The LeBron Thread

[stillalive]

No, the Bulls are not getting Bosh in a S&T so enough with that fairy tale.

And you know this how?

[Bigmo5246]

Fun little ESPN gimmick that lets you 'play the slots' for FA:

http://espn.go.com/nba/features/freeagentslotmachine

That thing is rigged for NY not to be an outcome for Lebron. i must have clicked it like 20 times and it either gave me Miami, Cleveland OR Chicago. I

Thats funny - because everytime I do it I get at least two damned players going to the Knicks.


Hell - one of our posters posted a screenshot where every single FA was going to the Knicks.

Yeah after some more tries I got him going to NY. I got Wade going to NY a couple of times too

[K_ick_God]

No, the Bulls are not getting Bosh in a S&T so enough with that fairy tale.

And you know this how?

Show me one instance -- one -- in the history of S&T's where the team trading away a Max player, their best player, took back a bad contract?

[BasicBall]

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?

In my opinion, Lebron needs to leave home! If he wanted to stay in Cleveland he would have signed on long ago...there is no need to see what is out there, if you intend to stay. If I am Cleveland I am nervous about this RECRUITING trip Lebron is going to make.

It's like a relationship, its going well, but someone says, "we should explore seeing other people" nothing good can come of that, once you see what is out there, there is a CHANCE that someone or something will get your attention...LOL

[MirORich]

Look you're a MOD here, so I have no doubt that you've been a cool customer all along and looked at the situation pretty realistically. But you can not say with an hones face that there haven't been tons of fans on here in the past 12-18 acting like it was a done deal from the minute Walsh was able to unload Crawford and Randolph's bloated contracts.

Also, there is no reason Cleveland can't work out a sign and trade w TOR for Bosh. If they are certain to lose him and want some replacement talent + expiring contracts, than it's well within the realm of possibility. It would also allow Bosh to make more for the life of the contract rather than signing as an outright FA with the Knicks. Is it probable, no. But its certainly not impossible by any stretch. But let me guess, its a total Cavs fans pipe dream, whereas you guys signing both Bosh and LBJ outright is clearly doable and even likely?

Lastly, I want the Knicks to be good. Cities like NY, LA, CHI, BOS should always be competitive/great for their leagues to thrive.

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

[K_ick_God]

Look you're a MOD here, so I have no doubt that you've been a cool customer all along and looked at the situation pretty realistically. But you can not say with an hones face that there haven't been tons of fans on here in the past 12-18 acting like it was a done deal from the minute Walsh was able to unload Crawford and Randolph's bloated contracts.

Also, there is no reason Cleveland can't work out a sign and trade w TOR for Bosh. If they are certain to lose him and want some replacement talent + expiring contracts, than it's well within the realm of possibility. It would also allow Bosh to make more for the life of the contract rather than signing as an outright FA with the Knicks. Is it probable, no. But its certainly not impossible by any stretch. But let me guess, its a total Cavs fans pipe dream, whereas you guys signing both Bosh and LBJ outright is clearly doable and even likely?

Lastly, I want the Knicks to be good. Cities like NY, LA, CHI, BOS should always be competitive/great for their leagues to thrive.

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

Bosh is not going to Cleveland and the Cavs don't have the assets to get him.

There are some things that are debatable and worthy of discussion. This is not one of those things.

[RHODEY]

Well if Lebron stays with Cleveland then what does that say about him? They lose in the 2nd round. They cant make any significant moves, and they are aging. Yet he stays because he is "comfortable". Does this sound like a competitor to you? Someone who wants dynasties is not simply content with being comfortable...


I will be more than happy building a contender sans Lebron.
Carmello and Gallo and a well rounded cast ....yeah Im liking that. Carmello in D'antoni offense could average 33 points a game easy. Carmello, Bosh, Gallo... Carmello ,Lee , Gallo... yeah I m cool with that. Boston will be old. Cleveland is old/and or beatable, Orlando is beatable.... The heat will probably be good...

[Starbury316]

He had to say they have an edge and they do. They can offer him mor emoney than anyone else. Can you imagine if he said other team had an edge? PR wisehe did the right thing. If he knows hes leaving hes going to have to handle it the situation with kid gloves in an attempt to offend the least amount of people he can as possible.

He HAD to say that.

[K_ick_God]

Well if Lebron stays with Cleveland then what does that say about him? They lose in the 2nd round. They cant make any significant moves, and they are aging. Yet he stays because he is "comfortable". Does this sound like a competitor to you? Someone who wants dynasties is not simply content with being comfortable...


I will be more than happy building a contender sans Lebron.
Carmello and Gallo and a well rounded cast ....yeah Im liking that. Carmello in D'antoni offense could average 33 points a game easy. Carmello, Bosh, Gallo... Carmello ,Lee , Gallo... yeah I m cool with that. Boston will be old. Cleveland is old/and or beatable, Orlando is beatable.... The heat will probably be good...

Well said. It does really shed some major doubt on LeBron's desire for a title if he stays. I don't want him to go to the Bulls and don't think he will, but at least that would be an attempt to do something different.

In Cleveland, he really risks going nowhere. They are not young and capped out for two more years. They don't have the pieces, it would seem.

And I also agree that the Knicks can build a contender without him. Would most likely take Carmelo though.

[Bigmo5246]

This video was just posted today. Its Gallo showing someone around NYC and it even has Gallo make a pitch to Lebron and other free agents. Check it out guys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS0DqP13aH0

[St Knick]

RHODEY wrote: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.

if anyone has ever read "secrets of the millionaire mind" by T. Harv Ecker, you will notice that one of the key teachings is to never get comfortable if you want to be rich. Comfortable leads you to settling for lower pay jobs, settlings for that 9-5 job till age 65, settling for mediocrity...

