LeDecision... Who's watching?

[Vintage]

This is ridiculous, getting an hour long special to announce where you will be signing.... but whatever.

I am watching.

[Hoofbite]

This is ridiculous, getting an hour long special to announce where you will be signing.... but whatever.

I am watching.

Are they really going to take the whole damn hour?

[Romo 2 Austin]

not me because basketball is worthless.

[Vintage]

Screw it. I tried to watch it. I really did. Lasted about 10 minutes and gave up.

[casmith07]

not me because basketball is worthless.

Yeah and Miles Austin is better than Larry Fitzgerald.

[big dog cowboy]

I got the TV on but muted.

[zrinkill]

not me because basketball is worthless.

:rolleyes:

[Hoofbite]

Crazy

[casmith07]

lol @ the Knicks.

lol @ nyc and MarionBarberthe4th

[zrinkill]

Slate is ordering his Heat jersey as we speak ....

:lmao2:

[peplaw06]

Slate is ordering his Heat jersey as we speak ....

:lmao2:
:lmao:

Hey man, the Heat have always been neck and neck with the Cavs as his fave team. He's not jumping bandwagons.

[CATCH17]

Where is Heatmosphere.

[dadymat]

not me because basketball is worthless.

its not completely worthless....if you know ahead of time which team the officials will be screwing you can make alot of money

[casmith07]

:lmao:

Hey man, the Heat have always been neck and neck with the Cavs as his fave team. He's not jumping bandwagons.

And they were probably neck-and-neck with the Pistons a few years back, and the Spurs, and the Lakers, and the Bulls in the 90s... :laugh1:

[Bonecrusher#31]

I'm stuck in a hotel room, thats why I'm watching.

and I miss my NFL Network :( :banghead: :(

[Reality]

Well the one good thing out of this is that now, no matter how many championships the Heat may win, LeBron won't ever reach Jordan's level because he couldn't do it without two more stars on his team.

-Reality

[casmith07]

http://web9.twitpic.com/img/126975708-c2e773bd24f648baeedcf7f8c4b46696.4c3682a0-full.jpg

[big dog cowboy]

Mario Chalmers currently wears #6.

He just hit :jackpot:

[JPM]

Well the one good thing out of this is that now, no matter how many championships the Heat may win, LeBron won't ever reach Jordan's level because he couldn't do it without two more stars on his team.

-Reality
So true.

[kev8822]

what a coward.

Where does Slate live? Someone better call 911 and close off all bridges

[Avaj]

Someone said on Twitter: Give it up for the pimp on the year, D Wade...lol.

[Gemini Dolly]

So is Lebron going to be Jordan?, or is he Pippen?, or uhmm Steve Kerr?

[Alumni2k11]

Well the one good thing out of this is that now, no matter how many championships the Heat may win, LeBron won't ever reach Jordan's level because he couldn't do it without two more stars on his team.

-Reality

That's why I was hoping he wouldn't sign with Miami. I was actually pulling for the guy. Not anymore.

[CATCH17]

That's why I was hoping he wouldn't sign with Miami. I was actually pulling for the guy. Not anymore.

He obviously made winning, not money, his #1 priority. I gotta applaud him for that.

[Bonecrusher#31]

Poor Byron Scott....He'll be fired inside of 2 years again ......

[Alumni2k11]

He obviously made winning and not money his #1 priority. I gotta applaud him for that.

I can't argue that. I just couldn't see MJ or Kobe jumping ship for a so called power house. JMO.

[Hoofbite]

He obviously made winning, not money, his #1 priority. I gotta applaud him for that.

You say this like he won't make 100 million.

[CATCH17]

Crap. Heatmosphere is banned.

He always gets banned at the worst time.

[CATCH17]

You say this like he won't make 100 million.

It won't touch Cleveland money.

[Alumni2k11]

Heatmosphere

:laugh2:

[Reality]

That's why I was hoping he wouldn't sign with Miami. I was actually pulling for the guy. Not anymore.

Same here .. I am not a fan of any of the teams he was considering but I would have respected him more had he stayed in Cleveland or had gone to the the Knicks, Nets or Bulls. At least in those places he would have earned any championships he won.

-Reality

[CATCH17]

Same here .. I am not a fan of any of the teams he was considering but I would have respected him more had he stayed in Cleveland or had gone to the the Knicks, Nets or Bulls. At least in those places he would have earned any championships he won.

-Reality

Lebron obviously doesn't want self respect as much as he wants to be on a team that gets respect.

If he wins it all he will have done it the way he wanted to. As a team.

[Doomsday]

Who can blame the guy for going to Miami to play with his 2 friends, who just also happen to me great players as well. He is smart enough to know that Cleveland was not built to win, they just didnt get enough of a supporting cast around him.

Saying he isnt the man cause he needs other players to win it is pretty funny to me. Without Bynam, Gasol and Shaq previously Kobe would have ZERO rings. Every great team had multiple good players on them, not just one super star carrying the entire load. That is a myth.

[Vintage]

The thing that is interesting... is he pissed off a lot of fanbases.

The Knicks market now hates him, the Chicago market hates him, the LA market is about Kobe..... those are the 3 big markets in basketball.

But hey - he at least has the BIG (lol) Miami market.

Oh. And he probably cannot return to Cleveland any time soon, if at all. For safety concerns....

[Rampage]

Cleveland had 7 years to build a team around him and failed to do it. now they lost him to the Miami Yankees.

[Cythim]

If he was a competitor he would've joined the Bulls. They have the best supporting cast to allow him to be the marquee player and win championships. Why not join the Bulls?

1) He cannot handle living in Jordan's shadow
2) any failure would be on him
3) championships would have to be earned

[Chocolate Lab]

Some dumb posts in this thread. How is he not going to "earn" a championship just because he's playing with Wade and Bosh and not Rose and Noah?

