tOfficial "2014 LeBron James" Superthread

[trojanfan12]

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

It looks that way, no doubt.

It might also just be in response to Riley calling him out in that press conference. When I first heard it, I thought Riley did the right thing and liked what he said. But the more that I think about it, the more I start to wonder if it was a mistake.

I mean, the guy just led your team to 4 straight finals, brought home back to back championships and you call him out like that before he even gets a chance to get away and decompress a little? Thinking about it that way, makes it seem a little heavy-handed and unnecessary.

Did I just stick up for Lebron to a Heat fan?

Damn!! I must be getting soft in my old age.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

It looks that way, no doubt.

It might also just be in response to Riley calling him out in that press conference. When I first heard it, I thought Riley did the right thing and liked what he said. But the more that I think about it, the more I start to wonder if it was a mistake.

I mean, the guy just led your team to 4 straight finals, brought home back to back championships and you call him out like that before he even gets a chance to get away and decompress a little? Thinking about it that way, makes it seem a little heavy-handed and unnecessary.

Did I just stick up for Lebron to a Heat fan?

Damn!! I must be getting soft in my old age.

I've heard a few a Riley's sales pitches first hand.
He certainly is a smooth talker / quick thinker.

I agree though about this one as overkill.

James doesn't care about any games that have already been played or any rings already one.

It's all about what can you do for me now and going forward.

 

[Shoveyjoe]

The Big 3 are meeting right now..... Source is someone who is rock solid ( my old landlord who works for the Miami Heat and is fairly high up in the organization's advertising department)

 

[Sportsman]

This is very flawed logic.

I know that a lot of people believe this, but just because the competition is better in the West, that does not necessarily mean a more difficult title run.

All that needs to happen is for D. Rose to get healthy and the Bulls to sign a competent wing scorer. They would be a very tough out for a re-vamped Miami team. If either the Pacers get their acts together or a team like the Wizards makes further improvement, then you could have two very tough series before getting to the Finals.

The best way for LeBron to win more titles is to make sure he is on the best team, not that he has the easiest path to the Finals. If a Western Conference team like Houston or LAC creates a better opportunity, then LeBron would have a better chance to win there. End of story.

The East could actually present a tougher road if the Heat get physically beaten on by the Pacers and Bulls before advancing to play their toughest foes.

I agree with this. There a couple of teams out east that could give the Heat trouble especially with their small lineup.

 

[Sportsman]

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.

I know you are deluded when you still refer to bosh and wade as part of the big 3. This is the reason the heat will suck for next few years because Wade is done and Bosh is overrated and you have a crappy coach to boot. Bosh needs take 10 million, Wade needs to 5 million and ride the bench then maybe the heat have a bright future.

 

[bksballer89]

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

As I said on the heat board, the man loves attention. He could've done what carmelo did and waited until a day or 2 before the deadline to opt out because he knew he would but no he does it a week in advance and before the draft. This should've been done on the 28th or 29th.

 

[gordontrue]

As I said on the heat board, the man loves attention. He could've done what carmelo did and waited until a day or 2 before the deadline to opt out because he knew he would but no he does it a week in advance and before the draft. This should've been done on the 28th or 29th.

I openly and vehemently reject the notion that LeBron made his intentions known early for attention.

Get serious. LeBron James is going to get all the attention he could ever want, and then some, no matter what he does, for the foreseeable future.

A much more logical reason for the timing is to let all the teams out there (or more specifically the few that he might have interest in) know of his availability. (This includes Miami, whose owner has made money-saving moves in recent years).

The draft is tomorrow, deals are being discussed and completed as we speak... deals that could potentially make room for LeBron, or more importantly, make getting LeBron an impossibility.

Comparing it to Melo, whose deadline was a full week before Lebron's (and well before the draft) is a bit silly, IMO.

 

[Pariah]

I know you are deluded when you still refer to bosh and wade as part of the big 3. This is the reason the heat will suck for next few years because Wade is done and Bosh is overrated and you have a crappy coach to boot. Bosh needs take 10 million, Wade needs to 5 million and ride the bench then maybe the heat have a bright future.

LOL

Ya, and James Harden should've taken 12 million instead of 14.

