The Lebron Safari 2014

[maxREM]

I honestly feel like MGK was lying or let him win. The guy's not gonna say he beat his boss (the greatest ever) in a one-on-one game.

[DraftPick]

Ira Winderman doing his best to appear objective, while at the same time shoveling crap on any possible return. Get ready for more of this from big market media (and MIA) over the next year and a half (again).



Let the narrative-building commence, O mighty media scribes...

It makes me smile to see Miami people starting to freak out. They are going through the EXACT same thing we were. Couldn't happen to a better group of people either.

Not going to lie, it's nice to be talked about as the most likely place LeBron would come to should he leave.

[westsidebob]

As long as we're talking hypotheticals here.....

What if LBJ has made up his mind the Cavs are a team on the rise? What if he tells Riley he's opting out after next year this off-season? What if he makes it known through back-door channels he'd come back to Cleveland and honor his current contract?

While we're dreaming, let's say CG manages to get another '13 #1 for Speights.

If you're the Cavs, would you be willing to dump the majority of owed picks back to MIA for LBJ NEXT year?

Giving up: '13 MIA #1, Additional '13 #1, LAL right to swap, SAC pick, MEM pick and CLE '15 pick (keeping MIA's). Potentially some of the owed 2nd rounders too.

You still have a lotto pick this offseason, all your own picks going forward and a solid core of 8-9 players. after 15-16, LBJ's contract is up at the same time as Kyrie's and TT's. At that point, you can let him go and sign the other two.

[col63onel]

As long as we're talking hypotheticals here.....

What if LBJ has made up his mind the Cavs are a team on the rise? What if he tells Riley he's opting out after next year this off-season? What if he makes it known through back-door channels he'd come back to Cleveland and honor his current contract?

While we're dreaming, let's say CG manages to get another '13 #1 for Speights.

If you're the Cavs, would you be willing to dump the majority of owed picks back to MIA for LBJ NEXT year?

Giving up: '13 MIA #1, Additional '13 #1, LAL right to swap, SAC pick, MEM pick and CLE '15 pick (keeping MIA's). Potentially some of the owed 2nd rounders too.

You still have a lotto pick this offseason, all your own picks going forward and a solid core of 8-9 players. after 15-16, LBJ's contract is up at the same time as Kyrie's and TT's. At that point, you can let him go and sign the other two.

We all know where I stand on his return, but if he is coming back, I am not going to give up assets when I can sign him with cap space. That's the definition of "bidding against yourself".

[westsidebob]

We all know where I stand on his return, but if he is coming back, I am not going to give up assets when I can sign him with cap space. That's the definition of "bidding against yourself".

Not if it gets you into title contention in '13-14, along with 14-15 and 15-16.

Why settle for two shots at a title when you can have 3? Most of those picks (with the exception of the MEM pick way in the future) are future Tyler Zellers, are they really giving up anything? If LBJ is back, the extra late 1st round picks aren't getting run anyway. They still have all their own picks, except for '15, when you'd have MIA's (which presumably will be worse).

They pick up an extra year of contention, preserve cap space and still have future picks. Keep in mind, two of the picks going back were what we got for LBJ in the first place, and two materialized out of thin air for Leuer.

I'd rather have a year of 29 year old LBJ than a year of 32 year old LBJ in a year where you could potnentially have Kyrie and TT unrestricted. The key is, when LBJ ends this contract Kyrie and TT are due for paydays. If you wait to sign LBJ, the contracts will overlap.

[Scholar]

Not if it gets you into title contention in '13-14, along with 14-15 and 15-16.

Why settle for two shots at a title when you can have 3? Most of those picks (with the exception of the MEM pick way in the future) are future Tyler Zellers, are they really giving up anything? If LBJ is back, the extra late 1st round picks aren't getting run anyway. They still have all their own picks, except for '15, when you'd have MIA's (which presumably will be worse).

