General NBA Free Agent News Thread

[Blackjack]

I doubt James could get in to see LL . . .

[silverblk mystix]

Lebron has made himself into a big target now.

He will be crucified next season no matter where he ends up---and if he fails to get the ring in 2010-11 he will never,ever be respected.

If he is smart he will realize that these are his choices;

a) Stay in Cleveland and remain beloved by his hometown temporarily---temporarily because he will NEVER win a le with that team....so he will be loved until he continues to fail---then he will be crucified because of all of this drama he created...

...in other words....be loved but remain a LOSER.

b)Sign with Chicago or Miami and be crucified for stabbing Cleveland in the heart...but END UP...being beloved and praised because eventually cleveland will get over it and still love him when he is a champion---and respected by everyone else because he made a tough, heartwrenching choice ---but did it to win a le...

c) (WORST) sign with NY, NJ or LAC and be crucified for betraying cleveland and STILL remaining a LOSER...

[Chieflion]

I don't think you guys understand. LeBron is the market. Wherever he goes, the media, the brand, the market, everything will follow. As of right now, the NBA practically revolves around him. It doesn't really matter where he goes.

[Blackjack]

Chris_Broussard
Sources with knowledge of the situation indeed saying LeBron will join Wade and Bosh in Miami, barring a late change of heart

[Vic Petro]

You may be right, but I think LeBron is smart enough to realize that his "brand" will be more valuable with rings on his fingers and this is the best shot for him to do that. Wade is a GREAT player, but there is no doubt that Miami would become LeBron's team if he goes there and while Miami is not NY or L.A., it is still a decent market to help James build what he hopes.

This may be semantics but I think it's less about brand and more about legacy. There is most certainly a doubt that Miami would become LeBron's team imo. In fact one could argue history would say that LeBron joined Wade's team to win les.

It's the old Kobe argument. Kobe has 5 rings, but they don't even approach Jordan's 6 rings, because only 2 of Kobe's were as lead banana. The first 3 he was second banana to Shaq. It's not quite the same as Jordan's 6 or even Duncan's 4.

I think that stuff is important to LeBron. He knows that if he can put a losing franchise like Cleveland on his back...the Indians have basically sucked forever, the Cavs are the Cavs, the Browns left and then came back and stink. If he can win 3+ rings in that city, my goodness, I don't think he could top that. He'd be on the Mt Rushmore of Basketball.

The Brooklyn franchise is appealing for the same reason imo, though to a lesser degree because it's not home.

A one hour special to announce a FA decision is extraordinarily selfish behavior. I really have a hard time believing he's going to follow Bosh to Wade's team in the name of winning les. The subtext would be that he needs their help, and you don't get on Mt Rushmore that way.

If LeBron wants to be the best ever, and I'm sure he thinks he can, he should try to build a dynasty in Cleveland.

[Vic Petro]

I also think a lot of the Mia and NYK stuff is leaked rumors to increase ratings. I'd really be surprised if he uses a 1 hour special to rip the heart out of Cleveland.

[timvp]

I'm not sure where I want LeBron to land. NJ would be cool because of the Avery vs. LeBron dynamic. Avery wouldn't put up with his pregame antics and it'd be interesting to see who would win out in that battle. The unintentional comedy would be off the charts.

I wouldn't be upset with LeBron to NY. First of all, it'd screw Rocket fan and screwing Rocket fan is always a good thing. Secondly, LeBron and Amare would be good ... but not really championship good. Maybe in a couple years but not right away.

I don't want to see LeBron in Miami or Chicago. Those teams could get too good too fast.

LeBron in Cleveland? Meh, that'd be fine. Not a notable championship threat next season.

I'm actually excited to see that little drama queen announcement show

[EricB]

Yeah Lebron to New York would only be annoying by hype, but the team would lack substance big team outside of Gallinari Stoudamire and Lebron.

[Blackjack]

Getting dunked on is bad enough in today's NBA, having be done by James and/or Amar'e in a Knick uniform?

That thing will be burned into your corneas and psyche permanently within 24-hours . . .

[Blackjack]

ShamSports

It simply cannot be that both of those things are true. If you think Derrick Rose is taking your limelight, what is Wade going to do?

