NBA free agency July 1, 2010

[10 armed tkler]

What did you expect him to do, stay in Cleveland and continue to NOT win championships while his peers do?

He may be an egomaniac, but he's a competitor as well. Hence his 'selling out' to Miami.

Besides, selling out for Championships makes more sense than selling out for $$$ (which would have been the case if he had gone to NY/NJ).

He is not going to earn it. He sold out for the title. I would not be disappointed if he went anywhere else. He obviously is not a leader or someone that wants to work hard to earn anything.

 

[Cy/MiG]

He obviously is not a leader or someone that wants to work hard to earn anything.

This is true.

Still, if he won't 'earn' his title in Miami, does that mean that the 83 Sixers, 80's Celts and/or 80's Lakers didn't 'earn' their titles since they were stacked w/ HoFamers?

And how about Kobe? He had alot of help during the first three titles he won w/ the Lakers, but they still count don't they?

I don't disagree that Lebron's taking a short cut and all, but it's not like he's the only person to ever do it.

He's just the most vocal about it (because he's clearly an oblivious Gen-Y-er).

Personally, I think there are too many people on top Mt. Pious today.

 

[jaba]

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?



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.

I'm sure Lebron's agent broke it down to him just like the above arguement.

And, sad to say, in the final analysis, many feel that Lebron is too big a talent for a small market team. My prediction was a James/ Bosh /Wade trio, and that they would end up in New York in an attempt to restore that franchise to greatness, and have another big east coast/ west coast rivalry like years ago. Money's not an issue, all three can make more in endorsements than in actual salary. But Lebron and Bosh want NBA rings right now, and I really cant see a better scenario for a competetive run at a title than Miami has right now.

 

[kis123]

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 .

I honestly don't have a problem with him leaving; the way he played that last game vs Boston told a lot of us here that he didn't give a damn anymore. It's just the way he has us in the worst possible position unable to pick up any decent free agents and I'm not sure how the draft will look for us either. It was vindictive at best towards a town that did nothing but show his sorry ass some mad love. If I were a big fan I'd be burning more than his jersey, believe me!

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

Well based on the fallout since yesterday, I wish he would've gone overseas. It was more than a rumor; remember the article I sent. It was in print my dear so don't discount it as complete rumor.

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

No, I wasn't adamant about the possibility; you were adamant that the possibility didn't exist.

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

Yes unfortunately I am a die-hard Browns fan. I don't bleed brown and orange like my youngest sister, but I really like football and the Browns suck but they can give you some crazy entertainment at times. It's like watching a train wreck; you know you're going to see something really bad, but you are compelled to watch.

 

[ZenTickling]

Personally, I think there are too many people on top Mt. Pious today.

I don't think so. Everybody quits a job at some point, and anybody with a sense of maturity and professionalism give some kind of notice to their employers. LeBron should have done the same, not left the city that loved him high and dry.

 

[10 armed tkler]

This is true.

Still, if he won't 'earn' his title in Miami, does that mean that the 83 Sixers, 80's Celts and/or 80's Lakers didn't 'earn' their titles since they were stacked w/ HoFamers?

And how about Kobe? He had alot of help during the first three titles he won w/ the Lakers, but they still count don't they?

I don't disagree that Lebron's taking a short cut and all, but it's not like he's the only person to ever do it.

He's just the most vocal about it (because he's clearly an oblivious Gen-Y-er).

Personally, I think there are too many people on top Mt. Pious today.

I disagree with this and here is why. None of those superstars/allstars on those teams ran to their buddy for help because they could not do it by themselves. Moses was traded to the sixers. and players on the celtics and lakers were drafted. Big difference. They could not help that they drafted good.

 

[primetime]

Do people just not pay attention to details in history? My goodness, there are so many bad analogies in this thread, it makes you wonder if people actually remember what happened.

First, what Kobe did 3 years ago was DIFFERENT than what Lebron did. Kobe had Smush Parker and Kwame Brown as starters. His team was the 7th and 8th seed in the playoffs. They got bounced in the first round. Management DID NOTHING to improve the team. Kobe stated what Lakers fans were saying amongst each other. Only when Kobe Bryant ripped his management and teammates publicly, they improved. The more important thing is, HE DIDN'T LEAVE. He STAYED. Bynum got better and when he got hurt, Gasol was traded to us. Kobe did not run off to another team.

