Lebron to LA

[Basti]

so Ricky Davis finally gets the support (again) he's looking for to help him taking off the scoring load?

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries present better options for LeBron?

They don't, but Devin Harris and Brook Lopez are both better than any of Lebron's teammates.

Brook had a good rookie season, no doubt, and he may be better in 2010.....but if you watched the Nets/Cavs games this year, Z took the rookie to school on both ends, and made him look stupid. Old, slow, hobbled Z put on a show against Brook Lopez, in the post and defensively. Z's better than Lopez, for now(but by summer of 2010 unless Lopez regresses or gets hurt then Z will likely be retired and Lopez will be better, so i'll give you that) . As for Harris, he's better than Williams, but Mo compliments LeBron James infinitely better than Harris. However, there's a reason that the Nets are considered longshots to land LeBron, he's just not likely to go there.

Cleveland is in the same boat as Orlando in 95-96 and they were too confident Shaq would stay.

No, not even close actually. In fact, LeBron has already re-signed with the Cavs once. That alone makes the situation completely different. LeBron had a fine chance to bolt already when he was surrounded with a much worse starting cast than he has now and his best sidekick ever(Boozer) had just left town because he blindsided former(then present) management.

[daddyfivestar]

He gave them a 2nd shot and they failed to deliver for him. He's no dummy, he needs a ring to cement himself in the pantheon of the greats and he can elevate his supplemental income tenfold in NY, LA or CHI - and with Kobe only around 3-5 more yrs he will take advantage of the opportunity.

[InBoobieWeTrust]

He gave them a 2nd shot and they failed to deliver for him. He's no dummy, he needs a ring to cement himself in the pantheon of the greats and he can elevate his supplemental income tenfold in NY, LA or CHI - and with Kobe only around 3-5 more yrs he will take advantage of the opportunity.

The bolded is a myth.

The fact of the matter is that there's a reason Cleveland are the favorites to sign him, and why most think he will stay. Cleveland can sign him to the biggest contract, the front office/ownership has shown it will do whatever it takes to put a competitive team around LeBron, he gets to play close to home where he's currently raiding a family and building a life. Now, the Cavs even have the right Chinese connections to, along with Nike, market LeBron and the Cavs heavily in China. and China dwarfs anything L.A., NY, or Chicago brings. The Cavs have the expiring contracts to put more talent around LeBron or to sign more talent next off-season. We have some younger talent that we can either trade or develop, and LeBron himself is determined to win a ring in Cleveland.

To be the guy that single-handedly broke the curse of an entire city, that's huge for LeBron. His work-ethic is approaching Kobe/Jordan-esque levels of dedication, as is his focus.

In-fact, I don't think there's ANY chance he leaves without a ring, and once he gets a ring, he'd do better for his legacy by trying to turn the team into a dynasty than by leaving and winning elsewhere.

[Westfo3]

Lol your a dumbass if you think Lebron will make 10x more money playing in NY then Cleveland. Even more so now that all reports are saying Cavs will be getting deep into the china market. Lets not overrated NY here. China>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>NY.

Plus Cavs have a hell of alot better team then NY. Cavs can give Lebron: West, Mo, Bosh/Wade/Amare and NY can give him Bosh/Wade/Amare and Curry

[john2jer]

In all this trash someone posted a Chandler/Posey for Wallace trade that's not actually all that terrible.

[ejftw]

so Ricky Davis finally gets the support (again) he's looking for to help him taking off the scoring load?

Best post in the thread

The fact is, Cleveland offers the most money, playing close to home, and the best supporting cast that he's ever had(which was this year) is only going to get better this offseason.

It isn't guaranteed to get better unless they make a deal or Ben and Z find the fountain of youth.

[Mamba Venom]

Cleveland is in the same boat as Orlando in 95-96 and they were too confident Shaq would stay. Had they made a deal, any deal, they could've remained strong. They were in the Finals and ECF in Shaq's last 2 years, obviously due to Shaq but with a good cast. Say Orlando saw the writing on the wall and approached LA with
2 firsts, Eddie Jones, Van Exel, Elden Campbell and George Lynch for Shaq (s&t) and Darrell Armstrong.

Cleveland should think twice about the commitment to a player with an out and no NTC. Orlando suffered the consequence of thinking their star, recently off of Finals and ECF appearances, would ever leave. Big mistake. Sounds familiar.

An offer like that would've received rolling eyes and scoffs of lame package... no way does Orlando do that, trade the Best Young Player in the game for a few young good players and picks. But it would've been much better than the road they went down.

