Lebron James (Los Angeles Lakers)

[jlb1705]

Set LBJ to the side for the minute, because we're talking about who has the more attractive roster in his eyes:

- Rose is light years better than anyone besides James on the Cavs' roster. He's the PG that LeBron has always needed since he's been in Cleveland. It's no accident that there's a lot of talk that a PG like Paul could really help the Cavs' chances of landing LBJ.

- Noah > Varejao

- Deng > anyone the Cavs have at his position

As for outside shooting, I think you're putting way too much stock into a bunch of middling guards like Williams, Parker and Moon.

Deng plays the same position as LeBron. If the Bulls were to get James, Deng becomes as useless as tits on a boar hog.

Rose is better than anybody the Cavs have. Noah is slightly better than Varejao. If the game were 3 on 3 the Bulls would be cooking with gas.

You're high if you look at the rosters of Chicago & Cleveland (minus Lebron) and think Cleveland somehow has the better roster in any aspect.

I haven't watched the NBA since 98...

 

[southcampus]

 

[buckeyesin07]

Let's take both teams without Lebron

PG
Rose > Mo - Huge advantage for the Bulls since Rose would be the best player on the floor Mo would probably end up covering the SG and put Parker on Rose

Agree. Rose is in a different league than any Cavs PG.

SG
Flip Murray (insert name here) < Parker Just my opinion, but I'd rather have Parker than anyone the Bulls could throw out at SG. If Deng is the SG he would win, but Jamison would have an even bigger advantage at SF.

I disagree. I'd say this is too close to call.

SF
Deng < Jamison - Different types of players. Deng isn't much of a shooter so Jamison could play off of him and Jamison should have an advantage over the smaller player in the paint.

No way. Deng isn't a great outside shooter, but neither is Jamison. And Deng has a better mid-range jumpshot than Jamison. Not to mention the fact that Deng, unlike Jamison, can actually finish at the hoop. Jamison is way, way overrated.

PF
Gibson < JJ - Biggest advantage for the Cavs. JJ would probably be the second or 3rd option if Lebron is gone.

I agree JJ is better, but not by the margin that you indicate. He's still very raw, and, while better than Gibson, it isn't by much.

C
Bizzaro > Andy - To me this is a very small margin in favor of Bizzaro since he is a little bigger. They are pretty much the same guy.

Agree.

Bench
Cavs: Boobie, West, Moon, Powe, Williams
Bulls: Johnson, Alexander, ??? I don't know the Bulls bench
Advantage Cavs

Not a significant advantage for the Cavs IMO.

Bottom line is this for me--this Bulls team made the playoffs and played the Cavs very hard for 5 games. Take LeBron off the Cavs, and that team likely doesn't make the playoffs. Even if they did, they certainly couldn't play toe-to-toe with the #1 seed.

 

[BayBuck]

:tongue2:

 

[OHSportsFan]

So LeBron had an announcement today to announce his announcement tomorrow.



edit- here it is

James to Announce Decision Live on ESPN

Maverick Carter, CEO of LRMR Marketing, said today that LeBron James will formally announce where he will play next season and beyond on "The Decision," which will air live on Thursday, July 8, at 9 pm ET on ESPN.

Due to the unprecedented attention and interest surrounding LeBron's decision, we have decided to make this announcement on national television. By doing so we have generated funds that will be given to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. LeBron has a longstanding commitment to giving back to the community, and has worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs in cities across the country. For additional information and any other announcements concerning “The Decision,” check with www.LebronJames.com.

 

[NFBuck]

"The Decision". Jesus.

 

[OHSportsFan]

Also, "The Decision"?

Really?

It would not be wise of him to add another "The" to the Cleveland history books. Gotta stay now and make it a positive "The" or never be welcomed back.

"The Decision". Jesus.

Yeah...exactly.

 

[NFBuck]

Also, "The Decision"?

Really?

It would not be wise of him to add another "The" to the Cleveland history books. Gotta stay now and make it a positive "The" or never be welcomed back.



Yeah...exactly.

If you'll all excuse me for a few minutes, I have to go take "THE CRAP" (mine's in all caps and italics!)

 

[OHSportsFan]

If you'll all excuse me for a few minutes, I have to go take "THE CRAP" (mine's in all caps and italics!)

1) I am more confident that he'll stay in Cleveland. I see no way he announces "The Decision" on National TV and drives home the dagger to his hometown/state in an hour long special.

2) Even if he does stay, will it matter? It's still Cleveland and they still don't have a solid roster because it's taken forever for LeBron to allow the organization to move on with their next moves. Smart business moves, LeBron.

