SAS "I'm going to put myself on the line" Lebron to Miami.

[BLACKFEET 2010]

He is starting to sound like he's questioning his decision to put his rep on the line.

[gavran]

Will Miami fans go to the Bulls board acting like douchebags 24/7 after this? I hope so.

[BLACKFEET 2010]

I'm not jumping to any conclusion but you can't deny that a lot of what he is saying makes sense.

Ok. Who initiates the offense?
It doesn't make sense. Billionaire aspirations downgraded now for the King?
He won't even be the king of South Beach.
I don't think he's that ego-less. But we shall soon see.

[BLACKFEET 2010]

Will Miami fans go to the Bulls board acting like douchebags 24/7 after this? I hope so.

That'd be cool.

[Justdatdude]

Everyone's saying they believe him because he put his reputation on the line. I don't really see what SAS has to lose by saying this. Does he have any credibility as is?

I'm not familiar with what reporter has credibility. Every day on here I read how this and that person lost their credibility. I don't know SAS to be wrong often or a guy like Ric Bucher, but I don't look for everything they report. I still doubt that Lebron goes to Miami. It improves his chances of winning without playing in Jordan's shadow, but he will be known as the guy who went to team up with DWade. That can hurt him, but he has also been known as the ultimate team player. Wade has said throughout the year that he wouldn't mind playing with Lebron, but I can't see it happening. All I'm going on is Stephen A sounds 100% sure of what he is saying. He could have went with the typical stuff we've heard over the weeks, but he didn't. If this was poker, you can say he went all the way in with this one. I wonder if all the reporters will piggyback off of this story or dispute this story. If someone dispute it, they're calling his bluff. If someone piggybacks off of it it means Stephen A is right or all these guys don't have the sources they claim they have. Interesting twist to start the week though.

[rammagen]

If this is the case f the nba because then there was tampering happening. I would wash my hands of them the ****. No on the other hand it is Smith who is just about right as many times as he is wrong. I still think Cleveland then everyone else

[CanadianKnicksFan]

Lebron is not going there. Bosh? Good chance.... but NOT James.

Like others said in this thread, he wants to be the man and this would hurt his legacy joining Wade.

[Justdatdude]

- The Knicks will overpay Joe Johnson and give him a max deal if they have to bring him to New York. They have to overpay Joe Johnson to save face. Amare Stoudemire is interested in coming to New York because he wants the big stage. He wants to prove he is a max player.

[NYStateofMind]

Everyone's saying they believe him because he put his reputation on the line. I don't really see what SAS has to lose by saying this. Does he have any credibility as is?

I'm not familiar with what reporter has credibility. Every day on here I read how this and that person lost their credibility. I don't know SAS to be wrong often or a guy like Ric Bucher, but I don't look for everything they report. I still doubt that Lebron goes to Miami. It improves his chances of winning without playing in Jordan's shadow, but he will be known as the guy who went to team up with DWade. That can hurt him, but he has also been known as the ultimate team player. Wade has said throughout the year that he wouldn't mind playing with Lebron, but I can't see it happening. All I'm going on is Stephen A sounds 100% sure of what he is saying. He could have went with the typical stuff we've heard over the weeks, but he didn't. If this was poker, you can say he went all the way in with this one. I wonder if all the reporters will piggyback off of this story or dispute this story. If someone dispute it, they're calling his bluff. If someone piggybacks off of it it means Stephen A is right or all these guys don't have the sources they claim they have. Interesting twist to start the week though.

But this is the way he operates. Literally every piece of news he has he acts as if it is scripture. It's what makes him an interesting guy in the media, it's a good schtick, he's a great presenter of his opinions and "sources", but he's also hated for the way he presents his material by many. He'll make a bold prediction and if it's wrong, he'll just eat crow and lay low for a while before coming out with a new bold prediction based on his sources. Rinse wash, repeat. He rarely gets it right.

BTW hearing all of these calls where the caller makes some lame argument and then kisses Stephen A's feet on the way out is literally making me throw up in my mouth. And Screamin' A just loves it.

[K_ick_God]

Everyone's saying they believe him because he put his reputation on the line. I don't really see what SAS has to lose by saying this. Does he have any credibility as is?

Hang on soldier, I didnt say I agree with him. I just think that he deserves some credit for this. Because it's clear cut and bold.

The one thing he is NOT saying is that after the meeting on Thursday, the Knicks can turn around any negative opinion LeBron may have of MD. And if MD cant do it, I Honestly could see the Knicks firing MD on the spot and hiring anyone else LBJ wants -- YES, INCLUDING Calipari.

My updated opinion on percentages:

Bulls 50%
Knicks 30%
Heat 10%
C-leaveland 10%

[Reservoirdawgs]

This guy's a bigger idiot than Bill Simmons.

[NYStateofMind]

Everyone's saying they believe him because he put his reputation on the line. I don't really see what SAS has to lose by saying this. Does he have any credibility as is?

Hang on soldier, I didnt say I agree with him. I just think that he deserves some credit for this. Because it's clear cut and bold.

