where will LeBron go?

[Keller]

I would have said, before game 5, he was staying in Cleveland.

Now, I think it's entirely unclear.

[Swami71]

I would have said, before game 5, he was staying in Cleveland.

Now, I think it's entirely unclear.

Why? Cause he wants a team that can compete?

Arguments for staying in Cleveland:
1. Home town
2. Can get a bigger contract staying with the same team (I think?)
3. Seems to me they do everything he ask and really try to put people around him

Arguments for leaving:
1. New Yorks a bigger market
2. He's a Yankee's fan
3. He thinks the Knicks have a better chance at winning (really?)

I'm torn. I'd stay in Cleveland if I were him.

[Parkbandit]

http://www.justseeds.org/blog/images/miami_2.jpg

[Keller]

I think he goes to the Nets, especially if they get John Wall.

He will have an owner with billions of excess cash to spend on the luxury tax (and an entire market to gain in NY). He will have another owner that is married to Beyonce. He will have a legitimate (young) center. I legitimate point guard (Harris) with the potential of having the "next" LeBron in John Wall.

[RichardCranium]

Why? Cause he wants a team that can compete?

Arguments for staying in Cleveland:
1. Home town
2. Can get a bigger contract staying with the same team (I think?)
3. Seems to me they do everything he ask and really try to put people around him

Arguments for leaving:
1. New Yorks a bigger market
2. He's a Yankee's fan
3. He thinks the Knicks have a better chance at winning (really?)

I'm torn. I'd stay in Cleveland if I were him.

Cleveland has done a shit job of putting players around him. Still, it's better than what the Knicks have. I think he should go to the Nets. Or ^

[ruineye]

Interesting take from Mike&Mike in the Morning:

"The biggest market is not New York, it's China. And unlike the US, in China the one thing they respect is championships."

[RichardCranium]

China is also the reason half the Rockets roster makes the all-star game every year whether they deserve to or not. Fuck them.

[Latrinsorm]

Can get a bigger contract staying with the same team (I think?)This is correct. However, there is state income tax in Ohio that does not exist in certain other states (Florida, for one).
Cleveland has done a shit job of putting players around him. Still, it's better than what the Knicks have. I think he should go to the Nets. Or ^Cleveland has done a good job of keeping reasonably worthwhile players and getting rid of bad ones reasonably quickly. The roster isn't the problem. J.J. Hickson playing 0 minutes in game 6 is inexcusable. Anderson Varejao playing a crummy 21 minutes a game is inexcusable. Having Mo Williams defend electric guards at any point is inexcusable.

It is also correct to say that the Cleveland organization does seem to honestly pursue his wishes. My guess is they fire Mike Brown and he stays. My hope is that Dwyane Wade decides that he's tired of playing in front of 9000 people, teams up with LeBron, and they win the next 8 titles.

One more thing to consider. In the past five years, teams have reached the conference semi-finals the following number of times:

Celtics, Magic, Pistons, Lakers, Jazz, Suns: 3
Spurs: 4
Cavs: 5

[RichardCranium]

If only they gave world championships for semi-finalists! He'd have almost as many as Jordan now.

[Keller]

It is also correct to say that the Cleveland organization does seem to honestly pursue his wishes.

What team wouldn't do whatever it takes to get LBJ?

If LeBron said he would sign with the Lakers, but only if they fired Phil Jackson and hired Oprah Winfrey, do you not think Dr. Bus would do his best Trump impression?

[Soulpieced]

Miami... along with Melo or Bosh = Epic Win.

http://themetation.com/demo/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/aagp224carmelo-anthony-dwyane-wade-lebron-james-2005-nba-all-star-game-posters.jpg

[Latrinsorm]

What team wouldn't do whatever it takes to get LBJ?You never know with some of these teams. KG spending a decade with Tom Gugliotta and Wally Szczerbiak, for instance - at some point it's not just incompetence anymore.

[thefarmer]

He should go to the Rockets!

/sadrocketsfan

[Anebriated]

I wish Philly had a pro basketball team. In other news the 76ers might make a run at the NIT next year...

[Stanley Burrell]

Jers'. Becase lol.

[Gibreficul]

I must have at least ONE post in every basketball thread informing all of you.. basketball is not a real sport.

As for the topic, since basketball is not a real sport, nobody cares.

That is all.

[LMingrone]

Please explain how basketball isn't a real sport.

[TheEschaton]

You touch the other guy and it's a foul.

[LMingrone]

I agree that the NBA does that. But, I play pickup games everyday, and that garbage doesn't happen.

[Drew]

Chicago's front office and ownership is dysfunctional. LeBron doesn't want to start rebuilding in NY imo, he just did that for 7 years in Cleveland. Because of the way the cap works the Nets guy can spend over the cap but only on trades, not on signing so even if they have enough to sign LeBron they can't sign anyone else. Miami will have Wade, Beasley (or who he is traded for), LeBron and enough money to sign one other big time player (even Bosh in the best case scenario). If LeBron signs with Miami he will have Pat Riley as his coach, a great owner, and they can win next year. If he signs with Chicago he'll also have a shot to win next year but he won't have a good owner and who knows about his coach. I think LeBron definitely is concerned about his coach after the terrible ones he has had in Cleveland.


