LeBron James

[inliner311]

Cavs I think were 5 games out of the 8th seed before LBJ came back, I'll let you guys look up that roster. It was a tough rebuild, but we were slowly seeing the rebuild come together.

I want LeBron to stay and retire a Cav, but like Jmoney said, we can't delay the inevitable if there is doubt on either side.

The benefit on the Cavs part of a one year commitment is LeBron gets to play with Sexton and the other young guys. They might develop and take the team to the next level. With moves, the Cavs position might be completely different next summer. I think that's Koby's plan, make the team actually look like it will help Lebron compete for 5+ years.

All the vets on this team you look at and think how much longer can they play on this level. I look at Hill, JR, TT, and Korver and think is this the year they become like Mike Miller on the Cavs.

 

[czvo]

I just can't shake the feeling that those saying they enjoyed the non-LeBron years have some sort of weird amnesia where they're actually forgetting how bad it was. Not only was the team bad, but they were still filled with stupid drama. And not the "LeBron didn't include Love in his picture" drama, but "the starting point guard and starting shooting guard may or may not have gotten into a fight at practice because they hate each other" drama. To wit, here are some of the things that happened in the years LeBron was gone:

-26 game losing streak
-Absolutely embarrassing beat down @ home at the hands of the Heat
-The ENDLESS Kyrie vs. Dion debates
-The Kyrie-Dion "we're actually friends" presser that was clearly team PR
-"Buddy ball"
-Rehiring Mike Brown
-Andrew Bynum firing up threes from half court in practice and getting kicked off the team
-Kyrie appearing to plateau after his all-star appearance
-Reaching on TT
-Taking Anthony Bennett #1, then going through that whole year
-Anderson Varejao almost dying

It was bad. The team was bad. And more than that, they just weren't fun to watch outside of Kyrie doing something crazy. Someone earlier said they were only 5 games out of 8th the year before LeBron came back, but that was because the 8th place team that year was 38-44.

 

[Triple-S]

Well that and you had the shadow of LeBron over the franchise.

The greatest player to ever wear a Cavs uniform and we're all now having to pretend he didn't exist really.

Again. I'd rather kick the can down the road as far as possible and by any means possible.

Not to even mention that the Indians, and Browns were not exactly doing their best to go "hey! pay attention to us!" during that time period as well.

 

[LennoxLewis]

I mean I think a lot of us know about all the bad that went on. And yes the East was terrible, but despite all the BS there were things to look forward too. There's always going to be drama, I mean these last couple years haven't been without there ups and downs, the only thing making it bearable is the playoffs and finals appearences.

Eventually the Cavs are gonna have to think about basketball post LeBron. There is no point in delaying if LBJ just wants to return for next year, because most likely the result will be the same. We either get swept again by GSW, or the Cs or Sixers take us out before the finals. This is me assuming the Cavs wouldn't give up any major assets to try and improve the team(which I wouldn't blame them).

People hated that the Cavs hedged on the Kyrie deal, now we are talking about hedging on whether we want LBJ here short or long term, doesn't make sense. Like what are people hoping for if LeBron tells the Cavs, here I'm staying this season, but I'm out next year?

 

[Jscc]

If the goal is winning and ultimately winning championships, then I prefer to build around Lebron for as long as we can. He gives us the best chance.

Can anyone seriously envision us within the next 20 years sniffing the level of success LeBron has given us? Or another high draft pick taking their team to 7-8 straight NBA finals? I don't, so what's the point? What would we be building torwards?

If we had organizational stability like the Spurs... maybe. We don't. Our recent history of terrible drafting and coaching is proof of that. Kyrie was the closest thing to successful drafting and he wanted the hell out of here.

 

[Triple-S]

LeBron is one in control of the situation. Not the other way around.

If he wants to retire here? He'll retire here. It feels like Altman, Gilbert are ready to make some moves.

I think the thing gnawing away at me is I don't feel exactly "comfortable" with the recruiting angle. Because A to B level players generally don't want to play here unless forced. Damian Lillard is the rule, not the exception.

And this isn't just a "woe is Cleveland" thing. It's a problem for the entire league save for like 12 markets (and even then? let's be honest. Probably 3). You think people are banging on the door to play for the Magic? I mean they lost Shaq and then they lost Dwight Howard.

You got lucky in 2014 because you drafted a great point guard in 2011, had the assets to trade for Kevin Love and then the best player in the world happened to be homesick.

 

[Triple-S]

View: https://twitter.com/AIR305/status/1011096472857739270


Miami Heat reporter saying stuff about all his stuff being moved there but apparently it would be a sign and trade.

god I hate the NBA.

 

[fan0283]

The Bullshit Whisperer also saying If LBJ stays to look for clarkson and sexton for kemba. Would like Kemba but hoping to find a way without sexton.

If that's the best we can do better we keep Sexton and have LeBron move on because we'll inevitably lose to GS then lose LeBron next year and possibly Kemba. We would have lost everything. This time even worse as we would have lost to Kyrie or been soundly trashed by GS once again.

I'm sure it's not true but I wouldn't be surprised. Our FO seems really really bad at looking down the road and anticipating the future.

 

[bobbyh]

The benefit on the Cavs part of a one year commitment is LeBron gets to play with Sexton and the other young guys. They might develop and take the team to the next level. With moves, the Cavs position might be completely different next summer. I think that's Koby's plan, make the team actually look like it will help Lebron compete for 5+ years.

All the vets on this team you look at and think how much longer can they play on this level. I look at Hill, JR, TT, and Korver and think is this the year they become like Mike Miller on the Cavs.

