tOfficial "2014 LeBron James" Superthread

[Pariah]

Lebron can go to any team in the East and make the finals.

Not so in the West.

He will hide in Candyland.

 

[trojanfan12]

When Riley had his press conference and basically called Lebron out. He put the ball in Lebron's court and placed pressure on him to return to the Heat. He even used one of the things that Lebron is most often criticized for (leaving/quitting when things get tough). However, he also said that he and Arison will do "whatever it takes" to return the Heat to winning titles.


This is Lebron putting the ball back in Riley's court and saying "Let's see what 'whatever it takes' really means". By opting out, he puts the pressure back on the Heat's FO. Smart move by Lebron, imo.


I think he stays in Miami and they re-tool the roster. However, Jerry West had an interesting take on Lebron potentially leaving. He pointed out that Lebron is thinking beyond his playing career and wants to have Michael Jordan/Magic Johnson level success after he retires. He said that perhaps Lebron looks at building his legacy/brand in a different way. He may look to collect rings without really worrying too much about how many different teams he collects them with.


Makes a certain amount of sense. Every team that he plays for means more jersey sales and more merchandise sales which means more money/bigger brand for Lebron.


Still think he stays in Miami though.

 

[Kold]

If I were Lebron, that gilbert letter would be too much for me. If he did go there, it'd be a while before they'd have a realistic shot at winning the whole thing. Kyrie doesn't have playoff experience, Wiggins is gonna be good but he's just a rookie. I'd give them 3 years(2 if I'm being generous), before they could win a title....and also, you know if they don't get it done, Lebron is opting out again. Also, the Bulls are a sleeping giant depending on the moves they make

 

[Shanemansj13]

When Riley had his press conference and basically called Lebron out. He put the ball in Lebron's court and placed pressure on him to return to the Heat. He even used one of the things that Lebron is most often criticized for (leaving/quitting when things get tough). However, he also said that he and Arison will do "whatever it takes" to return the Heat to winning titles.


This is Lebron putting the ball back in Riley's court and saying "Let's see what 'whatever it takes' really means". By opting out, he puts the pressure back on the Heat's FO. Smart move by Lebron, imo.


I think he stays in Miami and they re-tool the roster. However, Jerry West had an interesting take on Lebron potentially leaving. He pointed out that Lebron is thinking beyond his playing career and wants to have Michael Jordan/Magic Johnson level success after he retires. He said that perhaps Lebron looks at building his legacy/brand in a different way. He may look to collect rings without really worrying too much about how many different teams he collects them with.


Makes a certain amount of sense. Every team that he plays for means more jersey sales and more merchandise sales which means more money/bigger brand for Lebron.


Still think he stays in Miami though.

That is something Lebron won't do, back down from anyone. Riley made a move and Lebron said, "What you got, Pat. I wanna see what changes are made before I come back."

 

[Shanemansj13]

If I were Lebron, that gilbert letter would be too much for me. If he did go there, it'd be a while before they'd have a realistic shot at winning the whole thing. Kyrie doesn't have playoff experience, Wiggins is gonna be good but he's just a rookie. I'd give them 3 years(2 if I'm being generous), before they could win a title....and also, you know if they don't get it done, Lebron is opting out again. Also, the Bulls are a sleeping giant depending on the moves they make

I have no doubt Bron and Melo could play together, but is that possible for one contending team to do?

 

[gordontrue]

It comes down to Wade and Bosh.

If they chose to opt in (Would be very hard not to)... the Heat will struggle mightily to retool. That puts LeBron in a position where he has to be the only one to give up money for some teammates... and even then there's only so much savings they can get from just 1 of the big 3.

If they both opt out (I would be shocked)... suddenly the Heat have more cap space than any team in the whole league... they have a blank slate to go do whatever they want. That would be best case for Riley.

 

[gordontrue]

If I were Lebron, that gilbert letter would be too much for me. If he did go there, it'd be a while before they'd have a realistic shot at winning the whole thing. Kyrie doesn't have playoff experience, Wiggins is gonna be good but he's just a rookie. I'd give them 3 years(2 if I'm being generous), before they could win a title....and also, you know if they don't get it done, Lebron is opting out again. Also, the Bulls are a sleeping giant depending on the moves they make

It only has a chance if Love and/or Melo are in the equation.

