The LeBron James Thread

[Streets]

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

I voted Cleveland when the poll first opened. Then I felt there is no way he re-ups and thought NY was option #1 because of all the media hype around it. Then Chicago came into the fold and we have him looking at houses and MJ giving his endorsement for the Windy City.

Now, I'm thinking Cleveland again. If he goes anywhere else his legacy will take a hit and he will be seen as a villain no matter what. It will be better or worse depending on where he goes (NY being the worst because the perception is he's an egomaniac who only cares about playng in front of celebs and making money... though I personally think the money adavantage is way overblown, but that's what's written about as NY's advantage).

Basically, if he wants to have an image as a good guy which will help his brand, he stays. If he wants to win, I think he has to leave. The rub is that winning chips will do more for his legacy/ brand and in order to do that Cleveland either needs to do a serious overhaul, or he needs to go. I think the latter is more likely.

As much as I've changed my mind on LeBron I'm sure he's changed his 1,000 times more. I wonder where his head is at, if he has a "list", if he knows in his heart if he is staying or going, and where he is leaning. Should be an interesting offseason.

[Checmate101]

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

This is crazy..


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[Streets]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

http://dontletlebronleave.com/

LOL

Edit: My GF told me about this site. Unless it was created today, 2800 signatures is kind of sad. NY probably has single buildings with more people. I hope they get more signatures, lol.

[ehh]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

Now, I'm thinking Cleveland again. If he goes anywhere else his legacy will take a hit and he will be seen as a villain no matter what. It will be better or worse depending on where he goes (NY being the worst because the perception is he's an egomaniac who only cares about playng in front of celebs and making money... though I personally think the money adavantage is way overblown, but that's what's written about as NY's advantage).

Winnings cures everything. If he leaves and wins titles at his new destination then his legacy/image will be better than ever. Heck, just look at what's being said about Kobe in the "LBJ vs Kobe" thread and in the media. Who would have thought that 3-4 years ago?

Even though from a fan perspective he'll be the most hated player in the league if he goes to the Knicks, as Bill Simmons said, "Resurrecting the Knicks and leading them to their first title since '73 is the biggest accomplishment available in sports." Fans may hate him more than Kobe, but his legacy and the media lovefest will be off the charts.

[Streets]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

Winnings cures everything. If he leaves and wins titles at his new destination then his legacy/image will be better than ever. Heck, just look at what's being said about Kobe in the "LBJ vs Kobe" thread and in the media. Who would have thought that 3-4 years ago?

Even though from a fan perspective he'll be the most hated player in the league if he goes to the Knicks, as Bill Simmons said, "Resurrecting the Knicks and leading them to their first title since '73 is the biggest accomplishment available in sports." Fans may hate him more than Kobe, but his legacy and the media lovefest will be off the charts.

I only disagree with one thing. I think him leading his hometown Cavs to a title is a better story and bigger accomplishment. However, I don't think that will happen, so resurrecting a storied franchise like the Knicks would be the next best thing. However, just having a decent team requires Bosh (which he and the Raptors have both said are willing to work out a S&T and the Knicks don't have assets for one). Even of Bosh does go, I don't see a team of Bron-Bosh-Lee and D-leaguers winning a chip.

Really, LeBron needs to win a chip (without Kobe, Durant or Wade) in order to boost his brand, regardless of where it's at (though I think it'll mean more in CLE or NY). Staying in Cleveland and getting praised as a loyal guy or getting NY celeb fame without ever winning is peanuts compared to winning a chip elsewhere. It all really comes down to what he values (how important is winning really) and where he thinks he has the best chance to obtain his goals. Right now my gut says at the end of the day he stays in Cleveland but logically I'm thinking Chicago offers the most. We'll see.

[Cebby]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

Even though from a fan perspective he'll be the most hated player in the league if he goes to the Knicks, as Bill Simmons said, "Resurrecting the Knicks and leading them to their first title since '73 is the biggest accomplishment available in sports." Fans may hate him more than Kobe, but his legacy and the media lovefest will be off the charts.

I think this really overrates the NBA's presence in sports but even moreso New York's.

First off, leading any NFL team to the Super Bowl title is a bigger accomplishment, as is taking any of the 7 or so historically elite college football teams (Notre Dame, Alabama, USC, Michigan, Ohio State, Texas, Oklahoma) or taking a mid major to the national championship.

After those, winning with the Yankees or Red Sox is a much bigger deal than any NBA story, as would be if a small market team won.

The Celtics ended a two decade drought of championships by beating the Lakers and going from "worst to first" and they're a distant after thought to the Super Bowl that year.

Now, biggest accomplishment in New York basketball history? I could see that, but the Knicks don't have fans outside of New York like the Lakers, Celtics, and Bulls do nor does Lebron have the army of stans that Kobe or AI do.

Winning a championship with the Knicks would be the biggest story in basketball that year, but in the sports world it would be lucky to be top 5.

[Altimus]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

Even Craig Ehlo would consider Chicago first if he was LBJ.

"If I were LeBron, and I were considering free agency ... explore your options," Ehlo said Wednesday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "I would consider Chicago one of the first places I would play.

[EWRMETS]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

DC controls more money than New York because it does. The Federal Budget is 2-3 times what New York has.

Obviously the federal budget is greater than New York City's budget. The value of New York real estate alone vastly dwarfs federal money.