Funny how Lebron's team just this past season was hailed as a team that had a good supporting cast for Lebron. I remember people on this forum and the general public oohing and aahing over the Jamison trade. People on this forum were telling me how much Mo Williams was a big time player and now that they have Shaq, Lebron is getting a ring. Remember that? Where was all this "Cleveland sucks" from everyone when they had the best record AND Lebron got MVP again? They lost to a good Boston team, Lebron FREAKIN DISAPPEARS in the clutch and now, his team sucks. Goodness people, it is amazing how people forget.

TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS with Kobe and Lebron. Like others have said, Kobe didn't go running off to some other team to get a ring. He STAYED. The Cavs management did everything they could to build a team. They were dedicated to winning. Lebron failed as a leader. Remember when everyone kept harping on Kobe Bryant that he couldn't LEAD a team to a title? He did it. He stayed the course and he did it. Lebron has proven to everyone he is a spoiled little bitch who will never be considered one of the greats. Why? The greats did not leave the team with the best record in the NBA and join another team the next season for a ring. If I'm a Cavalier, I would be saying "Fuck you" to Lebron all day. They helped him get MVP, and now he basically says you suck. And Kobe was the evil one...

People need to look at Lebron and realize this guy can't get it done in the clutch. Now, he is with a player who can (Wade). Lebron is a glorified Scottie Pippen. Now, the question remains. Can Lebron lead a team to a title? Remember, he got the Cavs to the Finals in 2007, literally by himself. But when the pressure was on when his team was the #1 seed, he disappears. His teammates are what they are. It is up to him to lead. he failed miserably. Keep in mind this is the same jackass that did not shake the Magic's hands after the Eastern Conference Finals loss in 2009.

Miami will have a really good team, but their front court is still suspect. Bosh can't bang with a KG, even with KG being old. Who's their center? Who's their bench? Boston is still there, so is Orlando. Miami is not a shoo in. If the Heat do not win a title within 3 years, what then? Will "Bitch" James ask to be traded? This dude just wrecked his legacy. And people on this forum thought he was the best player. Yeah, right.

 

[Cy/MiG]

I disagree with this and here is why. None of those superstars/allstars on those teams ran to their buddy for help because they could not do it by themselves. Moses was traded to the sixers. and players on the celtics and lakers were drafted. Big difference. They could not help that they drafted good.

I will not go into details of how wrong that sentence in bold is except for the following:

Kareem was not drafted by the Lakers, he was gift-wrapped by the Bucks in one of the worst trades ever (similar to how Wilt was traded to LA by the Warriors seven years prior).

Be it trade, free agency or draft, I fail to see how an all-star cast should be judged any differently than another.

LeBron is a giant douche, but if he wins rings he wins rings.

One can't take that away from him or marginalize his rings without marginalizing the rings of every other 'All Star ensemble team'.

 

[Cy/MiG]

Only when Kobe Bryant ripped his management and teammates publicly, they improved.

Yeah, it was Kobe's public ripping of his teammates and management that made the Lakers improve, not the Pau Gasol trade. [/sarcasm]

The more important thing is, HE DIDN'T LEAVE. He STAYED. Bynum got better and when he got hurt, Gasol was traded to us. Kobe did not run off to another team.

Because Gasol was traded to (hijacked by) the Lakers.

For those scoring @ home, Kobe asked to be traded and then rescinded after it hurt his image.

He was nearly dealt to the Bulls.

Also, a-then 25-year-old Kobe only resigned w/ the Lakers in 2004 after they traded Shaq and let Phil go.

Not his finest moment ever, but he clearly grew up after that and became a much better player, despite his selfish motives and decisions.

TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS with Kobe and Lebron. Like others have said, Kobe didn't go running off to some other team to get a ring. He STAYED.

That is true, regardless of the reasons.

Because Kobe is a MAN. LeBron is a boy.

And because Kobe wants to be THE MAN and Lebron just wants to be part of a team.

In my mind, this makes Kobe the better basketball player hands down, but I'm not sure who is the better 'person' or 'teammate'.

Neither has me sold that they're good at either.

