The LeBron Thread

[DelaneyRudd]

It was a leading question, so like every other tea leaf prediction don't look to much into it.

[MirORich]

This is the best news I've heard in some time. Sorta since KG told him he couldn't get his youth back.

Sayign that clev has an edge, after being propted to basically, is about as soft an endorsement as you can ask for.

Remember up until the caves were eliminated it was basically a lock that he'd stay and the Knicks ere seen as an outside chance but a chance none the less.

Now it's down to an edge. And because he knows the city and the fans have been good to him?

Uh, he knows this city a little as well and I feel reasonably sure that fans here might be welcoming to him too

On this board and in much of the national press, it was certainly not considered a lock at all that he was going to stay. On this board it has been near certainty for a good 12-18 months that he is destined to come here.

Secondly, there are far more "softer" answers he could have given:

"I'm not ready to talk about FA yet"

"I'll discuss that after July 1"

"I love Cleveland, but this is a business decision and all cities are in equal consideration"

You guys make it seem like Larry Kind bullied him into paying a cheap and meaningless compliment to Cleveland.

[Starksfor3]

I got the Knicks' Lebron on the very first spin.

F*** yeah

[Deeeez Knicks]

Wasn't Jameson supposed to be the big that can spread the floor? Varejao is kind of capable too and Big Z was a solid rebounder/shooter in years past.

Don't get me wrong, Lebron def needs a big who can do those things. Really, who doesn't? But I think first and formost he needs a legit second "star". I have been seeing a lot of these types of articles that are overrating need over ability. When a guy is as good as Wade and on an entire level better then other players it should take precedence. I would order it:

1. Dirk
2. Wade
3. Bosh
4. Joe Johnson

First 4 are legit 2nd stars or better.

5. Amare

Amare can be awesome, or can be very disappointing. A frustrating player.

After that it starts to get dicey. But I would probably go:

6. Boozer
7. Rose
8. Lopez
9. Lee

You could probably flip them in different orders as its close...But out of all those guys I see Lee as the least likely to be a #2 guy on a championship team.

Blake Griffin is a total wild card IMO. Could be anywhere from 5 to 10.

Dallas could really offer Lebron the best opportunity to win a title next year if they could somehow pull off a sign and trade.

[BasicBall]

This is the best news I've heard in some time. Sorta since KG told him he couldn't get his youth back.

Sayign that clev has an edge, after being propted to basically, is about as soft an endorsement as you can ask for.

Remember up until the caves were eliminated it was basically a lock that he'd stay and the Knicks ere seen as an outside chance but a chance none the less.

Now it's down to an edge. And because he knows the city and the fans have been good to him?

Uh, he knows this city a little as well and I feel reasonably sure that fans here might be welcoming to him too

On this board and in much of the national press, it was certainly not considered a lock at all that he was going to stay. On this board it has been near certainty for a good 12-18 months that he is destined to come here.

Secondly, there are far more "softer" answers he could have given:

"I'm not ready to talk about FA yet"

"I'll discuss that after July 1"

"I love Cleveland, but this is a business decision and all cities are in equal consideration"

You guys make it seem like Larry Kind bullied him into paying a cheap and meaningless compliment to Cleveland.

If he had used any of your answers that would have been a bigger news story than him saying "Cleveland has the edge"

[MirORich]

NY is in the best financial position to make moves that help the team get better than they have been in ages. All of this talk about NY not getting Lebron is funny to me. It was a damned if ya do, damned if ya dont kind of deal...If NY was not in play the critics would say, "Lebron would strongly have considered NY but they didnt have the cap space or he didnt want to come to NY alone, so it's a moot point etc etc" Now we have room for 2 MAX CATS and all you hear is NY does not have the supporting cast or Lebron is going to Chicago LOL

July 1st is coming, I know this much, we are in a better position now than we have been in quite some time...Lebron or not!

You guys are definitely in a great position. Its taken a lot of misery to get there and some of you may feel like there was no other option, what with the messes that Layden and Zeke created.

If I were a Knick fan, I'd be excited as well, because bottom line, you will have a much different, much more competitive team next year than the past few years.

I don't disagree with any of you rationalizing that is is possible LeBron will leave Cleveland. And it is also possible he could choose NY.

But to see the constant amount of rationalizing that it is PROBABLE or LIKELY, thats the part I'd be uneasy with if I were a Knicks fan

[K_ick_God]

I don't think the answer means too much but it's a little farther than he had to go. Loyalty and perception of loyalty are important to LeBron. And let's be honest: That alone *could* keep him in Cleveland. Just the idea that he doesn't want to be viewed as a traitor. That will matter to LeBron.

