LeBron James

[chuck0609]

Windy just said on Zach Lowes podcast that at this point he thinks Lebron would rather go by himself to LA and lose then be with the Cavs. Tells you pretty much all you need to know.

His father also made outlandish claims, like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy.

Windy is always talking out of his ass. Espin narrative.

Why can’t LBJ get anyone to come and play here? If that’s the case, why are they joining him anyplace else?
Cavs got some younger guys, the csn resign Hood, and maybe make a move for Kemba.
Re-upping his contract always made sense this upcoming year. Then the Cavs have a bunch of expirings.

 

[inliner311]

So I listen to the Lowe post and windy said it was 51% Lakers right now, 40% Cleveland, and 9% Philly. He did pause and say I can't say when either Rachel or Zack asked. He then goes on to talk about how it's might end up not being about rosters and about his family being happy. Windy never says he will go there alone.

It's around the 48 minute mark of the podcast.

 

[cavsfever]

Windy reports on Lebron so he sees him at work and interviews him, but I don't think he has any access to special inside information. Like, at all. Lebron's team is by now expert at keeping these decisions on the down low and completely in house. Nothing leaked the last two times he made a move and nothing will leak now.

TLDR -- Windy is guessing just like the rest of us.

 

[Futuredome]

Sounds like if the Spurs won't deal Kwahi to the Lakers, the Lakers are out. George doesn't really want to go there.

 

[inliner311]

Windy reports on Lebron so he sees him at work and interviews him, but I don't think he has any access to special inside information. Like, at all. Lebron's team is by now expert at keeping these decisions on the down low and completely in house. Nothing leaked the last two times he made a move and nothing will leak now.

TLDR -- Windy is guessing just like the rest of us.

The only thing Windy seems sure of is that Lebron's decision will come on or before July 4th.

 

[Triple-S]

The only that sort of goes against the LA narrative is I've not really seen any hints dropped over it by LeBron.

I've seen hints dropped about the Cavs needing to upgrade their roster, how they needed to bring in DeAndre Jordan, etc.

We saw hints dropped about how LeBron really wanted to play Bosh, Wade and the whole "Jordan's number should be retired league wide" when he went to Miami.

Is there anything that LeBron has said or done to suggest interest in LA beyond speculation/hope by various ESPN talking heads?

 

[Dawg4L]

The only that sort of goes against the LA narrative is I've not really seen any hints dropped over it by LeBron.

I've seen hints dropped about the Cavs needing to upgrade their roster, how they needed to bring in DeAndre Jordan, etc.

We saw hints dropped about how LeBron really wanted to play Bosh, Wade and the whole "Jordan's number should be retired league wide" when he went to Miami.

Is there anything that LeBron has said or done to suggest interest in LA beyond speculation/hope by various ESPN talking heads?

Certainly doesn't seem like it.

 

[czvo]

It's a conspiracy theory and I'm probably wrong...BUT:

If LeBron has already told Dan he's returning, then Dan and Koby have a HUGE negotiating advantage because they are the ONLY team that knows where LeBron is going.

How does that not make sense? I'm not saying this is ACTUALLY happening, but IF IT WERE...that would be so kickass, and a VERY SMART move.

I don't really see how that gives the Cavs any leverage in trade negotiations though. I guess the theory is the Cavs don't have to give up as much? But that doesn't make sense, because teams aren't negotiating to get LeBron to leave. They're negotiating to get the best deal for their own team. Whether LeBron is there or not has far less impact on the opponent than it does Gilbert and Koby, who would no longer feel immense pressure.

 

[czvo]

His father also made outlandish claims, like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy.

Windy is always talking out of his ass. Espin narrative.

Why can’t LBJ get anyone to come and play here? If that’s the case, why are they joining him anyplace else?
Cavs got some younger guys, the csn resign Hood, and maybe make a move for Kemba.
Re-upping his contract always made sense this upcoming year. Then the Cavs have a bunch of expirings.

Do you really not see why a guy, Kawhi and PG in particular, would rather play with LeBron in LA over Cleveland?

