LeBron being LeBron

[blazenmp]

MJLJ- I think the Cavs can be pretty decent for all the reasons you spelled out how great teams can still get things done without their best player. We do have to patch things together sufficiently and not lose the things we previously did well (like playing team D), but I really don't think LeBron alone was worth 30 wins.

Anyway, good debate.

Is this your opinion, or just a perception.... Knowing this would help me better respond to you.

 

[Jon]

Not to mention we SAW IT PLAY OUT in the gold medal game. With the game close, and time ticking off the clock, who did the players go to to hit the big shot? Kobe.

And almost everyone around the league, if you asked them who's hand they'd want the ball in, they'd answer Kobe. So right or wrong, their reaction is hardly surprising.

Which all rather gets back to my discussion with IBWT. Kobe in this case is leading with his game play, his reputation, his attitude, his fearlessness, his work ethic, etc. He's seen as a leader and the other players respect that. When he takes them aside and gives them a little hint, they listen.

But if Kobe leads with his basketball ability, the same is absolutely true about LeBron. The players know the team is going to be damn good if LeBron is part of the team, and that makes them want to be part of it. But leaving it at just that would be short changing LeBron. He was the most vocal player on the court. The Olympic coaches have talked about "his voice" and what it meant to the team that he was calling out assignments and telling people what they were supposed to be doing on the floor. Did others encourage LeBron to do that? Teach him? Show him how? Emphasize the importance to him? Great. They showed leadership too.

But there are two primary leadership roles on the court ... one is the defensive leader, and that's traditionally a forward or center who generally isn't on the ball, but has a view of the defense and can call out adjustments. On offense it's the PG (or defacto PG) who controls the pace of the game, runs the plays, etc.

LeBron actually filled both roles for Team USA.

 

[Jon]

Is this your opinion, or just a perception.... Knowing this would help me better respond to you.

I doubt it ...

 

[NarlCavs]

What happens in the Olympics or other international competitions really means very little in regard to what happens in the NBA. The game is different, the rules are different, the mindset is different, and whatever occurs only has to happen for a few weeks not for 8-9 months over multiple years.

Anything that did or didn't happen there can't really be translated into what may or may not happen in the NBA.

 

[JAY1977]

I am slowly letting my intense hatred for Lebron simmer down and just getting on with what we have for a team to put on the floor in the future. This is where we should channel our energy and not dwell in the past. Some may have a harder time letting go and that is understandable because I felt like a family member stabbed me in the back for a while there.
I guess I reached the acceptance part of my greif at this point but I feel a lot better now. The way I try and look at this whole debacle is that if Lebron did not want to be a part of this team than screw it I dont want him here either! I am more interested in seeing the CAVS team showing Lebron how wrong he and the media were about the strength of the team without him. I think I just had a lapse in my recovery and went right back to being pissed off:chuckles:

 

[MJLJ]

This cast was built for LeBron James and signed off on by LeBron James. It was filled with role players to compliment his skill set; so yes, when you take out that centerpiece the team has to change it's entire gameplan potentially missing the playoffs.

Uhh, which high level players did Cleveland pass in order to acquire these "role players" to fit around LeBron? Yeah, NONE. They filled their roster out with the best available players at the positions they needed help at. You know, like every other damn team in the league. Cleveland is no more built around LeBron than any other team in the league is built around their best player. So stop making excuses for this "championship cast". If LeBron's supposed to win a championship with them, then they better make the playoffs this upcoming season.

 

[camakazee]

Mark Cuban on "The Decision."

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban talked with The Dunham and Miller Show on SportsRadio 1310 The Ticket in Dallas on Wednesday morning and spoke for the first time on his impressions of LeBron James' free agent announcement.

“LeBron has every right to go wherever and do whatever, whatever team he wants to," Cuban said. "Going to the Heat was his choice, those guys working together. I don’t even have a problem with the three of them working together, as long as they follow all of the NBA rules, which I think they did.

"Where I think LeBron made a mistake, was in how he did it. I don’t even have a problem that he had the tv show. But it turned out to be the largest public humiliation in the history of sports. He humiliated the organization, he humiliated the state of Ohio , the city of Cleveland. All of a sudden he became a bad guy, he lost a billion dollars in brand equity, give or take a couple bucks here or there.

"I told his folks that I think he got bad advice. It’s not about 'Can he move?' He can move, he can play for any team. I think he picked the wrong team (chuckles). There’s a team in Dallas that could have used him and that would have been better served but it’s his choice. But the way he did it I thought was just a huge mistake."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/091610dnspomavscubanonlebron.f72a14b6.html

Interesting note on the brand equity. I wonder where he's pulling those numbers from (if not his ass).

 

[CPK]

Uhh, which high level players did Cleveland pass in order to acquire these "role players" to fit around LeBron? Yeah, NONE. They filled their roster out with the best available players at the positions they needed help at. You know, like every other damn team in the league. Cleveland is no more built around LeBron than any other team in the league is built around their best player. So stop making excuses for this "championship cast". If LeBron's supposed to win a championship with them, then they better make the playoffs this upcoming season.

Did I say we passed on any high level talent?

LeBron James demanded; we attempted to deliver. Not only that we asked him his thoughts and what he wanted to see on this team. If he didn't like the direction or trades he could have said at any fucking time.

