Lebron James (Los Angeles Lakers)

[3074326]

If he goes anywhere other than Cleveland.. I hope it's Chicago. I don't really have a problem with them and I still want to root for Lebron.

/waits for insults

 

[osubartender23]

If he goes anywhere other than Cleveland.. I hope it's Chicago. I don't really have a problem with them and I still want to root for Lebron.

/waits for insults

See I'm the opposite of you, I dont think I will be able to root for Lebron if he goes anywhere but Cleveland. Every single move the Cleveland franchise has made over the last few years was done to try to show LBJ that they were trying to put a winner on the floor. He basically held this franchise hostage with his impending free agency for years. Cleveland would have been able to bring in many more quality free agents than they did if LBJ would have been willing to commit to the CAVS long term. He hasnt done that, and it has cost this team some players due to this. When LBJ goes he is going to leave this team where it was before: in mediocrity. Cleveland will have no superstar, they will have 1 or 2 good players but nothing that is going to be able to win a championship. They will go back to having to overpay for free agents, and you know Dan Gilbert wont be willing to spend like he has been because the value of the franchise is going to drop roughly 100 million bucks without LBJ. All in all LBJ has held this team, and this town hostage and I see no reason to wish him well if he chooses to not follow through on what he started which is win a championship in Cleveland. This of course is just my commentary but I cant root for someone who is willing to turn the back on his "town" when he can make more money coming back and committing himself long term to the team and the city he says he so dearly loves.

 

[3074326]

I think my view is that I wouldn't blame him for leaving Cleveland. The fans are miserable for a reason. And I'm not just talking about the Cavs here. If I were him, I'd go (not literally leave) for championships. I honestly think he has the best chance to win in Cleveland compared to other teams, however (Although if Chicago brings in Chris Bosh or another big-time player.. it'd be a great situation. ). So if I were in his situation I would stay. But I would understand him leaving.

I'm not a die-hard Cleveland sports fan though. Cavs and Indians are my favorite NBA and MLB teams, but I don't feel connected to them like I do the Buckeyes and Penguins.

I think Lebron is one of those players I'd root for even if he didn't play for the Cavs. Kind of like D Wade. I don't give a shit about the Heat, but I love D Wade. I root for him.

 

[localyokel]

Quote from LJ regarding his impending free agency: "I haven't really thought about it."

Really, LeBron? How'd that happen? I mean, it's been in all the papers...

 

[FrancisSoyer]

To come out and already have what seems to me to be a 'designed quote' just disgusts me.

'My team and I have a plan that we plan to execute', really? So throughout this, you've just ignored anyone outside of yourself in order to develop a "plan" for your own free agency? Congrats, too bad you're plan had nothing to do with winning since you handcuffed this organization.

I just don't get why it requires this much thought. It's your free agency. That's it. Not some elaborate war strategy. Make a [censored]ing decision.

Selfish.

[censored].

No clue what to think.

So you think it should be an easy decision? Choose to be loyal to Cleveland/Akron and stay while putting championship rings on the back burner, or go to a bigger market that will get a few superstar teammates on the court with you and win a few rings? He's going to make a lot of money either way but I think LeBron wants the rings. Personally, I think he should get out of the Cleveland atmosphere and go to a winning program.

/Cleveland fan
/not a homer

 

[billmac91]

LeBron trades one drama for another - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Intereseting article as it relates to LeBron, Calipari, and LeBron's agents. Sounds like Cal is open to all bids, but mostly Cleveland and Chicago. Sounds like Ferry would walk away before working with Calipari.

 

[jlb1705]

LeBron trades one drama for another - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Intereseting article as it relates to LeBron, Calipari, and LeBron's agents. Sounds like Cal is open to all bids, but mostly Cleveland and Chicago. Sounds like Ferry would walk away before working with Calipari.

It's disgusting because it's entirely plausible. If this is the way it ends up going down I may just wash my hands of the whole thing as a fan.

