The LeBron Thread

[GaLLo4THrEE]

I just don't get it.

First of all, who are their "sources?" I mean, seriously, who could they be? Is it Maverick Carter or Gloria James or Worldwide Wes? Or is it a GM assistant or a ballboy who knows someone?

Again I hear from Mark Stein today that all indications point to the Bulls. He also says that because of the CBA situation, that he will almost definitely sign a 5-6 year deal.

Do you really think LeBron is that dumb to sign a 6 year contract to play in Chicago just because of Derrick Rose and Joakim F'ing Noah? I mean, seriously? It doesn't make any sense. They are both good young players but neither is a John Wall game changer type. The LeBron-Bosh-Gallinari "Big 3" looks every bit as good, if not better than that. Why would someone nicknamed the King, with a chosen one tattoo on his back, who wants to be the biggest athlete of all time choose the SECOND CITY over what would undoubtebly be the biggest sports story of the past 25 years - leading the New York freaking Knicks to the NBA championship. Bringing the Bulls back to their former glory wouldn't be nearly the same. The countdown would begin for "5 More!" In New York, he would be the King of the World after title # 1.

I mean, I don't write for ESPN, but I would say that anyone examining the overwhelming evidence before them would conclude that LeBron James and Chris Bosh are heading to the Knicks. It is the ultimate no brainer for all parties involved. NY and the Knicks get their guy, the King gets the #1 market (the only one fit for a king) and a 2nd star plus a 3rd star in Gallinari plus the bright lights people like Buzz Bissinger- and pretty much anybody else who has been paying attention - know that he craves.

Oh, but my question - who do you think these sources could be? Friends? GMs? Brother's ex girlfriend sister types? Imaginary friends?

Top 5 post in the history of posting?

[K_ick_God]

I just don't get it.

First of all, who are their "sources?" I mean, seriously, who could they be? Is it Maverick Carter or Gloria James or Worldwide Wes? Or is it a GM assistant or a ballboy who knows someone?

Again I hear from Mark Stein today that all indications point to the Bulls. He also says that because of the CBA situation, that he will almost definitely sign a 5-6 year deal.

Do you really think LeBron is that dumb to sign a 6 year contract to play in Chicago just because of Derrick Rose and Joakim F'ing Noah? I mean, seriously? It doesn't make any sense. They are both good young players but neither is a John Wall game changer type. The LeBron-Bosh-Gallinari "Big 3" looks every bit as good, if not better than that. Why would someone nicknamed the King, with a chosen one tattoo on his back, who wants to be the biggest athlete of all time choose the SECOND CITY over what would undoubtebly be the biggest sports story of the past 25 years - leading the New York freaking Knicks to the NBA championship. Bringing the Bulls back to their former glory wouldn't be nearly the same. The countdown would begin for "5 More!" In New York, he would be the King of the World after title # 1.

I mean, I don't write for ESPN, but I would say that anyone examining the overwhelming evidence before them would conclude that LeBron James and Chris Bosh are heading to the Knicks. It is the ultimate no brainer for all parties involved. NY and the Knicks get their guy, the King gets the #1 market (the only one fit for a king) and a 2nd star plus a 3rd star in Gallinari plus the bright lights people like Buzz Bissinger- and pretty much anybody else who has been paying attention - know that he craves.

Oh, but my question - who do you think these sources could be? Friends? GMs? Brother's ex girlfriend sister types? Imaginary friends?

Top 5 post in the history of posting?

It's an epic post. What about this Marc Stein report today, anybody hear it? Either everyone at ESPN has been bitten by the same bug or there is at least some truth to it I guess.

[SportsWorld]

I am 99.9% sure that Phil will completely shoot down this rumor before tomorrow's game.

Phil Jackson: "I have no, at all, desire to go back to Chicago and coach the #Bulls." #Lakers #NBAP10
21 minutes ago

-Ken Berger twitter.