Terrible reasoning. Our young players will not be ready in 2013. Lebron isn't going to try to force a trade this coming year. It isn't in his best interests. Miami should still be able to give him his best option to win the title next season baring major team injuries. If he really wants to be here, why would he want us to use up assets that could get him other players to help him? None of it makes sense. Plus, they are not going to just hand Miami all of those assets. Gilbert would have a conniption.

If he intends to sign here as a free agent in 2014, then you wait till 2014 to sign him. You put it on him to do it. Besides, Miami isn't going to be trading him next year anyways. Not happening.

I think your tag line is very apropos. You are thinking like a GM on a ten day contract.

[westsidebob]

Terrible reasoning. Our young players will not be ready in 2013. Lebron isn't going to try to force a trade this coming year. It isn't in his best interests. Miami should still be able to give him his best option to win the title next season baring major team injuries. If he really wants to be here, why would he want us to use up assets that could get him other players to help him? None of it makes sense. Plus, they are not going to just hand Miami all of those assets. Gilbert would have a conniption.

If he intends to sign here as a free agent in 2014, then you wait till 2014 to sign him. You put it on him to do it. Besides, Miami isn't going to be trading him next year anyways. Not happening.

I think your tag line is very apropos. You are thinking like a GM on a ten day contract.

Thanks for the cheap shot. Always a sign of a good debater.

Not sure how you can say that roster won't be ready next year. Kyrie is an all-star, AV healthy, TT and Dion showing development.

I'm not saying I'd do it, I'm not saying it's even possible. I did say hypothetical, didn't I?

If you look at what the roster would look like over the next four years if it were to happen, they'd still really be in damn good shape from a roster and a cap perspective. The pieces they would be looking to fill in would be on the bench. In LBJ's first run here, they were in cap hell and STILL looking for starters. That was the whole point of the thought exercise.

I'm all for planning for the future, but at some point, you can get so focused on maintaining flexability that you've never filled a need.

[tn819]

I love the subtle mentions from the mass media about a possible Lebron return in almost any Kyrie Irving article. I love the speculation undermining the Heat franchise and only serving to put the Cavaliers organization in a better light. If this is the new NBA, then we are definitely on the better side of the equation right now in Cleveland. Let our young guys develop, don't mortgage the future, and if his return is in the cards, then it is in the cards.

[DawgOnKing]

Miami Herald from today. Sorry if posted elsewhere. Article as much about Kyrie as it is LBJ.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/1...-of-kyrie.html

One of the most memorable moments of All-Star Weekend was watching LeBron James celebrate the three-point championship of Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving.

The subject was so prominent in Houston it was impossible to ignore, and James’ effusive praise for Irving during the weekend only served to fuel speculation.

Considering the way James left Cleveland in 2010, the idea of him returning less than five years later once seemed preposterous. But while James has shot down every question regarding his future, he has never ruled out a return to Cleveland. In fact, James began attempting to smooth things over with Cleveland last year.

“It would be fun to play in front of these fans again,” James said in February of 2012 before a road game at Cleveland. “I had a lot fun times in my seven years here. … I’m here as a Miami Heat player, and I’m happy where I am now, but I don’t rule that out in no sense.

“And if I decide to come back, hopefully the fans will accept me.”

The Heat will be major contenders to keep James in the summer of 2014 when he can first opt out of his contract, but All-Star Weekend added yet another chapter to the ongoing narrative that James loves the young Cleveland guard’s game.

On cue, the Heat plays the Cavaliers on Sunday after a quick three-game road trip that begins in Atlanta on Wednesday.

A rising superstar in the league, Irving competed every day in Houston and did something memorable every time he stepped onto the court.

On Friday, he dominated the Rising Stars Challenge, scoring 32 points in his team’s loss. For fans of South Florida hoops, it was an eye-opening performance. Late in the second half, Irving crossed up Fort Lauderdale’s Brandon Knight so thoroughly on a step-back three-pointer that Knight slipped to his knees.

