CelticsStrong
Around the League => Around the NBA => Topic started by: celticsclay on July 14, 2017, 01:57:40 PM
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Some highlights:
"The biggest contract they have given out was re-signing Kyle Korver to a three-year, $22 million deal. Korver is one of the best shooters in the NBA, and he shot an eye-popping 48.5 percent from 3 after Cleveland acquired him at the trade deadline last season, but he’s also an aging, one-dimensional player who doesn’t play any defense"
"There are few players in the NBA less valuable against Golden State than Jose Calderon, a backup point guard whom Cleveland signed to a one-year contract at the minimum. It’s no exaggeration to say that Calderon is one of the worst defensive players in the league. In 24 games with the Lakers last season, Synergy Sports rated Calderon in the first percentile when defending spot-up shooters and in the zeroth percentile as an isolation defender."
"Osman is exactly the type of young player the Cavs have not developed in LeBron’s three years in Cleveland, a philosophy which came back to bite them last season, when their bench stocked with aging veterans was run off the floor by Golden State. While the Warriors gave minutes to Patrick McCaw, a rookie second-round draft pick, the Cavs sent out 36-year-old goon Dahntay Jones, for whom they cut DeAndre Liggins, an athletic wing in his late 20s."
"The Warriors are raising the bar, while the Cavs are standing still. LeBron has already won a championship in Cleveland, so there’s nothing holding him there if he doesn’t think the Cavs give him the best shot at winning. He’s a 32-year-old who has played 14 seasons in the NBA and sees his basketball mortality in front of him. He doesn’t have any time to waste, and that’s all Cleveland is doing right now."
https://theringer.com/2017-nba-free-agency-cleveland-cavaliers-lebron-james-inactivity-d7990f299bae
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"I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when."
"I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. "
https://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers
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They're still the team to beat in the East....for now. But that window is closing fast. You can certainly see the cracks forming.
Won't be shocked the least if Lebron skips town after last season. That team has hit their ceiling.
Question is just when will another team in the east leap them?
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They're still the team to beat in the East....for now. But that window is closing fast. You can certainly see the cracks forming.
Won't be shocked the least if Lebron skips town after last season. That team has hit their ceiling.
Question is just when will another team in the east leap them?
I 100% believe that if not this year, the Celtics would comfortable pass them next year. Brown in his 3rd year, Tatum in his second, Smart, IT, Hayward in their primes. Only Horford declining and Lebron would be 34! There is not way that team is better than us.
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They're still the team to beat in the East....for now. But that window is closing fast. You can certainly see the cracks forming.
Won't be shocked the least if Lebron skips town after last season. That team has hit their ceiling.
Question is just when will another team in the east leap them?
Great way to put it. The cracks are starting to show, although they're still ahead of us. Kevin Love can't be too happy with things after Lebron spent the summer trying to trade him.
IMO, Lebron is heading west to put together his next superteam after this season and this is the end of Cleveland.
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They're still the team to beat in the East....for now. But that window is closing fast. You can certainly see the cracks forming.
Won't be shocked the least if Lebron skips town after last season. That team has hit their ceiling.
Question is just when will another team in the east leap them?
Great way to put it. The cracks are starting to show, although they're still ahead of us. Kevin Love can't be too happy with things after Lebron spent the summer trying to trade him.
IMO, Lebron is heading west to put together his next superteam after this season and this is the end of Cleveland.
There is always the Trade Deadline and the Buyout of Carmelo. Cleveland is not dead next year as we gain experience and grow older and better.
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They're still the team to beat in the East....for now. But that window is closing fast. You can certainly see the cracks forming.
Won't be shocked the least if Lebron skips town after last season. That team has hit their ceiling.
Question is just when will another team in the east leap them?
Great way to put it. The cracks are starting to show, although they're still ahead of us. Kevin Love can't be too happy with things after Lebron spent the summer trying to trade him.
IMO, Lebron is heading west to put together his next superteam after this season and this is the end of Cleveland.
There is always the Trade Deadline and the Buyout of Carmelo. Cleveland is not dead next year as we gain experience and grow older and better.
They could, but I don't think a move like that is going to impact Lebron long-term. He could go to LA, take a little less than max so they could sign another max player, and finish his career teamed up with another star and Lonzo. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think the die has been cast and LBJ is gone.
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They're still the team to beat in the East....for now. But that window is closing fast. You can certainly see the cracks forming.
Won't be shocked the least if Lebron skips town after last season. That team has hit their ceiling.
Question is just when will another team in the east leap them?
Great way to put it. The cracks are starting to show, although they're still ahead of us. Kevin Love can't be too happy with things after Lebron spent the summer trying to trade him.
IMO, Lebron is heading west to put together his next superteam after this season and this is the end of Cleveland.
There is always the Trade Deadline and the Buyout of Carmelo. Cleveland is not dead next year as we gain experience and grow older and better.
Seems likes Carmelo may stay in NY with the new ownership group. Either way, I am not sure how much Carmelo helps them on a team with Love/Irving/Lebron. He is best with the ball in his hands for iso scoring and is a bad defensive player. They need defensive players. George would have been pretty nice for them.
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James took his team to the finals in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Every year for the last 7 years his team has been to the NBA Finals.
Any team on which he might choose to play would instantly become a finals contender, with the exception of the Brooklyn Nets, the Chigago Bulls, the Sacramento Kings, and the Orlando Magic.
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Cleveland not getting better is, of course, good for the Celtics. I think the C's have a really good shot at the Finals this year.
But I still don't understand why Lebron would leave Cleveland. He's the biggest basketball star in the world, appearing in movies as himself, he's in every other commercial when you watch and NBA game and he's one of the highest paid player in the league. Money isn't going to be the question.
He's made 8 Finals and won 3 so it would be a little weird if he was ring chasing. Plus, he has two all stars who will only be 25 and 29 next year, along with a workhorse center who will be 26 (although someone needs to explain to me why Thompson was so freaking awful in the Finals) so how much better could any team be that he left Cleveland for? Especially if it's a team out West?
I'm unconvinced James is ever going anywhere. But I never thought he'd go to Miami in 2010 so don't trust my predictions.
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James took his team to the finals in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Every year for the last 7 years his team has been to the NBA Finals.
Any team on which he might choose to play would instantly become a finals contender, with the exception of the Brooklyn Nets, the Chigago Bulls, the Sacramento Kings, and the Orlando Magic.
He is great and definitely still a top 3 player in the league (don't know for how much longer), but still I feel like that list is way to short.
Is he leading himself and Dennis Schroeder to the finals next year?
Do him, Andre Drummond and Avery Bradley make it?
How about him, melo and porzingas?
He would be fascinating on Charlotte, I think that could get them to the finals with Howard and Kemba
With respect to making the finals in the West though, its not even close to all teams except for the Kings.
I think the only two teams he could bring past the Warriors would be Houston, OKC and Spurs.
Perhaps Minnesota too. No other team would beat the Warriors I don't think.
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They're still the team to beat in the East....for now. But that window is closing fast. You can certainly see the cracks forming.
Won't be shocked the least if Lebron skips town after last season. That team has hit their ceiling.
Question is just when will another team in the east leap them?
Wow. Why in the world do you NOT think WE, the Boston Celtics, are that team and that we can and likely WILL do so this year??
What about our off season did you NOT like? We had to let AB go as we simply did NOT want to lose him for nothing. There were NO guarantees that PG would re-sign, so why give up valuable picks for a rental?
Cleveland has stood still and there is an argument that they have gotten worse as LBJ and Love and Kyrie have one more LONG season of wear and tear on their bodies!!!! Adding Calderon and Jeff Green are really net negatives!!
Meanwhile, we inked the Rookie of the Year in the NBADL to a 4 year deal today. We might have the lottery pick with the best footwork and one-on-one moves in the last 5 years in Tatum. We have a steal in Semi who can already defend at the NBA level. We signed one of the most versatile young All-Stars in the entire NBA in Hayward!! Marcus Morris's versatility is vastly under-appreciated on this board!!!! The signing of Baynes (10th best defensive RPM for centers last year) is HIGHLY UNDER-rated!!!! Jaylen is working on his handle and will likely be better!!
Why the pessimism??????????????????
I simply am jacked and cannot wait to de-throne the Cavs THIS YEAR!!!!
Smitty77
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I simply am jacked and cannot wait to de-throne the Cavs THIS YEAR!!!!
I think we have a chance, but in spite of all our improvements, they've got to be the favorite because they still have Lebron.
I think unlike last year, we'd have a fighting chance against them this year, and if a couple breaks (or injuries) go our way, we could beat them.
