The LeBron James Thread

[55]

Just sent an e-mail to Rizzo and company that will more than likely go completely unanswered:

Dear Riz,

I understand that Dan Gilbert was extremely upset to find out his star player was leaving his team on national television just as all Cavaliers' fans were, but don't you think it's a little ridiculous that he would go on record guaranteeing an NBA championship in Cleveland before LeBron wins one? Tell me, exactly who does he think is going to win an NBA championship for him in Cleveland now? That team will be hard pressed to win 30 games this season and is destined for the lottery.

-Ryan

[55]

Great, now we have Greg Brinda (another local Cleveland radio honk) literally challenging Mark Jackson to a fist fight.

[airjoca]

Quote: Originally Posted by kgx2thez

Oh, and Chuck shouldn't be talking about piggybacking. cough cough Houston Rockets cough cough

Chuck was old, LeBron is in his prime, not comparable.

[Epiffani]

While watching the entire ordeal transpire, my train of thought went from disgust (at the way this entire situation has been handled) to laughing at it at the end. From the softball questions from Jim Gray, to LeBron's dodging of specifics (i.e. why didn't you choose the knicks/bulls? *Lebron proceeds to say nothing but good things about the roster and their respective organizations, but then caps it off with "Miami is the best chance to win a championship"), to the reaction of the Miami Heat "fans", and I used the word "fans" as loosely as possible (I even seen one of them with a Cavs LeBron jersey on jumping for joy), and the laughter was capped off by the product placed LeBron commercials, followed up with the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich Ct.

I couldn't stop thinking about this clip while watching:






Sums up my feelings about him perfectly.

The funny thing is I've loss virtually all respect for the three most coveted free agents in 2010, and that is the way that I'll remember this summer free agency period. They (Wade/Bosh/LeBron) talked about a free agent summit during and after the playoffs, but when Stern shot down the idea, and said that such a summit isn't within NBA rules, all three then recanted, and said that no such thing was in the works all the while leading people to believe that there was no way that they would end up on the same team anyway, and that anyone who would suggest otherwise, is crazy. I think it's safe to say now that all of this was in the works, and they took the owners and fans of several other teams for a extended ride. Bosh with his constant twitter updates, multiple meetings and cameras..... Wade even went as far as bringing up his divorce, and custody battle over his kids, and said that that would be a deciding factor in his decision keeping the people on edge and entertained. Well played, and truly classy...

Back to LeBron. I hate to go theorized route, but it's worth mentioning. There's no secret that a lot of people feel that LeBron quit in the series vs Boston, and right now, I'll have to give some validity and kudos to those who thought that. I could imagine LeBron going into that series trying trying to win, but at some point, the Celtics broke his will to win, and got him thinking "ok, I can't win with this team, or vs this team, but wait till next year..." Again, this current Heats' team was talked about way back in 08', but either way, LeBron was leaving Cleveland after that series.

I don't care if people think I'm hating, and whatnot, but I hope neither one of these three wins anything together (championship), and I really hope people began reevaluating that superstars + championships automatically equates to greatness, and a HOF induction. There was one thing that stood out to me as truthful coming from LeBron last night (probably the only thing he said that I felt he was genuine), and that was when he said that he feels that championships are championships, and it wouldn't have given him any more pleasure to win one in Cleveland as to oppose as winning one in Miami. Not only do I disagree with that line of thinking, but it makes me appreciate great basketball players without a ring even more because for a lot of them, that's where the challenge came in. Winning a ring with them being the focal point, and trying to make the best out of THEIR situation. I really hope with this latest move, and this latest attempt at a "super team" doesn't kill that line of thinking.

[Pared]

Wade seriously made out like a bandit.

-Everyone thinks he's the reason those two signed in Miami

-There is no hate directed towards him

-It's still HIS team. HIS city

Seriously, he kept that pimp hand strong.

[Dice]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pared

Wade seriously made out like a bandit. -Everyone thinks he's the reason those two signed in Miami -There is no hate directed towards him -It's still HIS team. HIS city Seriously, he kept that pimp hand strong.

I lost respect for Wade as well. To sit back and use his kids as a negotiation ploy through the media is down right dirty. I really hated that he exploited his kids like that BUT business is business. No more ethics involved.

[55]

Aaron Goldhammer: Don't you think some guys like Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson would be happy to sign for the veteran minimum to play on that team and go for a ring?

Tony Rizzo: Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson suck!

[Vince]