Originally Posted By vbdad55 hate the NBA -- the inmates now run the asylum--- 3 BB players participate in obvious collusion to skirt the system to share millions of dollars. In todays economc times, this causes me to care evenless about them The next unholy trio likely in NY -- still love basketball but my interest wanes after NCAA level for that reason. Did he really believe his statement that he thought some of his Cleveland fans would still follow him ? Is he that clueless ?
Originally Posted By Labuda Dave - I think he *may* be that clueless, yes. And, he may be right. I recall seeing a shot of a Miami bar erupting with joy at his announcement last night, and one of the revelers was a dude in a LeBron jersey. Keep in mind, this young man has been pro since he was a teenager - no schooling past 12th grade and living in a very insular world.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 he's gonna face some critics now-- I hope his inner circle prepared him for that... the look on his face when Michael Wilbon showed him the clip of people burning his jersey was like he was stunned.
Originally Posted By Terminus I'm not sure what else people want to do... Do you want the owners or NBA Commish to tell these guys where they have to sign and play? Or should you HAVE to stay with the team that drafted you? They're free agents. If he wants to take 30 million less to play for a team he thinks has a chance at winning, how can you stop that?
Originally Posted By Labuda ^^^ None of us HERE are staying he should be forced to stay with the Cavs. Just Cavs fans are saying that. Hmmm, I will be interested to chat with the one Cavs fan friend I have since I know he's a giant LeBron fan. Or at least WAS. I'll see if he plans to "follow" LeBron to Miami, or if his fandom follows his guy.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I have an office co-worker who's from Ohio. She and her husband feel royally betrayed (justified or not - that's the word she used), and she assures me that LeBron James is now "the most hated man in Ohio."
Originally Posted By disney pete strange i swear i posted here last night and it just disappeared no red ink just vanished......oh well
Originally Posted By Labuda What do you THINK you said, Pete? Dabob - yeah, I heard that on ESPN yesterday. They said LeBron has replaced Art Modell as the most hated man in Ohio.
Originally Posted By disney pete I just mentioned it was on sky sports over here in uk about him,and whilst he may be a great player he came over as a right misery guts.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 If he wants to take 30 million less to play for a team he thinks has a chance at winning, how can you stop that? let me ask you this- if all the owners got together and decided they would only pay $5M a year max for anyone right now - period except if the team drafted you...what would happen ? The UNION would sue for collusion...what is the difference the other way around ?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 as far as his fans followinghim-- did MJ's fans follow him in Washington ? nope
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Lebron James is an idiot. The Heat had to gut their roster to sign him, Bosh and Wade, leaving the big three and unsigned rookies. Pat Riley literally has to rebuild the roster from scratch and/or hope some key players come back for less money. They have no center, no point guard, and two guys (James and Wade) who play the same position. Wade's won one title (with Shaq's help) and the rest have won zip. They'll be lucky to get past the Orlando Magic and/or Boston Celtics next year to face the Lakers in the Finals. Lebron James will win no titles until understands the team concept.
Originally Posted By utahjosh Meanwhile my Jazz are falling apart. Argh. Oh, and Kobe, LeBron and JayZ are evil. Secret society methinks.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <They'll be lucky to get past the Orlando Magic and/or Boston Celtics next year to face the Lakers in the Finals. Lebron James will win no titles until understands the team concept. > Yeah, when he sat there answering the "how many titles do you think you'll win" question with "Not one... not two... not three... not four... not five... not six... not seven..." all I could think was: "Yeah - try 'zero.'" Of course, the Heat had so much cap space, it's still possible they'll attract more necessary pieces (I know they were talking to Derek Fisher). Riley understands team play even if James doesn't. So I wouldn't write them off yet - but I certainly wouldn't anoint them either.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "let me ask you this- if all the owners got together and decided they would only pay $5M a year max for anyone right now - period except if the team drafted you...what would happen ? The UNION would sue for collusion...what is the difference the other way around ?" There isn't. This was collusion all the way on the part of the three players. Certainly a double standard. But I doubt very much David Stern will look into it. He can't buy this type of publicity anywhere else. But don't think the owners won't remember this come possible lockout time about a year from now, no matter how the Heat does next season. No one begrudges James for leaving Cleveland, it is of course the ridiculous TV show that makes him look like a moron. That, and what I mentioned before- After James, Wade and Bosh, what else they got? If all he really wants is a title, then he should have gone to see you in Chicago. I should add them to the list of teams the Heat will have to get past. The Bulls, Celtics and Magic look better to me than the Heat does. Heck, the Clippers have a better young nucleus here in L.A. The joke out here was if James REALLY wanted to win a ring, sign for the veteran's minimum with the Lakers. After all, he's willing to allegedly subjugate his ego for Bosh and Wade, why not for Bryant, Gasol, Artest and Odom?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "Of course, the Heat had so much cap space, it's still possible they'll attract more necessary pieces (I know they were talking to Derek Fisher). Riley understands team play even if James doesn't. So I wouldn't write them off yet - but I certainly wouldn't anoint them either." It's my understanding they've blown their cap space with the three guys. They really can't offer Fisher much more than the Lakers can. It's funny about Fisher. He's a very smart person, yet like a lot of players, over values his own worth and ability. When he signed a nice free agent deal a few years back with Golden State it just didn't work out. He lost his starting job and sat a lot. They traded him to Utah, where he did okay, but nothing like he's achieved as a Laker. Overall, like many players, he's a product of the system. His type of game is well suited to the Triangle offense. Take him out of it, and he's just a slow, aging guard who gets burned in the open court and loses his legs, which prevents him from elevating enough to hit his jumpers.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder There was someone on the radio here the other day who put the Lebron James situation very bluntly and succinctly, an approach I obviously favor. He said the entire charade was the result of a bunch of 25 year old high school or college drop outs advising James, who are just like James, without the necessary ability to think things through.