On Sunday, Irving started alongside James to begin the second half of the All-Star Game and finished with 15 points in 26 minutes on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. The multitalented guard was 3 of 6 from three-point range and had four assists and three rebounds.

Afterward, James gushed about Irving and singled out the youngster when asked who he enjoyed playing with.

“It’s always fun playing with [Carmelo Anthony], and it was awesome to play with Kyrie,” James said. “I watch Kyrie a lot. … It’s always great to play against those guys, but when you get an opportunity to play with them it’s even better.”

But James’ biggest thrill of the weekend seemed to be cheering on Irving. On Saturday, James was seated courtside for the three-point competition and dunk contest. Irving won the three-point competition, racking up 23 points in the final round, and James was on his feet cheering for Irving throughout the exhibition.

“He’s gonna be unbelievable,” James said of Irving on Sunday. “He’s already unbelievable in this league, first of all. What he’s doing right now, and what he’s going to do in the future, it’s going to be crazy.

“With his weekend, he had a great game Friday night, came in here and won the three-point competition and had a great game tonight. … He’s one of the best players that we have, and it’s awesome to have him here. He belongs here.”

Taken separately, the many examples of James’ appreciation for Irving’s game are innocuous. But nothing happens in a vacuum in the life of James. When you’re the best player on the planet, everything is scrutinized, dissected, analyzed and decoded.

James can opt out of his contract with Miami after next season. He could head back to Cleveland and play with Irving full-time, re-sign with the Heat for more money or other teams, like the Lakers, could be in play. James’ next big decision is still more than a year away, and gossip throughout the league is already in overdrive.

Reporters with Cleveland ties have been writing about James’ “likely” return to the Cavaliers since last season, and insiders around the NBA have been quick to point out that James has never fully embraced Miami and still considers Akron, Ohio, his true home. (He doesn’t like the traffic in Miami, or haven’t you heard?)

And, of course, there’s Irving, who now seems to be one of the biggest pieces to the puzzle. James and Irving have an association through Nike, and James has been closely involved with the guard since he was a junior in high school and attended James’ summer camp in Akron.

For now, the future of the Heat involves James, but the story of his impending contract decision isn’t going away. Just like his final two seasons in Cleveland, James’ future with the Heat will be major news from now until the summer of 2014.

Heat president Pat Riley wooed James in 2010. His next great task will be keeping him in Miami.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/1...#storylink=cpy

[Scholar]

Thanks for the cheap shot. Always a sign of a good debater.

Not sure how you can say that roster won't be ready next year. Kyrie is an all-star, AV healthy, TT and Dion showing development.

I'm not saying I'd do it, I'm not saying it's even possible. I did say hypothetical, didn't I?

If you look at what the roster would look like over the next four years if it were to happen, they'd still really be in damn good shape from a roster and a cap perspective. The pieces they would be looking to fill in would be on the bench. In LBJ's first run here, they were in cap hell and STILL looking for starters. That was the whole point of the thought exercise.

I'm all for planning for the future, but at some point, you can get so focused on maintaining flexibility that you've never filled a need.

First off, the comment was meant as a friendly jab that I thought was rather witty. It was also rather illustrative. Players on ten day contracts play for the here and now. They don't worry about long term ramifications of the things they do. They worry about getting another ten day contract or, if they are fortunate enough, a longer term contract. Your idea follows that to the tee.

You want to trade 5 first round picks, a first round swap, and possibly a couple of second round picks to Miami to acquire James a year early. Since you have also not even mentioned sending any players along in the deal, that would seem to indicate that we would be using our available cap space to add him. Something that has even further value. We would also be giving them a very large trade exception in the amount of his seasonal contract. You further state, in a response to Col63onel, that you are open to not even resigning James at the end of his present contract. So, in summary, you want to give 7 draft picks, a possible pick swap, and boat load of cap space to only "rent" Lebron.

