tOfficial "2014 LeBron James" Superthread

[HammerDown]

I just merged all the Lebron opt-out threads. Please don't start new ones with every rumor.

 

[trojanfan12]

As an overall basketball fan, I advise you to not get tied up into all of the rumors that will float around. I remember in 2010, there was a strong rumor that Wade was going to sign with the Bulls; my heart sank hearing that.

I remember that. Wasn't the storyline; "That's his hometown. He idolized MJ", etc., etc.?

 

[Heatles84]

You want to tell me not to assume that you're worried about Lebron leaving, yet you want to assume that I and other Lakers fans are worried about what the Clippers do.

As for how far the Lakers are from contending. Who really knows? It depends on what they can do in the next couple of off-seasons or so. The last time they went through a re-build, it took them 3 seasons. I have no problem with it, if it takes that long or even 4 years.

As for the Clippers "owning L.A.", they may want to try hanging something other than a couple of Pacific Division Champions banners and some selfies first.

Clippers fans over the last couple of years have become similar to Cavs fans when they had Lebron. The sad thing is, when the Lakers were better than the Clippers, they were winning titles (or at the very least making it to the conference finals). For all of the luster and boasting at how the Clippers are far better than the Lakers in the last couple of years - the Clippers haven't made it past the 2nd round.

 

[Sportsman]

LBJ wants JJ. He needs shooters.

They could also trade crawford, barnes, and dudley to a team with cap room but I think JJ would be the most desirable to a team so trading him to clear cap room may be the only way to get Lebron. There are enough shooters of there, though, that the clippers could pick up with a mid level exception to satisfy lebron and CP3 is no slouch from the outside.

 

[lakersrule]

The Clippers would be a better team if they traded Griffin for LeBron, than if they traded their role players.

DeAndre Jordan is pretty important and a better fit with LeBron than Blake is.

I don't know T. I think Lebron wants players to ease his scoring load pressure. That was at least the narrative when the Melo to Miami rumors were swirling. DeAndre can't be counted on for points.

 

[Sportsman]

One big problem for the Heat is they have no assets to work with. A bare cupboard is nice when looking at big time free agents (there's not too many this year), but a handicap when trying to wheel and deal.

Currently, they have very few assets that could be used in a potential deal:
Norris Cole, Justin Hamilton, and the 26th pick. Then they have this years 2nd rounder and a 2nd rounder next year (next years 1st rounder goes to Cavs from the LeBron sign and trade).

Excellent point. IMO, the Heat are in a terrible position right now. Any team that they can put together for next year doesn't look appealing at all. Riles has done a terrible job as GM.

 

[Sportsman]

They would need to trade more player than just those two. It wouldn't be as easy as you think.

Yes, you are right but those 2 would be desirable to most teams therefore is to unload to a team with cap room looking improve. Crawford and Barnes being trade also would make it work but I don't think many teams want those 2, that's were it become difficult. Maybe they could amnesty Crawford.

 

[lakersrule]

They could also trade crawford, barnes, and dudley to a team with cap room but I think JJ would be the most desirable to a team so trading him to clear cap room may be the only way to get Lebron. There are enough shooters of there, though, that the clippers could pick up with a mid level exception to satisfy lebron and CP3 is no slouch from the outside.

I don't think trading all those contracts is as easy as you wish. JJ still has 3 years/$20+ mil left on his contract. Dudley 2 years/$8.5mil. Crawford 2 years/$11mil. Barnes 2 years/$7mil. It will be a tall task to clear the necessary cap space unless Lebron signs for much less than market value.

 

[trojanfan12]

Clippers fans over the last couple of years have become similar to Cavs fans when they had Lebron. The sad thing is, when the Lakers were better than the Clippers, they were winning titles (or at the very least making it to the conference finals). For all of the luster and boasting at how the Clippers are far better than the Lakers in the last couple of years - the Clippers haven't made it past the 2nd round.

Exactly. It's not like this is the first time in their existence that the Clippers have been better than the Lakers. I remember a couple of Clippers teams in the 90's that were better than the Lakers.

Even in a 27 win season and with the Clippers having arguably the best team that they've had in their history, talk radio out here is dominated by the Lakers. It's all about "what the Lakers need to do to get back in contention", etc. In fact, the Clippers are probably the 4th most talked about team right now. Everything is potential Lakers moves, the Kings Stanley Cup run, the Dodgers and then the Clippers.

The Clippers have a long way to go.

 

[lakersrule]

Yes, you are right but those 2 would be desirable to most teams therefore is to unload to a team with cap room looking improve. Crawford and Barnes being trade also would make it work but I don't think many teams want those 2, that's were it become difficult. Maybe they could amnesty Crawford.

