The LeBron James Thread

[Starlin4Prez]

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

And that's your opinion. Personally, I think after adding a solid player or two during the next free agency period; the Nicks will be primed to make a few championship runs.

Vince Carter will soon retire, Rashard Lewis isn't getting any younger, Jameer Nelson is injury prone, and Dwight Howard is inconsistent down low. The Nicks, in my opinion, will be able to put together a team that can and will beat the magic.

I know OKC will be a force, I've already said as much. They're my favorite team.

Ahh, the imagination is a beautiful thing...

[King_B_Mack]

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

Well Wade said that he was heavily considering Chicago, but Bosh's choice of Miami made the Heat's situation too good to pass up. I have to take him at his word that he wasn't just effing with that city.

He was lying his *** off. No way he was leaning Bulls and then Bosh decides he wants to go to Miami and that situation ends up better than Chicago's. So you're willing to take a pay cut in a worse situation in Miami if you're both interested in Chicago? If he was leaning that way and Bosh made it clear he'd be willing to go somewhere without a sign and trade, then he'd convince him to do the same for Chicago, the better situation.

BTW http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nb...ory?id=5361312

LOL. It's clear what needs to be done now. If Bron is picking anywhere but Chicago, Obama has to declare him an enemy of the state. No way he chooses somewhere else with the entire US government on his ***.

[Nike Fattz]

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

Ahh, the imagination is a beautiful thing...

Okay.

[DiceMan]

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

Apparently, CHI front office believes LBJ will be a Knick and will focus on Boozer now...again from ESPN 1050.

[Bornindamecca]

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

Well I was talking about LeBron not Wade.

One thing I think they all did was take out the time to enjoy and go through the free agency process even if teams didnt have a chance at getting them.

Its not something they get to do all the time afterall

ah. I think there is a combination of everything. I don't think it's as black and white as guys were dead set on one outcome no matter what, and were just stringing everyone along to entertain themselves. I think they enjoyed the show. I think they were leaning in one direction(Wade always towards Miami, Bosh always towards leaving, Bron always towards staying), but they were also flexible on certain "ifs". So if Chicago was able to move Deng, I think things could have turned out differently. I do think Lebron genuinely wanted Bosh in Cleveland, which would indicate he was set on Cleveland.

For Lebron, I'm not so sure. If he leaves, I'd lean towards the idea that he changed his mind at some point along the line. Unless he goes to New Jersey, I don't think there is any one situation stable enough that he would have planned for it very long ago. If he stays with Cleveland, I think that was his intent from the beginning, though I think taking 2nd and 3rd meetings is a long way to go for a complete charade with no chance of really happening.

I do think Bosh was always 85% in Miami's direction, only allowing for Chicago or perhaps New York if they managed a sign and trade.

[23]

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

Stan Van again

R: Talking about LeBron, are you thinking he wouldn’t be on TV if he was going to leave?

SVG: That doesn’t have anything to do with it. I’ve always thought he’s going back to Cleveland. I just think this free agent thing has been a masterful publicity opportunity for all of them. They’ve done a great job of creating more interest in this brand. If Wade just comes right out and says I’m going back to Miami, he can’t get a film crew to follow him around to do that. Bosh had to make it look like he considered all these teams. And had to make it look like they were really considering those other teams so there would be some suspense and some interest. I think they did a great job of doing hat but in the end I don’t think they surprised anybody.

[ehh]

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

The Greenwich thing is interesting. It's neutral, but about 10 minutes from the Knicks' practice facility and Westchester Airport, where the Knicks fly to/from throughout the season. Many Yankee/Knicks/etc live in Greenwich since it's more traditional than the hectic city life and as wealthy as any place in the country. If LBJ comes to the Knicks his primary home/mansion will probably be in Greenwich and he'll have a condo/townhouse in the city.

I don't think it's random at all - he could go anywhere. Why go to the Knicks' back yard?