[GaLLo4THrEE]

http://cbs2.com/sports/lakers.suns.gmae.2.1715016.html

90% Chance he will return to LA or retire

Still that 10%

[K_ick_God]

I am 99.9% sure that Phil will completely shoot down this rumor before tomorrow's game.

Phil Jackson: "I have no, at all, desire to go back to Chicago and coach the #Bulls." #Lakers #NBAP10
21 minutes ago

-Ken Berger twitter.

I'm truly shocked that Broussard's reporting leads to failure again.

What is the world coming to.

I guess you can add Phil to the list of people who think LeBron is not going to the Bulls.

[K_ick_God]

LOL ...


Chris Broussard of ESPN reported Tuesday night that the Bulls had reached out to Jackson through back channels about their vacant coaching position.

Jackson said he was not aware of any such contact, saying that "those channels have not reached me."



Read more: http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... z0ozcmUGvb

[SportsWorld]

I guess you can add Phil to the list of people who think LeBron is not going to the Bulls.

Uh...how so?

[MerkDaHustla]

LOL ...


Chris Broussard of ESPN reported Tuesday night that the Bulls had reached out to Jackson through back channels about their vacant coaching position.

Jackson said he was not aware of any such contact, saying that "those channels have not reached me."



Read more: http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... z0ozcmUGvb

LOL...

And Broussard fails again, his blatant fabrication is really getting out of hand

[K_ick_God]

I guess you can add Phil to the list of people who think LeBron is not going to the Bulls.

Uh...how so?

I'm taking a page out of the book of Broussard and speculating.

I am wondering out loud ... If Phil was as convinced as Douche is that LeBron is going to the Bulls, would he SO definitively say no way to the Bulls job?

If he saw LeBron to the Bulls as a good possibility, I think he'd leave the door open a little bit. But he did not.

In fact, last night Douche said that Phil would probably be interested because of the opportunity to coach MJ, Kobe and LeBron. Those were Douche's words.

[Douglas23]

LOL ...


Chris Broussard of ESPN reported Tuesday night that the Bulls had reached out to Jackson through back channels about their vacant coaching position.

Jackson said he was not aware of any such contact, saying that "those channels have not reached me."



Read more: http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... z0ozcmUGvb

LMAO

Douchard is CLUELESS

[Starksfor3]

Broussard is probably one of those guys who scratches his ass and then smells his hand.

[K_ick_God]

Broussard is probably one of those guys who scratches his ass and then smells his hand.

And that's the same place he gets his information from.

[Bigmo5246]

I just don't get it.

First of all, who are their "sources?" I mean, seriously, who could they be? Is it Maverick Carter or Gloria James or Worldwide Wes? Or is it a GM assistant or a ballboy who knows someone?

Again I hear from Mark Stein today that all indications point to the Bulls. He also says that because of the CBA situation, that he will almost definitely sign a 5-6 year deal.

Do you really think LeBron is that dumb to sign a 6 year contract to play in Chicago just because of Derrick Rose and Joakim F'ing Noah? I mean, seriously? It doesn't make any sense. They are both good young players but neither is a John Wall game changer type. The LeBron-Bosh-Gallinari "Big 3" looks every bit as good, if not better than that. Why would someone nicknamed the King, with a chosen one tattoo on his back, who wants to be the biggest athlete of all time choose the SECOND CITY over what would undoubtebly be the biggest sports story of the past 25 years - leading the New York freaking Knicks to the NBA championship. Bringing the Bulls back to their former glory wouldn't be nearly the same. The countdown would begin for "5 More!" In New York, he would be the King of the World after title # 1.

I mean, I don't write for ESPN, but I would say that anyone examining the overwhelming evidence before them would conclude that LeBron James and Chris Bosh are heading to the Knicks. It is the ultimate no brainer for all parties involved. NY and the Knicks get their guy, the King gets the #1 market (the only one fit for a king) and a 2nd star plus a 3rd star in Gallinari plus the bright lights people like Buzz Bissinger- and pretty much anybody else who has been paying attention - know that he craves.

