[jackman]

Lebron did not really show much respect to Cleveland it seems, but Dan Gilbert is way off with his response.  He flat-out insulted Lebron James which is far worse than anything James did to his former team.  I think Lebron is league-made (he gets away with murder, practically), though still a star...the league wants to profit off of this, ESPN wanted to profit off of this, and James' likely enjoys the attention.  Cleveland is a horribly run team and James is/was no Michael.

I really could care less about the whole thing, though.  He was a free agent, players leave all the time.  Grant Hill left the Pistons in a pretty similar manner....only, classier.

I have no problem with him leaving his team.  To do it in the manner he did it yesterday was classless.  I agree with everything the Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert said.  He insulted a guy who deserved to be insulted.  The whole sham of the "decision" show was one of the biggest, most public insults ever to Cleveland and all of the Cavs fans. 

Grant Hill was/is a classy guy and would never be a part of a fiasco like the one America witnessed last night. 

The NBA is the league of stars, perhaps more than any other professional sport in the USA.   There are two clearly different rule-books for regular players and superstars.  Lebron was annointed King when he entered the league.  He got every call, right out of the gate and it was obvious Stern and company had big plans for him.  Going to Miami is just part of the plan.  Although I hope he fails and the three amigos wind up fighting for the limelight, I have a strong suspicion the NBA brass will not let them fail.  All of that starpower concentrated in one major market is good publicity for the league as they try to push for more global brand expansion. 

I look forward to the day the league decides Derek Rose has paid his dues and is enough of a superstar to be allowed to travel, goaltend, camp in the lane, and foul people with total impunity.  You know, like Lebron.   

[cujobob]

I agree with most of that...however, outside of the way he left, he gave 7 great seasons to Cleveland and put them back on the map.  I guess that's why I feel he shouldn't be insulted in the way Dan Gilbert went about it.

The NBA knows how to market their sport...unfortunately.

[launche]

The Cavs had the best regular season record.  Why did he need to go somewhere else to win?  Its easier. 

Did they have more or less then the Cavs this past season?
I have $10 that says this ends poorly.  I may be wrong (It happened oce before) but I thin ego(s) get in the way.  I do not think DW is going to like always being in the background of pictures.

GO CELTICS!

Let me ask a dumb question.  Why would anyone want to make their life hard to live?  Let me hear from some folks who are making decisions to make their lives harder to live.

We are getting upset with someone for trying to make their life easier and more enjoyable.  Is everyone thinking about what their are saying?  Is does not matter if the Cavs had the best regular season record.  What do we all know and they all say... it's the playoffs that count.  I don't care about regular season records and no one seeking a championship would either.  I'm sure some of you may be in sales.  That's like saying someone has the best sales pitch in the company, what's the next question; can he close?  If you are not closing deals then you are not moving product thus not getting it done and thus may be fired.  You can have a good job but you see a chance to have a great job, you take that chance hoping in time with some sacrifice you will be in a much better position.  Is that a wrong thing to do?  The Heat had less than the Cavs, now they have more.  Lebron was is a good position to win and now he is in a better position to win.  Explain to me where he made a bad decision.  Somehow people are forgetting he tried the previous way fro seven years it wasn't working.  Who is the fool who keeps doing something that isn't working?  Again what's the definition of insanity?

Almost every argument I'm hearing against Lebron is an emotional or self rightious one.  None of then make any concrete sense as to how this is a bad decision for him.  Your girlfriend decided that you are not going to provide her with long term happiness and she wants to leave.  Your feelings are hurt but I bet she have all the logical reasons for making her decision and all you have is an emotional reaction.  She's going and more than likely will move on to better things and you realize and know that she really should be leaving you and you just hoped she wouldn't realize it.

There are 10 reasons why this will work, to what extent remains to be seen.  Championships are expected.  But the only arguement anyone has as to why it won't is ego and there's only one ball.  That could be the case but that is small minded thinking.  If these guys are no better than that then they deserve to lose.  But when I watching Wade and Lebron fly up and done the court on fast breaks and outlet passes for some of the easiest baskets they've gotten since middle school I'm going to look out for their egos.

I want to hear from some coaches who are right now saying "On my goodness I'm going to have Lebron and Wade running down my throat on fast breaks every other posession and going to the line 20 times a night".  If they can round out the roster decently the only thing that will stop this team from contending will be injuries.  They better get ready for a lot of zone defense though. 