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Sincerely hope he leaves. Cant help but enjoy watching him continue to make a Edited. Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. out of himself. Forget loyalty, and finger point to the end...
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They're still the team to beat in the East....for now. But that window is closing fast. You can certainly see the cracks forming.
Won't be shocked the least if Lebron skips town after last season. That team has hit their ceiling.
Question is just when will another team in the east leap them?
Wow. Why in the world do you NOT think WE, the Boston Celtics, are that team and that we can and likely WILL do so this year??
What about our off season did you NOT like? We had to let AB go as we simply did NOT want to lose him for nothing. There were NO guarantees that PG would re-sign, so why give up valuable picks for a rental?
Cleveland has stood still and there is an argument that they have gotten worse as LBJ and Love and Kyrie have one more LONG season of wear and tear on their bodies!!!! Adding Calderon and Jeff Green are really net negatives!!
Meanwhile, we inked the Rookie of the Year in the NBADL to a 4 year deal today. We might have the lottery pick with the best footwork and one-on-one moves in the last 5 years in Tatum. We have a steal in Semi who can already defend at the NBA level. We signed one of the most versatile young All-Stars in the entire NBA in Hayward!! Marcus Morris's versatility is vastly under-appreciated on this board!!!! The signing of Baynes (10th best defensive RPM for centers last year) is HIGHLY UNDER-rated!!!! Jaylen is working on his handle and will likely be better!!
Why the pessimism??????????????????
I simply am jacked and cannot wait to de-throne the Cavs THIS YEAR!!!!
Smitty77
Dons, I am sure, doesn't need me to defend him but, he never said he doesn't think Boston could be the team to overtake the Cavs. Re-read his post. He just said asked how long it would be until another team passes them. He never said what team that would be.
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If Lebron decides to leave...at least do what PG13 did for the Pacers
Not that I care really...
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I hate LeBUM, am hyped about the C's because I think we'll be much better this year, especially in the playoffs. And I can definitely see us in the finals.
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More smoke today: http://deadspin.com/report-lebron-james-is-not-happy-1796992350
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They're still the team to beat in the East....for now. But that window is closing fast. You can certainly see the cracks forming.
Won't be shocked the least if Lebron skips town after last season. That team has hit their ceiling.
Question is just when will another team in the east leap them?
Wow. Why in the world do you NOT think WE, the Boston Celtics, are that team and that we can and likely WILL do so this year??
What about our off season did you NOT like? We had to let AB go as we simply did NOT want to lose him for nothing. There were NO guarantees that PG would re-sign, so why give up valuable picks for a rental?
Cleveland has stood still and there is an argument that they have gotten worse as LBJ and Love and Kyrie have one more LONG season of wear and tear on their bodies!!!! Adding Calderon and Jeff Green are really net negatives!!
Meanwhile, we inked the Rookie of the Year in the NBADL to a 4 year deal today. We might have the lottery pick with the best footwork and one-on-one moves in the last 5 years in Tatum. We have a steal in Semi who can already defend at the NBA level. We signed one of the most versatile young All-Stars in the entire NBA in Hayward!! Marcus Morris's versatility is vastly under-appreciated on this board!!!! The signing of Baynes (10th best defensive RPM for centers last year) is HIGHLY UNDER-rated!!!! Jaylen is working on his handle and will likely be better!!
Why the pessimism??????????????????
I simply am jacked and cannot wait to de-throne the Cavs THIS YEAR!!!!
Smitty77
Honest question, did you even read my post & you are simply projecting?
Or are your reading comprehension skills simply that poor?
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More smoke today: http://deadspin.com/report-lebron-james-is-not-happy-1796992350
If this continues all season, it's not impossible LeBron checks out of a playoff series if we come out strong from the gate, a la 2010.
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More smoke today: http://deadspin.com/report-lebron-james-is-not-happy-1796992350
If this continues all season, it's not impossible LeBron checks out of a playoff series if we come out strong from the gate, a la 2010.
That is actually a really good point too...
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More smoke today: http://deadspin.com/report-lebron-james-is-not-happy-1796992350
Seeing LeBron tarnish his legacy by leaving again to go join some super team would be hilarious (as long as we can beat them)
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I suspect Lebron will want to ride someone else's coattail to a title in his older years.
It doesn't look like Irving and especially Love are set on dominating much; they count on James. I wonder if he looks forward to being the 3rd option.
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I want nothing to do with lebron. He makes all managerial decisions for a team.
I would laugh so hard if they signed perk
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James took his team to the finals in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Every year for the last 7 years his team has been to the NBA Finals.
Any team on which he might choose to play would instantly become a finals contender, with the exception of the Brooklyn Nets, the Chigago Bulls, the Sacramento Kings, and the Orlando Magic.
LeBron to any Western Conference teams might even give him fits. He'll have to go through Golden State, San Antonio, Houston 9-12 times a year in the regular season. Minnesota and OKC could give him some struggles too. And then there are the playoffs.
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James took his team to the finals in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Every year for the last 7 years his team has been to the NBA Finals.
Any team on which he might choose to play would instantly become a finals contender, with the exception of the Brooklyn Nets, the Chigago Bulls, the Sacramento Kings, and the Orlando Magic.
LeBron to any Western Conference teams might even give him fits. He'll have to go through Golden State, San Antonio, Houston 9-12 times a year in the regular season. Minnesota and OKC could give him some struggles too. And then there are the playoffs.
Which is precisely why he stayed in the Eastern Conference his entire career. He's no dummy.
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LeBron should go to Houston.
CP3 + Harden + LeBron = new big 3
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LeBron should go to Houston.
CP3 + Harden + LeBron = new big 3
3 guys who play point guard on offense. Crazy talent though.
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I suspect Lebron will want to ride someone else's coattail to a title in his older years.
It doesn't look like Irving and especially Love are set on dominating much; they count on James. I wonder if he looks forward to being the 3rd option.
I don't think so. He seems to want to be "the guy". Even when he went into D-Wade's team in Miami, Lebron was still "the guy" there. MJ and Kobe never rode anybody else's coattails in their older years and I don't think Lebron will either. Just my opinion though.
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I wonder what Cleveland could get if they decided to trade him now? Sure he'd be a rental but he could win that team a title before he left.
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I wonder what Cleveland could get if they decided to trade him now? Sure he'd be a rental but he could win that team a title before he left.
It would never happen but I'm laughing right now at the prospect of Dan Gilbert kicking Lebron out the door. That would be hilarious.
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I wonder what Cleveland could get if they decided to trade him now? Sure he'd be a rental but he could win that team a title before he left.
It would never happen but I'm laughing right now at the prospect of Dan Gilbert kicking Lebron out the door. That would be hilarious.
He should trade him to the Magic.
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I wonder what Cleveland could get if they decided to trade him now? Sure he'd be a rental but he could win that team a title before he left.
It would never happen but I'm laughing right now at the prospect of Dan Gilbert kicking Lebron out the door. That would be hilarious.
He should trade him to the Magic.
I like that !
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Not like CLE is a basketball town, they historically have only supported the Cavs when they are winning.
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If LeBron checks out mentally (possible) and they hover around the middle of the pack (remember, they were a mediocre team for like half of last year), maybe this is possible.
What can the Cavs do to get any better? The rumblings will only get louder the worse they do.
Throw an offer at Gilbert for him, he just may bite.
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I wonder what Cleveland could get if they decided to trade him now? Sure he'd be a rental but he could win that team a title before he left.
It would never happen but I'm laughing right now at the prospect of Dan Gilbert kicking Lebron out the door. That would be hilarious.
He should trade him to the Magic.
Pretty sure LeBron has a no trade clause because he resigned without full bird rights.
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If Cavs can't beat GSW with LeBron, Kyrie and Love, then they are stuck. They can't get any better.
Still, I doubt James leaves.
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If James goes somewhere else, the logical places would be the biggest markets that can afford him--and that would be NY and LA. The Knicks and the Lakers could absorb his contract. And the Lakers then would be expected to sign George next year, which would make them serious contenders. You figure the Knicks would be contenders as well. James would be the drawing card for other FAs.
Any team that gets James becomes a contender. What you hope is he gets out of the East.
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If James goes somewhere else, the logical places would be the biggest markets that can afford him--and that would be NY and LA. The Knicks and the Lakers could absorb his contract. And the Lakers then would be expected to sign George next year, which would make them serious contenders. You figure the Knicks would be contenders as well. James would be the drawing card for other FAs.
Any team that gets James becomes a contender. What you hope is he gets out of the East.
James would only leave for a team that gives him a better chance to win titles. The market doesn't matter at all to him. If he doesn't see a team that increases his title chances he won't leave unless Gilbert keeps doing dumb things (which is certainly possible).