[CATCH17]

If he was a competitor he would've joined the Bulls. They have the best supporting cast to allow him to be the marquee player and win championships. Why not join the Bulls?

1) He cannot handle living in Jordan's shadow
2) any failure would be on him
3) championships would have to be earned

He wanted to play with his friends.

If it was all about him he would've joined another team or stayed in Cleveland.


I too think Chicago was the best move for him financially and possibly success wise but I can't fault the guy for wanting to play with his buddies.

[CATCH17]

Some dumb posts in this thread. How is he not going to "earn" a championship just because he's playing with Wade and Bosh and not Rose and Noah?

It's freaky how much we agree on stuff.

[jimmy40]

so who's going to babysit/coach this trio?

[Cythim]

When James fails to show up in the playoffs again he will have Wade and Bosh there to hold his hand this time.

[TheCount]

so who's going to babysit/coach this trio?

You already know the answer to that question. Riley is looking for his economy size can of hair grease as we speak.


The question is this. Times running out in the 4th period, who do you give the ball to, Wade or Lebron? I'd give it to Wade any day of the week over Lebron.

I'm actually a Miami fan and was hoping Lebron would go elsewhere since I can't stand the dude and the people that swing off his nuts.

[Mavs Man]

LeBron, you are a turd. That is all.

I can understand wanting to leave Cleveland and go to greener pastures. But not like this. Akron's favorite son just became the most hated man in NE Ohio.

Okay, second most (Art Modell).

[ajk23az]

I'm looking forward to the Heat @ Cleveland games next year :)

[CATCH17]

LeBron, you are a turd. That is all.

I can understand wanting to leave Cleveland and go to greener pastures. But not like this. Akron's favorite son just became the most hated man in NE Ohio.

Okay, second most (Art Modell).

Who is Dallas going to get?

I keep hoping for CP3.

We got some great pieces to move so im just waiting for a blockbuster any day now.

[CATCH17]

I'm looking forward to the Heat @ Cleveland games next year :)

Screw that manslaughter.


Heat vs Magic.


The Magic have the complete team to take them down.

[Reality]

Some dumb posts in this thread. How is he not going to "earn" a championship just because he's playing with Wade and Bosh and not Rose and Noah?

Oh he will "earn" it .. but he'll be no better than every other average star who had other stars help him get it. All I've heard for 7+ years is how LeBron is one of the greatest players .. so far, he hasn't proven it and now he never will since any accomplishments he obtains will only be possible with help from other star players.

I say more power to him. He wants championships, he'll have a good shot to get them now. He won't have to work nearly as hard and won't get anywhere near the credit and when his playing days are done, people will consider him nothing more than a really good player rather than an all-time great, but at least he will have his championships though (or hopefully he will for his sake) :D

-Reality

[CATCH17]

Oh he will "earn" it .. but he'll be no better than every other average star who had other stars help him get it. All I've heard for 7+ years is how LeBron is one of the greatest players .. so far, he hasn't proven it and now he never will since any accomplishments he obtains will only be possible with other star players.

I say more power to him. He wants championships, he'll have a good shot to get them now. He won't have to work nearly as hard and won't get anywhere near the credit and when his playing days are done, people will consider him nothing more than a really good player rather than an all-time great. At least he will have his championships though :D

-Reality

Just about every other star has had great players with them.

You have to in the NBA.

[Jed_70]

Smart move by Lebron. He had to leave Cleveland; that team was going nowhere.


The Cleveland roster is too small and they aren't athletic enough. They weren't going anywhere this year with or without Lebron.

[ajk23az]

Screw that manslaughter.


Heat vs Magic.


The Magic have the complete team to take them down.

I don't care about the outcome, I just want to hear Cleveland's reaction to LeBron after worshiping him for 7 years.

[Jed_70]

Just about every other star has had great players with them.

You have to in the NBA.

Exactly. It's pretty much the standard in the NBA.

People don't think any less of Magic Johnson for playing with multiple Hall of Famers. Same with Larry Bird.

If Lebron were on the Lakers instead of Cleveland, he probably has a a couple of rings by now.

[Reality]

Just about every other star has had great players with them.

You have to in the NBA.

Three stars that most other NBA teams would pay max salaries to on the same team? Especially when LeBron has been hyped for years as the next coming of Jordan and gets an hour TV spot just to announce which team he will honor with his presence?

It's a sad statement when such an important and historic (/sarcasm) player has to join two other max salary-capable players just to get a championship.

It will be interesting though should the Heat fail to win a championship each year :D :D

-Reality

[Jed_70]

I don't care about the outcome, I just want to hear Cleveland's reaction to LeBron after worshiping him for 7 years.

Unfortunately that will be the next one-hour ESPN special. Lebron's return to Cleveland: The Return

I guarantee ESPN will run that story into the ground for about week leading up to that game.

They'll have a special NBA schedule release show to highlight his key dates.

[Reality]

If Lebron were on the Lakers instead of Cleveland, he probably has a a couple of rings by now.
Yeah and if the Team USA Dream Team from the last Olympics as an NBA team, they would probably win every championship too. If you put a lot of the best players on one team, you would expect them to win but it won't be because of any one player then.

If LeBron was just a yet-another-star-nba-player then it would not be a big deal but the second coming of Jordan he is not if he needs two other superstars to help him get a championship. Joining one superstar I could understand as most good teams have a really good duo of star players but to literally buy his way into an NBA championship, it simply goes to show just how average he is or at least how little he believes in himself.

-Reality

[Cythim]

Just about every other star has had great players with them.

You have to in the NBA.

Wade and Bosh are much better than Gasol/Bynum, Pippen/Rodman, Parker/Ginobili or Allen/Pierce. We aren't talking about having great players, we are talking about having multiple super stars on one team.

