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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2016 15:20:56 GMT -5
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said on First Take last week that if the Cleveland Cavaliers win a title this year, LeBron James could leave the team for the Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat.
Here are Smith's comments, via Dan Feldman of Pro Basketball Talk:
LeBron James promised the city of Cleveland, “I’m coming back to bring you that elusive title that has escaped this city since 1964.” He never said anything about staying once he does accomplish that.
I’m in Miami last week. I’m in Miami a few months ago. Skip Bayless, I’m hearing about a return to Miami if this man wins. He ain’t going nowhere if he loses. But, if he wins, his options are open. LA, but especially Miami, a return to South Beach.
Look man, there’s a lot going on. And there’s a lot riding on him winning. Losing changes everything, because it keeps there in Cleveland. But more importantly, it keeps him stuck, because he knows he can’t leave until he fulfills his promise. And if you can’t because you’re not a champion, that’s far worse than just choosing to stay because you want to.
It’s going to get very interesting. Keep your eyes on it
As Feldman noted, James didn't explicitly promise to retire as a member of the Cavaliers when he penned a letter in Sports Illustrated upon signing with the team in the summer of 2014.
"My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question," James said in that letter. "But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio."
One trophy. It's hard to not focus on that specific wording in the wake of this latest report, especially in a season that hasn't been short of speculation that James could bolt over the summer.
There was James telling Howard Beck of Bleacher Report he would take a pay cut to play a season with Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade before his career ended. There was Smith reporting earlier in the season that James' camp had told him the superstar would leave if he was taken for granted or overburdened while carrying the load for the team.
Team officials even confirmed to Zach Lowe of ESPN.com that there was the possibility that James might leave if the team didn't win a title this season and played poorly in the postseason.
James has been dominant this year, once again. He averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game during the regular season. He did so despite the team's often tumultuous season, as Cleveland fired head coach David Blatt and replaced him with Tyronn Lue. In addition, Kyrie Irving earned the ire of his teammates for playing selfishly on the offensive end, and Kevin Love struggled at times to find his place among the trio of superstars.
Nonetheless, the Cavaliers have seemed to come together at the perfect moment and have lost just one game in the Eastern Conference playoffs. While the East isn't as loaded as its Western counterpart, the Cavs look dangerous and are more than capable of winning a title this year.
Coming into the season, doing so would have seemed likely to guarantee James' extended stay in his hometown. After this latest report, however, it's possible the opposite could be true. Even when Cleveland wins, it seems it also loses.
VIA Bleacher Report
How crazy would it be that either I get LeBron James back, or it's --------- and Joey rooting for LeBron... I'd honestly prefer LeBron lose this year and stay in Cleveland. He's such a headache and it's because Pat Riley didn't want to give LeBron power in the front office that he left, which LeBron also wanted Coach Spo fired. But if he were to leave the Cavaliers, I wouldn't mind him going to the Lakers. As a Heat fan, wouldn't mind LeBron escaping to the Western Conference and staying out of South Beach. Then also, as a basketball fan, it'd make the Lakers and Celtics rivalry a lot more interesting as Boston tries to fill their team this offseason. COULD YOU IMAGINE... James versus Durant... Lakers versus Celtics?!
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Post by --------- on May 23, 2016 15:29:42 GMT -5
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said on First Take last week that if the Cleveland Cavaliers win a title this year, LeBron James could leave the team for the Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat.
Here are Smith's comments, via Dan Feldman of Pro Basketball Talk:
LeBron James promised the city of Cleveland, “I’m coming back to bring you that elusive title that has escaped this city since 1964.” He never said anything about staying once he does accomplish that.
I’m in Miami last week. I’m in Miami a few months ago. Skip Bayless, I’m hearing about a return to Miami if this man wins. He ain’t going nowhere if he loses. But, if he wins, his options are open. LA, but especially Miami, a return to South Beach.
Look man, there’s a lot going on. And there’s a lot riding on him winning. Losing changes everything, because it keeps there in Cleveland. But more importantly, it keeps him stuck, because he knows he can’t leave until he fulfills his promise. And if you can’t because you’re not a champion, that’s far worse than just choosing to stay because you want to.
It’s going to get very interesting. Keep your eyes on it
As Feldman noted, James didn't explicitly promise to retire as a member of the Cavaliers when he penned a letter in Sports Illustrated upon signing with the team in the summer of 2014.
"My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question," James said in that letter. "But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio."
One trophy. It's hard to not focus on that specific wording in the wake of this latest report, especially in a season that hasn't been short of speculation that James could bolt over the summer.
There was James telling Howard Beck of Bleacher Report he would take a pay cut to play a season with Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade before his career ended. There was Smith reporting earlier in the season that James' camp had told him the superstar would leave if he was taken for granted or overburdened while carrying the load for the team.
