PetroNet wrote:The situations you mentioned are all completely different then the miami heat situation.
Lakers - howard didn't sign there as a free agent. He was traded there, and he wanted to go to brooklyn. Gasol was also traded there, years ago, and the two didn't decide together to team up.
Celtics - again, ray allen didn't sign there, they traded jeff green for him. Kg didn't sign there, they trade al jefferson for him and kg didn't even want to be a celtic at first.
Knicks - lol, how is this even relevant? Chandler is far from a star player and knicks didn't make it out of the first round.
Basically... players need to fall in line and allow only the owners or GM's to dictate their career paths is what you are saying? Lebron gave the Cavs SEVEN years and they could not sign, draft or trade for ONE legit All-Star in his prime. Not ONE. So Lebron took his career in his own hands(Like KG even told him to do after they beat him in 2010..don't waste time is what KG told him.. don't make the same mistake he did in Minn), and went to play for one of the best run organziations in the league, to control his own destiny, took less money to play with a core tht could contend for years.
Wade was the same age Paul Peirce was when their Big 3 teamed up.. and KG refused to go to Boston until they landed Ray Allen.
Seriously... Howard didnt want to be traded to the Lakers so that made it ok? LOL. He held a franchise hostage for 2 years and embarressed their whole ogrniazation. Lebron had the dumb "decision" yet he played out his contract and moved on. NO ONE was going to Cleveland on their own... at least not a player in their prime. No player ever has. Not a shot at the Cavs.. just reality. Orlando is an attractive place for players and Orlando got key players to sign their in their prime like TMac and Hill. Players would have gone to Orlando had Howard asked them too...he didnt.
No other team gets the hate Miami does.. which is fine, but dont pretend it's close. Yes, Lebron did the stupid "Decision" which he apoligized for and was Jim Gray's idea. Also, the "not one, not two, etc" which was stupid but Riley had that pep rally planned just like he did for Shaq in 2004 and no one cared. No one cared when Shaq promised a title before ever wearing a Heat uniform.
Bottom line is people like you make up reasons to hate Lebron. It's ok that other players have played on STACKED teams..but ONLY when the ownership or GMs make it happen. Since Kobe has had great management his whole career and played with greats like Shaq, Howard, Gasol in their prime, it's all good? But since Lebron had to join one of the worst franchises in basketball.. how dare he join with other top players, right?
Look at the Cavs when Lebron was drafted in 2003 and look at the Lakers in 96 when Kobe was drafted. This guy has played for loaded teams since his career started in 96. From Shaq, Eddie Jones, NVE to Malone and GP, Gasol, Howard, Nash.. etc. Yet the two years he didnt have a stacked team.. what happened? He demanded a trade in 2006. But that's ok right? Thing is, I'm not hating on Kobe.. he demands management to make it happen.. and they have. If not, he would leave. Let's not forget he had Phil Jackson and never wina ring without him. I say the same for Wade. Look what Riley has given him in his career? Shaq basically still in his prime, then Lebron and Bosh. There is a reason Kobe and Wade will both never wear another team's uniform.. their ownership and managment.
It was ok when Charle Barkely in his prime demanded a trade becasue Philly sucked? Or Melo demanded a trade because he wanted to play in NY? Or CP3 demanded a trade?
The double standard on here and in the NBA world by fans is amazing..
