LeBron Free Agency 2010

holyboy2009 · Post #881 » by **holyboy2009** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 5:42 pm

there selling point -- you dont want to have bad knees and no championship at 31- it would be ironic if Miami cant win a championship

Celts17Pride · Post #882 » by **Celts17Pride** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 5:42 pm

kiwibrindle wrote:Celts17Pride

This whole year has given me a new appreciation for Paul Pierce and the Celtics as a whole.

I hate to say it that Pierce has been a true fan's player. During his time with the Celtics his guy has been patience with the Celtics during lots of years that had no hope at all of winning. Now he's a winner and still has been willing to place other guys like KG ahead of himself. He's never been bigger than the team. Then during the playoffs the Celtics showed what true team play can do.

I still don't like Pierce and the Celtics but after Lebron's recent effort and this FA hostage sitiation I appreciate Pierce and the Celtics a lot more.

Lebron - learn what class is.

Keep the faith, I still think there is a great chance he stays in Cleveland.

Pula_86 · Post #883 » by **Pula_86** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 5:46 pm

Howard Mass wrote:Guys,

I am an Orlando Magic fan and still remember what I did the day Shaq bolted town.

At the time, it was the biggest free agent loss in sports history and unfortunately, LeBron James bolting for Miami would top Shaq leaving Orlando back in 1996.

Given how bad Cleveland sports history has been, this would be a devastating blow to the town and the Cavaliers.

Shaq continues to have a house in Orlando after he left but I hope Cleveland fans do not even look at him when he returns home for the holidays or offseason. It is a shame that the hometown guy would put a knife in the city's back like this.

If anyone needs someone to talk too, feel free to PM me and I'll get back to you. I'm offering because LeBron does announce he's leaving tonight, I'll know what you guys will be going through as I lived the nightmare myself 14 years ago.

I'm hoping for the best guys.

As a kid, Orlando was my team because I loved their jerseys. I remember how disappointed I was to see Shaq leave for L.A. Penny, Shaq, D. Scott, Nick Anderson, and Horace Grant were fun to watch.

The Cavs were always a team that I have rooted for and I will continue to. The pendulum can swing back rather quickly with some good front office moves via free agency, trades, and the draft. I am very appreciative that the Cavs have such a committed owner in Dan Gilbert. Just imagine if Gund was still the owner.

I hope that if LBJ leaves, the Cavs unload all of their bad contracts for expiring deals and young players. Hopefully, the lottery ball will bounce their way and they can put a young team together quickly (e.g. Portland, Oklahoma City) that would entice CP3 to join up with Byron Scott again. Lets build a tough, hard nosed team in the image of the great city of Cleveland.

WeAreVenom · Post #884 » by **WeAreVenom** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 5:48 pm

BrickHeads wrote:I'm really pulling for you guys tonight. We lost our franchise player yesterday (Bosh) and it was pretty awful; and he isn't even close to being as good as Lebron on one leg. We fans here in Toronto pretty much knew Bosh was gone, but it still hits a bit hard. I can't imagine how you guys would feel if King James takes off.

You guys deserve better and I hope Karma plays a part tonight.

Cheers

I know you guys are probably a little worried, but hang in there.

As an Orlando fan, I feel for you, but even if you lose Lebron, you should survive. We lost Shaq under similar situations (we had 1Finals appearance, and an ECF appearance in the 2 years he left us for the spotlight), and to a lesser extent, T-Mac. We were devastated, but we recovered.

But you seem to have a willing owner, if Bron leaves, you'll bounce back.

Post #885 » by **Double Helix** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 6:05 pm

Raptors fan here.

I just finished watching his documentary and I found myself starting to like him more and I empathized with him more than I ever had. If he leaves I will be just as pissed and heartbroken as the rest of you.

He has the opportunity to write one of the best sports stories of all time as a hero, not a villain. He has the opportunity to say no to Darth Vader and the Emperor (Wade and Bosh), be a Luke and go his own path and fulfill his destiny as the one who will bring happiness to the state of Ohio and represent the state in positive new ways.

Sometimes, when you're as important as he is... you have to make personal sacrifices for the betterment of a community and not think selfishly about taking the easy way out. If Lebron James announces he's staying in Cleveland tonight it will be one of the most uplifting off the court sports moments in the history of sports.

It may sound like a whole lot of hyperbole but this is real. This is Wayne Gretzky leaving the 5-time Stanley Cup Champion Edmonton Oilers as the greatest hockey player who ever lived and moving to Los Angeles big (I was born a hockey fan -- Don't judge!). I hope it doesn't happen.

Kingsforlife · Post #886 » by **Kingsforlife** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 6:05 pm

ya you guys will recover when that lil Progidy kid becomes old enough to be a pick at 1 and hopefully the balls are kind to you

Baseline Runner · Post #887 » by **Baseline Runner** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 6:36 pm

Interesting comparison but how similar would this be to the Wayne Gretzky free agency 20 years ago? The biggest difference is that Gretzky had already won many titles with the Oilers and he left a great team behind to go to a terrible LA Kings team.