Team officials even confirmed to Zach Lowe of ESPN.com that there was the possibility that James might leave if the team didn't win a title this season and played poorly in the postseason.
James has been dominant this year, once again. He averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game during the regular season. He did so despite the team's often tumultuous season, as Cleveland fired head coach David Blatt and replaced him with Tyronn Lue. In addition, Kyrie Irving earned the ire of his teammates for playing selfishly on the offensive end, and Kevin Love struggled at times to find his place among the trio of superstars.
Nonetheless, the Cavaliers have seemed to come together at the perfect moment and have lost just one game in the Eastern Conference playoffs. While the East isn't as loaded as its Western counterpart, the Cavs look dangerous and are more than capable of winning a title this year.
Coming into the season, doing so would have seemed likely to guarantee James' extended stay in his hometown. After this latest report, however, it's possible the opposite could be true. Even when Cleveland wins, it seems it also loses.
VIA Bleacher Report
How crazy would it be that either I get LeBron James back, or it's --------- and Joey rooting for LeBron... I'd honestly prefer LeBron lose this year and stay in Cleveland. He's such a headache and it's because Pat Riley didn't want to give LeBron power in the front office that he left, which LeBron also wanted Coach Spo fired. But if he were to leave the Cavaliers, I wouldn't mind him going to the Lakers. As a Heat fan, wouldn't mind LeBron escaping to the Western Conference and staying out of South Beach. Then also, as a basketball fan, it'd make the Lakers and Celtics rivalry a lot more interesting as Boston tries to fill their team this offseason. COULD YOU IMAGINE... James versus Durant... Lakers versus Celtics?! I don't know where you heard that LeBron tried to get power in the FO and get Spoelstra fired. He left not because it was the smart thing to do but because he went where his heart was, in Cleveland. Not stuck up Miami.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2016 15:40:08 GMT -5
How crazy would it be that either I get LeBron James back, or it's --------- and Joey rooting for LeBron... I'd honestly prefer LeBron lose this year and stay in Cleveland. He's such a headache and it's because Pat Riley didn't want to give LeBron power in the front office that he left, which LeBron also wanted Coach Spo fired. But if he were to leave the Cavaliers, I wouldn't mind him going to the Lakers. As a Heat fan, wouldn't mind LeBron escaping to the Western Conference and staying out of South Beach. Then also, as a basketball fan, it'd make the Lakers and Celtics rivalry a lot more interesting as Boston tries to fill their team this offseason. COULD YOU IMAGINE... James versus Durant... Lakers versus Celtics?! I don't know where you heard that LeBron tried to get power in the FO and get Spoelstra fired. He left not because it was the smart thing to do but because he went where his heart was, in Cleveland. Not stuck up Miami. sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/heat-part-owner--lebron--made-it-clear--he-wanted-spoelstra-fired-023947529.htmlThere's both sides represented in this Yahoo article, whether the comments were true about LeBron going in to get Spo fired... BUT, I will say, it's very interesting that 1 1/2 years into his second tenure with Cleveland, he fired a successful head coach in David Blatt, even if Blatt took them to the Finals the year before and had the best record in the East at the time of his firing. If we can put two and two together, it's a heavy possibility that LeBron wanted control, he didn't get it, so he went to Cleveland and got that control (obviously).
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Post by --------- on May 23, 2016 17:38:29 GMT -5
I don't know where you heard that LeBron tried to get power in the FO and get Spoelstra fired. He left not because it was the smart thing to do but because he went where his heart was, in Cleveland. Not stuck up Miami. sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/heat-part-owner--lebron--made-it-clear--he-wanted-spoelstra-fired-023947529.htmlThere's both sides represented in this Yahoo article, whether the comments were true about LeBron going in to get Spo fired... BUT, I will say, it's very interesting that 1 1/2 years into his second tenure with Cleveland, he fired a successful head coach in David Blatt, even if Blatt took them to the Finals the year before and had the best record in the East at the time of his firing. If we can put two and two together, it's a heavy possibility that LeBron wanted control, he didn't get it, so he went to Cleveland and got that control (obviously). It's easy to make assumptions like that. He still doesn't have control, does he strong-arm his front office into keeping the Cavs good? Of course but I wouldn't say he's taken control of Cleveland and I don't think he tried to do that either. There was probably some sort of misunderstanding between Pat Riley and LeBron about the reconstruction of the team. Did LeBron want Blatt fired? Maybe. Did he want Spoelstra fired? I don't think so.