Also I don't know how introspective the guy is but I suspect he is somewhat at least. It's becoming clear that LeBron wants to be friends with everyone and doesn't have the type of personality to carry a team to a championship. If he comes to Miami he can remain happy-go-lucky and let D-Wade carry that load for him. I think that's another bonus, LeBron just doesn't have the killer instinct where he will kill his own teammate when they aren't showing up. Jordan had it, Wade has it, Kobe has it. Another reason I think if LeBron is smart he will come to Miami.

[Drew]

I agree that the NBA does that. But, I play pickup games everyday, and that garbage doesn't happen.

Yeah it's funny how different the sport is in the pro league and on the street. I've never called a foul in my life and unless it's incredibly egregious anyone actually calling a foul in street ball is roundly mocked. I grew up banging down low, putting a hand on the guy I'm guarding, and body bumping them when they tried to post me - I'm going to keep doing this no matter what the NBA rule is.

[Anebriated]

Please explain how basketball isn't a real sport.

he just says that because Pittsburgh doesnt have a basketball team...

[Latrinsorm]

he just says that because Pittsburgh doesnt have a basketball team...If memory serves he also criticizes baseball - your proposed motivation makes sense, and I strongly endorse it.
You touch the other guy and it's a foul.You clearly have never seen Ron Artest defend in the playoffs. You have no idea who I'm talking about, though, so whatevs.

[Anebriated]

If memory serves he also criticizes baseball - your proposed motivation makes sense, and I strongly endorse it..

They dont have a baseball team either...

[Drew]

They dont have a baseball team either...

They have the Triple-A pirates.

[Androidpk]

Lebron is going to buy Greece.

[RichardCranium]

Yeah it's funny how different the sport is in the pro league and on the street. I've never called a foul in my life and unless it's incredibly egregious anyone actually calling a foul in street ball is roundly mocked. I grew up banging down low, putting a hand on the guy I'm guarding, and body bumping them when they tried to post me - I'm going to keep doing this no matter what the NBA rule is.


That's the one thing that infuriates me about the NBA, the refs. Only a few calls are clearly fouls; everything else is a judgement call.

[DoctorUnne]

I must have at least ONE post in every basketball thread informing all of you.. basketball is not a real sport.

As for the topic, since basketball is not a real sport, nobody cares.

That is all.

Do they still play hockey? I thought the NHL went bankrupt? I know they don't show games on live TV anymore.

[ruineye]

I must have at least ONE post in every basketball thread informing all of you.. basketball is not a real sport.

As for the topic, since basketball is not a real sport, nobody cares.

That is all.

Well, neither is Pittsburgh a real city... more like a truckstop between Chicago and Phili. Will football still be a real sport after Art Rooney moves his team to LA?

[Stunseed]

I guess I'm the only one.....

But I see Lebron going to the Clippers. He gets the Staple Center with Kobe, LA lifestyle, and honestly? Looking at the Clippers roster, King James would make alot of other things click. My only qualm is whether or not Davis can augment LBJ or if he'd get in the way.

They would hire Lebron's coach, and have a great team to develop for years to come..Win next year? No, that's a Chicago place, I'd think. Be MORE like Jordan and make a bad team a long-term killer? Clippers.

[Sean]

I must have at least ONE post in every basketball thread informing all of you.. basketball is not a real sport.

As for the topic, since basketball is not a real sport, nobody cares.

That is all.

Deal with it man, no one gives a shit about hockey. If they did they it wouldn't be on Versus.

[LMingrone]

Can a NBA team give partial ownership in a contract, or is that against the rules? (It would pretty much break the salary cap). If they can, and I was LeBron, I would tell my agent, "find me a team that will give me partial ownership.".

I don't like the Nets at all, but if it's within the rules, they could do it. Plus he'd be playing in Brooklyn in a couple years. He could build his own team from the ground up.

My guess...50% he stays in Cleveland and basically gets any coach and players he wants. 20% he goes to Chicago. 10% he goes to The Knicks. 10% he goes to The Nets. 10% he goes to Miami. Of course all the percentages will change after the Draft Lottery. I think he has a crush on John Wall. Nets get Wall....75% he's going there.

[Stunseed]

< 50% he stays in Cleveland and basically gets any coach and players he wants. >

The owner has come out and said the coach will be there next year.

[Methais]

You touch the other guy and it's a foul.

Just like when a chick's getting trained.

[LMingrone]

The owner has come out and said the coach will be there next year.

Honestly though, you think if LeBron told the owner he'll come back if he gets what he wants, that the owner wouldn't get rid of the coach? LeBron puts people in seats and sells a ton of jerseys. They'd be dumb not to give him whatever he wants.

[Drew]

Three-star scenarios are within reach for Miami Heat


Miami would be pleased if it can re-sign Dwyane Wade, pair Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire with him and add a $7.5 million starter. But Pat Riley, who wants to build a "dynasty,'' is thinking big, and NBA people expect he will try to persuade two star players to join Wade here. So how can Miami facilitate that within salary-cap rules?

With another team's help, Miami can position itself to sign Wade and two other max-salary players. But some scenarios are more do-able than others because first-year max salaries vary. Here's how some three-star combos could happen:

Say Miami finds a well-under-the-cap team to take Michael Beasley ($4.9 million), Daequan Cook ($2.2 million) and its first-round pick ($1.2 million) in exchange for compensation that wouldn't be on Miami's cap next season, such as a 2011 draft pick. One NBA general manager said Friday, ``I don't think Beasley has much value; his reputation is soiled'' but that he would be interested if Miami offered Beasley in the above deal. Giving up Beasley for so little would not happen unless Miami is sure what it would get with the cap space, and it would need to be very significant.