Who cares if he is the next or no Michael Jordan, that arguement is invalid.  The standard is championships, not being like Jordan.  That heart of a champion stuff is a bunch of bull too.  No one has the heart of a champion until they are a champion.  Really, let's stop the tired cliche's and rhetoric.  All that stuff is playing the result and spinning the media catch phrases.

Cleveland fans have the right to be upset.  All I'm saying is he was there for 7 years and did try for them.  Is it reasonable for someone to say; I'm going to give you 7 years of my efforts but then the next 7 are for me?  FYI, Lebron lost to the Spurs in the finals of '06-'07 against the hot Duncan, Parker, Ginoboli trio coached by the great Popovich.  So I think his record was very good the last 7 years but he made a decision to get him over the hump.  Let's not forget other teams are getting better as well and the Cav's run was likely ending.  He's smart getting out at the right time and aligning himself for a good title run.  Check your emotions at the door and use logic.  He made a sound professional decision in an unpopular way. 

If someone can give you seven years and have you knocking on the door, is that not realistically enough?  Warm and fuzzy thoughts don't bring championships.  Cleveland's run was done, smart people know that.  Maybe he just wanted out of Cleveland for whatever reason and that's fine too.  If he has picked Cleveland much of this chatter would be mute and apparently James, the owner on down could continue faking it.  He would have been a stand up guy and so on, give me a break.  It didn't work out to suit many sensibilities and now he's every dirty name under the sun.  That's how delicate the balance is.  You can him Lebron all the names you wish but you can't call him stupid.  Stupid would have been staying in Cleveland, warm and fuzzy yes but not a smart decision IMO.  I am not really even trying to defend the guy but the lack of logic is what puzzles me.  This is business and again where's all the support the all the traded players.  Show me all the Cleveland fans who were/are/and will be quick to say get rid of XYZ player he's not suitable, send him over here or over there and bring me someone who can better help us win a championship.  It cuts both ways.

But hey this is great it sets up a rivarly between the Heat and Cavs.  As for being liked outside of your city, well aren't you supposed to be hated but respected by every other team anyway.  This is a dream for the sports media club.  Build them up, break them done, repackage and repeat.

I'll take that $10 bet, you got some money on this Jackman?

[TheChairGuy]

I have renewed appreciation for Tim Duncan.

He spends an All-Star career in small market San Antonio....wins championships with either an aging David Robinson or Manu Ginobli by his side (and several different guards feeding him in the post)

No complaints - just stats, wins and defense - and championships for one of the NBA's top 50 players by everyone's account...and perhaps the top 2-3 Power Forwards that ever played.

To accommodate small market San Antonio, he re-jiggers his contract a couple times along the way to allow for them to field a real team that can win and allow the club to stay profitable.

I guess LeBron thinks - hey, me, Wade and Bosh - just like Pierce, Allen and Garnett. Look they won a championship the first year out and they were all a smidge past their prime that first year.  LeBron, DWade and Bosh are most definitely IN their prime and should rule the NBA for the next 4 years.

Funny thing about chemistry - it screws around with what looks right on paper a lot....and Erik Spoelstra ain't close to a Doc Rivers-calibre coach

John

[zybar]

I have renewed appreciation for Tim Duncan.

He spends an All-Star career in small market San Antonio....wins championships with either an aging David Robinson or Manu Ginobli by his side (and several different guards feeding him in the post)

No complaints - just stats, wins and defense - and championships for one of the NBA's top 50 players by everyone's account...and perhaps the top 2-3 Power Forwards that ever played.

To accommodate small market San Antonio, he re-jiggers his contract a couple times along the way to allow for them to field a real team that can win and allow the club to stay profitable.

I guess LeBron thinks - hey, me, Wade and Bosh - just like Pierce, Allen and Garnett. Look they won a championship the first year out and they were all a smidge past their prime that first year.  LeBron, DWade and Bosh are most definitely IN their prime and should rule the NBA for the next 4 years.

Funny thing about chemistry - it screws around with what looks right on paper a lot....and Erik Spoelstra ain't close to a Doc Rivers-calibre coach

John

John,

If Lebron had players of the caliber that have played with Duncan, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

I don't blame Lebron for wanting to go elsewhere to win.  I do think last night could have been handled better, but no matter he did, people were going to be upset and much of what has been said was going to come out.  Frankly, he was damned either way.