The firsts could have been a '98 and... the rights to the Charlotte pick LA acq'd in the Divac trade they made in order to make room for Shaq in the first place... Kobe Bean Bryant. Jerry West doesn't make the Peeler/Lynch trade because he doesn't need the cap space if an s&t is done. Orlando then is vastly improved and still a contender (maybe not quite championship anymore but still a strong mix of young and experienced).

Penny*/BShaw*/NVE
Eddie/Kobe
Nick Anderson*/Dennis Scott*
HoGrant*/Lynch/Jeff Turner*
Campbell/Amal McCaskill*/Gert Hammink*
(existing Orlando players after '96 draft)

Adding young stars Eddie and NVE plus Elden could've given them 14/8 as a serviceable center, Lynch was a decent energy role backup, and the picks of Kobe and in '98 the late first LA pick could've netted them a youngster named Rashard Lewis.

In the 11 years after Shaq left they went 6 first round exits and 5 no playoffs.

Welcome to your future..Cavs fans.
.

It is the exact situation and there is no guarantee. IF LeBRON WONT COMMIT TO THIS TEAM BEFORE OCT YOU HAVE TO TRADE HIM, SAME W/ ANY UNRESTRICTED FA THAT IS A FRANCHISE PLAYER
Both sides need to commit to each other. If LeBron wants Cleveland to make a move tell them to do it this off-season and get it done.

[Westfo3]

This topic shows how dumb some people are.

Every word out of Lebrons mouth the past few months has been he will stay and will do whats best for the cavs. Which might be to re-sign this offseason, re-sign 2010 or re-sign 2011.

All of this is overblown by ESPN. This is nother like the shaq deal. Is Shaq from Fl.? Did Shaq reup the first time? Did Shaq get to the Finals and win 66 games? Did Shaq win MVP? Did Shaq go to a team that has nothing but a fatass?

[Jaykoolzboy]

You want Lebron, you must start your package with guys like DWade,Dwight Howard,Chris Paul and maybe Kobe Bryant.

End of the topic

[moocow007]

If you come to think about it they'll have Baron, Zbo (who would improve immensely beside Lebron) and either of Kaman or Camby, whoever CLE doesn't pick.

That gives you a studded lineup of Baron - X - Lebron - ZBo - Kaman or Camby.

Use the MLE on a SG who can fit the bill of shooter and you got yourself a pretty nice squad.

If that was enough to keep Lebron then the Cavs should just trade for ZBo and Baron. All it would take are the Cavs expring contracts and a whopper with cheese for the Clips to say "oh god thank you lord" (for undoing our mistakes).

[Klomp]

It doesn't matter, Lebron will not resign with the worst franchise in the NBA.

Exactly why he will not be a Knick.

[Juicy Juice]

The Cavs are not trading LeBron. If LeBron leaves the Cavs, it'll be via free agency. If the Cavs trade him, they'll be looked at as the "villains" and they don't want that image. If LeBron's going to play for another team, he's going to be the one who's going to look like the "villain."

[WetCoast]

If you come to think about it they'll have Baron, Zbo (who would improve immensely beside Lebron) and either of Kaman or Camby, whoever CLE doesn't pick.

That gives you a studded lineup of Baron - X - Lebron - ZBo - Kaman or Camby.

Use the MLE on a SG who can fit the bill of shooter and you got yourself a pretty nice squad.

If Lebron lead the Clippers to consecutive playoffs, hands down he'd be the best player ever!

[Tekkenlaw]

Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries present better options for LeBron?

They don't, but Devin Harris and Brook Lopez are both better than any of Lebron's teammates.

Brook had a good rookie season, no doubt, and he may be better in 2010.....but if you watched the Nets/Cavs games this year, Z took the rookie to school on both ends, and made him look stupid. Old, slow, hobbled Z put on a show against Brook Lopez, in the post and defensively. Z's better than Lopez, for now(but by summer of 2010 unless Lopez regresses or gets hurt then Z will likely be retired and Lopez will be better, so i'll give you that) . As for Harris, he's better than Williams, but Mo compliments LeBron James infinitely better than Harris. However, there's a reason that the Nets are considered longshots to land LeBron, he's just not likely to go there.

I agree Mo Williams is the better fit next to Lebron, but Devin Harris is the better player. Brook Lopez would be dynamite next to Lebron.

I'm not lobbying for Lebron to the nets at all, I'm just saying Lebron has options in 2010.