LeBron James?

Ranma · Post #81 » by **Ranma** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 6:24 pm

og15 wrote:Alright, so can we put the Lebron James to the Clippers talk to rest now? Yes? Okay, great

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nickhx2 · Post #82 » by **nickhx2** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 7:23 pm

cue jim carrey

madmaxmedia · Post #83 » by **madmaxmedia** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 7:28 pm

og15 wrote:Alright, so can we put the Lebron James to the Clippers talk to rest now? Yes? Okay, great

At this point, yes. But check back tomorrow! :lol:

Ranma · Post #84 » by **Ranma** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 9:12 pm

nickhx2 wrote:cue jim carrey

Ranma · Post #85 » by **Ranma** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 3:02 am

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madmaxmedia · Post #86 » by **madmaxmedia** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 4:51 pm

One of the really interesting side effects of the maximum salary number is how it gives AAA superstars (i.e. those that would otherwise make more than the max salary) extra leverage over their careers even though their salary is limited. Especially since a star basketball player can influence his team more than a star in any other sport (besides a NFL QB.) LeBron exerts so much influence not only on the court, but off the court in terms of how his team will always have a payroll advantage due to the ROI that Lebron brings to the team.

These 1+1 contracts that are now in vogue only exist because of the max salary. Otherwise, some team would be willing to offer Lebron a 5 year $250M contract, which might actually reflect his true worth.

TucsonClip · Post #87 » by **TucsonClip** » Fri Jul 1, 2016 4:55 pm

Players sign a 1+1 when their team doesnt have full bird rights on them (LeBron) or they are a year away from an even bigger raise (Durant, if he does sign that).

Ranma · Post #88 » by **Ranma** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 5:52 pm

The possibility of having the Brotherhood realized in L.A. with Chris Paul already in a Clippers uniform and talk of Doc pursuing Melo and now LeBron wants to be the King of Hollywood with BG already producing movies like the "Rocketeers" and a reboot of "White Men Can't Jump" just adds to the possibility of everyone coming together in La La Land as Clippers.

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Post #89 » by **og15** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 7:11 pm

The dream continues, maybe one day it will be realized

Ranma · Post #90 » by **Ranma** » Thu Jun 8, 2017 6:34 pm

I'm bumping this thread to give some historical context to this latest "news". I'm scratching my head a little on this one. While I've always maintained that the Clippers made the most sense for LeBron if he were ring-chasing, especially with the dream scenario of the "Brotherhood" in uniting with Carmelo and CP3, how could we tackle the issue of cap space, or rather lack thereof, to make it happen? Talk of bringing Jerry West over would make this all the more vital since one of the feathers in his cap included his arduous efforts into bringing Shaq and Kobe together for the Lakers. This makes all the more sense if LeBron is frustrated with Golden State's current super-team and wants to counter that by creating his own with the Clippers.

The proposal with the Lakers makes little sense to me even if they were to acquire Paul George with Brandon Ingram as the centerpiece of a deal. I believe the organization should have enough cap space to offer LeBron a non-Bird max even if they did acquire George, but would a projected lineup that would include LeBron, George, D'Angelo Russell, and Lonzo Ball be enough to appeal to LeBron in his efforts to chase a ring in the immediate future? I don't see it. However and oxymoronically, it'd be an unsurprising shock for the Lakers to recruit Jerry West to make this happen for them as well.

If LeBron is truly considering either the Clippers or Lakers, it'd be a matter of going old skool or new school.