 

[primetime]

Again, people forget the details of history. True or false, before the Gasol trade, Kobe Bryant said something about Andrew Bynum AFTER the whole tirade the previous summer? What did he say? He said "with Bynum, we are a championship team." Then he got hurt. Then good ol' Jerry West (wink, wink) got us Gasol.

Kobe and Lebron's situations are completely different. Notice I am not railing against Chris Bosh. Why? Toronto did not put in the effort to become title contenders. Cleveland went out of their way to do so. That is why I lost respect for Lebron. Because he took the easy way out instead of working towards his title. He can't handle the pressure of being the top dog. His recent playoff history tells you that. He couldn't get the job done. Now, he wants to ride Wade's nuts to a title....

 

[10 armed tkler]

I will not go into details of how wrong that sentence in bold is except for the following:

Kareem was not drafted by the Lakers, he was gift-wrapped by the Bucks in one of the worst trades ever (similar to how Wilt was traded to LA by the Warriors seven years prior).

Be it trade, free agency or draft, I fail to see how an all-star cast should be judged any differently than another.

LeBron is a giant douche, but if he wins rings he wins rings.

One can't take that away from him or marginalize his rings without marginalizing the rings of every other 'All Star ensemble team'.

There is a big difference when your traded to said team. For the most part Lakers and Celtics had drafted/signed good players to support them. You can say Lakers were traded Wilt and Kareem. We also Drafted Worthy, Magic West, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, etc.

Lebron has no excuses for his failures. Like Prime said when everything was going good and they had the best record those moves for Williams and Jamison were brilliant. Now after failing them again everyone is saying he never had enough talent around him.

Jamison was more then enough for him.

 

[ZenTickling]

I really hope the Q ramps up its security when the Heat come to town. Our fans are merciless. I don't know if anybody remembers the Browns game vs Jacksonville when the refs blew a big call and were pelted with bottles and other garbage. Things will get nasty. Dan Gilbert will probably be on the floor ready to rumble with Lebron, and I don't blame him after all that the organization did for 'The King'.

 

[Tickle Fiend]

I really hope the Q ramps up its security when the Heat come to town. Our fans are merciless. I don't know if anybody remembers the Browns game vs Jacksonville when the refs blew a big call and were pelted with bottles and other garbage. Things will get nasty. Dan Gilbert will probably be on the floor ready to rumble with Lebron, and I don't blame him after all that the organization did for 'The King'.

What did Cleveland do for LeBron? He had hype years before anyone ever knew which team he'd play for in the NBA. The fact that he became the most publicized figure in sports and did it in Cleveland speaks volumes. Cleveland didn't do anything for him that any other team could've. He would probably be even bigger, if that's possible, had he gone to a market like New York or Los Angeles. The Cavs were nothing before King James arrived and have returned back to that position. The only publicity they'll get from here on is when the King returns. LeBron did everything for Cleveland and that's why they're so upset that he's gone.

 

[kis123]

What did Cleveland do for LeBron? He had hype years before anyone ever knew which team he'd play for in the NBA. The fact that he became the most publicized figure in sports and did it in Cleveland speaks volumes. Cleveland didn't do anything for him that any other team could've. He would probably be even bigger, if that's possible, had he gone to a market like New York or Los Angeles. The Cavs were nothing before King James arrived and have returned back to that position. The only publicity they'll get from here on is when the King returns. LeBron did everything for Cleveland and that's why they're so upset that he's gone.

Cleveland gave LeBron a job and he did a job; it's not like he played out of any sense of charity. The Cavs built a team around an unproven 18 year old kid and made it work. LeBron was able to do as he did because he got the back up of the organization and the fans; obviously something he forgot about when he pulled what he did.

If he was that unhappy, why not just leave? Why make the fans, organization, and the city wait in the way they did? Why hold the city hostage weeks after he basically flushed the playoffs? He knew he was done then-why play around with everyone?? Why handcuff the organization from looking for some sort of replacement?

When a person quits a job, they give a two week notice to give the company a chance to recover from the loss of your skill set. He didn't have the decency to do that and you want to say Cleveland owes him? He can kiss everyone of our asses for not so much what what he did because well-loved players have left the city before, but how he did it. Just plain foul and no one on this forum can justify that to me, the City of Cleveland, or the Cleveland Cavaliers organization!

Oh and "King" refers to royalty; the only thing he is king of is being a spoiled, childish, immature, narcisstic, unprofessional arsehole! Never liked that "King James" crap anyway.