If Miami renounces all its free agents except Wade, that Beasley/Cook/No. 1 pick trade scenario would leave Miami with only $6.9 million committed beyond Wade's cap hold: James Jones' $1.85 million buyout (finding a team to take his contract before the June 30 buyout deadline is unlikely), Mario Chalmers ($854,000), Joel Anthony ($885,000 if he opts in), plus required cap holds to fill out a 12-man roster ($3.3 million for seven players).

Based on the projected $56.1 million cap, that would leave $49.2 million to spend for next season, of which $16.6 million goes to Wade. If Riley can somehow convince Wade, LeBron James and Bosh to team up here, their first-year max salaries would total $49.8 million. Dealing Chalmers and Anthony -- on top of the other moves -- would create room to accommodate that $49.8 million. But a Wade/James/Stoudemire max trio would cost more ($50.4 million in 2010-11) and tougher to pull off because one would need to take slightly under the max.

By dealing Beasley, Cook and the No. 18 pick for a future pick -- but not Chalmers and Anthony -- Miami, with $49.2 million, could give max deals to Wade, Bosh and Joe Johnson (their 2010-11 salaries would total $49 million); Wade, Bosh and Memphis restricted free agent Rudy Gay if Memphis doesn't match ($46.3 million); or Wade, Johnson and Carlos Boozer ($48.2 million). But the Heat prefers Bosh or Stoudemire over Boozer. Many believe Boozer and Johnson are worth less than their first-year max numbers ($15.8 million each).

Throw in Anthony with the other pieces, and then there's space to sign Wade/Stoudemire/Johnson ($49.6 million). One GM said if James cannot be lured to Miami, this trio would be the next-most appealing.

Sign-and-trades create more wiggle room, but Miami likely doesn't have the pieces to pull off two big ones. ``If you can get some philanthropic free agents who would take a reduction to play here . . . sometimes, these guys can create their own teams if there is any kind of friendship among three or four,'' Riley said.

• In a three-star scenario, the roster would be rounded out with minimum salary players such as Carlos Arroyo, Raja Bell, Jamaal Magloire, plus Chalmers and Anthony if kept.

• If the Heat signs Wade and Bosh or Stoudemire, is it worth going to the trouble to add Johnson, or would Miami instead be better with Beasley, the No. 18 draft pick and a $7.5 million player (perhaps Raymond Felton or Josh Howard)? One respected GM told us he would do the three-star scenario.

• What are Miami's chances for Bosh or Stoudemire? A friend last week noted Stoudemire has a residence in Miami and reiterated he will consider the Heat. The Suns haven't offered him a max deal; Stoudemire will consider it if they do.

Though nobody knows where Bosh will go, an associate said playing in Miami intrigues him, and warm weather appeals to him. But a GM cautions that Miami, while a strong contender for Bosh, should be concerned about Houston or Dallas possibly making a more attractive sign-and-trade offer to Toronto. Atlanta could, too. Remember, Bosh could get a six-year, $125 million deal with a sign-and-trade, compared with five years, $96.2 million.

Another concern: One GM told ESPN he expects James to sign with Chicago, Cleveland to accept Luol Deng in a sign-and-trade, and Chicago then having the money to pursue Wade or Bosh. James also could persuade Bosh to join him in New York.

One official said not to rule out Miami taking Hedo Turkoglu's onerous contract in a Bosh sign-and-trade if Toronto insists and if Miami worries that it wouldn't get Bosh (or James or Stoudemire). The Heat offered Turkoglu a multiyear deal at the midlevel exception last summer

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/16/v-print/1631621/three-star-scenarios-are-within.html

[thefarmer]

Dwyane Wade has a big decision to make on where he'll sign this offseason. And before he makes his choice, he said he'll talk it over with fellow big-ticket free agents LeBron James and Joe Johnson.

“
A lot of decisions [will be based on] what other players are willing to do and what other guys want to do. So it's not just a 'me' situation here. We all have to look and see what each other is thinking.
”
-- Dwyane Wade to Chicago Tribune
Wade told the Chicago Tribune that he's not sure when the three players will talk, but they've been discussing their futures informally for a while now.

"[Free agency] has been three years coming," the Miami Heat superstar told the Tribune. "We've discussed it prematurely, at different times. [But] you don't know what guys are thinking and where they're going. I think we'll all sit down, and before one of us makes a decision, all of us will have spoken to each other and [listened to the] thinking.

"A lot of decisions [will be based on] what other players are willing to do and what other guys want to do. So it's not just a 'me' situation here. We all have to look and see what each other is thinking."

A source told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard that the Toronto Raptors' Chris Bosh also will join Wade, James and Johnson when they get together to discuss free agency.

No date or place has been set for the gathering, but the source said, "Bosh will definitely be there."

James, Wade and Bosh became close while playing together on the U.S. Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal at the Beijing Games. While they've pondered the possibility of playing together in the NBA, only two of the stars are likely to wind up on the same team once the dust clears.

James, coming off back-to-back playoff disappointments with his home-state Cleveland Cavaliers, will be the most sought-after free agent this summer, but Wade should be a close second.

Johnson's stock might have fallen after his lackluster playoff series for the Hawks against the Orlando Magic, averaging just 13 points as Atlanta was swept.

