The LeBron James Thread

[NovaStar]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

While watching the entire ordeal transpire, my train of thought went from disgust (at the way this entire situation has been handled) to laughing at it at the end. From the softball questions from Jim Gray, to LeBron's dodging of specifics (i.e. why didn't you choose the knicks/bulls? *Lebron proceeds to say nothing but good things about the roster and their respective organizations, but then caps it off with "Miami is the best chance to win a championship"), to the reaction of the Miami Heat "fans", and I used the word "fans" as loosely as possible (I even seen one of them with a Cavs LeBron jersey on jumping for joy), and the laughter was capped off by the product placed LeBron commercials, followed up with the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich Ct.

I couldn't stop thinking about this clip while watching:




<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xcCO6E4NUs8&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480">

Sums up my feelings about him perfectly.

The funny thing is I've loss virtually all respect for the three most coveted free agents in 2010, and that is the way that I'll remember this summer free agency period. They (Wade/Bosh/LeBron) talked about a free agent summit during and after the playoffs, but when Stern shot down the idea, and said that such a summit isn't within NBA rules, all three then recanted, and said that no such thing was in the works all the while leading people to believe that there was no way that they would end up on the same team anyway, and that anyone who would suggest otherwise, is crazy. I think it's safe to say now that all of this was in the works, and they took the owners and fans of several other teams for a extended ride. Bosh with his constant twitter updates, multiple meetings and cameras..... Wade even went as far as bringing up his divorce, and custody battle over his kids, and said that that would be a deciding factor in his decision keeping the people on edge and entertained. Well played, and truly classy...

Back to LeBron. I hate to go theorized route, but it's worth mentioning. There's no secret that a lot of people feel that LeBron quit in the series vs Boston, and right now, I'll have to give some validity and kudos to those who thought that. I could imagine LeBron going into that series trying trying to win, but at some point, the Celtics broke his will to win, and got him thinking "ok, I can't win with this team, or vs this team, but wait till next year..." Again, this current Heats' team was talked about way back in 08', but either way, LeBron was leaving Cleveland after that series.

I don't care if people think I'm hating, and whatnot, but I hope neither one of these three wins anything together (championship), and I really hope people began reevaluating that superstars + championships automatically equates to greatness, and a HOF induction. There was one thing that stood out to me as truthful coming from LeBron last night (probably the only thing he said that I felt he was genuine), and that was when he said that he feels that championships are championships, and it wouldn't have given him any more pleasure to win one in Cleveland as to oppose as winning one in Miami. Not only do I disagree with that line of thinking, but it makes me appreciate great basketball players without a ring even more because for a lot of them, that's where the challenge came in. Winning a ring with them being the focal point, and trying to make the best out of THEIR situation. I really hope with this latest move, and this latest attempt at a "super team" doesn't kill that line of thinking.

Good post.

[23]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Wade seriously made out like a bandit.

-Everyone thinks he's the reason those two signed in Miami

-There is no hate directed towards him

-It's still HIS team. HIS city

Seriously, he kept that pimp hand strong.

Well said Pared. I was thinking the same thing last night

Its also laughable that Screamin A would know about this long ago and Gilbert didnt. He knew what was up but he's trying to save face saying he was blind to the entire ordeal.

Not justifying LeBron's method of what he did, but Gilbert is playing the pooch a little bit

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Gilbert is doing what he can to turn despair into some sort of hope.

Obviously a hard sell, but generating anger is always an easy method to gain support.

LeBron not calling or returning Gilbert's calls before making the decision shows some real class on James' part. He's always 100% class

[fishepa]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

[23]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Gilbert is doing what he can to turn despair into some sort of hope.

Obviously a hard sell, but generating anger is always an easy method to gain support.

LeBron not calling or returning Gilbert's calls before making the decision shows some real class on James' part. He's always 100% class

Handled wrong from inception I already said that.

The entire way of handling it was what was bothering me about it.

..but Gilbert is treading a thin line with all of this with any chances he might or may have had with other players in the league. Especially with the new CBA coming up

[Dalsanto0026]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

That is silly analysis and it doesnt answer the question. Just go with the guy who has the better look? LOL. Who knew it was that easy?

Most last minute plays are isolation sets. I'm a Laker fan and I know at the end of the game that play is run for Kobe. Celtics fans know its Pierce. Nuggets fans know its Melo. Its clear who the play runs through. Thats not the case here with the Heat and that can cause issues. Shoot, I havent even started talking about the potential ego issues with deciding who takes the last shot.

Folks, this has never happened before in the history of the league. Any other time you had 3 superstars on one team, 1 or 2 of them were either ring chasing or past their prime. That allowed them to have a clear hierarchy and is a reason why some of them worked. Here you have 3 guys in their prime and 2 are considered top 5 players. I just dont see any of them deferring to the other when times get tough.

You make a ridiculous post saying having two go-to guys is a problem and then have the nerve to say my analysis was silly? Whatever genius.

