The LeBron Thread

[hatnlvr]

I still think that all of the rumors are just smoke screens and Lebron is probably leaning Cavs #1 and let's see what the recruitment process is like. As far as Jordan having a better perspective on LBJ's thoughts I think that is a farce. Jordan was the best player of his time and won multiple championships, he never had to play in anyone's shadow except Dr. J who willing handed the torch off to MJ when the time was right. He has never been in LBJ's position so how in the world can he have a better insight into what he is going through?

[Hiryu]

I still think that all of the rumors are just smoke screens and Lebron is probably leaning Cavs #1 and let's see what the recruitment process is like. As far as Jordan having a better perspective on LBJ's thoughts I think that is a farce. Jordan was the best player of his time and won multiple championships, he never had to play in anyone's shadow except Dr. J who willing handed the torch off to MJ when the time was right. He has never been in LBJ's position so how in the world can he have a better insight into what he is going through?

I agree that all the rumors are just that - rumors. However, regarding Jordan, in his mind, he played in everyone's shadow. Every friggin thing was a challenge or a slight to him that he wanted to obliterate. Did you ever listen to his hall of fame speech? Jeez. If another player was said to be better than him, he destroyed that guy in his own house. When he won #5, he bragged that he had one over Magic. He had GOAT on his mind from the very beginning. When you're talking about guys like MJ, Kobe, Lebron, guys on that level, they want to beat the best. Kobe DEMANDED to be traded to Chicago. Obviously that didn't happen, but he wanted it. I don't think Lebron cares either about the ~~shadowww~~

[hatnlvr]

Jordan had a great competitive streak and refused to lose but that still does not place him in the same situation as Lebron. Lebron situation is closer to C Webbs than to Jordans (talented player trying to decide if he just leave his team for greener pastures or ride it out with the team that drafted him). Jordan was trying to prove to everyone that he was better than them (Majic, Bird, Isiah, etc.) and that he could win more championships than them; and quite honestly to the end (and still to this day) he has a huge chip on his shoulder. This is not the same situation at all.

[Hiryu]

Jordan had a great competitive streak and refused to lose but that still does not place him in the same situation as Lebron. Lebron situation is closer to C Webbs than to Jordans (talented player trying to decide if he just leave his team for greener pastures or ride it out with the team that drafted him). Jordan was trying to prove to everyone that he was better than them (Majic, Bird, Isiah, etc.) and that he could win more championships than them; and quite honestly to the end (and still to this day) he has a huge chip on his shoulder. This is not the same situation at all.

Lebron is not just a talented player deciding whether or not to leave his team. He is a once in a generation type of player. After all the so called "next Jordans" we've seen the last decade or two, Lebron is actually someone who has the potential to legitimately reach Jordan status. Lebron knows this. These type of players don't care about shadows. They believe they can 1-up the previous guy - just like Jordan did, just like Kobe is trying to do, and what Lebron wants the opportunity to do. The shadow is a myth when it comes to this level of player which C Webb was not.

[K_ick_God]

so does the president. doesn't mean it's going to happen

Well, exactly. Nothing anybody speculates means it's going to happen. The point that the poster was making was that Chris Webber's opinion gives us the best glimpse of what Lebron might be thinking among all the speculators. I say Jordan has a much more credible opinion than Webber about someone who is seeking GOAT status. What does Webber know about what it takes to win a title or establish a legacy?

I don't think so. MJ is a big hater of the Knicks and a generally bad guy. You'd have to find a Bulls hater saying he thinks LeBron is heading to Bulls, or a Knick lover saying he thinks LeBron is going to Bulls. Webber has no reason to exaggerate the problems with playing in Chicago for LeBron.

[Pharmcat]

broussard was on SC, saying Cle and Chi are frontrunners

and that nets might be trying to trade contracts to get space for 2 max contracts

[K_ick_God]

broussard was on SC, saying Cle and Chi are frontrunners

and that nets might be trying to trade contracts to get space for 2 max contracts

I'm with the guy who said he hopes Broussard plays in traffic. Enough already.

[Starksfor3]

Keep yo mouth shut, Patrick.

[hatnlvr]

Jordan had a great competitive streak and refused to lose but that still does not place him in the same situation as Lebron. Lebron situation is closer to C Webbs than to Jordans (talented player trying to decide if he just leave his team for greener pastures or ride it out with the team that drafted him). Jordan was trying to prove to everyone that he was better than them (Majic, Bird, Isiah, etc.) and that he could win more championships than them; and quite honestly to the end (and still to this day) he has a huge chip on his shoulder. This is not the same situation at all.

Lebron is not just a talented player deciding whether or not to leave his team. He is a once in a generation type of player. After all the so called "next Jordans" we've seen the last decade or two, Lebron is actually someone who has the potential to legitimately reach Jordan status. Lebron knows this. These type of players don't care about shadows. They believe they can 1-up the previous guy - just like Jordan did, just like Kobe is trying to do, and what Lebron wants the opportunity to do. The shadow is a myth when it comes to this level of player which C Webb was not.

I'm not disagreeing with what you said in your post but what I clearly stated was Jordan was never in the same position as Lebron and hence cannot know or pretend to have insight on what he is thinking/feeling. C Webb (and let's get this straight now, I am not saying he is the same as Lebron talent wise but their situations and accomplishments are very similar) which would put him in a better situation to understand what may be going through his mind at this point. KG was also in a similar position as Lebron and made the wrong choice at the time to stay in Minny & he made that point clear to Lebron after the Celtics eliminated the Cavs.

[Hiryu]

so does the president. doesn't mean it's going to happen

Well, exactly. Nothing anybody speculates means it's going to happen. The point that the poster was making was that Chris Webber's opinion gives us the best glimpse of what Lebron might be thinking among all the speculators. I say Jordan has a much more credible opinion than Webber about someone who is seeking GOAT status. What does Webber know about what it takes to win a title or establish a legacy?