Oh, but my question - who do you think these sources could be? Friends? GMs? Brother's ex girlfriend sister types? Imaginary friends?

That was a great post man. I agree 100% with everything you said, and this is not from a fan's point of view. I mean in my opinion, this should be a no brainer for Lebron. I love living in New York and can't imagine myself being anywhere else. This city just has such an impact, that is perfect for Lebron. He would be CRAZY to sign with Chicago

[SportsWorld]

Do you really think LeBron is that dumb to sign a 6 year contract to play in Chicago just because of Derrick Rose and Joakim F'ing Noah? I mean, seriously? It doesn't make any sense. They are both good young players but neither is a John Wall game changer type.

Oh for the love of God

[MerkDaHustla]

On a slightly different note (but still LeBron centered of course) there is something that truly puzzles me... (long so brace urself)

Are we, and by we i mean the general public and media, giving too much of a chance to the lowly Nets. When i look at there situation it seems like theyre chances are waaaaayyy overblown.

First the Jay-Z factor.
"Jay-Z that Jay-Z this, get off Jay-Z d*ck"

He's a minority owner. A mere figurehead brought in by Ratner to give some "street cred" to his franchise. Last i checked he owned Less than 2% of the company. ($4.5 mil) and i read recently that due to the teams woes of late he may be losing money on that investment. To put things in perspective Jay's ownership share wouldnt even be nearly enough to cover Tony Battie's salary this past season ($6.2 mil).

I mention that to say that he in all likelihood has little to no influence on the franchise. Its not like he held a majority share and there were Roc-a-fella insignias on Net jerseys. Im sure Lebron is aware of this and it would seem foolish for him to chose NJ because hes a Hov fan. Im a huge Jay-Z fan, but im a fan of Jay-Z the rapper. Jay-Z as far as his business acumen goes is it terribly overstated by none other than Jay himself. The only reason i think people believe hes a great businessman is because he raps about it constantly and started wearing suits a couple years back. A lot of celebrities are part owners, but since they dont talk about it constantly you would think Jay was the only one...i guess if lebron was a bigger r&b fan hed re-up in cleveland with "owner" Usher, or maybe lebron listened to pimp juice in high school so he's gonna go sign with Nelly's bobcats...

The point being that if lbj is as savy as they say he is i really doubt he goes to nj/bk because of the jay-z factor.

Location
"Have you ever been to Newark... on purpose?"

I think that says it all, and the newark idea has been discussed earlier so i wont go too much into it. I did spend my first 2 years of college in Downtown newark (NJIT) before transferring and newark is no place a lebron would want to spend at least 3 of his prime years playing before going to brooklyn.

Brooklyn

Im gonna start by saying that im from brooklyn originally and love it with all my heart, and i have nothing bad to say about my city. But an NBA franchise in Brooklyn, while new and intriguing, is very unproven. The knicks for all their recent misteps are still one of the leagues flagship franchises and have one of the biggest fanbases. I think from a business perspective it would make much more sense to go to a team with an established built-in, loyal fanbase than create one. I do understand the challenge of taking the road less traveled, an totally but i dont think this is something that works in favor for nj. It would be like when the mets came where there were the yankees and could never overcome that. no im not saying the knicks have the history or success the yankees do but they are NYs team first, and no disrespect to met fans i know theyre alot of them here.

Roster
"They're only 12 games better than ME"

This one i totally dont get. I mean seriously, 12 games! And all i hear about is how "good" theyre core is. Im sorry but if u lose 70 games your core isnt good. I hear people clamor over lopez and harris but no1 ever says that maybe theyre just putting up good numbers on a bad team, yet usually those are the same people who say the same thing about knicks players how they are only products of d'antoni's system and on a bad team. Well as bad as the knicks were this past year they won more than twice as many as the nets! Again the roster has already been discused so i wont say much else about it.