The one thing he is NOT saying is that after the meeting on Thursday, the Knicks can turn around any negative opinion LeBron may have of MD. And if MD cant do it, I Honestly could see the Knicks firing MD on the spot and hiring anyone else LBJ wants -- YES, INCLUDING Calipari.

My updated opinion on percentages:

Bulls 50%
Knicks 30%
Heat 10%
C-leaveland 10%

Not. A. Shot. You're simply living in a fantasy world if you believe the bolded part. DW and MD are a package deal. There is 0, I repeat 0 percent chance Donnie fires D'Antoni to get LeBron. This is a joint venture for these two. D'Antoni signed on here under the conditions that he would accept two throw away seasons so that we could reach this point. There is no chance Walsh throws D'Antoni under the bus now, after D'Antoni afgreed to join him on this fantastical quest and willingly endure the misery of the last two seasons, just to land the guy he wants. This is the pitch. If LeBron doesn't like what we're offering, Walsh will move on. There is no situation which will make D'Antoni expendable. Someone will buy into what we're offering. We will sign the guys that are worth signing, and move forward with cap space from there on out if there is no one else worth using it on. Keeping flexibility in tact for trades is not a bad alternative plan. Just look at the Celtics pre-KG & Ray Allen trades.

[taikibansei]

Lebron wants a defensive mindset period .

Hey, maybe we can get Mike Brown--heard he's available now!

[Mr Loggins]

http://radiotime.com/program/p_111012/The_Stephen_A_Smith_Show.aspx

He said he will give the news in about 20 minutes. He will tell us who is involved in the situation and everything we need to know about Lebron. In his words "I'm an NBA Insider and I've covered this sport for a long time. I've been wrong before, but I do not think I'm wrong on this one. I'm going to put myself on the line. I believe I know where Lebron is going." We know that there have been a lot of rumors about Lebron, but he is going out on the limb on this one.

He just spoke and here is the summary

- I've done my due diligence and spoken to 19 people to be exact. I've spoken to reliable people in both New York and Cleveland. I expect him to sign early next week

- Earlier last year I've reported that Lebron is going to the Knicks. The Knicks had the inside track on him. Dolan is well connected to people on Wall Street and he could have made Lebron more of a global icon

- Huge mistake is letting go of Isiah. One thing you can't deny about Isiah is his ability to recruit. A lot of people will point to his failure with the CBA and his failure with the New York Knicks, but he is very well respected by the players around the league. You can't deny his recruiting ability. I'm not saying that they would have gotten Lebron James, but the chances would have been better.

- I've said all of that to say this. First of all, the Los Angelas Clippers were never in the mix. They're cursed and have a horrible owner. The Clippers weren't in the mix at any point.

- It comes down to Lebron picking between the Miami Heat and Cleveland. I've spoken to my sources in Cleveland and New York and I've known 1 guy for 15 years that have never given me false information. You're only as good as your sources. Lebron James is going to play with Dwyane Wade in South Beach. Chris Bosh and Lebron James are going to Miami Heat. Its not official, but I'm telling you Lebron is going to the Miami Heat.

- Amare Stoudemire want to go to the Miami Heat, but the Heat don't want him as much as they want Bosh.

-Knicks aren't on the list because Walsh is getting old. There is no telling how much longer he would be around. I'm not talking about death or anything of that sort, but as for being around the team. His future is in doubt because he is older

- Another reason why the Knicks aren't on the list is Mike D'Antoni. From talking to players in Phoenix, D'Antoni doesn't mention defense 5 times a year. Every answer for D'Antoni is offense. They can give up 60 points and the answer will still be offense.

- The Knicks will overpay Joe Johnson and give him a max deal if they have to bring him to New York. They have to overpay Joe Johnson to save face. Amare Stoudemire is interested in coming to New York because he wants the big stage. He wants to prove he is a max player.

to summarize Knicks should have kept Isaiah (WTF?) and LeBron is afraid Walsh is gonna die.

[taikibansei]

A: We won't be able to sign LeBron because we don't have Isaiah

B: If we had Isaiah, we would never have had the cap space to sign LeBron

A and B cannot coexist, therefore the Stephen A universe just imploded.

This. I mean, yeah, I'm sure Isaiah has a great reputation throughout the league...for generosity. (For letters of reference, see Mr. Eddie Curry, Mr. Jerome James, etc.) However, the idea that LeBron might have come (on what, the full mid-level exception?) if Isaiah was still here is a joke.

Lacking any reputation whatsoever , I'll still "put myself on the line" here and say LeBron's going to either Chicago or to the Knicks. Most likely the former....

[Ron1]

WAIT A MINUTE!!!! SAS is the same idiot wh, when Dolan finally fired Isaiah, said this " The New York Knicks fans got an early Christmas Present, because James Dolan has just fired Isaiah Thomas". And worst I thought his "sources" told him LeBron was coming here. Jackass!!!

[Neb]

Nice fantasy. Probably wouldn't work, well, not too well atleast.

[K_ick_God]

Everyone's saying they believe him because he put his reputation on the line. I don't really see what SAS has to lose by saying this. Does he have any credibility as is?