LeBron only cares about now, he doesn't want to waste even one season playing with young guys and several vet bums who underperform in the playoffs. He did that his first stint here

He's only staying with another large overhaul on a one year contract.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Can anyone seriously envision us within the next 20 years sniffing the level of success LeBron has given us? Or another high draft pick taking their team to 7-8 straight NBA finals? I don't, so what's the point? What would we be building towards?

By this logic, 28 teams in the league shouldn't have had any fans show up to watch games for the last 4 years. Because "what's the point?" None of them had a guy who took them to all those straight finals, or had a team like GSW did. And even we won't have that guy in another 4-5 years no matter what.

But curiously, when I watched games involving other teams, there were actually fans at those games. And many of them seemed to be cheering and having fun watching their team.

Why? What's the point?

 

[thegodfather]

LeBron only cares about now, he doesn't want to waste even one season playing with young guys and several vet bums who underperform in the playoffs. He did that his first stint here

He's only staying with another large overhaul on a one year contract.

Hopefully he realizes with the recent success of rookies like Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, etc. that some of these guys can come in and be impactful for good teams right away.

 

[avs2000]

By this logic, 28 teams in the league shouldn't have had any fans show up to watch games for the last 4 years. Because "what's the point?" None of them had a guy who took them to all those straight finals, or had a team like GSW did. And even we won't have that guy in another 4-5 years no matter what.

But curiously, when I watched games involving other teams, there were actually fans at those games. And many of them seemed to be cheering and having fun watching their team.

Why? What's the point?

Some here are saying we Might as well shut down the franchise if LBJ leaves
Love the 4 finals trips, love the Trophy but has it really been all that fun. Regular seasons have been lifeless and joyless, especially last season.

It looks like he is either leaving for good or going to have to 'park" himself here for one more year even though he rather not.

I do not see anything to suggest he wants to be here. The organization was a cluster f$%^ last year, no doubt about it.

I honestly think its time he left. He wants to wander the desert, surround himself with other superstars and chase rings. He might win 1-2, doubtful but might, but the last ones will be "Durant like"

if he comes back it will because there not any other options this year and his son can finish middle school.
That is fine but I would not trade Sexton or any other young talent for a Kemba Walker for one year

One thing they should do is take a flyer and lock up Preston. He was a 5 star high school recruit just a year ago. If he played at KU he probably would have been a top ten pick this year. He fell into our lap, lock him up

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

I mean I think a lot of us know about all the bad that went on. And yes the East was terrible, but despite all the BS there were things to look forward too. There's always going to be drama, I mean these last couple years haven't been without there ups and downs, the only thing making it bearable is the playoffs and finals appearences.

Eventually the Cavs are gonna have to think about basketball post LeBron. There is no point in delaying if LBJ just wants to return for next year, because most likely the result will be the same. We either get swept again by GSW, or the Cs or Sixers take us out before the finals. This is me assuming the Cavs wouldn't give up any major assets to try and improve the team(which I wouldn't blame them).

People hated that the Cavs hedged on the Kyrie deal, now we are talking about hedging on whether we want LBJ here short or long term, doesn't make sense. Like what are people hoping for if LeBron tells the Cavs, here I'm staying this season, but I'm out next year?

The Cavs really don't have any untradeable assets on this team. Every year you get with him is a year that will be fun and exciting. Even if you lose in the Eastern Conference finals, that is a few breaks away from a title chance. When LeBron goes, this team will likely be bad for a decade. No team transitions softly and smoothly in this situation. Do what you can to keep him for as long as possible. My only caveat would be I wouldn't trade the few assets I do have for short term help until you know you have him next year.

 

[BrutX15]

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/06/23/heisler-everyones-gearing-up-for-big-lebron-james-derby-including-lebron/

Apparently this is one of Sheridan's sources.


@sheridanhoops
"It's not Cleveland." Who wrote that? Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame member (media wing) @MarkHeisler in the Orange County Register.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Some here are saying we Might as well shut down the franchise if LBJ leaves
Love the 4 finals trips, love the Trophy but has it really been all that fun. Regular seasons have been lifeless and joyless, especially last season.

It looks like he is either leaving for good or going to have to 'park" himself here for one more year even though he rather not.

I do not see anything to suggest he wants to be here. The organization was a cluster f$%^ last year, no doubt about it.

I honestly think its time he left. He wants to wander the desert, surround himself with other superstars and chase rings. He might win 1-2, doubtful but might, but the last ones will be "Durant like"

if he comes back it will because there not any other options this year and his son can finish middle school.
That is fine but I would not trade Sexton or any other young talent for a Kemba Walker for one year

One thing they should do is take a flyer and lock up Preston. He was a 5 star high school recruit just a year ago. If he played at KU he probably would have been a top ten pick this year. He fell into our lap, lock him up

I don't want him to leave, but I also don't think it is the end of the franchise if he does.

Personally, I'm thrilled if he decides to stay here just one more year, even if it is only by default because there aren't other good options out here. That kind of decision is great for the Cavs. It gives us an entire year to try to fix flaws in our cap situation, develop young players, etc.. It's something we haven't been able to do for the last 4 years because we've pretty much had a "win now" gun to our head the whole time. Next summer, we'll be in a much better position to build a better team around LBJ than we are right now. So if that's what happens...I think it would be great.

Also, I'd be really interested to see if LBJ chooses to take part in actually trying to help develop young guys the right way -- see if he has that kind of leadership in him. It could be a lot of fun to watch.