That being said, Tim Duncan does seem like a very classy and special person.

George

[jackman]

Launche,

LBJ has every right to leave town.  If you think that little episode he pulled last night wasn't low class and a slap in the face to the loyal Cleveland fans, we're going to have to disagree.  The reason I brought up Michael Jordan is because LBJ is being crammed down the throats of NBA fans as the next big star, on par with MJ.   Just wanted to point out that he's got a long way to go to be able to wear that crown.  He's not even Kobe Bryant yet and has a long way to get there.

You can't win titles with one player but LBJ is trying to take a shortcut and I don't think it's going to work.  At least I hope it isn't.  If I lived in Miami and was a Heat fan, my opinion would be completely different!  It should be a fun year for you Heat fans and I wish you all the best.  There is a part of me that looks forward to seeing the three of those guys on the court.

If Lebron had chosen Chicago, I would be happy but my opinion of the way he announced things on a live ESPN show would not change.  That was a low class way to rub it in the faces of people who supported him.  He's a great talent and will most likely go down as one of the greatest if he continues to play well.  Dan Marino never won the big game and he is still highly regarded.  He will never be in the same category as Joe Montana,  or Tom Brady but his performance qualified him for the HOF. Maybe Lebron will follow in his footsteps. 

What is the $10 bet about?  I'm cool with bets but would not take Cleveland over anyone at this point because they are in total disarray.  I'd take Orlando over Miami next year if you want to lay down some money. 

Cheers,

J

[TheChairGuy]

George/zybar,

David Robinson was 35yo when Duncan came to play after graduating from Wake Forest. By that time, David Robinson was about as effective as a healthy Kendrick Perkins or older Shaquille O'Neal in the post. Robinson was clearly past his prime.

Duncan, and Hall of Fame Coach Popovich, made the best of a team(s) over the years the likes of which included a non-draftee like Bruce Bowen, and role players such as Brent Barry, Robert Horry, Malik Rose, Kevin Willis, et al.

LeBron definitely didn't have much around him the first 2-3 years in the league - and Cleveland tired him out playing him 45 minutes a game, but the last 2-3 years he did have a much better supporting cast (and his minutes decreased so he could be fresh at all times)

Parker and Ginobli in San Antonio - maybe they're better than I think....but, what makes them better than good is that they can play off of the greatness of Tim Duncan.  LeBron doesn't currently let anyone play off his immense talents...that would minimize his fame.

I was watching a couple of LeBron's high school games recently...and it was clear he was a star in the making...but he didn't hog the spotlight (ie, passed the ball up, crisp passing, great court awareness of his teammates, stellar defense, etc).  This 'new' LeBron seems to be a more recent and uglier vintage one.

When he's not playing well - he does nothing to get his teammates to play better.  When a playoff game gets competitive, he doesn't dig deep and give - he gives up.  Dan Gilbert is spot-on.

It took Jordan seven years with the Bulls to win a championship - and not until he began to trust his teammates.  He played 3 years at North Carolina, too - or about 10 years after graduation from High School that he won his first NBA championship.  LeBron is 2-3 years behind him at age 26 now...and may mature in time when he realizes his skills and time are finite.

John

[macrojack]

I don't know the intricate details of Lebron James' life. I do know however that he was discovered in high school and has been directed, guided, advised, shepherded, and handled ever since. He appears to be a man child and I am doubtful that he has done much besides play basketball, film commercials and chase fun in his young life. I think it unlikely that he did anything more than follow instructions throughout the entire overblown decision process. That show last night, which I did not watch, was probably cooked up by ESPN, LBJ's agent and Napoleon Stern.
Everybody agrees that he had the right to change teams but there is debate as to whether or not he did so appropriately. I agree with Launche. It had to be done and there was no way to please everybody.
Be sure to tune in on August 14th. I intend to buy a phono preamp and I will be announcing my Decision at that time. You're all laughing and thinking why the hell do I care? Well, why do you? He's just another bonehead athlete who would be washing cars if he couldn't shoot baskets. I wonder if LeBron lets his cables break in? If so, we will all want to. And Dan Patrick will surely have something to say about that.

