NBA free agency July 1, 2010

[Cy/MiG]

True. Although now if he wins, tons of people will say its only because he had D-Wade and Bosh.

And they'll be right.

Still, if Kobe gets credit for winning alongside Shaq and if the 83 Sixers and the 80's Celts and Lakers can get credit for winning on the most stacked teams ever then I don't see how one can knock LeBum too much.

 

[Mitchell]

I actually agree with Cy/MIG. I'd much rather sell out for a championship than for money.

Greg Maddux did that when he went to the Braves. In 1992, the Braves were coming off two World Series appearances in the previous two seasons, even though they lost both times. Maddux was a free agent, and the Yankees, who were not as good as the Braves at the time, offered him six million dollars more over the course of the contract. However, Maddux knew that the better chance to win a title at that time was with Atlanta, so he went to the Braves. As it turned out, he did win a title one year earlier than he would have if he had gone to the Yankees, but, in the long haul, over the course of his career, if he had been with the Yankees for the eleven years that he ended up being with the Braves for, he would have ended up winning three titles, instead of the one he did win. Such is a trade off.

Choosing Miami was probably the right decision to Lebron. They are much closer to winning a title, then say, the Knicks would be.

By the way, did anyone hear the amount of money Lebron signed for? I didnt see it posted.

Mitch

 

[thetmfobserver]

I don't think money has been announced for any of the new Big 3.

As a Celtics fan, I need Shaq now more than ever, just for the entertainment value.

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

I chose not to say anything until the news came in.....he is leaving Cleveland and going to Miami.

Congratulations, good luck, happy landings, and anything else that goes along with it. I'm just glad it's over with; he's been holding the city hostage for years. It just goes to show his true character-something my daughter told me about years ago when he was a high school player. They started with the "King James" nonsense basically mocking the bible and it went downhill from there. He can lean on Dwayne Wade for the backbone and the killer instinct to actually win a championship because he doesn't own one of his own.

Now in a few days I'll have my news back and this will eventually blow over. We survived Carlos Boozer, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Art Modell, and others and we will survive this as well. I just think it's kinda' of shitty timing with all the problems Cleveland's gone through over the last couple of years. But we'll be getting our casinos soon and we'll rebuild.....we always do.

Most of the begging and ass kissing came outside of Cleveland anyway; they're the only ones who can afford to go to the Q!

I really feel bad for true Cavaliers fans.

I really thought he was gonna sign overseas for like 400 million!

 

[Cy/MiG]

By the way, did anyone hear the amount of money Lebron signed for? I didnt see it posted.

Mitch

The amounts that Wade, LeBron and Bosh will sign for are not official.

All three have yet to officially 'sign' their deals.

In theory, since it's all but certain that Toronto will work a sign-and-trade w/ the Heat, Bosh will earn the MAX while LeBron and Wade will earn slightly less than the MAX (to make the cap work)...

Which means that the third best player on the team, Bosh, will earn to most money.

How all of this plays out, both money wise and on the court, will be interesting to say the least.

EDIT: And great comparison w/ Maddux; it's a really good parallel.

 

[AmishTickler]

kis, as we know, athletes have no loyalty nowadays, and they all go where the money is.


Mitch

Typically this is true, but in this case "Prince" James actually took LESS money to play for the Heat. He would have gotten the most money by staying with the Cavs.

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

The interesting thing I keep hearing from these so-called '' experts '' is LeBron will actually play point guard . These '' experts '' say Lebron scoring will drop significantly and he will become a playmaker first . Some are saying he will be similiar to Magic Johnson. I find that statement downright silly because there is only ONE Magic Johnson and LeBron doesn`t posess those skills as a whole .

If He does play Pointguard how in the world will he cover guys like Paul, Williams , Harris , Parker , and other speed guys that would eat him alive .

They also have no bigmen too bang and play physical inside . I love Bosh as a player but the best part of his game is the mid-range jumper

If in the next two years these guys don`t win a championship the pressure will be SO UNREAL I think one of the three will ask to be traded

 

[AmishTickler]

David Lee is headed to the Golden State Warriors in a sign-and-trade that sends Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike to the Knicks.

