Bynum Suspended?

[Tinseltown]

So after this year he'll have made $70+ mil in his career (which is insane…) At only 26, what does he plan to do for the rest of his life? He really doesn't seem to be that smart or committed to anything. And if this is just a ploy to play for a better team, i've completely lost respect for him.

He clearly didn't put in the work to re-hab the right way (remember the bowling incident) with the sixers, and now he's causing trouble with another team? Meanwhile, oden's doing all he can just to get back on the court for a few min per game.

The thing is, he's actually an extremely intelligent guy

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_d ... nba-346689

It's just that basketball doesn't seem to interest him all that much unless he's in an ideal situation

[BKing10]

if he doesn't like basketball anymore why doesn't he just retire?

He likes the $$. But I think it's more that he just doesn't like playing basketball in Cleveland or a non contender

[infinite11285]

So Bynum "doesn't want to play basketball anymore" but he's interested in playing for the Heat or the Clippers?

Andrew Trollnum.

[homecourtloss]

if he doesn't like basketball anymore why doesn't he just retire?

[mup]

There is no interest from Cleveland in any type of farewell signing for a year or two at the end of his career.

You're not Dan Gilbert, are you? Meaning, you can't necessarily speak for Dan Gilbert. Neither can I, for that matter. We're all just guessing here.

Dan Gilbert didn't exactly, in my estimation, come off in a great light in the aftermath of The Decision. And that might be more the case with Miami winning multiple titles.

If LeBron comes back to Cleveland at the end of his career, then Gilbert brought home the Prodigal Son and "rights the wrong" of The Decision and its aftermath.

I can see interest for Gilbert and Cleveland in bringing LeBron back later. We'll see what happens.

With all due respect, I think you're missing some nuances. I take it you're not in Ohio?

The city of Cleveland feels cheated out of a championship by Lebron leaving. Bringing him back at the age of 39 to be the second option on the 7th seed in the playoffs would be the worst pr move possible. I really don't understand why you think cleveland would be interested in bringing in a past-his-prime James (after he led some other random cities to championships, no less); and if the fans don't want it, Gilbert doesn't want it. Such a move would be salt in the wounds and would go over like a lead zeppelin.

The only way James comes back to Cleveland is if he does so while he's young enough and good enough to give Cavs fans the championship they think he stole from them.

[Mich3006]

if he doesn't like basketball anymore why doesn't he just retire?

I know at least 6 million reasons... If he retires he quits his contract and won't get any money

[sanity]

There is always a team that will throw the full MLE at him... irregardless of his health, character issues, etc. He still has that appeal of somehow in some dimension, having this slight connection to the player he once was on the Lakers.

Lucky guy

[RapsVC15]

There is always a team that will throw the full MLE at him... irregardless of his health, character issues, etc. He still has that appeal of somehow in some dimension, having this slight connection to the player he once was on the Lakers.

Lucky guy

We'll see which team he cons next, conned the sixers outta 16 mill last year and the cavs 6 mill for about a month work this year lmao

[Idunkonyou2]

LOL at those Bynum supporters who used to claim he was on the same level as Howard or better. He never was and never will be.

[Palmeirense]

And i thought he turned the corner with a stretch of high scoring games...got fooled hard.

[Flash4thewin]

Ric Bucher ✔ @RicBucher

If Cavs handle Bynum the same way they did Baron Davis, forget him going to Mia. Gilbert will pay him to sit over letting him join the Heat.

One problem with this scenario, and it's a long-term problem (or a potential one).

If Gilbert has any shot at LeBron coming back to Cleveland in the future, then it probably isn't in Gilbert's best interests to do things that might indirectly hurt LeBron at this time. Or, at least, things that LeBron might perceive as "unfriendly" towards him at the present moment.

In the past, Gilbert seemed done with LeBron. I'm not sure that's the case any longer. And a LeBron return to Cleveland could be in the cards.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Behind the scenes as well as in front of the cameras.

Cleveland won't have much interest in LeBron beyond this year's free-agency. Cleveland sure won't offer a 34 year old LeBron James a 4/5 year max-contract deal when he is up for his next free-agency. So why should Cleveland do anything to help Miami get a 3rd straight ring?

If LeBron signs with any team but Cleveland this summer, the book is closed on a return. There is no interest from Cleveland in any type of farewell signing for a year or two at the end of his career.

Looking at the Cavs front office its almost a given they would offer a 34 year old Lebron max money, the might even offer it to him at 37. This is the Cavs were talking about

[Antrim]

I think the Chris Grant (Cleveland GM) needs another round of congratulations for that brilliant contract. If you take the time to understand Bynum's contract you'll realize its going to be extremely valuable. It really looks like the team is going to get something out of nothing again.

I confess I gave you the And1 before I kept on reading after the first sentence.

Unreal. I have no words. Do they put something in the cereal in Ohio?

If Bynum does end up released this season, it makes a ton of sense for the Clippers and far less for the Heat. If the Heat do sign him, they'll release Oden...and the Cavaliers are the last organization in the league willing to sign that guy at this point. Look for Oden to the Cavs.

The Heat would release/trade Anthony/Jones/Mason way before they released Oden.


Regarding Bynum. Remember when Beasley was going to explode Miami's locker room?

[Tave]

Few thoughts....

The Cavaliers will do what they believe is best for them. Trying to stop the Heat from winning a title by 'denying' them Andrew Bynum is like trying to slow down a Ferrari by putting a 10 pound bag of sand in the passenger seat.

Hahaha, great metaphor I love that.

