LeBrons thought process

[JKiddy]

Hey guys,

I am not here to start a fight or anything of the sort. I want to be very clear about that. But, I wanted to see what TRUE CAVS FANS thought about Lebron's upcoming situation. I will not put down the city of Cleveland. But, please be unbiased if that is possible for a second.

If you were Lebron and you were on a team that in the future does not have the talent that you might need to succeed (the Cavs right now) would you consider playing in a different part of the country that might be nicer and give you more opportunities for yourself and your family?

Right now the Cavs have Shaq, Mo Williams, Jamison, and such that are working with Lebron to win a title. These guys aren't as bad as people say. I feel like they are good players. But, Shaq is about to retire and is nothing compared to what he once was, Jamison is a great player. He's one of my favorite players ever from his days at UNC but hes 34. Mo Williams isn't playing as well as he can. But, if you are about to sign a 5+ year contract do you choose to stay in a place where your best sidekick will be Mo Williams (the Cavs don't have the cap room now) or do you go to another team that can give you more options for the next stage of your career (in regards to much more depth in young solid players and the option of playing with another young superstar like yourself) and give you the chance to live in a different city that might be much nicer than Cleveland in some peoples eyes.

What are your thoughts? Please be unbiased. I would seriously like to speak to intellectual people who are educated on here. I am not looking for the typical nonsense responses.

To be honest with you. I can see him staying in Cleveland only if he loves the city and refuses to leave. He can easily be the man in any other city in the country because he is Lebron. He will have a better chance to win multiple titles elsewhere. But, what do you really think he is thinking?

J KIDDY

[TheOUTLAW]

Personally I think you have an obvious agenda. It's funny to me that this exact same thread is started about every couple weeks by someone that is not a Cavs fan. So, I reopen this thread but it has an incredibly short leash.

As I've been saying for the longest, you'd almost have to be a northeastern Ohioan to understand. LeBron has said many many times that he wants to bring a championship to the area. I take him at his word.

[Notorious23]

Seriously... How many people are going to be really upset come July? I wonder if someone will commit suicide over Lebron staying here? Perhaps J Kiddy will?

[calibanPK]

He's going to sign another 3 year deal to keep the pressure on Ferry. Then another, then another.

[JKiddy]

I put this out there for the real educated Cavs fans to explain to the outsiders what he might be thinking. Believe it or not I actually think he might stay in Cleveland and I am not from there. But, if he left I wouldn't blink either. Would it be a jerk move if he did? Maybe. But, I think if he ever did leave he should let the front office know. I respect your organization and I like how they are trying to make him happy.

I've been an NBA fan for a great deal of time and I have seen many players leave their organizations because it's just a "business." But, I'm not mad at all of the players that have done this AS LONG AS THEY HAVE DONE IT THE RIGHT WAY. I honestly do not think that Lebron is coming to Brooklyn like half the world does. But, if he did I won't lie, I would be happy. But, I think we will end up with other players regardless.

I try to always put my bias aside and be honest like I have here.

But explain to me this "As I've been saying for the longest, you'd almost have to be a northeastern Ohioan to understand. LeBron has said many many times that he wants to bring a championship to the area. I take him at his word."

Is that all it takes for you to trust someone you have never met? If so, I would be very careful.

I am just an NBA fan. This summer can become very exciting.

[Triumph36]

I don't know where he'd find a better overall situation, to tell you the truth.

If he goes to Miami, he'll be going to Wade's team. He's obviously the better player, but it'll be known that he needed Wade to win a ring, and Wade will likely have more rings than him when their careers are over. With his ego, I don't see LBJ going for that.....he might, but I doubt it.

If he goes to Chicago, he'll be in MJ's shadow and face tons of extra pressure to become the GOAT. Maybe he'd like that, I don't know. But I think Chicago will be pushing hard for Wade anyways, they need a SG a lot more than they need a SF.

The Knicks...lol. If he went there and was able to convince another superstar to go with him, the team would essentially be LeBron/superstar/overrated Gallo/scrubs. Playing with another superstar would be nice but that team doesn't win a ring IMO.

The Nets.....eh. For a while I've thought the Nets had the best chance at landing him if he left. What they're doing this season is just so embarrassing though. Being the worst team in the league is one thing.....but being in the running for the worst record of all time is a bit much. The Brooklyn move is still a couple years out, which doesn't help their case either.

I can't see the Cavs going for a S&T, so ultimately I guess if he leaves the Nets would still be my guess.