Bosh, Toronto's All-Star forward, has reportedly given the Raptors a list of five teams he will consider signing with next season -- Toronto, Chicago, the New York Knicks, Miami and the Los Angeles Lakers. Sources told Broussard that the New Jersey Nets are also a possibility for Bosh.

On his Twitter account, however, Bosh refuted that he had given the Raptors a list of teams he would accept in a sign-and-trade deal.

Free agency begins July 1.

One team that could have a problem signing Wade is his hometown Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls have money to spend this offseason and are expected to be one of the main suitors for James, in particular, but will their perceived disloyalty to former stars cost them a chance at the coveted players in the 2010 free-agent class?

LeBron Tracker
Where will LeBron James land? We're keeping tabs on the King. Here's the latest. LeBron Tracker

"I think the biggest question that you think about has to be loyalty," Wade told the Tribune. "I know one thing about Miami: It is a very loyal organization. I see what they do with their players when their players get done with the game of basketball . . . how loyal they are. I don't know about the Bulls."

In particular, Wade questions why Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, who led the Bulls to six NBA championships, are no longer with the organization.

"I see Michael Jordan is not there, Scottie Pippen is not there . . . You know, these guys are not a part," Wade told the Tribune. "Things like that. So that is probably one of the biggest things for me, because I am a very loyal person."

Jordan recently became the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats.

The Bulls, Knicks, Nets and Heat have the most financial flexibility to add a prime free agent from the 2010 class, which also includes the the Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire.

Chris Broussard, who covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine, contributed to this report.

Smart move on their part I think.

[g++]

Honestly this is whats wrong with basketball in a lot of ways. The stars can just get a ring by calling each other. Its the same shit the Celtics pulled 2 years ago when they got Garnet and Pierce on the phone together. You can get all the stars to ignore market value if you convince them there is a ring in it.

[thefarmer]

What's wrong with looking out for yourself?

[Methais]

Honestly this is whats wrong with basketball in a lot of ways. The stars can just get a ring by calling each other. Its the same shit the Celtics pulled 2 years ago when they got Garnet and Pierce on the phone together. You can get all the stars to ignore market value if you convince them there is a ring in it.

Are you saying that playing to win is bad?

[Keller]

Honestly this is whats wrong with basketball in a lot of ways. The stars can just get a ring by calling each other. Its the same shit the Celtics pulled 2 years ago when they got Garnet and Pierce on the phone together. You can get all the stars to ignore market value if you convince them there is a ring in it.

Because personal sacrifice for the sake of professional success is such a terrible example?

[LMingrone]

The owner has come out and said the coach will be there next year.

That worked out well. Told you so!

[Stunseed]

Touche'.

[Drew]

MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade is getting his own county.

By unanimous vote, Miami-Dade County commissioners declared Tuesday that the area would be known as "Miami-Wade County" from July 1-7, a week that coincides with the start of NBA free agency.

The resolution was written "in recognition of all that Dwyane Wade has done for the visibility, stature and national image" of the county.

Wade will become a free agent July 1, which means he could leave the Miami Heat. Wade repeatedly has said he hopes to stay in Miami, but only if the Heat's roster is upgraded.

Wade told ESPN.com's J.A. Adande he will start off by looking for the best player to join him with the Heat.

"It's going to be fit with me first," Wade told Adande. "I've made that very clear. Do I want to leave? Nope. Mmm-hmm. I want to be in Miami. That's where it starts."

While he has said he will talk to other players and got the NBA world buzzing with his concept of a "free-agent summit" he said, "I don't do recruiting. Not now, anyway."

"I don't look at it as recruiting. I'll gauge and see if guys want to be [in Miami], who wants to be with me.

"It's about who can come to Miami, it's about who do you trust, who can fit the organization, who best fits you as a player, things of that nature."


Miami is trying hard, good to hear.

[Latrinsorm]

Major Francis Dade may have died for his country, but he had zero ups. I strongly endorse the move.

[Latrinsorm]

I'm excited.

[Drew]

I'm either going to be incredibly excited or crestfallen.

[nub]

lol Miami-Wade.... roll eyes...

[RichardCranium]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5348670

It just gets worse and worse for Drew. First nub drops by and now this...

[Drew]

I already read that :(

I still have faith. Chicago is a nice girl to flirt with.

[Latrinsorm]

I keep seeing reports about how the Knicks send D'Antoni to talk to people and the Nets send Avery Johnson and can't help but feel sorry for Señor Prokhorov.

[Latrinsorm]

Joe Johnson signs with the Hawks(???)
Knicks pull the trigger on Amar'e(?????)

New idea: Rose, Wade, James, Lee, Noah.

[Drew]

You think the Bulls have the cap space to sign Lee as well? Where are they going to pull 12 mil a year from?

[Latrinsorm]

I think after the dreadful teams Lee has been on for the past two years, he would pay the Bulls to play with that lineup.

[g++]

Because personal sacrifice for the sake of professional success is such a terrible example?

Im not saying its wrong of the players. Im saying it makes the game in general too transparent at times. Like in the nba sometimes a conspiracy among super stars can form a championship team instead of solid planning and drafting on an organizational level like the nfl. The same shit goes on in the nfl obviously but to a lesser extent.

[thefarmer]

If only LeBron and Bosh would go to the Rockets and play with Yao. I bet the state would build him a new astrodome.

