why not? Lebron in 2014?

[montestewart]

I never understood why we didn't make a run at LeBron a few years back when we had the cap room. Well, I know why (Leonsis & Grunfeld assumed they didn't have a shot). They were probably right, but we were one of the team's with cap room, I thought it would have been good at the time to send a message to the league that the Wizards were serious about competing.

So true. Maybe this is a false memory, but I could swear Terd and Ernie even make comments to the effect that their "small" market gives them a natural disadvantage. What a drastic change it would be to, just once, hear the team pursue a big name player with unrealistic overconfidence.

[FAH1223]

LeBron is on record as saying he loves the Washington, DC area. It sucks we don't have an organization of people who believe in themselves to make a pitch to a big time free agent.

Obviously he wasn't going to come to a rebuilding squad with #1 overall pick Wall on board. But we had the cap room to sign LeBron and get another piece.

[Jay81]

I never understood why we didn't make a run at LeBron a few years back when we had the cap room. Well, I know why (Leonsis & Grunfeld assumed they didn't have a shot). They were probably right, but we were one of the team's with cap room, I thought it would have been good at the time to send a message to the league that the Wizards were serious about competing.

So true. Maybe this is a false memory, but I could swear Terd and Ernie even make comments to the effect that their "small" market gives them a natural disadvantage. What a drastic change it would be to, just once, hear the team pursue a big name player with unrealistic overconfidence.

how is DC a small market? Assuming Porter,Wall and Beal improve this year, can you think of many other opportunites that are better for Lebron to come into?

[Ruzious]

I never understood why we didn't make a run at LeBron a few years back when we had the cap room. Well, I know why (Leonsis & Grunfeld assumed they didn't have a shot). They were probably right, but we were one of the team's with cap room, I thought it would have been good at the time to send a message to the league that the Wizards were serious about competing.

So true. Maybe this is a false memory, but I could swear Terd and Ernie even make comments to the effect that their "small" market gives them a natural disadvantage. What a drastic change it would be to, just once, hear the team pursue a big name player with unrealistic overconfidence.

I have that same recollection, and it was very disappointing to hear that from him. One of the reasons I was excited when he became the new owner was I thought Ted Leonsis was a go for the gold type of owner - and as it turns out, he's more of a go for mediocrity as long as he can get enough people in the seats type owner.

Even if Lebron has ALMOST no interest in coming here, it'd do a lot of good imo to make a major visible attempt for him. It'd show he wants to go for the gold.

[TheKingOfVa360]

Someone ban the op please

[Higga]

I never understood why we didn't make a run at LeBron a few years back when we had the cap room. Well, I know why (Leonsis & Grunfeld assumed they didn't have a shot). They were probably right, but we were one of the team's with cap room, I thought it would have been good at the time to send a message to the league that the Wizards were serious about competing.

Yeah same here. We should have at least thrown our names in the hat. I mean weren't the Clippers going after him then? And they were just as bad as us at that time.

Lebron won't come here because this organization can't build a winner. Also, he'll never be top dog as long as RG3 is around. But D.C. is the new city of stars. If Lebron came here we could have potentially the best player in every sport(RG3, Harper in MLB, Ovie in NHL).

It's fun to dream I guess.

[verbal8]

I never understood why we didn't make a run at LeBron a few years back when we had the cap room. Well, I know why (Leonsis & Grunfeld assumed they didn't have a shot). They were probably right, but we were one of the team's with cap room, I thought it would have been good at the time to send a message to the league that the Wizards were serious about competing.

Yeah same here. We should have at least thrown our names in the hat. I mean weren't the Clippers going after him then? And they were just as bad as us at that time.

I think the Clippers put themselves a bit on the map when they tried to sign Kobe years ago. Also I think the pursuit of LeBron was a factor in Anthony having interest in the Knicks.

Pursuing LeBron in 2014 might lead to another superstar having interest in the Wizards in 2015 or 2016.

[MJG]

Why not? Because we're an organization with poor management and zero ambition.

[mohammed10]

Why not? Because we're an organization with poor management and zero ambition.

QFT...small-mindedness

Remember when we (supposedly) had the chance to get the Beard?

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

I think barelyawake best explains why no NBA superstar in their prime would want to come here and play.

[mohammed10]

I think barelyawake best explains why no NBA superstar in their prime would want to come here and play.

Nevermind...

[montestewart]

I think barelyawake best explains why no NBA superstar in their prime would want to come here and play.

Yeah, used to be $10 rocks, now's $10 Coronas. DC blows.