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Not like CLE is a basketball town, they historically have only supported the Cavs when they are winning.
Couldn't agree more with this. Before the Cavs won it all last year, a lot of people on here said they were rooting for the Cavs to beat GS out of sympathy for Cleveland sports fans. Browns fans are unbelievably loyal - perhaps the most loyal of any fan base in all of sports. But just because it's the same city, there isn't nearly as big of an overlap between Browns fans and Cavs fans as one might assume. Cavs fans - in general - are about as loyal as Laker fans. The vast majority of Cavs fans can't name more than two players that ever played for the Cavs before LeBron arrived in June of 2003, and rarely watched or attended games while LeBron was in Miami. Not a loyal fan base whatsoever.
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It was very hard from the start of the summer for CLE to improve its roster. Now, it seems virtually impossible. Lebron leaving for a better chance at a title is possible, but I would not blame that on Cleveland.
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It was very hard from the start of the summer for CLE to improve its roster. Now, it seems virtually impossible. Lebron leaving for a better chance at a title is possible, but I would not blame that on Cleveland.
I agree. If LeBron had stuck to his role as a player only and not meddled in coaching and player personnel, then the front office would deserve much more blame for the lack of roster flexibility the Cavs have now. But this is the classic case of someone making their bed and now having to sleep in it.
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If James goes somewhere else, the logical places would be the biggest markets that can afford him--and that would be NY and LA. The Knicks and the Lakers could absorb his contract. And the Lakers then would be expected to sign George next year, which would make them serious contenders. You figure the Knicks would be contenders as well. James would be the drawing card for other FAs.
Any team that gets James becomes a contender. What you hope is he gets out of the East.
James would only leave for a team that gives him a better chance to win titles. The market doesn't matter at all to him. If he doesn't see a team that increases his title chances he won't leave unless Gilbert keeps doing dumb things (which is certainly possible).
I agree that market size likely won't be a major factor for LeBron.
I'm curious to hear your take on this since you seem pretty plugged in to the Cavs. What's your take on why the fan base embraced him so quickly when he returned from Miami? And do you know of any fans that refused to root for the Cavs once LeBron returned and/or root for them begrudgingly in spite of their dislike of LeBron?
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If James goes somewhere else, the logical places would be the biggest markets that can afford him--and that would be NY and LA. The Knicks and the Lakers could absorb his contract. And the Lakers then would be expected to sign George next year, which would make them serious contenders. You figure the Knicks would be contenders as well. James would be the drawing card for other FAs.
Any team that gets James becomes a contender. What you hope is he gets out of the East.
James would only leave for a team that gives him a better chance to win titles. The market doesn't matter at all to him. If he doesn't see a team that increases his title chances he won't leave unless Gilbert keeps doing dumb things (which is certainly possible).
I agree that market size likely won't be a major factor for LeBron.
I'm curious to hear your take on this since you seem pretty plugged in to the Cavs. What's your take on why the fan base embraced him so quickly when he returned from Miami? And do you know of any fans that refused to root for the Cavs once LeBron returned and/or root for them begrudgingly in spite of their dislike of LeBron?
fans in pretty much every city and every sport really only care about winning. Even the diehards prefer their team to be winning. Lebron led to winning. It really isn't difficult to understand.
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If James goes somewhere else, the logical places would be the biggest markets that can afford him--and that would be NY and LA. The Knicks and the Lakers could absorb his contract. And the Lakers then would be expected to sign George next year, which would make them serious contenders. You figure the Knicks would be contenders as well. James would be the drawing card for other FAs.
Any team that gets James becomes a contender. What you hope is he gets out of the East.
James would only leave for a team that gives him a better chance to win titles. The market doesn't matter at all to him. If he doesn't see a team that increases his title chances he won't leave unless Gilbert keeps doing dumb things (which is certainly possible).
I agree that market size likely won't be a major factor for LeBron.
I'm curious to hear your take on this since you seem pretty plugged in to the Cavs. What's your take on why the fan base embraced him so quickly when he returned from Miami? And do you know of any fans that refused to root for the Cavs once LeBron returned and/or root for them begrudgingly in spite of their dislike of LeBron?
I actually disagree. He is learning that a small market team like the Cavs can't improve any further. Gilbert has paid the tax and it's still not enough. He has to go to a big market so the owner can afford better teammates.
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If James goes somewhere else, the logical places would be the biggest markets that can afford him--and that would be NY and LA. The Knicks and the Lakers could absorb his contract. And the Lakers then would be expected to sign George next year, which would make them serious contenders. You figure the Knicks would be contenders as well. James would be the drawing card for other FAs.
Any team that gets James becomes a contender. What you hope is he gets out of the East.
James would only leave for a team that gives him a better chance to win titles. The market doesn't matter at all to him. If he doesn't see a team that increases his title chances he won't leave unless Gilbert keeps doing dumb things (which is certainly possible).
I agree that market size likely won't be a major factor for LeBron.
I'm curious to hear your take on this since you seem pretty plugged in to the Cavs. What's your take on why the fan base embraced him so quickly when he returned from Miami? And do you know of any fans that refused to root for the Cavs once LeBron returned and/or root for them begrudgingly in spite of their dislike of LeBron?
I actually disagree. He is learning that a small market team like the Cavs can't improve any further. Gilbert has paid the tax and it's still not enough. He has to go to a big market so the owner can afford better teammates.
The Cavs have the highest payroll in league history. It has nothing to do with market size, it has to do with the Cavs giving out some poor long term contracts to players they shouldn't have and them having limited roster spots and draft picks to add to the team. That said, unless his new team provides better players than Irving, Love, and Thompson, then what is the point in him leaving especially going to the west to have to go through Golden State, San Antonio, Houston, etc. James is also going to need a max or near max contract, so they have to have the room for that and be able to build a better team than the Cavs.
There are a few teams that could do that and look like real threats to the Warriors with Lebron (the Spurs and possibly the Sixers come immediately to mind), so James leaving is certainly not out of the question, but he isn't going to leave to go to a team that won't even make the Finals (which is what the Lakers are with just James and George - now if the Lakers also add Westbrook, then that is a different situation).
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If James goes somewhere else, the logical places would be the biggest markets that can afford him--and that would be NY and LA. The Knicks and the Lakers could absorb his contract. And the Lakers then would be expected to sign George next year, which would make them serious contenders. You figure the Knicks would be contenders as well. James would be the drawing card for other FAs.
Any team that gets James becomes a contender. What you hope is he gets out of the East.
James would only leave for a team that gives him a better chance to win titles. The market doesn't matter at all to him. If he doesn't see a team that increases his title chances he won't leave unless Gilbert keeps doing dumb things (which is certainly possible).
I agree that market size likely won't be a major factor for LeBron.
I'm curious to hear your take on this since you seem pretty plugged in to the Cavs. What's your take on why the fan base embraced him so quickly when he returned from Miami? And do you know of any fans that refused to root for the Cavs once LeBron returned and/or root for them begrudgingly in spite of their dislike of LeBron?
I actually disagree. He is learning that a small market team like the Cavs can't improve any further. Gilbert has paid the tax and it's still not enough. He has to go to a big market so the owner can afford better teammates.
The tax is so expensive that even big market teams will shy away from paying it. The Cavs have $130m in payroll. They're capped out. It's not that they won't make a move. It's that they've painted themselves into a cap corner.
So that's not the issue in Cleveland. It's that their roster is devoid of attractive assets that won't compromise the core of the team. Of the 18 guys on the roster, there are only two guys on that roster under 25 years of age. 10 are over 30. There's a lot of big guaranteed money on the table already. Their picks aren't worth much unless they're out in 2021 or 2022, not to mention that POR owns their 2019 pick (1-10 protected). All they really have is the mid-level exception to make a move with unless they want to start moving around the Big 3 (like Love).
So even if the Cavs want to make a deal - and they can't take back much more salary because they're over the limit - what do they have to trade that doesn't compromise the core integrity of the team? Shumpert? Derrick Williams? Those aren't top notch assets.
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If James goes somewhere else, the logical places would be the biggest markets that can afford him--and that would be NY and LA. The Knicks and the Lakers could absorb his contract. And the Lakers then would be expected to sign George next year, which would make them serious contenders. You figure the Knicks would be contenders as well. James would be the drawing card for other FAs.
Any team that gets James becomes a contender. What you hope is he gets out of the East.
James would only leave for a team that gives him a better chance to win titles. The market doesn't matter at all to him. If he doesn't see a team that increases his title chances he won't leave unless Gilbert keeps doing dumb things (which is certainly possible).
I agree that market size likely won't be a major factor for LeBron.
