The LeBron James Thread

[Sportsbuck]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

It's okay guys... we all know where he's going to end up next season.

[23]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

That really looks like a wnba jersey

[BringTheHeat]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

It's okay guys... we all know where he's going to end up next season.

Imagine the MJ-LeBron comparisons then..*shudders*

[Teddy_Long]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

so lebron going to sign a max 5 year deal, with this wade and bosh as the number 2 guy? let's see how many titles he wins. LOL

[turty11]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

he will probably have an opt out for the year the TV contract is done so he can sign a new contract for like 25 a year >>>

[BlastX21]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

You would be disappointed in LeBron for not taking the max, which he is worth MORE than? Why should LeBron have to take a paycut to stay in Miami? He can get paid the max by Houston and go play with Howard and Harden. He can get paid the max by Phoenix who can also pay Melo the max as well and they can play together with Dragic and Bledsoe.

LeBron should not take a pay cut and won't accept anything less than the max. I don't know how you or anyone has the audacity to knock LeBron for taking the maximum amount of $ he most certainly deserves. He's the best player in the WORLD.

Whether he "deserves" the money is irrelevant. LeBron's primary goal should be maximizing his title chances, and taking a max deal is not conductive to that. If he is prioritizing money over championships, then sure, he has the right to do that. But I (and others) can and will look down on him for setting those as his priorities. However, as before, I know LeBron is a smarter person than that, which is why I don't give this story much weight.

The Rockets do not have the cap space to sign LeBron to a max deal, without getting rid of other players.

Signing with the Suns is not smart. Joining the Western Conference will make it difficult to even *make* the Finals. LeBron does not want to have to go through the Thunder, Clippers, Spurs, and Rockets every single year. Lastly, Carmelo would mitigate any defensive advantage the Suns would gain from having James. The Rockets had a higher defensive efficiency than the Suns.

[RocketTMac1]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I honestly hope LeBron takes the max in Miami. It would signal them not winning a championship and I'm cool with Bron getting his money that he deserves.

[MattUM]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I think a Lebron wants a max if he's leaving Miami, but would accept a little less if Pat Riley has a good plan.

[cima]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Whether he "deserves" the money is irrelevant. LeBron's primary goal should be maximizing his title chances, and taking a max deal is not conductive to that. If he is prioritizing money over championships, then sure, he has the right to do that. But I (and others) can and will look down on him for setting those as his priorities. However, as before, I know LeBron is a smarter person than that, which is why I don't give this story much weight.

The Rockets do not have the cap space to sign LeBron to a max deal, without getting rid of other players.

Signing with the Suns is not smart. Joining the Western Conference will make it difficult to even *make* the Finals. LeBron does not want to have to go through the Thunder, Clippers, Spurs, and Rockets every single year. Lastly, Carmelo would mitigate any defensive advantage the Suns would gain from having James. The Rockets had a higher defensive efficiency than the Suns.

If you think the amount of money he deserves is irrelevant, then you don't understand the most basic principles of business, which is what the NBA is. You do realize that LeBron is the most underpaid athlete in the world, right? If the NBA didn't have a salary cap like MLB, LeBron would make A-Rod $$.

But if you want to talk about maximizing his title opportunities, Miami is NOT the place to do it anymore. LeBron 2014 and LeBron 2010 are pretty much the same player. 2014 Wade & Bosh are shells of 2010 Wade & Bosh, LeBron has to carry these guys and they, especially Wade, are only going to get worse. And you say going to Phoenix is a bad idea? Yes it's in the Western Conference, but so what? Did that stop San Antonio from winning the title?

Phoenix makes the most sense out of any destination from a basketball standpoint assuming Melo signs as well and here is why:
- LeBron doesn't have to be the primary scorer, that can be Melo.
- LeBron doesn't have to be the primary ball handler, Dragic and Bledsoe can handle that.
- They are YOUNG. Dragic is the elder of their core guys, he's 27-28 years old. Bledsoe is only 24.
- They can bring in LeBron and Melo and still have their MLE, and 3 first round picks next year, in addition to having cap space to sign another big player next offseason.
- Phoenix plays small ball already with stretch 4s in Channing Frye and Markief Morris. Melo would upgrade that position significantly.
- Phoenix has the miracle medical training staff of the NBA. Guys play at a high level well into their mid-late 30s in Phoenix, and flounder if they leave (Grant Hill, Steve Nash, Shaq, etc.)
- You underestimate Melo's ability. If he was on a team like this where he wasn't the only guy who could do anything on offense, he becomes a much more well-rounded player, see his play on Team USA.

We are talking about a Suns team here that won 48 games. You add LeBron & Melo to that team, now we're talking about a 60-win team. Just thinking about LeBron and Dragon on the same team is straight nasty!

PG- Dragic
SG- Bledsoe
SF- LeBron
PF- Melo
C- Plumlee

Bench- Morris Twins (one may have to go though to secure Melo), Gerald Green, MLE player, Ray Allen (he has expressed interest in playing with LeBron this year. They summer vacationed together), the rookies Warren & Ennis, the rookie from last year Alex Len. Phoenix has tons of assets. If you are talking about maximizing titles opportunities, look no further than Phoenix.

