Cleveland Cavaliers (current) off-season rumors

• jordo212000

  

  Prokorhrov is awesome. I'd love to play for him.
• BR1986FB

  Michael Rosenberg> INSIDE THE NBA
  
  How LeBron can ruin his career: Arrange a superteam in Miami
  
  
  Finally, LeBron James' moment is here. Forty-three years ago, we had the Summer of Love; now we have the Summer of Self-Love. James has had his eyes on this summer for the last two winters. It is, as he wants it, primarily about him. And with that comes this free-agency period's irony:
  
  If LeBron James' ego is really that big, he will (unintentionally) do what is best for the league.
  
  There has been talk, for several weeks, about a King-DWade-CB4 troika in Miami. (That's LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh to their mothers.) They can do this. They have a right to do it. Miami has the salary-cap space --assuming Wade re-signs -- to get LeBron and Bosh if one agrees to accept less or work out a complicated sign-and-trade. The trio could create the greatest team of all time -- probably not next year, but three years from now, after Miami uses its draft picks and various cap exceptions to fill in the rest of the picture.
  
  They could dominate the league. And that would be awful. It would be like choosing sides on the playground and giving one team the first three picks. It would be like giving your cousin every pick in the first round of your fantasy league.
  
  This is not how sports are supposed to work, and it is really not how the NBA is supposed to work. The league is set up so its best players play against each other, not with each other, every spring.
  
  Arranging a superteam would be the easiest path to a championship for LeBron, but it would not be the best path. In fact, it would backfire on him.
  
  Here are LeBron's stated goals, as far as I can tell:
  
  1. Win championships.
  
  2. Become the best player ever
  
  3. Become a billionaire.
  
  4. Purchase a small country, so he has somewhere to go on vacation after he purchases a large country.
  
  5. Become a "global icon," because come on, how awesome would that look on a business card?
  
  LEBRON JAMES
  Global Icon
  Don't call him; he won't call you, either
  
  James could achieve No. 1 (win championships) on a superteam. But he could not achieve No. 2: becoming the best player ever. Michael Jordan's legacy is not that he won six championships in Chicago. Heck, Robert Horry won more titles than Jordan. No, what made Jordan so admired is that when the Bulls drafted him, they were a dead franchise. If they had sent a limo to pick him up at the draft, it would have been a hearse. Jordan, through the sheer force of his talent and will, made the Bulls the most successful organization in sports. We saw him score 63 points against the Celtics in the playoffs and lose. We saw him get knocked down, literally and figuratively, by the Pistons. And we saw how much it meant to him when he finally won, in 1991 -- and how, from then on, he seemed unbeatable.
  
  (Jordan eventually came out of retirement to play for the Wizards, of course, but that's not relevant to the discussion. By then, the public had already accepted -- rightly or wrongly -- that Bulls management had forced Jordan into an early retirement.)
  
  And this is why James cannot achieve that whole global icon thing on a superteam. Like James, Jordan chased every off-court dollar. The man made a movie with Bugs Bunny. But fans always believed that Jordan's desire to win came first -- and Jordan seemed to understand that was essential to his mass appeal. He never would have bolted for another team to make his championship path easier, because that would have been a cop-out. Jordan's ego was too big for cop-outs. He was too competitive.
  
  James sometimes seems more worried about becoming a billionaire than about winning championships. But if he is smart, he will realize that becoming a global icon depends on his image, and his image depends on winning -- and, just as importantly, how he wins.
  
  And if he wins somewhere other than Cleveland, it won't be the same.
  
  If James leaves Cleveland, he'll lose fans he can never get back. He will forever be the guy who ditched his long-suffering hometown to chase easier championships, money or fame. And that's a pretty good way for him to ensure that he won't get as much money or fame as he'd like.
  
  James leaving would be unlike anything we've seen in sports. Shaquille O'Neal left Orlando for Los Angeles, but a) Orlando was not Shaq's hometown; b) Orlando was not the longest-suffering big sports city in America, like Cleveland is; and c) Shaq was not yet the dominant force in his sport. (Jordan was.)
  
  Free agency is a big ego-stroke for James right now. Everybody loves him, because everybody thinks they have a shot at him. But once he picks a team, that ends. And that's when the backlash could begin.
  
  If James goes to Miami, he risks always being A-Rod to Dwyane Wade's Jeter. Wade, like Derek Jeter, is a likable, future Hall of Famer who brought his fans a championship. James is more talented than Wade, just as Alex Rodriguez is more talented than Jeter. But James, like A-Rod, could be viewed as the cold, corporate mercenary who is simply using his employer to advance his own interests.
  
