NBA Offseason Thread

[Jenksismyhero]

You are seriously comparing Cleveland to Chicago as a FA destination? If a FA passed up the offer to play with MJ, another would follow soon. Cleveland as a basketball organization has won SQUAT before LeBron came along, and couldn't get him enough help in his 7 years. Do I think Michael would have gone to the Magic? Who knows, maybe he would have retired again, or gone to play baseball earlier or joined the Bullets.

 

You can unclench your butt cheeks about LeBron vs. Jordan. We all know MJ was the greatest. LeBron is one of the all-time greats as well. Will he catch Jordan? I doubt it, but I don't have any doubt he will go down at least in the category of Magic, Bird, Kobe etc on the 2nd tier.

 

Did you watch the Bulls pre-1990?

 

And you've clearly bought into the hype of a guy that hasn't won anything yet. Potential to be one of the greatest? Sure. But he hasn't shown jack s*** yet.

Edited July 9, 2010 by Jenksismybitch

[ZoomSlowik]

I never said that made them better, Mo Williams actually put up better numbers before he had come to Cleveland and joined the All-Star team. An all-star is an all-star, you can't say that Z wouldn't have made the team if a Center was a different position, that makes no sense. I never said these players were amazing, but he has had a better supporting cast than what he is given credit for. He has had the decent supporting cast and all of the role players, the grindy Anderson Varajeo's, the three point shooter Daniel Gibson, the high flyer Jamario Moon. He just didn't get it done and gave up on it now, I am pretty sure he has had a big hand in the players they have gotten and he has helped decide who to go out and get. He should have stayed and finished the business

 

No, an all-star is not an all-star. There's a very big difference between someone like Chris Bosh that's a potential starter in the game and someone that barely makes the roster because he is an injury replacement (Williams) or plays a very weak position (Ilgauskas).

 

His first five years in the league, Ilgauskas was his best supporting player (besides Boozer in Lebron's rookie season). That stinks. His team won 50 games and made the finals with a starting lineup of chucker supreme Larry Hughes, Sasha Pavlovic, Drew Gooden and Ilgauskas. That's an extremely light group of talent.

 

The last two years have been a bit better, but Williams is hardly a superstar and he had Jamison for less than a season. There's a reason that they still lost to Orlando last year even though he averaged 38-8-8 on the series: if he doesn't do something spectacular on a regular basis that team isn't going to win.

[RME JICO]

Some gems: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/1361800...coward-not-king

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/13618559

 

The NBA took a huge hit here.

[Soxbadger]

You do realize that prior to MJ winning the Bulls had never won a championship. You do realize that MJ never even made the NBA finals until the year they beat the Pistons.

 

MJ could have left, but he knew the only way to be the best, was to beat the best. And so when the Bulls downed the Pistons and then took out the Lakers, MJ became the greatest guard alive. He beat Magic, he beat Isaih.

 

He didnt leave to go play with them.

 

And if Lebron is happy with being 2nd or 3rd tier, then he just isnt as good as I thought he was.

 

Today's NBA its Kobe 1, and then the rest of the pack.

 

Here is what Lebron accomplished: 1) Make Kobe likable and the best player in the NBA today, 2) He made himself unlikable.

 

I understand your a Heat fan, but universally this move is getting panned and Lebron's image may be irreparably harmed.

[Palehosefan]

Again, you can't compare staying in Chicago or LA to staying in Cleveland. I can't even imagine how much complaining MJ, Bird, or Magic would have done with 7 years in the league and very limited help on the roster. There's no possible way of knowing what MJ, Kobe, Bird, Magic, etc would have done in the situation because they all had major help within 3 years.

 

LeBron, or any other player in history aren't good enough to win a championship on their own. I think he finally figured that out. He came into the league with the bravado of being the best ever and he could do it on his own in Cleveland, and finally realized he couldn't and that nobody wanted to play there with him.

[GoodAsGould]

You do realize that prior to MJ winning the Bulls had never won a championship. You do realize that MJ never even made the NBA finals until the year they beat the Pistons.