 

[The Fallen Angel]

David Lee is headed to the Golden State Warriors in a sign-and-trade that sends Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike to the Knicks.

great move by the warriors lee is vastly underrated

 

[The Fallen Angel]

the heat have traded michael beasly to the timberwolves for a 2nd round pick and a swap of first round picks

 

[Cy/MiG]

Some are saying he will be similiar to Magic Johnson. I find that statement downright silly because there is only ONE Magic Johnson and LeBron doesn`t posess those skills as a whole .

There is only ONE Michael Jordan, but the media has been comparing both Kobe and Lebron to MJ for quite some time now.

It's how sports media works: lots of hyperbole.

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

There is only ONE Michael Jordan, but the media has been comparing both Kobe and Lebron to MJ for quite some time now.

It's how sports media works: lots of hyperbole.

hmmm.... never heard LeBron compared to MJ.....Kobe( I am named after a steak) will never be MJ ....Mr Jordan would easily had more NBA Championships if not for his first retirement

 

[primetime]

I have lost all respect for Lebron James. His decision to Miami tells me several things about his character..

1. He is heartless. As I pointed out in my previous posts, him leaving Cleveland is the most cold blooded thing someone can do. Never before in the history of free agency did you see the outpouring of love from an entire State. It was his HOME State as well. Lebron James being a Cavalier brought attention to Cleveland and he leaves them? Those fans gave him their undying support and he leaves them? I am appalled at the lack of heart..

2. Speaking of heart, he has NONE. He has shown that he can't win a title with him being the "lead dog". All this crap about "best chance of winning" is bullshit. The Cavs had the best record two years in a row. What was Cleveland doing before then? He has seen that team take tremendous steps, and the so-called comraderie with his teammates was supposed to be special. How can you say going to Miami with two other superstars gives you the best chance of winning? Can't you do it with what you helped build? Fuck this "King" crap. Lebron James is now the "Scottie Pippen" of the Miami Heat. Good player, but NOT AN ELITE superstar. Elite stars don't bail from a team with the best record in the NBA to be someone's sidekick in a different city.

Jordan. Bird. Magic. Kobe. Olajuwan. Duncan. Russell. Those guys STAYED on their teams the whole time and helped them win titles. They didn't go ring chasing. Lebron just told his teammates, "you weren't good enough, despite the fact we had the best overall record." If the Cavs were a .500 team, then bail. But the best record? It's a cop out. Lebron is a "Pip", not a "Gladys Knight".

3. Complete egomaniac. How on this planet do you hold a city "hostage" for a year, KNOWING how much they love you, and you string them along and drop this bombshell? Damn, this guy is so full of himself it's ridiculous. He didn't give a fuck about the people who supported him during his whole basketball life.

I have lost all respect for Bitch James. He will NEVER be considered one of the greats because he stepped down from being a leader, to being someone's sidekick. People have to realize that sports can bring a city together. Cleveland fans support their teams and spend their hard earned cash to watch Lebron play. Money they could spend doing something else. The outpouring of support they showed amazed me. Then he ditches them, letting them know how he really feels about their city. The ownership was going to do whatever it takes to build around Lebron, and he ditches them. That is a bitch move. I'm glad the Cavs owner called him out and let everyone know how much of a narcissistic bitch Lebron really is.

I feel bad for the City of Cleveland. Lord knows I have cracked many a joke about the city, but no more. I hope they make the Finals without that bitch (get swept by the Lakers though...). Man, Lebron James really showed me what kind of man he is. You do not leave the team with the best record two years in a row, where you got your MVPs, to leave and say "my best chance of winning is somewhere else....". That is complete bullshit, and the biggest bitch move of all time. Have fun Lebron, wiping your lips off Wade's dick....

 

[Tickle Fiend]

I had no idea LeBron was an indentured servant in Cleveland.