[zybar]

George/zybar,

David Robinson was 35yo when Duncan came to play after graduating from Wake Forest. By that time, David Robinson was about as effective as a healthy Kendrick Perkins or older Shaquille O'Neal in the post. Robinson was clearly past his prime.

Duncan, and Hall of Fame Coach Popovich, made the best of a team(s) over the years the likes of which included a non-draftee like Bruce Bowen, and role players such as Brent Barry, Robert Horry, Malik Rose, Kevin Willis, et al.

LeBron definitely didn't have much around him the first 2-3 years in the league - and Cleveland tired him out playing him 45 minutes a game, but the last 2-3 years he did have a much better supporting cast (and his minutes decreased so he could be fresh at all times)

Parker and Ginobli in San Antonio - maybe they're better than I think....but, what makes them better than good is that they can play off of the greatness of Tim Duncan.  LeBron doesn't currently let anyone play off his immense talents...that would minimize his fame.

I was watching a couple of LeBron's high school games recently...and it was clear he was a star in the making...but he didn't hog the spotlight (ie, passed the ball up, crisp passing, great court awareness of his teammates, stellar defense, etc).  This 'new' LeBron seems to be a more recent and uglier vintage one.

When he's not playing well - he does nothing to get his teammates to play better.  When a playoff game gets competitive, he doesn't dig deep and give - he gives up.  Dan Gilbert is spot-on.

It took Jordan seven years with the Bulls to win a championship - and not until he began to trust his teammates.  He played 3 years at North Carolina, too - or about 10 years after graduation from High School that he won his first NBA championship.  LeBron is 2-3 years behind him at age 26 now...and may mature in time when he realizes his skills and time are finite.

John

John,

During the 97-98 season Robinson averaged over 21 points and almost 11 rebounds a game...if that is clearly past his prime, I'll take that every day of the week.  Which of Lebron's teammates put up numbers like that over the past 7 years?  Who was the best player that teamed up with Lebron?  Delonte West?  Mo Williams?  Antwain Jameison?  Sorry, none of those are remotely a credible "Robin" to Lebron's "Batman".

As for Parker and Genobli...yes, they are a lot better than you think.  Go look at their stats (especially in the playoffs) and their results.

The bottom line is that all the superstars who have won in the NBA over the last 30 years had significantly more talent on their team than Lebron has had - that really isn't debatable.

I think you and many others are being overly hard and unfair to Lebron.  When the bar you get measured by is Jordan (which nobody outside of Bill Russell can approach), you are going to fall short.  When you lack the skilled players around you, you are forced to do more.  I will be shocked if Lebron is not very successful in Miami.

George

[decal]

I predict he will go to Miami!!!!!!!

[lonewolfny42]

macrojack ....

Be sure to tune in on August 14th. I intend to buy a phono preamp and I will be announcing my Decision at that time.

Tom....what channel will that be on....thanks.    

[jwes]

I agree with all the ESPN analysts - Chicago, with Rose, Boozer, Noah, would have been a young, very talented team that he could have led for years.  And would have had the opportunity to overshadow the greatest of all time.  Having said that, more power to LeBron for making a tough decision in his very short-lived pro NBA career.  Chicago is a shooting guard away from being serious competition for the Miami super-3 that has no other players...

[satfrat]

I wonder if LeBron lets his cables break in? If so, we will all want to. And Dan Patrick will surely have something to say about that.

I'd be interested to hear what Danica Patrick has to say about anything.     
 
Cheers,
Robin

[Goosepond]

I'd be interested to hear what Danica Patrick has to say about anything.     
 
Cheers,
Robin

Sorry, I disagree. I want see Danica say anything! 

Gene

[jackman]

Sorry, I disagree. I want see Danica say  :anything! 

Gene

I can think of a couple really bad things I'd like to hear Danica say to me!  I'm a sucker for girls who can drive a stick. 

Regarding Lebron.  It's over and I wish him luck with his new team.  I'm not a fan because he has gotten too much fame for his relatively minor accomplishments.   We'll see how bad Lebron wants it in Miami.  Did anyone see that farse last night in Miami?  Wade proclaiming this is the "best three players ever on one team"?  Wade is the only guy with a ring and he got it with a relatively healthy Shaque.  We will see how well he does with this bunch.  They are talented but will need more than three players to beat good teams. 