[Reality]

Wade and Bosh are much better than Gasol/Bynum, Pippen/Rodman, Parker/Ginobili or Allen/Pierce. We aren't talking about having great players, we are talking about having multiple super stars on one team.

Exactly! Very well said!

-Reality

[casmith07]

Bulletin Board material from the Cavaliers majority owner...classless.


Cavaliers: Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....



Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers

[Jed_70]

Yeah and if the Team USA Dream Team from the last Olympics as an NBA team, they would probably win every championship too. If you put a lot of the best players on one team, you would expect them to win but it won't be because of any one player then.

If LeBron was just a yet-another-star-nba-player then it would not be a big deal but the second coming of Jordan he is not if he needs two other superstars to help him get a championship. Joining one superstar I could understand as most good teams have a really good duo of star players but to literally buy his way into an NBA championship, it simply goes to show just how average he is or at least how little he believes in himself.

-Reality

I stopped buying into the next Jordan hype a couple of years ago. He's too passive in the clutch to be considered among the elite.

The problem is you have media outlets, mainly ESPN, hyping the hell out of him like he's the best thing since sliced bread.

I will say this in his defense, even Kobe Bryant couldn't do it by himself. The Lakers didn't return to Championship glory until they brought back the best coach of all time and started filling the roster with some actual talent, particularly down in the post.

The best wingman Lebron had to lean on was Mo Williams. To borrow a line from Spagnola....are you kidding me?

He's never had a real low post threat or another guy that can consistently create his own shot. Gimps like an over-the-hill Shaq and Zydrunas Ilguyskas (sp?) don't equal one Pau Gasol. Not to mention Odom. And Bynum was pretty good when he was actually healthy.

Bottom line, I think the GM had more to do with Cleveland's shortcomings than Lebron did. Those personnel decisions weren't smart moves.

[Jed_70]

Wade and Bosh are much better than Gasol/Bynum, Pippen/Rodman, Parker/Ginobili or Allen/Pierce. We aren't talking about having great players, we are talking about having multiple super stars on one team.

He didn't even have that in Cleveland. That's my point. He never even had a quality All-Star caliber wingman in Cleveland.

Plus I said earlier that I'd rather he went to Chicago so he could play against the Heat rather than jumping on the bandwagon trying to build some super roster.

[Reality]

Bulletin Board material from the Cavaliers majority owner...classless.

WOW! No matter what I think about LeBron's decision, that was definitely a classless letter to publish by the Cavaliers. Say what you want, but LeBron put the Cavaliers on the map for 7 years and I am sure generated all kinds of money for that organization. But this was just classless.

I have no problem with him being disappointed and even showing some sadness or irritation toward LeBron leaving, but some of the comments he made were way over the line and you can only imagine that a board ordered retraction will be sent out within a day or two.

-Reality

[casmith07]

Yeah and if the Team USA Dream Team from the last Olympics as an NBA team, they would probably win every championship too. If you put a lot of the best players on one team, you would expect them to win but it won't be because of any one player then.

If LeBron was just a yet-another-star-nba-player then it would not be a big deal but the second coming of Jordan he is not if he needs two other superstars to help him get a championship. Joining one superstar I could understand as most good teams have a really good duo of star players but to literally buy his way into an NBA championship, it simply goes to show just how average he is or at least how little he believes in himself.

-Reality

Michael needed Scottie and Phil to win. And guys like Bill Cartwright, John Paxson, Tony Kukóc, Horace Grant, Dennis Rodman, and Ron Harper sure didn't hurt either. And Steve Kerr. Can't forget "Threeve" Kerr.

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Maybe the Cavs should have spent more time on building a real roster instead of making cartoons


They were making fun of Rileys hair and he was busy sealing the deal

[casmith07]

Wade and Bosh are much better than Gasol/Bynum, Pippen/Rodman, Parker/Ginobili or Allen/Pierce. We aren't talking about having great players, we are talking about having multiple super stars on one team.

Gasol is better than Bosh at this point. He's been tested in the post-season against the toughest/most physical team in the league and he downright balled his tail off.

As for Wade and LeBron against Kobe, it's a wash. Neither of them is better than Kobe head to head, and Kobe is head and shoulders above them when it comes to the clutch and closing a game. The Lakers' bench is also very deep, and post-30 Derek Fisher is better than Mario Chalmers.

Miami needs some depth if they're going to take it far in the playoffs. They're going to need some guys to compete with Shannon Brown, Lamar Odom, Steve Blake, etc.

[casmith07]

WOW! No matter what I think about LeBron's decision, that was definitely a classless letter to publish by the Cavaliers. Say what you want, but LeBron put the Cavaliers on the map for 7 years and I am sure generated all kinds of money for that organization. But this was just classless.

I have no problem with him being disappointed and even showing some sadness or irritation toward LeBron leaving, but some of the comments he made were way over the line and you can only imagine that a board ordered retraction will be sent out within a day or two.

-Reality

To quote my younger brother: "good job, Dan Gilbert. Way to guarantee blowout losses for the Cavs against the Heat for the next 5 years."

[Reality]

Michael needed Scottie and Phil to win. And guys like Bill Cartwright, John Paxson, Tony Kukóc, Horace Grant, Dennis Rodman, and Ron Harper sure didn't hurt either. And Steve Kerr. Can't forget "Threeve" Kerr.

All championship teams usually have one superstar player or two above average star players with a support group of teammates. However, sinking so low as to need three superstars on a team (as I said, many other NBA teams would gladly pay max contracts to all three of those players) to accomplish it simply diminishes any achievements they obtain.

-Reality

[casmith07]

News in for NBA: Michael Beasley getting moved to the Timberwolves. They're crushing their depth...I hope it works for them for more than a season.

