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I shutter to think if this were to come to fruition. But, why not? LeBron isn't coming to Boston... Nor is Wade for that matter. In my opinion, neither of those scenarios are realistic.

I wonder would Stern prefer to see LeBron remain with Cleveland, or move on to New York.

The writing comes off somewhat subjective at times. Still, he raises a few interesting points. But I would've guessed the road to the NBA Finals is less challenging in the eastern conference than in the western conference. It isn't as if Cleveland's completely stuck (a.k.a. doomed) from a salary cap standpoint if they can maneuver out of some of those longterm contracts. Both S. O'Neal and Ilgauskas are expiring contracts, and possible trade bait before the trade deadline. The Cavaliers might want to consider trading West. But the contracts of M. Williams, Gibson and Varejao are undesirable. Those are killers... Perhaps, they can try to reacquire Boozer via a trade. That's a good start... However, Boozer and Gibson probably aren't enough to help LeBron to come out of the east in the foreseeable future.

The obvious reason this never gets discussed is no one can see James hooking on with Bryant. I really cannot understand why not.

How good a team would that be with Bryant, James, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom? Supposedly it would look like James searching out a place to win a championship instead of lifting his team to one. Allegedly a no-no.

The Lakers are no sure thing to win the championship with the Celtics healthy and the Magic deep. But you add LeBron and it’s hard to imagine anyone beating them the next three or four years.

The big reason I believe this could occur and work is because James is an unusual superstar. Jordan never would do it, and I doubt Kobe would. But you watched James in the Olympics and he seemed to embrace the supporting role, rebounding and moving the ball. He’s always said he wants to play with those Olympic teammates, and it doesn’t seem like the Cavs payroll can accommodate that.

Yes, James could go to Miami to join Dwyane Wade, and that’s possible. I’ve heard it speculated often and it puts James on the other side of the Finals from the Lakers with the Celtics having a short window. Of course, there is Dwight Howard.

Also, James is a unique superstar because he’s a very willing passer, more so than virtually every league leading scorer.

The Lakers certainly have no salary cap room. They are in no position to pay James, which remains the No. 1 priority for all free agents. James just has to explain to the Cavs he’s leaving. If they don’t accommodate him, he’s going to New York or Miami and they get nothing. But if they do in a sign and trade to save the franchise, they get a young, potential All-Star center in Andrew Bynum. Maybe Lamar Odom as well or Ron Artest. Draft picks, some pieces like Jordan Farmar. The Cavs can compete in the East with a star center and some pieces added to what they have. It’s better than nothing as cap room doesn’t mean anything in Cleveland. No one’s going there.

Look, I believe James has no idea yet what he wants to do next summer. But I also believe the Lakers’ scenario makes the most sense for him if he wants a chance to be considered among the greatest winners of all-time. I believe that’s what he’s about now, and he accomplishes that only with the Lakers.

http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_091 ... l?rss=true

Or maybe he comes to the celtics for Rondo, Ray, Perk and some picks...

Anyone who thinks LeBron's ego isn't planet sized and would willingly subordinate himself to Kobe is a fool. And Kobe didn't even like Bynum getting hype, let alone Shaq...and he's gonna be cool with LeBron?

Unless Lebron holds a press conference that he will not sign wth the Cavs, I can't see them trading him. The fans would revolt so bad that the franchise would be in shambles. Their GM will pull all the stops to resign him, and if he goes elsewhere they can indicate they did their best, just blame Lebron. But if they trade him, forever the Cavs franchise will hear nothing other than how good they would have been with Lebron.

LeBron is a goner, it's just gonna be via free agency...and the Cavs will be back to being the dregs of the league that they have been their entire history (apart from those very good teams in the late 1980s/early 1990s)

I think this is one of those scenarios which sounds plausible on paper but its impratical IRL.

1) Cleveland. Yes it might make sense to trade Lebron from a basketball sense. It makes little sense from an EGO standpoint. For better or worse they would be remembered as the franchise that TRADED an all time great. This legacy is damning for a GM in the eyes of the fans. If he just abandons Cleveland after they offer a max deal then they can say hey Lebron DID NOT WANT to play for us. Yes in both scenarios he didn't want to play for them but I think the fans will just remember the trade bit.

