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LeBron James

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I wouldn't even put it past Lebron that he was trolling the media with Lakers SL appearance. It has to be hilarious to sit back and watch these morons come up with their stupid ideas. As calculated as Lebron is, his appearance was on purpose, but was it really to check out Lonzo? The shit these morons say to sell ads is retodded.
 
For the first time, I am genuinely worried about LeBron leaving.

The Lakers links never worried me because I didn't think he would leave us for them. Would have been pointless from a basketball point of view. But, with the way Spurs are building their roster, they would have cap-space to go all in on LeBron next summer. And could possibly add one more good free-agent if they move LMA as well. LeBron loves Pop as well. And, Spurs are the only team imo who with LeBron, where he wouldn't have to take a major pay-cut, stand a better chance to defeat the Warriors than us.
 
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...on-james-frustrated-cavs-offseason/485111001/

LeBron James frustrated, concerned with Cavs' offseason efforts


LeBron James, the NBA’s most powerful player and biggest star who brought the Cleveland Cavaliers their first NBA championship, is concerned about the Cavaliers’ offseason, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

Expecting an aggressive offseason approach that would close the gap on the champion Golden State Warriors, James soon found his anticipation and optimism diminished after Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert dismantled the front office, declining days before the draft and free agency to bring back general manager David Griffin and vice president of basketball operations Trent Redden.

Gilbert’s decision left the Cavs without the franchise’s top two front-office execs at a critical time, and it left James frustrated and concerned about the team’s ability to put together a roster that can better compete with Golden State, the person with direct knowledge of James’ thinking told USA TODAY Sports. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

James can become a free agent following the 2017-18 season, and it doesn’t take a wild imagination to see him elsewhere – especially if he feels there’s a better opportunity for him to win a championship with another team. The Lakers are mentioned as a possibility with James recruiting another star to join a young and talented core for the 2018-19 season.


Further exacerbating James’ frustration is the Cavs were close to making a deal for then-Chicago Bulls All-Star Jimmy Butler the day Gilbert decided to mutually part ways with Griffin and Redden, two people familiar with negotiations told USA TODAY Sports. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the negotiations.

As the Cavs try to regain the throne and with one season left before James can become a free agent next July, it’s clear that franchise-altering consequences are at stake.

Powering this speculation about James and his future is Gilbert’s handling of the front office. Other team executives and agents are asking: What’s going on with the Cavs?

In between the Cavs ousting their top two front-office guys, the New York Knicks fired Phil Jackson and promoted Steve Mills to president and hired Scott Perry as general manager. The Orlando Magic snatched Jeff Weltman from Toronto and John Hammond from Milwaukee to lead their front office.




    • Meanwhile, the Cavs also missed out on bringing Chauncey Billups in to run the front office. When Gilbert announced Griffin would not be back with the team, he said in a statement, “We are confident our current front office will continue to aggressively explore and pursue opportunities to improve our team in the weeks ahead.”
According to a person familiar with the Cavs’ front office, Gilbert is continuing the process of evaluating the leadership roles, structure and potential candidates. He feels the current group in the room has been impressive and done a very good job in the short term as they have continued to take important steps to position the team for success. That group will continue to focus on that and Gilbert is confident this process will result in creating the strong leadership the team needs and expects, the person told USA TODAY Sports on Monday. The person was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue and requested anonymity.

And Gilbert is paying, too — nearly $210 million in salaries and luxury taxes for the 2017-18 season.

James’ frustration with the Griffin situation didn’t end there. Other teams loaded up. The Warriors retooled with Kevin Durant re-signing for less money than he could have and Steph Curry re-signing for a max deal. They retained Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston and added shooters Nick Young and Omri Casspi.


The Warriors are maybe deeper and better than they were last season. It should be noted that the Warriors gave general manager Bob Myers an extension and promotion after losing to the Cavs in the 2016 Finals. That should’ve been the time the Cavs rewarded Griffin for winning a championship – a contrast in how the franchises are run.

The Houston Rockets acquired Chris Paul. The Boston Celtics got Gordon Hayward. The Minnesota Timberwolves traded for Butler and signed Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford in free agency.

The Crawford signing stung. The Cavs were in the running for the three-time Sixth Man of the Year. But the Cavs offered just the minimum salary ($2.3 million a season) when they had the taxpayer midlevel ($5.19 million per season) available.

James was active in recruiting Crawford, and Crawford appreciated James’ efforts to get him to Cleveland. James did his part. But the Timberwolves offered $4.45 million a season. Instead, the Cavs gave part of the taxpayer midlevel exception to Turkish big man Cedi Osman, who is unlikely to make an impact in 2017-18.

