LeBron Free Agency 2010

[heathmalc]

PDcavsinsider

The location of LeBron's announcement is not expected to be in one of the cities he's considering. Will keep the guessing going.

[yungal07]

LOL Lebron is such an attention whore and diva.

[heathmalc]

buzzbissinger

Favorite LeBron story so far: Chris Broussard of ESPN "learning" tonight that LeBron will make free agency announcement on ESPN.


(DEamn, we may need a thread just to put all the BS reports in. Buzz makes a great point here)

[heathmalc]

PDcavsinsider

Suddenly it is clear to me. LeBron has changed. A new website. Starting Twitter. This announcement. This isn't the guy I know.

PDcavsinsider

Announcement is not expected in Bristol, either.

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AschNBA

Eager to be in cheap seats (media) for LBJ Show Thurs, just to see 117 fellow sportswriters' thumbs cramp up trying to tweet news FIRST!

[heathmalc]

More Than Just Amar'e in New York?

By: Alex Kennedy Last Updated: 7/6/10 10:28 PM ET | 18030 times read

Whenever there is a vacuum of information, rumors begin to surface. When it was reported that LeBron James would be waiting until the conclusion of his Akron basketball camp on Wednesday to make his decision, it gave the basketball world several days to churn out different scenarios and rumors and nobody seemed to be on the same page.

But in the last twenty-four hours, there have been lot of rumblings indicating that James could be leaning toward New York and the chance to revive the Knicks with Amar'e Stoudemire.

Several sources indicated that James' advisors Maverick Carter and Randy Mims could be travelling to New York on Wednesday and sources have hinted that James will be joining them for the trip. Sources also said that Carter and Mims have been picking the Knicks' brains for details and information on their salary cap and free agent plans over the past few days.

There have also been rumblings that the Knicks could be planning a large press conference for later this week. While the team should be officially announcing Stoudemire's five-year, $97 million contract signing, likely on Thursday, the scale of the event and extensive planning going into the press conferences indicates that something bigger may be happening in the Big Apple.

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?sto ... z0sxp5CHII

[More Bang For The Bucks]

LOL Lebron is such an attention whore and diva.

Is he enough of a whore to only sign for 3 years so he can do this all over again 2 or 3 more times?

[heathmalc]

I am expecting similar stories suggesting Chicago, New Jersey and Miami over the next 44 hours.

The mis-information is going to be running rampant! You may want to catch up on your sleep until Thursday, to avoid the headache of trying to read everything that is put out there.

[heathmalc]

Brian Windhorst PDcavsinsider

Right now there are rumors exploding in the NBA. All over the place involving three-team sign-and-trades, etc. No idea what to believe.


(Told ya)

[heathmalc]

twithersAP

Odd that LeBron debuts on Twitter and TV deal comes a few hours later. Also, website is re-launching. All tells me he's moving on.

[heathmalc]

bruce_arthur

If LeBron uses this hour-long special to announce he's leaving home and crushing Cleveland, his transition to villain will be complete.

[TheOUTLAW]

LOL Lebron is such an attention whore and diva.

And yet he's still not anywhere close to the whore that Arenas is. Not even close.

[GM_JAMES]

bruce_arthur

If LeBron uses this hour-long special to announce he's leaving home and crushing Cleveland, his transition to villain will be complete.

Do CAVS fans believe he would announce immediately if he were re-signing ? Or is it not passed him to keep the area hostage until Thursday ?

[heathmalc]

KCJHoop

45 hours until LeBronathon ends. Here's a shot at rankings that have never changed for me:
1) Cavs;
2) Bulls;
3) Nets;
4) Knicks.

[heathmalc]

JaredDudley619

RT @Jolan23:@JaredDudley619 why dont you think lebron is going to stay with the cavs? ( he could but why have a press conf on espn for that)

[holyboy2009]

You guys think that because he's taking an hour long special he's moving on? Hm --I figure others have a shot now because Bosh isnt coming to Cleveland.

[heathmalc]

Do CAVS fans believe he would announce immediately if he were re-signing ? Or is it not passed him to keep the area hostage until Thursday ?

No, and No!

He would not announce immediately, even if he knew, and it is definitely his style to milk as much publicity out of this as possible.

My guess is that he wasn't 100% sure what he'd do to begin with...he needed to see a change - one that has already happened - before he could be almost 100%. I think he's there now...almost 100%. There is a caveat though. If the team cannot compete at the highest level, then I think it is entirely possible that he'd feel that he'd have to leave...even if he didn't want to. If he DID leave, it'd HAVE to be either Jersey or New York. The reasoning behind those two teams is the money. If he cannot stay at home, and he is going to take a hit to his image, then he has to be in a place that can maximize his full potential for financial gain.