[thefarmer]

Im not saying its wrong of the players. Im saying it makes the game in general too transparent at times. Like in the nba sometimes a conspiracy among super stars can form a championship team instead of solid planning and drafting on an organizational level like the nfl. The same shit goes on in the nfl obviously but to a lesser extent.

So you're against free agency? Players picking where THEY want to play/make money/win/end their career?

I'm not sure teams solely picking where players go would be any better. In fact, more than likely it would hurt the quality of many player's games.

[g++]

Im not against free agency, I just think it would make the sport more team oriented if teams could be limited in the number of >mid level exception signings they can make per offseason. Signing 3 super stars in one free agency period and having an entirely new team makes an already player centric league even less team oriented. It hasnt gotten to that point yet but if it continues down this road it could eventually get to a point where people will ask "I wonder which jersey the champs are going to wear this year". Especially as endorsement money outpaces salary. Lebron already does not need to even play basketball to keep making millions a year.

[Latrinsorm]

I wonder, though. Is the idea of a team with a reasonably stable population more of an artifact of over-powered owners than fundamental to how the sport ought to be played?

[g++]

Its the idea of the league not beings, celtics, lakers and 28 versions of the clippers.

[thefarmer]

Im not against free agency, I just think it would make the sport more team oriented if teams could be limited in the number of >mid level exception signings they can make per offseason. Signing 3 super stars in one free agency period and having an entirely new team makes an already player centric league even less team oriented. It hasnt gotten to that point yet but if it continues down this road it could eventually get to a point where people will ask "I wonder which jersey the champs are going to wear this year". Especially as endorsement money outpaces salary. Lebron already does not need to even play basketball to keep making millions a year.

Well, basketball teams are kind of limited in just how many superstars they can sign, re-sign, etc with the cap and all. Plus you have to consider that once this year (and I guess next year is pretty loaded) is up, these guys will be locked into multi-year contracts. The free-agent bonanza that's going on now won't happen all the time.

I just don't see the type of scenario you're foreseeing. At least not without a ton of changes on the team level that I'm not sure all the owners (especially the ones in smaller markets) would agree to. Plus you'd have to have players agreeing to short 1-2 year contracts, which I'm not sure they would like either.

[thefarmer]

Its the idea of the league not beings, celtics, lakers and 28 versions of the clippers.

Well, I think there's always going to be more stars than there are rooster places on one or two teams. Plus there's always going to be the player that wants to win on his own.

[g++]

Yes. Im just hypothetically saying in the future if the trend of the fist pound see you next season at [blank team] where we will take less salary to win a ring so we can all get huge endorsements ramps up farther between the top 20 stars in the NBA the game will feel rigged. It already pretty much happened once with the Celtics and Danny Aige promising a bunch of free agents a ring to take low money and if more stars stop chasing money and start chasing endorsement money they could mastermind whole teams in free agency periods. Its just a speculative what/if, Im not saying its happening this moment.

[Sean]

Yes. Im just hypothetically saying in the future if the trend of the fist pound see you next season at [blank team] where we will take less salary to win a ring so we can all get huge endorsements ramps up farther between the top 20 stars in the NBA the game will feel rigged. It already pretty much happened once with the Celtics and Danny Aige promising a bunch of free agents a ring to take low money and if more stars stop chasing money and start chasing endorsement money they could mastermind whole teams in free agency periods. Its just a speculative what/if, Im not saying its happening this moment.

For some reason I thought your issue was totally different before reading this. This doesn't happen on a lesser scale in the NFL it's just easier to look at in the NBA because the contracts are the same regardless of where you sign for the most part (unless you resign). Is Randy Moss really any better now with the Patriots than he was with the Raiders or did it take going to a winner to motivate him to play upto his current level?

[Latrinsorm]

I think I would be punching things if I was a Bulls fan. Boozer???

[Atlanteax]

This makes a convincing case that odds are very strong it's Miami for LeBron:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100708

[Parkbandit]

This makes a convincing case that odds are very strong it's Miami for LeBron:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100708

I hate saying I told you so...


http://www.justseeds.org/blog/images/miami_2.jpg

[Soulpieced]

Soulpieced says Heat.

[thefarmer]

Weak.

edit: He should have stayed and built his own team. Now, he'll just be the guy that had the talent but not the balls and settled for just being one of Wade's crew.

[Sean]

Annnd Cleveland gets it's guts ripped out.

At least we have the Yankees here in NY.

[Doughboy]

Another title coming down to the 305 in the near future.

[AestheticLife]

Ok, so the uber trio of doom is good and all, but what will the Heat accomplish with three megastars surrounded by those guys the Globetrotters beat on? LeBron and Wade can only do so much if their starting PG is that white guy from the AND1 Mixtape Tour.

Good luck finding a decent center to keep Bosh in the much more friendly 4, and have fun managing a single reliable scorer off the bench short of Bobby Jackson's corpse or something.

If you ever wanted to play on a team with two or three Hall of Famers, now is your chance. If Pat Riley sees you walking around in Miami, you probably have a shot to get signed as long as you'll take whatever absurd amount the league minimum is set at. MARK MADSEN, GOGOGO!

[Parkbandit]

LeBronomics

While sports reporters have sought agents and teammates for the inside scoop on where NBA superstar free agent LeBron James will sign, there’s another person who may know The King’s next move: his accountant.