I'm curious to hear your take on this since you seem pretty plugged in to the Cavs. What's your take on why the fan base embraced him so quickly when he returned from Miami? And do you know of any fans that refused to root for the Cavs once LeBron returned and/or root for them begrudgingly in spite of their dislike of LeBron?
I actually disagree. He is learning that a small market team like the Cavs can't improve any further. Gilbert has paid the tax and it's still not enough. He has to go to a big market so the owner can afford better teammates.
The tax is so expensive that even big market teams will shy away from paying it. The Cavs have $130m in payroll. They're capped out. It's not that they won't make a move. It's that they've painted themselves into a cap corner.
So that's not the issue in Cleveland. It's that their roster is devoid of attractive assets that won't compromise the core of the team. Of the 18 guys on the roster, there are only two guys on that roster under 25 years of age. 10 are over 30. There's a lot of big guaranteed money on the table already. Their picks aren't worth much unless they're out in 2021 or 2022, not to mention that POR owns their 2019 pick (1-10 protected). All they really have is the mid-level exception to make a move with unless they want to start moving around the Big 3 (like Love).
So even if the Cavs want to make a deal - and they can't take back much more salary because they're over the limit - what do they have to trade that doesn't compromise the core integrity of the team? Shumpert? Derrick Williams? Those aren't top notch assets.
Shumpert actually has a somewhat bad contract and they have been trying to get rid of him in a salary dump. He makes a little over 10 million this year and 11 million next year. He hasn't been able to really develop his shot and has shot 37 and 41% the last two years. At 27 it is unclear how much more he will improve.
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I kind of feel LeBron will stomp his feet and cry until the Cavs fold and give him a new playmate so the legacy train can continue. It could be Anthony, or someone else, but he'll get his way, and the Cavs will pay a record luxury tax.
I can't see him going to LA because they're in the West, and all "rings" go through Golden State. And the Lakers, with Lonzo, are a ways away from challenging even with James.
No he'll stay in Cleveland, gut them like a fish, or look to be traded to Boston. The Cavs ownership will love the suggestion, they can empty the Celtics of every draft pick available, and a good young player or two.
I wonder how many Celtics fan would be on board?
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I kind of feel LeBron will stomp his feet and cry until the Cavs fold and give him a new playmate so the legacy train can continue. It could be Anthony, or someone else, but he'll get his way, and the Cavs will pay a record luxury tax.
I can't see him going to LA because they're in the West, and all "rings" go through Golden State. And the Lakers, with Lonzo, are a ways away from challenging even with James.
No he'll stay in Cleveland, gut them like a fish, or look to be traded to Boston. The Cavs ownership will love the suggestion, they can empty the Celtics of every draft pick available, and a good young player or two.
I wonder how many Celtics fan would be on board?
I agree that he will kick and scream till he gets his way, though it still won't be enough to get past GS. Then true to form, he will look for an easier path.
I'm happy with our current team that's trending upwards, and have no desire to hand over the reigns of our entire organization to him. I literally wouldn't take LeBron if he came for "free."
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
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I don't think they can sig 2-3 max players and be able to keep Embiid but sixers could be a nice place for Lebron.
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
The Sixers won't have enough cap space to sign more than one max player and it wouldn't be a smart idea even if they could do it. They need to stick with their youth rebuild and be selective about free agent signings. Lebron and Simmons would be an awkward fit. With both and Embiid, the paint would be clogged. Lebron also brings a lot of baggage. If he wants to go there, they probably have to do it but it isn't necessarily going to make them dominant in the East.
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I don't think they can sig 2-3 max players and be able to keep Embiid but sixers could be a nice place for Lebron.
I think if they can find a taker for Jeryd Bayless's contract and renounce certain guys they can def fit 2 in. 3 I agree - not possible.
Just seems If going with PG13 to join lonzo and Brandon Ingram is so desirable, doing the same thing but joining embiid, fultz, Simmons and saric and stay far out of the west may be smarter - just not as glitzy.
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I kind of feel LeBron will stomp his feet and cry until the Cavs fold and give him a new playmate so the legacy train can continue. It could be Anthony, or someone else, but he'll get his way, and the Cavs will pay a record luxury tax.
I can't see him going to LA because they're in the West, and all "rings" go through Golden State. And the Lakers, with Lonzo, are a ways away from challenging even with James.
No he'll stay in Cleveland, gut them like a fish, or look to be traded to Boston. The Cavs ownership will love the suggestion, they can empty the Celtics of every draft pick available, and a good young player or two.
I wonder how many Celtics fan would be on board?
If they have to trade Love for Anthony, I don't think that makes them a better team.
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
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Looks like Rose is going to end up on the Cavs at the vet minimum of 2.1 million (costs the Cavs 6.4 million with the tax). This will give Rose a chance to show he can play in a lesser role (maybe more efficiently). Obviously, the Cavs could still really use a defensive oriented guard but Rose is one of the better players still out there and with limited options, this isn't a bad move for them, as Rose can at least put the ball in the hole and should be able to brutalize back-up guards. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Rose and Irving playing together a lot.
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Looks like Rose is going to end up on the Cavs at the vet minimum of 2.1 million (costs the Cavs 6.4 million with the tax). This will give Rose a chance to show he can play in a lesser role (maybe more efficiently). Obviously, the Cavs could still really use a defensive oriented guard but Rose is one of the better players still out there and with limited options, this isn't a bad move for them, as Rose can at least put the ball in the hole and should be able to brutalize back-up guards. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Rose and Irving playing together a lot.
I really think this is the quintessential Lebron GM move and is not what they need. He is the proverbial big name player, but one that doesn't address their biggest needs. Their biggest problem again is defense, not offense. They scored 113, 113, 137 and 120 in 4 of the finals games. The problem is they can't stop teams on the other end. Derrick Rose is a really bad defensive player. Along with Kyrie, they will have the worst defensive backcourt in the league when those two play together (probably with a serious challenge from the Lakers on that). d
Honestly I really think they would have done better with just keeping Delly. Or imagine if they could have found a way to get Beverly...
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
Lebron signing with a team of a bunch of young guys would go against everything he has done and supported for moves by his teams in his entire career which is trying to play alongside big name vets or ones with good reputations (frequently on the back end of their career). Going back to his first stint in Cleveland he was bringing a washed up big name shaq, antwawn jamison, Ben Wallace, In Miami it was Ray Allen, Greg Oden, Eddie Curry, mike bibby, Rashard Lewis etc. In Cleveland the second time it has been Korver, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson (to say nothing of his demand for trading Wiggins for Love). He loves Vets and really has shown no interest in playing with young guys.
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Looks like Rose is going to end up on the Cavs at the vet minimum of 2.1 million (costs the Cavs 6.4 million with the tax). This will give Rose a chance to show he can play in a lesser role (maybe more efficiently). Obviously, the Cavs could still really use a defensive oriented guard but Rose is one of the better players still out there and with limited options, this isn't a bad move for them, as Rose can at least put the ball in the hole and should be able to brutalize back-up guards. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Rose and Irving playing together a lot.
I really think this is the quintessential Lebron GM move and is not what they need. He is the proverbial big name player, but one that doesn't address their biggest needs. Their biggest problem again is defense, not offense. They scored 113, 113, 137 and 120 in 4 of the finals games. The problem is they can't stop teams on the other end. Derrick Rose is a really bad defensive player. Along with Kyrie, they will have the worst defensive backcourt in the league when those two play together (probably with a serious challenge from the Lakers on that). d
Honestly I really think they would have done better with just keeping Delly. Or imagine if they could have found a way to get Beverly...
No question they felt the loss of Delly, but he wanted not only more money but also a greater role. They really had no chance of keeping him. That said, I think it wasn't the best fit in Milwaukee so maybe they could try to get him back for Shumpert (Shumpert has 1 less year so it helps Milwaukee's future tax problems).
If the Cavs really don't care about the tax, then Monroe and Delly for Shumpert, Frye, Jefferson, Felder, and Tavares actually makes a bit of sense for both teams (it gets Milwaukee out of the tax this year and the Cavs get some pieces that make a bit more sense).
Or maybe, Monroe, Delly, Teletovic for Smith, Shumpert, and Frye (again gets Milwaukee out of the tax and while Smith and Shumpert aren't good contracts, Teletovic and Delly aren't either and Monroe makes a ton of money this year).
Again those only make sense if Milwaukee really didn't like the Delly fit and/or really want to get out of luxury tax range.
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Looks like Rose is going to end up on the Cavs at the vet minimum of 2.1 million (costs the Cavs 6.4 million with the tax). This will give Rose a chance to show he can play in a lesser role (maybe more efficiently). Obviously, the Cavs could still really use a defensive oriented guard but Rose is one of the better players still out there and with limited options, this isn't a bad move for them, as Rose can at least put the ball in the hole and should be able to brutalize back-up guards. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Rose and Irving playing together a lot.
