The Score has an article on how each of the main contenders for LeBron James should approach trying to convince him to join their team. Here's what they say for the Rockets: Houston Rockets What they have to do first: Hope to work out a Chris Paul-like opt-in-and-trade with Cleveland that sees the Cavs take Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon - or Gordon plus all the cap-filler contracts Houston can muster, as well as a Brooklyn-like haul of draft picks to make it worthwhile. Who's in the meeting: GM Daryl Morey, coach Mike D'Antoni, franchise player James Harden, Rockets icon Hakeem Olajuwon, local rap great Bun B The Pitch: This is how it ends for the Warriors dynasty. After four years of facing them in The Finals, losing three times, and needing the greatest comeback in NBA playoff history to beat them once, we know it's not just about winning for you at this point. It's about beating Golden State, specifically, about shutting Draymond up, about putting further historical distance between you and KD, about getting that Roaracle Arena crowd as quiet as an embarrassed, frightened mouse. Someone needs to do it. The league and its fans are practically begging for it after last year, and it's gotta be you. It's gotta be us. I mean, you saw how close we were last year. Years of maneuvering had finally led us to the best Rockets team since Hakeem's days, a regular-season juggernaut that was also built for the playoffs. Nobody believed we actually had the stuff to take down Golden State, but there we were with a 3-2 advantage in the Western Conference finals, with home court in Game 7. And then Chris got hurt. And then the greatest volume-three-shooting squad of guys in NBA history couldn't hit a friggin' bomb to save their lives. It happens. But we were right there, and it wasn't a fluke. And we didn't even have you yet. That's why you need to make Houston your next, and final, career stop. With you and James ... Chris, once we figure out a deal that makes sense with him, and hopefully Clint Capela shortly after that, we'll be even more unstoppable than we were last year when our offense was already historically good. And this isn't one of Mike's Phoenix teams or your Cavs squads the past few years. We play both sides of the ball here now, and we can win by amping up the pace to run-and-gun or slowing it down to an iso-heavy crawl. Regardless, we win. We did it 65 times last year in the regular season alone. Meanwhile, you can basically call your own shot with whatever kind of role you want to play here. You can be our orchestrator, or you can hang back and just catch-and-shoot wide-open threes. You're coming from life with Jordan Clarkson as your team's second-best offensive initiator. Wait until you experience life with Chris and James. The NBA's never heard of a squad with three creators so gifted. You guys are gonna produce some of the most beautiful offensive basketball the league has seen, for a long time to come. And you won't have to burn yourself out in the regular season or play 48 minutes per games in the playoffs. For once, you can sit, knowing the team is in good hands even without you on the floor. Of course, living in Houston has its advantages, too. There are reasons why your buddy Drake calls it his second home, and Bun here can fill you in on the gory details once we're done. But first and foremost, this is about hoops. It's about you being not only the most gifted athlete of your generation but the greatest basketball mind, as well. You deserve to play for an organization as forward-thinking as you, one that's always ahead of the curve, always ready for what's coming next. We have the smarts, we have the culture, and now we have the players, too. Once we have you, the Warriors don't stand a chance.
“For once, you can sit, knowing the team is in good hands even without you on the floor.” This is what basically should nudge Lebron over here. This is so key.
What should also nudge LBJ is that he does not have to put in the work he does in the regular season and that would keep him fresh for the playoffs and possibly extend his career. Same goes for CP3. Harden can carry the regular season load for 82 games with just little assistance from LBJ and CP3. We just would need both healthy and fresh for playoffs
Exactly: "You'll be on a better team AND you won't have to work so hard every minute you're on the court." EDIT: Oops, @Captain Hook beat me to it. ^
As much as I love Bun B I would NEVER bring him to a meeting with me especially to recruite a player like LBJ. If I’m DM I’m bringing Tilman, Harden, CP3, Capela, Tucker, Hakeem, Clyde, Travis Scott, Lil’Wayne, JJ Watt, and CP3’s family.
The only musts are Tilman, DM, CP3, Harden, and Hakeem. Special guest can be one of Watt/Travis Scott/Bun B/Slim Thug/Altuve
Have Earl Campbell, Akeem,Nolan Ryan, JJWatt,Calvin Murphy, Clyde the Glide, Harden, Cp3 Dantoni and Tillman. Any other great Houston player is welcome and have Toyota center packed and going wild.
The only people key to this meeting with Lebron are GM , Harden and Owner. Why? If Lebron come, we will trade and overpay or you. Harden will be the second fiddle to lebron. Signing CP to max? No problem. Matching CC? NP. Trade for PG? No problem...anything. U want some ownership of the team? NP
lol i hope EG doesn't suddenly play like garbage all of the next year if we don't land LBJ. Actually, he probably will pout and purposely tank games like he did in NOL.
It is an easy pitch. "Lebron, how much do you want to beat the Snake and those Golden State Cupcakes?..."
This. The Rockets aren’t desperate. We will beat the Lakers even if they get a big 3. How do I know? We almost beat the Warriors FFS. They’ll have title depth like the first Miami team
You deserve to play for an organization as forward-thinking as you, one that's always ahead of the curve, always ready for what's coming next. We have the smarts, we have the culture, and now we have the players, too. amazing where the perception of our franchise was just 2 years ago.