 

[ZenTickling]

What did Cleveland do for LeBron? He had hype years before anyone ever knew which team he'd play for in the NBA. The fact that he became the most publicized figure in sports and did it in Cleveland speaks volumes. Cleveland didn't do anything for him that any other team could've. He would probably be even bigger, if that's possible, had he gone to a market like New York or Los Angeles. The Cavs were nothing before King James arrived and have returned back to that position. The only publicity they'll get from here on is when the King returns. LeBron did everything for Cleveland and that's why they're so upset that he's gone.

Here's some of the things the organization arranged to keep Lebron happy: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?page=lebronleavescavs-100709

Not to mention the devotion of the state for their 'home-grown hero'. He arguably meant more to this area then any other sports figure in history meant to their respective regions.

 

[Tickle Fiend]

Again, the Cavs did nothing for him that couldn't be done by another team. Cleveland didn't give him anything, he earned it. They were fortunate enough to be such a sorry franchise that they were in position to acquire his services. LeBron's star was already made in high school.

Any comparisons between sports and real-world jobs are irrelevant. Players come and go as they please when they have the chance. Players in the NFL sign contracts to join new teams within 30-minutes of free agency opening. That's just how it goes. LeBron called every team that showed interest in him to let them know his decision before it was announced on TV.

The Cavs knew in 2006 that LeBron was preparing for the summer of 2010 when he signed his extension. He said he would take this opportunity to see what else was out there. He gave the Cavs the same chance that he gave the other teams. LeBron would still be in Cleveland had he been able to convince Chris Bosh to join him there. Chris Bosh wanted to play with LeBron, and I mean REALLY wanted to play with him, but he didn't want to come to Cleveland. Nobody seems to like that place.

Cleveland was LeBron's third-best choice. Chicago and Miami were clearly the best places for LeBron to win in the NBA. Winning trumps everything else.

Were the Cavs supposed to own LeBron for the rest of his life?

 

[kis123]

Again, the Cavs did nothing for him that couldn't be done by another team. Cleveland didn't give him anything, he earned it. They were fortunate enough to be such a sorry franchise that they were in position to acquire his services. LeBron's star was already made in high school.

Any comparisons between sports and real-world jobs are irrelevant. Players come and go as they please when they have the chance. Players in the NFL sign contracts to join new teams within 30-minutes of free agency opening. That's just how it goes. LeBron called every team that showed interest in him to let them know his decision before it was announced on TV.

The Cavs knew in 2006 that LeBron was preparing for the summer of 2010 when he signed his extension. He said he would take this opportunity to see what else was out there. He gave the Cavs the same chance that he gave the other teams. LeBron would still be in Cleveland had he been able to convince Chris Bosh to join him there. Chris Bosh wanted to play with LeBron, and I mean REALLY wanted to play with him, but he didn't want to come to Cleveland. Nobody seems to like that place.

Cleveland was LeBron's third-best choice. Chicago and Miami were clearly the best places for LeBron to win in the NBA. Winning trumps everything else.

Were the Cavs supposed to own LeBron for the rest of his life?

You are completely missing the point.

First, the reason athletes don't want to come to Cleveland is the 16% tax they get hit with. By moving to Miami, LeBron just increased his income by 16%.

Second, no one is saying he doesn't have the right to do what he thinks is best for himself or his family. What the greatest issue (at least with the locals I've been talking to) is the way he did it. It was callous, tacky, classless, unprofessional, disloyal, and completely slapped the faces of the organization and the city that gave him everything he wanted on a plate since he was in high school. You don't live here and only know what's on the tv or internet; those of us who live here know what's up when it comes to LeBron. He's not the "Mr Nice Guy" his image depicts him as being-not by a long shot. He's shown his true colors for the world to see and he can't unring the bell. If he didn't bounce a basketball for a living, he wouldn't do well doing anything else.

Oh, at the end of the day, sports and job comparisions are very relevent considering that what he does is a job........isn't it? He gets paid a lot for the work he does, but it's a job, nonetheless.

No the city didn't have to "own" him but he forgot about the part where fans make his money for him. I only hope Miami fans are nearly as loyal as what he got from Cleveland. Either way, he's a dead deal here based on the general consensus.