[Jed_70]

Bulletin Board material from the Cavaliers majority owner...classless.

I have to do a little research because I have a hard time believing that the owner would publish something like this.

[Romo 2 Austin]

Its funny that in basketball 1 player can make a team from terrible to good, and in football one great player can make a team from terrible to less terrible.

[Jed_70]

All championship teams usually have one superstar player or two above average star players with a support group of teammates. However, sinking so low as to need three superstars on a team (as I said, many other NBA teams would gladly pay max contracts to all three of those players) to accomplish it simply diminishes any achievements they obtain.

-Reality

Maybe it's just me, but I don't consider Chris Bosh a superstar. He's an All-Star in the Pau Gasol mold, IMO.

He's a good complimentary player but can never be your #1 go to guy if you're serious about winning.

[casmith07]

I have to do a little research because I have a hard time believing that the owner would publish something like this.

ESPN called the Cavaliers to confirm before reporting it on SportsCenter. The Cavs link to it on their home page too, it's not just a page hack.

[Jed_70]

Also Reality, in the NBA you can't just use the max contracts and salaries of NBA players to determine their actual talent level.

You keep mentioning that all three could easily get max contracts, and this is true. However, take a look at the top paid players in the NBA and tell me if those guys are worth it.

You have guys like Rashard Lewis pulling in close to $20 million per year off a max contract. He's no all-star.

Eddy Curry can't even get off the bench and he's making about $18 million.

Joe Johnson, who is a nice player but certainly not among the league's elite, just raked in a max deal for about $120 million.

In the NBA teams just throw around money like it's monopoly money. Even the marginal players are paid like they're All Stars.

[casmith07]

Its funny that in basketball 1 player can make a team from terrible to good, and in football one great player can make a team from terrible to less terrible.

:rolleyes:

[casmith07]

Also Reality, in the NBA you can't just use the max contracts and salaries of NBA players to determine their actual talent level.

You keep mentioning that all three could easily get max contracts, and this is true. However, take a look at the top paid players in the NBA and tell me if those guys are worth it.

You have guys like Rashard Lewis pulling in close to $20 million per year off a max contract. He's no all-star.

Eddy Curry can't even get off the bench and he's making about $18 million.

Joe Johnson, who is a nice player but certainly not among the league's elite, just raked in a max deal for about $120 million.

In the NBA teams just throw around money like it's monopoly money. Even the marginal players are paid like they're All Stars.

Yup. Darko Milicic is going to make $20M over 4 years. Drew Gooden signed some hideous contract worth like $36-$42M too.

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Also Reality, in the NBA you can't just use the max contracts and salaries of NBA players to determine their actual talent level.

You keep mentioning that all three could easily get max contracts, and this is true. However, take a look at the top paid players in the NBA and tell me if those guys are worth it.

You have guys like Rashard Lewis pulling in close to $20 million per year off a max contract. He's no all-star.

Eddy Curry can't even get off the bench and he's making about $18 million.

Joe Johnson, who is a nice player but certainly not among the league's elite, just raked in a max deal for about $120 million.

In the NBA teams just throw around money like it's monopoly money. Even the marginal players are paid like they're All Stars.


Curry is making $11M but I agree.

David Lee is getting near max from GS and he doesnt play any defense.


Even though its their fault for making these deals they need some sort of out in the these contracts at some point

[casmith07]

I don't care about the outcome, I just want to hear Cleveland's reaction to LeBron after worshiping him for 7 years.

As if they didn't see this coming.

And then Dan Gilbert's letter...he can point the finger only at himself for failing to put a product on the court around LeBron.

[casmith07]

Curry is making $11M but I agree.

David Lee is getting near max from GS and he doesnt play any defense.


Even though its their fault for making these deals they need some sort of out in the these contracts at some point

Of course David Lee doesn't play defense it's Mike D'Antoni. DREAM situation for Amare Stoudemire since he's allergic to defense too.

[Mavs Man]

Who is Dallas going to get?

I keep hoping for CP3.

We got some great pieces to move so im just waiting for a blockbuster any day now.

I've heard that Chris Paul might go to the Heat in a few years once his contract is up. I really do not see the Hornets trading the face of their franchise to a division rival, especially now that they have a new, non-cheapskate owner.

I think the Mavs could make a run at a trade for Al Jefferson in Minnesota. He is an injury risk but played in 76 games last year, would instantly improve their low post game, the T-wolves have WAY too many PF/C and prefer Love over Jefferson, AND his value is probably at its lowest point right now. He has a ton of money left on his contract, so there is a chance Minnesota would take Damp's instant savings contract and our few young guys (DoJo, maybe Barea, definitely NOT Roddy) to unload it.

Another team that might want to get out of bad contracts is Philly with Elton Brand and Andre Iguodola. Brand's contract is a turd sandwich, but Iggy would definitely be the best SG we have had in a while. But that is a ton of money to take on ($100 Million plus, and double it because of the luxury tax).

After that, as far as realistic upgrades go... I'm drawing a blank. I don't know if Monta Ellis would work beside Kidd (and isn't Roddy what we are hoping he will be, only cheaper?). Chris Kaman would be awesome to have, but I have no reason to think the Clippers want to get rid of him.

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Of course David Lee doesn't play defense it's Mike D'Antoni. DREAM situation for Amare Stoudemire since he's allergic to defense too.


Well he played D under Gentry but he will go right back to not playing D in NY

Not many players play D for losing teams when no one else will.





I dont think the Heat will win it this year but having the MLE next year and so and and they will start to add the role players they need

[kmp77]

Did Slate shoot himself?

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I've heard that Chris Paul might go to the Heat in a few years once his contract is up. I really do not see the Hornets trading the face of their franchise to a division rival, especially now that they have a new, non-cheapskate owner.

