POLL: Will you blame Lebron if he leaves this summer?

[-Akronite-]

Nope. I said unequivocally after he won the title that he can do whatever he wants for the rest of his life without getting judgment from me. We got to rule the Eastern Conference for 4 years and won the greatest championship in NBA history. I'm not gonna hold anything against LeBron (just as I haven't toward Kyrie) when he led us to ending the curse. And frankly, he's gotta do what he's gotta do to challenge Jordan. If that means seeking a super team elsewhere to slay the GSW dragon, so be it.

The only options that would leave me salty, but I wouldn't be that vocal, would be Golden State (I mean come on) and Boston (fuck that city to the ground). I could see Boston happening and I pray they don't get to enjoy him AND Kyrie UGH.

After growing up a bit, it is clear that the only thing LeBron did wrong the first time was The Decision. Even that, which was over the top regardless, wouldn't have been that bad if he hadn't left the team in the dark only to dump em on TV. Felt like our hands were tied. Overall I overreacted to his decision to leave.

Gilbert did what he could the first time around, and he was a new owner. He seems to have not learned much and we probably could be looking at a much better team if he knew how to manage it... But I wouldn't trade what happened in 2016 for just about anything.

Anyway, if he leaves I hope he returns before retirement. And I wouldn't mind him owning the team later or having a presence in Cleveland into old age.

 

[cavsfever]

If he goes to Boston but insists that they send Kyrie back to us in a sign and trade I would forgive him for going there (even though I hate Boston). He would fuck up Kyrie's life and that would be sweet.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I could see Boston happening and I pray they don't get to enjoy him AND Kyrie UGH.

Well, it would be kind of funny if Kyrie was "stuck" with LBJ again after fleeing Cleveland to get out from under his shadow, but I think there's a zero percent chance Boston would ever pair those two guys up. They'd need to trade Kyrie if they wanted to bring in LBJ. And there is no way in hell I'd want Kyrie back as the compensation for LBJ. He simply is not good enough to get us anywhere other than a permanent spot on the treadmill.

 

[Return of the King]

A couple of things before my 2 cents:

1. I would PREFER if he stayed with us, as that would mean we would suck ass if he leaves, and we would hear it not stop on BSPN of the post-lebron effect.

2. I have ZERO confidence at our management to draft smartly, develop young players, or bring a solid team together IF Lebron stays.

That being said, like I said earlier in the LeBron post, I want it universally acknowledged that lebron, an Ohioan, as the GOAT of this sport. This fool is consistently amazing, carrying our shitty team, and dominating teams unlike what we’ve seen before, especially for how long he’s done it.

He’s never had a competent front office and thus he has to do what he has to do. I will always support the Cavs especially when we play against him if he leaves, but I will wish him luck. Be sad that he leaves, but understand that our idiots in upper management is actually fucking up his legacy. And if that means he has to leave, so be it.

 

[PITCavsFan]

I voted "SOME" because of these quotes from LeBron in 2014 (as told by Lee Jenkins)...


"Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now."

"I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy."

"But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.
In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.
I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home."

As much as I'd personally love to see him stay and keep us relevant for a few more years, I'd understand if he left this time around. He brought a championship to Cleveland, something I never thought I'd see in my life. That said...

It's clear given the officiating in this go around of The Finals that "nothing is given" in NE Ohio. I think it would mean a lot to fans and people in the cities of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Toledo, Youngstown, Columbus and everywhere in between if he'd "double-down" by saying "I'm not giving up". I think this would go a LONG way to cementing a legacy, even if it isn't a global icon-type legacy. If he leaves, who knows what that legacy may be. If he stays, he's a local hero and, frankly, the face of the region.

 

[PITCavsFan]

oops

 

[TitleTown]

I voted "SOME" because of these quotes from LeBron in 2014 (as told by Lee Jenkins)...


"Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now."

"I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy."

"But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.
In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.
I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home."

As much as I'd personally love to see him stay and keep us relevant for a few more years, I'd understand if he left this time around. He brought a championship to Cleveland, something I never thought I'd see in my life. That said...

It's clear given the officiating in this go around of The Finals that "nothing is given" in NE Ohio. I think it would mean a lot to fans and people in the cities of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Toledo, Youngstown, Columbus and everywhere in between if he'd "double-down" by saying "I'm not giving up". I think this would go a LONG way to cementing a legacy, even if it isn't a global icon-type legacy. If he leaves, who knows what that legacy may be.

Agreed 100%. It tarnishes his legacy a bit if he leaves, and part of our predicament is his fault (although I blame coaching more than anything), but overall, he's given us a championship and earned the right to leave.

 

[The Red Viper]

I voted "SOME" because of these quotes from LeBron in 2014 (as told by Lee Jenkins)...


"Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now."

"I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy."

"But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.
In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.
I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home."

As much as I'd personally love to see him stay and keep us relevant for a few more years, I'd understand if he left this time around. He brought a championship to Cleveland, something I never thought I'd see in my life. That said...

It's clear given the officiating in this go around of The Finals that "nothing is given" in NE Ohio. I think it would mean a lot to fans and people in the cities of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Toledo, Youngstown, Columbus and everywhere in between if he'd "double-down" by saying "I'm not giving up". I think this would go a LONG way to cementing a legacy, even if it isn't a global icon-type legacy. If he leaves, who knows what that legacy may be. If he stays, he's a local hero and, frankly, the face of the region.

I think he genuinely wanted to finish his career here, when he came back.

But with the way things have transpired ever since then, especially with Warriors emerging to be one of the best teams of all time AND THEN adding Kevin Durant to their roster, that completely throws away whatever he must have envisioned.

LeBron is chasing something which sadly will only get judged by rings. And the harsh truth is, we aren't really in a great position to challenge the Warriors. Whatever window we still had, bad trades and management decisions in the last one-odd years completely killed any little hope that was there.

Also, as for legacy, even if he leaves, he is still a local hero. Forget coming back and delivering on his promise to bring back a Championship to Cleveland after 52 years, what he does for the community in NE Ohio is what heroes do.

 

[The Red Viper]

Agreed 100%. It tarnishes his legacy a bit if he leaves, and part of our predicament is his fault (although I blame coaching more than anything), but overall, he's given us a championship and earned the right to leave.

I just don't see how it tarnishes his legacy, bro. Unless he goes to the Warriors.

Some of us may well be a bit sad and disappointed but the truth is, in terms of legacy, most will judge him based on rings. Thats the only argument between him and Jordan now. 6 vs 3.

 

[TitleTown]

I just don't see how it tarnishes his legacy, bro. Unless he goes to the Warriors.

Some of us may well be a bit sad and disappointed but the truth is, in terms of legacy, most will judge him based on rings. Thats the only argument between him and Jordan now. 6 vs 3.

Nah, the people who prefer Jordan, will always prefer Jordan. There's no changing that.

They'll just start making the superteam argument. "Well, Jordan didn't have to join up with other top players to win."

If LeBron stays and wins 1 more with Cleveland it will no doubt be better for his legacy than 2 with Houston. No doubt.

 

[The Red Viper]

Nah, the people who prefer Jordan, will always prefer Jordan. There's no changing that.

They'll just start making the superteam argument. "Well, Jordan didn't have to join up with other top players to win."

If LeBron stays and wins 1 more with Cleveland it will no doubt be better for his legacy than 2 with Houston. No doubt.

I don't know, man.

People have short memories.

Look at them sucking off KD.

I don't think he goes to Houston. IMO, it will be Philly most likely!

 

[avs2000]

Agree completely with this, have posted similar a couple of times. It's really unbelievable that Lebron dragged the worst supporting cast ever to the Finals in 2007, then 11 years later, after Gilbert has been given a complete do-over with the slate wiped clean and numerous draft picks to rebuild with, Lebron is AGAIN saddled with dragging the worst supporting cast ever to the Finals.

I do not agree that it is all gilbert's fault. The organization was always hamstrung in getting players to come here because lebron would not commit long term. When he came back, we already had Irving, they went out and got Love. TT looked to be developing into more than what he has become

Gilbert would not have traded Irving had not Irving demanding it or saying he would have surgery if not traded. What if we did not trade him ? he would have sat out a year and LBJ would have left anyway

We would have had irving for one year and would have to trade him. We ended up with Zizic, the 8 th pick which should/could of been higher, nance, clarkson, and hood. I will say now, Kyrie is an all-star...that is it, You do not build a team around a Kyrie Irving. He can score...that is it. And he is fragile and will get worse as he ages

Anyway, you cannot just say its one persons fault.
It is Gilbert, Lebron, Lue's fault..you decide the degree.
I give Koby a semi-pass because irving put them in a bad situation

 

[PITCavsFan]

If he leaves, the defining aspect of his legacy is whether people place emphasis on staying with one (or two) teams (ala Jordan, Kobe) or if changing teams is just the environment of the modern NBA (due to the CBA).

 

[flop]

Nah, the people who prefer Jordan, will always prefer Jordan. There's no changing that.

They'll just start making the superteam argument. "Well, Jordan didn't have to join up with other top players to win."

If LeBron stays and wins 1 more with Cleveland it will no doubt be better for his legacy than 2 with Houston. No doubt.

In what world is that even realistic?

 

[Dr. Claw]

If he does, fans should burn jerseys.

DURANT jerseys.