Every team goes for the best talent, yeah? So Miami for the past 3 years really stacked that team up... oh wait no... they shed as much cap as possible. No if you mean teams in CONTENTION attempt to get the best talent; that's a given, yes.

As for our championship cast and getting 'starp players'... It helps if you STAR COMMITS. It helps if you STAR RECRUITS. And if the rumors were true about Toronto being willing to trade us Bosh all LeBron had to do was pick up the phone.

And if you wanted to see LeBron's supporting cast make the playoffs well you are a year late and a few player short.

 

[futuristxen]

Mark Cuban on "The Decision."



http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/091610dnspomavscubanonlebron.f72a14b6.html

Interesting note on the brand equity. I wonder where he's pulling those numbers from (if not his ass).

Interesting he still says he wants him on the Mavs. That's the funniest thing about all of these people talking crap around the league. If it came down to it, every one of them would take Lebron and all of the baggage that came with it, without a second question.

Also whatever he gave up in "Brand Equity" he's going to make up once the Heat start winning championships.

Then he'll be "edgy" and popular, just like Kobe. Remember before the rape trial Kobe was the NBA golden boy. But after that everyone hated him. But he had the 81 point game, and then won some championships, and now he's a "killer", an "assassin"--he's the measuring stick by which everyone else in the league is put against.

Lebron had maxed out the loveable loser card. If he had stayed with the Cavs he was in danger of seeing his brand hurt even more as he became the new Dirk. Talented MVP level player that can't get it done.

Now if things play out right he'll be thought of as a winner with no soul. Which is apparently what people want.

If people liked bland loyal guys, Tim Duncan would be raking in the endorsements. But they like guys who cause drama, stay in the news, and that they love to hate.

 

[czvo]

Interesting he still says he wants him on the Mavs. That's the funniest thing about all of these people talking crap around the league. If it came down to it, every one of them would take Lebron and all of the baggage that came with it, without a second question.

Also whatever he gave up in "Brand Equity" he's going to make up once the Heat start winning championships.

Then he'll be "edgy" and popular, just like Kobe. Remember before the rape trial Kobe was the NBA golden boy. But after that everyone hated him. But he had the 81 point game, and then won some championships, and now he's a "killer", an "assassin"--he's the measuring stick by which everyone else in the league is put against.

Lebron had maxed out the loveable loser card. If he had stayed with the Cavs he was in danger of seeing his brand hurt even more as he became the new Dirk. Talented MVP level player that can't get it done.

Now if things play out right he'll be thought of as a winner with no soul. Which is apparently what people want.

If people liked bland loyal guys, Tim Duncan would be raking in the endorsements. But they like guys who cause drama, stay in the news, and that they love to hate.

Well, that and he turned out to not be a rapist after it was found that the girl was, what's a polite way to put this, easygoing, if you know what I mean. I think if Kobe had been convicted of rape, people wouldn't have been so quick to forgive him (plus he would have been in jail for a little while...).

I mean, let's face it, the American public is quick to forgive adulterers since the majority already suspects athletes to be that way. We're a little less forgiving of those we perceive as "quitters" (think Vince Carter...).

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Well, that and he turned out to not be a rapist after it was found that the girl was, what's a polite way to put this, easygoing, if you know what I mean. I think if Kobe had been convicted of rape, people wouldn't have been so quick to forgive him (plus he would have been in jail for a little while...).

I mean, let's face it, the American public is quick to forgive adulterers since the majority already suspects athletes to be that way. We're a little less forgiving of those we perceive as "quitters" (think Vince Carter...).

Exactly, again, what LeBron did is an unprecedented portrayal of douchebaggery that you can't really compare to anything without it being a very flawed point.

 

[camakazee]

Exactly, again, what LeBron did is an unprecedented portrayal of douchebaggery that you can't really compare to anything without it being a very flawed point.

Dude... don't ruin this for futuristxen. He has a lot riding on the Heat's performance this season.

 

[Jon]

Interesting note on the brand equity. I wonder where he's pulling those numbers from (if not his ass).

The drop in LeBron's Q rating likely indicates a certain drop in brand value. Of course it's not hitting him in the wallet at this point because his sponsors are all sticking by him; and he can certainly rebound depending on how things go moving forward.

I can see him laying low for a year and letting his game talk for him, and then coming out a year from now with a PR blitz designed to remake his image. At least that'd be the normal approach. I could also see him carrying on as-if nothing ever happened.

 

[czvo]

The drop in LeBron's Q rating likely indicates a certain drop in brand value. Of course it's not hitting him in the wallet at this point because his sponsors are all sticking by him; and he can certainly rebound depending on how things go moving forward.

I can see him laying low for a year and letting his game talk for him, and then coming out a year from now with a PR blitz designed to remake his image. At least that'd be the normal approach. I could also see him carrying on as-if nothing ever happened.

If there's one thing we can take away from this summer, it's that LeBron could care less about his image (or he truly believes people still love him).

 

[Man Called X]

If there's one thing we can take away from this summer, it's that LeBron could care less about his image (or he truly believes people still love him).

I'm 100% certain he believes that everyone loves him. He's so deluded into his own image, he has no idea what reality is anymore.

The dude has as many mental issues as Delonte, they just aren't as blatantly obvious.