  If James goes to Chicago, he'd surely win multiple championships: A core of James, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and either Carlos Boozer or Bosh would be the best in the league. But he would never be better than the second-most popular player in franchise history. And since the Bulls have tortured Cleveland fans as much as any team in sports, except maybe the Steelers, James would look like he doesn't care at all about his hometown sports fans. Cleveland would instantly loathe him. And by extension, much of America would lose respect for him.
  
  If you live in Sacramento or New Orleans or Iowa, who would you rather cheer for: LeBron James, who turned his back on his hometown to chase fame and titles in Chicago, or Kevin Durant, who sounds like he wants to stay in little Oklahoma City and build something special there?
  
  If James goes to the Knicks or Nets, he'll face a different version of the same problem: He'll look like he sold out. James loves New York, but much of the country does not. The A-Rod comparison resonates there, too: When Rodriguez became a Yankee, he became easy to hate.
  
  The Cavaliers have done a lousy job building around James for the past seven years. They have not acquired one credible sidekick for him -- no Scottie Pippen, no Pau Gasol, no Manu Ginobili. If James leaves, I won't have much sympathy for the Cavs.
  
  But I'd have plenty of sympathy for Cleveland fans. And I suspect most of the country would, too. LeBron James would be an enemy in his hometown and viewed suspiciously everywhere else. He has been pointing to this summer for at least two years. But James should remember this about free agency: As soon as he signs a contract, he signs over a good chunk of his power. People will look at where he goes and make judgments on who he is. He should think long and hard about what he wants them to see.
  
  
  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/michael_rosenberg/07/01/free.agency/index.html?eref=sihp
• wes_mantooth

  

  I honestly thought Lebron was gone, but most of the ESPN guys are changing their tune now.....they think he is staying......as the world turns...
• IggyPride00

  

  wes_mantooth;407814 wrote:I honestly thought Lebron was gone, but most of the ESPN guys are changing their tune now.....they think he is staying......as the world turns...

  
  Chicago and Cleveland get the last 2 presentations. I think it is really down to them. Lebron clearly doesn't want to leave, it is just going to come down to whether or not the potential dynasty he could create in Chicago is enough to get him to leave and willingly become public enemy #1 in Cleveland.
• thedynasty1998

  

  As you look at each possible destination, I'm starting to convince myself that Cleveland might be in the lead. I think Chicago is the best option for him to win championships, but I just wonder about the whole Jordan thing. I think the Nets are the sleeper who actually is given a legit chance. I just don't see Miami or New York. It will be an interesting weekend.
• gibby08

  

  If he stays...its been planned from the beginning and he's just the little ego-maniac that a lot of people think he is
• BR1986FB

  gibby08;407871 wrote:If he stays...its been planned from the beginning and he's just the little ego-maniac that a lot of people think he is

  
  I don't think a lot of people would argue about that. He's been setting up the "Summer of Lebron" for quite some time now. He loves this attention. What it essentially is going to come down to is the comfort of the "known" (Cavs) versus the uncertainty of the "unknown" (others).
• Trueblue23

  

  gibby08;407871 wrote:If he stays...its been planned from the beginning and he's just the little ego-maniac that a lot of people think he is

  
  That makes no sense at all.
• gibby08

  

  If you think about it it does....If he re-signs with Cleveland before they've done anything to improve that team(which they haven't yet),him re-upping with Cleveland has been planned from the beginning and he's just played this out to screw with people and to inflate his own ego
• thedynasty1998

  

  Even if he stays, it's not necessarily because of his ego. He is doing the smart thing and exploring his options. Plus this is the first time where he basically gets to pick what is best for him. He never picked a college and the Cavs picked him. This is something that he has earned.
• Trueblue23

  

  gibby08;407884 wrote:If you think about it it does....If he re-signs with Cleveland before they've done anything to improve that team(which they haven't yet),him re-upping with Cleveland has been planned from the beginning and he's just played this out to screw with people and to inflate his own ego

  
  Or maybe he would just re-sign because it's home, that's where he has always been, and maybe none of the other offers were enticing enough to make him bail on the city/franchise that has done everything to help him win. You know how I feel about LeBron, I love his game but not his personality.. but this is just ridiculous.
• like_that

  

  gibby08;407884 wrote:If you think about it it does....If he re-signs with Cleveland before they've done anything to improve that team(which they haven't yet),him re-upping with Cleveland has been planned from the beginning and he's just played this out to screw with people and to inflate his own ego

  
  Cleveland has been trying to improve the team since he landed on the cavs from day 1. GTFO.
• gibby08