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Kevin 'O Connor, TheRinger.com (6/8/17)

Multiple league sources I’ve spoken to think the Lakers or Clippers are viable destinations for King James. Jalen Rose said this week on First Take that he expects LeBron to make a move from Cleveland to California, where he already owns a house 30 minutes away from Staples Center. The Lakers make sense if LeBron wants to build a sustainable winner with a core blend of veterans and youthful talent like Paul George — if, as NBA gossip suggests, George truly is “hell-bent” on going to L.A. — and Brandon Ingram. The Clippers make sense if LeBron wants to form a Banana Boat Voltron with Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony. The Cavaliers are in the Finals for the third consecutive season, and would be the favorites to continue making the final round for as long as LeBron chooses to stay. Leaving wouldn’t necessarily give him better odds of reaching the promised land again. But the league landscape can change quickly. If the Cavs get their doors blown off by the Warriors and are unable to effectively shuffle the deck this summer, their championship forecast for next year won’t look any rosier than it does now. If they fall short of their ultimate goal again, LeBron might look at Cleveland and see little potential for growth compared to other situations. He delivered on his goal to bring “one trophy back to Northeast Ohio,” but he has others. Namely, to “win as many titles as possible.”

LeBron’s Second Era in Cleveland Could Be Ending Soon

mttwlsn16 · Post #91 » by **mttwlsn16** » Fri Jun 9, 2017 5:32 am

Not happening. Just looking for clicks on his article.

Ranma · Post #92 » by **Ranma** » Fri Jun 16, 2017 1:23 am

I've said from the beginning of LBJ's first dabble into free agency that his primary priority would be ring-chasing in order to catch up to Michael Jordan's legacy. However, he did follow through on his promise to bring a title to Cleveland, so he deserves props for that. With that commitment now filled, there's a lessened sense of obligation toward his hometown area even with still plenty of pressure to stay.

Now LeBron can focus on his legacy. While I maintain that hiring a mercenary like LeBron James is not what I ideally envsioned to be the Clippers' first championship title, I'm more than willing to try to make this happen. I've mentioned before how LeBron could extend his influence and popularity by winning titles in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. Well, he's won championships on the East Coast and Midwest while the West Coast remains a goal to conquer.

That's also not to mention that he'd have an opportunity fulfill his wish to team up with his Brotherhood teammates with Chris Paul and possibly Carmelo Anthony in Los Angeles, where he has a residence in the summer. Doc Rivers and Steve Ballmer got an audience to make an impressive pitch to LeBron during his first exploration as an unrestricted free agent. The Clippers now have Jerry West to serve as closer to actually finish the job.

West diligently made Shaq & Kobe happen for the Lakers as well as served as the architect of the roster for the "Showtime" Lakers in addition to his contributions in turning around both the Grizzlies and Warriors. The man can ably bring Carmelo Anthony to the Clippers if that is what he wants and thinks is best for the organization. He can make LeBron to the Clippers a possibility as well if given the resources and independence. West is not as young as he was so he's not able to do the same things as before and now it remains to be seen how much Doc will serve as an impediment, but he still was able to help secure Kevin Durant to the Warriors the previous offseason.

With Ballmer's resources and enthusiasm, Jerry West should be armed to accomplish whatever is necessary to turn things around and actually get us over the hump despite our current cap and roster predicament resulting from Doc's malpractice as president of basketball operations.

Even still, we have our 2018 first-round draft pick to use in a deep draft or for a blockbuster (good) trade, for a change. I also wouldn't discount the idea of Paul George finding his way to his favorite NBA team growing up (Clips) despite his hurt feelings of being passed over in the 2010 draft or the fact that he cheated on Doc's daughter, Callie.

Whether it is LeBron, Carmelo or George, the Clippers have options with West at the helm. That could even mean immediately rebuilding by not committing to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. In any case, I have full confidence that West will steer us in the right direction as long as Doc is out of his way.

Personally, I expect to see both Paul and Griffin return with LeBron, George, and/or Melo to follow in a year or two. Hell, even local reporter Ramona Shelburne admitted to harboring for the past 2 years anticipation that LeBron would eventually make his way over to Los Angeles during the "Around the Horn" segment cited below by Deadspin in response to the now-identified fake Wojnarowski tweet.

