The Lebron Thread (2015-16 Pt. 4)

[MisterHibachi]

There's no way he was gonna go to an organization LeBron thought wasn't good enough for him.

Lol what?

LeBron left because he truly did want to win one for the Cavs and gain more power. I mean I know you are a big LeBron fan but that's way off-base. Heat is a much better organization than the Cavs. LeBron didn't leave because the Heat as an organization weren't good enough for him, he left because Wade declined pretty fast, Cavs had younger pieces, and he could reap the "Going Home" power play/PR benefits.

Yes true, but also because LeBron thought ownership was cheap for cutting Mike Miller after selling him on sacrificing money to bring in Miller. One way or another, either because he didn't have enough power or he was unhappy with the amnesty or whatever, LeBron didn't want to come back and I'm sure Durant considered that.

[PaulieWal]

Hold on its not really the same.... Wade is still way better than kobe was and more importantly the salary cap has sky rocketed. Wade getting 20 per now is like kobe getting 10 per then, even less if you take his abilities into account.

Not seeing the equivalency. Kobe spent his last two years winning a combined 38 games.

I know some people here think it's title or bust but not every team or fan wants to be either a contender or a lottery team (certainly not me). I rather be entertained with a 2nd round playoff team. Plus the Heat already good young guys for the future with Winslow, Richardson, and TJ (if they keep him). Dragic is on an amazing contract under the new cap and Whiteside could be a huge trade asset if Bosh turns out to be healthy.

[PaulieWal]

There's no way he was gonna go to an organization LeBron thought wasn't good enough for him.

Lol what?

LeBron left because he truly did want to win one for the Cavs and gain more power. I mean I know you are a big LeBron fan but that's way off-base. Heat is a much better organization than the Cavs. LeBron didn't leave because the Heat as an organization weren't good enough for him, he left because Wade declined pretty fast, Cavs had younger pieces, and he could reap the "Going Home" power play/PR benefits.

Yes true, but also because LeBron thought ownership was cheap for cutting Mike Miller after selling him on sacrificing money to bring in Miller. One way or another, either because he didn't have enough power or he was unhappy with the amnesty or whatever, LeBron didn't want to come back and I'm sure Durant considered that.

The Miller move was bad optics and should have been avoided but I think you are projecting here. If KD thought all that he wouldn't have even met with the Heat. He did refuse to meet with other teams (Lakers, Knicks, Wiz).

[Basileus777]

Hold on its not really the same.... Wade is still way better than kobe was and more importantly the salary cap has sky rocketed. Wade getting 20 per now is like kobe getting 10 per then, even less if you take his abilities into account.

Not seeing the equivalency. Kobe spent his last two years winning a combined 38 games.

I know some people here think it's title or bust but not every team or fan wants to be either a contender or a lottery team (certainly not me). I rather be entertained with a 2nd round playoff team. Plus the Heat already good young guys for the future with Winslow, Richardson, and TJ (if they keep him). Dragic is on an amazing contract under the new cap and Whiteside could be a huge trade asset if Bosh turns out to be healthy.

If you're going to go that route, I doubt Lakers fans wanted Kobe finishing his career in another uniform. My experience with Heat fans suggests that they don't want Wade going to Denver either.

[Dupp]

Hold on its not really the same.... Wade is still way better than kobe was and more importantly the salary cap has sky rocketed. Wade getting 20 per now is like kobe getting 10 per then, even less if you take his abilities into account.

Not seeing the equivalency. Kobe spent his last two years winning a combined 38 games.

I know some people here think it's title or bust but not every team or fan wants to be either a contender or a lottery team (certainly not me). I rather be entertained with a 2nd round playoff team. Plus the Heat already good young guys for the future with Winslow, Richardson, and TJ (if they keep him). Dragic is on an amazing contract under the new cap and Whiteside could be a huge trade asset if Bosh turns out to be healthy.

I'm confused it seems like we're agreeing now. Im saying wade and kobe situations are completely different.

[PaulieWal]

Hold on its not really the same.... Wade is still way better than kobe was and more importantly the salary cap has sky rocketed. Wade getting 20 per now is like kobe getting 10 per then, even less if you take his abilities into account.

Not seeing the equivalency. Kobe spent his last two years winning a combined 38 games.

I know some people here think it's title or bust but not every team or fan wants to be either a contender or a lottery team (certainly not me). I rather be entertained with a 2nd round playoff team. Plus the Heat already good young guys for the future with Winslow, Richardson, and TJ (if they keep him). Dragic is on an amazing contract under the new cap and Whiteside could be a huge trade asset if Bosh turns out to be healthy.