The Cavs also re-signed Kyle Korver and signed Jose Calderon and Jeff Green during free agency. Did those moves put Cleveland closer to Golden State?

At 32, James wants to win now. Given Cleveland’s salary cap situation which prevents it from unlimited spending, James is realistic about what’s possible and what’s not, and that’s why he wonders why the Cavs went into a critical period without veteran front-office execs in place to execute complicated moves. Both Griffin and Redden will have front-office jobs when the right opportunity presents itself.

 
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LeBron has no one but himself to blame for why Cleveland can't add anyone good.
 
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...on-james-frustrated-cavs-offseason/485111001/

LeBron James frustrated, concerned with Cavs' offseason efforts


LeBron James, the NBA’s most powerful player and biggest star who brought the Cleveland Cavaliers their first NBA championship, is concerned about the Cavaliers’ offseason, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

Expecting an aggressive offseason approach that would close the gap on the champion Golden State Warriors, James soon found his anticipation and optimism diminished after Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert dismantled the front office, declining days before the draft and free agency to bring back general manager David Griffin and vice president of basketball operations Trent Redden.

Gilbert’s decision left the Cavs without the franchise’s top two front-office execs at a critical time, and it left James frustrated and concerned about the team’s ability to put together a roster that can better compete with Golden State, the person with direct knowledge of James’ thinking told USA TODAY Sports. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

James can become a free agent following the 2017-18 season, and it doesn’t take a wild imagination to see him elsewhere – especially if he feels there’s a better opportunity for him to win a championship with another team. The Lakers are mentioned as a possibility with James recruiting another star to join a young and talented core for the 2018-19 season.


Further exacerbating James’ frustration is the Cavs were close to making a deal for then-Chicago Bulls All-Star Jimmy Butler the day Gilbert decided to mutually part ways with Griffin and Redden, two people familiar with negotiations told USA TODAY Sports. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the negotiations.

As the Cavs try to regain the throne and with one season left before James can become a free agent next July, it’s clear that franchise-altering consequences are at stake.

Powering this speculation about James and his future is Gilbert’s handling of the front office. Other team executives and agents are asking: What’s going on with the Cavs?

In between the Cavs ousting their top two front-office guys, the New York Knicks fired Phil Jackson and promoted Steve Mills to president and hired Scott Perry as general manager. The Orlando Magic snatched Jeff Weltman from Toronto and John Hammond from Milwaukee to lead their front office.




    • Meanwhile, the Cavs also missed out on bringing Chauncey Billups in to run the front office. When Gilbert announced Griffin would not be back with the team, he said in a statement, “We are confident our current front office will continue to aggressively explore and pursue opportunities to improve our team in the weeks ahead.”
According to a person familiar with the Cavs’ front office, Gilbert is continuing the process of evaluating the leadership roles, structure and potential candidates. He feels the current group in the room has been impressive and done a very good job in the short term as they have continued to take important steps to position the team for success. That group will continue to focus on that and Gilbert is confident this process will result in creating the strong leadership the team needs and expects, the person told USA TODAY Sports on Monday. The person was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue and requested anonymity.

And Gilbert is paying, too — nearly $210 million in salaries and luxury taxes for the 2017-18 season.

James’ frustration with the Griffin situation didn’t end there. Other teams loaded up. The Warriors retooled with Kevin Durant re-signing for less money than he could have and Steph Curry re-signing for a max deal. They retained Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston and added shooters Nick Young and Omri Casspi.


The Warriors are maybe deeper and better than they were last season. It should be noted that the Warriors gave general manager Bob Myers an extension and promotion after losing to the Cavs in the 2016 Finals. That should’ve been the time the Cavs rewarded Griffin for winning a championship – a contrast in how the franchises are run.

The Houston Rockets acquired Chris Paul. The Boston Celtics got Gordon Hayward. The Minnesota Timberwolves traded for Butler and signed Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford in free agency.

The Crawford signing stung. The Cavs were in the running for the three-time Sixth Man of the Year. But the Cavs offered just the minimum salary ($2.3 million a season) when they had the taxpayer midlevel ($5.19 million per season) available.

James was active in recruiting Crawford, and Crawford appreciated James’ efforts to get him to Cleveland. James did his part. But the Timberwolves offered $4.45 million a season. Instead, the Cavs gave part of the taxpayer midlevel exception to Turkish big man Cedi Osman, who is unlikely to make an impact in 2017-18.

The Cavs also re-signed Kyle Korver and signed Jose Calderon and Jeff Green during free agency. Did those moves put Cleveland closer to Golden State?