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Post by --------- on May 24, 2016 0:11:47 GMT -5
I WANT BIYOMBO
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 22:50:24 GMT -5
He's certainly helping his stock, but let's be careful. There's a trend with some pro athletes that will slack off unless it's a "contract year" and they boom for the money. Not saying that's what is happening with Biyombo, but it's weird he couldn't do squat with Charlotte, and all of a sudden, he's the talk of the web. I think he's in an 8-10 million dollar range, honestly. I heard someone bring up he's getting max money and I just shook my head in laughter. Couldn't believe it lol
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Post by --------- on May 24, 2016 22:54:49 GMT -5
He's certainly helping his stock, but let's be careful. There's a trend with some pro athletes that will slack off unless it's a "contract year" and they boom for the money. Not saying that's what is happening with Biyombo, but it's weird he couldn't do squat with Charlotte, and all of a sudden, he's the talk of the web. I think he's in an 8-10 million dollar range, honestly. I heard someone bring up he's getting max money and I just shook my head in laughter. Couldn't believe it lol Some players just kind of turn it on. He's only 23 and I wouldn't mind taking a chance on him for 10 million a year for a couple years. As long as the Lakers have cap space in 2018 I dont really care what kind of money they spend.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 23:30:17 GMT -5
He's certainly helping his stock, but let's be careful. There's a trend with some pro athletes that will slack off unless it's a "contract year" and they boom for the money. Not saying that's what is happening with Biyombo, but it's weird he couldn't do squat with Charlotte, and all of a sudden, he's the talk of the web. I think he's in an 8-10 million dollar range, honestly. I heard someone bring up he's getting max money and I just shook my head in laughter. Couldn't believe it lol Some players just kind of turn it on. He's only 23 and I wouldn't mind taking a chance on him for 10 million a year for a couple years. As long as the Lakers have cap space in 2018 I dont really care what kind of money they spend. If you guys signed DeRozan and Biyombo for a combined 30 million a year, give or take, that'd be an interesting storyline to follow into next season.
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Post by --------- on May 25, 2016 3:46:47 GMT -5
Some players just kind of turn it on. He's only 23 and I wouldn't mind taking a chance on him for 10 million a year for a couple years. As long as the Lakers have cap space in 2018 I dont really care what kind of money they spend. If you guys signed DeRozan and Biyombo for a combined 30 million a year, give or take, that'd be an interesting storyline to follow into next season. Nope. Don't want DeRozan. Not at all. Especially if the Lakers draft Brandon Ingram, speaking of which I heard a rumor that the Lakers might for for someone not named Simmons or Ingram.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2016 5:33:21 GMT -5
If you guys signed DeRozan and Biyombo for a combined 30 million a year, give or take, that'd be an interesting storyline to follow into next season. Nope. Don't want DeRozan. Not at all. Especially if the Lakers draft Brandon Ingram, speaking of which I heard a rumor that the Lakers might for for someone not named Simmons or Ingram. Dragan Bender?? That'd be the only logical one... Though if you guys drafted Buddy Hield, I couldn't hold the applause.
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Post by --------- on Jun 2, 2016 17:25:45 GMT -5
RUMOR
76ers are reportedly discussing a deal that would send Nerlens Noel to the Atlanta Hawks for Jeff Teague.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2016 17:44:01 GMT -5
RUMOR
76ers are reportedly discussing a deal that would send Nerlens Noel to the Atlanta Hawks for Jeff Teague. DON'T DO IT, PHILLY!! TRADE OKAFOR INSTEAD!
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Post by --------- on Jun 2, 2016 19:35:17 GMT -5
Aparently the list of suiters for KD are the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Warriors, Spurs and of course the Thunder.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2016 20:05:31 GMT -5
Aparently the list of suiters for KD are the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Warriors, Spurs and of course the Thunder. I've heard Miami is also in the running... But then again, I'm sure there's more than 7-8 teams who want Durant's services. The team perhaps least likely, I'd say, are the Wizards, considering KD probably doesn't want to go back home, for obvious reasons. Then I'd probably say that it's most likely that Durant signs a 2-year deal with the Thunder, with an opt-out choice after the 2016-17 season, much like LeBron has done... This will let him see if OKC are the real deal and can take the next step after their WCF exit, and it'll also get Durant more cash.
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Post by --------- on Jun 2, 2016 20:41:37 GMT -5
Aparently the list of suiters for KD are the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Warriors, Spurs and of course the Thunder. I've heard Miami is also in the running... But then again, I'm sure there's more than 7-8 teams who want Durant's services. The team perhaps least likely, I'd say, are the Wizards, considering KD probably doesn't want to go back home, for obvious reasons. Then I'd probably say that it's most likely that Durant signs a 2-year deal with the Thunder, with an opt-out choice after the 2016-17 season, much like LeBron has done... This will let him see if OKC are the real deal and can take the next step after their WCF exit, and it'll also get Durant more cash. Durant's agent has allegedly already reached out to the Boston Celtics and gave them a list of players KD would want to play with. It scares me how possible it is that Kevin Durant could be a Celtic.
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