#6's Return?

[Jack Brickman]

When's Ilgauskas getting his jersey retired? Surprised there's no news on that front.

Eh. He works for the team now anyway, so there's no rush. My guess is they wait until the team makes the playoffs again and retire it during the first home playoff game to a pack and rowdy house.

[Scholar]

Eh. He works for the team now anyway, so there's no rush. My guess is they wait until the team makes the playoffs again and retire it during the first home playoff game to a pack and rowdy house.

They'll retire it on opening night in 2014 with Lebron in tow.

[I-77 NORTH]

Eh. He works for the team now anyway, so there's no rush. My guess is they wait until the team makes the playoffs again and retire it during the first home playoff game to a pack and rowdy house.

This is accurate.

[Frank Reynolds]

What's really strange about all of this is it seems like everyone in the Cleveland media is opening up to the idea of James returning.

A year ago, not so much. There was the occasional thought which was quickly shot down, only to be rekindled when James made those statements during the heat of Linsanity that he'd like to play in front of us again someday. Then it died out again.

Nobody really knew what to think, we brushed it off as James teasing us like he's always done.


This year we get the news from Wine and Gold that he's seriously considering coming back, It sounds to me like W&G spoke to Rich Paul, LBJ's agent who would definitely be about as good of a source as you're gonna get.

Wine and Gold also mentioned how Gilbert has been aware of James' intentions for a while, but he isn't going to say anything or obviously try to recruit him as that would be against league tampering policy. W&G thought James was trying to establish back-channel communications and possibly see how this would all sit with us Cavalier fans.


It's just strange to me how Fred McLeod started dropping the "burning Akron rubber" call in the games again. Not to look into it too far, but the Plain Dealer has had numerous writers warm up to this idea in the past couple days.

It really seems to me besides maybe Colonel and Tlyons a LOT of people in Cleveland have this thought percolating in their mind right now and the more we think about that potential tandem, the easier it is for us to one day forgive this guy.


Then you have Michael dogging LeBron, which I absolutely love, even though it's a little petty on MJ's part. Still nothing like hearing the greatest player of all time come out and essentially say "you're no threat to me punk"

Gotta wonder how deep that hits home to LeBron. That's his boyhood idol basically saying I have you figured out, I would have dominated you on the court, your Miami Heat is nothing but a cop out because you're weak. I think the only thing that Jordan might semi-respect is James returning to Cleveland and amending for his past. Not that Jordan's opinion is going to change James' ultimate decision, but to say that it's completely meaningless is also foolish. It could be a sub-conscious factor that James contemplates, considering Mike is pretty much the undisputed GOAT and voice for "the old school era" of past players.

The pool of money and glory LeBron could have back in Cleveland is slowly re-filling. James is patching the holes, Gilbert is feeding it to us in baby bite sized portions until 2014 when we will become ravenous again.

By 2014 almost all of Cleveland will have long forgotten about past events, we'll have been so far removed from July 2010 that we just might get nostalgic for the kid from Akron.

Our core will be looking like some professional ballers by then, but we still won't have enough talent to win a championship. James changes all of that.

Accept him back, become the best team in the league, pack the Q all over again and just enjoy the fuckin show. It's pretty much an offer you can't refuse. Unless you're still bitter and think James is the exact same kid he was back in '10.

[shoes22]

What I find interesting is a couple months ago, the topic of conversation changed from "Do you think LeBron will come back?" to "What is this team going to look like when LeBron comes back? Will you accept him when he returns?" Slowly but surely, the conversation shifted from speculation to expectation, like it's a forgone conclusion and people are just patiently waiting for it to happen.

The "hot topic" regarding the Cavs is the summer of 2014 and their cap space and flexibility. There isn't a Cavs fan out there that isn't thinking about that summer and the pieces we could get. Roughly half the posters here make potential rosters for 2014 and beyond with James already on it. I've heard more than a few people say "when LeBron comes back" when talking about the Cavs. The hype machine is at an all-time high, and we're still 16 months away.

It doesn't help that LeBron himself nor anyone close to him is denying these rumors. It's because most of these people have also bought into the "LeBron to Cleveland" narrative and are just adding fuel to the fire.

[Maximus]

The Cavs showed very little interest in re-signing Z way back on his previous contract ~2005 until at the last moment Brown & Gilbert intercepted him at the Airport on his way out of the country for a vacation - reportedly after Ferry was told by James that he wanted him back.