[jivelikenice]

1. I don't think he leaves Miami

2. I don't understand the assumption he's going back to Cleveland

Why? Riley....Do you guys really think Riley will allow him to leave, especially to Cleveland and be left with nothing? Its more likely they reload around him by dealing Bosh/ and or Wade

That all being said, if he does want to leave, why shouldn't we pursue him? If we're comign off the playoffs as a 6 seed or so with a young nucleus of Wall/Beal/Porter or Bennett, why the hell not? The Rockets are all of a sudden a destination and they were an 8th seed with no second superstar to go with Harden as of now. Making the playoffs as a young team changes everything which is why its a priority next season.

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

I think barelyawake best explains why no NBA superstar in their prime would want to come here and play.

Yeah, used to be $10 rocks, now's $10 Coronas. DC blows.

Price has nothing to do with it.
Especially when one is earning an NBA salary.
The sad truth is DC is just not an attractive destination anymore.
At this point I would not even come here and play.

Why would any NBA player in their prime want to come to the District of CVS and be surrounded by disgusting gentrifiers, yups and government drones when they can go to Miami or Los Angeles and enjoy year long nice weather along with having the beach just footsteps from their residence?

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

I think barelyawake best explains why no NBA superstar in their prime would want to come here and play.

Nevermind...

Nevermind?
I remember buying that album over at Kemp Mill.

Lets check street view and see what business occupies that space now.

And the winner is...

An AT&T Wireless store.

How exciting.!!!!!

DC has turned into EveryShoppingMallUSA.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

DC was in Jalen Rose's Top-5
"Black Guy City Power Rankings".

He noted the DC being the nation's most-powerful city, the President being black, and the nickname "The Chocolate City".

The city should be a place NBA players want to play. Durant is a PG County guy. IIRC Dwight Howard has a kid whose mother is in DC. Of course Lebron, like Caron Butler, likes DC. Why? For some of the same reasons Andray Blatche did. Jalen Rose mentions gentleman's clubs in his Grantland podcast. More than that, there are many affluent blacks. Socially, culturally, and professionally the city and surrounding suburbs are appealing to wealthy NBA players.

All it would take to upgrade the Wizards as players in free agency is to hire Troy Weaver as GM, and for Ted to create a position for Ernie.

[Knighthonor]

I take Lebron James Lite aka Andrew Wiggins/Parker in 2014.
Deal?

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

DC was in Jalen Rose's Top-5
"Black Guy City Power Rankings".

He noted the DC being the nation's most-powerful city, the President being black, and the nickname "The Chocolate City".

The city should be a place NBA players want to play. Durant is a PG County guy. IIRC Dwight Howard has a kid whose mother is in DC. Of course Lebron, like Caron Butler, likes DC. Why? For some of the same reasons Andray Blatche did. Jalen Rose mentions gentleman's clubs in his Grantland podcast. More than that, there are many affluent blacks. Socially, culturally, and professionally the city and surrounding suburbs are appealing to wealthy NBA players.

All it would take to upgrade the Wizards as players in free agency is to hire Troy Weaver as GM, and for Ted to create a position for Ernie.

I can appreciate you bringing in a black prespective on this because I am not black, I have never been black and I will never know what it feels like to be black.

I do not know the last time you were in DC but recently "the city" has started to resemble a cookie cutter shopping mall.

Isn't Lebron's father a DC native?
Perhaps Lebron might want to come and win an NBA championship for his father's city?
I seriously doubt it but you never know.

As far as gentleman's clubs go, dont most black men prefer non black women?
The reason I ask is because when I was in high school and college, the black guys were always asking me if I had a sister or a cousin I could set them up with.

[Wizardspride]

LeBron is on record as saying he loves the Washington, DC area

Yep.

If I'm not mistaken D.C. was in his top 3 cities/areas along with L.A. and Miami.

[pancakes3]

DC was in Jalen Rose's Top-5
"Black Guy City Power Rankings".

He noted the DC being the nation's most-powerful city, the President being black, and the nickname "The Chocolate City".

The city should be a place NBA players want to play. Durant is a PG County guy. IIRC Dwight Howard has a kid whose mother is in DC. Of course Lebron, like Caron Butler, likes DC. Why? For some of the same reasons Andray Blatche did. Jalen Rose mentions gentleman's clubs in his Grantland podcast. More than that, there are many affluent blacks. Socially, culturally, and professionally the city and surrounding suburbs are appealing to wealthy NBA players.

All it would take to upgrade the Wizards as players in free agency is to hire Troy Weaver as GM, and for Ted to create a position for Ernie.

Except that's coming from an old and mature Jalen Rose. Fab Five Jalen Rose wouldn't have given 2 flips about DC. It'd be a great place for a player to retire to with its schools, culture, etc. but for a man in his late-20's, early 30's when money is no issue?

DC by law can't have any penthouse highrises, has the worst of all 4 seasons, a piddling club scene compared to NYC/Miami/LA, and really, demographically where this hypothetical NBA player would be hanging out? It's not as diverse as the raw statistics say.