3) Kevin Durant and OKC are signing a quiet, 5-year deal. Good for them.

 

[Bucks21]

To me you can take all the information that is out there and spin it anyway you want to spin it. Chris Broussard, Brian Windhorst, etc, etc...... all of these guys are getting their info from Lebron or Lebron's inner circle. His inner circle is going put out the information they want to put out that is why WWW got cut off because he was putting out information that was either not true or that his camp did not want out. Lebron has exactly what he wants right now that is the national media by the balls.

I think he is coming back for a 2 or 3 year deal with the Cavs. They have trade pieces and still can improve the current roster a decent bit. Maybe they have something up their sleeve and can really pull something off but I doubt it right now.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Deng plays the same position as LeBron. If the Bulls were to get James, Deng becomes as useless as tits on a boar hog.

Rose is better than anybody the Cavs have. Noah is slightly better than Varejao. If the game were 3 on 3 the Bulls would be cooking with gas.

That's how obvious it is.

 

[jlb1705]

To me you can take all the information that is out there and spin it anyway you want to spin it. Chris Broussard, Brian Windhorst, etc, etc...... all of these guys are getting their info from Lebron or Lebron's inner circle. His inner circle is going put out the information they want to put out that is why WWW got cut off because he was putting out information that was either not true or that his camp did not want out. Lebron has exactly what he wants right now that is the national media by the balls.

I think he is coming back for a 2 or 3 year deal with the Cavs. They have trade pieces and still can improve the current roster a decent bit. Maybe they have something up their sleeve and can really pull something off but I doubt it right now.

Why would he sign a 2-3 year deal? Or any of the other superstars for that matter. The reason this year is such a big bonanza is that all these players negotiated originally to be set up to cash in this offseason before the next CBA takes effect. Despite the owners apparently talking out of both sides of their mouths on how much money they have to spend on player contracts, we're probably going to see tighter salaries and a tighter cap under the new bargaining agreement. LeBron potentially stands to make much, much more money in a true max deal than if it were a short contract.

 

[Bucks21]

Why would he sign a 2-3 year deal? Or any of the other superstars for that matter. The reason this year is such a big bonanza is that all these players negotiated originally to be set up to cash in this offseason before the next CBA takes effect. Despite the owners apparently talking out of both sides of their mouths on how much money they have to spend on player contracts, we're probably going to see tighter salaries and a tighter cap under the new bargaining agreement. LeBron potentially stands to make much, much more money in a true max deal than if it were a short contract.

I wasn't as thoughtful as I should have been with my original post. Lebron will probably sign a longer deal but its going to have player option so that he can get out of the contract before its up. Its all about flexibility with him. I just don't see him setting up on hour long special to rip out the heart of the whole state of Ohio. If he does that he instantly becomes a villain that will never be respected in his home state again. If his management team hasn't thought that out then they are crazy. Maybe they are ready to not be welcomed in all of their home state again but we shall see. As my last post said they are controlling most of the information that is "out there". They obviously don't want to give it away that he is staying in Cleveland if that is so the case. Nor do they want to let it out that he is favoring any location more than another. I still don't think he even knows for certain where he is going.

Another point that is being missed in this thread is Lebron wants to come back to Cleveland he just wants the team to find some more talent to give him a reason to come back.

 

[exhawg]

Why would he sign a 2-3 year deal? Or any of the other superstars for that matter. The reason this year is such a big bonanza is that all these players negotiated originally to be set up to cash in this offseason before the next CBA takes effect. Despite the owners apparently talking out of both sides of their mouths on how much money they have to spend on player contracts, we're probably going to see tighter salaries and a tighter cap under the new bargaining agreement. LeBron potentially stands to make much, much more money in a true max deal than if it were a short contract.

I agree this will be a max year deal for whichever team signs him. I just hope the Raptors don't help out the Heat with a S&T for Bosh. That might be the only way they could get all 3 on max dollars, but Lebron would only get the 5 year deal unlike the other 2. If I'm the Raptors and the Heat would give me Beasley and a first round pick for Bosh I'd probably take it rather than letting him walk for nothing.

 

[exhawg]

Another point that is being missed in this thread is Lebron wants to come back to Cleveland he just wants the team to find some more talent to give him a reason to come back.

If I were Gilbert I would have Lebron talk to Chris Paul and see if he wants to play in Cleveland. If so tell him it might take a year or two, but it will happen. If the Hornets wanted to move Paul the Cavs have the parts to get it done, but it would be up to Lebron's back channels to make that happen.