The biggest hype ever

52isUnstoppable · July 8, 2010

I cant believe ESPN is actually doing an hour long special on Lebrons decision tonight. Ive got him going to the knicks. I think the addition of amare stoudemire will be just enough to sweeten the pot and get LJ in new york. Theres no way he can sign with the heat since they spent all the money on wade and bosh. I dont think he'd hold an entire press conference just to say "im returning to cleveland". I dont think he would want to play in CHI under the shadow of MJ his whole life. I dont think Jay-z's recruiting efforts can get him in jersey. I got him on the knicks but we will all find out together tonight at 9

thundercleetz · July 8, 2010

I cant believe ESPN is actually doing an hour long special on Lebrons decision tonight. Ive got him going to the knicks. I think the addition of amare stoudemire will be just enough to sweeten the pot and get LJ in new york. Theres no way he can sign with the heat since they spent all the money on wade and bosh. I dont think he'd hold an entire press conference just to say "im returning to cleveland". I dont think he would want to play in CHI under the shadow of MJ his whole life. I dont think Jay-z's recruiting efforts can get him in jersey. I got him on the knicks but we will all find out together tonight at 9

Well, he is donating all the proceeds to charity, so I cannot say anything bad about the event. There was never been a free agent of his calibur in any sport before, even when Kobe was a free agents at only 27-years old, it all ended in a whimper as he was choosing between returning to the Lakers or going to the horid Clippers (who granted had a lot of young, promising talent at the time, but never turned into anything).

As for where LeBron is going. All the sources say it is between returning to Cleveland or joining Wade and Bosh in Miami. However, I agree with your 52, I think New York makes the most sense. Outside of playing in the biggest market in the world in MSG (which by the way is getting an $800 million facelift) and giving LeBron an unmatched chance of expanding his brand, I see it as the best place to make his own basketball legacy. If he joined Miami, he is joining Wade's team, it will never be LeBron's team. That automatically takes him out of any potential conversation as the greatest ever. Returning to Cleveland would give him a great opportunity to achieve greatness, but that team is cap-strapped and does not have the flexibility to get better. With Orlando, Boston, and now Miami and Chicago much improved, LeBron cannot win with Cleveland anytime soon. Not to mention he would have to get through the Lakers in the West, simply not happening with that Cavs team.

Chicago is an interesting situation and I am curious why Chicago is not getting more hype. LeBron would join a stud point guard in Derrick Rose, a scrappy center in Joakin Noah who can matchup against the big centers such as Dwight Howard, Kendrick Perkin, Yao Ming, and Andrew Bynum, and an All-Star power forward in Carlos Boozer who can rebound, score downlow, and hit the outside jumper. I have heard Derrick Rose doesn't want to share the ball with LeBron, who knows? Maybe LeBron isn't considering Chicago for the same unknown reasons why Bosh and Wade didn't join up in Chicago instead of the barren roster in Miami. Chicago does not have any consistent three-point shooters either. But if LeBron is considering joining the star power in Miami, why not join the lesser star power but much deeper team in Chicago?

So this brings us to New York, which to me makes the most sense basketball wise. From everything I have seen about LeBron he seems very competitive. Why not forge an intense, friendly rivarly with Wade by joining the Knicks? Wade has Bosh, James would have Stoudamire, and both teams are essentially starting from scratch outside of that. These guys would go at it for the next five seasons. That's what MJ would have done, that's what Magic would have done, that's what Bird would have done. Instead of joining the best, play against the best. First, the Knicks have an excellent training staff, an elite coach, and a few athletic, outside shooters that can stretch the floor for LeBron to pass out to when he drives. Then he has Amare' to clean every thing up and throw alley-oops too. And unlike the Cavs, the Knicks have much more flexibility to get better not just this offseason, but next. Eddy Curry's $11+ million contract comes off the books next offseason. They could wait that out and sign a guy like Tony Parker, or they could trade him this offseason and possibly get a couple more solid players to put around LeBron and Amare'.

I see it this way:

The favorites: Miami and Cleveland

The choice that would make the most sense all things considered: New York

The dark horse: Chicago

I hope he chooses New York, the rivarly with Miami would be exciting.

cravnravn · July 8, 2010

Do we really give a rats ass of where he plays??

52isUnstoppable · July 8, 2010

I see it this way:

The favorites: Miami and Cleveland
The choice that would make the most sense all things considered: New York
The dark horse: Chicago

I hope he chooses New York, the rivarly with Miami would be exciting.

agreed on everything. The latest report has miami favored. That would be sick, they would be instant championship caliber. Although I think he goes to NY for the simple fact that, like you said, he could expand and mold his own basketball legacy. He could make big money, and play in one of the biggest markets. If he really wants a ring right now, he can go to miami. If he is just plain nuts and wants to be compared to MJ his whole life then chicago. I just dont see why anyone would want to play under the weight of knowing that anything less than 6 championships means you're still second best in that town.