 

MJ could have left, but he knew the only way to be the best, was to beat the best. And so when the Bulls downed the Pistons and then took out the Lakers, MJ became the greatest guard alive. He beat Magic, he beat Isaih.

 

He didnt leave to go play with them.

 

And if Lebron is happy with being 2nd or 3rd tier, then he just isnt as good as I thought he was.

 

Today's NBA its Kobe 1, and then the rest of the pack.

 

Here is what Lebron accomplished: 1) Make Kobe likable and the best player in the NBA today, 2) He made himself unlikable.

 

I understand your a Heat fan, but universally this move is getting panned and Lebron's image may be irreparably harmed.

 

 

I think some of it is because the initial shock factor and the fact that we are all Bulls fans here and were hoping he would land in Chicago. I think we can thank JR for him not being a Bull in the end, he prob. told him all the s*** with his entourage wasnt going to fly and that was it for Lebron.

[Soxbadger]

I dont really follow the NBA that closely, Im a big NCAA fan.

 

But prior to last night the only player I watched was Lebron. When the Cavs were on, I watched that Cavs and rooted for them. I probably have not followed any NBA team closely since Jordan left the Bulls. Im a Bulls fan, but its not like Im beholden to them or mad that they didnt get Lebron.

 

Had Lebron gone to LA, NYK, Nets, etc it would have been much different. I could of understood saying your the best player and you want new challenges.

 

I dont understand going to the only team where your a sidekick, that is if you think your the best player.

[Palehosefan]

Again, how in the world does this make Kobe likable? The dude won 3 championships in a row coming into the league, and the second the championships stopped he started demanding trades.

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketba...ts_trade-1.html

 

 

These guys are no different, if they aren't winning it all, they want to improve their situation. MJ might not have done the same thing as Kobe or LeBron, but that's why we all agree he was the greatest.

 

Dwyane Wade wouldn't have stayed in Miami by himself either, he only stayed when Bosh committed. Dwyane saw the difference between having a superstar like Shaq on the roster, vs a group of good players.

Edited July 9, 2010 by Palehosefan

[Soxbadger]

Because I think Kobe would have been man enough to call the Lakers and tell them himself that he was leaving.

 

You cant excuse Lebron from that, I understand it would have been awkward and uncomfortable to tell Gilbert himself that he was leaving.

 

It is what it is, you can argue until your blue in the face, but last night is being perceived by most non-Miami fans the same way. I barely even watch the NBA, but this is my reaction and I was a huge Lebron fan boy.

 

He lost his mojo.

[RockRaines]

Again, you can't compare staying in Chicago or LA to staying in Cleveland. I can't even imagine how much complaining MJ, Bird, or Magic would have done with 7 years in the league and very limited help on the roster. There's no possible way of knowing what MJ, Kobe, Bird, Magic, etc would have done in the situation because they all had major help within 3 years.

 

LeBron, or any other player in history aren't good enough to win a championship on their own. I think he finally figured that out. He came into the league with the bravado of being the best ever and he could do it on his own in Cleveland, and finally realized he couldn't and that nobody wanted to play there with him.

So its the city that make the difference? Come on. He is 25 years old and he is already thinking he can NEVER win unless he packs it up and goes to Miami? Give me a break, he took the easy way out to win a title, was an incredible dick about it to the league and especially his home town and his legacy will suffer because of it. End of story.

Edited July 9, 2010 by RockRaines

[HuskyCaucasian]

I also want to make a difference between a team surrounding a star with great players (Bulls) and a player actively leaving to surround himself with great players.

[RME JICO]

I am just wondering if Leporn and his "team" expected this much backlash and negative press? Everyone expected some if he left Cleveland, but just the way it played out, and his borderline illiterate comments have made this into a complete debacle. It has to be one of the worst PR decisions ever.

[LittleHurt05]

CNBC is reporting that LeBron's camp paid Jim Gray to do the interview, not ESPN. Maverick Carter = best business manager EVER.

