So is Lebron coming to New York?

jermmd · « **on:** 8 Jul 2010, 02:35 pm »

Boy, the media seems to be hinting that Lebron is going to be a Knick. I sure hope so. I might start following Basketball again!

soundbitten1 · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 04:54 pm »

I heard today that he is going to Miami.

satfrat · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 05:24 pm »

LeBron wants a NBA Championship to define his career and (IMO) he's not gonna be getting it done in either Cleveland or with the Knicks. With Wade and Bosh not only signng with Miami but willing to take less money if LeBron will join them there, the 9pm ESPN announcement is (in my eyes) a simple formality. LeBron will be giving up $30M extra offered by Clevelend if he signs with Miami.

That's 1 mighty expensive NBA Championship ring that LeBron so desperately wants.

Cheers,
Robin

sts9fan · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 05:45 pm »

Quote

LeBron wants a NBA Championship to define his career and (IMO)

Labron wants money and stardom IMO. Who cares about rings?

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 05:55 pm »

I hope he goes to Miami...and the 3 egomaniacs never gel as a team and lose in misery together.

The unbridled hubris of these young guys earning $20 million yearly makes me wanna' barf.

Crappy sleep last night - maybe I wouldn't care otherwise

John

rklein · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 05:58 pm »

Who the hell knows where The King is going...

As a Cavs fan, I know one thing for sure. Most of us here of course want LeBron to stay at home (and who knows maybe pair up with Chris Paul - it could happen...). However, if he uses a national stage (ESPN)(which is ridiculous in itself) to announce to the world, he is ditching Cleveland for where ever, to Clevelanders, he will be classified as the black Art Modell.

Randy

Berto · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 06:02 pm »

Quote from: satfrat on 8 Jul 2010, 05:24 pm

LeBron wants a NBA Championship to define his career and (IMO) he's not gonna be getting it done in either Cleveland or with the Knicks. With Wade and Bosh not only signng with Miami but willing to take less money if LeBron will join them there, the 9pm ESPN announcement is (in my eyes) a simple formality. LeBron will be giving up $30K extra offered by Clevelend if he signs with Miami. That's 1 mighty expensive NBA Championship ring that LeBron so desperately wants.

Cheers,
Robin

$30k could buy a nice stereo

But to Lebron IMO that $30k is meaningless esp. considering the endorsements he can get in a bigger media market.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 06:06 pm »

Correction - it's $30M (as in Million) he'd need to give up over 5 years to join the Heat.

But, considering his enhanced earning power if he wins an NBA Championship or three....that's a trifle. He probably makes more in endorsement money than his salary anyhow...so he probably won't miss the $6MM in salary each year.

John

rklein · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 06:07 pm »

Quote

$30k could buy a nice stereo But to Lebron IMO that $30k is meaningless esp. considering the endorsements who can get in a bigger media market.

I don't buy that argument. LBJ turns down a ton of endorsements. He and Kobe Bryant sell more Jerseys in China than anyone. NIKE could care less where he plays. He is a global icon and will sell product no matter what team/market he chooses to play for. As for $30 mil buying a nice stereo... for that kind of coin, I would just bring in the live band!

Randy

Berto · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 06:09 pm »

Quote from: sts9fan on 8 Jul 2010, 05:45 pm

Labron wants money and stardom IMO. Who cares about rings?

He has stardom, hence the reason why this is such a spectacle. And with whomever he signs with he will inevitably get a MAX deal and lots of $ in endorsements.

Now will he ever get a ring. that is a helluva lot less certain.

Berto · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 06:12 pm »

Quote from: rklein on 8 Jul 2010, 06:07 pm

I don't buy that argument. LBJ turns down a ton of endorsements. He and Kobe Bryant sell more Jerseys in China than anyone. NIKE could care less where he plays. He is a global icon and will sell product no matter what team/market he chooses to play for. As for $30 mil buying a nice stereo... for that kind of coin, I would just bring in the live band!

Randy

I read $30k as $30,000 , your right bring the band over

jermmd · « **Reply #11 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 06:16 pm »

Yesterday the Knicks were looking good. Today it's all Miami. No way will he take a $30M pay cut. No one is that rich.

satfrat · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 06:16 pm »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 8 Jul 2010, 06:06 pm

Correction - it's $30M (as in Million) he'd need to give up over 5 years to join the Heat.

But, considering his enhanced earning power if he wins an NBA Championship or three....that's a trifle. He probably makes more in endorsement money than his salary anyhow...so he probably won't miss the $6MM in salary each year.

John

Correction made,, thanks,

If LeBron was worried about the money at this point in his career, he'd stay where the money's the greatest and that would be Cleveland.

No,, LeBron wants that ring(s) and all the money that would result from it. LeBron will go with his best chance to accomplish what Kobe has,,, his salary takes a back seat while the bigger picture calls shotgun (front seat). Championship ring=endorsements, potential earnings that would dwarf his NBA salary, and that's the bigger picture, IMHO.

Cheers,
Robin

satfrat · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 06:26 pm »

Quote from: sts9fan on 8 Jul 2010, 05:45 pm

Labron wants money and stardom IMO. Who cares about rings?

Money without Championship banners is not stardom, ask any Celtic fan. Nobody will remember how much money LeBron made after his career is over except LeBron James but if he fails to win a Championship, that's what everyone will be remembering,,, and that's not stardom.

Cheers,
Robin

Berto · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 07:08 pm »

Quote from: jermmd on 8 Jul 2010, 06:16 pm

Yesterday the Knicks were looking good. Today it's all Miami. No way will he take a $30M pay cut. No one is that rich.

I did'nt realize that Florida does not have state income tax, so depending upon Clevelands state taxes, that extra $6mil/p/year will not make much of a difference.

BobM · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 07:41 pm »

If someone offered you a $100M deal for 5 years or a $70M deal for 5 years, would you actually quibble over the monetary difference or would you look to the actual work you would have to do and the quality of life in the place where you would have to live?

Either amount of money is insane by any standard, so why wouldn't you be looking at other things that will actually affect your life in greater ways in the long run? Plus, the endorsements will esily make up any difference and probably amount to more in the long run. Money becomes meaningless at some point in this kind of equation.

Kudo's for him to be looking at other things to base his decision on.

TF1216 · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 07:55 pm »

I always love what Bill Simmons has to say. If you like reading about Lebron and free agency check out his article.

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

rklein · « **Reply #17 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 08:39 pm »

+1 on Bill Simmons

Randy

launche · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 08:42 pm »

I read that Bill Simmons article earlier today, he has put some time into his thoughts.

I am a Miami fan so I'm intrigued. I don't imagine he'll go there, it just seems to be too unprecedented. Miami wouldn't have any money left, would these guys really sacrifice?
Chicago seems a no brainer if he's going to leave Cleveland. The only reason I can think he wouldn't go to Chicago is if he didn't like the management, didn't want to break his word to Wade and Bosh or he didn't want to follow in Jordan's footsteps. He could of course go and be the King of New York which must have major appeal to him. No matter wherever he goes he's going to have the expectation that he MUST deliver a championship. Cleveland is the only place that would forgive him or be OK if he didn't deliver. But if he stayed in Cleveland and never won the man would probably never be at ease and the city would be even worse off if maybe the greatest player in the game couldn't even win there, must be a curse.

jermmd · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Jul 2010, 01:23 am »

Nice article by Simmons. I really hope he comes to NYC. Basketball is dead in New York. We need him.

I'm watching the live feed on ESPN.com. This is ridiculous. They're going to milk this thing until 9:59 and then he's going to choose.