The unknown element is what is keeping everyone at bay right now. When the Cavaliers' season ended, Ferry referred to the Cavs in the third person...not like he usually did when addressing the media about the Cavs. So, at that point you knew Ferry was gone. If Ferry was gone, then Brown was gone. (You can go back to Dan Gilbert's apology to Cavs fans to re-read Ferry's statements.) The other person who had an ominous tone to their speech, was LeBron. He made his statement(s), and finished them off by saying "we had a good time together." Or, something like that. So, you got the sense that LeBron really was undecided about his future at that point (the press conference following loss to Celtics).

The "unknown element" to all of this goes back to 2008, when all of this really began. LeBron, Bosh, Carmelo, and Wade, and one other player on that Olympic team discussed what it'd be like playing together. That is where I believe the whole idea hatched. The unknown element, is the 5th player. By process of elimination, I am assuming that player to be Chris Paul...although he was never actually named. Coincidentally, there have been some insider people who in the last few weeks have said that they believed that Paul may be traded. One of those insiders even mentioned it as far back as the trade-deadline. Well, NO's owner said recently that Paul would "definitely" be playing for the Hornets this season... so that seemed to end all speculation. But did that really mean anything - his statement? Does it ever mean anything when a FO type says something & changes their mind? Particularly when the player is on a team being sold?

Paul may not be the unknown element... Wade could be it; Bosh could be, or LeBron could be. Wade came out of nowhere to make everyone who thought Miami was a lock to re-sign him, start changing their opinions. Bosh started this process in the shadows, but has managed to creep to the forefront...and LeBron... he has been making people change their opinions by the hour.

Is Wade & Bosh going to Miami? Is LeBron staying in Cleveland? Is Bosh playing quiet, and going to the Cavs to team up with LeBron? What about Melo next summer? Where does Chicago fit into this? New Jersey? Chris Paul? It appears that there are multiple unknown elements, those being each of the players involved, and a couple that aren't.

Yet, when you start to erase all the misinformation, and start looking at only the facts, you begin to see a picture evolve. New York is getting Amare and will have about 17 million left to spend. Lee appears to be headed to Minnesota or New Jersey. Jefferson is likely going to Jersey or Chicago if Lee signs with Wolves. If Minnesota strikes out on Lee, I'd expect them to make a deal that sent Jefferson to Chicago, or Cleveland. Or if they do get Lee, it could be in the form of a S&T (of Lee) to Minny, and Jefferson to NY. Wade appears set in Miami, but that could be dependent on a couple different factors. Wade is 28, and the last 3 seasons have seen him out of the postseason except once..this past year, a 4-1 game booting by the Celtics. Wade will not stay in Miami if he isn't going to win... He'll head to Chicago, Jersey, New York, or possibly be traded (at his request). If Wade does goto Miami, then Bosh will either follow him there, or go to Chicago or Cleveland (despite what the reports are saying about him not wanting to). The most likely scenario to be played out is: Bosh/Miller to Chicago; Wade/Boozer to Miami; Lee to New Jersey/Minnesota; Amare/Felton/Barbosa to New York; LeBron/Jefferson/Brewer to Cleveland; Richard Jefferson to Clippers

There are a million scenarios (literally) that could happen, but based on what each player wants/likes, and what each team wants, needs, likes, has to offer, these seem to be the most logical moves.

A lot of Cavalier fans want Miller in Cleveland with LeBron...and it's possible...but I think he takes the money from Chicago, and plays with Noah, Rose & Bosh. That will be a good team, and they'd have Deng; Johnson; Taj off the bench. The Cavs would be equally talented...or maybe even more talented...but that's where the money would win out...all things being equal, the money wins out.

Emeka is a possibility for the Cavs too... But I think they'll try for Jefferson first. He is younger, and a lot more talented. I also think they'll get him as Varejao fits neatly in Minny and makes 1/2 of what Jefferson does. Add West and Parker to Andy, and throw Corey into the Deal from Minny's side, and you have a near perfect trade.

Boozer is near the same age as Wade, and he'll play for less than the max...Miami will be able to retain Oneal and get a couple other role players, and make a run at the division, which will be strong with Orlando and Atlanta in it.

Jersey and New York will challenge Boston all year to see who wins the Division...I figure Boston is likely to eek it out, but NY could do it...and if Favors is 80% of what scouts think he can be...then Jersey may be the real players in that division.

In the Central, The Cavs and Bulls will be the two main cogs, with the Cavs winning out, but Milwaukee has done a good job very quietly, and they should win 45 games or so this coming season. Chicago could even drop to third if things dont work out with their new coach, or there are injuries like last season.

In any event, the east will clearly have gained on the west, and nobody will be able to call it the leastern conference any longer.


Damn...that was long winded

[heathmalc]

LeBron James follows the trend of control

Mr. Young brought you the news that LeBron James is hosting a little dog and pony show to announce his decision on Thursday. James, Bosh, and Wade will share a conference call Wednesday to discuss their plans and possibly coordinate the checkmate moves. The storm clouds are gathering, as one might say...