You have two options at the end of the game instead of one, it should be obvious that it's a good thing.

[ehh]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Gilbert is doing what he can to turn despair into some sort of hope.

Obviously a hard sell, but generating anger is always an easy method to gain support.

LeBron not calling or returning Gilbert's calls before making the decision shows some real class on James' part. He's always 100% class

Seriously though, did he not realize how big of a turn off that rant will be to all future potential FAs?

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Pretty sure Gilbert was going off emotion at the time when he said that. Wouldn't be surprised to see him issue another state later on saying how words may have been a too harsh or whatever.

[jbrew2411]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

I thought of this a few days ago when all these teams were making their pitches to LeBron. I was not there so I don't know what Crazy Dan told LeBron but I know what I would have done to keep him. They should have offered him a % of ownership in the team as part of his pay. Don't know if they could do that but that would have given LeBron something no other team would offer. He could have been a major part of who he playes with, coaches the team, and so on. I don't know if that would have done the trick since all he wants is rings but would have been hard to walk away from.
Another thing I was thinking about last night watching how Cleveland fans were reacting. I could not name one big time free agent that signed with any Cleveland team. The only name players the Browns get are over the hill vets who are wanting to play 1-2 more years. Willie Mac I'm taking about you. Then all the players the Indians have lost over the years, Manny, Thome, Alomar, C.C., Lee among others. Then the Cavs had Lebron for 7 years but never once had a top flight free agent sign with them. Mo Williams is not even a top 10 point guard and O'Neal is so long in the tooth he could have been in those vampire movies.
I laugh at how some fans think their team is the best ever and live and die with thier team. Trust me I live sports. I played basketball in college and now coach so sports are my life but I don't live and die with my team. I have my teams but I know they are not a top choice for most free agents. Even LeBron could not change that. Since success is measured by how many rings you win LeBron knew he had to do something since the Cavs didn't seem to be doing anything.
Bottom line is I feel for you. It sucks to be a fan of a team that loses all the time or lands a star that bolts for a shot at glory. I was a Braves fan since 83 and remember all those years we were down right bad and a Falcons fan since 88. We had Deion who I loved but left us to win before he was to old. It sucks when the best player on your teams leaves but life goes on. You can't be mad at the player because they don't care about what the fans want they have thier goals and that is all that matters. Garnett said it best during the Celtics/Cavs series. He said "I wish I had left the Timberwolves before now. I may have more then 1 ring."
Cleveland fans if you want to be mad at anyone be mad at your owners for not doing more. You all had to know he was not going on national TV to say I'm going back to Cleveland. His people worked this out and you could tell he didn't want to be there last night. The people that make LeBron his money, Nike, that damn water company, and his agent and World Wide Wes were behind this along with ESPN. The guy was scared and you could tell he was not his self. Life will go on and if your owner wants to prove a point then he will do all he can to make the team much better over the next few years but I don't see that happining.

[Dice]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Seriously though, did he not realize how big of a turn off that rant will be to all future potential FAs?

I don't think the rant would turn off FAs. I think the situation itself would do that. A potential HOF player who grew up in the area, and on the verge of being championship contenders, while at the same time attains iconic status in Cleveland, blots for Miami.

[23]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

He might have to

Once the CBA meeting comes up, no matter what has happened, players are all going to be backing eachother up against the owners.

Telling guys to take paycuts and that you'll go to the media and shoot mud at them wont be much of an incentive to play there.

If he wants his team to stay relevant he'll stop it

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Seriously though, did he not realize how big of a turn off that rant will be to all future potential FAs?

Honestly, now that they don't have James, which free agents are they going to attract?

I hate to be that guy, but it's Cleveland after all, and it's not their heyday for bball anymore.

Now the Cavs are just like the other 75% of the league-- Charlotte, Miluakee, Minnesota etc.

[boomhauertjs]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

The Alice in Chains song “Your Decision” is the perfect song to describe this event. Here’s a sample of some of the lyrics:

”Overwhelmed, you chose to run. Apathetic to the stunned”

“You feed the fire that burned us all When you lied”

“No one plans to take the path that brings you lower. And here you stand before us all and say it’s over. It’s over”

“It might seem an afterthought. Yes it hurts to know you’re bought”

[ehh]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Honestly, now that they don't have James, which free agents are they going to attract?

I hate to be that guy, but it's Cleveland after all, and it's not their heyday for bball anymore.

Now the Cavs are just like the other 75% of the league-- Charlotte, Miluakee, Minnesota etc.

Ice cold. But accurate.

[Dice]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

He might have to

Once the CBA meeting comes up, no matter what has happened, players are all going to be backing eachother up against the owners.

Telling guys to take paycuts and that you'll go to the media and shoot mud at them wont be much of an incentive to play there.

If he wants his team to stay relevant he'll stop it

Well, at least now the owners will have the majority support of the NBA fans if a lockout was to occur.