For anyone wondering, Bristol (ESPN's headquarters) is about an hour and a half from Greenwich - which borders NY. This location decision has nothing to do with BSPN. Greenwich is more NY than CT anyway, practically everyone who lives in Fairfield County commutes to NYC.

[Bmlives]

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

This is how I see it... With D-wade and chris Bosh in Miami, that makes Lebron's choice clear and obvious. He MUST, absolutely MUST got to Miami. End of Story.

The reasons are simple. He wants to WIN. He Has to WIN. And right now, out of all the teams (Miami, Chicago, New York), Miami is the hands down best choice.

If he DOESN'T go to Miami, then no, Miami is not the best in the East, BUT if he does, then they are hands down favorites. Because similar to Chicago which is the next best choice, Miami is young with good role players, good defensively, and really just lacks a second or third option for offense on nights to help out D-Wade. Chicago and Miami are similiar in build and players, but in comparison, Miami is superior. Wade over Rose, Bosh over Noah. Granted, Deng is better than both O'neal and Beasley, but the drop off after that is alarming. Miami doesn't have the greatest Depth, but with Lebron they become the BEST in the East (Yes, Over Orlando. Yes, Over Boston), while New York? Chicago? Only become a top 3 contender.

If you're Lebron, you know where ever you go you have to win immediately. In the West, nobody's taking out LA this season. Not Dallas (Unless Mark Cuban pulls out the pixi dust to Lebron) , Not Pheonix, Not Denver, Not San Antonio, Portland, OKC.. None of 'em. And so to make in the West to even have a chance, he'd have to play for the Lakers, which isn't happening. So the Clippers? Never even had a chance.

So looking at it from the East's stand point, since Boston and Orlando are the top dogs and you're not getting a shot at going to them, Lebron, who's the best fit to make that jump? And the answer is clear with Miami. The Chemistry barrier is the shortest, having played with D-Wade and Bosh Together already. The Team has consistently made it to the playoffs each year. They even won a title not too long ago. Chicago is young, maybe a bit too young to compete right away even with Lebron. New York is the 3rd best, just because of Amare, but is that situation gonna be any better than Cleveland? Is New York really an upgrade, talent-wise over Cleveland? I mean really.

So the choice is obvious, and Lebron SHOULD go to Miami if winning is his priority. If it's not, then we could see him being scrutinize for then next few years in one biggest and harshest cities in the world.

[PVarck31]

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

The Greenwich thing is interesting. It's neutral, but about 10 minutes from the Knicks' practice facility and Westchester Airport, where the Knicks fly to/from throughout the season. Many Yankee/Knicks/etc live in Greenwich since it's more traditional than the hectic city life and as wealthy as any place in the country. If LBJ comes to the Knicks his primary home/mansion will probably be in Greenwich and he'll have a condo/townhouse in the city.

I don't think it's random at all - he could go anywhere. Why go to the Knicks' back yard?

For anyone wondering, Bristol (ESPN's headquarters) is about an hour and a half from Greenwich - which borders NY. This location decision has nothing to do with BSPN. Greenwich is more NY than CT anyway, practically everyone who lives in Fairfield County commutes to NYC.

Exactly. This is what I tried to say. This isn't some random neutral sight. Everything Lebron does is a means to an end.

[Bornindamecca]

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

Lebron stays in CLE. You're right, this isn't an accident. He chose CT so people would speculate that it meant New York, all the while he announces that he's staying home. The longer this goes, the more I think these guys were playing everyone for most of this.

I do believe Wade is being honest when he talks about Chicago though. I also think Lebron thought there was a real chance of getting Bosh to swing towards Cleveland. Every other meeting was BS most likely, haha!

[albsur2003]

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

Yeah after what's conspired the past two days, the only question that I have is should I buy Madison Square Garden stock right now before the announcement tomorrow because it seems like Lebron's definitely gonna be a Knick. No way this guy would be having a one-hour special to declare his decision unless he was leaving Cleveland. He's gonna need a good quarter of the show to explain why he left Cleveland etc...They've met with the Knicks more than anybody now. Why do you think that he's giving all this money from his show to charity? Because he's gonna be seen as a horrible person in Cleveland and he wants to at least do something nice in the American public's eyes to offset him leaving Cleveland. Stoudamire is at NY. Writing is on the wall...now let us all just brace for the most unholy of alliances, Lebron James and the New York media.