...Which brings us to LeBron James' actions throughout the week. First his website appeared revamped, with talk of "finding out first." Rumors of James intending to announce his free agency decision via the website were later debunked . Then the Twitter account opened. Don't think there's been a radical shift in policy with James? Consider that the reporter who's followed him his entire career is completely baffled by the opening of James' Twitter account. That, along with the announcement of the live announcement represent a drastic change in the perception of James by those that have been with him the longest. The stakes have changed. And the playing field has changed alongside with it.

The key to this is the ability to control the message. Instead of having every angle, feeling, and angle about his business decisions laid out by reporters around the media sphere and the world wide web (it's an information superhighway, you know), James has the opportunity to lay out his decision in the most dramatic way possible, while raising money for charity. He raises his profile, puts himself on the map in a way never before seen. He'll never be Jordan, but he can market himself bigger. What's striking is that by doing so, he's somehow moved the importance of this operation from what his decision is to the announcement itself.

It doesn't matter where James goes. It's how he announces it. The man is having an hour on the most powerful sports television entity in the world, selling his own advertising, and donating it to charity, only furthering his image. There will be backlash, because that's what happens when you market yourself. It's self-aggrandizement, but you should also recognize that it's proof of the power of controlling your own message, of honing and delivering it on your own terms. More so than going to New York or Chicago or staying home and being the hero, it's the process of his declaration that gives this moment its weight. It's false dramatics, but then, this is sport. We turn athletes into Warriors and games into legends. We're not above this behavior, James is simply harnessing its full power.

LeBron James is on the verge of a decision which will impact the next half-decade in the NBA. He could win multiple titles or walk away empty handed. He could destroy Cleveland or save it. He could resurrect New York, rise in Jordan's shadow, claim Brooklyn as his kingdom, or bring the party to South Beach. But in reality, regardless of his decision, he's making history. He's bringing the power of individual control to a new level, and capitalizing on the full weight of his business potential. For years, he's discussed wanting to be a global icon. It turns out that where he plays may not be the key to accomplishing that. Instead, his method for revealing his decision could be the launching pad towards finally reaching that particular atmosphere.

-Matt Moore

http://nba-facts-and-rumors.blogs.cbssp ... 4/23052771

[tidho]

Do CAVS fans believe he would announce immediately if he were re-signing ? Or is it not passed him to keep the area hostage until Thursday ?

He's an egomaniac, I didn't really expect anything else. I don't believe he didn't know what he was going to do even before the free agent period began.

Interesting to here Mike and Mike speculate this morning that he's leaving because Bosh didn't want to go to Cleveland. I'll have to file that with my 'Bosh is hitching himself more to LeBron than LeBron is to Bosh' media reports, lol. Yesterday everyone is reporting increased speculation that he's staying, but now Wade and Bosh are going to Miami - both the most likely outcomes all along - and that means he's leaving. Priceless.

[oceandrive7]

LOL Lebron is such an attention whore and diva.

Lebron is not even close an attention whore as guys like Bosh or Stat. Lebron did not tweet once during that whole process until yesterday. Bosh and even Wade were sending messages to the whole world during the past week all the time. And they confused everybody. Lebron is the most wanted free agent out there. I cannot imagine there has ever been a bigger drama around one player than lebron. And he really has stayed quiet for the past 7 days. So for me it`s not a big deal if he does this ESPN announcement. And for sure, everybody who is hating now on Lebron will love him if he joins his team. Then, everything will be all good again. I actually don`t know if I would like to be Lebron right now, he knows that wherever he does not go, a lot of people will dislike him for that.

For me there are only 3 choices left...
1. Cleveland (favourite as I`m sure M.Miller and some other guys like Josh Howard for example would be willing to team up with him. If he stays and Miller and some others join him via a trade, Cleveland are favourites to win the title next year for sure. And who knows, in 10 years we might look back and see this free agency as the turning point in Lebrons career... the point when he started winning championships).
2. Miami (obvious reasons now that Bosh and Wade are confirmed)
3. Chicago (if he teams up with Boozer there)

I don`t think Lebron would be able to beat the Lakers with NJ or NY. And I`m sure Lebron is very much considering that. NY won`t play any defense and NJ is not ready now. That`s why if Lebron stays in Cleveland he will probably only sign a contract over 3 years. If he goes to Miami or Chicago it could be over 5 years. Cleveland: 70 % chance, Miami: 25% chance, Chicago 5 % chance

[Benjammin]

I will be happy for Cavs fans if LBJ comes back. You'll likely be dealing with this again in three years, but that is time to make the moves necessary to be a true championship contender. I'm just glad the Cavs took Jamison off the Wizards hands. Thanks for that. But using Delonte's contract and some other pieces the Cavs can still upgrade their roster this season and always have the MLE at their disposal. I assume if LBJ comes back, Gilbert will do whatever is necessary to keep him happy.