I think he did owe them some respect and this is that, at least. And maybe that's what he's thinking.

But, two things on him staying in Cleveland:

1. I don't see how they're going to convince him that he can win a title there, which would seem to be a necessity.

2. They can pay him $30 million more if he takes that 6th year which I doubt he will.

His answer could be construed as a statement of 'They have the edge so someone will have to show me a great team for me to leave.' Bosh and him are the nucleus of a great team.

It should be interesting. It's loyalty in Cleveland or perhaps, now, winning in NY (ironically) with Bosh. Tough to turn down winning in NYC -- or at least that's what we gotta hope. If he does stay in Cleveland, I don't think it's a great career move but I would definitely have a lot of respect for that decision. How couldn't you.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Lebron is the biggest cock tease ever.....which is another of many reasons why he'd pair so well with Gallo.

[RHODEY]

This is the best news I've heard in some time. Sorta since KG told him he couldn't get his youth back.

Sayign that clev has an edge, after being propted to basically, is about as soft an endorsement as you can ask for.

Remember up until the caves were eliminated it was basically a lock that he'd stay and the Knicks ere seen as an outside chance but a chance none the less.

Now it's down to an edge. And because he knows the city and the fans have been good to him?

Uh, he knows this city a little as well and I feel reasonably sure that fans here might be welcoming to him too

This may be a good point. Look at Dirk. I'd say he's 95% likely to stay in Dallas. Everything thing he says and does is congruent with that. Can you imagine Dirk saying "Dallas has an edge"? I think Lebron is being honest. I think he is still undecided but is putting it out there that he will be won over by the team that offers him the biggest "edge". It's up to us to be that team.

[dizzy631]

My point was that it was ironic that there was that pause obviously it was asked about Cle, I know that but point remains he has nothing negative to say.

He could have given softer answers absolutely but I don't think he knows. I don't have hopes of destiny or aligned stars I understand the resources we have to offer and how I would expect any one from any where to follow those resources and the oppurtunity that it presents. Despite how hard it is to leave home, which it might be, but on what each team/city has to offer, well there is none better than NY

[BelieveTheDream]

i dont care what anyone says galllo should 100% be on that list...

[BasicBall]

NY is in the best financial position to make moves that help the team get better than they have been in ages. All of this talk about NY not getting Lebron is funny to me. It was a damned if ya do, damned if ya dont kind of deal...If NY was not in play the critics would say, "Lebron would strongly have considered NY but they didnt have the cap space or he didnt want to come to NY alone, so it's a moot point etc etc" Now we have room for 2 MAX CATS and all you hear is NY does not have the supporting cast or Lebron is going to Chicago LOL

July 1st is coming, I know this much, we are in a better position now than we have been in quite some time...Lebron or not!

You guys are definitely in a great position. Its taken a lot of misery to get there and some of you may feel like there was no other option, what with the messes that Layden and Zeke created.

If I were a Knick fan, I'd be excited as well, because bottom line, you will have a much different, much more competitive team next year than the past few years.

I don't disagree with any of you rationalizing that is is possible LeBron will leave Cleveland. And it is also possible he could choose NY.

But to see the constant amount of rationalizing that it is PROBABLE or LIKELY, thats the part I'd be uneasy with if I were a Knicks fan

You misread us Knick fans...we are not uneasy at all...just excited and hopeful...Most Knick fans want Lebron and alot think he is not going to leave Cleveland...But we also know that we now at least finally have blown up this train wreck and are heading in the right direction. I mean adding Rudy Gay and say Al Jefferson would not be a letdown for me...The thing we find amusing is if NY were not in play knowing this free agent class was coming, WE'D GET KILLED! Now we do have space and an opportunity and we are being wishful thinkers..

All in all, I do think NY will get Lebron and Bosh and then let the haters hate! LOL
I can hear it now, NY bought a team and Lebron and Bosh have never won anything and they still have alot to prove...LOL

[Deeeez Knicks]

i dont care what anyone says galllo should 100% be on that list...

I would have him over Lee at the least. If we all had to vote and pick only 1 combo, Bron and Lee or Bron and Gallo, I'm sure most would pick Gallo.

[NoLayupRule]

This is the best news I've heard in some time. Sorta since KG told him he couldn't get his youth back.

Sayign that clev has an edge, after being propted to basically, is about as soft an endorsement as you can ask for.

