LeBron James

The scoop (according to my sources) is that he is coming here to join Wade & Bosh. I sure hope so!

We were elated to have D-Wade stay and excited to get Bosh. To have James come on too would simply be incredible.

We have the cap room, plus we have no income tax (as you know). Also, Wade has already mentioned that he's willing to give up part of his salary to have him join the team.

 

If Lebron signs with Miami, they will have 2 bona-fide Superstars, 1 All-Star (Bosh isn't a superstar and don't even try to convince me he is) and a 9 minimum salary guys. Mark it down. The 2010-2011 Miami Heat will not win the NBA title with Wade, James, Bosh and a pupu platter of minimum salary guys.

Here's the list of NBA players who cared about nothing except winning NBA championships: Russell, Bird, Magic, Jordan, Kobe. If Lebron wants to add his name to the end of that list, then he chooses Chicago. With all due respect to Tomvols, you're crazy if you think that Rose, Noah, Boozer (excellent signing) and Lebron plus cap space for a couple of solid role players doesn't mean championships in Chicago.

If Lebron chooses Miami, know this. He's not winning an NBA championship anytime soon. He will have permanently defined his legacy as a player who cares about everything except winning NBA Championships. He's not adding his name to the list of winners I noted above.

Either way, Lebron's taking a knife to the heart of Cleveland if he chooses anyplace other than them.

 

LeBron could win a championship in Miami, but who'd be there to see it?

Nothing to be gained by going to NY except money and playing on Broadway. Amare makes them interesting, but still, you have a culture of losing that LB isn't going to fix overnight.

As for Chicago, and no offense CCROB, they got better by adding Boozer. But still, they need to have LeBron plus Boozer plus Rose one other punch. They still don't have what they need to contend with LJ plus Noaher uh. Seriously, I agree that Bosh isn't all world, but it'd be 6-5 and pick em between them and Chicago because the Bulls still don't have the frontcourt help they need to face off against more athletic Western Conf teams. If they'd landed Nowitzki, maybe. Sorry...I just haven't drunk ESPN's Kool Aid about the Bulls. Show me something....show me the players they get. Maybe then I'll change my tune. But as for now, if he wants to be a round or two and done, he can do that right where he is now. So color me "crazy" for not jumping on the Boo-Yah bandwagon. :laugh:

Agreed about how destructive this would be to CLE. Not seeing yet what CLE will do, I'd give a slight nod to him staying in CLE with going to Miami barely nudging out Chicago for second.

Edited to add: Two more important questions:
1. Any way this doesn't get leaked? Make the sponsors feel silly, wouldn't it?
2. Does LeBron's people put out a smoke screen to add to the drama? IOW, leak he's going to the Nets or Bulls then stay with the Cavs?

 

Most importantly, me.

The Heat's attendance came right in the middle of the pack in 2009-2010 compared to the other NBA teams, averaging 17,725 fans per game.

The tops - the Bulls, with an average of 20,725.

The bottom - the Nets, with an average of 13,103.

BTW, the AAA (American Airlines Arena) is a fun place to see a game - right on Biscayne Bay. A great place to be, especially in January and February when the rest of the country is freezing.

 

That was then. If MJ was around today, he'd have an Oprah Special lasting a week. Of course, he didn't have time to call a presser. That would mean leaving the casinos.

When I've seen it, the place has been pretty empty. I like Miami as a town.

At this point, is there really much else left on the market?

 

Looks like LeBron may be coming to SoBe. Supposedly, he's rented six cabanas at the W Hotel on South Beach to celebrate his team decision.

 

I'm confused. I think I said this. Does it just mean more when you say it?

Lebron plus Rose plus Boozer isn't enough? You weren't kidding when you said you don't follow the NBA as much. Lebron plus Rose plus Boozer plus Noah and you don't think they have enough to contend.

Question. Do I really come across as arrogant? I must come across as really arrogant around here, because my opinions are consistently mocked. Clearly, I come across as more arrogant than I intend, which leads other people to mock me all the time. I'll have to take a break from the sports forum and sort this out. Enjoy the sports forum without me, gang.

 

Strong feelings & ideas? Of course. Arrogant? No, not at all.

 

Of course it does :laugh: No, seriously, I just hurriedly misplaced the "don't be offended at what I'm about to say because it disagrees with you."

Clearly, it didn't work. Sorry.

I'd take LBJ plus Bosh plus Wade with the big guys that could develop they got in the draft ANY DAY over the Bulls. The fact that I disagree with you doesn't mean I'm wrong or don't follow the NBA. It just means I disagree with you.

No, you don't come across as arrogant. But honestly, you're going to argue there wasn't an ESPN bandwagon for this? Last night on the special, they made it sound like that the Bulls were on the cusp of the NBA finals...that the Bulls were a juggernaut. I swear, theky made it sound like the Bulls were already the '72 Dolphins or the '27 Yankees or the '95 Cornhuskers.

As for mocking....I was merely disagreeing with you. People disagree with me all the time. I don't think I've ever considered that mocking. You shouldn't either, my friend (and I do consider you a friend around here).

 

Well, as of last night, the Miami Heat have now surpassed the Los Angeles Lakers as the team I root against the most in the NBA. Buying 3 free agents to try to win a championship reminds me of the New York Yankees.

 

"Buying" three free agents?? These guys are actually going to make LESS money by coming to the Heat so they can play together and go after a championship. Gee -- cooperation, teamwork, playing on the same team with your friends --- is all of that a bad thing??

BTW, all teams have the same cap -- what they do with it is another thing.

Of course, I am biased. Had friends over last night and popped champagne when the announcement was made.

 

King James will achieve his goal ....tons of endorsement money!!! Honestly, I would have done the same thing. Guess Patsy Reilly is happy.

 

BTW...LJ should really consider removing the LOYALTY tat from his body....folks in Cleveland might give him a hand with it.

 

Only if he wins. I think the endorsement money may actually fall off unless he and the rest of the team perform to expectations. If (when) that happens, then the endorsement $$ should be coming.

Pat should be happy -- he pulled off a major coup. A few weeks ago, we all thought DWade was going to Chicago.

 

I totally agree -- even with your comment about the hype.

But honestly, if you are a multi-millionaire in your mid 20's, do you want to live on Star Island on Miami Beach (down the street from Gloria Estefan, et al) or live on Lake Erie in Cleveland???

 

Reminds me more of the Atlanta Braves back in the 90s. Worked wonders for them, didn't it? :laugh:


In all seriousness, let me take the opportunity to apologize publicly to CCRobinson. I was not trying to be offensive. I merely was attempting to express an opinion. I fear my words were misinterpreted and for that I am sorry. CCrob is knowledgable and someone i like very much around here. I do apologize to him and anyone else that is offended.