[BlastX21]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

If you think the amount of money he deserves is irrelevant, then you don't understand the most basic principles of business, which is what the NBA is. You do realize that LeBron is the most underpaid athlete in the world, right? If the NBA didn't have a salary cap like MLB, LeBron would make A-Rod $$.

The reason that LeBron "deserving" the money is irrelevant is because he already has more of it than he could spend. Between investments, endorsements, and his usual salary, having an extra 5 million a year will not affect his spending power by one iota. But to a basketball organization, that number significantly affects their options. This is also why him being "underpaid" doesn't matter. If I already have 10 million in my bank account, I will take a job that I love doing, even if their payroll can only give me a salary of 200k instead of the usual rate of 250.

Regarding the Suns, we all know that they would be a powerful team with LeBron and Melo. But the Spurs example doesn't make sense. You could say that they won the West despite it being strong, but you could also say that the Spurs had a strong record without Tony Parker. Doesn't mean their chances of winning aren't higher if those circumstances don't exist. I think its smarter to stick with the Heat, avoid the western conference, take a sub-max salary (as usual), and trust one of the best owners in the NBA to retool and build a championship team, as he has done before.

But this isn't relevant, anyway. If LeBron wants to go to the Suns and take the max, then thats fine because they can afford it. You could be right and the Suns would *live* in the NBA finals court. It then becomes a win-win because LeBron can get his money and still compete. But if he demands the max from the *Heat*, thats where his train of thought becomes confusing.

[cima]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

The reason that LeBron "deserving" the money is irrelevant is because he already has more of it than he could spend. Between investments, endorsements, and his usual salary, having an extra 5 million a year will not affect his spending power by one iota. But to a basketball organization, that number significantly affects their options. This is also why him being "underpaid" doesn't matter. If I already have 10 million in my bank account, I will take a job that I love doing, even if their payroll can only give me a salary of 200k instead of the usual rate of 250.

Regarding the Suns, we all know that they would be a powerful team with LeBron and Melo. But the Spurs example doesn't make sense. You could say that they won the West despite it being strong, but you could also say that the Spurs had a strong record without Tony Parker. Doesn't mean their chances of winning aren't higher if those circumstances don't exist. I think its smarter to stick with the Heat, avoid the western conference, take a sub-max salary (as usual), and trust one of the best owners in the NBA to retool and build a championship team, as he has done before.

But this isn't relevant, anyway. If LeBron wants to go to the Suns and take the max, then thats fine because they can afford it. You could be right and the Suns would *live* in the NBA finals court. It then becomes a win-win because LeBron can get his money and still compete. But if he demands the max from the *Heat*, thats where his train of thought becomes confusing.

What you would do if you had money is irrelevant to what LeBron would do or what LeBron wants. These athletes are competitive man, they want to maximize their earning potential. Just because you say you would be fine with less doesn't mean he would, and the fact that he's seeking it tells you that he is not fine with taking less than max.

Staying in Miami just to avoid the West doesn't make sense. Sure it's an easier path, but competition brings out the best in players. San Antonio was so much better than Miami because Miami wasn't prepared for that type of competition. That won't change as long as LeBron plays in the east and he has to carry Bosh & Wade. LeBron could go to Houston or Phoenix, fight the grind in the west, and then squash the EC champion in the Finals. Though it would be tougher, you have to think a 48 win team that adds LeBron & Melo & another player through MLE and doesn't lose anyone of significance can hold their own in the West.

Even if LeBron accepts less than max in Miami, he still has to carry Wade & Bosh. It's sounding like Lowry is staying in Toronto since they apparently are going to overpay him. Deng won't accept less to come to Miami. Etc. The reality is, Miami's Big Three is no more. It's down to the big one. Wade & Bosh aren't even all-star players anymore. If LeBron wants to prolong his career, win titles, and not carry a team, there's no question that Miami is NOT the place to do it.

So then where? Phoenix is the most logical from a basketball standpoint (assuming Melo joins him) but it's a pipe dream, I just don't see those guys coming to Phoenix. If he does stay in Miami, I am thinking it will be a 2-3 year contract with a player option for a 3rd-4th year. He doesn't want to be stuck there with Bosh and Wade for 5 years.

[cima]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Even less than I thought, LeBron wants a 1-2 year deal at the max. The dude is smart and wants to keep his options open while making max $.

[cavsfan2]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Even less than I thought, LeBron wants a 1-2 year deal at the max. The dude is smart and wants to keep his options open while making max $.

Source?
10char

[Sportsbuck]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

So you mean to tell me next year we might be going through this same **** again?

**** me.

[turty11]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

its been thrown around a bit that lebron may take a 1-2 year deal because of the TV contract coming up. If he has a "free agent year" when the contract gets renewed, he can sign a new contract for a hell of a lot more money than he can get now