Lebron James (Los Angeles Lakers)

[OH10]

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

I was thinking the same thing. They wouldn't do it though because it would be too awesome.


If Lebron leaves, I don't think any self-respecting Cavs' fan will be able to support him. I'm sure there are plenty of people who only became fans because of Lebron (we'll call them "Lebron fans"). But Cavs' fans they are not. I've said it before, but the franchise ought to be about more than one person, and over the last 7 years, it hasn't. Lebron held the franchise hostage with his public relations policy to defer on committment. Everybody, from the owner to the GM to the coach to even some of the players were afraid to act without some kind of tacit approval from the "king." And that, more than anything IMO, kept this team from winning a title.

 

[OHSportsFan]

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

It seemed like this free agency drama crept into his head and affected his play. Like, that was all that was on his mind.

He knows he's the best, he knows he'll get what he wants, and he also has known for the longest time that Cleveland has done everything possible to suit his wants and needs. And they will continue to do that. If he doesn't appreciate that or wants something different, then it's a pretty easy decision. Leave.

If he likes the city and the team and their direction, then he'll stay. The money goes wherever he's at. Cleveland has demonstrated their ability and desire to get a championship caliber team. Dan Gilbert is one of the best owners in the league. Sure other teams may claim to do everything possible, but it's an unsure thing.

I think he stays.

 

[BigJim]

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

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.

Sums up my thoughts except I do consider myself a diehard Cavs fan. I won't hold it against Lebron one bit if he leaves (for the reasons you described above), even though most "fandom books" would probably tell me that I should hate him. I'd be pissed and disappointed, but I couldn't blame him if he truly felt it gave him a better chance at winning.

 

[osustamm]

(we'll call them "Lebron fans")

That's me!!!!

 

[jlb1705]

Rooting for LeBron on a different team would be like rooting for the Ratbirds because they used to be the Browns (for me anyway). I'm not judging anybody who doesn't agree with that, but I could never bring myself to do it. He'd be the Art Modell of basketball in my book.

 

[exhawg]

I was thinking the same thing. They wouldn't do it though because it would be too awesome.


If Lebron leaves, I don't think any self-respecting Cavs' fan will be able to support him. I'm sure there are plenty of people who only became fans because of Lebron (we'll call them "Lebron fans"). But Cavs' fans they are not. I've said it before, but the franchise ought to be about more than one person, and over the last 7 years, it hasn't. Lebron held the franchise hostage with his public relations policy to defer on committment. Everybody, from the owner to the GM to the coach to even some of the players were afraid to act without some kind of tacit approval from the "king." And that, more than anything IMO, kept this team from winning a title.

A sign and trade involves special paperwork so there is no backing out and keeping the player after they sign the deal.
If Lebron leaves I'll still only watch the Cavs games if any. He'll be dead to me.

 

[BigJim]

Rooting for LeBron on a different team would be like rooting for the Ratbirds because they used to be the Browns (for me anyway). I'm not judging anybody who doesn't agree with that, but I could never bring myself to do it. He'd be the Art Modell of basketball in my book.

Yeah, I acknowledge that I'm going against fandom 101. If it was just about any other super star instead of Lebron I'd probably agree with you. I guess I just made up my mind a long time ago that he was going to be my favorite player of all time. That he's from Ohio and has a chance to go down as one of the best basketball players of all time might have been enough for me. Throw in how he lives his life (he's a great role model, well spoken, etc.) and the fact that I personally played against him back in the day, hell yeah I'm rooting for him.

 

[billmac91]

anyone get the e-mail yet....the one about Delonte West and Gloria James, yaa, yada, yada.

Allegedly two different versions out there right now so don't believe it. But it claims LeBron found out about Delonte and his mom having a relationship before game 4 and it destroyed chemistry.

My uncle is the general contractor at the Q and has been for the last 7 years. He is good friends with a lot of guys at the Q including some of the bigger boys in the organization and knows Gilbert personally. I was just told from my brother that a very reliable source informed my uncle that Delonte has been banging Gloria James for some time now. Somehow I guess Lebron found out before game four and it has destroyed our chemistry and divided our team. This is no joke, the only player worse then Lebron has been Delonte. I am not making this up, I wish it wasn't true but it happened. Wait and see if lebron stays you will not see Delonte in a cavs uni again.

There is another version floating that reads

A large number of NBA employees received a VERY interesting email today regarding a developing LeBron James story. I figured before the ESPN assholes get wind of it, you guys should break the story. The word from David Stern's office is that Delonte West has been sleeping with LeBron's MOTHER for a couple months now, and LeBron has recently found out. For some reason Delonte is still alive, but not for long - when Cleveland fans find out that for this reason LeBron wants out of Cleveland no matter what. This could explain Delonte's decreased playing time of late, and who knows - maybe why LeBron hasn't seemed to have his head fully in the game.

Delonte is a unique guy, and a lot of people will probably buy in, but don't believe the hype.

 

[OHSportsFan]

anyone get the e-mail yet....the one about Delonte West and Gloria James, yaa, yada, yada.

Allegedly two different versions out there right now so don't believe it. But it claims LeBron found out about Delonte and his mom having a relationship before game 4 and it destroyed chemistry.

There is another version floating that reads

Delonte is a unique guy, and a lot of people will probably buy in, but don't believe the hype.

yeah...someone is probably cracking up behind their computer screen right now.

Sometimes the internet just makes things too easy.

 

[BuckeyeSoldier]

As a cincy fan I never got too involved in the NBA but in the last few years I have been a moderate cavs/lebron fan just to root for ohio's team and the best player in the world that came from there. if lebron comes back ill probably continue to do so. If he leaves, well I'm not sure what I will do. I am certain the cavs will suck and my allegiances don't feel strong enough to support them like i do my bengals and buckeyes even in bad times. The last few games left a sour enough taste in my mouth that unless something comes out to explain it I don't know if I can really root for his new team. I think this whole drama may have just ended my burgeoning NBA fandom.

 

[ghost of tibor]

When LeBust leaves, how will be greeted back in Cleveland? Cheers or an Albert-Belle type response?

 

[exhawg]

When LeBust leaves, how will be greeted back in Cleveland? Cheers or an Albert-Belle type response?

Oh wait, that's what he'll be doing to Cavs fans if he leaves. I've heard he'll be more hated than Modell.

 

[OH10]

When LeBust leaves, how will be greeted back in Cleveland? Cheers or an Albert-Belle type response?

He should probably avoid those games - which is why I don't think he will sign with the Bulls. They come to Cleveland multiple times a year.

 

[ghost of tibor]

Oh wait, that's what he'll be doing to Cavs fans if he leaves. I've heard he'll be more hated than Modell.

and what if he wins a championship?

Hate Modell all you want. He was 100% correct and did the right thing by leaving.

 

[OH10]

And just like Modell he'll win a championship.

Hate Modell all you want. He was 100% correct and did the right thing by leaving.