The LeBron James Thread

[OSUFan_88]

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

What's best for the franchise is getting Lebron James back.

What's your other option? Rebuild around a Hickson/Mo/Antawn/ho core?

If Bringing back LeBron means that the Cavaliers have to hire Cal, I'm not so sure that rebuilding is a worse option...

One way or the other, the Cavaliers will not have nearly the same roster next year that they had this year. I expect one of Mo and Antawn on the bench and the other shipped out. I also expect the Cavaliers to get younger at the 2 guard.

[jeebs9]

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

My thing is...now. For LeBron to leave a very good and experienced Cavs team. For a team like the Net and Knicks would be crazy. Yea they have good rosters. But why try starting over with a whole new core. The Nets seem to young and the Knicks have talent but not better than what the Cavs have right now. I think a coaching change is what will push Cavs over the top. And the Cavs have shown that they will make the team better. We will see?


But isn't LeBron contract a player option?

[ProfessaPackMan]

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

Any team he goes to non named the Lakers/Magic aren't going to be instant title contenders anyway so in a way, he'll be "starting over" but not starting over in a sense that it's a complete overhaul, if you know what I mean.

[ehh]

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

You're right he can just walk, but this scenarios is if he wants to go to the Bulls. If he wants to go to the Bulls and we all know they can't get a second guy without a sign and trade, why wouldn't he consider doing that? It would help insure the Bulls of the best possible deal as a sign and trade for Bosh would most likely mean Noah has to go in the deal. James likes Noah and I'm sure he'd want to play with him. So why would he just walk and not help the team he'd be walking to?

So in your hypothetical, the Bulls do a S&T for LBJ and Bosh? Not sure if I'm reading that correctly....

Bosh apparently is only leaving via a S&T, so Chicago doing a S&T for LeBron won't get them any closer than they need to be because they can't just go out and sign Bosh.

Also, LeBron may not agree to a S&T because he doesn't want the team he's going to to lose assets. If you want to go to a championship-level team and can as a UFA, why are you going to make that team give up valuable pieces to get you? You'd be shooting yourself in the foot. I know you want to be nice to Cleveland but this is a business, it's foolish to agree to a S&T.

[ehh]

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

My thing is...now. For LeBron to leave a very good and experienced Cavs team. For a team like the Net and Knicks would be crazy. Yea they have good rosters. But why try starting over with a whole new core. The Nets seem to young and the Knicks have talent but not better than what the Cavs have right now. I think a coaching change is what will push Cavs over the top. And the Cavs have shown that they will make the team better. We will see?

Because the Cavs are exactly what you said they are, "good". That's it, they're not great and have some serious flaws and bad contracts. Given the Cavs contract and salary cap situation it's going to be very difficult for them to do anything more than marginally improve in the next 2-3 years.

And as Pack said, any of the possible destinations for him will not be a title favorite next year anyway.

[King_B_Mack]

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

So in your hypothetical, the Bulls do a S&T for LBJ and Bosh? Not sure if I'm reading that correctly....

Bosh apparently is only leaving via a S&T, so Chicago doing a S&T for LeBron won't get them any closer than they need to be because they can't just go out and sign Bosh.

Also, LeBron may not agree to a S&T because he doesn't want the team he's going to lose assets. If you want to go to a championship-level team and can as a UFA, why are you going to make that team give up valuable pieces to get you? You'd be shooting yourself in the foot. I know you want to be nice to Cleveland but this is a business, it's foolish to agree to a S&T.

I was suggesting signing Bosh straight up. If Bosh isn't dead set on a Sign & Trade. I've seen all the posts about the Knicks getting Bosh and I know they've got really nothing of value to get him if he's apparently only doing S&T. Like I was saying though, if LeBron agrees to going to the Bulls and he knows that's where he's going and he wants to get Bosh with him, it would make more sense for the future of the Bulls if he goes to Cleveland for a S&T as Noah can likely be left out of a S&T with them, however if he signs straight up, the only option of getting Bosh is S&T in which Noah is likely going to have to go in that deal. If LeBron swings it where he is the one gone in S&T and Bosh is signed outright the Bulls are a better squad as a Bulls team with Rose, James, Bosh, Hinrich, Noah is better than a team with Rose, James, Bosh, Deng and whoever.

[Altimus]

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

This Chicago talk is 10x worse compared to the T-Mac talk to Chicago summers ago and it's only middle of May.

As far as the coach Cal thing, that's very complicated. You can't sign LBJ till July 1. You can't even talk to him LBJ unless it's done through some back channels. Thing is you most certainly need some kind a coach in place before the deadline starts. Even before the draft. If Bulls wait it out they could end up with nothing but Ron Mercer Version 2.0.

I say get a good coach in place by the draft. Forget about this package deal nonsense. I know its been denied but I'm sure the idea and thoughts are still floating out there.

[Altimus]

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

I was suggesting signing Bosh straight up. If Bosh isn't dead set on a Sign & Trade. I've seen all the posts about the Knicks getting Bosh and I know they've got really nothing of value to get him if he's apparently only doing S&T. Like I was saying though, if LeBron agrees to going to the Bulls and he knows that's where he's going and he wants to get Bosh with him, it would make more sense for the future of the Bulls if he goes to Cleveland for a S&T as Noah can likely be left out of a S&T with them, however if he signs straight up, the only option of getting Bosh is S&T in which Noah is likely going to have to go in that deal. If LeBron swings it where he is the one gone in S&T and Bosh is signed outright the Bulls are a better squad as a Bulls team with Rose, James, Bosh, Hinrich, Noah is better than a team with Rose, James, Bosh, Deng and whoever.