In a July 1 blog post, the New York Post warned that “dysfunctional lawmakers in Albany” could cost the state a chance to bring the coveted athlete to New York.

“If LeBron James goes to the Miami Heat instead of the [New York] Knicks, blame our dysfunctional lawmakers in Albany, who have saddled top-earning New Yorkers with the highest state and city income taxes in the nation, soon to be 12.85 percent on top of the IRS bite,” the Post said.

The tax savings for James in Miami over New York City would be staggering, according to the Post’s analysis.

“On a five-year contract worth $96 million -- what he'd get from the Knicks or the Heat -- LeBron would pay $12.34 million in New York taxes.” Florida has no state income tax.

New Jersey and Ohio, the other reported frontrunners to attract James, also have state income taxes, but they are not as his as in New York. Based on a $96 million contract, James would pay $5.69 million in state taxes if he re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. If he signed with the New Jersey Nets, James would pay $10.32 million in state taxes.

The New York Post isn’t the only media outlet using “LeBronomics.” In her July 8 EconWatch post, CBSNews.com’s Jill Schlesinger dubbed yesterday’s market rally “The LeBron James rally.”

Robert Schoenberger and Teresa Dixon Murray of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer estimated that downtown Cleveland businesses will lose $48 million over the course of the NBA season without James.

http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2010/20100708120415.aspx

Who wouldn't take 12 million dollars to play in Florida vs. playing in New York?

[Fallen]

CNN says Miami

[peam]

Ok, so the uber trio of doom is good and all, but what will the Heat accomplish with three megastars surrounded by those guys the Globetrotters beat on? LeBron and Wade can only do so much if their starting PG is that white guy from the AND1 Mixtape Tour.



People of reasonable talent will be lining up to play for less, knowing there are championships to be won, like customers at a deli.

[Latrinsorm]

:(

Congrats Drew, but... :( Gloria James really dropped the ball on this one.
Ok, so the uber trio of doom is good and all, but what will the Heat accomplish with three megastars surrounded by those guys the Globetrotters beat on? LeBron and Wade can only do so much if their starting PG is that white guy from the AND1 Mixtape Tour.Jordan won with Ron Harper and Luc Longley at PG and C. It's doable.

[Stanley Burrell]

Man.

I immediately changed the channel and all the other sports channels' announcers were repeating how he signed. Then I tuned into CNN and they were like, "YO WHATTUP. LEBRON'S BEEN THINKING, YO, HE JUST--" So I had to turn off the TV.

I say we all root for the Cavs.

[AestheticLife]

Well, at least Cleveland has J.J. Hixon? Dude is the single most underrated player in the game now that Deron Williams is getting his credit. He might even get minutes this year, woohoo!

Either way, I'm going to LOL when Miami somehow chokes out of the conference final against the wheelchair-assisted Celtics.

Anyone have James Harden for MVP in 2011 now that LBJ's numbers will be realistic for a change?

Also: WTF happened to Ricky Rubio? Wasn't he supposed to re-enter this year, or is that next season? Either way, the T-Wolves got raped, just like they will on Lee and the forthcoming Al Jefferson trade.

[LMingrone]

Garbage! I'm going to laugh my ass off when Miami loses in the first round of the playoffs. I won't see it anyway, because I'm not watching one NBA game now. And I love how ESPN radio says "He'll announce it in the first ten minutes".....30 minutes later.

I also love how he tries to use a charity, saying he's going to donate the commercial money to the Boys & Girls. How much did vitamin water pay you, cash whore? Show me some rings motherfucker, then I'll respect you.

(That said, I'm buying as many Heat season tickets as I can, and sell them)

http://i26.tinypic.com/f01vc.jpg

[Parkbandit]

Garbage! I'm going to laugh my ass off when Miami loses in the first round of the playoffs. I won't see it anyway, because I'm not watching one NBA game now. And I love how ESPN radio says "He'll announce it in the first ten minutes".....30 minutes later.

I also love how he tries to use a charity, saying he's going to donate the commercial money to the Boys & Girls. How much did vitamin water pay you, cash whore? Show me some rings motherfucker, then I'll respect you.

(That said, I'm buying as many Heat season tickets as I can, and sell them)

http://i26.tinypic.com/f01vc.jpg

If I offered you a buttload more money to come to Florida and do what you do in Conn.. you wouldn't move?

[LMingrone]

Depends on how much $.

[Drew]

I'M SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sean]

Dan Gilbert is fucking nuts.

[Latrinsorm]

Anthony Randolph on a D'Antoni team should be fun to watch, at least.

[Drew]

Dan Gilbert is fucking nuts.

Seriously, for those who did not read his open letter:


Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Dan Gilbert

Majority Owner

Cleveland Cavaliers

[Sean of the Thread]

Wow dude is off his rocker.

[Drew]

He keeps talking too, that's not all.

[Rimalon]

"way" too "many" quotation "marks" in that release.

But hell, it's hilarious. I'm glad LeBron, Wade, and Bosh all take fantasy value hits. My keepers are Durant and Deron Williams, SO NOW I WILL DOMINATE.

[Parkbandit]

Depends on how much $.

That's probably what LeBron said.. and once they reached his magic number, he moved.

It's hilarious that people are calling him a coward and a cash whore, when pretty much anyone else would do the same thing. And what exactly does he "owe" to Cleveland? I'm pretty sure it was paid in full (and then some) if you look at how much money he made for the Cavs over the past 6 years.