That being said, I highly highly doubt he leaves. He's on the best team in the league (well, pre-Shaq injury at least), and is able to play in his hometown (ok...Akron isn't Cleveland...but it's 30mins away). Dan Gilbert has shown he's willing to take on any amount of money to make this team better, even in this economic climate, which is really all you can ask for in an owner. He also wisely brought in Chinese investors, which will enable LeBron to tap into the Chinese market. It seems like he wants LeBron to be heavily involved in the city forever.....probably being part owner of the team at some point, in my opinion. Of course none of that is being negotiated now because of CBA rules and whatnot. The young core isn't perfect, but it's very solid and Ferry is going to try to get another major piece for the young core in the off-season.

Everyone knows LeBron loves the hype....so I think he'll toy around with FA for a couple days (why say no to the free attention?), but he'll end up re-signing a six year deal with ETO/player options for the fifth and sixth years IMO.

[JKiddy]

Triumph36 I agree with most of what you said.

But, I am actually afraid if he does leave the Knicks might have a shot now.

People in this world love percentages. If I was a betting man I would put it something like this:

Cleveland - 70%
Nets - 20%
Knicks - 10%

Where Lebron will be next season. The Nets are bad right now and it's most of their own doing. They planned this rebuild phase for quite some time. They still have some of the best young talent in the league when they are healthy - Brook, Devin, Lee, CDR.... I even like Kris Hump as a great bench player for us next year. But, it's going to come down to the draft lottery. If we can grab position 1 or 2 we will be in a great position for Wall or Turner. Regardless I am a big fan of your organization from top to bottom. I felt for you guys when Boozer screwed you over and I see what Ferry is trying to do in bringing in anyone he can to make sure Lebron stays. In the end I'm unsure if it will be enough. But, I think it just might.

I would like to hear from more Cavs fans as I truly enjoy hearing from fans of every team. If you ever have any questions feel free to post on our board or ask me there directly. I am not a "troll" or a typical REALGM poster. I enjoy the intellectual conversations on here and try to filter through the litter myself.

Cavs fans thanks for the input and keep it coming! You are welcome on our board anytime.

J KIDDY

[tidho]

I'll give you an honest answer - who knows?
Regarding the original post specifically....

Guys like LeBron are so successful because they believe they can win in situations where you would not. LeBron has no reason to believe that the Gilbert and Ferry wouldn't be able to put a championship level team around him for years to come. Ferry has done a masterful job of surrounding James with talent that maximizes his skill set (think about that statement for a second).
....all while being capped out.

There are parts of the country that are nicer than Cleveland. LeBron's best friends (sorry JayZ) live here and his family lives here. Does he want to raise his kids in NYC?...I don't know...would you? LeBron has the means to visit and enjoy nice places around the globe anytime he feels like it, does he need to live in one of these places?

As for opportunity, LeBron is global. That's hard for New Yorkers to grasp, but NYC doesn't elevate LeBron. The only thing that elevates LeBron is a Championship.

Point is, form a basketball perspective I don't see why he'd think he needs to go and most of the scenarions coupling him with other starts have some holes in them too.
I think if he decides to go it will be because he wants to start over in another city after reaching his stated primary goal of bringing the Cavalier's a championship.

[Skip2MY]

Honestly I think we miss understand how much power players have...

I really dont see Lebron leaving but there are the different factors that weigh on it.

I will say 50% chance he stays in Cleveland win or lose(which I think is a great percentage)

Miami has no chance at all right now. Shocker? No it shouldnt be... Lebron wont be #2 to Wade even if him,Wade and Bosh are willing to take less in order to play together. Only 1 factor will make Lebron consider Miami and that is a title, if Lebron wins a title then he would consider Miami only if he can at least be on par with Wade(But if he wins a title Cle chances should increase as well). Wade obviously gives up more stakeholds if Bosh also comes(sort of like Paul Pierce when Garnett and Allen came). I would bump them up to 20%.

Knicks bumped their chances up with capspace and being in NY but I would only say 10-15%. I dont fear the Knicks even though D'antoni's system may become the next generation offense with the right players(like the 90s triangle offense). But they dont have the players to build around Lebron... their best 3 players are TMac, Galinari, and Chandler who all are natural SF who would likely just play where Lebron would play. Plus they have no future picks to build a team with.

Nets I think have the best chance of any team and no it isnt because of Jay-Z(that is just the cherry on top). Nets have the cap and possibility to swing a deal if a second superstar forces a S&T and they have the assets to do it. They have Brook Lopez who will likely not be traded and Yi who shows a lot sometimes(12pts,20rebs last night), Devin Harris, an endless assortment of wings(CDR,Lee, Terrence Williams), oh and not to mention the best chance at the #1 pick(Wall or Turner). They have options. The only knock I think they have is that they arent in Brooklyn yet and not unil 2012 and hopefully that is enough to get him to just resign in Cleveland because he will be tempted to remake the NBA and Nets when they move will become the new mecca and take evrything from the Knicks rename the team and be his franchise and blah,blah,blah. 25% chance.