 

[anotheridiot]

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.

wade was rested too much and didnt have any stamina for the finals after playing too many games in a row. He needs to show he can play a full year before he gets another 55 million.

The only reason to opt out is to change teams or renegotiate your contract. If Wade is planning to accept 55 million for 4 years, he might as well get his 19 this year and take the cut next contract. Wade can "stay home". I still think if Bosh opts out the heat wont even try to resign him.

 

[Sportsman]

LOL

Ya, and James Harden should've taken 12 million instead of 14.

Exactly, it won't happen, that's why the Heat are fucked.

 

[gordontrue]

PHOTO: Billboard touts Duncan's loyalty over LeBron's royalty - CBSSports.com

Cheap shot by the Spurs... and stupid considering James may very well still sign with the Heat.

If I were a Spurs fan I'd honestly be annoyed... just another example of making it all about LeBron, when winning the championship should be all about the team that won.

 

[tlance]

wade was rested too much and didnt have any stamina for the finals after playing too many games in a row. He needs to show he can play a full year before he gets another 55 million.

The only reason to opt out is to change teams or renegotiate your contract. If Wade is planning to accept 55 million for 4 years, he might as well get his 19 this year and take the cut next contract. Wade can "stay home". I still think if Bosh opts out the heat wont even try to resign him.

If Wade does not opt out, LeBron is gone. Wade's issues in the finals had nothing to do with being out of shape, he lacks explosion and it is not coming back. If LeBron leaves, opposing defenses will shift more attention back to D Wade and his efficiency numbers will take a huge hit.

Wade really has little choice here and you got all of this backwards. Bosh is a good player.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Lebron isn't going to the Rockets
Probably not going to the Clippers
Not going to the Bulls
Not going to the Lakers

It's the Heat or Cavs and most likely the Heat.

 

[Sportsman]

Lebron isn't going to the Rockets
Probably not going to the Clippers
Not going to the Bulls
Not going to the Lakers

It's the Heat or Cavs and most likely the Heat.

Cleveland????

 

[gordontrue]

The Big 3 are meeting right now..... Source is someone who is rock solid ( my old landlord who works for the Miami Heat and is fairly high up in the organization's advertising department)

Looks like you've got a good source

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh meet to discuss future, according to sources - ESPN

 

[Kinzu]

The only way the Heat can contend for a title next year is if Wade takes a massive paycut. Then Lebron and Bosh take small pay cuts. This would free up some cap space for the Heat to land 2 or 3 role players to go with them and let Wade be the 6th man off the bench.

If Wade is not taking a big pay cut then Lebron should leave town before the ship sinks, and it's already filling with water.

 

[trojanfan12]

Cleveland????

Shane's got some delusion about Lebron going back to Cleveland and he's not giving it up. He thinks that Lebron and Dan Gilbert are going to meet around a campfire and sing kumbaya.


While I admire his tenacity, it's best to just humor him at this point.

 

[Shoveyjoe]

The only way the Heat can contend for a title next year is if Wade takes a massive paycut. Then Lebron and Bosh take small pay cuts. This would free up some cap space for the Heat to land 2 or 3 role players to go with them and let Wade be the 6th man off the bench.

If Wade is not taking a big pay cut then Lebron should leave town before the ship sinks, and it's already filling with water.

Yea pretty much

 

[LeBronMonsterDunk]

Report: Heat, Cavs, Rockets, Knicks, Nets top LeBron's list, not Clippers - CBSSports.com

As mentioned above, I'm told the Clippers are not among James' most preferred destinations. While James and Clippers point guard Chris Paul are great friends, there are concerns about the compatibility of their games. Paul is not as capable of excelling off the ball as Wade was when he adjusted to playing with James.

Beyond that, there is still the very real problem of Donald Sterling's shadow hovering over the Clippers. I was not told that this would be an issue, but as outspoken as James was about wanting Sterling out of the league, it seems implausible that he would willingly go play for the Clippers until Sterling's ouster is complete. That is not likely to happen before July 8.

 

[bksballer89]

As mentioned above, I'm told the Clippers are not among James' most preferred destinations. While James and Clippers point guard Chris Paul are great friends, there are concerns about the compatibility of their games. Paul is not as capable of excelling off the ball as Wade was when he adjusted to playing with James.