2) Kobe. Kobe spent much of his career trying to earn credit for HIS championships. He doesn't want to be remembered as part of a great team but as an all-time great. He wants to be the MAN.

3) The NBA. They wouldn't be thrilled about such a move. Sure they can't directly "block" it but I think they would brainstorm some ways to try to prevent it.

FWIW the whole NY teams are a mess bit is oversold. Both franchises would be instant contenders with Lebron.

GuyClinch wrote:I think this is one of those scenarios which sounds plausible on paper but its impratical IRL.

1) Cleveland. Yes it might make sense to trade Lebron from a basketball sense. It makes little sense from an EGO standpoint. For better or worse they would be remembered as the franchise that TRADED an all time great. This legacy is damning for a GM in the eyes of the fans. If he just abandons Cleveland after they offer a max deal then they can say hey Lebron DID NOT WANT to play for us. Yes in both scenarios he didn't want to play for them but I think the fans will just remember the trade bit.

2) Kobe. Kobe spent much of his career trying to earn credit for HIS championships. He doesn't want to be remembered as part of a great team but as an all-time great. He wants to be the MAN.

3) The NBA. They wouldn't be thrilled about such a move. Sure they can't directly "block" it but I think they would brainstorm some ways to try to prevent it.

FWIW the whole NY teams are a mess bit is oversold. Both franchises would be instant contenders with Lebron.

They could very easily find a way to block it the way they found a way to give the Lakers Gasol for two cents on the dollar!

MyInsatiableOne wrote:Anyone who thinks LeBron's ego isn't planet sized and would willingly subordinate himself to Kobe is a fool.

This I agree, BUT

MyInsatiableOne wrote: And Kobe didn't even like Bynum getting hype, let alone Shaq...and he's gonna be cool with LeBron?

Where are you getting this from brah. See Im not defending Kobe AT ALL and I sure as hell dont want to derail this thread, but the only reason Kobe wasnt happy with Bynum cause Kobe wanted to win and win NOW. Bynum wasnt playing like everyone thought he would and Kobe wasnt happy with the cast around him and thats why he spoke out about trading Bynum for J. Kidd and demanded a trade himself.

Now Shaq is a whole different story and to derail this trade and talk about what led to Shaq getting traded would need a whole thread on its own. As a Laker fan brah you haven't heard everything that went down with Shaq, but a shorter version of it. Look at what happened with him and Wade and P Riley. Then the Suns and Nash, and now the Cavs. Different teams same story.

As far as the OP post, Lebron to LA will never ever happen.

lebron for the record is a way better player than kobe. Other than that lebron on the lakers never going to happen, lebron on the celtics never going to happen, We nor the L.A. fakers are going to be involved with any major players next year quit dreaming about it..

captain green wrote:lebron for the record is a way better player than kobe. Other than that lebron on the lakers never going to happen, lebron on the celtics never going to happen, We nor the L.A. fakers are going to be involved with any major players next year quit dreaming about it..

YAAAAAAAA........ I think the Fakers and the Bean boys are good for now, but I think you need a hug brah.

TonyMontana wrote:

captain green wrote:lebron for the record is a way better player than kobe. Other than that lebron on the lakers never going to happen, lebron on the celtics never going to happen, We nor the L.A. fakers are going to be involved with any major players next year quit dreaming about it..

YAAAAAAAA........ I think the Fakers and the Bean boys are good for now, but I think you need a hug brah.

I totally need a hug lol

captain green wrote:

TonyMontana wrote:

captain green wrote:lebron for the record is a way better player than kobe. Other than that lebron on the lakers never going to happen, lebron on the celtics never going to happen, We nor the L.A. fakers are going to be involved with any major players next year quit dreaming about it..

YAAAAAAAA........ I think the Fakers and the Bean boys are good for now, but I think you need a hug brah.

I totally need a hug lol

There you go brah. Dont ever say there is no Faker love for you bean boys.

thebirdman wrote:Or maybe he comes to the celtics for Rondo, Ray, Perk and some picks...

I doubt all that's worth LeBron to Ainge. I mean didn't Ainge already (supposedly) mortgage Boston's future when he'd acquired Ray and Garnett.

So LeBron's teammates are...?