I really think this is the quintessential Lebron GM move and is not what they need. He is the proverbial big name player, but one that doesn't address their biggest needs. Their biggest problem again is defense, not offense. They scored 113, 113, 137 and 120 in 4 of the finals games. The problem is they can't stop teams on the other end. Derrick Rose is a really bad defensive player. Along with Kyrie, they will have the worst defensive backcourt in the league when those two play together (probably with a serious challenge from the Lakers on that). d
Honestly I really think they would have done better with just keeping Delly. Or imagine if they could have found a way to get Beverly...
No question they felt the loss of Delly, but he wanted not only more money but also a greater role. They really had no chance of keeping him. That said, I think it wasn't the best fit in Milwaukee so maybe they could try to get him back for Shumpert (Shumpert has 1 less year so it helps Milwaukee's future tax problems).
If the Cavs really don't care about the tax, then Monroe and Delly for Shumpert, Frye, Jefferson, Felder, and Tavares actually makes a bit of sense for both teams (it gets Milwaukee out of the tax this year and the Cavs get some pieces that make a bit more sense).
Or maybe, Monroe, Delly, Teletovic for Smith, Shumpert, and Frye (again gets Milwaukee out of the tax and while Smith and Shumpert aren't good contracts, Teletovic and Delly aren't either and Monroe makes a ton of money this year).
Again those only make sense if Milwaukee really didn't like the Delly fit and/or really want to get out of luxury tax range.
If they made this trade I would definitely think it would really help the Cavs and would dramatically help their chances of winning a championship. It would actually focus on addressing their needs (someone that can score in the post, rebound when Thompson is off/needs a break) and someone that could guard all the elite point guards in the NBA without allowing them to exploit Irving and tire him out at the same time. All the teams they would play against in the east (Wall, IT, Lowry) have good scoring point guards that Irving is forced to guard. In the West it is even more pronounced now with Westbrook, Harden and Paul and Thompson and Curry. Starting an Irving Rose backcourt against those teams in the west is a disaster before the game even stars.
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
Lebron signing with a team of a bunch of young guys would go against everything he has done and supported for moves by his teams in his entire career which is trying to play alongside big name vets or ones with good reputations (frequently on the back end of their career). Going back to his first stint in Cleveland he was bringing a washed up big name shaq, antwawn jamison, Ben Wallace, In Miami it was Ray Allen, Greg Oden, Eddie Curry, mike bibby, Rashard Lewis etc. In Cleveland the second time it has been Korver, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson (to say nothing of his demand for trading Wiggins for Love). He loves Vets and really has shown no interest in playing with young guys.
You and your love affair with bench role players. James left a Cleveland team with no all stars (I just don't count Mo Williams) to go to a team with 2 all stars in its prime (Wade and Bosh). He then left that team when the 2 all stars got older (and ownership started to cheap out) to go to a team with a rising young star in Irving (and a young quality starter - Thompson) and the assets (Wiggins) available to acquire another young star (which ultimately became Love).
James would absolutely go to a team like Philly, if, and this is a very big IF, Philly makes a pretty good jump this year based on the play of the young guys. The bench can then be filled in with the vets that you are talking about.
Every time James has left his team it was to go to a team that could provide him at least 2 all star level players in their prime (or in the case of Irving before his prime). Going to Philly would actually be the exact type of move James would make, but Philly has to make that jump and look like they could be realistic title contenders with James.
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
Lebron signing with a team of a bunch of young guys would go against everything he has done and supported for moves by his teams in his entire career which is trying to play alongside big name vets or ones with good reputations (frequently on the back end of their career). Going back to his first stint in Cleveland he was bringing a washed up big name shaq, antwawn jamison, Ben Wallace, In Miami it was Ray Allen, Greg Oden, Eddie Curry, mike bibby, Rashard Lewis etc. In Cleveland the second time it has been Korver, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson (to say nothing of his demand for trading Wiggins for Love). He loves Vets and really has shown no interest in playing with young guys.
You and your love affair with bench role players. James left a Cleveland team with no all stars (I just don't count Mo Williams) to go to a team with 2 all stars in its prime (Wade and Bosh). He then left that team when the 2 all stars got older (and ownership started to cheap out) to go to a team with a rising young star in Irving (and a young quality starter - Thompson) and the assets (Wiggins) available to acquire another young star (which ultimately became Love).
James would absolutely go to a team like Philly, if, and this is a very big IF, Philly makes a pretty good jump this year based on the play of the young guys. The bench can then be filled in with the vets that you are talking about.
Every time James has left his team it was to go to a team that could provide him at least 2 all star level players in their prime (or in the case of Irving before his prime). Going to Philly would actually be the exact type of move James would make, but Philly has to make that jump and look like they could be realistic title contenders with James.
You are really contradicting yourself here. You say he always goes to teams with two all star level players in their primes. Unless you are suggesting that Simmons or Fultz will be in their prime as rookies and make the all-star team he would be joining a team with zero all-star players in their prime (or maybe you are counting Embiid as an all-star in his prime if he plays 80 games this year).
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
Lebron signing with a team of a bunch of young guys would go against everything he has done and supported for moves by his teams in his entire career which is trying to play alongside big name vets or ones with good reputations (frequently on the back end of their career). Going back to his first stint in Cleveland he was bringing a washed up big name shaq, antwawn jamison, Ben Wallace, In Miami it was Ray Allen, Greg Oden, Eddie Curry, mike bibby, Rashard Lewis etc. In Cleveland the second time it has been Korver, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson (to say nothing of his demand for trading Wiggins for Love). He loves Vets and really has shown no interest in playing with young guys.
You and your love affair with bench role players. James left a Cleveland team with no all stars (I just don't count Mo Williams) to go to a team with 2 all stars in its prime (Wade and Bosh). He then left that team when the 2 all stars got older (and ownership started to cheap out) to go to a team with a rising young star in Irving (and a young quality starter - Thompson) and the assets (Wiggins) available to acquire another young star (which ultimately became Love).
James would absolutely go to a team like Philly, if, and this is a very big IF, Philly makes a pretty good jump this year based on the play of the young guys. The bench can then be filled in with the vets that you are talking about.
Every time James has left his team it was to go to a team that could provide him at least 2 all star level players in their prime (or in the case of Irving before his prime). Going to Philly would actually be the exact type of move James would make, but Philly has to make that jump and look like they could be realistic title contenders with James.
You are really contradicting yourself here. You say he always goes to teams with two all star level players in their primes. Unless you are suggesting that Simmons or Fultz will be in their prime as rookies and make the all-star team he would be joining a team with zero all-star players in their prime (or maybe you are counting Embiid as an all-star in his prime if he plays 80 games this year).
Not contradicting at all, but that is why I emphasized pretty clearly that Philly has to make a jump based on the play of the young guys. If Fultz, Simmons, and Embiid all look like future stars (and Embiid was very nearly an all star last year playing part time basketball), then why wouldn't James consider going there. He could lead them for a couple of years and then let them do all the work when he is aging (much like Kareem rode Magic/Worthy to multiple titles).
And Philly can get close to a second max contract by simply dumping Bayless and Okafor off on some other team. So Philly might be able to bring in James and say Westbrook or Cousins and still have all 3 of those young guys (they might have to give up Saric, Holmes, etc. to make the room). Even doing all that, Philly still has sufficient assets that they might even be able to pull off a Wiggins for Love type trade and acquire a 3rd star (or a second if they don't get him in free agency). I mean what if Anthony Davis becomes available. Philly could counter Boston's assets pretty closely (and if Davis forces the issue, he might end up in Philly, which he might do if him and James talk).
If Fultz, Simmons, and/or Embiid look like future stars this year, then Philly almost has to be a team that James would look at next summer. If his goal is to win multiple titles, then staying in the East helps that goal and attaching yourself to a team that has 3 potential all stars all in their early 20's makes a heck of a lot sense. You then fill out the bench with veterans and you have the makings of a dynasty.
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
Lebron signing with a team of a bunch of young guys would go against everything he has done and supported for moves by his teams in his entire career which is trying to play alongside big name vets or ones with good reputations (frequently on the back end of their career). Going back to his first stint in Cleveland he was bringing a washed up big name shaq, antwawn jamison, Ben Wallace, In Miami it was Ray Allen, Greg Oden, Eddie Curry, mike bibby, Rashard Lewis etc. In Cleveland the second time it has been Korver, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson (to say nothing of his demand for trading Wiggins for Love). He loves Vets and really has shown no interest in playing with young guys.