Your hypothetical argument is based on the idea that he intended to sign here in 2014. Wouldn't it be more prudent to simply just wait the one year and only use available cap space to sign him then? I think that is an incredibly expensive suggestion for just one year. Plus, you'd be giving a lot of assets to Miami to use to continue to be competitive. Seems rather counterproductive.

Hypothetical doesn't excuse logic flaws. If you don't think they'd even do it. If you don't think you'd even want to do it. Why even suggest it, let alone try to defend it so hard?

Anyways, Grant developed a plan and appears to be sticking to it. He'll expend that flexibility when it makes sense to do so, not before. Impatience is the great enemy of any successful rebuild in the NBA. The 2014 off season appears to be the target time for expending that cap space. I expect to see at least one major core piece added then. That should be following what I expect to be the first winning season in a while. They should be playing at least 500 ball next season. The pieces should all fall in place from there. At least it would appear so from what looks to be Grant's plan. Or, at least, I sure hope so.

[shoes22]

That Miami Herald article is paranoid to the max. Deconstructing every word and gesture as an indication he might leave. Being on the other end of it now, it makes you realize how embarrassing the Cleveland media must have been from 2008-2010.

[westsidebob]

Ok, if it was a friendly jab, I retract the last comment. It's all good. I wasn't really sold on the concept when I posted it, but the more I've been kicking it around, the more I like it.

I get where you're going with the flexibility comments, I'm just suggesting that making a move now might actually present MORE flexibility when it matters most - '15-'16.

I'm not saying you have to deal all those picks. I'm saying you could and you'd still have a stacked roster. Most of those picks will be out of the league in two years. Hell the SAC pick may not even exist. The MEM pick might come before I qualify for social security.

I see a roster that's developing quickly. You've got one legit all-star, a double-double, AV with hopefully 2-3 good years left, Waiters, Zeller? AND a lotto pick coming this year. IF you could land LBJ this year AND he didn't opt out, his contract would expire after '15-16. Guess who else expires then? Kyrie and TT.

If we wait til '14 and sign LBJ, one of Kyrie and TT isn't coming back. Just aint gonna fit in the salary structure with LBJ locked up for a few more years - not to mention he'll be 33 and with the pounding he takes, who knows how long he plays. Especially if we have a few more #1s on the payroll from those picks you wanted to keep, they could be in cap hell.

If you make the deal now, all three are up at the same time. Now the Cavs have the all-important flexibility. They can keep two, maybe all three. Plus you have Waiters, plus you have the lotto pick this year, plus you've got at LEAST two more first round picks. You're still a contender going forward, you've got a managable payroll and still have all your draft picks.

In my mind, the summer of '16 is gonna be even more important than the summer of '14. What I was suggesting protects them for it. I don't see this as anything outside of what Grant's been doing.

But that's the beauty of message boards, none of us have any idea what the h*ll we're doing.

[jlegg21]

That Miami Herald article is paranoid to the max. Deconstructing every word and gesture as an indication he might leave. Being on the other end of it now, it makes you realize how embarrassing the Cleveland media must have been from 2008-2010.

Good, I hope the Miami media and the dozen or so Heat fans twist in the wind until the bitter end, and lose the guy they never deserved to have. Karma.

And yeah, the Cleveland media was pretty embarrassing, but we've been used to that for years.

Fact is, the true embarrassment came from this band of merry idiots. I still cant believe no one threw their body in front of this and stopped it. Pure madness.

[Tlyons]

Good, I hope the Miami media and the dozen or so Heat fans twist in the wind until the bitter end, and lose the guy they never deserved to have. Karma.

And yeah, the Cleveland media was pretty embarrassing, but we've been used to that for years.

Fact is, the true embarrassment came from this band of merry idiots. I still cant believe no one threw their body in front of this and stopped it. Pure madness.

If there was ever anything that was cringe worthy, it was this. My goodness

[chrisrich91]

I haven't watched that since the Decision. Holy mother. There were government officials calling him King and saying we'd do anything for him to stay.

Fuck.