Every other team with cap has about a 10% collectively.

Best case scenario for the Cavs... they can convince Bosh to force Toronto to do a S&T and we give up Jamison,Hickson,Eyenga,Green and 1st or whatever. Hopefully Bosh would rather be here than on another team that has to build from the groundup. Then Cle has 100% chance.

[tidho]

Being that NY stopped making a significant impact on the world of basketball well over 25 years ago shouldn't we stop calling it 'basketball mecca'?

The college teams there are irrelevant.
The NIT is an afterthought.
The Rucker magic is gone (Lloyd Daniels, Kenny Anderson, Alston.....Manigault was a loooong time ago).
The Knicks haven't added a star sinse the 1984 draft, and have spent the last 4 years playing 'what not to do' in the front office.

You want mecca? I'll take the Bruins/Lakers combination any day.

[goddago]

Couple of things JKiddy, you do realize how much turnover there is on typical NBA rosters from year to year and how many championships have been won by throwing a team together from scratch? Maybe you need to lighten up on the Gallo Kool-Aid.

Beyond that you've got Danny Ferry as GM and know his recent history. Walsh? Recent bad but admittedly it was a tear down job. However, he did build Indiana to contender status and reached the finals once, losing to the Lakers in 2000. Dan Gilbert has shown a willingness to spend right along with Dolan, he's just spent his more wisely and I see no reason for that to change.

Does anyone think the communication between LeBron and Gilbert is so infrequent they have to communicate thru reporters?

[TheOUTLAW]

While I think that putting all your eggs into the 2010 basket and sacrificing several seasons along the way was about the most ridiculous thing I'd ever seen a franchise do. It actually has been a plan that the Knicks executed fairly well. No matter what ends up happening it's been their obvious fawning over LeBron (along with getting the local press to buy in) that has allowed them to maintain a fanbase while doing nothing to attempt to win.

[tidho]

While I think that putting all your eggs into the 2010 basket and sacrificing several seasons along the way was about the most ridiculous thing I'd ever seen a franchise do. It actually has been a plan that the Knicks executed fairly well. No matter what ends up happening it's been their obvious fawning over LeBron (along with getting the local press to buy in) that has allowed them to maintain a fanbase while doing nothing to attempt to win.

That part really is genius.

Maybe the Indians should throw some names out there of guys they want to pursue in 2014. If the public is dumb enough to fall for it then you might as well capitalize while you can.

[old skool]

If Lebron would leave Cleveland because of a limited amount of talent on the roster, there is no way that he would sign with the Knicks or the Nets.

The Knicks have nothing. They play in a major city, but as a basketball team they have zip. On top of that their future prospects are dim as they keep trading away their draft picks. D'Antoni is attractive if to a player that values the freedom of hoisting a lot of shots to build up personal stats. That means nothing to Lebron. He can get as many shots as he wants in any offense. He can lead the league in scoring, but if he doesn't get rings he will be dubbed a failure. If Lebron wants to team up with a winning coach he would look to Riley in Miami or Jackson in LA. If he is not looking to go the HOF coach route, he is smart enough to realize that he has a known quantity in Mike Brown. A coach that can win and get a team to play defense.

The Nets have ..... cap space. And a draft pick. They are less attractive than the Cavs by a wide margin. Does Lebron want to move to the Nets and play second fiddle to the Knicks? I don't see that as an attractive option. If basketball is the issue, he would stay in Cleveland, without a doubt.

Lebron cannot wait much longer to start winning rings. He has half of his career behind him, with over 21,000 minutes of regular season play. He is building up minutes at a rapid rate. He could start to wear down, ala T-Mac.

If basketball was the number one concern, Lebron would team up with young talent that is sure to excel. Like the young guns in OKC or Rose in Chicago. Or he could join an established star for a short run, like Wade in Miami or Kobe in LA. I don't see Lebron worrying about trying to team up with another superstar who is not TOO good. Nor would he worry about the ghost of Jordan.

If weather and lifestyle are the number one concerns he would look hard at the Clippers, Kings and Heat.

The only downsides to staying in Cleveland would be the small market nature of the city (but that is off set by its "hometown" status) and the lack of financial resources with the Cavs organization. The Cavs have spent money, but only up to the point of not operating at a loss. Other teams have more resources and that MIGHT make a difference to in the free agent decision. I say might because teams like the Knicks spend a ton but don't have anything to show for their efforts.

oLd sKool