Sorry, Max. I'm going with what was reported. If you're going to contradict that then you need to explain why the Cavs didn't make an offer to Z earlier in the process and why the reports that James urged Ferry to bring back Z were wrong.

You make it sound like Ferry was ready to let Z walk, then Lebron told Ferry he wanted Z back so Gilbert chased Z down at an airport because of lebron's urging.

The Cavs did make Z offers early on. They even had a video produced and delivered to his house. The offers were just low.
Ferry ALWAYS wanted Z to come back, Z was Ferry's #1 target, Z was one of the main reasons Ferry took the GM job. Ferry wanted Z to give him a big home team discount...Z left the negotiating to Rudoy who told Ferry to suck it. Ferry found out about two other offers Z was getting and didn't want him leaving for Asia unsigned. That's when he stepped up his game and dispatched Gilbert/Brown from Vegas to LAX.

Lebron never urged Ferry to bring Z back...he didn't need to. Ferry knew lebron wanted him back, Lebron said so a dozen times in press conferences as the season was winding down. Lebron had very little to do with the process at all other than a few phone messages to Z urging him to return.

[RealKingofCleve]

Z was not worth that contract, and I wouldn't doubt Ferry originally was gun shy on giving it to him.

[Frank Reynolds]

What I find interesting is a couple months ago, the topic of conversation changed from "Do you think LeBron will come back?" to "What is this team going to look like when LeBron comes back? Will you accept him when he returns?" Slowly but surely, the conversation shifted from speculation to expectation, like it's a forgone conclusion and people are just patiently waiting for it to happen.

The "hot topic" regarding the Cavs is the summer of 2014 and their cap space and flexibility. There isn't a Cavs fan out there that isn't thinking about that summer and the pieces we could get. Roughly half the posters here make potential rosters for 2014 and beyond with James already on it. I've heard more than a few people say "when LeBron comes back" when talking about the Cavs. The hype machine is at an all-time high, and we're still 16 months away.

It doesn't help that LeBron himself nor anyone close to him is denying these rumors. It's because most of these people have also bought into the "LeBron to Cleveland" narrative and are just adding fuel to the fire.

What was even weirder was how Kyrie addressed it in an interview so casually.

Kyrie said something along the lines of "obviously, we're both aware of the speculation and things that are said in the media, if he were
to come back, but honestly I'm just focused on second half of the season and he's focused on getting another championship.

Some reporter just blatantly asked did you talk to LeBron about 2014? Kinda cool to see a reporter just sack up.

[Birdy89]

Anyone that wants Lebron back needs to start rooting against the Heat.

If they win a title this year and next, not a chance in the world he leaves a team that is riding a 3 peat. He likely re-ups for 3 years until Wade is worthless and then hits the market in 2017.

If they lose this year and win next year he stays. Again, he is not going to leave a core that won 2 titles in 4 years with 3 finals appearances.

Win this year and lose next, depending on how it happens there is a chance to leaves if it looks like the window has shut for that team.

Long story short he is not going to leave Miami if he wins it all next year.

No matter how much talent Cleveland assembles, he is not going to leave a roster that just won a title with (were they to win it all in 13-14) and he knows can get over the hump for one that looks great on paper but he has never actually played with.

The only way the Cleveland reunion happens is if it looks like Miami has run its course. He is not going to leave a roster he is winning titles with if Miami manages to reel some off the next year or 2.

If you want #6 back, hope Miami stops winning titles.

[Maximus]

Z was not worth that contract, and I wouldn't doubt Ferry originally was gun shy on giving it to him.

The biggest issue was the years. Ferry was offering 3, Z wanted 5. With Z's injury history Ferry was really worried about a contract of that length. That summer guys like Dalembert and Curry were getting 6 years, so Z wasn't going to settle for less than 5...and that's what he got.
Z ended up playing over 90% of the games. He was a great match for Lebron with the way he stretched the floor and he gave us 14 & 8. He was also a great locker room guy and teacher. He was a big factor in Andy's development. Z ended up being a very good value at $10M a year...Ferry would tell you Z was well worth the contract.


Back on topic, if #6 is going to return, Z will be a factor in making it happen.

[cafemerald]

Anyone that wants Lebron back needs to start rooting against the Heat.