At 32, James wants to win now. Given Cleveland’s salary cap situation which prevents it from unlimited spending, James is realistic about what’s possible and what’s not, and that’s why he wonders why the Cavs went into a critical period without veteran front-office execs in place to execute complicated moves. Both Griffin and Redden will have front-office jobs when the right opportunity presents itself.
Im sorry but this is just funny to me

Also and I love the man but his mindset of always needing help is a little much to come to terms with as a fan. At what point does he think that maybe his current team just played like pure lazy shit and if they tightened up the defense theyd have a chance? Like has that not even crossed his mind?

Also theres no way Love likes LeBron. There just cant be a possible way. Im 100% sure LeBron knew any deal for Butler or George would involve Love
 
Blame can be shared.

Cavs should have a front office in place.

LeBron should be aware that big contracts given out to guys like JR and TT don't exactly help the matter. Dan is spending absurd amounts on salary and tax despite that.

Finally Kevin Durant's decision is so unprecedented and ridiculous I'm not sure how much blame can even be put on the Cavs or anyone.

Find me a team in NBA history with the best player in the world and two other all stars that realistically felt it had zero chance to win a championship.

That is absurd when you really consider it.
 
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I do think LeBron is leaving. I've seen this movie before, and I'm not gonna be caught off guard by the ending this time. Do I think there's a chance he stays? Of course. But the signs are pointing to an exit. Which is fine. He won Cleveland a Championship. I refuse to be angry with the man as he departs this time.

And I'm sorry, but I think it's BS to blame LeBron for where this team is at now. (Which is still a really, really good team) But, when you have a transcendent talent like #23, you make sure that your franchise is in the right position to continue getting better, to continue challenging for a title.

Every single thing Dan Gilbert has done this summer is the opposite of what one would do to keep a player like LeBron James. Feel like that's pretty obvious.
 
I do think LeBron is leaving. I've seen this movie before, and I'm not gonna be caught off guard by the ending this time. Do I think there's a chance he stays? Of course. But the signs are pointing to an exit. Which is fine. He won Cleveland a Championship. I refuse to be angry with the man as he departs this time.

And I'm sorry, but I think it's BS to blame LeBron for where this team is at now. (Which is still a really, really good team) But, when you have a transcendent talent like #23, you make sure that your franchise is in the right position to continue getting better, to continue challenging for a title.

Every single thing Dan Gilbert has done this summer is the opposite of what one would do to keep a player like LeBron James. Feel like that's pretty obvious.

And as far as 'getting his teammates paid'. LeBron is heavily involved with the NBA Players Association. It only makes sense for him to want players to make as much as owners are willing to pay. That's the best way to strengthen their Union.
 
Blame can be shared.

Cavs should have a front office in place.

LeBron should be aware that big contracts given out to guys like JR and TT don't exactly help the matter. Dan is spending absurd amounts on salary and tax despite that.

Finally Kevin Durant's decision is so unprecedented and ridiculous I'm not sure how much blame can even be put on the Cavs or anyone.

Find me a team in NBA history with the best player in the world and two other all stars that realistically feels it has zero chance to win a championship as things stand.

That is absurd when you really consider it.
He lowballed Billups and didn't have a backup plan. That wasn't smart. I do agree Gilbert is doing more for LeBron than I think ANY other owner would ever do. I cant name another owner whose gonna cave in on LeBrons every demand like Gilbert has. That's a huge reason why I think this LeBron leaving talk is useless.

I tend to agree with your last statement as well. No team that won 73 games should be able to sign KD. That was a historically game changing move, and I don't think ANY team will have the ability to match their firepower.
 
Hes gone......at least the curse was broken

Where to exactly?

I mean even if he joined LA with Paul George is he really any closer to winning?

He's never won with a new team. Lost in Miami his first year. Lost here his first year back. Point is it is pretty hard to basically build a brand new team and win. The Warriors added Durant to a core that was the same.

So of course he could leave but I'm not sure there is an obvious option out there.
 
Well lebron. Maybe if you didn't push for TT and JR to get massive deals then the team would have some flexible to help you out.
Those are the not the deals to mad about.

TT and JR getting 2 or 3 million less a year does not drastically change anything.

It was the move prior to that that forced our hand in going all in on big contracts. Trading for Kevin Love. Thats the move that hurt flexibility going forward and the lack of wings forced us to go all in on Shump/JR.

Not saying it was the wrong move. Just saying that move pushed into the position of having to hand out bigger contracts to guys like JR. Young players on team friendly deals went out the window. Word to @gourimoko
 

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