The LeBron James Thread

[ojandpizza]

Not really fair to call fans and ownership out on loyalty because of how they reacted AFTER LeBron took a dump on them. That's like getting mad at somebody cheating on you while you're currently cheating with at least two people they know about.

Anyway, depending on what they do with the big 3 it's going to be about the same as ever for Miami. Right now, for 2014/2015 season Bron, Bosh, Wade, Miller, Haslem and Anthony all have player options and you have to believe that Miller, Haslem and Anthony (unless they amnesty him) are going to pick up their options. There's a team option on Cole that you have to believe they'll pick up. If everybody picks up their options that's 76 million+ already in salary as the big 3 all hit the 20 million dollar mark. With his health, Wade would be a fool to opt out of 20 million next year and 21 the following to take the kind of paycut it'll take for them to keep things going.

But Bron and Wade openly talk about taking even less money than they currently make. I doubt they take the player option honestly, I could see them building new contracts.. Bosh I'm not so sure about. Anthony will hopefully to god be gone by then via trade or amnesty.. Haslem already took way less money once to be a part of this team, not saying he would do it again but I don't think it's a sure fire thing that he wouldn't.. And I think Miller is gone before then too. He almost retired two seasons ago and is basically 3rd string now. I think he'll retire or be traded off before we get to 2014/15 season. But who knows.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I agree to an extent. They still are the Lakers though so I don't think you can ever completely factor them out.

I definitely don't think LeBron is going there as long as Kobe is still there. But again, you never know with LeBron. Had you told me years ago he'd be teaming up with Dwyane Wade I would have called bull****.

But what made the Lakers the Lakers isn't there anymore.

Coaches change, players change, GM's change. But Jerry Buss being replaced by his moronic son isn't something that will be changed soon.

[BlueNGold]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

But what made the Lakers the Lakers isn't there anymore.

Coaches change, players change, GM's change. But Jerry Buss being replaced by his moronic son isn't something that will be changed soon.

I can agree there too, but still, the "downfall" of the Lakers to this point is still so fresh that regardless of if it continues or not, I don't think there will be that bad smell so to speak when free agents look that way. Once they build up consistent years of losing then I think we can start ruling them out of these types of things. But as of right now they're still The Lakers.

And trust me, I'd love to be able to confidently close the door on them here, but I just can't yet. They've had decades upon decades of the most ridiculous luck, and yes, I know, eventually luck runs out, but until I see it truly, fully run out, I can't buy that they're dead in the water because knowing them, if they don't end up with LeBron, they're getting Andrew Wiggins.

[ojandpizza]

This whole tank for Wiggins thing just blows my mind.. I know players like LeBron and Melo had a lot of hype but I don't remember in any instance where people were talking about half the league "tanking" because of what some athletic kid did against high schoolers..

I said before, I haven't really saw much of this kid and he looks good, but he doesn't look "instant franchise changing" good.. I don't see him and see LeBron, Melo, Kobe, KD etc..

He just looks like a kid who's insanely athletic with a decent jumper.. I don't want to low ball the guy but honestly he reminds me more of Gerald Green than anyone else. I'm just ready to see him play his college ball before I decide he's going to be the next LeBron, KD, or whatever...

[BlueNGold]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure almost half the league was trying to get in on the chance to draft LeBron.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

They were but once again this was also well before the blow up of Social Media. You also had some teams trying to do whatever it took just to crack the top 5 also.

[ojandpizza]

Yeah I think the media has just taken this instance to the extreme.. I hope he turns out great and the league can add another young superstar.. The NBA is building with so much talent right now.

[702]

Not really fair to call fans and ownership out on loyalty because of how they reacted AFTER LeBron took a dump on them. That's like getting mad at somebody cheating on you while you're currently cheating with at least two people they know about.

I just personally don't think the decision was that big of a deal. Bad PR move, but don't think he owed them much, if anything.

Just stating my opinion though, not looking to start a debate as I'm sure that's happened here to a nauseating level lol.

[dramachild11]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Seems to me that outside of Cleveland fans anybody who had a problem with the decision or the quote about winning championships really needs to ask themselves what exactly their problem with LBJ really is... 3 straight finals appearances should show that he wasn't really bragging or talking ish when he said "not 1, not 2.....etc." unlike bout 95% of players in the league he adds things to his game every year which shows he takes his craft seriously so hes really earning his money, and he's an unselfish team player who plays the game the way it should be played... Arrogance can never be an argument against him cause there isn't a superstar in any sport who isn't arrogant... So what exactly is there to hate about him?

[The 24th Letter]

Some people love him
Some people hate him

No need to try and convince anyone to come over to either side...

[dramachild11]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Some people love him
Some people hate him

No need to try and convince anyone to come over to either side...

Wasn't really trying to convince any type of conversion lol but I'm genuinely curious about what people's reasons for disliking him are... It seems to be a growing trend out there of people having an irrational dislike of athletes that's usually fed by some kind of media fabrication (but maybe that's just part of being a sports fan)

[Sportsbuck]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Wasn't really trying to convince any type of conversion lol but I'm genuinely curious about what people's reasons for disliking him are... It seems to be a growing trend out there of people having an irrational dislike of athletes that's usually fed by some kind of media fabrication (but maybe that's just part of being a sports fan)

I think a lot of it just has to do with living in the social media era, both from a fan standpoint and a media standpoint.

Having instant access to news and not much regard for credibility makes news reporting (particularly with twitter) a ridiculous thing to follow. For instance, Dwight got crucified in the past free agency for following through on his plan for the start because of media members messing up report after report (Although to be fair, Dwight does have a past history of questionable decisions).

As well, we have instant access to fans reactions of pretty much everything that happens. Whereas in the Jordan era you had to either listen to someone talk or read a letter to the editor, now you have instant access to their opinions. I'd be curious to see how my twitter feed would look and as well how Jordan's legacy would be perceived if it existed during Jordan's career.

[Sport Meister]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

LeBron James will be 29 years old in 2014. He will have a lot of hardware, He will do whatever is best for him. He has done it all along even though the media and his fans don't like it, he will do what is best for LeBron James; and what is best for LeBron James is the he finds a way to win back the fans that he so crushed when he left Cleveland cause that is whats best for LeBron James.
I believe that Lebron James will be back in Cleveland in 2014. How many chances can does a person get to fix his mistake? he gets to go back and erase it from history books. That's Huge.

[utexas]

Doesn't need to fix a mistake because leaving Cleveland has led to back to back rings.

[Paul Pierce_OS]

Am I the only one who thinks LeBron is staying in Miami, and theirs no chance in hell he will come back?