I think the Mavs could make a run at a trade for Al Jefferson in Minnesota. He is an injury risk but played in 76 games last year, would instantly improve their low post game, the T-wolves have WAY too many PF/C and prefer Love over Jefferson, AND his value is probably at its lowest point right now. He has a ton of money left on his contract, so there is a chance Minnesota would take Damp's instant savings contract and our few young guys (DoJo, maybe Barea, definitely NOT Roddy) to unload it.

Another team that might want to get out of bad contracts is Philly with Elton Brand and Andre Iguodola. Brand's contract is a turd sandwich, but Iggy would definitely be the best SG we have had in a while. But that is a ton of money to take on ($100 Million plus, and double it because of the luxury tax).

After that, as far as realistic upgrades go... I'm drawing a blank. I don't know if Monta Ellis would work beside Kidd (and isn't Roddy what we are hoping he will be, only cheaper?). Chris Kaman would be awesome to have, but I have no reason to think the Clippers want to get rid of him.


Why would you want Al Jefferson? You got your front court


I dont think the Mavs can do anything to win a title to be honest. They will have to rebuild in 3 years

[casmith07]

Why would you want Al Jefferson? You got your front court


I dont think the Mavs can do anything to win a title to be honest. They will have to rebuild in 3 years

Please tell me you're not considering Dirk Nowitzki having a front court.

[CATCH17]

Where are we going to put Al Jefferson?


Dallas needs Chris Paul or some other Superstar to get us to the next level.

We have GOT to find someone who can score high percentage shots in the playoffs because Jet gets cold, Kidd can't hit squat, and everyone besides Dirk can't hit a bucket.

Roddy gives me hope but is just still too young.



I'd like to see us pick up Brad Miller, Do the IGGy thing somehow, and land Mike Miller or JJ Reddick as well.

[Joe Realist]

LeGone has every right to choose where he wants to play as FA, but his endless self promotion is sickening. It would have taken a big man to stay in Cleveland, eventually he would have gotten a title. I hope the Heat lose as much as possible.

[jimmy40]

All championship teams usually have one superstar player or two above average star players with a support group of teammates. However, sinking so low as to need three superstars on a team (as I said, many other NBA teams would gladly pay max contracts to all three of those players) to accomplish it simply diminishes any achievements they obtain.

-Reality

Magic,Kareem,Worthy that's three max contracts and I've never heard anyone diminish their championships. Hell, in today's NBA Byron Scott would probably be a 4th max contract.

[juck]

Why would you want Al Jefferson? You got your front court


I dont think the Mavs can do anything to win a title to be honest. They will have to rebuild in 3 years
Big Al is an instant 20-10 guy every night. He is the best low post player in the NBA. We need that.

[juck]

Please tell me you're not considering Dirk Nowitzki having a front court.
Well he is the best PF in the game. Haywood is a pretty good center. We need one more big that can score to back them up and that man is Big AL.

[TheCount]

Well he is the best PF in the game. Haywood is a pretty good center. We need one more big that can score to back them up and that man is Big AL.

Dirk is the best PF in the game?

http://members.arstechnica.com/x/dramatic_reverb/family-guy-i-disagree-1.jpg

[dargonking999]

Dirk is the best PF in the game?

http://members.arstechnica.com/x/dramatic_reverb/family-guy-i-disagree-1.jpg

If you count Timmy, Gasol, Garnet as Centers Maybe

[casmith07]

Big Al is an instant 20-10 guy every night. He is the best low post player in the NBA. We need that.

Well he is the best PF in the game. Haywood is a pretty good center. We need one more big that can score to back them up and that man is Big AL.

Which is it?

Is Al Jefferson the best low post player, or is Dirk?

[Chocolate Lab]

Which is it?

Is Al Jefferson the best low post player, or is Dirk?

Where is the contradiction? Dirk is the best PF, but he's not a low-post player.

[Bob Sacamano]

lol at those castigating Lebron for wanting to further his chances to earn a ring.

It's possible that he'll be sacrificing his stats by this move, which everyone here would applaud if he joined the Cowboys.

[BanditHiro]

lol at those castigating Lebron for wanting to further his chances to earn a ring.

It's possible that he'll be sacrificing his stats by this move, which everyone here would applaud if he joined the Cowboys.

exactly he is basically sacrificing his chance at GOAT with this move.

[Gemini Dolly]

Lebron wants a ring. He knows he cant do it by himself. Im paraphrasing what he said but it was something along the likes of you become a great player on your own, but a champion as a team.

I understand his move, he is getting those rings- but wont be regarded as GOAT. Ultimately, he felt a ring is more important. I cant fault him for that.

[Vintage]

And HOFer Calvin Murphy confirms today that Delonte West was banging LeBron's mommy....

LOL.

This keeps getting better.

[jackrussell]

We are all qwitnesses.

[Vintage]

Its not so much that the SuperFriends team happened.... its how it happened.

For example, if Cleveland had the cap space..... had they signed Wade and Bosh and gone on to win rings.... I don't think anyone would hold that against LeBron. Why? Because it was LeBron's team and those pieces were ADDED TO him.

The problem (besides the whole FA facade, the interviews, the documentary, the tweets, etc) was that LeBron left to join someone else's team.

It was basically an admission on his part that he doesn't think he can be the guy.

Kobe would have never left the Lakers to form a superteam. He did, however, get a damn good team surrounding him in LA.

MJ never left/never would have left the Bulls.

Bird the Celtics.

Etc.

Had James even left to go to NY, or go to Chicago, or NJ... there'd have been less "harm" done to him in doing so - because on any of those teams, he's the guy.

[casmith07]

We are all qwitnesses.

lulz

http://cdn.faniq.com/images/blog/medium/510fb3b714844007aa7674ba71191370.jpg

[casmith07]

Its not so much that the SuperFriends team happened.... its how it happened.