So why is everyone talking about the lakers then? The lakers have a worse cap situation than the sixers and less talent. Embiid if he plays a whole season could be an all NBA player this year so lebron and one other max gives them 3 legit stars plus fultz and Simmons.
I agree lebron may not want to deal w young kids but then why is everyone talking about the lakers / that won't happen either.
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
Lebron signing with a team of a bunch of young guys would go against everything he has done and supported for moves by his teams in his entire career which is trying to play alongside big name vets or ones with good reputations (frequently on the back end of their career). Going back to his first stint in Cleveland he was bringing a washed up big name shaq, antwawn jamison, Ben Wallace, In Miami it was Ray Allen, Greg Oden, Eddie Curry, mike bibby, Rashard Lewis etc. In Cleveland the second time it has been Korver, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson (to say nothing of his demand for trading Wiggins for Love). He loves Vets and really has shown no interest in playing with young guys.
You and your love affair with bench role players. James left a Cleveland team with no all stars (I just don't count Mo Williams) to go to a team with 2 all stars in its prime (Wade and Bosh). He then left that team when the 2 all stars got older (and ownership started to cheap out) to go to a team with a rising young star in Irving (and a young quality starter - Thompson) and the assets (Wiggins) available to acquire another young star (which ultimately became Love).
James would absolutely go to a team like Philly, if, and this is a very big IF, Philly makes a pretty good jump this year based on the play of the young guys. The bench can then be filled in with the vets that you are talking about.
Every time James has left his team it was to go to a team that could provide him at least 2 all star level players in their prime (or in the case of Irving before his prime). Going to Philly would actually be the exact type of move James would make, but Philly has to make that jump and look like they could be realistic title contenders with James.
You are really contradicting yourself here. You say he always goes to teams with two all star level players in their primes. Unless you are suggesting that Simmons or Fultz will be in their prime as rookies and make the all-star team he would be joining a team with zero all-star players in their prime (or maybe you are counting Embiid as an all-star in his prime if he plays 80 games this year).
Not contradicting at all, but that is why I emphasized pretty clearly that Philly has to make a jump based on the play of the young guys. If Fultz, Simmons, and Embiid all look like future stars (and Embiid was very nearly an all star last year playing part time basketball), then why wouldn't James consider going there. He could lead them for a couple of years and then let them do all the work when he is aging (much like Kareem rode Magic/Worthy to multiple titles).
And Philly can get close to a second max contract by simply dumping Bayless and Okafor off on some other team. So Philly might be able to bring in James and say Westbrook or Cousins and still have all 3 of those young guys (they might have to give up Saric, Holmes, etc. to make the room). Even doing all that, Philly still has sufficient assets that they might even be able to pull off a Wiggins for Love type trade and acquire a 3rd star (or a second if they don't get him in free agency). I mean what if Anthony Davis becomes available. Philly could counter Boston's assets pretty closely (and if Davis forces the issue, he might end up in Philly, which he might do if him and James talk).
If Fultz, Simmons, and/or Embiid look like future stars this year, then Philly almost has to be a team that James would look at next summer. If his goal is to win multiple titles, then staying in the East helps that goal and attaching yourself to a team that has 3 potential all stars all in their early 20's makes a heck of a lot sense. You then fill out the bench with veterans and you have the makings of a dynasty.
That is what you said. Unless Simmons or Fultz makes an all-star game and magically enter their prime at 20 or 21 years old the 76ers have either 0 players or 1 if you count Embiid. They will have zero multiple time all-stars. Pretty clear this would be a different thing than joining Love and Irving (both had already been multi time all-stars). The Heat also obviously he was joining two multiple time all-stars. You clearly have contradicted yourself. Will be humorous trying to watch you squirm out of this one since you are always right.
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
Lebron signing with a team of a bunch of young guys would go against everything he has done and supported for moves by his teams in his entire career which is trying to play alongside big name vets or ones with good reputations (frequently on the back end of their career). Going back to his first stint in Cleveland he was bringing a washed up big name shaq, antwawn jamison, Ben Wallace, In Miami it was Ray Allen, Greg Oden, Eddie Curry, mike bibby, Rashard Lewis etc. In Cleveland the second time it has been Korver, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson (to say nothing of his demand for trading Wiggins for Love). He loves Vets and really has shown no interest in playing with young guys.
You and your love affair with bench role players. James left a Cleveland team with no all stars (I just don't count Mo Williams) to go to a team with 2 all stars in its prime (Wade and Bosh). He then left that team when the 2 all stars got older (and ownership started to cheap out) to go to a team with a rising young star in Irving (and a young quality starter - Thompson) and the assets (Wiggins) available to acquire another young star (which ultimately became Love).
James would absolutely go to a team like Philly, if, and this is a very big IF, Philly makes a pretty good jump this year based on the play of the young guys. The bench can then be filled in with the vets that you are talking about.
Every time James has left his team it was to go to a team that could provide him at least 2 all star level players in their prime (or in the case of Irving before his prime). Going to Philly would actually be the exact type of move James would make, but Philly has to make that jump and look like they could be realistic title contenders with James.
You are really contradicting yourself here. You say he always goes to teams with two all star level players in their primes. Unless you are suggesting that Simmons or Fultz will be in their prime as rookies and make the all-star team he would be joining a team with zero all-star players in their prime (or maybe you are counting Embiid as an all-star in his prime if he plays 80 games this year).
Not contradicting at all, but that is why I emphasized pretty clearly that Philly has to make a jump based on the play of the young guys. If Fultz, Simmons, and Embiid all look like future stars (and Embiid was very nearly an all star last year playing part time basketball), then why wouldn't James consider going there. He could lead them for a couple of years and then let them do all the work when he is aging (much like Kareem rode Magic/Worthy to multiple titles).
And Philly can get close to a second max contract by simply dumping Bayless and Okafor off on some other team. So Philly might be able to bring in James and say Westbrook or Cousins and still have all 3 of those young guys (they might have to give up Saric, Holmes, etc. to make the room). Even doing all that, Philly still has sufficient assets that they might even be able to pull off a Wiggins for Love type trade and acquire a 3rd star (or a second if they don't get him in free agency). I mean what if Anthony Davis becomes available. Philly could counter Boston's assets pretty closely (and if Davis forces the issue, he might end up in Philly, which he might do if him and James talk).
If Fultz, Simmons, and/or Embiid look like future stars this year, then Philly almost has to be a team that James would look at next summer. If his goal is to win multiple titles, then staying in the East helps that goal and attaching yourself to a team that has 3 potential all stars all in their early 20's makes a heck of a lot sense. You then fill out the bench with veterans and you have the makings of a dynasty.
That is what you said. Unless Simmons or Fultz makes an all-star game and magically enter their prime at 20 or 21 years old the 76ers have either 0 players or 1 if you count Embiid. They will have zero multiple time all-stars. Pretty clear this would be a different thing than joining Love and Irving (both had already been multi time all-stars). The Heat also obviously he was joining two multiple time all-stars. You clearly have contradicted yourself. Will be humorous trying to watch you squirm out of this one since you are always right.
Love wasn't on the Cavs when James signed. The Cavs were Irving, Waiters, Thompson, Wiggins, Bennett, and a bunch of role players (like Varejao) or completely unknown players (like Delly). The Cavs were coming off the best season post-James and were 33-49. James went back to Cleveland because they had Irving, Wiggins, Thompson, Bennett, and Waiters. All young players, all had the potential to grow immensely or be traded for stars. Yes Irving had made 2 all star games, which sets him apart a bit from the Sixers (though I expect Embiid to make the all star game this year if he can stay reasonably healthy), but this notion that James signed on to a team that was ready to make the Finals in year 1 is just silly. The Cavs had to make a ton of moves to get that team to a real contender status, they just had the players/assets to make it happen. That is where the comparison with Philly is. Lots of young players/assets that can potentially be great players that James can play with or that can be traded for stars. And unlike the Cavs who had to make salary dumping moves, Philly doesn't have to dump anyone to sign James and if they can dump some of their lesser players might be able to get another star to sign there in free agency along with James (while still keeping the young core in tact).
For the record, if Boston has cap space next summer, it too would be a very reasonable destination for James for the same reasons, but Boston isn't going to have cap space next summer without Ainge making a lot of moves (including trading Horford for no long term salary).
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
Lebron signing with a team of a bunch of young guys would go against everything he has done and supported for moves by his teams in his entire career which is trying to play alongside big name vets or ones with good reputations (frequently on the back end of their career). Going back to his first stint in Cleveland he was bringing a washed up big name shaq, antwawn jamison, Ben Wallace, In Miami it was Ray Allen, Greg Oden, Eddie Curry, mike bibby, Rashard Lewis etc. In Cleveland the second time it has been Korver, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson (to say nothing of his demand for trading Wiggins for Love). He loves Vets and really has shown no interest in playing with young guys.