LeBron strikes me as the total opposite of this type... he's publically stated he wants to be a billionaire athlete. He's got extremely high goals. You need change to grow, and New York can provide that...

[stillalive]

No, the Bulls are not getting Bosh in a S&T so enough with that fairy tale.

And you know this how?

Show me one instance -- one -- in the history of S&T's where the team trading away a Max player, their best player, took back a bad contract?

Hinrich and Deng don't have bad contracts. There have been talks about teams who wanted them. Also, have you ever heard of a 3 team deal? That is a possibility especially for teams with cap space who are unlikely to get a Max FA.

[K_ick_God]

RHODEY wrote: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.

if anyone has ever read "secrets of the millionaire mind" by T. Harv Ecker, you will notice that one of the key teachings is to never get comfortable if you want to be rich. Comfortable leads you to settling for lower pay jobs, settlings for that 9-5 job till age 65, settling for mediocrity...

LeBron strikes me as the total opposite of this type... he's publically stated he wants to be a billionaire athlete. He's got extremely high goals. You need change to grow, and New York can provide that...

You're right, totally true. It would cast major doubt on his status as a winner. He might just be paying them lip service and respect. Can't tell.

But it's not RHODEY who said the above. It was LebronMania.

[K_ick_God]

Hinrich and Deng don't have bad contracts. There have been talks about teams who wanted them. Also, have you ever heard of a 3 team deal? That is a possibility especially for teams with cap space who are unlikely to get a Max FA.

Huh?

Hinrich's contract is moderately severely bad. Deng's is one of the two or three worst in the league. It might be the worst.

[method]

Look you're a MOD here, so I have no doubt that you've been a cool customer all along and looked at the situation pretty realistically. But you can not say with an hones face that there haven't been tons of fans on here in the past 12-18 acting like it was a done deal from the minute Walsh was able to unload Crawford and Randolph's bloated contracts.

Also, there is no reason Cleveland can't work out a sign and trade w TOR for Bosh. If they are certain to lose him and want some replacement talent + expiring contracts, than it's well within the realm of possibility. It would also allow Bosh to make more for the life of the contract rather than signing as an outright FA with the Knicks. Is it probable, no. But its certainly not impossible by any stretch. But let me guess, its a total Cavs fans pipe dream, whereas you guys signing both Bosh and LBJ outright is clearly doable and even likely?

Lastly, I want the Knicks to be good. Cities like NY, LA, CHI, BOS should always be competitive/great for their leagues to thrive.

Bosh has a list of teams he will go to and Cleveland isnt one of them.Talk about wishfull thinking.And who he gonna trade for him?The allmighty Hickson?

[St Knick]

St Knick wrote:

RHODEY wrote: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.



if anyone has ever read "secrets of the millionaire mind" by T. Harv Ecker, you will notice that one of the key teachings is to never get comfortable if you want to be rich. Comfortable leads you to settling for lower pay jobs, settlings for that 9-5 job till age 65, settling for mediocrity...

LeBron strikes me as the total opposite of this type... he's publically stated he wants to be a billionaire athlete. He's got extremely high goals. You need change to grow, and New York can provide that...




You're right, totally true. It would cast major doubt on his status as a winner. He might just be paying them lip service and respect. Can't tell.

KnicksGod wrote: But it's not RHODEY who said the above. It was LebronMania.

my bad on the misquote!

[MirORich]

Well said. It does really shed some major doubt on LeBron's desire for a title if he stays. I don't want him to go to the Bulls and don't think he will, but at least that would be an attempt to do something different.

In Cleveland, he really risks going nowhere. They are not young and capped out for two more years. They don't have the pieces, it would seem.

And I also agree that the Knicks can build a contender without him. Would most likely take Carmelo though.

There are only six coaches/franchises that have won titles in the past 20 years. Did every other player that chose not to sign with one of those teams not have a desire to win a championship.

If LeBron chooses to stay in Cleveland, paired with an owner who will spare no costs and go way beyond the luxury tax, he will continue to compete for a championship for the life of his next contract.

New York, with Bosh or Amare would be a nice situation as well. But certainly no gaurantee.

The Lakers essentially already have the combo Kobe and Pau. Behind them they have Odom, Bynum, Artest. And arguably the best coach in the history of the game. Neither the Cavs nor the Knicks can offer that kind of supporting firepower behind LeBron and a second superstar.

One could legitimately argue that, if LeBron or any of the other superstars on the market valued a championship above all else, Cleveland or New York would not be in their top 2 choices at all.

[method]

Hinrich and Deng don't have bad contracts. There have been talks about teams who wanted them. Also, have you ever heard of a 3 team deal? That is a possibility especially for teams with cap space who are unlikely to get a Max FA.

Sorry to burst our bubble but Dengs contract is as bad as they come.

[stillalive]

Hinrich and Deng don't have bad contracts. There have been talks about teams who wanted them. Also, have you ever heard of a 3 team deal? That is a possibility especially for teams with cap space who are unlikely to get a Max FA.

Huh?

Hinrich's contract is moderately severely bad. Deng's is one of the two or three worst in the league. It might be the worst.

*sigh* If that were the case, teams wouldn't be inquiring about them

[Hitman33]

If LeBron was going to stay in Cleveland, what would have been the point of all of this?

Fact is, what David Falk said was right. He already know where the Bulls (and the Knicks) practice. He already knows the maximum salary he can get. He could have maximized his income and signed an extension a long time ago - somewhere around the trading deadline when Cleveland supposedly could have gotten and signed Amare Stoudamire.

But he wouldn't commit. Because he wants to leave. He has had his heart set on leaving for a while now.