Hang on soldier, I didnt say I agree with him. I just think that he deserves some credit for this. Because it's clear cut and bold.

The one thing he is NOT saying is that after the meeting on Thursday, the Knicks can turn around any negative opinion LeBron may have of MD. And if MD cant do it, I Honestly could see the Knicks firing MD on the spot and hiring anyone else LBJ wants -- YES, INCLUDING Calipari.

My updated opinion on percentages:

Bulls 50%
Knicks 30%
Heat 10%
C-leaveland 10%

Not. A. Shot. You're simply living in a fantasy world if you believe the bolded part. DW and MD are a package deal. There is 0, I repeat 0 percent chance Donnie fires D'Antoni to get LeBron. This is a joint venture for these two. D'Antoni signed on here under the conditions that he would accept two throw away seasons so that we could reach this point. There is no chance Walsh throws D'Antoni under the bus now, after D'Antoni afgreed to join him on this fantastical quest and willingly endure the misery of the last two seasons, just to land the guy he wants. This is the pitch. If LeBron doesn't like what we're offering, Walsh will move on. There is no situation which will make D'Antoni expendable. Someone will buy into what we're offering. We will sign the guys that are worth signing, and move forward with cap space from there on out if there is no one else worth using it on. Keeping flexibility in tact for trades is not a bad alternative plan. Just look at the Celtics pre-KG & Ray Allen trades.

You think if LeBron said, "I'm signing tomorrow if you hire Calipari for $10M a year, 3 year deal just like mine,' that Dolan would say no?

Hmmmm. You may be right. But ... I'd say most likely Dolan would say yes. And it's definitely not "No Chance' ... this is a franchise-altering player we're talking about. He has extreme power, let's face it. And we're talking about a Knicks club that has deep pockets. I wouldn't bet against them doing ANYTHING when it comes to the next few days. Honestly and truly.

Now, if you're telling me that Walsh wouldn't want to do it or would recommend against it, I agree with you. Walsh probably would not want to be involved in the shenanigans and he is probably right about that too. There is such a thing as selling your soul.

But I'm just saying, Knicks could go the extra 100 miles if it means landing James. Don't be that shocked if you see some crazy stuff in the coming days.

That said, I give LeBron more credit than Chitown Wes and I don't think he is as down on D'Antoni as SAS or maybe others in LeBron's crew are. And if he is, then I think MD is a good salesman and does have good basketball coaching ideas. So I think he can make LeBron -- and his people -- feel comfortable after Thursday.

[Starbury316]

Yea idk what to think anymore... Maybe hes just trying to go opposite of ESPN n report something else. Not sure why he saying Zeke would have helped when he said he needed to go when he did. Im one starting to believe were trying to get JJ so we can go to Lebron and say " heres your scottie pippen"

idk man

[NYStateofMind]

You think if LeBron said, "I'm signing tomorrow if you hire Calipari for $10M a year, 3 year deal just like mine,' that Dolan would say no?

Hmmmm. You may be right. But ... I'd say most likely Dolan would say yes. And it's definitely not "No Chance' ... this is a franchise-altering player we're talking about. He has extreme power, let's face it. And we're talking about a Knicks club that has deep pockets. I wouldn't bet against them doing ANYTHING when it comes to the next few days. Honestly and truly.

Now, if you're telling me that Walsh wouldn't want to do it or would recommend against it, I agree with you. Walsh probably would not want to be involved in the shenanigans and he is probably right about that too. There is such a thing as selling your soul.

But I'm just saying, Knicks could go the extra 100 miles if it means landing James. Don't be that shocked if you see some crazy stuff in the coming days.

That said, I give LeBron more credit than Chitown Wes and I don't think he is as down on D'Antoni as SAS or maybe others in LeBron's crew are. And if he is, then I think MD is a good salesman and does have good basketball coaching ideas. So I think he can make LeBron -- and his people -- feel comfortable after Thursday.

To be honest, I don't think Dolan is really involved in this palooza at all. He seems to have gotten the hint over the years and is letting Walsh do what he does. I get the sense Dolan's given Walsh a kind of, "The wallet is wide open for you this summer. Call me if you need final approval on anything." type of dynamic. Of course the Knicks CAN do anything, but I just don't see Walsh selling D'Antoni up the river even if it's what gets LBJ in NY. It would just mean to Walsh that he's made a fundamental error, but not one that he could at this point do anything about. You're right to say that we shouldn't bet against them doing anything, though. We never really know, and things could get crazy. But when we say we shouldn't bet against them, I think we're talking about Walsh and D'Antoni. I just don't see that part of the Knicks organization changing for any one player. Even LBJ.

I agree that I really don't think James is as down on D'Antoni as some are making it out to be, and in that sit down, you can bet the house that D'Antoni will agree to do whatever is necessary, including altering his coaching style, to accommodate King James. Like you alluded to, I think D'Antoni has the personality and basketball knowledge to make LeBron and Co. comfortable with the idea of coming to NY.

Out of all the combinations of GM/Coaches that will be present in these meetings from CHI, CLE, MIA, NJ, and NY, there is no better duo I would want representing my franchise in these FA meetings than Walsh/D'Antoni.