 

[HizzleRocker]

Not sure what the deal is

She posted a picture of AKRON

AKRON IS NOT CLEVELAND

The 2 are exactly 34 miles away. Not that big a difference.

 

[Kold]

I have no doubt Bron and Melo could play together, but is that possible for one contending team to do?

Well, the Lakers are gonna put themselves in position to do so if/when the get rid of Nash's contract. I know other teams are gonna do everything possible. I dont know the cavs cap situation, but if they do have the space as well, and if melo just says that he wants to go to Cleveland, then its an option I suppose. I think he stays in Miami however

 

[HizzleRocker]

So one day Savannah posts a tweet about "the countdown" and finally "going home." The very next day Lebron opts out.

Lebron and wifey are being just plain awful to Cleveland right now, if he has no intentions of playing for them. That would just be unnecessarily fucking with them.

 

[trojanfan12]

It comes down to Wade and Bosh.

If they chose to opt in (Would be very hard not to)... the Heat will struggle mightily to retool. That puts LeBron in a position where he has to be the only one to give up money for some teammates... and even then there's only so much savings they can get from just 1 of the big 3.

If they both opt out (I would be shocked)... suddenly the Heat have more cap space than any team in the whole league... they have a blank slate to go do whatever they want. That would be best case for Riley.

Wade is the most interesting part of this, imo. There are several questions about him. As bks points out, statistically speaking, he actually had one of his better seasons. However, he also hasn't played more than about 60 games in each of the past 2 seasons and he had a pretty terrible finals series.

Wade appears to be more of a 6th man type player now. The question will be whether or not his ego will allow him to accept a 6th man role and 6th man money. If he does that, it will be a huge boost for Miami's ability to re-tool the roster, regardless of what Bosh does.

 

[gordontrue]

Well, the Lakers are gonna put themselves in position to do so if/when the get rid of Nash's contract. I know other teams are gonna do everything possible. I dont know the cavs cap situation, but if they do have the space as well, and if melo just says that he wants to go to Cleveland, then its an option I suppose. I think he stays in Miami however

With Deng and Hawes becoming free agents, the cavs have cap space for 2 near-max players.

For example, they could sign LeBron and Melo each at about a million or two under the max.

 

[Kold]

It only has a chance if Love and/or Melo are in the equation.

Yeah, if they land one of those guys, they become a decent option. I think they'll keep the pick however.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

How bout Cleveland trades that #1 and others for Love?

Wouldn't happen but would be sick.

Why not trade Kyrie for Love and keep the #1?
Huge financial plus for Cavs.

As far as Kyrie.
He has never been able to stay healthy.
He's a below avg defender.
He does have big offensive games on occasion, but a lot of times he has huge 4 th qtrs and the points meaningless because they were so far behind.


I'm not saying he isn't a very talented player..
I'm just saying that exploring trade options heading into a max situation is a good idea.

 

[RobToxin]

The worst part of this is just how mother fucking unbearable ESPN LeBronCenter is going to be the next few weeks.

You thought Favre Watch was bad?

You ain't seen shit!

 

[MarkOU]

In other news Miami Heat merchandise sales plummeted 70% and the Heat icon was the most dropped favorite team at www.sportshoopla.com.

 

[gordontrue]

Some of the sports books in Vegas pulled the 2015 NBA title odds at the news of LeBron's opting out.

 

[starbigd]

The 2 are exactly 34 miles away. Not that big a difference.

I lived there, I know how far it is.

Once again......NO ONE from the James' camp said anything about Cleveland

That's YOU making assumptions

 

[Flambo Gus]

I have no doubt he will leave. He is hated playing with Miami and it maybe true that he will be hated no matter where he goes.

But all the criticism really bothers Lebron and in his mind the only chance that changes is if he leaves Miami. I also think he will see Cleveland as the best chance to become a beloved player.

I think he doesn't want to sit in Miami with Wade and Bosh combining to make nearly $45 million next season.

 

[Am I Blue Through it All?]

I heard he was headed for the WNBA. Expects to beat Russells record. I am sure he is not looking forward to the surgery though.