points and rebounds. This whole tradition big man thing. Only a few big men in the league have the speed, long arms, shooting touch that Bosh brings. He fits their system. It's the whole reason why they got rid of those big men (Big Z and Dampier) after the 2011 season.

It's the same reason they waive Miller instead of Joel Anthony. Joel is really valuable in their system.

Pick and Roll coverage

[King_B_Mack]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Why is it greedy to get paid your worth now? Good for LeBron and all those guys to take less to play together (even though they do so knowing the dollars will be made up for in the novelty of them being together and basically being a traveling rock group), but just because they did that doesn't make everybody else in the league greedy because they want to get paid their market value.

[jeebs9]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Why is it greedy to get paid your worth now? Good for LeBron and all those guys to take less to play together (even though they do so knowing the dollars will be made up for in the novelty of them being together and basically being a traveling rock group), but just because they did that doesn't make everybody else in the league greedy because they want to get paid their market value.

And I get that. But you can't sit there and say I need a better team around me (or trade me lol). But you've given your team no room to improve with another huge contract. It's almost a double standard.

Kobe is not the same Kobe we all know and love. He's not worth 30 million a year if you come up short in the playoffs. I mean even Durant took less money.

But I still think it's greedy in the long run of things. Especially if everyone who is a star player just like you is taking less to win. Makes him look very selfish.

[wwharton]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I don't think there is any way Bosh would do so. He has been exposed and I seriously doubt he could make another Max contract.

The big question is would Wade do it? He'd need to take significantly less to make it worth it.

You keep saying Bosh has been exposed. He averaged 17ppg 7rbs and 1.4 blocks while shooting 54% from the field and 80% from the line... as the 3rd option.

In the playoffs he averaged 12ppg 7rbs and 1.6 blocks while shooting 46% and 41% from 3... again as the 3rd option. I think he should be a bigger focus but with the scraps he gets in a guard dominated offense, he's done quite well.

And I get that. But you can't sit there and say I need a better team around me (or trade me lol). But you've given your team no room to improve with another huge contract. It's almost a double standard.

Kobe is not the same Kobe we all know and love. He's not worth 30 million a year if you come up short in the playoffs. I mean even Durant took less money.

But I still think it's greedy in the long run of things. Especially if everyone who is a star player just like you is taking less to win. Makes him look very selfish.

You say that like Kobe mentioned getting a better team around him or trade him last week. I don't like superstars trying to team up, whether they give up money to do it or not. So personally good for Kobe... pay me what I'm worth and make the team as good as it can be with that considered. Especially after 5 rings and only a year or two left in my career, no I don't need to give any money back to help build a super team and force myself into a reduced role to chase another ring.

[The 24th Letter]

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker didn’t take pay cuts with the intention on building a super teams…and its not the reason Dirk plans on doing the same…it’s for the benefit of the team.

Kobe has every single right to keep his salary, but I do think he has to curb his expectations as to what his FO can do if that's the case...being that hes repeatedly said hes in the hunt for more rings...

[jeebs9]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

The trade thing was a joke lol.

Kobe is getting old. I think he is leaving rings on the table in my opinion (again). Kobe will always go down as the player who couldn't play with others lol. Just kidding about the last part.

[King_B_Mack]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

How is he leaving rings on the table though, jeebs? Even if Kobe didn't just blow out his foot, LA isn't even a lock to finish higher than a seventh seed in the West next year or after. You can't restructure contracts in the NBA and the deal he's currently on has produced 2 championships. So I'm not following where you're coming from.

[wwharton]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker didn’t take pay cuts with the intention on building a super teams…and its not the reason Dirk plans on doing the same…it’s for the benefit of the team.

Kobe has every single right to keep his salary, but I do think he has to curb his expectations as to what his FO can do if that's the case...being that hes repeatedly said hes in the hunt for more rings...

They took pay cuts with the intention of keeping the team they already have in tact. It may not be considered a "super team" in the standards of bringing in established players, but considering the success of the spurs over the year, the theory still fits. With that said, I don't have a problem with how they handle that situation. If this was a conversation about a cohesive unit the Lakers need money to keep together, and Kobe was causing it to be broken up bc he won't take a pay cut, then feel free to call him selfish. That's not what we're talking about here though.

And personally, I still wouldn't call him selfish. The man can do whatever he wants with his money that he's definitely earned. Sure, you can say he shouldn't be complaining about them not being able to add pieces then... but again, when did he complain about that. Was it last week or years ago? That doesn't hold any weight unless he's saying those things in the same conversation.

[jeebs9]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I just think he could win at least one more ring that's all. But the Lakers are in regroup/rebuilding mode right now. I'd do whatever to win a few more rings.

[Vni]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

The trade thing was a joke lol.

Kobe is getting old. I think he is leaving rings on the table in my opinion (again). Kobe will always go down as the player who couldn't play with others lol. Just kidding about the last part.

Maybe but what kind of meaningless rings would it be if he teams up with the best player in the league and arguably the best scorer? Kobe thinks he can still get it done as the main option in offense. If he's surrounded by the right people and the right coach I believe he's right.

[wwharton]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Maybe but what kind of meaningless rings would it be if he teams up with the best player in the league and arguably the best scorer? Kobe thinks he can still get it done as the main option in offense. If he's surrounded by the right people and the right coach I believe he's right.

I don't know if I believe he's right but I stand behind the man for thinking that way and wanting to approach the game that way. Again, many of us crucified James for NOT thinking that way. We can use the same arguments here... Jordan, Magic, Bird, etc. wouldn't do it. Nothing wrong with Kobe not wanting to do it.

[The 24th Letter]

Wait,

Kobe just completed a season with Steve Nash & Dwight Howard on his team, he bragged to Durant at the Olympics about getting D12...it just happened not to work out....lets not act like Kobe is too noble for help all the sudden...we see how he reacted in the mid 2000's when he was faced with the prospect of being mediocre for a couple of years...think y'all are giving him way too much credit lol