Stephen A. Smith: LeBron to join Bosh in Miami

[PJ Brown]

Cowherd on Smith: "I just don't buy it", "I mean, its, listen, i met him a year and a half ago and he had him going to New York "guaranteed", now it's guaranteed he's going to Miami".

This was the other observation I wanted to make, but forgot to. That SAS previously made a different prediction is meaningless to his credibility here. He's merely reporting what his sources are telling him. And that information is evolving and changing all the time.

Unless, of course, we're just going to come out and say that SAS if flat out lying about all of it and that he doesn't have sources or, if he did, they aren't telling him this.

SAS is a first rate douche and he represents the worst in what is happening to sports media coverage. But I doubt he's going to go so far as to just flat out make **** up to get ratings.

I agree that Smith isn't "wrong" because of a former prediction. I don't quite agree with your last statement, though. Smith has gotten where he is by being provocative. He knows he gets the attention he's getting now by saying something that nobody else is saying.

I'm not saying he's making it up. We all know Miami is in the running (and I'm not dismissing the possibility they win). He's making a guess based on what's he's heard. But I suspect he's jumping on Miami as a sure thing because he knows it'll get people talking just as much as he knows it's a sure thing. And he has succeeded in being the talk of the day.

[LoveDaBoo]

Maybe Gar/Pax is telling Smith that Bosh & James are going to Miami after Riley told the NYT that Bosh & James are going to Chicago. A little gamesmanship.

[AKfanatic]

Cowherd on Smith: "I just don't buy it", "I mean, its, listen, i met him a year and a half ago and he had him going to New York "guaranteed", now it's guaranteed he's going to Miami".

This was the other observation I wanted to make, but forgot to. That SAS previously made a different prediction is meaningless to his credibility here. He's merely reporting what his sources are telling him. And that information is evolving and changing all the time.

Unless, of course, we're just going to come out and say that SAS if flat out lying about all of it and that he doesn't have sources or, if he did, they aren't telling him this.

SAS is a first rate douche and he represents the worst in what is happening to sports media coverage. But I doubt he's going to go so far as to just flat out make **** up to get ratings.

I don't doubt Smith has sources. Maybe those sources told Smith Lebron, Wade, and Bosh are heading to Miami. That is quite hard for me to believe honestly. To many working parts.

His source needs to have knowledge of not only Lebron, but Bosh, and Wade. Possible.

Now if your a sports reporter and have some big inside scoop on what's likely to happen during the biggest story of the summer do you risk holding onto it? Smith didn't break this news in a timely matter considering how news works in todays day and age. He hyped up this news, trying to sell his show. I don't buy that. Why do you risk some other insider breaking your scoop before you? That's not a good way to do business, ask KC. Had somebody else, Wojo, KC, Isola, Bucher, Jalen Rose, Chad Ford...etc. came out with the story first, then Smith no longer gets to go on all these other shows today pimping this story. The other guy does. Honestly, it's possible...but I don't buy it.

[davhern]

Screamin A on ESPN1000 now.

[Sever82]

Riddle me this?


Which team looks more likely to win an NBA title or titles very soon with these two players, Miami or Chicago?

If LeBron and Bosh are in agreement to sign on the same team, I'm sure this is the main question that they are asking themselves.

Not that cut and dry though. I think they're asking themselves which Franchise has the opportunity to win a title Today and next 4-6 years. Miami with Wade, Lebron and Bosh would definitely be the better team for today but not by much but Chicago would have more of a long term outlook. You also have to consider which fan base is better and in which sports city would you get more popularity. Lebron and Bosh would be popular in any city they go to but i feel Chicago is on another level than Miami when it comes to sports and i dont see how heat fans can argue against it.

I'm a little worried about Miami getting Lebron but then again i keep holding onto to something and thats lebron's ego. In Miami he's not going to be the man, Wade has already gotten that title and is the most beloved star there and will always be especially since he was drafted there and won a title there already. Lebron will always have one title less than Wade and it would always be assumed its his team. In Chicago, Rose hasn't established himself as "The MAN" he's moving into that role but if Lebron steps in, Rose will probably take more of a pippen role.

[MGB8]

That's possible, but just like with us and Deng (or even James Johnson), I don't think anyone is doing anybody any favors. So they'd have to PAY, and PAY BIG, to move Beasley. And given that Chicago at least has Charlotte's pick, while, if this goes down, Miami's pick would always be at 30ish....

Looking at Salaries, unless paycuts are agreed to, I don't think this *can* happen. I just posted in a another thread. Miami, if you take Wade's caphold and the roster holds, is actually a couple million more than Chicago's. 16.5 for Wade, 5 for Beasley, 1 for Chalmers, and right now, 4.6 for Jones. Also, if the Heat want first crack at Joel Anthony, they need to extend a 1 Mill qual to him.

And, just like I don't think anyone is going to be doing Chicago any favors, I don't think that anyone is going to be doing Miami any favors to get 3 players.

What if they get someone to take Beasley or include Beasley in a sign and trade for one of them. It's not like Beasley on a rookie deal is a player some team wouldn't be willing to take a shot on, is it? I mean look at all the chances frickin' Kwame Brown got?