 

[billmac91]

It's disgusting because it's entirely plausible. If this is the way it ends up going down I may just wash my hands of the whole thing as a fan.

I'd stay on the train, but it'd give me a sick feeling. It'd just add to my disgust of game 5 this year. To have the future coach sitting with LeBron's entourage, while Mike Brown was coaching the team down the drain. I mean Mike Brown is terrible, but you can't do that to him, the team, or the fans...

 

[t_BuckeyeScott]

and the rumors already swirling....

LeBron to the Bulls? 3 GMs think so - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN

Sign and trade with Chicago bringing Luol Deng to Cleveland and receiving his expiring contract.

I don't believe it though. I'm not sure what protections you can get on a sign and trade, but to believe the Cavs would get LeBrons signature on a contract and then trade him away isn't a viable option to me. It's boom or bust.

If he's to be believed, Chad Ford has already had contact with 3 GM's who all think LeBron is Chicago bound with John Calipari.

Most of the last max contracts in which the player leaves the team have been via Sign and Trade. Something like 8 of 10.

Lebron will go where he wants to go. What's Cleveland gonna do? Do they say no, we won't help you get where you want? Few teams have said that to their stars.

If Chicago sign and trades for Lebron and is still able to sign somebody else. That is sick. Rose was unbelievable against Cleveland. If I'm Lebron and I haven't played with another player in the top 10 at his position Chicago is awfully enticing.

 

[exhawg]

So you think it should be an easy decision? Choose to be loyal to Cleveland/Akron and stay while putting championship rings on the back burner, or go to a bigger market that will get a few superstar teammates on the court with you and win a few rings? He's going to make a lot of money either way but I think LeBron wants the rings. Personally, I think he should get out of the Cleveland atmosphere and go to a winning program.

/Cleveland fan
/not a homer

How are you going to get a few superstar teammates?

 

[localyokel]

How are you going to get a few superstar teammates?

Cloning?

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Is a "Reverse Boozer" possible? Offer the sign-and-trade to him, sign him, but don't trade him?

 

[buckeyesin07]

I'd stay on the train, but it'd give me a sick feeling. It'd just add to my disgust of game 5 this year. To have the future coach sitting with LeBron's entourage, while Mike Brown was coaching the team down the drain. I mean Mike Brown is terrible, but you can't do that to him, the team, or the fans...

I stopped feeling sorry for Mike Brown just after Game 6 ended between the Cavs and Magic last year.

 

[jlb1705]

Most of the last max contracts in which the player leaves the team have been via Sign and Trade. Something like 8 of 10.

Lebron will go where he wants to go. What's Cleveland gonna do? Do they say no, we won't help you get where you want? Few teams have said that to their stars.

If Chicago sign and trades for Lebron and is still able to sign somebody else. That is sick. Rose was unbelievable against Cleveland. If I'm Lebron and I haven't played with another player in the top 10 at his position Chicago is awfully enticing.

Also, if I'm not mistaken since the Cavs can offer him more money per year, a sign & trade would allow him to make that higher amount with a new team. A sign and trade would allow the Cavs to get something back in return too. Short of actually re-signing him, it's the next best mutually beneficial option.

I don't know if there are any protections for sign & trades or if a team could re-neg on something like that if they were so inclined. It's bad business though, and if the players' union didn't get it undone it would at least pretty much preclude any useful free agent from ever signing with the Cavs for the duration of Gilbert's ownership.

 

[OH10]

So your point is if you are friends with a sleezeball, you are immediately just as much of a bad person as said sleezeball, and in fact, probably worse. So for example, Pryor, who has said he looks up to Vick, is a dog-fighting, animal-rights-violating asshole.

If its the business venture everybody thinks it is, then yes. You start tying all of these guys together with one common goal ($$$) and it begins to have a little stench to it - especially being associated with college basketball.

I mean, really, should John Calipari be that close with Lebron James and his agent? Without any expectation of some quid pro quo? Really?