Baseline Runner · Post #888 » by **Baseline Runner** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 6:56 pm

Chris Paul just joined Maverick Carter and Lebron's company. Could something big be brewing with Paul and the Cavs?

SobeIT · Post #889 » by **SobeIT** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 6:57 pm

Baseline Runner wrote:Chris Paul just joined Maverick Carter and Lebron's company. Could something big be brewing with Paul and the Cavs?

Paul is probably getting ready to join the Heat next year after they have won their first Championship

LeBron is just streamlining the process for Riley 8-)

bigchief3angle · Post #890 » by **bigchief3angle** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 6:59 pm

It is not similar at all, as Gretzky didn't make an @sswipe of himself in the process. Gretzky went to a bigger market, end of story. LeBron has toyed and generally pissed on everything and everyone in this process. He has absolutely no idea how much of a hit his reputation is going to take from this. Imagine going from the Chicago Bulls of the early 90's to the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons of the late 80's. With the ego LeBron has shown, I wonder how he's going to react being on the most hated team in the NBA with Miami?

SobeIT · Post #891 » by **SobeIT** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:04 pm

bigchief3angle wrote:It is not similar at all, as Gretzky didn't make an @sswipe of himself in the process. Gretzky went to a bigger market, end of story. LeBron has toyed and generally pissed on everything and everyone in this process. He has absolutely no idea how much of a hit his reputation is going to take from this. Imagine going from the Chicago Bulls of the early 90's to the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons of the late 80's. With the ego LeBron has shown, I wonder how he's going to react being on the most hated team in the NBA with Miami?

People will get over it, as long as they don't live in Ohio, NY or Chicago

Baseline Runner · Post #892 » by **Baseline Runner** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:05 pm

Gretzky leaving Edmonton to play with the LA kings would have been like Bird in his prime leaving the championship Celtics to play with the LA Clips in the eighties (both LA teams were backwater franchises and horrendous). So I don't see how Gretzky gets a pass while Lebron is some kind of monster.

Nirvana · Post #893 » by **Nirvana** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:08 pm

It's all different because LeBron promised Cleveland a championship and has yet to provide one. Leaving before he accomplishes that is a cop out and crippling to the morale of the region.

Niko23 · Post #894 » by **Niko23** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:09 pm

Baseline Runner wrote:Gretzky leaving Edmonton to play with the LA kings would have been like Bird in his prime leaving the championship Celtics to play with the LA Clips in the eighties (both LA teams were backwater franchises and horrendous). So I don't see how Gretzky gets a pass while Lebron is some kind of monster.

I understand and I am not a hockey fan but:

1) Did Wayne quit on his team?
2) Did he hold the team hostage?
3) Did he make a spectacle out of this decision?

BrickHeads · Post #895 » by **BrickHeads** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:11 pm

Gretzky was traded though. He didn't even want to leave Edmonton. It's not really the same situation regarding the players. However, from a fans perspective it's kinda the same in that both teams lost the best player in the league and were shocked about it. (assuming Lebron doesn't re-sign)

Baseline Runner · Post #896 » by **Baseline Runner** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:17 pm

Gretzky signed off on the trade. He had the power to stop it and stay in Edmonton but he agreed to go to LA. (Actually I was under the impression that Gretzky requested the trade because LA could offer him a bigger contract).

We don't know if Lebron is leaving but yeah it is pretty sick to make a spectacle out of stabbing us in the back.

prekazi · Post #897 » by **prekazi** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:18 pm

So I'm about to get banned because someone in Heat board called BIG Z LeBron's lap dog and I responded to him.

My last words

Do something noble for once LeBron and stay in your hometown!

KING JAMES1978 · Post #898 » by **KING JAMES1978** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:21 pm

It's not fair Bron....If you leave you are a person with no heart.
Just think all that people.
Miami has Wade and Bosh.Why the hell you want to go there?Your legacy is over before start if you go to Miami...

bigchief3angle · Post #899 » by **bigchief3angle** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:22 pm

SobeIT wrote:
bigchief3angle wrote:It is not similar at all, as Gretzky didn't make an @sswipe of himself in the process. Gretzky went to a bigger market, end of story. LeBron has toyed and generally pissed on everything and everyone in this process. He has absolutely no idea how much of a hit his reputation is going to take from this. Imagine going from the Chicago Bulls of the early 90's to the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons of the late 80's. With the ego LeBron has shown, I wonder how he's going to react being on the most hated team in the NBA with Miami?

People will get over it, as long as they don't live in Ohio, NY or Chicago

What about NJ or those fans of Orlando who just got the title hopes crushed? Let's not forget Toronto, or Clipper fans. Seriously people get over everything, but he just went from the #1 marketable basketball player in the world to #4. All because of bad advice.

Nirvana · Post #900 » by **Nirvana** » Thu Jul 8, 2010 7:24 pm

prekazi wrote:So I'm about to get banned because someone in Heat board called BIG Z LeBron's lap dog and I responded to him.

My last words Do something noble for once LeBron and stay in your hometown!

Hope that's not the case, but good work defending Big Z. He's the epitome of loyalty. Most mods seem to be a little on edge right now, which is understandable. I wonder how many servers are about to burst around the internet in the coming hours.