LeBron Free Agency Part II (Rumors, Speculation, Spin, Discussion)

[godfather]

I for the life of me don't see why Toronto would want anything from Miami or Chicago.

Sit back and wait it out Toronto. Don't get played in this entire ordeal.

 

[Backstage]

So basically, if we don't get Bosh, Toronto's GM is an idiot. Correct?

That or Bosh has messed-up priorities.

 

[abraxas]

Depth is overrated. Its the starting 5 (or 2, or 3) that win championships. Of all teams we should know that.

Absolutely disagree. Take a look at the championship teams from the past 30 years. Depth is important - a very important ingredient along with others that make up a championship team. Mostly I'm saying this in response to people thinking that 2 stars = championship. Not how it works.

 

[Mowitnessalier]

Wuck, we could have passed the Amar'e Safari 2.0 in posts with that thread.

 

[kidduck]

I didn't see this here. If so, stone me with nerf balls.

From Marc Stein:

But decision by Monday ONLY worked if 100 percent sure he's staying. After 6 meetings in 3 days, understandable that LeBron still pondering

about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck

I'm sure folks will conclude LeBron is DEFINITELY leaving if he's delaying his decision until after his camp. Too soon for such conclusions

about 2 hours ago via TweetDeck

 

[staycoolbruh]

One exec I talked to today is stunned Mike Miller is getting so much attention considering his status in league. Tho #Cavs interested too.

Windy

 

[OptimusPrime]

I'm figuring, as I have all along, that Toronto would rather take back a trade exception than salaries, In fact, they could be steering Bosh away from Cleveland because of that.

 

[kidduck]

As ambiguous as the marketplace has proven, Riley forecast some of the uncertainty as he braced for the process.

"It's a business," he said. "I think what makes it scary and terrifying, it isn't to me, but to everybody else, is the media, and the internet, and the blogs. And everybody's assuming and placing people here and there, and all these other places."

In the current vacuum, it is the background chatter that has drawn the focus, with one member of Riley's staff insisting, "The media has no idea what's going on."

 

[scott4life]

So basically, if we don't get Bosh, Toronto's GM is an idiot. Correct?

No. It's 1000% on Bosh who wants to act like god damn child. He hasn't even been on a visit with Cleveland yet he is shutting us down. Well if the 2nd half of his career is anything like the 1st he looks like he belongs on a perennial loser.

 

[rabman_gold]

I hate to say it, but we do need some bigger upgrades in the starting lineup if we want to go the whole way. Shaq tried in the playoffs to do that, but it didn't work out. Antawn held his own, but stunk defensively against a real juggernaut (or former one). Mo is a great offensive player that suits LeBron, but stunk defensively as well. AP did well for what we tried to get out of him, but having a true starting caliber SG would pay its dues.

Injuries will always happen, so if anything happens during the season, don't be surprised if we lose our luster in the playoffs due to it.

Either way, a guy like Bosh can go a long way to fixing that problem, or Chris Paul, or even Andre Igoudala (not using his availability here, just the example of position players). They compliment LeBron and can do more than what Mo has been asked to do. And if you have depth behind that, more power to Cleveland. Additionally, get another star and you could be assured of going the full way.

Here's a look at what having a star does for LeBron, using Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, and Andre Igoudala as examples:

Players|Substitution Patterns|Offensive Compliments|Defensive Compliments|Similar Skill Sets|Relation to LeBron
Chris Bosh|Bosh rests with 4 minutes in 1st, LeBron rests for 6 minutes in 2nd, both play for 3 minutes at end of 2nd|Pick and Roll, Pick and Pop, Post Up, Go to Guy|Can Switch for Seconds, Handle Bigger and Longer Players Consistently|Athleticism, Desire to Win, Star Status|Good friend, Olympic buddy
Chris Paul|Paul rests with 4 minutes in 1st, LeBron rests for 6 minutes in 2nd, both play for 3 minutes at end of 2nd|Paul or LeBron can Handle Ball, Pick and Roll, Pick and Pop, Alley Oops to LeBron, Go to Guy at the end of games, Open Court Basketball|Could Switch on Guards and Forwards (not too big), Play the open lanes, Take turns on go to Guards|Athleticism, Desire to Win, Best Friends, Star Status, Will Push Each Other, Very Similar in Style and Talents (not size)|Best Friend, Olympic Buddy
Andre Igoudala|Same as Chris Paul and Chris Bosh|Andre and LeBron can both handle ball, Pick and Roll, Alley Oops, Go to Guys, Open Court Basketball, Break down the Defenses, Easily replace one another in substitutions|Switch on Anything, Play the Open Lanes, Take turns to guard go to player at the end of games, Spread the Floor with versatility, Can replace one another in substitutions|Athleticism, Star Status, Versatility, Similarities in size and abilities and talents, can virtually replace one another in all games (even take games off if necessary)|Someone LeBron CAN relate to, but otherwise unknown