[EasternBrand]

This whole live-television thing was a little over the top. But I did get the sense that his decision was very hard for him. If nothing else, it really didn't seem like he was too eager to leave Cleveland.

In any event, I'm just upset that this wasn't part of a package deal that includes contracting the Marlins.

[Rinualdo]

I thought the article about taxes in FL vs NY or other states was telling. One would wonder, though, if he could not have made more in endorsements in NY then in Miami.

[Anebriated]

the miami lifestyle could be more appealing to a kid who has grown up with all the seasons in Ohio.

[Sean]

I thought the article about taxes in FL vs NY or other states was telling. One would wonder, though, if he could not have made more in endorsements in NY then in Miami.

True but the 5mil he would have paid in taxes to stay in Cleveland in that article would have more or less been offset by the increase in pay he'd get by staying with his team of around 4-5mil. Not to mention he'd get a 6th year under this current CBA. So based on that article it was just a decision between staying in Cleveland and being loved by the masses or going to Miami and trying to win on a 'super team'.

[Doughboy]

Way to stay classy Cleveland. You guys are sure has hell looking appealing to other free agents right now. Being upset is one thing, but God. The entire city looks like the kid that broke up with his dream girl in the seventh grade right now.

[TheEschaton]

Sports is about being a hero, and LeBron will never be a hero again. Good luck to him in Miami, but I hope the C's kick their asses for the next 5 years with their geriatrics, just to prove a point.

I loved his response to the question about him maybe having to move out of the spotlight for D-Wade: "It's not about me stepping out of the spotlight...there's a whole bunch of individual spotlights for us to shine in....uh, and that comes together to make a winning team." That was just a paraphrase.

[Parkbandit]

For every buttsore Cav fan, there are 2 new Miami fans ready to buy season tickets and the new LeBron jersey, shoes, wristbands, headbands and foam fingers.

I'm no basketball fan, but I really can't wait for the Cavs to really, really suck next year. The icing on the cake would be a title in Miami...

[Doughboy]

For every buttsore Cav fan, there are 2 new Miami fans ready to buy season tickets and the new LeBron jersey, shoes, wristbands, headbands and foam fingers.

I'm no basketball fan, but I really can't wait for the Cavs to really, really suck next year. The icing on the cake would be a title in Miami...

There aren't any more season tickets right now. They sold out incredibly fast. I'm glad I was able to renew early from being a previous years ticket holder. I wonder how much I can sell seats for. I can't make it to every game because of the distance of the AAA from my place.

[Parkbandit]

There aren't any more season tickets right now. They sold out incredibly fast. I'm glad I was able to renew early from being a previous years ticket holder. I wonder how much I can sell seats for. I can't make it to every game because of the distance of the AAA from my place.

Weird.. I wonder if the Cavs season tickets are sold out.....

Cavs were 5th most valuable team last year... wonder how that's going to work out for them going forward.

[Sean]

Weird.. I wonder if the Cavs season tickets are sold out.....

Cavs were 5th most valuable team last year... wonder how that's going to work out for them going forward.

Thats hard to imagine considering what a cry baby their owner is.

[Parkbandit]

Thats hard to imagine considering what a cry baby their owner is.

Seriously...

I bet Miami jumps up a few notches in the most valuable franchises this year...

[g++]

The funny thing is the eastern conference just got even weaker by consolidating all the fire power onto the heat. Expecting to watch the heat, celtics roll through possibly having record win seasons and have sub 500 teams entering the playoffs already. The eastern conference was barely watchable last season. How are the wizards and nets going to not be like 2-80?

[Stanley Burrell]

Well, at least my home team has been very consistent. In the spirit of drafting Frédéric Weis and ten thousand other players with missing appendages, dislocated necks, hemophilia and three buttcheeks...

They just drafted a dude with a detached retina and some other guy with leg fractures. Isiah Thomas is still the governing body.

[Methais]

the miami lifestyle could be more appealing to a kid who has grown up with all the seasons in Ohio.

Indeed.
http://images.vinylpulse.com/add-wm.cgi/vp_pics/medicom/GTA/MC_Candy_Beach_o.jpg

[Latrinsorm]

That's probably what LeBron said.. and once they reached his magic number, he moved.LeBron would definitely have made more with a max deal in Cleveland, potentially much more if the new CBA is much stricter (which it probably will be).
Sports is about being a hero, and LeBron will never be a hero again.I've thought a lot about this since The Announcement Of The Decision. Was it ever really fair to hang the success of a city/region on or otherwise idolize LeBron James? The guy's a basketball player, he was really really really good at it, he was fairly compensated, and now he's moving on. Burning and rioting is a little too insane soccer fan for my tastes. It's not like this is a Vince Carter situation.
Expecting to watch the heat, celtics roll through possibly having record win seasons and have sub 500 teams entering the playoffs already.A 30 team league that has 16 teams make the playoffs is almost always going to have a sub .500 team in the playoffs.

[Anebriated]

The NBA has too many teams as it is. They need to drop down to 24 or 26 and try with a less diluted player base so its less individuals making up a team and more of what has formed in Boston, LA and now Miami.

[thefarmer]

Expecting to watch the heat.. roll through possibly having record win seasons

You really think they can do that with just the 3? And basically nobody else and no bench?