ShamSports
I'm find it hard to believe both a) that LeBron was deterred by the fact Rose would take last shots in Chicago, b) that he'll sign in Miami.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i hope james goes to the knicks or nets...at leasts that gives the eastern conference another contending team for the other eastern teams, instead of having one dominant team..

bulls - rose, boozer, noah
knicks - amare, lebron?
nets - lebron away from contending
celtics - rondo, big 3
magic
heat - wade, rapul

i didnt list the hawks cause JJ will lead them to nowhere..

[Blackjack]

ShamSports
By signing DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings no longer have enough cap room for LeBron James.
7 minutes ago via web

Scratch one off the list.

[Kori Ellis]

http://twitter.com/iamdiddy/status/18015634412 - now it's LeBron to the Knicks

[Blackjack]

Of course it's Diddy. ... Of course it is -- who else would break it?

[Chieflion]

Of course it's Diddy. ... Of course it is -- who else would break it?

Why isn't he crazy enough to say Clippers?

[EricB]

Now he just said a JK goin to Miami.

Asswhipe...

[Blackjack]

Sham's latest on the cap room for all of the free-agent players

[Blackjack]

Now he just said a JK goin to Miami.

Asswhipe...

His "second home Lol"

He ain't no Skee-Lo, that dude had credibility . . .

[EricB]

whats a skee-lo?

that like a skee ball?

Kidding....

No really whats a skeelo?

[Blackjack]

I wish I was a little bit taller, y'all

I wish I was a baller.

RECOGNIZE, SON!!!

[024]

since the nets struck out on securing another big name FA, i think it's basically down to miami, knicks, or the bulls. cleveland had shot themselves in the foot a long time ago and the knicks still have eddy curry's contract eating up a ton of cap space. the bulls would be the best choice to win next season. they have gotten rid of the dead weight and added boozer. they could always trade deng for other pieces if needed since he and lebron plays the same position. the heat might just completely suck next year due to just minimum players but will become unstoppable as years go on.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Why isn't he crazy enough to say Clippers?

no man, they got a good squad and just a lebron away from being a contender, actually most teams are a lebron away from being contenders...but that clippers team has alot of the pieces....

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Thanks for the correction. My native language is not english, so it's a constant learning process. I probably picked it up from said sports writing

It's all good. Glad to help. Your English is excellent overall.

RealGM claiming Lebron is picking the Heat

I sure hope Lebron doesn't go to Miami.

This would not be good for the game at all....

I'm not sure where I want LeBron to land. NJ would be cool because of the Avery vs. LeBron dynamic. Avery wouldn't put up with his pregame antics and it'd be interesting to see who would win out in that battle. The unintentional comedy would be off the charts.

I wouldn't be upset with LeBron to NY. First of all, it'd screw Rocket fan and screwing Rocket fan is always a good thing. Secondly, LeBron and Amare would be good ... but not really championship good. Maybe in a couple years but not right away.

I don't want to see LeBron in Miami or Chicago. Those teams could get too good too fast.

LeBron in Cleveland? Meh, that'd be fine. Not a notable championship threat next season.

I'm actually excited to see that little drama queen announcement show

He'd immediately make a power out of Chicago (Rose, Deng, LBJ, Boozer, Noah : ), the way NYK might develop is intriguing, and I will be happy if he stays with Cleveland (keeps the East pretty balanced).

LBJ to Miami would be terrible for the NBA I think - too much power concentrated in too few teams. The true power in the NBA continues to agglomerate in few cities, and because of the inep ude of many of the GMs of the smaller teams (yes, you, David Kahn!... and about 10 other guys), the trend is only getting stronger. Putting LBJ and Wade in the same team robs another team of one of the best 5 players in the league (ie LBJ in Cleveland, Chicago, NY and how that would utterly transform their teams). I'm not a fan.

Also, the bas will vastly reduce my chance at a DL I repeat championship if he goes to Miami! I have Wade and LBJ, and there's no way their stats hold up if they play together.

PS LJ, when do I get my trophy? BTW, I have lots of ideas for the DLs next year and would like to help out with running them if you need help. Will email you closer to the start of the season.

[EricB]

KAAAHHHHHNNNN



Sorry, everytime I see him brought up I hear William Shatner now...

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

KAAAHHHHHNNNN



Sorry, everytime I see him brought up I hear William Shatner now...

Indeed.