LeBron did more for the Cavs than they could ever do for him. He wants to win and he made the best decision for winning.

Now King James has the players with him that every other NBA Legend did when they won titles.

 

[The Fallen Angel]

I had no idea LeBron was an indentured servant in Cleveland.

amen he owes them nothing. If anything they owe him

 

[kis123]

amen he owes them nothing. If anything they owe him

Cleveland doesn't owe him a damn thing but the paycheck he got by bouncing a ball up and down a court. The problem was always that they worshipped him like some sort of god and now folks are distraught that he left. Too bad so sad for them; they put way too much faith and stock in a man, brought him to god-like status, and now are devastated because he chose himself first.

But primetime is right in one area; there's no way LeBron will ever win a title being the lead-he doesn't have the spine or the closing ability. He'll be in Miami not having to worry about the heat because he'll be well encased in Dwayne Wade's shadow where he belongs.

Unfortunately, we've been here before (several times I might add). We'll get through it and move on. This is a friggin' sport; it's not like it's the cure for cancer or something.

Go Browns??

 

[usgrant]

Miami Heat, now the most hated team is sports!

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

Cleveland doesn't owe him a damn thing but the paycheck he got by bouncing a ball up and down a court. The problem was always that they worshipped him like some sort of god and now folks are distraught that he left. Too bad so sad for them; they put way too much faith and stock in a man, brought him to god-like status, and now are devastated because he chose himself first.

But primetime is right in one area; there's no way LeBron will ever win a title being the lead-he doesn't have the spine or the closing ability. He'll be in Miami not having to worry about the heat because he'll be well encased in Dwayne Wade's shadow where he belongs.

Unfortunately, we've been here before (several times I might add). We'll get through it and move on. This is a friggin' sport; it's not like it's the cure for cancer or something.

Go Browns??

What happened to the team that was gonna pay him several hundred million to play overseas?

You had the inside scoop on that breaking news?

 

[primetime]

I guess people don't seem to realize how sports means something to cities. Sports brings a city together. When a local sports team is winning, it gives citizens something to feel good about, even if their daily lives are a struggle. Lebron James was shown tremendous amount of love by the State of Ohio. Over the top? Yes. But nonetheless, that's what happens to sports figures.

Like I keep saying, had the Cavs been a .500 team, barely making the playoffs, and management doesn't give a damn about winning, then by all rights he should leave. But how can you honestly say you didn't have a chance of winning a title when you made the Finals in 2007, and the last two years, had the best record in the league? Management had dedicated themselves to winning a title. They made trades. They did everything they could to this coddled player. For him to bail out like that is the biggest punk move in the history of sports.

So much for his legacy. He couldn't handle the pressure. Remember when I told you guys that he doesn't have the killer instinct in the clutch to win games. He was not the guy you can depend on to lead his team to victory. I was right. Now, he goes to Miami where D-Wade is the KING of that team. Lebron doesn't have to worry about being the leader. He can now be a role player, a good role player, but a ROLE player, and not have to worry about being the lead dog with all the pressure. Lebron James is a farce. Talented player, but no heart, no leadership, no will to win. Like I have said many, many, times. He is NOT the best player in the NBA. After this decision, he just proved me right. I lost all respect for Lebron. He's the biggest bitch ever in the NBA.

And you guys are wrong. He DOES owe them something. People paid their hard earned money to watch him play. They bought his merchandise, they cheered him. They loved him. He DOES owe them.

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

I have lost all respect for Lebron James. His decision to Miami tells me several things about his character..

1. He is heartless. As I pointed out in my previous posts, him leaving Cleveland is the most cold blooded thing someone can do. Never before in the history of free agency did you see the outpouring of love from an entire State. It was his HOME State as well. Lebron James being a Cavalier brought attention to Cleveland and he leaves them? Those fans gave him their undying support and he leaves them? I am appalled at the lack of heart..