I believe Crawford signed with the Clippers after the new CBA was ratified so they can't amnesty him. Didn't they use it already anyway?

 

[Heatles84]

Excellent point. IMO, the Heat are in a terrible position right now. Any team that they can put together for next year doesn't look appealing at all.

Right, because 4 straight trips to the Finals and two titles is shitty. Meanwhile, your team hasn't been out of the 2nd round.....ever. Also, you say Miami's roster looks barren. That term is used when your team is handcuffed by horrible contracts (Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, Charlie Villanueva, etc.). Miami has room to make it all work. There are no horrible contracts. You say Miami is in a bad position. But if the big 3 all opt out and take less, then they have the most favorable roster position in the league.

If the Heat can add 2/3 of Gortat, Lowry and/or Ariza, then I'd say they have one of the strongest rosters in the league after they fill out the rest with veteran talent. Only time will tell.

 

[lakersrule]

Exactly. It's not like this is the first time in their existence that the Clippers have been better than the Lakers. I remember a couple of Clippers teams in the 90's that were better than the Lakers.

Even in a 27 win season and with the Clippers having arguably the best team that they've had in their history, talk radio out here is dominated by the Lakers. It's all about "what the Lakers need to do to get back in contention", etc. In fact, the Clippers are probably the 4th most talked about team right now. Everything is potential Lakers moves, the Kings Stanley Cup run, the Dodgers and then the Clippers.

The Clippers have a long way to go.

They were going to take LA over in the mid 2000's. They won their first ever playoff series I think in 2005 while the Lakers were down a bit post-Shaq. Things didn't quite work out that way though.

 

[trojanfan12]

Right, because 4 straight trips to the Finals and two titles is shitty. Meanwhile, your team hasn't been out of the 2nd round.....ever. Also, you say Miami's roster looks barren. That term is used when your team is handcuffed by horrible contracts (Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, Charlie Villanueva, etc.). Miami has room to make it all work. There are no horrible contracts. You say Miami is in a bad position. But if the big 3 all opt out and take less, then they have the most favorable roster position in the league.

If the Heat can add 2/3 of Gortat, Lowry and/or Ariza, then I'd say they have one of the strongest rosters in the league after they fill out the rest with veteran talent. Only time will tell.

As much as I hate the idea of anything that helps the Heat, if I'm Riley, my first phone call is to Pau Gasol.

 

[lakersrule]

Right, because 4 straight trips to the Finals and two titles is shitty. Meanwhile, your team hasn't been out of the 2nd round.....ever. Also, you say Miami's roster looks barren. That term is used when your team is handcuffed by horrible contracts (Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, Charlie Villanueva, etc.). Miami has room to make it all work. There are no horrible contracts. You say Miami is in a bad position. But if the big 3 all opt out and take less, then they have the most favorable roster position in the league.

If the Heat can add 2/3 of Gortat, Lowry and/or Ariza, then I'd say they have one of the strongest rosters in the league after they fill out the rest with veteran talent. Only time will tell.

Wade's?

 

[Heatles84]

Wade's?

Wade could opt out. It's rumored (and I use that term loosely as I don't exactly have inside knowledge) that he'll go for re-signing at 4 years $50-$55 mil. He's still one of the best SG's in the league. He was great during the playoffs up until the mid-to-later portion of the Finals.

 

[Heatles84]

As much as I hate the idea of anything that helps the Heat, if I'm Riley, my first phone call is to Pau Gasol.

Adds size on the inside, even though I consider him a finesse player similar to Bosh. But you can't coach someone to be 7 feet tall.

 

[tlance]

I don't know T. I think Lebron wants players to ease his scoring load pressure. That was at least the narrative when the Melo to Miami rumors were swirling. DeAndre can't be counted on for points.

True, but Crawford, Reddick, etc. can score and stretch the defense also. Griffin can score, but not in a way that helps LeBron as much. While DeAndre can't score, he can anchor the D.

 

[trojanfan12]

Adds size on the inside, even though I consider him a finesse player similar to Bosh. But you can't coach someone to be 7 feet tall.

He's also the best passing big in the league, can post up (unlike Bosh), averages about 10 boards per game and is deadly out to about 15-18 feet so he wouldn't be in the way on Lebron's drives. He's also smart enough to be able to pick up Miami's system seamlessly like he did the triangle.

He has also said that he would take less for a chance to win another ring or 2.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Yep and yep. I'm at the point where I just laugh at it now. I've seen a couple of talking heads present scenarios where the Lakers get Lebron, 'Melo AND re-sign Gasol!!

Any doubt James wanted to be/ needed to be the talk of the town during the draft tomorrow?

 

[Retroram52]

It'll be interesting to see what scenarios are normally initated by the draft for the summer. There is a long way to go before September/October rolls around.