[Cebby]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

Obviously the federal budget is greater than New York City's budget. The value of New York real estate alone vastly dwarfs federal money.

You believe that New York real estate is worth more than 25% of all the money in the United States and 6% of all the money in the world?

[wwharton]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

I voted Cleveland when the poll first opened. Then I felt there is no way he re-ups and thought NY was option #1 because of all the media hype around it. Then Chicago came into the fold and we have him looking at houses and MJ giving his endorsement for the Windy City.

Now, I'm thinking Cleveland again. If he goes anywhere else his legacy will take a hit and he will be seen as a villain no matter what. It will be better or worse depending on where he goes (NY being the worst because the perception is he's an egomaniac who only cares about playng in front of celebs and making money... though I personally think the money adavantage is way overblown, but that's what's written about as NY's advantage).

Basically, if he wants to have an image as a good guy which will help his brand, he stays. If he wants to win, I think he has to leave. The rub is that winning chips will do more for his legacy/ brand and in order to do that Cleveland either needs to do a serious overhaul, or he needs to go. I think the latter is more likely.

As much as I've changed my mind on LeBron I'm sure he's changed his 1,000 times more. I wonder where his head is at, if he has a "list", if he knows in his heart if he is staying or going, and where he is leaning. Should be an interesting offseason.

I don't think they need a major overhaul. Again, they just dropped 60+ W's two years in a row. They need a new coach with a backbone and a 5 man offensive set. Then they either need to bring in some role players who don't need to do more than play D and hit open jump shots. They can figure out where Mo, Jamison, Shaq, Hickson, West and maybe others fit in with that mix and keep/move where they see fit. That would literally be enough to make them a solid contender. If they can add a Bosh or Amare like every other team is thinking about doing to pair with LBJ to go along with that scenario, they're already likely top 3 in the league. Staying in Cleveland (assuming most of these things happen) should be the quickest way to get a ring.

Even Craig Ehlo would consider Chicago first if he was LBJ.

Ehlo probably still needs therapy.

[Altimus]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

What does all this have to really do with LBJ? Earlier we had someone point out how NY has goddess like women walking the streets. Now this. Lets just keep this on hoops talk.

[wwharton]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

What does all this have to really do with LBJ? Earlier we had someone point out how NY has goddess like women walking the streets. Now this. Lets just keep this on hoops talk.

It's just sarcasm gone too far. Cebby needs to reel the catch in and throw it back.

Now the NYC women argument is actually one of the best ones here.

[King_B_Mack]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

Winnings cures everything. If he leaves and wins titles at his new destination then his legacy/image will be better than ever. Heck, just look at what's being said about Kobe in the "LBJ vs Kobe" thread and in the media. Who would have thought that 3-4 years ago?

Even though from a fan perspective he'll be the most hated player in the league if he goes to the Knicks, as Bill Simmons said, "Resurrecting the Knicks and leading them to their first title since '73 is the biggest accomplishment available in sports." Fans may hate him more than Kobe, but his legacy and the media lovefest will be off the charts.

I got no beef with Bill Simmons, and agree with some things he says, but if this is truly something that came from him, then he's a friggin idiot on this account. The single biggest accomplishment/sports story available is not someone leading the Knicks to a championship. It's leading the Chicago Cubs to a World Series Championship after over a century of losing and over sixty years of even appearing in the fall classic. That's at the very top. LeBron getting the Knicks a championship doesn't even crack the top ten of available sports accomplishments out there. It's not even the greatest accomplishment in basketball. Leading the Clippers to a championship would be the bigger deal.

[ehh]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

I think this really overrates the NBA's presence in sports but even moreso New York's.

I don't think Simmons meant it like the way you're interpreting it. It's not what would get the biggest story or the most media attention. He's talking about what would cement or boost a player's legacy the most, what would be the greatest accomplishment an athlete could go out and do regardless of the media.

A QB wins the SB every year. One of those powerhouse football programs wins the MNC almost every year. The Yankees win the WS one out of every four years.

It's not every year that the NBA's biggest star and potential GOAT (at least that's what Stern hopes) turns around a historic franchise that's been a dump for a decade and hasn't won a title in nearly 40 years while proving himself to all of his doubters and critics.

That's a much bigger accomplishment than Peyton Manning or the Yankees winning another championship.

I would say though that turning around Notre Dame football is probably the biggest accomplishment available though.

[ehh]

Re: The Official &quot;Where is LeBron going?&quot; Thread

I got no beef with Bill Simmons, and agree with some things he says, but if this is truly something that came from him, then he's a friggin idiot on this account. The single biggest accomplishment/sports story available is not someone leading the Knicks to a championship. It's leading the Chicago Cubs to a World Series Championship after over a century of losing and over sixty years of even appearing in the fall classic. That's at the very top. LeBron getting the Knicks a championship doesn't even crack the top ten of available sports accomplishments out there. It's not even the greatest accomplishment in basketball. Leading the Clippers to a championship would be the bigger deal.

The Cubs winning a WS would be a bigger news story obviously but it'd be way too hard to pin all the glory on one player since there are so many pieces involved in baseball. No one player gets all the glory and credit for winning a WS like QB's do in football and stars do in basketball. Granted there are a ton of pieces in football too, everyone knows the QB gets all the credit and glory for winning and all the blame for losing.