 

Reporter Jim Gray Paid By LeBron Entity, Not ESPN

[HuskyCaucasian]

CNBC is reporting that LeBron's camp paid Jim Gray to do the interview, not ESPN. Maverick Carter = best business manager EVER.

 

Reporter Jim Gray Paid By LeBron Entity, Not ESPN

My understanding is that it was a LeBron event being broadcast by ESPN

[RockRaines]

I am just wondering if Leporn and his "team" expected this much backlash and negative press? Everyone expected some if he left Cleveland, but just the way it played out, and his borderline illiterate comments have made this into a complete debacle. It has to be one of the worst PR decisions ever.

His PR/Mktg company is run by idiots. Its pretty well known.

[HuskyCaucasian]

I am just wondering if Leporn and his "team" expected this much backlash and negative press? Everyone expected some if he left Cleveland, but just the way it played out, and his borderline illiterate comments have made this into a complete debacle. It has to be one of the worst PR decisions ever.

He KILLED his brand. Really. How many NON-Miami fans are going to want to wear the jersey of a King turned Coward?

[Chi Town Sox]

No, an all-star is not an all-star. There's a very big difference between someone like Chris Bosh that's a potential starter in the game and someone that barely makes the roster because he is an injury replacement (Williams) or plays a very weak position (Ilgauskas).

 

His first five years in the league, Ilgauskas was his best supporting player (besides Boozer in Lebron's rookie season). That stinks. His team won 50 games and made the finals with a starting lineup of chucker supreme Larry Hughes, Sasha Pavlovic, Drew Gooden and Ilgauskas. That's an extremely light group of talent.

 

The last two years have been a bit better, but Williams is hardly a superstar and he had Jamison for less than a season. There's a reason that they still lost to Orlando last year even though he averaged 38-8-8 on the series: if he doesn't do something spectacular on a regular basis that team isn't going to win.

 

Your right, there is a big difference, but there are ELITE players and there are Good to very good players. There are very few elite players and there are very many good to very good players, either way you look at it, there are going to be some good to very good players on the all star roster. This would mean that they are an all-star, injury fill-in or not. So if Mo Williams makes the all-star team, that means he was in consideration to be on the all-star team all along, just missed it by a player or two depending on who the bench players are.

 

I am not arguing that Mo Williams is this great player and saying that James has had amazing help, all I am saying is James has had some good players at his side at various times in his career who have been all-stars at some point while others are saying he has had no NO HELP. This is not true

 

 

 

[RME JICO]

Seems like ESPN trying to do damage control and distance themselves from the event.

 

CNBC is reporting that LeBron's camp paid Jim Gray to do the interview, not ESPN. Maverick Carter = best business manager EVER.

 

Reporter Jim Gray Paid By LeBron Entity, Not ESPN

[clyons]

CNBC is reporting that LeBron's camp paid Jim Gray to do the interview, not ESPN. Maverick Carter = best business manager EVER.

 

Reporter Jim Gray Paid By LeBron Entity, Not ESPN

Wow.

 

Jim Gray = Whore

[HuskyCaucasian]

Wow.

 

Jim Gray = Whore

has been for a long time

[HuskyCaucasian]

Cavs just said they spent 0% of their time game planning for James leaving. 100% was devoted to keeping James. Translation: "We have no backup plan"

Edited July 9, 2010 by Athomeboy_2000

[BigSqwert]

Wow.

 

Jim Gray = Whore

he is the ultimate douche reporter.

[HuskyCaucasian]

he is the ultimate douche reporter.

Edited July 9, 2010 by Athomeboy_2000

[clyons]

Cavs just said they spent 0% of their time game planning for James leaving. 100% was devoted to keeping James. Translation: "We have no backup plan"

Cavs = stupid (or liars).

 

Don't you have to have a Plan B in EVERYTHING in life?

[BigSqwert]

HAHA! Check out Lebron's mega-billboard in Cleveland.