Any deal that moves Noah out means no Bosh. Noah has to be one of the biggest selling points for a man like Bosh. Bosh can be said to be average rebounder and defender. Noah would be a huge selling point to him since he can do all the dirty work needed.

I would be very disappointed if they traded Noah in a S&T for Bosh. Horrible deal.

[ehh]

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

I was suggesting signing Bosh straight up. If Bosh isn't dead set on a Sign & Trade. I've seen all the posts about the Knicks getting Bosh and I know they've got really nothing of value to get him if he's apparently only doing S&T. Like I was saying though, if LeBron agrees to going to the Bulls and he knows that's where he's going and he wants to get Bosh with him, it would make more sense for the future of the Bulls if he goes to Cleveland for a S&T as Noah can likely be left out of a S&T with them, however if he signs straight up, the only option of getting Bosh is S&T in which Noah is likely going to have to go in that deal. If LeBron swings it where he is the one gone in S&T and Bosh is signed outright the Bulls are a better squad as a Bulls team with Rose, James, Bosh, Hinrich, Noah is better than a team with Rose, James, Bosh, Deng and whoever.

The Knicks would resign David Lee and trade him Bosh. S&T for an S&T.

I like Noah's game. But if the Bulls can get LBJ as a UFA and S&T for Bosh with a package that includes Noah then you do it in the blink of an eye if you're the Bulls. Noah brings a lot to the table, but you're not going to let a 10 & 11 hustle guy prevent you from pulling the trigger on acquiring arguably the best 1-2 punch in the NBA.

[ehh]

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

I would be very disappointed if they traded Noah in a S&T for Bosh. Horrible deal.

We were assuming that LBJ was in Chicago via free agency in this situation.

Bron, Bosh and Rose >>> Bron, Rose and Noah and it's obviously not even close.


As I stated above though, I have no idea why Bosh is so set on a S&T. He can simply go to Chicago (if they free up the space) then why would you do a S&T trade where Noah (or Gibson or picks, anything) would be leaving Chicago? You can go to Chicago with ALL those assets still there by taking the free agency route. You shoot yourself in the foot by agreeing to a S&T and removing assets from your own (new) team.

[JerseySuave4]

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

i would hate to see Lebron go wherever Calipari is. #1, i dont think Calipari would be good again in the NBA, he wasnt great the 1st time around and the reason he's successful in college is because of the talent he recruits, not because of his coaching.

And for him to say he's staying at Kentucky and then turn around and leave for the NBA, i would not be able to root for the guy but Lebron is my favorite player and wherever he goes i'm rooting for that team so i would be really conflicted.

[Altimus]

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

We were assuming that LBJ was in Chicago via free agency in this situation.

Bron, Bosh and Rose >>> Bron, Rose and Noah and it's obviously not even close.


As I stated above though, I have no idea why Bosh is so set on a S&T. He can simply go to Chicago (if they free up the space) then why would you do a S&T trade where Noah (or Gibson or picks, anything) would be leaving Chicago? You can go to Chicago with ALL those assets still there by taking the free agency route. You shoot yourself in the foot by agreeing to a S&T and removing assets from your own (new) team.

I don't know. I've just convinced myself that wherever Bosh goes they will already have another big to complement him. If he goes to NY as is now, they have no one. If he goes to Chicago in a deal where Noah gets shipped somewhere, they have no one. If I'm a scoring 4 I go to a team that can complement my skills with another big. I just don't see him agreeing to a S & T if Noah is involved. Even if LBJ is already here. You're left with Bosh - Gibson - LBJ - Hinrich - Rose. That front line will get murdered and no way Bosh wants to play the 5 either.

[ProfessaPackMan]

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

I still think the most realistic and probably the best option for Bosh is in Houston. Not sure who Houston would give up since the only way they could get him would be in a S&T.

[King_B_Mack]

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

We were assuming that LBJ was in Chicago via free agency in this situation.

Bron, Bosh and Rose >>> Bron, Rose and Noah and it's obviously not even close.


As I stated above though, I have no idea why Bosh is so set on a S&T. He can simply go to Chicago (if they free up the space) then why would you do a S&T trade where Noah (or Gibson or picks, anything) would be leaving Chicago? You can go to Chicago with ALL those assets still there by taking the free agency route. You shoot yourself in the foot by agreeing to a S&T and removing assets from your own (new) team.

I assume he wants the money. This could be Bosh's last huge payday in the league. Maybe there's one more depending on how many years he signs for, but yeah. Again, if the Bulls are going after LeBron, who is top priority going into this thing, he has no choice but to come here via S&T if the Bulls sign Bron straight up. Noah is also developing into more than a 10 and 11 guy. Hell he was 14 and 13 in the playoffs alone this year and that's with plantar fasciitis which screws up his season numbers you were using there too. I'm not so sure I trade him in a heartbeat.

[Altimus]

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

I still think the most realistic and probably the best option for Bosh is in Houston. Not sure who Houston would give up since the only way they could get him would be in a S&T.

Probably something like Hill and Jeffries, and they would have to find another player for matching salaries. Only one on there that is only under a 1 year deal and would match is Battier.