[TB#1]

Ball Don't Lie

Breaking news: LeBron James to play for six NBA teams next year

This Thursday, every NBA team you've ever heard of, including something called the Los Angeles Clippers (probably made-up), will be trying to get LeBron James(notes) to hold up a No. 6 jersey at a press conference down the road. Each of these franchises will sell James on why they're the best. However, if you listen to a number of well-connected journalists, LeBron James has already made up his mind and will be playing for every franchise in the NBA.

[DuckIII]

I agree that Smith isn't "wrong" because of a former prediction. I don't quite agree with your last statement, though. Smith has gotten where he is by being provocative. He knows he gets the attention he's getting now by saying something that nobody else is saying.

I don't disagree with any of that.

I'm not saying he's making it up. We all know Miami is in the running (and I'm not dismissing the possibility they win). He's making a guess based on what's he's heard.

No, he isn't. He's reporting this thing as something his sources are telling him will happen. That it is a fact. He is not in any way holding it out, and is in fact expressly denying, that it is a guess.

There are two options, and only two:

(a) His sources are reporting to him that this is going to happen (whether they are good or informed sources is a completely different question); or

(b) He's lying.

[davhern]

Did SAS just say that Miami would be able to add another player with the MLE?

If he did, then LOL... if he was talking about next year or something, I retract my LOL... but then it's LOL about even bringing that up.

[northbrookrich]

Riddle me this?


Which team looks more likely to win an NBA title or titles very soon with these two players, Miami or Chicago?

If LeBron and Bosh are in agreement to sign on the same team, I'm sure this is the main question that they are asking themselves.

It's an interesting question that I would assume that you would expect a unanimous Chicago answer on this board.

I think it comes down largely to LeBron's view of how good Rose will become as compared to Wade. Sure, guys like Taj, Noah and Deng help to tip the scales. However, if LeBron thinks that Rose will never be in the same conversation as Wade as a top player, he could easily convince himself that Miami is the way to go. With that said, LeBron has to start winning championships to get into the GOAT conversation. He can't wait for a team to be built. The Bulls come ready made while the Heat would have considerable work to do to get some pieces around the big three.

Long Term is anyone's guess as I think Wade has a good 4-6 years of top performance left and once you have a big three (depeding on the team's willingness to pay lux tax), they can always add talent through the various exceptions, the draft, etc.

[lu9]

SAS is so misinformed its insane.

[AKfanatic]

Did SAS just say that Miami would be able to add another player with the MLE?

If he did, then LOL... if he was talking about next year or something, I retract my LOL... but then it's LOL about even bringing that up.

yes he said they are attractive because they could get Wade, Lebron, and Bosh and still have MLE type money for another player.

[jc23]

Guess what board this is from. very funny pic of chris though

Chris B. today, talks about rumors including SAS

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wpvuNrax4U[/youtube]

[lu9]

Among other things, he said:

a)Bulls wouldn't need Boozer because they have Noah
b)Heat would be able to use another $8 million to round out roster after LBJ/Bosh/Wade...

[davhern]

Did SAS just say that Miami would be able to add another player with the MLE?

If he did, then LOL... if he was talking about next year or something, I retract my LOL... but then it's LOL about even bringing that up.

yes he said they are attractive because they could get Wade, Lebron, and Bosh and still have MLE type money for another player.

Sooooo basically he hasn't a clue what the hell he's talking about?

[transplant]

It has never occurred to me that Stephen A. Smith could be taken seriously or even that he thinks he should be.

[greenwing]

I am more convinced than ever now that SAS is "reporting" rumors. He just said that the Heat have the ability to sign to max contracts and have the MLE. The Heat have neither. He also said that Wade will take the pressure off of LeBron but he essentially refused to recognize Rose as being able to do so. And then he basically said that the Bulls will end up with nothing and might have an "injured" Carlos Boozer. What a joke.

[DuckIII]

Among other things, he said:

a)Bulls wouldn't need Boozer because they have Noah
b)Heat would be able to use another $8 million to round out roster after LBJ/Bosh/Wade...

I really don't want to continue to be the contrarian here, but these things merely evidence his own ignorance of the workings of the NBA. Not a shocker, since he's a **** clown.

But his stupidity is not germane to whether or not his sources are telling him what he says they are telling him.

[AKfanatic]

Again, like I said. Does Smith hold onto a story for 24 hours and risk someone else stealing his Thunder? Smith is currently doing the rounds on all the shows BECAUSE he broke this story. Had somebody else broke this story they'd be doing the rounds. When you account for how many people would be involved with Bosh, Lebron, Wade, the Heat, the Cavs, the Agents..... it's unlikely that one guy can hold onto a story without another source leaking it to somebody else. Then that somebody else gets to do the rounds.

[DJhitek]

The point is simply that they do not need players as good as Perkins and Rondo because the big three are all in their primes and better than the Boston big three. The Bulls roster changed each year in their dynasty years and they did not need top of the 1st round guys to win. Same with other repeat champions.

This might be more of a problem for 2010. But, 2011 with the MLE and/or LLE. With the ability to buy low 1st round picks (that comes up every year), with their own 1st round pick, with 2nd round picks. There are many, many ways to add other talented guys to the mix once you have a big 3 as good as this one.

I agree after this season things will be easier, but in retrospect, we've seen a super team with HOF's and it wasn't successful. I wouldn't bet on that with these guys though.