For example, if Cleveland had the cap space..... had they signed Wade and Bosh and gone on to win rings.... I don't think anyone would hold that against LeBron. Why? Because it was LeBron's team and those pieces were ADDED TO him.

The problem (besides the whole FA facade, the interviews, the documentary, the tweets, etc) was that LeBron left to join someone else's team.

It was basically an admission on his part that he doesn't think he can be the guy.

Kobe would have never left the Lakers to form a superteam. He did, however, get a damn good team surrounding him in LA.

MJ never left/never would have left the Bulls.

Bird the Celtics.

Etc.

Had James even left to go to NY, or go to Chicago, or NJ... there'd have been less "harm" done to him in doing so - because on any of those teams, he's the guy.

I don't think it matters. Ultimately if he left it's him leaving regardless, like your point about Kobe Bryant, MJ, Bird, etc.

Fact of the matter is LeBron should have left 3 or 4 years ago when his rookie contract expired and he gave that franchise 7 years. In 7 years the best they were able to do was Mo Williams, Delonte West, and Anderson Varejao? And sign a 36 year old Shaq and trade for Antawn Jamison? :rolleyes:

LeBron doesn't owe anyone anything. This is just as much an admission by Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh that they can't do it alone, WHICH IS FINE BECAUSE ITS A TEAM SPORT!

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I just hate that the ****tiest fans in the world get a superteam.

When they start using the MLE year after year they will get nasty

[CowboyFan74]

Cleveland had 7 years to build a team around him and failed to do it. now they lost him to the Miami Yankees.

LOL!! Not that I care one way or the other but if I had a choice to either live in Cleveland or Miami I'd go where the women wear bikinis 24/7...:catty:

[Vintage]

I don't think it matters. Ultimately if he left it's him leaving regardless, like your point about Kobe Bryant, MJ, Bird, etc.

Fact of the matter is LeBron should have left 3 or 4 years ago when his rookie contract expired and he gave that franchise 7 years. In 7 years the best they were able to do was Mo Williams, Delonte West, and Anderson Varejao? And sign a 36 year old Shaq and trade for Antawn Jamison? :rolleyes:

LeBron doesn't owe anyone anything. This is just as much an admission by Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh that they can't do it alone, WHICH IS FINE BECAUSE ITS A TEAM SPORT!

Wade has proven he can win as the main guy, that's the point.

2006 Miami Heat.

He had 17/7 Shaq as his "help", plus a lot of hot garbage: end of the road Payton, end of the road Walker, Mr. Mediocre Haslem, White Chocolate Chunks, and decrepit Zo.

And still somehow won it all.

[rkstevens]

Lebron wants a ring. He knows he cant do it by himself. Im paraphrasing what he said but it was something along the likes of you become a great player on your own, but a champion as a team.

I understand his move, he is getting those rings- but wont be regarded as GOAT. Ultimately, he felt a ring is more important. I cant fault him for that.

I understand the move too but I can see where people feel he's taking the easy way out joining up with two top players and Olympians instead of being the top player on a team. I don't think he could have won a title in Cleveland, but he could have made Chicago the top team in the East for a long time with the young roster they have. You could argue that the team the Bulls have now is better than the Lakers minus Kobe. He could have teamed up with Amare in New York and made them a very good team. People may scoff at the idea but in 2009 when the Lakers won, who did they have besides Kobe and Gasol? They had some quality vets like Fisher, but no other all stars. The Knicks may have been able to make some moves to try to get some players of the caliber of Odom, Fisher or Ariza. And Lebron would still be the top dog on either team. It doesn't surprise me, though... Lebron never appeared to me as someone who wanted to take challenges head on like MJ or Kobe.

[Vintage]

This **** keeps getting better and better.


http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/father-beasley-traded-for-looking-like-delonte-28665

http://simg.sportsbybrooks.com/4/d/4da03f8eea794d62b2c6b3cdfc461958_michaelbeasleysda dtweetsondelonte.jpg

[Joe Realist]

This **** keeps getting better and better.


http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/father-beasley-traded-for-looking-like-delonte-28665

http://simg.sportsbybrooks.com/4/d/4da03f8eea794d62b2c6b3cdfc461958_michaelbeasleysda dtweetsondelonte.jpg (http://simg.sportsbybrooks.com/4/d/4da03f8eea794d62b2c6b3cdfc461958_michaelbeasleysda dtweetsondelonte.jpg)

ah Good old Delonte West. I wonder if he will still see LeBron's mom.

[casmith07]

Wade has proven he can win as the main guy, that's the point.

2006 Miami Heat.

He had 17/7 Shaq as his "help", plus a lot of hot garbage: end of the road Payton, end of the road Walker, Mr. Mediocre Haslem, White Chocolate Chunks, and decrepit Zo.

And still somehow won it all.

LoL...that being said, it was the Dallas Mavericks. The softest 7-footer in the game plus hot garbage.

Those were dark times in the NBA. Lots of garbage on all the rosters across the league.

[casmith07]

I understand the move too but I can see where people feel he's taking the easy way out joining up with two top players and Olympians instead of being the top player on a team.

Why wouldn't you put yourself in the best position to win? When taking a job, would you want to start at the bottom and work your way up, or walk into the job paying six figures to start?

I don't think he could have won a title in Cleveland, but he could have made Chicago the top team in the East for a long time with the young roster they have. You could argue that the team the Bulls have now is better than the Lakers minus Kobe.

No. You can't. The Lakers are deeper and have better players at every position starting except PG.

He could have teamed up with Amare in New York and made them a very good team.

Please. The Knicks have a horrendous roster outside of Amare now, and their coach is a proven loser when it counts most and doesn't coach defense at all, which is a big part of LeBron's continued attempts to improve his game. The Knicks would've still struggled to beat the Heat or the Celtics or even the Magic. Don't forget Dwight Howard is still in the Eastern Conference.