[DieHardYankee26]

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

Lebron stays in CLE. You're right, this isn't an accident. He chose CT so people would speculate that it meant New York, all the while he announces that he's staying home. The longer this goes, the more I think these guys were playing everyone for most of this.

I do believe Wade is being honest when he talks about Chicago though. I also think Lebron thought there was a real chance of getting Bosh to swing towards Cleveland. Every other meeting was BS most likely, haha!

I agree. I still think he stays in Cleveland. The question for me is, when he goes back is he a hero for coming back home, or is he a villain for putting that city through all of this.

[King_B_Mack]

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

This is how I see it... With D-wade and chris Bosh in Miami, that makes Lebron's choice clear and obvious. He MUST, absolutely MUST got to Miami. End of Story.

The reasons are simple. He wants to WIN. He Has to WIN. And right now, out of all the teams (Miami, Chicago, New York), Miami is the hands down best choice.

If he DOESN'T go to Miami, then no, Miami is not the best in the East, BUT if he does, then they are hands down favorites. Because similar to Chicago which is the next best choice, Miami is young with good role players, good defensively, and really just lacks a second or third option for offense on nights to help out D-Wade. Chicago and Miami are similiar in build and players, but in comparison, Miami is superior. Wade over Rose, Bosh over Noah. Granted, Deng is better than both O'neal and Beasley, but the drop off after that is alarming. Miami doesn't have the greatest Depth, but with Lebron they become the BEST in the East (Yes, Over Orlando. Yes, Over Boston), while New York? Chicago? Only become a top 3 contender.

If you're Lebron, you know where ever you go you have to win immediately. In the West, nobody's taking out LA this season. Not Dallas (Unless Mark Cuban pulls out the pixi dust to Lebron) , Not Pheonix, Not Denver, Not San Antonio, Portland, OKC.. None of 'em. And so to make in the West to even have a chance, he'd have to play for the Lakers, which isn't happening. So the Clippers? Never even had a chance.

So looking at it from the East's stand point, since Boston and Orlando are the top dogs and you're not getting a shot at going to them, Lebron, who's the best fit to make that jump? And the answer is clear with Miami. The Chemistry barrier is the shortest, having played with D-Wade and Bosh Together already. The Team has consistently made it to the playoffs each year. They even won a title not too long ago. Chicago is young, maybe a bit too young to compete right away even with Lebron. New York is the 3rd best, just because of Amare, but is that situation gonna be any better than Cleveland? Is New York really an upgrade, talent-wise over Cleveland? I mean really.

So the choice is obvious, and Lebron SHOULD go to Miami if winning is his priority. If it's not, then we could see him being scrutinize for then next few years in one biggest and harshest cities in the world.

Huh? You realize that in order to make this room for the three of them they have had to get rid of all but two players? Chalmers and Beasley are not good young role players. Chalmers has some upside, Beasley is terrible and no one believes he has what it takes to improve his game. If LeBron goes to Miami it is just him, Wade, Bosh and depending on how the contracts work out, Chalmers or Beasley.

[Bornindamecca]

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

I agree. I still think he stays in Cleveland. The question for me is, when he goes back is he a hero for coming back home, or is he a villain for putting that city through all of this.

They'll lay out rose petals for him to walk on in Ohio. It doesn't matter what he does, they'll take him like a bunch of battered wives. I wouldn't be shocked if this was all just a ploy to make them forget how he quit on them in the playoffs against Boston.

[boomhauertjs]

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

They'll lay out rose petals for him to walk on in Ohio. It doesn't matter what he does, they'll take him like a bunch of battered wives. I wouldn't be shocked if this was all just a ploy to make them forget how he quit on them in the playoffs against Boston.

I won't forget. I was there. That game will stain him until he wins a championship for us.