tOfficial "2014 LeBron James" Superthread

[trojanfan12]

40 to 1 is decent odds, but still not a bet likely to pay off without significant changes even if they do sign LeBron.

Personally, I am becoming more and more convinced that the Cleveland reports are very much exaggerated.

If Lebron decides to resign with Miami, he is being set up to get blasted by Cavs fans all over again. The trouble is, LeBron himself has done nothing to get fans hopes up, this is all media speculation.

Yeah, if Cavs fans get their hearts broken again, they can place the blame squarely on ESPN, not Lebron. It's ESPN that's been reporting Lebron "seriously considering" returning to Cleveland, while at the same time, re-opening old wounds by replaying highlight from "The Decision" and talking about Dan Gilbert's letter.

 

[HizzleRocker]

Which Scenario Would Be Better for Lebron?

1) Go back to Cleveland and get that just 1 title (Cleveland's first), or
2) Rove from team to team and get multiple titles (Say 6 or 7).

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Once again, LeBron's lack of commitment to his current franchise is hurting that team's ability to round out a championship roster around him.


Again, LeBron is well within his rights to explore free agency, I'm not saying that, but when LeBron eventually moves to greener pastures, be it this year or two/three years down the line, don't explicitly lay the blame for building a championship roster fall at Pat Riley's feet. LeBron is just as culpable for the Cavs and now the Heat's inability to draw the necessary supporting cast.

There is some truth in your post...especially the last point in bold.

Once you declare FA, you are doing you at that point...there are teams vying for his services...you defeat the purpose of becoming a FA if you're not going to at least listen to potential suitors in earnest.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Moving teams looks tacky, anything over 1 move and you look like a cheap rental player. Shaq crapped all over his legacy by doing that, Lebron needs to avoid that.

 

[Shanemansj13]

http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/.../154850-too-early-place-bets-i-guess-not.html

 

[Shanemansj13]

Well obviously 6 > 1 but how likely is that.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Moving teams looks tacky, anything over 1 move and you look like a cheap rental player. Shaq crapped all over his legacy by doing that, Lebron needs to avoid that.

Shaq didn't hurt his legacy at all. That bring said he should go back to Cleveland

 

[anotheridiot]

I still cant buy that its gonna be all forgive and forget with the douche owner. Just making them think he would come back is gotta be bullets being shot from his grassy knoll.

Wonder what the letter is gonna be like after he doesnt choose cleveland.

I think Melo and James are working together for sure, just wonder if either of them have the balls to go to the western conference and give up the eastern conference cakewalk to the playoffs.

 

[tlance]

What if he wins 0 titles with Cleveland?

 

[purguy12]

Go back to Cleveland where it all started. Winning one if Cleveland will help your legacy. He would have to win 3 more with Miami to get back in the Top 5 talk.

 

[fordman84]

He has his rings, now get another with his hometown and be a god to an entire state for the rest of his life.

Besides, getting off a team with more than one max contract would be best for him.

 

[purguy12]

What if he wins 0 titles with Cleveland?

same as he failed to win 1 not 2, not 3 not 4 not 5, not 6 with Miami. Losing 2 Finals with that team is Sad and his legacy took a big hit. He will never be in the Top 5 talk unless he can win 3 in a row or go back to Cleveland and win a couple there.

 

[Retroram52]

I've got to say I'm sick and tired of this new attitude that the players are responsible for attracting free agents and surrounding themselves with talent.

What exactly is the purpose of a GM?

Money manager and egomanics baby-sitter as well as publicists for the owner.

 

[HizzleRocker]

I think get 1 title for Cleveland. He may go back and it could take 2-3 years to develop the young talent on that roster. It may be a struggle. But if he was able to just get that city 1 title over the course of his career, he would be a lifetime hero to them.

I think that would be far better for his legacy over roaming from contender to contender every few years and collecting 4 more titles or so.

 

[tlance]

same as he failed to win 1 not 2, not 3 not 4 not 5, not 6 with Miami. Losing 2 Finals with that team is Sad and his legacy took a big hit. He will never be in the Top 5 talk unless he can win 3 in a row or go back to Cleveland and win a couple there.

I disagree. They should have beaten Dallas, but they underestimated them. LeBron did not show up and Dallas played great basketball.

The Miami Heat are no longer the super team they once were, because Wade is no longer an elite player. Losing to the Spurs this year does not hurt LeBron's legacy in the slightest. They were better.

Just remember, when Jordan was 29, he was not considered anything close to the greatest ever. There is a lot of time between now and LeBron's judgement day.

 

[purguy12]

I disagree. They should have beaten Dallas, but they underestimated them. LeBron did not show up and Dallas played great basketball.

The Miami Heat are no longer the super team they once were, because Wade is no longer an elite player. Losing to the Spurs this year does not hurt LeBron's legacy in the slightest. They were better.

Just remember, when Jordan was 29, he was not considered anything close to the greatest ever. There is a lot of time between now and LeBron's judgement day.

It does hurt. LBj has 3 L's in the Finals. Not a good look for a suppose Top 5 player ever or top 10. He only has 2 Championships. Doesn't matter that the Spurs were bad its still bad to lose 2 of 4 with maimi.

I do agree there is a lot of time but LBJ having 3 L's in the Finals does not help him. Plus 2 of his rings were with a super power team. That is why going back to Cleveland is the smart move here.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I think get 1 title for Cleveland. He may go back and it could take 2-3 years to develop the young talent on that roster. It may be a struggle. But if he was able to just get that city 1 title over the course of his career, he would be a lifetime hero to them.

I think that would be far better for his legacy over roaming from contender to contender every few years and collecting 4 more titles or so.

It still won't make him the greatest or in the top 2 ever and thwt is what he is chasing. If he could go to Miami win 2 more. Then go to Cleveland with an experienced team he would still only be 32-33 and he could try and win 2 titles there. For the golden number 6.

 

[Shanemansj13]

It does hurt. LBj has 3 L's in the Finals. Not a good look for a suppose Top 5 player ever or top 10. He only has 2 Championships. Doesn't matter that the Spurs were bad its still bad to lose 2 of 4 with maimi.

I do agree there is a lot of time but LBJ having 3 L's in the Finals does not help him. Plus 2 of his rings were with a super power team. That is why going back to Cleveland is the smart move here.

Is Magic's legacy hurt? No.

 

[tlance]

It does hurt. LBj has 3 L's in the Finals. Not a good look for a suppose Top 5 player ever or top 10. He only has 2 Championships. Doesn't matter that the Spurs were bad its still bad to lose 2 of 4 with maimi.

I do agree there is a lot of time but LBJ having 3 L's in the Finals does not help him. Plus 2 of his rings were with a super power team. That is why going back to Cleveland is the smart move here.

The Finals record is way overrated. How many times did Jordan lose before he could get there? Whether you lose in the 2nd round or the Finals, you still lost. At least getting there you can say you were closer.

 

[purguy12]

Is Magic's legacy hurt? No.

Did magic leave his team after making it to the Finals to join a power team and then said they would win 6 titles, then lose the 1st time out with that power team and then lose another on his way out. NO

Cant compare. 2 different situations. Magic has 5 Rings. 9 Final appearances. Still has a winning record in the Finals.