If they win a title this year and next, not a chance in the world he leaves a team that is riding a 3 peat. He likely re-ups for 3 years until Wade is worthless and then hits the market in 2017.

If they lose this year and win next year he stays. Again, he is not going to leave a core that won 2 titles in 4 years with 3 finals appearances.

Win this year and lose next, depending on how it happens there is a chance to leaves if it looks like the window has shut for that team.

Long story short he is not going to leave Miami if he wins it all next year.

No matter how much talent Cleveland assembles, he is not going to leave a roster that just won a title with (were they to win it all in 13-14) and he knows can get over the hump for one that looks great on paper but he has never actually played with.

The only way the Cleveland reunion happens is if it looks like Miami has run its course. He is not going to leave a roster he is winning titles with if Miami manages to reel some off the next year or 2.

If you want #6 back, hope Miami stops winning titles.

Don't really agree. LeBron with a roster full of role players in Cleveland was a championship contender. LeBron has improved as a player immensely since then. Just having LeBron on your team makes you a contender. He can win championships with just role players. If wade transitions into a role player and he still wins a championship, I could easily see him opting out.

Repairing his overall image by coming to Cleveland would be worth more than trying to carry role players to a championship in Miami.

[Tlyons]

Anyone that wants Lebron back needs to start rooting against the Heat.

If they win a title this year and next, not a chance in the world he leaves a team that is riding a 3 peat. He likely re-ups for 3 years until Wade is worthless and then hits the market in 2017.

If they lose this year and win next year he stays. Again, he is not going to leave a core that won 2 titles in 4 years with 3 finals appearances.

Win this year and lose next, depending on how it happens there is a chance to leaves if it looks like the window has shut for that team.

Long story short he is not going to leave Miami if he wins it all next year.

No matter how much talent Cleveland assembles, he is not going to leave a roster that just won a title with (were they to win it all in 13-14) and he knows can get over the hump for one that looks great on paper but he has never actually played with.

The only way the Cleveland reunion happens is if it looks like Miami has run its course. He is not going to leave a roster he is winning titles with if Miami manages to reel some off the next year or 2.

If you want #6 back, hope Miami stops winning titles.

Sounds exausting. How about we just root for our team and see wtf happens when it happens.

[Birdy89]

Repairing his overall image by coming to Cleveland would be worth more than trying to carry role players to a championship in Miami.

If he is working on a 3-Peat at the time, going for #4 in a row trumps coming back to Cleveland every day and twice on Sundays.

That is something Jordan never did, and would put Lebron in a league of his own were he to win 4 in a row with the same team. The Heat would then be a full blown dynasty, and he would not walk away from that chance at history.

He can always come back to Cleveland down the road to put a bookend on his career. The way to expedite that process is for the Heat to not be NBA champs.

[cafemerald]

If he is working on a 3-Peat at the time, going for #4 in a row trumps coming back to Cleveland every day and twice on Sundays.

That is something Jordan never did, and would put Lebron in a league of his own were he to win 4 in a row with the same team. The Heat would then be a full blown dynasty, and he would not walk away from that chance at history.

He can always come back to Cleveland down the road to put a bookend on his career. The way to expedite that process is for the Heat to not be NBA champs.

A league of his own?

[randymoss1881]

Anyone that wants Lebron back needs to start rooting against the Heat.

If they win a title this year and next, not a chance in the world he leaves a team that is riding a 3 peat. He likely re-ups for 3 years until Wade is worthless and then hits the market in 2017.

If they lose this year and win next year he stays. Again, he is not going to leave a core that won 2 titles in 4 years with 3 finals appearances.

Win this year and lose next, depending on how it happens there is a chance to leaves if it looks like the window has shut for that team.

Long story short he is not going to leave Miami if he wins it all next year.

No matter how much talent Cleveland assembles, he is not going to leave a roster that just won a title with (were they to win it all in 13-14) and he knows can get over the hump for one that looks great on paper but he has never actually played with.

The only way the Cleveland reunion happens is if it looks like Miami has run its course. He is not going to leave a roster he is winning titles with if Miami manages to reel some off the next year or 2.

If you want #6 back, hope Miami stops winning titles.

Brussard has stated that lebron would have to win 1 more ring in miami before he leaves and if he doesnt win in the next 2 years hes more likely to stay