This is something that really concerns me and one i cant seem to wrap my head around. I apologize for the long read and thank anyone that was willing to partake, but i would like to discuss this point which i think has been overlooked in the LeBronathon. I dont post regularly due work and schedule, but i read the board daily and i would really appreciate some input on this. Id like to know what some of the more vocal posters here(KnicksGod, KnickScholar, TKF, Bluest) think about this. Thanks

-merk

[KnicksScholar24]

Hey, merk. Howz it? I actually attended NJIT (IEEE) for a few years as well, and lived in Brooklyn early in my life. So we have some things in common.

As for the Nets, I think the Knicks should have a better chance at signing LeBron, but who really knows what LeBron James is thinking. I think part of the hype about the Nets' core is that they were looking like the favorites for either Wall or Turner (doesn't look as likely now), while the Knicks didn't have a pick this year (Isiah), Walsh traded the rights to their picks for the two following drafts as well as his 8th overall pick (Jordan Hill), and Danilo, Wilson, and Toney haven't really gotten a chance prove themselves (Harrington, Lee). Ultimately these things will not matter if the Knicks sign their two "MAX CATS." While I don't think the Knicks have a shot at a lottery pick in the next three drafts, I fully expect them to buy a late first round pick or two in that time span if they feel someone in that range can help them (see: Toney Douglas).

Everyone (mainly fans from teams also rumored to be in the running for King James) wants to talk about how the Knicks have no one to attract big free agent, but the purpose of them cutting payroll was to be able to sign those difference makers. Putting the right pieces around them may take a year or two, but it wouldn't be impossible. I feel Chandler, Gallinari, Douglas, Walker, and Rodriguez are good pieces to the puzzle. You add James and Bosh/Stoudemire and the Knicks will only need 2-3 more solid vets, seeing how D'Antoni uses a short rotation, who will be expected to produce right away. The two second round picks and MIN contracts could fill out the roster. There a lot of young players out there in the D-League or overseas who can contribute if giving the chance (see: Anthony Parker). A couple of those players incoming players will have to be shot-blocking/rebounding big men, though. Retaining Lee is also an option, if Bosh & Stoudemire can't be had... but you already knew that.

[MerkDaHustla]

Scholar, thanks for the response.

I was born and spent my childhood in Brooklyn (East Flatbush, stand up! lol) and started college at njit, Civil E, then transferred to Georgia Tech after 2 yrs to finish my degree (Tech was a top 3 program for my major and I HAD to get outta Jersey, lol) and ive been in Atlanta ever since.

I totally agree with everything you just said, but that always seems to be an afterthought to most people and is never mentioned by ESPN and pretty much everyone outside of people who read this board. I did let out a huge sigh of relief when i found out that the NETS didnt get the 1 or 2 picks, pretty much taking them out of the running for wall/turner but even if they weren't i dont think the prospect of wall/turner or any draft pick would/should have been enough to sway lebron in that direction. I absolutely love Walls game and think he's gonna be great, but he hasnt scored an NBA point yet, and because of that is totally unproven. As history as shown theres no such thing as a sure thing as far as draft picks in the NBA or any sport for that matter and i doubt lebron would risk essentially his financial and professional career on the idea of a prospect, regardless of who it is.

Im all in with the MAX CAT campaign, and love the fact that we can offer the option for lebron to play with essentially who ever he wants to in the FA market and were the only team in the running that can say this. This of course is also another fact that ESPN and thus the lamen seem to be completely lost on. We also can field a much better supporting cast imo with gallo, chandler, WC, and walker.

I guess its just my frustration with the idea that the Nets are such serious contenders, while the knicks are a mere afterthought. The Broussards of the sports world have been a bit much to deal with lately. But like you said no1 knows what "you know who" is thinking and until july 8 its all pontificating and speculation, both fun and extremely frustrating, it just seems illogical to me that he would pick nj over the knicks or even gives them any serious consideration

[towelie]

Do you really think LeBron is that dumb to sign a 6 year contract to play in Chicago just because of Derrick Rose and Joakim F'ing Noah? I mean, seriously? It doesn't make any sense. They are both good young players but neither is a John Wall game changer type.

