The LeBron James Thread

[mKoz26]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

what about the pre lebron heat fans?

All 5000 of them?

[ehh]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

I had a summer league game tonight so I missed the last three hours (and about a thousand posts) in this thread.

I don't think this is about betrayal, cowardliness, etc. I think Cleveland and Gilbert are way out of line and over the top. But I am completely shocked that he chose Miami. He put the nail in the coffin of any "GOAT" talk for the rest of his career - it's over with. He will never, ever be in GOAT discussions. As others have said, this is a move that you make when you're 32, not 25. There is a reason why so many players and former players are surprised and/or don't approve of the move. He's panicking and giving up at the age of 25. He even said, he's going to "Wade's team". He's the best player in the NBA and at age 25 he's accepting being Robin. SMH.

I always believe that actions speak louder than words and this answers anything I'll ever need to know about LeBron's killer instinct. Not his will to win, but his BAMF meter is about a 2 out of 10. I'm sure others have mentioned it but I can't picture any any super star in the past doing this. LeBron wants to play with his friends and try to win. I guess he can be commended for taking less money to try to win, but to me the bottom line is that he's a ***** and he's still mentally soft. You simply come off as being a bitch with this move.

I don't buy the winning thing, Chicago has a way more complete team than Miami does and unless these three guys are taking substantial paycuts there is no way Miami's roster will look better than Chicago's would have if he went there.

I don't think this is bad for the NBA at all. This is going to be the most insane drama this league has ever seen IMO. People are going to love it or hate it. As I said a few days ago, LBJ/Heat haters are going to make Kobe haters look like Mother Theresa. When he goes back to Cleveland and when he goes to NY, those ratings will probably be as high as any regular season NBA game since the Jordan days.

[JohnDoe8865]

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

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Dan Gilbert just went all in on LeBron James:

Dear Cleveland, all of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers supporters wherever you may be tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several-day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight: "I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA Championship before the self-titled former 'king' wins one."

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our homegrown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland. Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day...

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue...

Dan Gilbert

PDcavsinsider

Anyone who knows Dan Gilbert expected nothing less regardless of how it looks. And I promise you there will be more in coming days.

This is awesome. No LeBron butt kissing hopefully. I'm sooo glad that everyone is not huddling up under LeBron's shorts. I know some people on here are, but it's really refreshing to see the majority of people outraged with LeBron trying to be bigger than the NBA.

[J_Posse]

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

The NFL has the illusion of parity but the same few teams are usually winning every year.

The NBA has had these "super teams" for awhile and what's interesting to me is that people criticizing Lebron for going to the Heat want to bring up players who won with the same collection of all-stars that the Heat have. The 80's Lakers had multiple hall of famers, the Bulls had hall of famers, and the new Lakers have hall of famers in their starting lineups but somehow it is only a problem that Lebron decided to play for a team with another great player.

Please, that "illusion" won your team a championship. Oh, and other non-traditional (championship) cities like Baltimore, Indianapolis, Tampa Bay and New England over the past decade. It seems to churn out different champions more often than its NBA counterpart.

The way those teams were assembled is completely different than three all-stars colluding their way together. I don't have a problem with "super teams" or players leaving their former employers, but don't mock me and insult my intelligence with a year-long charade. These guys wanted to play together all along.

[DW3]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

All 5000 of them?

Heat fan since Odom Butler and Wade Buddy

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

At least until the Knicks snag Melo next year.

Fixed that one for ya. I saw you made a mistake. But don't worry, I got your back

[utexas]

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

Dan Gilbert is a certified idiot. I would expect a fine from the league, that is crazy

[Kully]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

lol KG warned him to not be too loyal. Guess he listened.

I guess the only issue here is that people don't want him to join up with other stars (ignore that NY and a couple other teams were trying to do the same thing) and he did it out in public. I have no problem with him leaving through free agency. Never bitched publicly about trading him or stuff like that. It's sad he left, but I guess he just didn't want to wait around any longer or wait until he's old to get that ring.

[Scoop 24]

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

Dan Gilbert is a certified idiot. I would expect a fine from the league, that is crazy

oh Calm down. he is obviously just pissed right now.. emotions got the better of him.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

CLEVELAND (AP) - Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert says LeBron James "quit" during the playoffs and should be accountable for his actions.

Gilbert, who posted a letter to Cavs fans on the team's website shortly after James announced he plans to sign with Miami, tells The Associated Press late Thursday night that he feels "personally betrayed" by James and that it's "accountability time."

In a phone interview with the AP, Gilbert says "people have covered up for (James) for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is."

Gilbert says James quit on the Cavs during their second-round series against the Boston Celtics, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to eliminate Cleveland.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38160543/

Dan Gilbert's venom is bubbling hot.

[mKoz26]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Heat fan since Odom Butler and Wade Buddy

I'm all for the condescending use of "buddy", but are you honestly denying the existence of Heat bandwagoners? We saw them when Shaq came and I know they'll be in full effect for the LeBron/Wade/Bosh show.

[chiefs314]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

I AM THE HAPPIEST HEAT IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Darkeus]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38160543/

Dan Gilbert's venom is bubbling hot.

And I hope he keeps smacking him down too!

[connoll3]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

This is an issue that extends beyond LeBron, obviously, but I feel like the way free agency is playing out is going to hurt the league. The smaller market teams have been strained for a while now, and the subsequent concentration of elite talent that's come via this high profile round of movement is only going to exacerbate those strains.

I gather this sentiment has been expressed in this thread and others, but if I'm Stern, I'd much rather see the elite talent spread out a bit more. You're going to have a rash of home teams that are only going to do well in attendance/buzz/etc. when the big guys (Mia, Chi, LAL, etc.) come to town. That's not good, either for the financials or the quality of the competition.

I will say that as a neutral, it's going to be pretty easy cheering against Miami. Underdogs, ahoy.

[Altimus]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/38160543/

Dan Gilbert's venom is bubbling hot.

This is getting awfully interesting.