tOfficial "2014 LeBron James" Superthread

[trojanfan12]

I can see 2 and 3, but Lebron isn't affected by it, he went to Miami to win and he has done a hell of an amount of winning. 4 years, 4 Finals, 2 rings...could of been better but still great.

On #3 only way he would have to recruit another bigtime player to play with him, but he could just do that in Miami and it would make more sense.
Only team he would go to eventually is Cleveland, down the road IMO

People keep bringing up Cleveland, but that is likely a pipe dream by Cavs fans. I think there is too much negative history with Dan Gilbert for him to return this soon. If Lebron ends up back in Cleveland it is likely to be more towards the end of his career than now.

I just don't think that Lebron trusts Gilbert to put the right pieces around him. I think that to get Lebron back, they need to manage to keep Kyrie Irving, not screw up on this years draft pick and get into the top 4-5 seeds in the east. Then maybe Lebron comes back at a time when he may not be the guy that leads them to the finals, but rather the guy that can put them over the top. Still a difference maker, but not THE difference maker.

 

[Malibu]

People remember also that BK said the Spurs couldnt beat good teams. Consider the source. Is it possible James will leave? Sure but that would be stupid on his part.

 

[Kold]

3.) Where is he really going to go and have a better chance to win right away?

THIS....I don't really see a situation in which he has a better chance to win next year outside of Miami

 

[bksballer89]

Sun Sentinel

 

[Shanemansj13]

People keep bringing up Cleveland, but that is likely a pipe dream by Cavs fans. I think there is too much negative history with Dan Gilbert for him to return this soon. If Lebron ends up back in Cleveland it is likely to be more towards the end of his career than now.

I just don't think that Lebron trusts Gilbert to put the right pieces around him. I think that to get Lebron back, they need to manage to keep Kyrie Irving, not screw up on this years draft pick and get into the top 4-5 seeds in the east. Then maybe Lebron comes back at a time when he may not be the guy that leads them to the finals, but rather the guy that can put them over the top. Still a difference maker, but not THE difference maker.

I agree, it is down the road they are still young. It would be later on when Kyrie is in his prime and a superstar type of player

 

[Heatles84]

I'm not sure what Lebron will do. I feel Lebron made the right decision when he chose to leave Cleveland to go to Miami (4 straight finals, two titles, not bad). Cleveland has shown their true colors ever since Lebron left with how they reacted to the Decision (although that wasn't a great move on Lebron's part either) as well as how they've managed the roster as well as coaching situation with Byron Scott and Mike Brown.

People want to criticize Lebron for joining up with other players to win. The two players he joined up with haven't exactly been consistent as compared to Lebron. At some point legacy does become something to consider. It was one thing to bolt a franchise that just proved it couldn't handle the day-to-day operations like Cleveland to go to Miami where you'd be able to get help to reach your goal of winning. But going from team to team to ring chase is bad. Now that's something Magic and Jordan would never have done.

Either way, the one thing that won't change for me is that I'll always be a Heat fan. And no, I won't burn Lebron's jersey if he does decide to bolt.....because for one, I don't have a Lebron jersey.

 

[Kold]

Man Pat Riley brought some heat(no pun intended) in that exit interview. He spoke 100% facts as well

 

[bksballer89]

I loved it. I was just following it through heat writers on Twitter. Can't wait to hear clips of it when I got home

 

[Kold]

I loved it. I was just following it through heat writers on Twitter. Can't wait to hear clips of it when I got home

They played it live on sportscenter. If you can find the whole thing I'd suggest it, it was great. Riley has the type of credibility to say these type of things and not get questioned imo. All he did was speak the truth

 

[podsox]

any word on what chris brossards "sources" are saying. I don't think I can take another summer of him making shit up for a month. it is all but certain LeBron is going to new York. his sources are telling him he is headed to Chicago. his sources are telling him he is staying in Cleveland... etc

 

[gordontrue]

Yeah, hearing Riley talk for an hour really left me with a "man, LeBron would be crazy to leave Miami" feeling.

I think Miami remains the clear frontrunner for getting LeBron this summer. That said... there is a scenario I hadn't thought of that I do think could be a decent 2nd option.


LeBron and Melo to Cleveland
My initial thought was that for Cleveland to have a shot at LeBron they'd have to grab Love. But that would require an attractive trade offer to the Wolves, meaning at a minimum the #1 pick and likely a few more players and/or picks. A trade with MIN would deplete some of what could attract LeBron.

The Cavs actually have enough space to sign two near-max players this summer. They'd have to let FAs Deng, Hawes, and Miles walk, but in this scenario they wouldn't care. LeBron and Melo could both sign for slightly less than the max. This scenario allows the cavs to keep the #1 pick.

Irving, Wiggins, LeBron, Melo, Vareajo with Thompson and Waiters on the bench sounds pretty good. And I'm sure they'd be able to lure a few minimum-level or mid-level free agents to shore up the bench on top of that.

I know there is some serious issues between LeBron and Gilbert that can't be ignored... but Cleveland remains as the only team that LeBron could go to without having at least a short-term negative impact on his image.

 

[gordontrue]

Of course the Cavs could go with Embiid instead of Wiggins, which might make more sense in a LeBron-Melo lineup... but then you've got his foot injury.

 

[OregonDucks]

If LeBron stays in Miami, and stays for a long period of time. My thought of him will change and I will respect him more. I saw this move 4 years ago and thought it was a cheap whore move to get rings. But if he stays in Miami and establishes a long career there, then I will see Miami more of his home team.

 

[Nascar Addict]

I like Lebron. But I still think that this is just a cash ploy. He is going to stay in Miami.

 

[gordontrue]

I like Lebron. But I still think that this is just a cash ploy. He is going to stay in Miami.

How could it be a cash ploy? He can opt in for 20 million. He can get a max contract anywhere.

There's no need for LeBron to negotiate with anyone, literally any team would give him every dollar they legally can.

 

[trojanfan12]

Sun Sentinel

Great stuff from Riles and he is 100% correct. People need to get a grip. Staying with the Heat remains Lebrons best option for getting more rings. Possibly as soon as next season depending on what happens in this off season.

 

[lakersrule]

Great stuff from Riles and he is 100% correct. People need to get a grip. Staying with the Heat remains Lebrons best option for getting more rings. Possibly as soon as next season depending on what happens in this off season.

Depending on what Riles can do, it's his best option. He needs to spend. As I was trying to explain to Turnip, Riles sacrificed depth for luxury tax savings. Lebron wasn't too happy about that.

 

[anotheridiot]

Its really what Micky will do. The real reason these three got together is because it was an owner that was not worried about luxury tax dollars. He might start to if championships dont follow. I mean bottom line, San Antonio would have beaten anybody, they can only stick together a couple more years, and thats pushing Duncan.

I really doubt James needs more money. He sells enough shoes. I do think he would prefer to be the top paid guy on the team, which means Bosh and Wade should opt out to take pay cuts.

 

[gordontrue]

 

[Sportsman]

If Wade and Bosh don't take substantial less then I don't see any reason for Lebron to stay in Miami.