Remember up until the caves were eliminated it was basically a lock that he'd stay and the Knicks ere seen as an outside chance but a chance none the less.

Now it's down to an edge. And because he knows the city and the fans have been good to him?

Uh, he knows this city a little as well and I feel reasonably sure that fans here might be welcoming to him too

On this board and in much of the national press, it was certainly not considered a lock at all that he was going to stay. On this board it has been near certainty for a good 12-18 months that he is destined to come here.

Secondly, there are far more "softer" answers he could have given:

"I'm not ready to talk about FA yet"

"I'll discuss that after July 1"

"I love Cleveland, but this is a business decision and all cities are in equal consideration"

You guys make it seem like Larry Kind bullied him into paying a cheap and meaningless compliment to Cleveland.

That's hysterical because

A)no one here has been anywhere close to convinced that he was coming. We've long felt that NY offered the best new opportunity if he were to leave clev. But far far far from certain at all

B)any of those answers you suggested would be end of the world level results

[Marty McFly]

this means nothing. if he says he's signing with the cavs, they aren't going to low ball him an offer. if he's re-signing he would have said it already.

[K_ick_God]

this means nothing. if he says he's signing with the cavs, they aren't going to low ball him an offer. if he's re-signing he would have said it already.

Well, fair point but one way to look at it is that he is giving the Cavs an edge but another team will have to blow him away with a great offer (of surrounding talent).

My personal opinion is that it would be tough to say no to playing with Bosh when there is almost no chance the Cavs can deliver him a player of that caliber.

The other thing is that the Bulls already have Rose and Noah. So if my guess is right -- that it's 'I'll stay UNLESS I see a great team I can go to' -- then this is a blow to the Bulls. Because the Knicks don't yet have Bosh -- that part remains to be seen -- but the Bulls already have their nucleus in place. So there is nothing for him to wait and see with the Bulls. Therefore, if he's taking a wait & see what other teams can offer kind of approach, then Chicago's not in good shape. LeBron can basically decide between the Cavs and the Bulls today. No, the Bulls are not getting Bosh in a S&T so enough with that fairy tale.

[LebronMania2010]

It doesn't sound good Knicks fans. He said he's comfortable where he is. Usually when you're comfortable in a situation, you don't leave it. Now don't kill me for saying that. It's just my opinion. I want LeBron on the Knicks as much as the next guy. I'm just getting the feeling all this free agency hype will end with not much movement. There's a good chance Bron stays in Cleveland where he can make 30 million more. Wade most likely stays in Miami, maybe they get Boozer or Johnson to join him. I see Amare staying with the Suns. We'll be fighting with Chicago for the honor of maxing out Bosh or Joe Johnson. Either that or we can look forward to paying 13 million to David Lee.

Maybe I am just being negative, but at the same time maybe just being realistic. Players want to get paid and 30 million more to stay is a factor. Let's put it this way--if you are GREAT at whatever job you do..don't you want to get the MOST money you can that people get for that profession?

[VirginiaKnickFan]

alright lets move on, carmelo 2011 anyone?

Don't give up so easily. Why wouldn't his current team have the edge at this point, free agency doesn't begin for another month.

I may be wrong, but I believe that was written in jest!

I guess the lack of green font tripped me up.

[K_ick_God]

It doesn't sound good Knicks fans. He said he's comfortable where he is. Usually when you're comfortable in a situation, you don't leave it. Now don't kill me for saying that. It's just my opinion. I want LeBron on the Knicks as much as the next guy. I'm just getting the feeling all this free agency hype will end with not much movement. There's a good chance Bron stays in Cleveland where he can make 30 million more. Wade most likely stays in Miami, maybe they get Boozer or Johnson to join him. I see Amare staying with the Suns. We'll be fighting with Chicago for the honor of maxing out Bosh or Joe Johnson. Either that or we can look forward to paying 13 million to David Lee.

Maybe I am just being negative, but at the same time maybe just being realistic. Players want to get paid and 30 million more to stay is a factor. Let's put it this way--if you are GREAT at whatever job you do..don't you want to get the MOST money you can that people get for that profession?

I'd be shocked if LeBron signs in Cleveland for 6 more years. 5 would surprise me greatly. 6 would be astonishing.

And it's not like he is forfeiting that money if he goes to the Knicks. He gets paid close to the same over the same 5 years. Then he can still get paid on that 6th year. Not guaranteed right away but it will be there. I don't think the 6th year in Cleveland is a big factor.

[Bigmo5246]

I actually got Lebron once for NY, but was that on your first try? Anyway I pray that happens to lol