I don't think so. MJ is a big hater of the Knicks and a generally bad guy. You'd have to find a Bulls hater saying he thinks LeBron is heading to Bulls, or a Knick lover saying he thinks LeBron is going to Bulls. Webber has no reason to exaggerate the problems with playing in Chicago for LeBron.

MJ has no reason to favor the Bulls in this either. He's owner of another Eastern conference team. You could say he's a Knick hater (and I agree that he's generally a bad guy) but I don't believe he formed his opinion because he wanted to take a shot a the knicks.

[method]

By that criteria, how about the man himself, Michael Jordan? retired, knick hater, knows the mind of a champion. He says Lebron is headed to Chicago too. What has Webber achieved?

Jordan has said to free agents NOT to go to Chi when you guys got Ron Mercer.Now he is record as telling Bron NOT to go to NY.I think Jordan is scared Bron is going to become bigger then him if he went to NY,and I dont think he could handle another BB player that would become bigger then him.Bron would never become bigger then Jordan in Chi,dont you get thats why he is steering him there.NY is the only place Bron and his brand could become bigger then Jordan.

[Jstarks3]

Hmm..

Rondo > Douglas
Allen = Gallinari
Pierce < Lebron
Garnett > Chandler
Perkins < Bosh

Seems fairly equal to me.

[Jay10]

By that criteria, how about the man himself, Michael Jordan? retired, knick hater, knows the mind of a champion. He says Lebron is headed to Chicago too. What has Webber achieved?

Jordan has said to free agents NOT to go to Chi when you guys got Ron Mercer.Now he is record as telling Bron NOT to go to NY.I think Jordan is scared Bron is going to become bigger then him if he went to NY,and I dont think he could handle another BB player that would become bigger then him.Bron would never become bigger then Jordan in Chi,dont you get thats why he is steering him there.NY is the only place Bron and his brand could become bigger then Jordan.

Maybe that's why everyone wants him to go to chicago. they don't want him to build a legacy greater than their childhood hero (Jordan).

[K_ick_God]

I think Jordan is scared Bron is going to become bigger then him if he went to NY,and I dont think he could handle another BB player that would become bigger then him. Bron would never become bigger then Jordan in Chi,dont you get thats why he is steering him there.NY is the only place Bron and his brand could become bigger then Jordan.

I think this is exactly right. It's at least a big part of the equation and motivation of the naysayers. And it's the same motivation that is causing a lot of people -- GM's and fools like Broussard & Bill Simmons, et al. -- to try to join the Anti-LeBron-to-the-Knicks fray: In a word, it's FEAR.

Everybody is thrown off by the potential power of LBJ in NYC, for one reason or another but they all boil down to the same thing pretty much: FEAR.

[method]

Maybe that's why everyone wants him to go to chicago. they don't want him to build a legacy greater than their childhood hero (Jordan).

Yeah thats what Im thinking.Remember when the Bulls had capspce that summer for TMac,Ducan,GHill?Well Jordan made sure the Bulls wouldnt get anyone of them be telling them all sorts of things to lead them away.They ended up with Ron Mercer.Now we are supose to believe Jordan had a change of heart,why?Why do you think Jordan is steering Bron away from NY and to Chi?Well we all know how competive Jordan is to this day andJordan is still GOAT of the NBA.And if Bron went to Chi what would he have to do to be bigger then Jordan?Something thats allmost impossible to do in todays NBA.In NY all he would need to do is win 1 chip and he would be a legend and argueably bigger then Jordan.

[method]

I think this is exactly right. It's at least a big part of the equation and motivation of the naysayers. And it's the same motivation that is causing a lot of people -- GM's and fools like Broussard & Bill Simmons, et al. -- to try to join the Anti-LeBron-to-the-Knicks fray: In a word, it's FEAR.

Everybody is thrown off by the potential power of LBJ in NYC, for one reason or another but they all boil down to the same thing pretty much: FEAR.

I agree and couple of GM's went on record and said if Bron went to NY its over,The Cav anouncers said when we got the space for the 2nd max "this changes everything".We keep hearing about how important Brons brand is.Well the Chi market is cornered by Jordans brand.NY is the biggest city and basicly untapped market for his "brand".

[TDcraz5]

I completely agree with this read. You gotta understand that these writers and analysts are all trying to hit a home run when it comes to this summers FA period. In order to hit a home run they need to pick a somewhat less likely scenario for LBJ and stick to it like gorilla glue. Take Broussard for example....ESPN's NBA analysts are all basically on an even keel. If Broussard is correct and LeBron lands in Chicago then he instantly becomes one of, if not the most credible NBA analyst on television. You had to expect guys like Chris Broussard to attempt a stunt like this.....after all, this is the biggest signing/rumor period in the history of the NBA. I just hope he knows that this is a Do or Die situation for him cause he will be the laughin stock of the NBA world if he's incorrect....which he will be imo.

[KnicksScholar24]

I'm pretty sure Webber likes the Knicks. Making critcal comments about a collection of losing players doesn't means he's anti-Knicks.

[KnicksScholar24]

Hmm..

Rondo > Douglas
Allen = Gallinari
Pierce < Lebron
Garnett > Chandler
Perkins < Bosh

Seems fairly equal to me.

WTF

Also...

Rondo _ Douglas
Allen _ Chandler
Pierce _ Lebron
Garnett _ Gallinari
Perkins _ Bosh

... more likley potential starting 5.

[Hitman33]

LBJ on the Bulls can bring back a lot of "world" attention to NBA. LBJ to the Knicks....not so much.

What in the blue hell are you talking about?