And Zen is right; it's gonna' be off the chain when he shows up to play. It's not going to be pretty at all.

 

[Tickle Fiend]

You are completely missing the point.

First, the reason athletes don't want to come to Cleveland is the 16% tax they get hit with. By moving to Miami, LeBron just increased his income by 16%.

Second, no one is saying he doesn't have the right to do what he thinks is best for himself or his family. What the greatest issue (at least with the locals I've been talking to) is the way he did it. It was callous, tacky, classless, unprofessional, disloyal, and completely slapped the faces of the organization and the city that gave him everything he wanted on a plate since he was in high school. You don't live here and only know what's on the tv or internet; those of us who live here know what's up when it comes to LeBron. He's not the "Mr Nice Guy" his image depicts him as being-not by a long shot. He's shown his true colors for the world to see and he can't unring the bell. If he didn't bounce a basketball for a living, he wouldn't do well doing anything else.

Oh, at the end of the day, sports and job comparisions are very relevent considering that what he does is a job........isn't it? He gets paid a lot for the work he does, but it's a job, nonetheless.

No the city didn't have to "own" him but he forgot about the part where fans make his money for him. I only hope Miami fans are nearly as loyal as what he got from Cleveland. Either way, he's a dead deal here based on the general consensus.

And Zen is right; it's gonna' be off the chain when he shows up to play. It's not going to be pretty at all.

I live in D.C. and I know LeBron as well as you or any other Cleveland resident does. Unless you're a part of King James' entourage, you know as much about him as everyone else does. LeBron is the biggest thing in the NBA. Every move he makes is talked about nationally. What is there being said in Cleveland that won't make news on ESPN or USA Today?

So you think LeBron isn't as likeable as we've seen on TV? Is he Dr. Evil?

What exactly about his departure don't you like? The fact that he did it on TV? Do you think there would be less outrage had he not done it so publicly? He made millions of dollars for charities by doing it on TV. Is it because the owner catered to his greatness? I don't care if the MF'er bought LeBron Pluto, it still doesn't give him the right to have these expectations of LeBron when he made it clear before that he would listen to the offers of other teams.

You're wrong if you think that LeBron had this planned all along. When Wade returned to Miami with Chris Bosh and Amare signed with New York it made his decision a lot more complicated. He was forced to choose his desire to win over his love for Ohio. The fear of never winning is a powerful bitch.

 

[kis123]

I live in D.C. and I know LeBron as well as you or any other Cleveland resident does. Unless you're a part of King James' entourage, you know as much about him as everyone else does. LeBron is the biggest thing in the NBA. Every move he makes is talked about nationally. What is there being said in Cleveland that won't make news on ESPN or USA Today?

Not everything he does makes to the news, especially locally. You can choose to believe as you wish, but you don't know how he treats people he assumes are beneath him including my own daughter while she was doing some work for the Cavs.

So you think LeBron isn't as likeable as we've seen on TV? Is he Dr. Evil?

Not Dr Evil, but Dr Not as Nice as I portray myself in front of the cameras. He can be a prick when he wants to........but I guess he's managed to prove that for everyone to see huh?

What exactly about his departure don't you like? The fact that he did it on TV? Do you think there would be less outrage had he not done it so publicly? He made millions of dollars for charities by doing it on TV. Is it because the owner catered to his greatness? I don't care if the MF'er bought LeBron Pluto, it still doesn't give him the right to have these expectations of LeBron when he made it clear before that he would listen to the offers of other teams.

I've explained this is multiple posts; if you really had to ask this question then again, you've completely missed the point. Listening to offers of other teams is one thing; as a free agent he had the right to do that. Doing it in the manner he did without leaving the organization a chance to find a decent free agent and turning his move to Miami into a one-hour ESPN narcissistic fest was just plain wrong. If I have to explain that to you, then we are definitely having the wrong conversation.

You're wrong if you think that LeBron had this planned all along. When Wade returned to Miami with Chris Bosh and Amare signed with New York it made his decision a lot more complicated. He was forced to choose his desire to win over his love for Ohio. The fear of never winning is a powerful bitch.

Have a tape of his last two games against Boston?? Look for yourself; regardless of whether is was Miami or NY, he was outta' here mentally, plain and simple.