2. Speaking of heart, he has NONE. He has shown that he can't win a title with him being the "lead dog". All this crap about "best chance of winning" is bullshit. The Cavs had the best record two years in a row. What was Cleveland doing before then? He has seen that team take tremendous steps, and the so-called comraderie with his teammates was supposed to be special. How can you say going to Miami with two other superstars gives you the best chance of winning? Can't you do it with what you helped build? Fuck this "King" crap. Lebron James is now the "Scottie Pippen" of the Miami Heat. Good player, but NOT AN ELITE superstar. Elite stars don't bail from a team with the best record in the NBA to be someone's sidekick in a different city.

Jordan. Bird. Magic. Kobe. Olajuwan. Duncan. Russell. Those guys STAYED on their teams the whole time and helped them win titles. They didn't go ring chasing. Lebron just told his teammates, "you weren't good enough, despite the fact we had the best overall record." If the Cavs were a .500 team, then bail. But the best record? It's a cop out. Lebron is a "Pip", not a "Gladys Knight".

3. Complete egomaniac. How on this planet do you hold a city "hostage" for a year, KNOWING how much they love you, and you string them along and drop this bombshell? Damn, this guy is so full of himself it's ridiculous. He didn't give a fuck about the people who supported him during his whole basketball life.

I have lost all respect for Bitch James. He will NEVER be considered one of the greats because he stepped down from being a leader, to being someone's sidekick. People have to realize that sports can bring a city together. Cleveland fans support their teams and spend their hard earned cash to watch Lebron play. Money they could spend doing something else. The outpouring of support they showed amazed me. Then he ditches them, letting them know how he really feels about their city. The ownership was going to do whatever it takes to build around Lebron, and he ditches them. That is a bitch move. I'm glad the Cavs owner called him out and let everyone know how much of a narcissistic bitch Lebron really is.

I feel bad for the City of Cleveland. Lord knows I have cracked many a joke about the city, but no more. I hope they make the Finals without that bitch (get swept by the Lakers though...). Man, Lebron James really showed me what kind of man he is. You do not leave the team with the best record two years in a row, where you got your MVPs, to leave and say "my best chance of winning is somewhere else....". That is complete bullshit, and the biggest bitch move of all time. Have fun Lebron, wiping your lips off Wade's dick....

Oh please....


you have hated James for as long as I can remember . The idea he would eventually replace Kobe as the best player in the NBA has haunted your dreams .

Kobe ( I am named after a steak ) publicly stated just a few years ago he wanted out of L. A.

His current coach wrote a book stating what a primadonna he was !

Not to mention his off field discretions which caused many major endorsers to drop his ass so fast it wasn`t even funny .


I have never loved or hated LeBron . What he did on national tv to punk out the Cavs and Cleveland was classless and self-promoting even for all the NBA superstar EGOMANIAC PRIMADONNAS

 

[Cy/MiG]

Lebron James is now the "Scottie Pippen" of the Miami Heat. Good player, but NOT AN ELITE superstar. Elite stars don't bail from a team with the best record in the NBA to be someone's sidekick in a different city.

I fully agree with the above and also think he has surpassed Kobe and others for biggest egomaniac. It's not even a competition anymore.

However...

2. Speaking of heart, he has NONE. He has shown that he can't win a title with him being the "lead dog". All this crap about "best chance of winning" is bullshit. The Cavs had the best record two years in a row. What was Cleveland doing before then? He has seen that team take tremendous steps, and the so-called comraderie with his teammates was supposed to be special. How can you say going to Miami with two other superstars gives you the best chance of winning? Can't you do it with what you helped build? Fuck this "King" crap.

Jordan. Bird. Magic. Kobe. Olajuwan. Duncan. Russell. Those guys STAYED on their teams the whole time and helped them win titles. They didn't go ring chasing. Lebron just told his teammates, "you weren't good enough, despite the fact we had the best overall record." If the Cavs were a .500 team, then bail. But the best record? It's a cop out. Lebron is a "Pip", not a "Gladys Knight".

I don't see how one can fault him too much for choosing to play with Wade and Bosh.