People may scoff at the idea but in 2009 when the Lakers won, who did they have besides Kobe and Gasol?

Lamar Odom was very instrumental in the win. Trevor Ariza also played a good part. But you're kind of contradicting yourself by claiming that they had only two stars. The Knicks would only have two if they had got LeBron, and neither LeBron nor Amare is on the same plane as Kobe or Gasol.

They had some quality vets like Fisher, but no other all stars. The Knicks may have been able to make some moves to try to get some players of the caliber of Odom, Fisher or Ariza.

What players? And what do you give up to get them? Danilo Galinari? Nobody wants that stiff.

And Lebron would still be the top dog on either team. It doesn't surprise me, though... Lebron never appeared to me as someone who wanted to take challenges head on like MJ or Kobe.

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant both benefitted from being on teams that have ownership and front office personnel that value winning and are able to do what it takes to get the pieces necessary to compete. Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers went out and signed a 36-year-old completely done Shaquille O'Neal, traded for an aging Antawn Jamison, and signed bums like Delonte West and Anderson Varejao. The only person that can blame the Cavaliers for this is themselves.

[tecolote]

I don't have a problem with him going to the heat (I hate team nicknames that don't end with an "s"), but I do have a problem with the way he did it, he basically dumped his longtime girlfriend on national television.

That was pretty classless and he will deserve every boo coming to him for the rest of his career.

[casmith07]

I don't have a problem with him going to the heat (I hate team nicknames that don't end with an "s"), but I do have a problem with the way he did it, he basically dumped his longtime girlfriend on national television.

That was pretty classless and he will deserve every boo coming to him for the rest of his career.

If you think that's classless (he handled himself very professionally) you should read Dan Gilbert's "open letter."

[tecolote]

If you think that's classless (he handled himself very professionally) you should read Dan Gilbert's "open letter."

It's not how he handled himself, but why do it like a reality show, just imagine if Tony did that and announced he was going to another team, how would you feel?

I have always been a Lebron fan, but yesterday was not his finest hour.

And I agree about the letter.

[casmith07]

It's not how he handled himself, but why do it like a reality show, just imagine if Tony did that and announced he was going to another team, how would you feel?

I have always been a Lebron fan, but yesterday was not his finest hour.

And I agree about the letter.

It was ESPN's idea - they approached his manager Maverick Carter about the idea. LeBron ran with it and donated the revenue to charity...it would've been more humble to just make an announcement, especially since he has yet to even come close to winning a single game in the Finals, but it wasn't as bad as people are making it out to be.

The very media that's created "King James" is now tearing him down because they expected their monster to lift his pinky while drinking tea...it's ridiculous. I blame ESPN and the sports media 100%.

[Reality]

It was ESPN's idea - they approached his manager Maverick Carter about the idea.
That's weird .. the sports guys on ESPN Radio were saying it was LeBron who contacted ESPN to set it up in the days leading up to it.

-Reality

[casmith07]

That's weird .. the sports guys on ESPN Radio were saying it was LeBron who contacted ESPN to set it up in the days leading up to it.

-Reality

Of course they would, it's ESPN! Can't harm the coverage agenda!

[tecolote]

It was ESPN's idea - they approached his manager Maverick Carter about the idea. LeBron ran with it and donated the revenue to charity...it would've been more humble to just make an announcement, especially since he has yet to even come close to winning a single game in the Finals, but it wasn't as bad as people are making it out to be.

The very media that's created "King James" is now tearing him down because they expected their monster to lift his pinky while drinking tea...it's ridiculous. I blame ESPN and the sports media 100%.

And when he wins his first title, which he will, they will be on his jock again.

Look, LeBron is a very smart man, he just needs better advisors, I can't believe no one in his posse went "YOU'RE GOING TO DO WHAT?" when they heard about "The Decision".

I'm sure he regrets doing that now.

[casmith07]

And when he wins his first title, which he will, they will be on his jock again.

Look, LeBron is a very smart man, he just needs better advisors, I can't believe no one in his posse went "YOU'RE GOING TO DO WHAT?" when they heard about "The Decision".

I'm sure he regrets doing that now.

The first time the Heat tip off this season, all will be forgotten.

Edit: the first NFL training camp that opens, all will be forgotten :laugh1:

[tecolote]

The first time the Heat tip off this season, all will be forgotten.

Edit: the first NFL training camp that opens, all will be forgotten :laugh1:

Training Camp starts in: 13 days 18 hours 22 minutes 56 seconds

It can't get here fast enough.

[BraveHeartFan]

He obviously made winning, not money, his #1 priority. I gotta applaud him for that.

Exactly.

I'm sure he could care less what a few butt hurt fans and haters think about the decision.


I can't argue that. I just couldn't see MJ or Kobe jumping ship for a so called power house. JMO.

MJ didn't have to. They brought the high quality pieces to him by coming up with players like Pippen, Grant, Kerr, Paxon. Then going out and getting a Rodman when he was available.

To this point the best Cleveland did to help him was to get him an end of the line Shaq.


You say this like he won't make 100 million.

He probably still will but I heard yesterday that he left 30 million on the table by not taking Clevelands offer. That's a lot of money, if its true of course.


It won't touch Cleveland money.

That's exactly what I heard.


Same here .. I am not a fan of any of the teams he was considering but I would have respected him more had he stayed in Cleveland or had gone to the the Knicks, Nets or Bulls. At least in those places he would have earned any championships he won.

-Reality

How will he still not have earned it? Are they just going to give the championship away to them now?

Bottom line no matter where he went, if they win, they earned it.


Some dumb posts in this thread. How is he not going to "earn" a championship just because he's playing with Wade and Bosh and not Rose and Noah?