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Wammy Giveaway · Post #93 » by **Wammy Giveaway** » Fri Jun 16, 2017 6:08 am

1. You can't mention The Brotherhood A.K.A. Team Banana Boat A.K.A. Team 2B without the Miami Heat draftee Dwyane Wade. This could be a Chris Paul and/or LeBron James demand, which means he will join the Clippers however he can. Due to his age, he will have to take a financial discount, and it might require some hard convincing from his buddies or by Jerry West.

2. Let's look at another Clipper target, Rudy Gay. West drafted him in 2006, his last year before leaving Memphis. As I pointed out in another thread, teams who once had Rudy on their roster all missed the playoffs saved for the lockout season where the Grizzlies would lose to the Clippers in a 1st round upset. After Memphis traded Rudy to the Raptors, they made the western conference finals instantly. After the Raptors traded Rudy to the Kings, they made the eastern conference finals two years later. The Kings letting Rudy walk could mean, if the pattern holds, the Clippers having to deal with another playoff upstart. Should West rekindle interest in his former draft pick or Doc Rivers get blinded by Rudy's FIBA gold medal, I would advise caution before bringing him in. If they have no choice but to get Rudy, because of Carmelo Anthony's no-trade clause, Paul George's preference for the purple and gold, or Wilson Chandler/Danilo Gallinari feeling alright in Denver, I would suggest convincing Rudy to sign for the veteran's minimum by using the "cursed player" angle and have him work for his money.

3. Jerry West is 79 years old. He may be senior, but in his heart, he's a young warrior. But age could take a toll on him. The story about the Clippers being this cursed franchise where things go to die is well founded. People get injured playing for the Clippers, be it physical, financial, or emotional. Just because Sterling is gone doesn't mean the curse is lifted. This is where Ryan West comes in, and it will be crucial for Jerry's son to hold the fort down for the Clippers. He will have to be in meetings with free agents and making trades. Ryan might have to be the catalyst for LeBron, Melo and Wade to L.A. Ryan may find himself becoming the true GM of the Clippers, and Doc Rivers will have to be ready for that when the time comes... even if it means having to re-sign as coach/GM/father of the Clippers.

Ranma · Post #94 » by **Ranma** » Fri Jun 16, 2017 4:59 pm

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Ranma · Post #95 » by **Ranma** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 10:52 pm

Kevin Ding, Bleacher-Report.com (6/19/17)

The George scenario has been omnipresent for some time, and Cleveland's loss in the 2017 NBA Finals has led Lakers officials to hear more whispers about James' interest in a final chapter in Los Angeles, where his wife would like to live full time, per sources.

Lakers Favor Drafting Lonzo Ball, With an Eye on Paul George, LeBron James

JGOJustin · Post #96 » by **JGOJustin** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:10 am

@sam_amick 4m4 minutes ago

Cavs' chaos? Good time to read about Jerry West & why Clippers hired him to help recruit LeBron James next summer

https://t.co/FliOMXti0r

Post #97 » by **mkwest** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:53 am

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Post #98 » by **mkwest** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 1:25 am

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Ranma · Post #99 » by **Ranma** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:30 am

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Ranma · Post #100 » by **Ranma** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:33 pm

JGOJustin wrote:@sam_amick 4m4 minutes ago

Cavs' chaos? Good time to read about Jerry West & why Clippers hired him to help recruit LeBron James next summer

https://t.co/FliOMXti0r

mkwest wrote:
LeBron James to Clippers? Why Jerry West's relationship may be key

The grand plan now for West and his new Clippers colleagues, president of basketball operations and head coach Doc Rivers and executive vice president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank? Targeting the biggest fish in next summer's free agent sea: LeBron James.

According to two people with knowledge of the situation, West’s potential ability to improve the Clippers’ chances of landing the Cleveland Cavaliers star in free agency in the summer of 2018 was a significant factor in his hiring and in the willingness of owner Steve Ballmer to pay West between $4 and $5 million annually. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the team’s plans.

But James, who has a home and an increasing amount of off-court business in Los Angeles, is at the center of the Clippers’ dreams. And West, as the Clippers see it, is the perfect recruiter to lure James away from his home state.

Sam Amick, USA Today

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