2010-2011

Pierce - one year (expiring, hypothetically speaking, if he opts out)
R. Allen - expiring
Garnett - two years (fully guaranteed)
Rondo - five years
R. Wallace - three years (or two, I'm uncertain)
Perkins - one year
Scalabrine - expiring
G. Davis - two years
House - expiring
T. Allen - expiring
Daniels - expiring
S. Williams - expiring
B. Walker - expiring (team option)
Giddens - expiring (team option)
Hudson - expiring

captain green wrote:lebron for the record is a way better player than kobe. Other than that lebron on the lakers never going to happen, lebron on the celtics never going to happen, We nor the L.A. fakers are going to be involved with any major players next year quit dreaming about it..

I'd take Kobe over LeBron in a heartbeat, much as I hate them both. Kobe plays better D and has a killer's instinct...LeBron gets rattled in crunch time...

Is there ANYONE who comes up with worse lowball trade scenarios than Sam Smith???? Usually it would be something like "Tyrus Thomas for LeBron or else he MIGHT LEAVE FOR NOTHING!!" but this time he's putting LA in the mix?

Is it part of some Phil Jackson, MJ/Kobe-led "anointed favorite franchise of Stern and the NBA" cosmic Chicago-LA connection that makes him think these things? Or, in other words, both franchises, or at least Sam Smith, are spoiled and conditioned into thinking they should always get something for nothing?

Ironic that it IMO lowball offers from Chicago exasperated Memphis into jumping on an even worse offer for Gasol, perhaps to spite the Bulls.

chakdaddy wrote:Is there ANYONE who comes up with worse lowball trade scenarios than Sam Smith???? Usually it would be something like "Tyrus Thomas for LeBron or else he MIGHT LEAVE FOR NOTHING!!" but this time he's putting LA in the mix?

Is it part of some Phil Jackson, MJ/Kobe-led "anointed favorite franchise of Stern and the NBA" cosmic Chicago-LA connection that makes him think these things? Or, in other words, both franchises, or at least Sam Smith, are spoiled and conditioned into thinking they should always get something for nothing?

Ironic that it IMO lowball offers from Chicago exasperated Memphis into jumping on an even worse offer for Gasol, perhaps to spite the Bulls.

don't forget donaghey !

if i were lebron, id sign one year contracts with where ever dwight is until that team has money to pay me what i deserve. LeBron's endorsements are more than enough to live comfortably while winning countless titles with dwight

CroCop wrote:if i were lebron, id sign one year contracts with where ever dwight is until that team has money to pay me what i deserve. LeBron's endorsements are more than enough to live comfortably while winning countless titles with dwight

Using that logic he could sign with any number of teams...the C's included...but a laughable prospect...he is looking for Big Apples

Imagine if it looked like LBJ would leave the Cavs and the Lakers pulled off a Kobe for LBJ swap. That would be one of the craziest trades of all time and yet would make some sense to both teams.

See this is what most fans didnt hear about the whole Shaq Kobe fiasco. Shaq demanded that Buss should make him his N#1 priority, in Hawaii in camp he walked in overweight, wasnt even in shape, and the first thing he did was point at Buss in the stands and rolled his fingers saying SHOW ME the money. Buss was pissed and after practice told Shaq that I will pay you what you deserve and you need to lose weight and be in shape before season starts.

So basically the focus wasnt on him any longer, it had shifted on Kobe and resigning him. Buss felt that Kobe was the future and Shaq is the past and that pissed Shaq off to a point that he hated Kobe even more than ever before. Shaq got trade and Kobe stayed, now your bringing up Lebron. I doubt that Buss will ever trade Kobe for anyone specially after everything Kobe has gone through and Buss is very loyal to his players as long as they show loyalty to him and the Lakers. Look in our history and you'll see most not all but most Laker legend has finished their careers in LA and even with Shaq, Buss isnt going to screw Shaq over, even though Shaq has screwed LA Buss and everyone when he left LA by throwing everyone under the bus, but watch Shaq will comeback to LA and retire as a Laker.

Me personally I think we owe Shaq that much for helping us win those threepeats and him with the help of Kobe and our cast are the main reason that we won thos titles. I dont think he deserves all the credit but he was a big reason we won. Lebron will never be a Laker, not today not ever. He wants to start and end his own legacy and he doesnt want to be in the shadow of anyone else but Jordan specially Kobe's.