Oh for the love of God

LOL, seriously. It's one thing for us Knicks fans to defend our players like Gallo, Douglas, and Chandler who get undeserved amount of hate from those who've never even seen their games.

But it's another to go bashing a great, young PG in Rose, who's seen the playoffs twice and carried his team. Then make a bold statement that he won't have a career like John Wall, a rookie who has yet to step on the court. If we got lucky in the lotto and won Rose that year, all of you homers would have your nuts deeps in his ass, so stop getting into dumb pissing matches.

[K_ick_God]

On a slightly different note (but still LeBron centered of course) there is something that truly puzzles me... (long so brace urself)

Are we, and by we i mean the general public and media, giving too much of a chance to the lowly Nets. When i look at there situation it seems like theyre chances are waaaaayyy overblown.

First the Jay-Z factor.
"Jay-Z that Jay-Z this, get off Jay-Z d*ck"

He's a minority owner. A mere figurehead brought in by Ratner to give some "street cred" to his franchise. Last i checked he owned Less than 2% of the company. ($4.5 mil) and i read recently that due to the teams woes of late he may be losing money on that investment. To put things in perspective Jay's ownership share wouldnt even be nearly enough to cover Tony Battie's salary this past season ($6.2 mil).

I mention that to say that he in all likelihood has little to no influence on the franchise. Its not like he held a majority share and there were Roc-a-fella insignias on Net jerseys. Im sure Lebron is aware of this and it would seem foolish for him to chose NJ because hes a Hov fan. Im a huge Jay-Z fan, but im a fan of Jay-Z the rapper. Jay-Z as far as his business acumen goes is it terribly overstated by none other than Jay himself. The only reason i think people believe hes a great businessman is because he raps about it constantly and started wearing suits a couple years back. A lot of celebrities are part owners, but since they dont talk about it constantly you would think Jay was the only one...i guess if lebron was a bigger r&b fan hed re-up in cleveland with "owner" Usher, or maybe lebron listened to pimp juice in high school so he's gonna go sign with Nelly's bobcats...

The point being that if lbj is as savy as they say he is i really doubt he goes to nj/bk because of the jay-z factor.

Location
"Have you ever been to Newark... on purpose?"

I think that says it all, and the newark idea has been discussed earlier so i wont go too much into it. I did spend my first 2 years of college in Downtown newark (NJIT) before transferring and newark is no place a lebron would want to spend at least 3 of his prime years playing before going to brooklyn.

Brooklyn

Im gonna start by saying that im from brooklyn originally and love it with all my heart, and i have nothing bad to say about my city. But an NBA franchise in Brooklyn, while new and intriguing, is very unproven. The knicks for all their recent misteps are still one of the leagues flagship franchises and have one of the biggest fanbases. I think from a business perspective it would make much more sense to go to a team with an established built-in, loyal fanbase than create one. I do understand the challenge of taking the road less traveled, an totally but i dont think this is something that works in favor for nj. It would be like when the mets came where there were the yankees and could never overcome that. no im not saying the knicks have the history or success the yankees do but they are NYs team first, and no disrespect to met fans i know theyre alot of them here.

Roster
"They're only 12 games better than ME"

This one i totally dont get. I mean seriously, 12 games! And all i hear about is how "good" theyre core is. Im sorry but if u lose 70 games your core isnt good. I hear people clamor over lopez and harris but no1 ever says that maybe theyre just putting up good numbers on a bad team, yet usually those are the same people who say the same thing about knicks players how they are only products of d'antoni's system and on a bad team. Well as bad as the knicks were this past year they won more than twice as many as the nets! Again the roster has already been discused so i wont say much else about it.


This is something that really concerns me and one i cant seem to wrap my head around. I apologize for the long read and thank anyone that was willing to partake, but i would like to discuss this point which i think has been overlooked in the LeBronathon. I dont post regularly due work and schedule, but i read the board daily and i would really appreciate some input on this. Id like to know what some of the more vocal posters here(KnicksGod, KnickScholar, TKF, Bluest) think about this. Thanks

-merk

I don't believe the Nets are seriously in the running for LeBron.