We're close, but not quite. You need more than role players and sub stars, as proven. Get a real Pippen, because at least a Pippen can perform in the playoffs, unlike Mo. And get a prime player, because they won't break down or falter like old Shaq or 'Tawn. And get somebody you can throw the ball to, because Parker can't do that anymore. If you can replace that, and STILL have a good bench with 3 or 4 guys, you can realistically compete for a title with no strings attached.

Still, having several more replaced wouldn't hurt either. 10 deep with 2 true stars, 2 sub stars, and quality role players would be the perfect formula. Just need to get the right pieces for the offensive end and defensive end. I trust that Byron Scott can do that...

 

[Real Deal]

I would cry a puddle if we resign LeBron, S&T for Bosh, and then sign Mike Miller for the MLE.

How good will these guys along with Mo and Jamison look in a showtime offense? Incredible.

 

[westsidebob]

I'm figuring, as I have all along, that Toronto would rather take back a trade exception than salaries, In fact, they could be steering Bosh away from Cleveland because of that.

If all Toronto wants is a trade exception, you REALLY dont think the Cavs could find a third team below the cap to deal with?

 

[staycoolbruh]

Deal finally done with Hawks, Joe Johnson had been discussing no-trade clause provisions in $119 million contract, sources say.

Adrian Wojnarowski

Well, Sounds like JJ's contract is made

 

[Triumph36]

Odom was one player. One player doesn't make your bench deep. They lacked depth all year off the bench. Farmar, Sasha, and Brown are okay. Nothing special.

That's my point. A team with a star studded starting lineup doesn't need to be 10-12 deep to win a title. The Lakers are a perfect example of that. The same would hold true for LeBron and Bosh in Chicago...add them to Deng, Rose, and Noah...there's your star studded lineup. Then you add Gibson and Johnson off the bench, and the next year add players with the MLE, BAE, and draft to come off the bench and you're in business.

Of course that changes if Chicago S&T's for Bosh. Who knows what will happen there....but the point is on the other possible destinations, building a bench would be very easy to do because of their starting lineups.

 

[Smooth]

Here's a look at what having a star does for LeBron, using Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, and Andre Igoudala as examples:

Players|Substitution Patterns|Offensive Compliments|Defensive Compliments|Similar Skill Sets|Relation to LeBron
Chris Bosh|Bosh rests with 4 minutes in 1st, LeBron rests for 6 minutes in 2nd, both play for 3 minutes at end of 2nd|Pick and Roll, Pick and Pop, Post Up, Go to Guy|Can Switch for Seconds, Handle Bigger and Longer Players Consistently|Athleticism, Desire to Win, Star Status|Good friend, Olympic buddy
Chris Paul|Paul rests with 4 minutes in 1st, LeBron rests for 6 minutes in 2nd, both play for 3 minutes at end of 2nd|Paul or LeBron can Handle Ball, Pick and Roll, Pick and Pop, Alley Oops to LeBron, Go to Guy at the end of games, Open Court Basketball|Could Switch on Guards and Forwards (not too big), Play the open lanes, Take turns on go to Guards|Athleticism, Desire to Win, Best Friends, Star Status, Will Push Each Other, Very Similar in Style and Talents (not size)|Best Friend, Olympic Buddy
Andre Igoudala|Same as Chris Paul and Chris Bosh|Andre and LeBron can both handle ball, Pick and Roll, Alley Oops, Go to Guys, Open Court Basketball, Break down the Defenses, Easily replace one another in substitutions|Switch on Anything, Play the Open Lanes, Take turns to guard go to player at the end of games, Spread the Floor with versatility, Can replace one another in substitutions|Athleticism, Star Status, Versatility, Similarities in size and abilities and talents, can virtually replace one another in all games (even take games off if necessary)|Someone LeBron CAN relate to, but otherwise unknown

rab I love you and your tables but....damn can't you simplify it for us? lol

I guess this FA stuff excites you..