Brian Windhorst: Everyone (in Cleveland) thinks LeBron is coming back to Akron/Cleveland. Do you buy it? Yeah, he's going back there for the summer. When it comes to this decision, it won't be emotional. It's not about Riley or who's coaching the team. It will be about the talent on the roster. The Cavs don't have it. If they trade for Kevin Love tomorrow and swing some deals in free agency, they get the benefit of the doubt. They'll get a meeting because it's Cleveland. He operates all business, just as he did in 2010. I believe LeBron could get over Dan Gilbert if he was in love with the roster. He is not over that. It's been floated to me the last two to three years, do we think Gilbert will sell? Everyone admits they made mistakes on July 8, 2010 but wounds are still open. He doesn't hate him but it's an open wound. If LeBron leaves the Miami Heat, it will be to go to ______ There's an interest with the Clippers. I've heard the Rockets pitch. We got the best center, best two guard, you will have three of the best five players. But it's in the West. In LA, you have to peel pieces off the team. If Griffin is traded, LeBron is not going there. I gotta say, if he had a choice East or West, why go West? Chicago is close to Ohio. They have a real compelling situation. Stable ownership, respected coach, maybe it's propaganda but the Bulls say Rose looks fantastic. Brand new downtown facility. Big market. Close to home. Ready made roster. Defensive based team. It's a compelling situation. Jordan factor? Not sure how he feels about that. I don't think he cares about legacy in the short term. I'm defaulting to Miami. Bulls don't even have salary cap space. Carmelo Anthony? 'Melo is in an interesting situation with the Knicks. I get the feeling the Knicks aren't offering the full max. Back to Chicago, if Carmelo goes there, the Bulls may be the favorites. If LeBron goes, they're definitely favorites. Chicago is putting themselves in a green zone. Team (LA)USA - 'Melo, LeBron, Coach K to the Lakers(was floated out there). Not saying it's happening but it could happen in LA. They'd have to clear a little extra space, attaching the 7th pick to Nash. They could do it. It's compelling. LeBron has signed on to do TV and a movie. It is in the West. I don't know where LeBron is with Kobe. LeBron is interested in reducing his minute load. If you can make a compelling case of 'Melo and LeBron reducing each other minutes... ...Lakers are going for it.
Lebron has played like 15,000 minutes the past 4 years because he was playing with an aging superstar, and team that didn't have the youth to help him out. After him seeing how much rest helped the Spurs, i think he tries to find the youngest roster with talent... which is us! Not to mention Parsons is a proven workhorse who he can share minutes with and Harden also has proven he can take a full time load.
Dude seriously why does mannix have beef with us?? Seems like he's actually not just biased toward certain other teams but has issue with the rockets for whatever reason.
Lebron is not satisfied with being on top of the East. I think we all saw that. So I don't understand why this keeps coming up. The West is a buzzsaw. No one will debate that. But the winner of the West is more than likely the winner of it all. And really Lebron and _____ (Bulls, Heat, NYKs) is just more fodder for the West.
Stephen A.: LeBron opts out. What do you take from this? LeBron means business. He's not playing games. He won't find himself influenced by Pat Riley. Obviously Riley told everyone to get a grip and you gotta stay together. He made some valid points. Problem is, LeBron is looking at rosters, that there were individuals passed up to make the team better. Riley will look at 4 straight Finals appearances but LeBron is saying you're not gonna use the media to challenge me. This roster needs to improve because I can't be drained the way I've been drained. I'm just 29 years of age and I can't cut my career short. Which team can give him the best plan? You don't dismiss or rule out Miami. There are four teams. Miami - team in the chair. Riley does have a track record. Give them the edge. Cleveland - As dysfunctional as it appears to be, fact is, you have Irving, likely Jabari Parker, and who knows what other pieces. It is home. LA Clippers - Chris Paul is the Godfather of LeBron James son. Griffin untouchable? I find that asinine. He's big time but there's someone untouchable for LeBron James? What are people smoking? Pass on LeBron because of Blake Griffin? LA Lakers - Yes they have the ability to get two max guys. That would be 'Melo and LeBron. They would love to play together. 'Melo ain't going to Cleveland. LA, that is something considered strongly on 'Melo's part, lesser degree on LeBron's part. Those are the four scenarios.
Yeah, kinda funny when the Rockets are mentioned, they say "It's in the West. Why go West?" LA Clippers? Chris Paul! Doc Rivers! Blake Griffin! (No mention of being in the West.) LA Lakers? It's LA! It's Hollywood! And whatever else they try to sell about the Lakers. (No mention of being in the West.)
You know.....I think we shouldn't take what the media says so seriously. There's obvious bias and agendas. So either positive for Houston or negative.....take it all with a huge grain of salt. All I need to know is that Houston will get a meeting with lbj and melo. I trust DM and company to make our case.
During "the decision" in 2010, Im pretty sure the Heat were like 4th on the list of places Lebron was looking to go.. I wouldnt put too much faith into what the reporters and media suggest, they usually have their own agendas (ie. keeping the east competitive, or boosting LA media coverage...)
I hope he comes here but all those bandwagon fans of his that will come too, they will make us wish for the return of the LOF's.
Bob Horry has championships with 3 different teams but no one confuses him as someone that lead any of those teams. Kareem Abdul Jabbar won championships with 2 different teams but it's arguable if he was the leader or even best player on either of those teams. When he was on the Bucks he played with Oscar Robertson who many still think was the greatest all time player. With out question he was the number 2 dog on the Lakers behind Magic when he won championships there. Moses Malone was the clear leader and best player on both the Rockets and 76ers when he took those two teams to the finals, but he only won 1 championship. Wilt Chamberlain won a single championship with each of the 76ers and the Lakers and he was the leader of both teams but he only has 2 championships total. Unless I'm missing someone, Lebron could be the 1st player to be the unquestioned leader on 3 different teams that made it to the NBA Championship series and have multiple championships with two different teams. No one else has done it but with Houston he could do it.
Mike and Mike suggesting Melo and LBJ should join the Lakers to get that excitement back in the NBA. That or the clippers and then pauses for Cleveland. Pathetic typicall cali media
As much as I want LeBron, it seems unlikely. LeBron or even Melo would go to teams that: 1. Have players that they are friends with and can win 2. Has a good, well respected head coach 3. Is a big market city for their brand Houston can only offer 1. above and that too is debateable. It is not debateable that Rockets can put a winning team out there with LeBron but it is debateable whether LeBron or Melo are good friends with Dwight and Harden as opposed to say a Chris Paul. To me it seems like Harden esp is not that amicable. Definitely not to Melo who called him out for flopping. I think LeBron is neutral. Houston can't offer 2. We have one of the worst coaches in the league and last season's playoff embarassment does not help and it is evident from Melo's comments about Thibs that the coach matters in a players decision. Houston although the 4th largest city has never been a big market basketball city thanks to all the delusional Texans fans who think that the Texans will win the superbowl every season (2-14 LOL). NBA is almost an afterthought here once football season starts. One solution is to fire the clueless incompetent McHale and make a pitch saying that we would hire whatever coach Bron or Melo requests. I think that is the route the Lakers are going in their pitch. Clips and Bulls already have well respected top 5 coaches. Rockets are stuck with a bottom 3 coach.