Devin Harris is a nice player who had a good year two seasons ago, followed by a significant drop-off last season. He'll probably bounce back this season. Good drive and D, weak jumper, not a pure point. I don't love his game.

Lopez has become overrated as well. He's a skilled, solid big man but nothing special either. His defense has to improve a lot (he blocks shots but can't stop anybody) and he is a little selfish with the ball. Definitely can be a B+ center but I don't see a game changing big here.

I didn't see T-Will's development later in the season, stopped watching Nets games, but I heard about him coming along.

I would take Gallo-Chandler-Walker-Douglas over their core but more importantly, between the Nets' bad season, their being in NJ for 2 more years, and not getting a top 2 pick, I think LeBron will not give that team serious consideration. At least not for a couple of years.

The love for their overrated and nothing-special young players is a product of the same NY-hate that drives Broussard to get up each morning.

In fact, pumping up the Nets' young guys proves that a lot of what we hear is Knick Hate. The Bulls, I can understand because they have been a playoff team for 2 straight seasons. But talking up the Nets and their 70 losses shows that people just love to hate the Knicks.

[K_ick_God]

Do you really think LeBron is that dumb to sign a 6 year contract to play in Chicago just because of Derrick Rose and Joakim F'ing Noah? I mean, seriously? It doesn't make any sense. They are both good young players but neither is a John Wall game changer type.

Oh for the love of God

LOL, seriously. It's one thing for us Knicks fans to defend our players like Gallo, Douglas, and Chandler who get undeserved amount of hate from those who've never even seen their games.

But it's another to go bashing a great, young PG in Rose, who's seen the playoffs twice and carried his team. Then make a bold statement that he won't have a career like John Wall, a rookie who has yet to step on the court. If we got lucky in the lotto and won Rose that year, all of you homers would have your nuts deeps in his ass, so stop getting into dumb pissing matches.

Fair enough. You're right that Knicks fans would be giddy about Rose if we had him, but I don't think giddiness is a good measure of a player's true ceiling.

I do believe that Gallo has become overrated by Knicks' fans, just to use us a fair example. People say he could be a lead scorer but so far I am doubtful about him becoming a really true second scorer.

So, you can't go by what the majority of Knicks' fans would say about Rose if we had him.

Rose has shown he can be an excellent one-on-one scorer and take over games, but the fact remains that in his two seasons, he's never shown that he is a true point guard who has a great feel for the game or playmaking for his teammates. In fact, at his best, Rose seems to get tunnel vision and go for his offense. On the attack and not relying on his passing or the other 4 guys, he is tremendous. But there is a limit to one-on-one guys. And that's *particularly* true of one-on-one points.

Those are legitimate reasons to doubt that Rose will ever be a top, top player who you can ride to a title. Rose is a good kid so he differs from Steph in that way, but Rose also seems to rely on his young legs & athleticism, is not a pure point guard who consistently makes his teammates better, and has a suspect jumper. That does describe a young Marbury in some ways and so it's legitimate to wonder what Rose will look like a few years down the line.

Too many people get caught up in a guy's latest playoff series or his great tools. Those are important, but looking ahead requires taking a sober look at how a guy helps you win over the *long* haul. Rose has off-the-chart driving skills and a very reliable pull-up jumper, but there are holes in his game and certain intrinsic things he does lack. The biggest one being those pure point guard qualities.

And even beyond that, he and LeBron seems like a strange match unless you turn Rose into a wing player who is off the ball. You can take LeBron off the top and put him on the wings, but that's not how he wants to play and given that Rose is not a great passer, I don't like that fit either.

It's an odd match. Only the BSPN folks would hail that as the next MJ-Pippen. Nope. It's actually round pegs in square holes. But hey, even their own stats guy, Hollinger, said as much.

When push comes to shove, Bosh is the best pairing with LeBron. So I like our chances to convince those two guys of that come July -- if they are not leaning strongly that way already.