 

[Nphan]

The blueprint for what the Lakers are trying to lay out for LeBron is simple.

They are trying to push for George and Leonard to sign there.

What helps us in this scenario is that the Spurs, Popovich do not want to help out the Lakers. Apparently a deal to them will be only after every option is exhausted. It's even be said that this could all be dragged on until October if you can believe that.

I don't know about George. The rumblings out of Oklahoma are pretty much this though:

https://newsok.com/article/5599022/thunder-paul-george-keeping-lines-of-communication-open

https://247sports.com/nba/oklahoma-...eal-with-the-Oklahoma-City-Thunder-119182798/

Cockblocking helps us out. Us getting a guy like Kemba or something likely probably puts a press on him to commit.

Too bad the Cavs didn't do the Celtics like how the Spurs are handling this situation. I think we would be in a better situation if Cavs did it this way. Fuk the Celtics.

 

[inliner311]

I don't really see how that gives the Cavs any leverage in trade negotiations though. I guess the theory is the Cavs don't have to give up as much? But that doesn't make sense, because teams aren't negotiating to get LeBron to leave. They're negotiating to get the best deal for their own team. Whether LeBron is there or not has far less impact on the opponent than it does Gilbert and Koby, who would no longer feel immense pressure.

For a western conference team that is looking to go to the playoffs, it benefits them not to have another superteam and lebron in their conference. 3-9 seeds in the west were separated by 3 games.

OKC for example, if they lose PG13 to the Lakers with LeBron, they might not even make the playoffs. It's better to ship PG13 to the Cavs and help us out than give LeBron the reason to go to the Lakers. It might be the difference between giving them Love vs expirings and a couple good players.

For Eastern Conference team it gets alittle more complex. If you are a rebuilding team and see Philly and Boston, they are set up to rule the east for the next decade. If LeBron can dominate it for the next 4 years, maybe they make some bad moves in the process to try to beat the Cavs or players get tired of losing to the Cavs and don't resign with Philly or Boston. When your window as a rebuilding team opens, maybe LeBron is close to retiring or not ruling the East but Boston and Philly lost piece along the way and aren't dominate.

 

[Jake]

Do you really not see why a guy, Kawhi and PG in particular, would rather play with LeBron in LA over Cleveland?

Eh, these are young guys with money. A lot of it is about image and perceptions with them. If they were older and wiser they may prefer a smaller market for themselves and their families. idk. I been around, many cities, there are a lot of lesser places with NBA teams out there. Is is warmer out there in Calif though but that's not huge is it?

 

[czvo]

Eh, these are young guys with money. A lot of it is about image and perceptions with them. If they were older and wiser they may prefer a smaller market for themselves and their families. idk. I been around, many cities, there are a lot of lesser places with NBA teams out there. Is is warmer out there in Calif though but that's not huge is it?

I love Cleveland, but, and this is not on Cleveland, we're talking about Los Angeles. For a pro athlete, it's, arguably, the most desirable place to be. And for Kawhi and PG, it's home.

 

[Jake]

I love Cleveland, but, and this is not on Cleveland, we're talking about Los Angeles. For a pro athlete, it's, arguably, the most desirable place to be. And for Kawhi and PG, it's home.

OK, I get the home part for those two, if that's the case. To that point I guess LBJ ain't leaving.
Regarding LA being the "most desirable" place for a pro athlete - why is that?

 

[czvo]

OK, I get the home part for those two, if that's the case. To that point I guess LBJ ain't leaving.
Regarding LA being the "most desirable" place for a pro athlete - why is that?

It's warm year round. They've got beaches. It's the hub for actors, celebs, the wealthy. More clubs, more restaurants, more bars, more of, well, just about everything.

And this isn't me saying Cleveland sucks, because I love Cleveland. Dad's whole side of the family is from the area. We go back every year. Love going into Cleveland, still have friends there, etc. But it's just not LA.

I hope the pull of home keeps LeBron with the Cavs, but other guys don't have that same pull. So if the pull of LeBron isn't stronger than the pull of LA, well...