Orlando looks like a good team, Kevin Durant is perhaps the fastest rising star, the Bulls picked up some much needed scoring and rebounds with Boozer, plus Rose and Noah get better every year, I expect them to contend this year, and the Lakers have the best player in basketball, Kobe, and are still the team to beat. 

Maybe the NBA will be fun next season.  The NBA will do everything possible to make the Heat a contender and I expect that team to get every call.  Lebron and Wade already get every call.  Bosh is an amazing talent but most people have no idea how good he is because he played in Toronto.  If he is allowed to travel, camp out in the lane and if the refs call fouls on anyone who looks at him (like they do for Wade and Lebron), Bosh might score 30 a game.   They might not need more than three players to win games if that is the case! 

Cheers,

J

[cujobob]

Cleveland had a few talented players, but injuries, among other things, left them pretty much useless.  Cleveland didn't deserve to go far in the playoffs during any season, though, and only did because of Lebron's superstar status with the refs.  If Duncan got the same kinds of calls Lebron did/does, San Antonio would have dominated every season.  The NBA is a total joke, the refs call games whatever way the league wants them called.  If they left the game the way it should be, it'd be a flashier WNBA...and we all know how successful that's been.

[droht]

LeBron is clearly a great talent.  We can debate if he had enough talent around him in Cleveland to win it all, but it doesn't really matter at this point.  I think he came in to the league as a more focused team player, but has been pressured to be The Man so much that he has adopted that role.  I will be very curious to see how it works in Miami.  Wade, Bosh and James all can pass and facilitate, and we know they can score.  The coach's ability formulate a solid plan and sell it to the trio will be critical.  I would think Pat Riley will play a big roll in making sure that happens.  Having a big handful of championship rings speaks loudly to these guys.  They also need the appropriate role players.  Shooters, tough rebounders and defenders.  And those guys will have to come on the  relative cheap. 

If they don't chalk up 70 win seasons and numerous rings it will be seen as a failure, especially now as they've jettisoned many future # 1 picks back to Toronto and Cleveland.

If they are not dominant through 40 or 50 games next season might we see Riley back on the bench? 

[TheChairGuy]

John,

During the 97-98 season Robinson averaged over 21 points and almost 11 rebounds a game...if that is clearly past his prime, I'll take that every day of the week.  Which of Lebron's teammates put up numbers like that over the past 7 years?  Who was the best player that teamed up with Lebron?  Delonte West?  Mo Williams?  Antwain Jameison?  Sorry, none of those are remotely a credible "Robin" to Lebron's "Batman".

George - you're right

For some reason, I didn't calculate back far enough and I just spaced that Tim Duncan had 3 solid years with a dominant David Robinson with the Spurs.  Something just made me (only) remember the David Robinson from the Finals whoppin' they gave my Nets in 2002...largely administered without David Robinson's help as he was shuffling by then.

Came to thinking too about LeBron.  The guy is 25/26 yo...he almost has the innate right to be foolish and immature at that age.  If he still acts immaturely in 2-5 years we can all call him spoiled - right now, he's just young'ish. 

He played a bunch of years for the Cavs, made them winners immediately where they were wallowing for quite some time before - he owes them and the City of Cleveland nothing. He gave what he could and now has moved to sunnier/warmer digs down south

It'll be dang interesting to see how LeBro, DWade and Bosh play together over the next few years for the Heat.

John 

[Rob Babcock]

As much as the media loves to trumpet James as a "home grown" product, and despite the fact that he wanted to go to Cleveland, you have to remember he was drafted.  In a perverse twist that even the military has left in the dustbin of bad ideas, the lawyers and unions in organized sports still perpetuate a system under which press gangs still shanghai young people and send them wherever the Powers That Be require.  Sure, they're well paid, but it's still a guilded cage vs freedom to work where you choose.

LBJ showed himself to be a putz, but he's a saint compared to the douchebag owner that publicized that rant.  That angry little man can scream at the clouds and shake his tiny fists at the heavens, but I already can't remember his name.  In three months no one outside of Ohio will remember it, either.

[Goosepond]

It's always about the money, especially when they say it isn't.

LBJ (that's cool, to me LBJ always meant the prez back in those dark life stealing draft days of the Vietnam war) says he's not after the money but just wants to win several rings.

And to get those rings he's willing to sign a measly multi-million$ contract.

Laffable. 

And I can't wait to see how this all plays out on the court.

Gene