How are they going to fill an hour time slot with this? I bet he's going to lay all the team hats on a table and try each one on and then take them off and tease the crowd..... totally gay.

thundercleetz · July 8, 2010

agreed on everything. The latest report has miami favored. That would be sick, they would be instant championship caliber. Although I think he goes to NY for the simple fact that, like you said, he could expand and mold his own basketball legacy. He could make big money, and play in one of the biggest markets. If he really wants a ring right now, he can go to miami. If he is just plain nuts and wants to be compared to MJ his whole life then chicago. I just dont see why anyone would want to play under the weight of knowing that anything less than 6 championships means you're still second best in that town.

How are they going to fill an hour time slot with this? I bet he's going to lay all the team hats on a table and try each one on and then take them off and tease the crowd..... totally gay.

I think his best chance to win a championship would actually be with Chicago. Miami would be filled with a bunch of minimum salary role players if James went there with Wade and Bosh. Plus, Bosh does not have a center next to him, which means he will get abused again in the playoffs by the much thicker Dwight Howard. And can Wade and James share the ball? With Chicago, James has an elite point guard, an All-Star power forward, and a center to do the dirty work. Chicago can also easily trade Luol Deng to get some outside shooters. Sure, LeBron would be playing under MJ's legacy, but if that is his best opportunity to win multiple titles, then why not?

As for the presentation, LeBron is supposedly announcing his decision within the first ten minutes and I am guessing the rest of the time will be for questions? I am not really that much of a basketball fan, but this has been the only thing on ESPN the past week so the first ten minutes of the broadcast should be exciting to watch.

ForceEight · July 9, 2010

I almost actually feel bad for the city of Cleveland, at this point.

ravinmaniac52 · July 9, 2010

guess it is all up to the Browns!

cravnravn · July 9, 2010

ART MODELL HOF!!!!

52isUnstoppable · July 9, 2010

I almost actually feel bad for the city of Cleveland, at this point.

I did too, until I read this letter from the Cavs Owner on Lebrons decision

The letter in its entirety:

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue ...

Dan Gilbert

Majority Owner

Cleveland Cavaliers

52isUnstoppable · July 9, 2010

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

cowardly betrayal? He tried to recruit Chris Bosh and Amare, and he was a FREE AGENT he can go anywhere he wants.

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

HAHA!!!! YEAH FUCKING RIGHT! With who? The Heat are gonna be sick this year. ESPN computer has already predicted the heat to go 66-16.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

I learned a lesson, the lesson I learned that i would want my children to take from this is that its not always about taking the highest contract, its about going for a championship. Much respect to LJ for eating 20-30 million and risking not scoring 30 a night for a chance to win a ring.

papasmurfbell · July 9, 2010

Couldn't have happened to a better group of people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHlDUGrOtyY

cravnravn · July 10, 2010

NBA is a Fucking Circus, I dont blame the owner at all, Labron is not a leader hes a effin follower, last time I watched a basketball game (March 2010) they only had 1 ball on the court..Did the rules change since then? recall all the talk about James laying down in game 5 this year, well NBA fans get used to it Labron, Bosh and Wade. Didnt the USA field a Dream Team in the Olympics a few years ago that couldnt bring home the gold??

52isUnstoppable · July 10, 2010

OMG lol lol lol

dan gilbert needs to just let it go. New reports say that gilbert, who owns the fathead co., has reduced the price of lebron fathead to $17.41. This being the year benedict arnold was born. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

52isUnstoppable · July 10, 2010

Yes crav, in 04 usa won the bronze. Lebron and wade were on that team. Both were young. In 08 wade lebron and bosh crushed everyone everyone to win the gold again. This is 10'. So we are alot closer to the championship team. And actually they were saying on 105.7 yesterday how nba has surpassed mlb in popularity in america. NBA markets their league and players the best. Did you see how many people were at the heat celebration. Season tix were gone in seconds, jerseys couldnt even be put on the racks before they sold out.

cravnravn · July 11, 2010

Yes crav, in 04 usa won the bronze. Lebron and wade were on that team. Both were young. In 08 wade lebron and bosh crushed everyone everyone to win the gold again. This is 10'. So we are alot closer to the championship team. And actually they were saying on 105.7 yesterday how nba has surpassed mlb in popularity in america. NBA markets their league and players the best. Did you see how many people were at the heat celebration. Season tix were gone in seconds, jerseys couldnt even be put on the racks before they sold out.

No, Im talking further back, say the MJ years..You cant have those ego's on 1 court, 1 team.

They just became a .500 ballclub

52isUnstoppable · July 11, 2010

No, Im talking further back, say the MJ years..You cant have those ego's on 1 court, 1 team.

They just became a .500 ballclub

the heat will be WAY better than .500 They'll probably win at least 60 games. Good coaching can allow guys with egos to play together and be successful. Such as Phil Jackson leading a team with Shaq and Kobe to 3 rings. Or Shaq and wade in MIA, or a team with Paul pierce, ray allen, and kevin garnett. The celts put that team of superstar vets together in one offseason and got a ring the first year. It can be done, in fact it seems you have to have star power to win championships in the NBA. All the past championship teams had killer line-ups.

papasmurfbell · July 12, 2010

Ownership has to take some responsibility in this. for 4 yrs the knicks have been dumping salary for this summer. The NBA did nothing about it. James wants rings and went where he could get them. I do not fault him for that. That press conference was to much though.