[mup]

One problem with this scenario, and it's a long-term problem (or a potential one).

If Gilbert has any shot at LeBron coming back to Cleveland in the future, then it probably isn't in Gilbert's best interests to do things that might indirectly hurt LeBron at this time. Or, at least, things that LeBron might perceive as "unfriendly" towards him at the present moment.

In the past, Gilbert seemed done with LeBron. I'm not sure that's the case any longer. And a LeBron return to Cleveland could be in the cards.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Behind the scenes as well as in front of the cameras.

Cleveland won't have much interest in LeBron beyond this year's free-agency. Cleveland sure won't offer a 34 year old LeBron James a 4/5 year max-contract deal when he is up for his next free-agency. So why should Cleveland do anything to help Miami get a 3rd straight ring?

If LeBron signs with any team but Cleveland this summer, the book is closed on a return. There is no interest from Cleveland in any type of farewell signing for a year or two at the end of his career.

Looking at the Cavs front office its almost a given they would offer a 34 year old Lebron max money, the might even offer it to him at 37. This is the Cavs were talking about

Not sure I understand this. What aging player have the cavs signed to a max contract. They haven't given anybody a max contract since lebron's extension, have they?

I'm missing the joke.

[DusterBuster]

Regarding Bynum. Remember when Beasley was going to explode Miami's locker room?

No.

[tms386]

So after this year he'll have made $70+ mil in his career (which is insane…) At only 26, what does he plan to do for the rest of his life? He really doesn't seem to be that smart or committed to anything. And if this is just a ploy to play for a better team, i've completely lost respect for him.

He clearly didn't put in the work to re-hab the right way (remember the bowling incident) with the sixers, and now he's causing trouble with another team? Meanwhile, oden's doing all he can just to get back on the court for a few min per game.

The thing is, he's actually an extremely intelligent guy

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_d ... nba-346689

It's just that basketball doesn't seem to interest him all that much unless he's in an ideal situation

This. The guy actually had a fairly high SAT score and grades if IIRC. Just because he doesn't have the passion for basketball , doesn't make him an idiot.

[Massamba]

LOL at those Bynum supporters who used to claim he was on the same level as Howard or better. He never was and never will be.

They are not Bynum supporters, but Howard haters.

[HotRocks34]

I think the Chris Grant (Cleveland GM) needs another round of congratulations for that brilliant contract. If you take the time to understand Bynum's contract you'll realize its going to be extremely valuable. It really looks like the team is going to get something out of nothing again.

I confess I gave you the And1 before I kept on reading after the first sentence.

Unreal. I have no words. Do they put something in the cereal in Ohio?

If Bynum does end up released this season, it makes a ton of sense for the Clippers and far less for the Heat. If the Heat do sign him, they'll release Oden...and the Cavaliers are the last organization in the league willing to sign that guy at this point. Look for Oden to the Cavs.

The Heat would release/trade Anthony/Jones/Mason way before they released Oden.


Regarding Bynum. Remember when Beasley was going to explode Miami's locker room?

Yep.

If I had to think of one guy who is gone should Miami have a shot at Bynum, my guess is Mason. Even if my own view might be that they should look to unload Anthony if they can.

[HotRocks34]

There is no interest from Cleveland in any type of farewell signing for a year or two at the end of his career.

You're not Dan Gilbert, are you? Meaning, you can't necessarily speak for Dan Gilbert. Neither can I, for that matter. We're all just guessing here.

Dan Gilbert didn't exactly, in my estimation, come off in a great light in the aftermath of The Decision. And that might be more the case with Miami winning multiple titles.

If LeBron comes back to Cleveland at the end of his career, then Gilbert brought home the Prodigal Son and "rights the wrong" of The Decision and its aftermath.

I can see interest for Gilbert and Cleveland in bringing LeBron back later. We'll see what happens.

With all due respect, I think you're missing some nuances. I take it you're not in Ohio?

The city of Cleveland feels cheated out of a championship by Lebron leaving. Bringing him back at the age of 39 to be the second option on the 7th seed in the playoffs would be the worst pr move possible. I really don't understand why you think cleveland would be interested in bringing in a past-his-prime James (after he led some other random cities to championships, no less); and if the fans don't want it, Gilbert doesn't want it. Such a move would be salt in the wounds and would go over like a lead zeppelin.

The only way James comes back to Cleveland is if he does so while he's young enough and good enough to give Cavs fans the championship they think he stole from them.

I am not in Ohio, that is true. And I probably am missing some nuances. Also, I appreciate your amiable debating tone.

LeBron doesn't have to come back at 39 years old. He may never come back, of course, but if you want to leave the door open to such a possibility, then "crossing" LeBron may not be a wise move. That's all I'm saying.

Everyone is concerned with image management. Players, owners, media people, etc. LeBron wants to craft an image. So does Dan Gilbert. The two might be able to help each other in that regard in the future, even if things went south (literally) in the past.

That's all I'm saying, I guess. Or that's the shortened version, anyways.

[MKG35]

This is the case for some pro athletes, I think. And Bynum seems to be someone who fits that bill. I don't think he's ever really loved the game, but he happens to be 7' 1" and 285 lbs or whatever and very few other people have those qualities or the athleticism to match up with his size.

For fans, the game is like a special thing that many of us wish we could have done at the level the pros do it at. But for some of the pros, I think, it's just a job. And a job some of them might really not like that much.

Do you think mostly big guys (or a big percentage) have this feeling about the game, just there to collect a check? Since most of them are simply in the NBA because of their size and a certain amount of skill.