I think just about any other free agent, superstar or not, would have made the same choice if they had the chance.

Also, even if Lebron stayed in Cleveland they would have had one of the hardest routes to the Finals.

The following teams would be just as good, if not better:

Boston, Chicago, Miami and Orlando (and Atlanta and Milwaukee are no slouches either)

Cleveland's supporting cast is good, but lacks a true 'Pippen' to LeBron's MJ. Antawn, Jamario Moon, JJ Hixson, Boobie Gibson, Varejao and co. were probably not going to beat (in some order):

The Wade/Bosh combo
Rose-Noah-Boozer-Deng
Boston's Trio
Howard-Lewis-Carter-Nelson

AND THEN beat:
Kobe-Gasol-Odom-Bynum...

That's brutal. Beating 2 or three of those teams with the cast in Cleveland was going to be too big a challenge (and everyone knew this), so Cleveland was probably well behind the Heat, Bulls and possibly even the Clippers on Lebron's 'Wish List'

And since the Cavs had proven AS A TEAM to be unable to advance to the finals, much less win them (BEFORE the seismic FA shift out East) LeBron had little choice but to move on.

Sure, it would have shown he has guts and heart to stick in Cleveland and ATTEMPT to win a title (and it would have been one hell of an attempt), but the whole 'Cleveland had the best record two years in a row' argument means nothing because they couldn't win in the playoffs (and with the big FA signings out East it appeared this trend would continue).

LeBron knew this and that had to be one of his motivating factors for getting out of Dodge.

 

[Cy/MiG]

Like I keep saying, had the Cavs been a .500 team, barely making the playoffs, and management doesn't give a damn about winning, then by all rights he should leave. But how can you honestly say you didn't have a chance of winning a title when you made the Finals in 2007, and the last two years, had the best record in the league? Management had dedicated themselves to winning a title. They made trades. They did everything they could to this coddled player. For him to bail out like that is the biggest punk move in the history of sports.

Primetime, please step back and look at this objectively:

Since 2007, the Cavs have ATTEMPTED to build a title-winning team and failed. They KNEW come 2010 LeBron was going to be a FA and if they didn't build a contending team and WIN a title before then, he was probably gone. They didn't win a title, in no small part because of an inept coach and a good, but not great, supporting cast.

If you're a free agent basketball player, which team would YOU rather play for:

The Cavs, w/ Antawn, Jamario, Delonte, Varejao, Hixson and Boobie
The Bulls, w/ Rose, Noah, Deng and Boozer
The Clips, w/ Blake Griffin, Thornton, Baron, Kaman, Eric Gordon, Aminu
The Heat, w/ D-Wade, Bosh, Chalmers, Mike Miller and any number of MLE players who WILL sign most mid-season hits

Then keep in mind that if you sign out East, your competition also includes the following teams who have made the NBA finals the last two years:

The Magic, w/ Howard, Nelson, Carter and Lewis (who beat the Cavs once already)
The Celts, w/ KG, Ray-Ray, PP, Rondo, Big Baby, Perkins (who beat the Cavs twice before)

How could you pick the Cavs???

They've failed to beat the Magic or Celts in the playoffs, have no shot at getting a big-name FA now or in the near future (to help make them better) and would now have to fend off the Bulls and Heat (and possibly the Hawks and Bucks) AND THEN would have to beat Kobe-Gasol-Odom-Bynum to win the title...

Bottom line:

The Cavs FAILED to build a true contending team around Lebron, otherwise they would have at least MADE A finals over the last three years.

I'm not saying Lebron isn't a punk or an egomaniac, because he totally is, but look at the competition out Eastand then look at Cleveland's supporting cast and tell me that with Lebron the Cavs could win the East and win a final...

Could they win multiple titles? Could they even win one?

And you guys are wrong. He DOES owe them something. People paid their hard earned money to watch him play. They bought his merchandise, they cheered him. They loved him. He DOES owe them.

How many Titles did the Cavs make before LeBron?

How many winning seasons and playoff appearances?