You and your love affair with bench role players. James left a Cleveland team with no all stars (I just don't count Mo Williams) to go to a team with 2 all stars in its prime (Wade and Bosh). He then left that team when the 2 all stars got older (and ownership started to cheap out) to go to a team with a rising young star in Irving (and a young quality starter - Thompson) and the assets (Wiggins) available to acquire another young star (which ultimately became Love).
James would absolutely go to a team like Philly, if, and this is a very big IF, Philly makes a pretty good jump this year based on the play of the young guys. The bench can then be filled in with the vets that you are talking about.
Every time James has left his team it was to go to a team that could provide him at least 2 all star level players in their prime (or in the case of Irving before his prime). Going to Philly would actually be the exact type of move James would make, but Philly has to make that jump and look like they could be realistic title contenders with James.
You are really contradicting yourself here. You say he always goes to teams with two all star level players in their primes. Unless you are suggesting that Simmons or Fultz will be in their prime as rookies and make the all-star team he would be joining a team with zero all-star players in their prime (or maybe you are counting Embiid as an all-star in his prime if he plays 80 games this year).
Not contradicting at all, but that is why I emphasized pretty clearly that Philly has to make a jump based on the play of the young guys. If Fultz, Simmons, and Embiid all look like future stars (and Embiid was very nearly an all star last year playing part time basketball), then why wouldn't James consider going there. He could lead them for a couple of years and then let them do all the work when he is aging (much like Kareem rode Magic/Worthy to multiple titles).
And Philly can get close to a second max contract by simply dumping Bayless and Okafor off on some other team. So Philly might be able to bring in James and say Westbrook or Cousins and still have all 3 of those young guys (they might have to give up Saric, Holmes, etc. to make the room). Even doing all that, Philly still has sufficient assets that they might even be able to pull off a Wiggins for Love type trade and acquire a 3rd star (or a second if they don't get him in free agency). I mean what if Anthony Davis becomes available. Philly could counter Boston's assets pretty closely (and if Davis forces the issue, he might end up in Philly, which he might do if him and James talk).
If Fultz, Simmons, and/or Embiid look like future stars this year, then Philly almost has to be a team that James would look at next summer. If his goal is to win multiple titles, then staying in the East helps that goal and attaching yourself to a team that has 3 potential all stars all in their early 20's makes a heck of a lot sense. You then fill out the bench with veterans and you have the makings of a dynasty.
That is what you said. Unless Simmons or Fultz makes an all-star game and magically enter their prime at 20 or 21 years old the 76ers have either 0 players or 1 if you count Embiid. They will have zero multiple time all-stars. Pretty clear this would be a different thing than joining Love and Irving (both had already been multi time all-stars). The Heat also obviously he was joining two multiple time all-stars. You clearly have contradicted yourself. Will be humorous trying to watch you squirm out of this one since you are always right.
Love wasn't on the Cavs when James signed. The Cavs were Irving, Waiters, Thompson, Wiggins, Bennett, and a bunch of role players (like Varejao) or completely unknown players (like Delly). The Cavs were coming off the best season post-James and were 33-49. James went back to Cleveland because they had Irving, Wiggins, Thompson, Bennett, and Waiters. All young players, all had the potential to grow immensely or be traded for stars. Yes Irving had made 2 all star games, which sets him apart a bit from the Sixers (though I expect Embiid to make the all star game this year if he can stay reasonably healthy), but this notion that James signed on to a team that was ready to make the Finals in year 1 is just silly. The Cavs had to make a ton of moves to get that team to a real contender status, they just had the players/assets to make it happen. That is where the comparison with Philly is. Lots of young players/assets that can potentially be great players that James can play with or that can be traded for stars. And unlike the Cavs who had to make salary dumping moves, Philly doesn't have to dump anyone to sign James and if they can dump some of their lesser players might be able to get another star to sign there in free agency along with James (while still keeping the young core in tact).
For the record, if Boston has cap space next summer, it too would be a very reasonable destination for James for the same reasons, but Boston isn't going to have cap space next summer without Ainge making a lot of moves (including trading Horford for no long term salary).
Are you (*&(*4 serious with this? Wiggins wasn't even included in the announcement letter or referenced as playing with Lebron at any time. You are going to sit here and act like you think Lebron was going to Cleveland to join Waiter, Bennett and Wiggins???
I wasn't sure you would ever top your comments on the decision in terms of absolute absurdity, but you have done it, and in record time. Everybody gather round Moranis is spinning some tales! Thank you for this!
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
Lebron signing with a team of a bunch of young guys would go against everything he has done and supported for moves by his teams in his entire career which is trying to play alongside big name vets or ones with good reputations (frequently on the back end of their career). Going back to his first stint in Cleveland he was bringing a washed up big name shaq, antwawn jamison, Ben Wallace, In Miami it was Ray Allen, Greg Oden, Eddie Curry, mike bibby, Rashard Lewis etc. In Cleveland the second time it has been Korver, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson (to say nothing of his demand for trading Wiggins for Love). He loves Vets and really has shown no interest in playing with young guys.
You and your love affair with bench role players. James left a Cleveland team with no all stars (I just don't count Mo Williams) to go to a team with 2 all stars in its prime (Wade and Bosh). He then left that team when the 2 all stars got older (and ownership started to cheap out) to go to a team with a rising young star in Irving (and a young quality starter - Thompson) and the assets (Wiggins) available to acquire another young star (which ultimately became Love).
James would absolutely go to a team like Philly, if, and this is a very big IF, Philly makes a pretty good jump this year based on the play of the young guys. The bench can then be filled in with the vets that you are talking about.
Every time James has left his team it was to go to a team that could provide him at least 2 all star level players in their prime (or in the case of Irving before his prime). Going to Philly would actually be the exact type of move James would make, but Philly has to make that jump and look like they could be realistic title contenders with James.
You are really contradicting yourself here. You say he always goes to teams with two all star level players in their primes. Unless you are suggesting that Simmons or Fultz will be in their prime as rookies and make the all-star team he would be joining a team with zero all-star players in their prime (or maybe you are counting Embiid as an all-star in his prime if he plays 80 games this year).
Not contradicting at all, but that is why I emphasized pretty clearly that Philly has to make a jump based on the play of the young guys. If Fultz, Simmons, and Embiid all look like future stars (and Embiid was very nearly an all star last year playing part time basketball), then why wouldn't James consider going there. He could lead them for a couple of years and then let them do all the work when he is aging (much like Kareem rode Magic/Worthy to multiple titles).
And Philly can get close to a second max contract by simply dumping Bayless and Okafor off on some other team. So Philly might be able to bring in James and say Westbrook or Cousins and still have all 3 of those young guys (they might have to give up Saric, Holmes, etc. to make the room). Even doing all that, Philly still has sufficient assets that they might even be able to pull off a Wiggins for Love type trade and acquire a 3rd star (or a second if they don't get him in free agency). I mean what if Anthony Davis becomes available. Philly could counter Boston's assets pretty closely (and if Davis forces the issue, he might end up in Philly, which he might do if him and James talk).
If Fultz, Simmons, and/or Embiid look like future stars this year, then Philly almost has to be a team that James would look at next summer. If his goal is to win multiple titles, then staying in the East helps that goal and attaching yourself to a team that has 3 potential all stars all in their early 20's makes a heck of a lot sense. You then fill out the bench with veterans and you have the makings of a dynasty.
That is what you said. Unless Simmons or Fultz makes an all-star game and magically enter their prime at 20 or 21 years old the 76ers have either 0 players or 1 if you count Embiid. They will have zero multiple time all-stars. Pretty clear this would be a different thing than joining Love and Irving (both had already been multi time all-stars). The Heat also obviously he was joining two multiple time all-stars. You clearly have contradicted yourself. Will be humorous trying to watch you squirm out of this one since you are always right.
Love wasn't on the Cavs when James signed. The Cavs were Irving, Waiters, Thompson, Wiggins, Bennett, and a bunch of role players (like Varejao) or completely unknown players (like Delly). The Cavs were coming off the best season post-James and were 33-49. James went back to Cleveland because they had Irving, Wiggins, Thompson, Bennett, and Waiters. All young players, all had the potential to grow immensely or be traded for stars. Yes Irving had made 2 all star games, which sets him apart a bit from the Sixers (though I expect Embiid to make the all star game this year if he can stay reasonably healthy), but this notion that James signed on to a team that was ready to make the Finals in year 1 is just silly. The Cavs had to make a ton of moves to get that team to a real contender status, they just had the players/assets to make it happen. That is where the comparison with Philly is. Lots of young players/assets that can potentially be great players that James can play with or that can be traded for stars. And unlike the Cavs who had to make salary dumping moves, Philly doesn't have to dump anyone to sign James and if they can dump some of their lesser players might be able to get another star to sign there in free agency along with James (while still keeping the young core in tact).