 

[Tickle Fiend]

LeBron's believe in his own importance was justified by the huge ratings that ESPN got, especially during the 15-minute window where he actually announced his decision. It's not often that the best player in the league has a chance to go to another team in his prime. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson would've done the same thing if given the opportunity.

Are you really trying to blame LeBron for Cleveland's lack of business acumen. They went all in on LeBron and got burned. If they didn't have a plan in place for life without LeBron then it just makes LeBron decision look even better. And who exactly were they going to get had LeBron announced this decision a lot earlier. They could've signed players in the time that LeBron was making his decision. He was only making a decision that would alter the rest of his life.

Again, there was nothing wrong with LeBron's 'Decision' special and the Cavs are idiots for assuming that the King would return to his throne in Cleveland.

 

[10 armed tkler]

LeBron's believe in his own importance was justified by the huge ratings that ESPN got, especially during the 15-minute window where he actually announced his decision. It's not often that the best player in the league has a chance to go to another team in his prime. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson would've done the same thing if given the opportunity.

Are you really trying to blame LeBron for Cleveland's lack of business acumen. They went all in on LeBron and got burned. If they didn't have a plan in place for life without LeBron then it just makes LeBron decision look even better. And who exactly were they going to get had LeBron announced this decision a lot earlier. They could've signed players in the time that LeBron was making his decision. He was only making a decision that would alter the rest of his life.

Again, there was nothing wrong with LeBron's 'Decision' special and the Cavs are idiots for assuming that the King would return to his throne in Cleveland.

no...just no.

 

[kis123]

LeBron's believe in his own importance was justified by the huge ratings that ESPN got, especially during the 15-minute window where he actually announced his decision. It's not often that the best player in the league has a chance to go to another team in his prime. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson would've done the same thing if given the opportunity.

Are you really trying to blame LeBron for Cleveland's lack of business acumen. They went all in on LeBron and got burned. If they didn't have a plan in place for life without LeBron then it just makes LeBron decision look even better. And who exactly were they going to get had LeBron announced this decision a lot earlier. They could've signed players in the time that LeBron was making his decision. He was only making a decision that would alter the rest of his life.

Again, there was nothing wrong with LeBron's 'Decision' special and the Cavs are idiots for assuming that the King would return to his throne in Cleveland.

You have your opinion, the city of Cleveland, and the Cavaliers have theirs. They probably didn't have a plan in place because LeBron probably hedged himself to stay in Cleveland just in case his plans didn't work out. What he did is separate from how he did it; there's a right and wrong way to do everything and what he did was plain wrong. You can sit in his corner and kiss his yet to be seen ring, but it's still bad mojo. He didn't have to end things the way he did; there are better ways that could've made it more palatable and not feel like everyone got the cold bitch slap and middle finger treatment. Outside of you and the people at the Miami bars, no one agrees with how this went down; remind me never to do any business with any of you okay?

Again you are completely missing the point and I'm not going to labor it any further.

Consider this my candidate for the "agree to disagree and keep it moving" award.

 

[Cy/MiG]

There is a big difference when your traded to said team. For the most part Lakers and Celtics had drafted/signed good players to support them. You can say Lakers were traded Wilt and Kareem. We also Drafted Worthy, Magic West, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, etc.

Elgin Baylor never won an NBA title and speaking of bad trades: Gail Goodrich for Mel Counts. Yet another classic Lakers trade in which they won running away.

Furthermore, the Lakers were only able to draft Worthy BECAUSE Ted Stepien of the Cavs was the biggest moron in NBA history (and that's not hyperbole).

He was so dumb that they had to make a new rule to stop teams from making such gigantically dumb moves:

Stepien... infamously made multiple questionable transactions with his teams, such as trading away several future high draft picks for mediocre players. One of the picks whom Stepien traded away turned out to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, James Worthy, for the Los Angeles Lakers.

In fact, all of these questionable moves led the NBA to institute what is commonly known as the "Stepien Rule," which states that a team cannot trade its first-round pick in consecutive years.

Every Lakers fan owes the Bucks, Cavs and Grizzlies a fruit basket and a beer for combining efforts over the years which GAVE the Lakers at least 5 titles.

And don't get me started on the Celtics...

Lebron has no excuses for his failures. Like Prime said when everything was going good and they had the best record those moves for Williams and Jamison were brilliant. Now after failing them again everyone is saying he never had enough talent around him.