In their 31 year history before Lebron the Cavs advanced past the first round only three times. With him they made the semi finals every year and made their first (and only) Finals appearance.

Lebron put Cleveland on the basketball map.

In the five years prior to Lebron the Cavs never won more than 32 games.

Without Lebron they would have moved to OKC.

I say they're even, neither side owes the other.

 

[kis123]

What happened to the team that was gonna pay him several hundred million to play overseas?

You had the inside scoop on that breaking news?

I sent you the article then and still stand by it; maybe his momma and baby momma didn't like the idea of living overseas. It's not like they're the most cultured bunch of folks one would ever come across, you know.

He made a decision that he felt best for himself; doesn't matter where he landed now does it??

If you're looking for a wound to pour salt in, you'll have to find someone else because I don't bleed wine, gold, or the number 23. I'm not even a NBA fan; I just come in here and hang out once in awhile. At the end of the day, he's doing him and folks can hate all they want, he doesn't give a crap about what any of us think. Come back in the fall and make all the Browns jokes you want; believe it or not, they're the only team I care about in this town!

Unfortunately, we have a history of trying to run sports teams on the cheap and once again it's come around to bite Cleveland in the arse! Spend the money on quality back up players, not those flat footed non-shooting players Danny Ferry picked. Come to think of it, they played just like he did as a player and see what good it did him.

It was just dog-dirty the way he handled it; left the team unable to get any other free agents and handcuffed the entire organization as well as the city. He flushed the last game against Boston down the toilet; he just gassed out and gave up. Makes me wonder now why things went down the way they did; he was probably mentally in Miami already.

If karma, the laws of reaping and sowing, the laws of the universe, or my mother and grandmother's old fashioned "what goes around comes around" is in effect, his day of reckoning will come in time if by no other means of by action showing that he can't get a championship unless he plays second fiddle to Dwayne Wade.

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

I sent you the article then and still stand by it; maybe his momma and baby momma didn't like the idea of living overseas. It's not like they're the most cultured bunch of folks one would ever come across, you know.

He made a decision that he felt best for himself; doesn't matter where he landed now does it??

If you're looking for a wound to pour salt in, you'll have to find someone else because I don't bleed wine, gold, or the number 23. I'm not even a NBA fan; I just come in here and hang out once in awhile. At the end of the day, he's doing him and folks can hate all they want, he doesn't give a crap about what any of us think. Come back in the fall and make all the Browns jokes you want; believe it or not, they're the only team I care about in this town!

Unfortunately, we have a history of trying to run sports teams on the cheap and once again it's come around to bite Cleveland in the arse! Spend the money on quality back up players, not those flat footed non-shooting players Danny Ferry picked. Come to think of it, they played just like he did as a player and see what good it did him.

It was just dog-dirty the way he handled it; left the team unable to get any other free agents and handcuffed the entire organization as well as the city. He flushed the last game against Boston down the toilet; he just gassed out and gave up. Makes me wonder now why things went down the way they did; he was probably mentally in Miami already.

If karma, the laws of reaping and sowing, the laws of the universe, or my mother and grandmother's old fashioned "what goes around comes around" is in effect, his day of reckoning will come in time if by no other means of by action showing that he can't get a championship unless he plays second fiddle to Dwayne Wade.

I do feel bad for loyal Cavs fans and the total disrespect James showed in making this a media circus on national tv to boot .

My point IS , WAS , ALWAYS WILL BE ; is there was a 0% chance of him going overseas or playing anywhere but the NBA .

You mentioned you were a casual fan at best yet you were so adamament about this possibility .


And if you are a true Browns fan..... good for you; real fans should stick by their teams in good times and bad . I can feel for you because the Texas rangers have been dreadful most of the time and yet I am a huge fan

 

[Cy/MiG]

Here's Bill Simmons doing what he does best, getting nation-wide reaction:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100709

Too many good points to list, but the bottom line is:

Lebron's the biggest Benedict Arnold ever (even moreso than BA himself)!