[Anebriated]

You really think they can do that with just the 3? And basically nobody else and no bench?

Thats what Im waiting to see. Theres a chance they could go the Boston route and take smaller contracts to keep more players around. Granted they lucked out with house and rondo but still. If Miami can get a few solid vets to play a role and find a solid 6th man they could do some real damage. Im interested to see what they do with their what, 4 2nd round picks from next seasons draft...

[AestheticLife]

...and Larry Bird somehow missed out on signing a single white player all off-season. Stunning.

[Keller]

The funny thing is the eastern conference just got even weaker by consolidating all the fire power onto the heat. Expecting to watch the heat, celtics roll through possibly having record win seasons and have sub 500 teams entering the playoffs already. The eastern conference was barely watchable last season. How are the wizards and nets going to not be like 2-80?

Neither the Heat nor the Celtics will even win the East next year. There is a legitimate chance neither of those teams will even be in the top two teams in the East next year.

I think the Heat have a chance to win it in 2011-12, but not next year.

The East will finish Orlando, Miami, Chicago, Milwaukee, Boston.

[Latrinsorm]

You really think they can do that with just the 3? And basically nobody else and no bench?Reports that the Heat picked up Mike Miller and kept Udonis Haslem - a reasonable approximation of Steve Kerr and Horace Grant? Rumors that a washed-up Big Zeeeeeeeeeeeeeee is interested in Miami also (as if we didn't have enough evidence that God hates Cleveland and everyone who lives there) - a reasonable approximation of a washed-up Bill Cartwright? I think it's starting to get very interesting.

[AestheticLife]

Reports that the Heat picked up Mike Miller and kept Udonis Haslem - a reasonable approximation of Steve Kerr and Horace Grant? Rumors that a washed-up Big Zeeeeeeeeeeeeeee is interested in Miami also (as if we didn't have enough evidence that God hates Cleveland and everyone who lives there) - a reasonable approximation of a washed-up Bill Cartwright? I think it's starting to get very interesting.

So LBJ is Pippen, Wade is Jordan, and Bosh is Kukoc? Methinks Big T had a much better stroke from the outside!

[Latrinsorm]

Each of those comparisons is pretty spot-on. Kukoc and Bosh are both power forwards who play like shooting guards (did you know Kukoc was listed at 192 lbs? lol), Lebron and Pippen are both insane all-around players who can't carry teams to championships alone, Wade and Jordan are both the best SGs of their era. It could happen!

[Drew]

From the LeBron MVP thread:


It's gonna be awesome watching Wade and LeBron in Miami next year!


So i'm pretty late at seeing this but, this isn't serious right?


They should make them play with 4 guys if that happens, it would still be ridiculously unfair and I will be furiously jealous of you for getting to watch every game.


Miami pre-retirement - aka New Jersey, right?


GLOAT GLOAT

[SHAFT]

Finally the Lakers have some real competition.

[Latrinsorm]

Current Heat roster:

G
Dwyane Wade
Mike Miller

F
LeBron James
Chris Bosh
Udonis Haslem

C
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Joel Anthony
Jamaal Magloire
Dexter Pittman (the guy who weighed 388 pounds as a senior... in high school...) (...............)

Four centers?? When was the last time a team even carried four centers? Are they daring Mark Cuban to beat their number of over-the-hill centers? Are they going to play LeBron at PG and have two centers on the floor?

[AestheticLife]

Are they going to play LeBron at PG and have two centers on the floor?

LBJ at 1, some oversized douche at 2, Bosh at 3, Misc Center at 4, Misc Center at 5 could be neat. LeBron has more or less been a point guard the first seven years of his career anyway.

[RichardCranium]

... Wade and Jordan are both the best SGs of their era. It could happen!

Wrong.

[Drew]

PG: LBJ
SG: Dwade
SF: Mike Miller
PF: Chris Bosh
C: Joel Anthony




Anthony is actually a really good defender. No offensive game at all but with those 4 on the floor does that even matter?

[Drew]

Current Heat roster:

G
Dwyane Wade
Mike Miller

F
LeBron James
Chris Bosh
Udonis Haslem

C
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Joel Anthony
Jamaal Magloire
Dexter Pittman (the guy who weighed 388 pounds as a senior... in high school...) (...............)

Four centers?? When was the last time a team even carried four centers? Are they daring Mark Cuban to beat their number of over-the-hill centers? Are they going to play LeBron at PG and have two centers on the floor?

You are missing PG Mario Chalmers.

[AestheticLife]

You really want Mike Miller rotating on PFs and Cs? The thought of him trying to defend the vast majority of SFs in the league is hilarious, aswell.

Odds are Miami is retarded enough to start Chalmers or Alston instead at PG.

[Drew]

You really want Mike Miller rotating on PFs and Cs? The thought of him trying to defend the vast majority of SFs in the league is hilarious, aswell.

Odds are Miami is retarded enough to start Chalmers or Alston instead at PG.

That's more of an offensive look. LeBron won't be covering the opposing point guard and Miller won't be covering the opposing SFs generally.

[Drew]

James Jones just signed with the Heat, took less money than he could get elsewhere. SF, good defender who can drain an open three.

[Latrinsorm]

That's more of an offensive look. LeBron won't be covering the opposing point guard and Miller won't be covering the opposing SFs generally.Worked for Magic, after all.
You are missing PG Mario Chalmers.Good catch.
Wrong.Wrong.