Exactly. He'll have earned it regardless and I'm sure he wont lose any sleep any way on what some fans think about rather he earned his ring or not.


lol at those castigating Lebron for wanting to further his chances to earn a ring.

It's possible that he'll be sacrificing his stats by this move, which everyone here would applaud if he joined the Cowboys.

Excellent post Bob. I agree completely.


exactly he is basically sacrificing his chance at GOAT with this move.

Championships > GOAT tag

I don't blame Lebron at all.

[CATCH17]

Wade has proven he can win as the main guy, that's the point.

2006 Miami Heat.

He had 17/7 Shaq as his "help", plus a lot of hot garbage: end of the road Payton, end of the road Walker, Mr. Mediocre Haslem, White Chocolate Chunks, and decrepit Zo.

And still somehow won it all.

Refs.

[SkinsandTerps]

That's weird .. the sports guys on ESPN Radio were saying it was LeBron who contacted ESPN to set it up in the days leading up to it.

-Reality

It was. You are right.

Of course they would, it's ESPN! Can't harm the coverage agenda!

So they just flat out lie about the meeting/conversations when there are several "witnesses" ?

It was the other way around.
ESPN may have suggested the sponsorship, and then LeBron's camp wanted to donate to the kids which is reasonable. The whole hour part had to have been ESPN. But the show was Team LeBron.

[rkstevens]

That's weird .. the sports guys on ESPN Radio were saying it was LeBron who contacted ESPN to set it up in the days leading up to it.

-Reality

It was reported that Jim Gray of all people was the one who came up with the idea for the special and contacted Lebron's people. They selected ESPN to air it and ESPN agreed to allow Gray (who does not work for ESPN) to be the interviewer with the understanding that the ESPN crew would have plenty of time during the broadcast to interview Lebron themselves. Not only was the money from the advertising donated to the Boys and Girls Club, but ESPN paid for the travel and production costs. They basically footed the expenses to be able to air the decision.

[big dog cowboy]

It was reported that Jim Gray of all people was the one who came up with the idea for the special and contacted Lebron's people.
I heard Gray tell the story on the radio a couple of days ago on Dan Patrick's radio show on Fox Sports. It was his idea and it was a very interesting story.

[rkstevens]

Why wouldn't you put yourself in the best position to win? When taking a job, would you want to start at the bottom and work your way up, or walk into the job paying six figures to start?

That's not really a correct analogy. Anywhere Lebron chose to go, he'd be the starter, not a bench player who'd have to work his way up. The money doesn't really apply either since he's making less than he could. A better analogy would be if you'd choose to join a top corporation like Microsoft or bank like Goldman Sachs knowing you'd be working for one of the best companies in the US but possibly getting lost in the shuffle and doing a low-end job. Or would you rather join a unknown start up in Silicon Valley where you'd have a chance to do something big and maybe end up as a V.P. or partner. Plenty choose to take on the bigger challenge for the chance at a bigger reward just as many choose to work for a top company.

No. You can't. The Lakers are deeper and have better players at every position starting except PG.

I'll just agree to disagree here. I think a lineup of Rose, Boozer, Noah, Deng and Gibson would be competitive with Fisher, Gasol, Bynum, Artest and Odom. The biggest difference would be that Kobe is better than anyone else you could add to Chicago's roster.

Please. The Knicks have a horrendous roster outside of Amare now, and their coach is a proven loser when it counts most and doesn't coach defense at all, which is a big part of LeBron's continued attempts to improve his game. The Knicks would've still struggled to beat the Heat or the Celtics or even the Magic. Don't forget Dwight Howard is still in the Eastern Conference.

I won't disagree about D'Antoni, but I think had the Knicks kept Lee and added Stoudemire and James the would have had a good team. Even after trading Lee, they picked up some nice young players in Randolph and Azubuike and I don't think Gallinari is horrible. I never said they would win the East as I still think the Magic and Celtics are the teams to beat, but they wouldn't have been horrible. They would have to add players the same way Miami will have to -- find guys who will take the vet minimum and start using the MLE next season. Just as in Miami, you'd have to bank on James and Stoudemire drawing in players who'll take less than they could elsewhere. D'Antoni might also be a draw for low-level players as his system would let them pump up their numbers for the next time they hit free agency.

Lamar Odom was very instrumental in the win. Trevor Ariza also played a good part. But you're kind of contradicting yourself by claiming that they had only two stars. The Knicks would only have two if they had got LeBron, and neither LeBron nor Amare is on the same plane as Kobe or Gasol.

Odom had a very good playoffs in 2009, but Ariza didn't really show up until halfway through the Western Conference Finals and then ended up playing big on both ends in the Finals. Fisher made his customary big shots, but the Lakers won in 2009 on the backs of Kobe and Gasol with some big contributions from the other guys (mostly Odom).

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant both benefitted from being on teams that have ownership and front office personnel that value winning and are able to do what it takes to get the pieces necessary to compete. Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers went out and signed a 36-year-old completely done Shaquille O'Neal, traded for an aging Antawn Jamison, and signed bums like Delonte West and Anderson Varejao. The only person that can blame the Cavaliers for this is themselves.

That's your opinion, but the last two years, all I heard was how the Cavs had the best record and were the best team in the NBA. It's funny how opinions change when they lose in the playoffs. O'Neal was done but it's not like they gave up anything for him and in a league where centers don't grow on trees, he was serviceable. I remember that Varejao had one of the top +/- in the league. Jamison was a former All-Star averaging 20/9 and it's not like they gave up anything for him since they got Ilgauskas back. Their biggest mistake may have been not trading for Stoudemire instead of Jamison, but everyone said they needed a stretch-4 to beat the Magic... they just didn't account for the Celtics playing their best ball of the season in the playoffs.