Jamison was more then enough for him.

I agree that Lebron has no excuse for his failures and back-stabbing Cleveland, but don't act like what the Heat are doing is terrible when the Lakers and Celtics have been doing it for 50 years.

 

[primetime]

What the Lebron supporters don't realize that this isn't your normal free agency signing. Notice no one is criticizing Chris Bosh for leaving Toronto, or Boozer for leaving Utah, or Amare Stoudemire leaving Phoenix. Why is that?

"Lebron" had a special connection to the city of Cleveland. That's Lebron the image, not the person as we discovered. Ever since Jim Brown retired, the city of Cleveland has this stigma of a nowhere town, with a bunch of choke artists for sports teams. I will be the first to admit, I made fun of Cleveland every chance I got. But think about it, after suffering for so long, Cleveland fans got a lot of hope when the Cavs landed the number 1 pick in the draft lottery. They knew they were going to pick Lebron James, a NATIVE, of Ohio. It was like it was destiny for one of their own to ascend to NBA greatness and lead their city out of the jokes they hear from other cities, States, countries for that matter. That's where the "King James" hype started. The "King" would lead the city of Cleveland from the abyss into the limelight across the globe. People have pride in their cities, and when Lebron made the worldwide stage, it gave Cleveland fans something to be proud of.

The fans knew he could leave. But they hoped and prayed ONE OF THEIR OWN wouldn't leave. Everyone, including the Governor of Ohio, pleaded for him to stay and wanted to show their love and how much they wanted him to bring a championship to their sports starved city. They thought that since Lebron was from the area, he KNOWS how much a title would mean to that entire region. The owner allowed Lebron's "hanger ons" to run amok within the organization. He built a practice facility close to Lebron's homes. He would have paid Lebron whatever he wanted to stay. They were the #1 team two years in a row going to the playoffs. The Cavaliers were closer to a NBA title than they have EVER been in their history.

So when "Bitch" James left, he cut the sports hope and heart away from that city. How can a person from the area, who KNOWS what a title would mean to Cleveland, leave and hurt all the fans that are from there? How can a person from the area not have the common courtesy of letting the Cavalier management know his decision before he publicly humiliated them on worldwide television. Lebron James just told the world his own home area was not good enough for him. A city that absolutely adored him wasn't good enough. A team that did everything in their power to help win a title wasn't good enough for him. Remember when Art Moddell left? People villified him. Cleveland fans have tremendous pride in their town and they cherish their sports. For Lebron James, a native of the area, to leave is in fact an act of betrayal.

That is why everyone is criticizing Lebron. Completely different story had the Cavs sucked every year and management didn't care about winning (a la LA Clippers), then no one could blame him for leaving. But leaving the way he did is the most cold blooded thing in the history of sports. Why? He led the people of Cleveland into believing he may stay, then pull the rug out from under them. That is why Lebron James will never be considered one of the all time greats.

 

[Tickle Fiend]

Okay. So he hurt their whittle feelings.

LeBron's connection with that state doesn't matter. He can't help where he was born and I'm sure he would've chose New York if given the chance. He can't be held responsible for the expectations on the fans for him to stay in Cleveland because he is from Ohio. What an asinine concept.

LeBron had the weight of the city on him since he was drafted by Cleveland. He had some bad games but he still did enough to be considered the very best basketball player in the NBA. LeBron's shortcomings pale in comparison to the shortcomings of his supporting cast, including management.

He didn't owe anything to the Cavaliers or the city of Cleveland. The extension he signed in 2006 was done with the intent to keep his options open concerning where he would play. He made that very clear long before July 2010. He negotiated with the Cavs and multiple other teams throughout the free agency process. Why anyone would believe that LeBron returning to Cleveland was a lock is beyond me.

Every team that wins has two-or-three players of high-caliber on their team. I don't know why everyone is shitting on King James for not getting it done on his own. The Lakers have Bryant, Gasol, and Odom. The Celtics have the big three. Wade and Kobe got it done with Shaq. Jordan had Pippen. The Lakers and Celtics teams of yesteryear were stacked with talent. Now LeBron has that same opportunity with Wade and Bosh. You can talk about his clutch instinct if he can't get it done in South Beach. Until then, all hail!