  

  ^^
  
  I'm talking about THIS OFFSEASON....they were supposed to have the best team he's ever had after the jamison trade..and what did they accomplish?? JACK SHIT. And they haven't changed the roster one bit yet
  
  If he resigns without them have done anything...he will end up regretting it
• thedynasty1998

  

  I think Gibby might actually bring up a good point. What if Lebron says to the Cavs, "If you go out and make this team better, I'll resign. If you sit pat and don't do anything, I'm going elsewhere." Obviously the current roster is something that will be talked about in the meeting with the Cavs and I wonder if they will be able to say, we are going to get this done and this done.
• ytownfootball

  

  What second Max player is going to sign before they know where LBJ is going to sign?
  
  Logic fails you both.
• Trueblue23

  

  http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/17468/nets-meeting-with-lebron-tremendous
  
  Nets the front runner for LeBron?
• devil1197

  Gibby, Cleveland CANNOT I repeat CANNOT make the team significantly better until LeBron re-signs or tells FA's that he is committed to Cleveland.
  
  No FA will want a S/T to Cleveland without knowing LeBron is coming back.
  
  No FA will accept the MLE without knowing LeBron is coming back.
  
  Its not rocket science jesus. LeBron knows he holds the cards to guys coming to Cleveland, its simple.
• devil1197

  Trueblue23;407926 wrote:http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/17468/nets-meeting-with-lebron-tremendous
  
  Nets the front runner for LeBron?

  
  Haha, frontrunner tremendous.
  
  Will it ever end, first meeting and they think they got it in the bag? What else were they going to say, "The interview went alright"?
• Commander of Awesome

  

  gibby08;407911 wrote:^^
  
  I'm talking about THIS OFFSEASON....they were supposed to have the best team he's ever had after the jamison trade..and what did they accomplish?? JACK SHIT. And they haven't changed the roster one bit yet
  
  If he resigns without them have done anything...he will end up regretting it

  Idiot post of the day.
• jpake1

  

  thedynasty1998;407912 wrote:I think Gibby might actually bring up a good point. What if Lebron says to the Cavs, "If you go out and make this team better, I'll resign. If you sit pat and don't do anything, I'm going elsewhere." Obviously the current roster is something that will be talked about in the meeting with the Cavs and I wonder if they will be able to say, we are going to get this done and this done.

  I agree. Like I've said before, he's looking for a reason to leave, not stay. He very well may get some reasons today and the next couple days, it's what the Cavs can do to counter those reasons. If LBJ signs elsewhere, it's because that FO failed to finish.
• devil1197

  jpake1;407945 wrote:I agree. Like I've said before, he's looking for a reason to leave, not stay. He very well may get some reasons today and the next couple days, it's what the Cavs can do to counter those reasons. If LBJ signs elsewhere, it's because that FO failed to finish.

  
  Jesus, what do you want them to do?
  
  Sign and trade for a FA who wants to know LeBron's status before ok'ing the deal.
  
  You people need to understand that LeBron holds the cards for moves to happen in Cleveland and he knows this. He isn't dumb, he doesn't think Cleveland isn't doing anything but he knows that there is a great possibility to improve the roster when he re-signs.
  
  Sure we may get a small deal done on the side but it won't be near as impactful as a move when LeBron re-signs.
  
  Once again, step back and look at the situation. Not that difficult to comprehend. It will be a major talking point of the FO to LeBron. You sign and they will come.
• mucalum49

  

  jordo212000;407783 wrote:Prokorhrov is awesome. I'd love to play for him.

  
  Here's a pic of that billboard. I like the Jay-Z/Blueprint reference
  
  
• Trueblue23

  

  Gibby the Cavs were beaten by a better team in the Celtics, plain and simple.
• like_that

  

  Trueblue23;407926 wrote:http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/17468/nets-meeting-with-lebron-tremendous
  
  Nets the front runner for LeBron?

  
  lol and those sources are the nets themselves. Nice FAIL ford. Seriously, why do journalist report stupid shit like this just to report it?
• IggyPride00

  

  The Nets continue to project confidence that they have the inside track on LeBron. If they get him, sources say they have a deal in place to move Kris Humphries to clear additional cap space to make a max offer to Chris Bosh or another free agent of his choosing.

  That was from the ESPN article.
  
  Harris, Lebron, Favors, Bosh, Lopez would not be a bad core at all.
  
  I still think the fact they are stuck in Newark really kills any chance of Lebron going there, but the combo of Jay-z, a solid roster (potentially), and the gazillionaire owner with plans to make Lebron a global icon might be somewhat tempting.