If you're going to go that route, I doubt Lakers fans wanted Kobe finishing his career in another uniform. My experience with Heat fans suggests that they don't want Wade going to Denver either.

And I have said as much...

I want him to stay, as I said both sides are being stubborn. If really comes down to another 5-10 mil I hope the Heat retain him.

[JulesWinnfield]

Hold on its not really the same.... Wade is still way better than kobe was and more importantly the salary cap has sky rocketed. Wade getting 20 per now is like kobe getting 10 per then, even less if you take his abilities into account.

Not seeing the equivalency. Kobe spent his last two years winning a combined 38 games.

I know some people here think it's title or bust but not every team or fan wants to be either a contender or a lottery team (certainly not me). I rather be entertained with a 2nd round playoff team. Plus the Heat already good young guys for the future with Winslow, Richardson, and TJ (if they keep him). Dragic is on an amazing contract under the new cap and Whiteside could be a huge trade asset if Bosh turns out to be healthy.

If you let Wade walk, your chances at being that middling playoff team diminish as well. I don't see one bit of upside to drawing a line in the sand at 2/40 and letting him walk for 2/50. There is plenty of downside though, both short and long term. Once you see him put on a different uniform, that's a sight you can never unsee....even if you think you're ready for it, it's gonna make you sick to your stomach. There is a lot of value to making him a lifer. I don't know how to put that value in dollars, but I'm sure it's north of the difference between 2/40 and 2/50...

[PaulieWal]

^^Yup, it's not my money. I don't care either way, hope he stays.

[JulesWinnfield]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/wojverticalnba/status/750683990382616576[/tweet]

If you are going to leave Miami, at least go home to Chicago. Going to Denver would just be sad.

[MisterHibachi]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/EthanJSkolnick/status/750687103042760704[/tweet]

[JulesWinnfield]

As rich316 was saying last night, the silence on JR here is deafening. You don't hear a single team associated with him. Teams must still be scared to death of paying him even in this market. I wonder if the Cavs can really exploit this and get him locked up cheap, or if the Rich Paul relationship is going to force their hand to pay him more than the market dictates just because.... They need all the flexibility they can get. They won't have cap room, but being right at the tax threshold or barely above it I would assume has its advantages. Gilbert has shown he will pay the tax and if a move comes along that asks him to dip in, he'd be more likely to do it if JR comes cheap

[JordansBulls]

Wade on the Bulls would be awesome wish though we kept Gasol though as well.

[JulesWinnfield]

Wade on the Bulls would be awesome wish though we kept Gasol though as well.

So I guess it's gonna be..

Rondo
Wade
Butler
Gibson
Lopez

Mirotic (autocorrect was moronic) as 6th man?

[JordansBulls]

Wade on the Bulls would be awesome wish though we kept Gasol though as well.

So I guess it's gonna be..

Rondo
Wade
Butler
Gibson
Lopez

Mirotic (autocorrect was moronic) as 6th man?

I'd want to get him first before I worry about the rest

[yoyoboy]

Wade on the Bulls would be awesome wish though we kept Gasol though as well.

So I guess it's gonna be..

Rondo
Wade
Butler
Gibson
Lopez

Mirotic (autocorrect was moronic) as 6th man?

Man, the spacing on that team would be terrible.

[JulesWinnfield]

Wade on the Bulls would be awesome wish though we kept Gasol though as well.

So I guess it's gonna be..

Rondo
Wade
Butler
Gibson
Lopez

Mirotic (autocorrect was moronic) as 6th man?

Man, the spacing on that team would be terrible.

Yea. I really don't love them as presently constituted. Rondo is an improved 3 point shooter percentage wise, but it's not backed up by much volume. In a 2017 NBA it's tough to have a back court that can't shoot 3s at all. Not to mention butler is a pretty terrible 3 point shooter outside of an aberration in 2015. It's just a weird team. Maybe they start Mirotic as a stretch 4 and bring Gibson off the bench, but that won't change some fundamental issues

[rich316]

Would Ray Allen be of any use? I'm sure his shooting is still there, but at this point he has to be a traffic cone on defense. Jefferson would much better, but do the Cavs kick the tires? Their guard rotation is barren right now.

[MisterHibachi]

He might help LeBron improve his jumper and that's worth the minimum at the least.

[JulesWinnfield]

Ethan skolnick just said on the lebatard show that he expects a resolution with Wade tonight one way or the other. He says it may go late into the night, but a decision is expected today

It really seems like he's out.

[JulesWinnfield]

Micky Arison is here in New York now for a last minute meeting with Wade. Probably promising him one of those fake post career front office jobs to make up for money he won't get on the contract