Hmm. What I don't understand is this: LeBron is already one of the most famous (or the most famous?) basketball player in the world, has already earned tons of money. If I were him, I would choose a team that I would most likely win a championship with. Or is fame and money more important to him than a championship?
What if Cleveland requested: Martin Ariza Battier Budinger Brooks NY 2012 Pick Rockets 2010 # 14 Pick for James M Williams Rockets Roster: Lowry - M Williams Taylor - Temple James - Jefferies Scola - Hill Yao - Hayes - Andersen Too much <i>Pain</i> (from my POV) for the Rockets to make that trade.
Next thing you know, we'll be witnessing the "Boshing" of David Lee and someone will post a chop job of DD skiing through the drool, laughing hysterically.
I think Cleveland can be lured into a sign-&-trade with a young starter, draft picks and expiring contracts to match the salaries. They don't want older players with big salaries, but probably WOULD take them if they're expiring and could be used as trade bait next season for teams trying to avoid the luxury tax. Maybe something like: AB, both NYK first-rounders, Battier and Jeffries. Sure, they lose an all-world player, but they should be able to parlay those assets plus the rest of their roster into a decent starting lineup within a year or so. But if LBJ doesn't want to come here, it's a moot point.
why do people fail to realize if we get bosh or even lebron, we wont have brooks or martin... it's a sign and TRADE.
that isnt even the same team. that looks more like the 2004 rockets. you have no real outside threats and good defense downlow. Yao will get injured again and LBJ will struggle to pull this team into the semi-finals. only to get shafted by a team with a better bench. yes, it's Lebron but you still want outside threats to open up the lane for him to drive. you lose that with Brooks, Martin, and Budinger. i bet Cleveland beats Houston everytime they meet if this trade goes down. lebron aint coming to houston anyway.
Free agent if Blazers don't pick up his option:grin: Fernandez is salary filler, waived for $0 if he's set on returning to Spain.
Yao ming, Hill, 2012 Swap Pick for Chris Bosh Ny 2011, #14, Jefferies,Battier for Al Jefferson and #3 C-Chris Bosh/Favors PF-Al Jefferson/Scola SF-Ariza/Budginer SG-Martin/MLE PG-Brooks/Lowry WOW?
I swear nothing has been overstated more than Yao's impact on pending free agents. I've yet to hear any star player say he wants to come play with Yao. I've yet to hear any player say he wants to be a big star in China so he'll come play with the Rockets. I've yet to hear any player say he signed with the Rockets so he could get a Chinese shoe deal. You guys keep floating this stuff but in reality it's totally bogus. NO BODY of a superstar stature is coming to Houston because of Yao or the Chinese market. It's the most overrated, failed hypothetical reasoning in the history of the franchise.
Its a couple of years old, but read this: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/14472045/ LeBron James isn't being paid to play for the U.S. at the World Championships in Japan. But if he has his way, there will be a payoff, indeed. You see, according to the Akron Beacon-Journal, James has a goal to become the first billionaire athlete, and to reach that mark, he knows he must focus on international marketing. So he is in Japan, doing exclusive press conferences for Chinese and Japanese media members on days Team USA is off and not available to the press. It's all part of a major international marketing push by James, with a huge assist from Nike. Nike and the newly merged adidas-Reebok are making a huge push in Asia, particularly in China, where young athletes have fallen in love with Yao Ming and the NBA. "I say all the time, and I tell my friends and teammates, that you have to go global,'' James told the Beacon-Journal. "In basketball and business.'' According to the paper, James wants to greatly increase his exposure in Asia by the Beijing Olympics in 2008. That is why it was never in doubt whether or not he would play for Team USA at the world championships. In addition, the Cavaliers are talking to the NBA about opening their season in China next year. "It is only going to help my business,'' James said. "Once I knew the world games were going to be in Japan, I knew I was going to be on board.'' James is so serious, he is taking Mandarin lessons with the hope of being able to speak it in interviews by 2008. "There is a craving (in Asia) for basketball. You can see it in people's eyes,'' Team USA Coach Mike Krzyzewski told the Beacon-Journal. "You get that atmosphere with that populace. I see this being the global sport eventually.'"
Which is exactly why Lebron should come to Houston if he wants to realize his goals. As high as the basketball frenzy in China is, it's impossible to successfully tap that commercial potential without having far more exposure. Not many people know or care about him outside of a narrow demographic of young male sports fan. If he can come to Houston, win a championship, then the sky will be the limit for his Chinese marketability.
Of course, at this point he might have to settle for being the first billionaire athlete who doesn't think "playing the back nine" involves getting a p*rn star or waffle house waitress to bend over while his gorgeous Swedish wife waits at home.
I don't think Lebron will ever be the kind of star Kobe is today. Lebron will be really good, but let's face it, he doesn't have the discipline that it takes to be amongst the NBA all-time greats. You have to respect Phil Jackson - how many players play so magnificently for him? You can see how Kobe evolved as a player under Phil. Not just the shot selection - but in every aspect of the game. And it doesn't stop there, Pau Gasol playing better, Derek Fischer plays better. They all do better under Phil. Not sure if Phil gets them to work harder or just that they listen to him or maybe it's psychological. Regardless, his impact is clear. Lebron needs that kind of coach. Someone who isn't going to be intimidate...someone who is bigger than Lebron. Someone who Lebron will respect. And it's not Rick Adelman. I think there's only two guys that can bring Lebron to greatness - Phil Jackson and Pat Riley. After that, maybe Tim Thibodeau but I doubt it personally. And getting any college coach? Forget it. I think Lebron's financial empire came too early - he doesn't seem to really have the motivation and obsessive drive to win that you saw in guys like Hakeem, Kobe, MJ, Duncan, and a handful of others. He's more the T-mac type of guy and when Lebron's physical gifts begin to decline as the wear and tear of 7 seasons in the NBA becomes 10 seasons....he's going to have to make a transition into being a smarter and more dedicated player. I'm not questioning his work ethic, I'm questioning his focus.
True. But the chinese shoes deals may help recruit some role players. Star players are looking for a team building around him to ensure their star status. A nba star = an international star. That's simple. Role players would consider Yao's chinese link. Real stars not much.
im not saying there are quotes that players want to come to play for the rockets for the chinese/yao ming aspect of things. but i dont remember too many quotes of ANY players saying that they want to play with some other player. so your post is really pretty freaking pointless, and proves absolutely Nothing.
Channing Frye??? I agree with those of you who say that best talent is obtained through the draft and since the overall consensus is needing a big that plays defense and spreads the floor-Channing Frye fits that mold. Definitely seems as if he has come into his own after this nba season, and although he can still put on some raw muscle mass in my opinion may become a more well rounded player alas Bosh given PT and proper instruction. I cannot think of one other big in this year's draft that can shoot the three as good as he can, and not only that but even though he had a breakout season, they guy cannot command more than the MLE at best. Seems to me we have fallen in love with Arizona players in C-Bud and J-Hill why not team them up with Frye and heck they can all be in the game at some point together (of course assuming none get traded in the next few days).
That's a false statement. Frye excelled this past year in the Suns all offense no defense run and gun system, mainly because all he had to do was sit at the three point line and jack up as many as he could. No thanks, they can keep that Wildcat.
True yet misleading and simply because his defense against the lakers especifically came in handy going up against either of two 7 footers during the entirety of the series. Sure his 3pt% took a hit during the first game but cant deny his post presence especially while guarding gasol in the high/low post.
