The LeBron James Thread

[ehh]

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

It's crazy to me that they wouldn't be willing to take $1.1 million less each to team up in Chicago, if that's what they want to do.

For real, hell the two star FA's could agree to split the $1.1M difference and Player A just cuts Player B a check for $550k.

[Kully]

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

Agreed with ehh. If these guys really want to play together and win, a paycut of like 1ish million shouldn't hurt that much. You'll make that right back up through endorsements, jersey sales, whatever. Especially in places like NY and Chicago.

[NYJets]

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

There's always that superficial status thing. It's like people having to have the newest iPhone or whatever.

Yup. It's not about needing the money, their pride just won't let them make less than other stars.

I just don't get it though, they'll have max offers from other players, they have to know that just about every team in the league would pay them the max if they could. You would think that would be enough, but for some reason its not.

[BaselineBakes]

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

Three days ago I woulda handicapped Lebron as staying in CLE. Now, theres no way in hell, IMO.

Sentiments and loyalty aside, the Eastern power balance is shifting too heavily for LeBron to stay put. At least 3 teams have a legit chance to roll out 2 All-NBA players and a solid group of roleplayers next season. No way LeBron is going to watch CHI pick up 2 max guys, NY pick up 2 Max guys, and MIA pick up at least one more, and...OMG...possibly two more max guys if Beasley can be moved, and stay in CLE. I just don't see it.

Godspeed Lebron, it was a blast!

I've been recently thinking this way as well. Everything is changing, no way he allows Wade to pony up with another superstar without Lebron making some kind of move of his own.

I really want to see him stay in Cleveland but with all the possible moves and the threat of 2-3 East teams jumping way ahead of the Cavs as far as talent level, theres no way Lebron can re-sign and play the wait and see who we get game with the Cavs front office.

[HMcCoy]

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

I'm pretty sure Bosh would be the 2nd max guy and that he would take 13 to 13.5 range initially instead of the 15 he'll get elsewhere, backload some dough and hook up with Bron/Rose in Chitown.

I'm also sure Dan Gilbert will then overpay Rudy Gay, and the Cavs will slide back to mediocrity for a while.

I really think the only way James stays is if Gilbert can offer to take two bad contracts off the Hornets (say Okafor and Posey) for CP3 and send them say Mo, JJ, Delonte's deal, a buyout-able Wally S&T and some picks. Thats the longest of longshots but the cavs only hope, IMO.

[BaselineBakes]

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

I'm also sure Dan Gilbert will then overpay Rudy Gay, and the Cavs will slide back to mediocrity for a while.

No, the Knicks will most certainly overpay way more for Rudy Gay.

[NYJets]

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

I'm pretty sure Bosh would be the 2nd max guy and that he would take 13 to 13.5 range initially instead of the 15 he'll get elsewhere, backload some dough and hook up with Bron/Rose in Chitown.

On ESPN Radio today they asked Bosh if he would be willing to take a couple million less than the max and he pretty much said that he wouldn't. They were asking about him doing it to play with Wade and Lebron in Miami, but I would assume it would be the same for Chicago.

[Bornindamecca]

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

Do you think JJ would come to Chicago to play along side LBJ for a less than max contract?

They got a nice PF in last year's draft in Gibson. Was a 9/7 guy this year but didn't really get solid playing time till later in the season. Could be a 14/10 guy this season I believe and that's all they would need with Rose-JJ-LBJ.

Also if this scenario would work out they would be able to put different rotations out there. Go big or go small with a Rose - JJ - Deng - LBJ - Noah line up.

I'm excited but cautious.

I think JJ would take less than the max if no one is offering the max. I don't see anyone offering him the max. It's possible, but I just don't see what kind of sane GM would offer him the same pay as Lebron or Wade. JJ might get overpaid, but there is a strong chance he doesn't.

Now Bosh is not taking less than the max. He is guaranteed to get an offer for the max from New York, New Jersey and Miami. Amar'e will probably wind up in Miami, which leaves it as a bidding war between Brooklyn and Manhattan. No way in hell Bosh signs for less in Chi-town when he could be playing in New York for more money. Same for Amar'e. And I don't think Lebron will play with Boozer, who would take less than the max if he were forced to.

I could see it shaking out as: Wade/Gay/Amar'e and Bron/Bosh/Rose if Chicago gets rid of Deng.

[boomhauertjs]

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

After all the draft moves, I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that LeBron is leaving Cleveland. They tried as hard as they could to put a championship team around him and now they're going to be rewarded for it by getting a broken roster with little salary cap flexibility. I guess they should've gone the Miami route and just saved cap space and been a mediocre team for 3 years.
This whole "Summer of 2010" free agency nonsense has really soured me on professional athletes, especially NBA players. I can't wait until the NBA owners lock them out and they are go bankrupt because of their idiotic spending habits.

[Jeffx]

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

This whole "Summer of 2010" free agency nonsense has really soured me on professional athletes, especially NBA players.

Why? Because of their pursuit of the almighty dollar? Why should they be different than any other American?

[Dice]

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

Three days ago I woulda handicapped Lebron as staying in CLE. Now, theres no way in hell, IMO.

Sentiments and loyalty aside, the Eastern power balance is shifting too heavily for LeBron to stay put. At least 3 teams have a legit chance to roll out 2 All-NBA players and a solid group of roleplayers next season. No way LeBron is going to watch CHI pick up 2 max guys, NY pick up 2 Max guys, and MIA pick up at least one more, and...OMG...possibly two more max guys if Beasley can be moved, and stay in CLE. I just don't see it.

Godspeed Lebron, it was a blast!

I was the same way. My ratio was 50-50 Chicago/Cleveland. But after yesterday, I'm in the 80-20 ball park that he'll go to the Bulls. Unless the Cavs can pull a shocker of a deal(either getting Paul or Bosh in a sign-and-trade) LeBron is leaving Cleveland.

[boomhauertjs]

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

Why? Because of their pursuit of the almighty dollar? Why should they be different than any other American?

No, because of the publicity-whore nature of the whole process that makes them look like a bunch of Kardashians.

[ehh]

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

No, because of the publicity-whore nature of the whole process that makes them look like a bunch of Kardashians.

Outside of LeBron no one has acted like that. Bosh and Wade have been downplaying the whole thing the entire time.

[LoWw]

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

I don't believe Lebron is leaving his hometown to go anywhere else. They still have at this moment a top 3 in the East before all this free agency hits. I think Amare will sign with the Cavs to replace Shaq.

[ehh]

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

I think Amare will sign with the Cavs to replace Shaq.

Cleveland doesn't have the cap space to do that.