For the record, if Boston has cap space next summer, it too would be a very reasonable destination for James for the same reasons, but Boston isn't going to have cap space next summer without Ainge making a lot of moves (including trading Horford for no long term salary).
Are you (*&(*4 serious with this? Wiggins wasn't even included in the announcement letter or referenced as playing with Lebron at any time. You are going to sit here and act like you think Lebron was going to Cleveland to join Waiter, Bennett and Wiggins???
I wasn't sure you would ever top your comments on the decision in terms of absolute absurdity, but you have done it, and in record time. Everybody gather round Moranis is spinning some tales! Thank you for this!
of course. They were young player assets that could be traded for veterans. Love isn't a Cav if the Cavs don't have Wiggins and Bennett. Without Waiters the Cavs don't get Smith and Shumpert. I'm sure James never expected to play very long with those players but he absolutely knew what they could be turned into, especially Wiggins, but the Cavs still had to make those moves. If you think James doesn't recognize the talent in Philly or the similarities between Philly and Cleveland then you probably shouldn't be posting on a basketball forum.
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Everyone keeps worrying about the Lakers nabbing Lebron, and I get it bc it's showtime, hollywood, etc. etc. etc.
But if Lebron really wants to catch Jordan, he's not going to LA. Unfortunately, I think PHILLY is the organization we have to worry about. Not only do they have a cheap young core of Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Saric and enough cap space to take 2-3 max FAs next season when Lebron is a FA, but the org. is run by the Colangelos now who Lebron knows well from the Olympics, at a minimum.
Philly is the team to be scared of here...
Why would Lebron want to play with a bunch of 21 year old kids who aren't mature enough to win a title? This makes no sense whatsoever.
what if they win 40+ games this year? In that scenario they would look like a team on the verge and you would assume all those young kids would only get better. Lebron could then be on a team that could be a contender for the remainder of his career even as he gets worse.
The Sixers can't really afford two max contracts though as Embiid's cap hold puts them at just under 60 million and Covington's is another 1.5 million (though if they dumped Okafor and Bayless for no return salary, they might get close to 2 maxes). It would be an interesting team if they could some how finagle James and another max level player to pair with Fultz, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Saric, and the collection of young bench depth (Holmes, McConnell, Korkmaz, Luwawu-Caborrat, Anderson, 2018 rookie) plus whatever veteran minimum guys would end up there.
Again though, I don't see it as a realistic option unless the Sixers young guys put together a .500 or better type team and show that they have high end championship-caliber promise (I personally think they do, but don't think James ends up there unless they can create room for a second max as I don't think James wants to shoulder that much of the load, but if the Sixers also added in Westbrook, George, etc. then I think he would really consider them).
Lebron signing with a team of a bunch of young guys would go against everything he has done and supported for moves by his teams in his entire career which is trying to play alongside big name vets or ones with good reputations (frequently on the back end of their career). Going back to his first stint in Cleveland he was bringing a washed up big name shaq, antwawn jamison, Ben Wallace, In Miami it was Ray Allen, Greg Oden, Eddie Curry, mike bibby, Rashard Lewis etc. In Cleveland the second time it has been Korver, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson (to say nothing of his demand for trading Wiggins for Love). He loves Vets and really has shown no interest in playing with young guys.
You and your love affair with bench role players. James left a Cleveland team with no all stars (I just don't count Mo Williams) to go to a team with 2 all stars in its prime (Wade and Bosh). He then left that team when the 2 all stars got older (and ownership started to cheap out) to go to a team with a rising young star in Irving (and a young quality starter - Thompson) and the assets (Wiggins) available to acquire another young star (which ultimately became Love).
James would absolutely go to a team like Philly, if, and this is a very big IF, Philly makes a pretty good jump this year based on the play of the young guys. The bench can then be filled in with the vets that you are talking about.
Every time James has left his team it was to go to a team that could provide him at least 2 all star level players in their prime (or in the case of Irving before his prime). Going to Philly would actually be the exact type of move James would make, but Philly has to make that jump and look like they could be realistic title contenders with James.
You are really contradicting yourself here. You say he always goes to teams with two all star level players in their primes. Unless you are suggesting that Simmons or Fultz will be in their prime as rookies and make the all-star team he would be joining a team with zero all-star players in their prime (or maybe you are counting Embiid as an all-star in his prime if he plays 80 games this year).
Not contradicting at all, but that is why I emphasized pretty clearly that Philly has to make a jump based on the play of the young guys. If Fultz, Simmons, and Embiid all look like future stars (and Embiid was very nearly an all star last year playing part time basketball), then why wouldn't James consider going there. He could lead them for a couple of years and then let them do all the work when he is aging (much like Kareem rode Magic/Worthy to multiple titles).
And Philly can get close to a second max contract by simply dumping Bayless and Okafor off on some other team. So Philly might be able to bring in James and say Westbrook or Cousins and still have all 3 of those young guys (they might have to give up Saric, Holmes, etc. to make the room). Even doing all that, Philly still has sufficient assets that they might even be able to pull off a Wiggins for Love type trade and acquire a 3rd star (or a second if they don't get him in free agency). I mean what if Anthony Davis becomes available. Philly could counter Boston's assets pretty closely (and if Davis forces the issue, he might end up in Philly, which he might do if him and James talk).
If Fultz, Simmons, and/or Embiid look like future stars this year, then Philly almost has to be a team that James would look at next summer. If his goal is to win multiple titles, then staying in the East helps that goal and attaching yourself to a team that has 3 potential all stars all in their early 20's makes a heck of a lot sense. You then fill out the bench with veterans and you have the makings of a dynasty.
That is what you said. Unless Simmons or Fultz makes an all-star game and magically enter their prime at 20 or 21 years old the 76ers have either 0 players or 1 if you count Embiid. They will have zero multiple time all-stars. Pretty clear this would be a different thing than joining Love and Irving (both had already been multi time all-stars). The Heat also obviously he was joining two multiple time all-stars. You clearly have contradicted yourself. Will be humorous trying to watch you squirm out of this one since you are always right.
Love wasn't on the Cavs when James signed. The Cavs were Irving, Waiters, Thompson, Wiggins, Bennett, and a bunch of role players (like Varejao) or completely unknown players (like Delly). The Cavs were coming off the best season post-James and were 33-49. James went back to Cleveland because they had Irving, Wiggins, Thompson, Bennett, and Waiters. All young players, all had the potential to grow immensely or be traded for stars. Yes Irving had made 2 all star games, which sets him apart a bit from the Sixers (though I expect Embiid to make the all star game this year if he can stay reasonably healthy), but this notion that James signed on to a team that was ready to make the Finals in year 1 is just silly. The Cavs had to make a ton of moves to get that team to a real contender status, they just had the players/assets to make it happen. That is where the comparison with Philly is. Lots of young players/assets that can potentially be great players that James can play with or that can be traded for stars. And unlike the Cavs who had to make salary dumping moves, Philly doesn't have to dump anyone to sign James and if they can dump some of their lesser players might be able to get another star to sign there in free agency along with James (while still keeping the young core in tact).
For the record, if Boston has cap space next summer, it too would be a very reasonable destination for James for the same reasons, but Boston isn't going to have cap space next summer without Ainge making a lot of moves (including trading Horford for no long term salary).
Are you (*&(*4 serious with this? Wiggins wasn't even included in the announcement letter or referenced as playing with Lebron at any time. You are going to sit here and act like you think Lebron was going to Cleveland to join Waiter, Bennett and Wiggins???
I wasn't sure you would ever top your comments on the decision in terms of absolute absurdity, but you have done it, and in record time. Everybody gather round Moranis is spinning some tales! Thank you for this!
of course. They were young player assets that could be traded for veterans. Love isn't a Cav if the Cavs don't have Wiggins and Bennett. Without Waiters the Cavs don't get Smith and Shumpert. I'm sure James never expected to play very long with those players but he absolutely knew what they could be turned into, especially Wiggins, but the Cavs still had to make those moves. If you think James doesn't recognize the talent in Philly or the similarities between Philly and Cleveland then you probably shouldn't be posting on a basketball forum.
Oh yea? I got to pack up shop cause I don't wash the royal eggplant quite as voraciously as you on a Celtics blog forum?