Avery Johnson Believes We Have A Great Chance For LeBron

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/Cavs_must_win_to_keep_LeBron.html

He knew what was coming, so when reigning Most Valuable Player LeBron James hit the Big Apple on Friday, he had his rap ready.

Most of it wasn't new:

He's not saying where he's playing in the future until he becomes a free agent in July. ... He's never been an unrestricted free agent, so he's not going to rush his decision. ... He loves New York and Madison Square Garden.

But there was this — a maximum contract offer isn't necessary to get his signature on a contract offered by a true title contender.

“It's all about winning for me,” he told reporters at The Garden after he wowed the crowd and led the Cavaliers to an easy win, “so I've put myself in a position that when that day comes next summer, I want to win, and if I feel like the team is capable of winning, I'll make my decision like that.”

Cleveland hasn't felt so queasy since the last time the Cuyahoga River caught fire.

The Cavaliers have only one big advantage over the other teams who covet James when he becomes a free agent. The league's collective bargaining agreement allows them to offer more money, a six-year deal worth about $120 million, compared to a five-year deal worth about $90 million available to teams far enough under next year's salary cap.

If winning a title trumps the extra $30 mil, well, you have to figure seven seasons in Cleveland without one will be proof there really is some sort of curse on Cleveland's pro sports teams.

Cleveland has a physical advantage, too. James grew up in Akron and still lives there, which is sort of like living in New Braunfels and working in San Antonio.

Of course, James managed to grow up rooting for the Yankees, rather than the Indians, so you wonder about those home ties. He gushed Friday night about playing in “the Mecca of basketball,” in front of stars from the entertainment world.

James' emphasis on title-worthiness can't really be good news for teams like the Nets and Knicks, either. Both positioned their cap space to offer James the max package. Neither will be a title contender, even with James.

Oops.

Where will James' summer options truly lie?

According to guaranteed salary cap commitments for next season, the teams that figure to have the ability to offer James max money, besides the Cavs, Knicks and Nets, are the Bulls, Clippers, Heat, Timberwolves, Thunder and Kings. The Rockets may be close.

Throw out the Wolves, Clippers and Kings, for obvious reasons. Ditto the Thunder, because, well, they play in Oklahoma City.

That leaves the Bulls and the Heat, and you can make a decent case that either team can be a title contender with James. Miami's Dwyane Wade already is a bona fide superstar. Chicago's Derrick Rose is on the cusp. Both Eric Spoelstra and Vinny Del Negro are well-regarded young coaches. Both teams have decent bigs.

If I'm Danny Ferry, the Cavs GM, I'm doing whatever I can to snag Stephen Jackson from the Warriors, even if it means trading Zydrunas Ilgauskas and his expiring contract.

Winning the title this season is the Cavaliers' last best hope of keeping James.

 

He is already a chinese fan favorite.

 

On a serious note, Scola nor Tmac would be here in order ot make that happen.

And we still would be over the limit.

Would Les pay the tax on this?

 

I wouldn't read too much into it. Monroe is always getting little details like that wrong.

 

Can we stop about the China cash cow scenario?
If you have forgotten, New Jersey have a certain someone named Yi Jian Lian.

So the only reason he would want to come here is the 40m Argentinean and 21m Australian.

Jokes aside, why would he even want to come here? For a chance to get to the Finals in the West Conference? Where his partner in Crime will be Ariza, AB and Yao. Against the likes of Portland, Lakers, Spurs, Dallas and OKC?
Or being paired up with Wade or Rose at the East.

 

If we make the playoffs, it'll show that we're an extremely good team who just needs one good star (ie. not McGrady) to push them over the top. The Rockets without McGrady are a barely playoff team, a massive improvement from Cleveland or New York whom won't win 25 games without him, and that would be enticing if he truly wants to win.

Lebron is simply not going to go to Chicago to play under Jordan's shadow, and there is no way a team could have enough money to sign Wade, Lebron, and anyone who's even remotely decent, and 2 people can't make up a team, much less the colliding egos. Furthermore, even if Lebron wins with Wade, it'll only be stated that he needs a partner as good as Wade to win, which would make him ultimately inferior to Kobe, whom only needed Gasol (an excellent player, but not Wade-level) to win. So he could show up to Houston if he wants to win. That said, it still probably won't happen in the end.

 

dam straight he would. We would have the most national coverage and one of the most exciting teams in the NBA, if not the most. Our jersey revenues would triple, and Les would prob go ahead and just create a new jersey lol. We Would set new standards for NBA marketing. Not to mention all the extra revenue from going deep into the playoffs and winning a ring. If givin the opportunity somehow, yes Les would go over the cap to get LJ and still keep most of our core together. However, LJ actually coming here is another story.

 

is this you?

 

You are right. Neither Scola nor T-Mac would be on any team that has both Yao and Lebron. That is, unless each of them re-signs for the league minimum salary. In other words, not going to happen.

Also, for the MILLIONTH time, if Lebron is coming in free agency, the Rockets will not be ALLOWED to go anywhere near the luxury tax. The most in total salary that they could spend would be the $53.6M SALARY CAP. No more.

On the other hand, if the Rockets wanted to keep all of its OWN free agents, then they could exceed the salary cap to do so and even venture into luxury tax territory.

 

So does this mean that if we TRADED for Lebron, we could extend him to the max?

 

Yes, Lebron's Bird rights would be traded to us.

 

Then I guess its the only way. Morey, get errrr duuun! (but then again, why would Lebron resign with us?).

 

Because he loves me. Thats why.

 

I was a little shocked when I heard this as well. I think Lebron would love coming to Houston. The only problem with it is, the situation here would be the same as he has right now. If Lebron really wants a change of scenery, then he might come to Houston.

And Lebron has said a max contract is not a huge deal, if we can give him somewhere between 13 and 15 mil, I'm sure he will come.


But honestly, I rather grab a big guy like Bosh or Amare. We need some height on this team and adding a dynamic big man like that would really help us out. So maybe we just release Scola and McGrady and go grab one of them.

 

Ariza would be a terrific sidekick for LeBron.

 

Well Lebron was reprted saying that he dosent have to sign for max money jst recently. " He just wants to win" and that's why We have a good chance at bringin him over here. With T Mac's contract coming off the books.. there is a possibilty there maybe w/ a Sign n trade. We have an awsome supporting cast, great coach, and Yao ming. Lebron is making ALOT of money off endorsment deals anyways.. so if there is a shot at winning here... abolutley. People will be very surprised

 

I can hear it right now


BREAKING NEWS ESPN:
Lebron James has sign with the Houston Rockets alog side with yao ming.

ESPN reporter:OMFG!!im speechless

NBA TV(charles barley):They still not a championship Team(lmao!!!)

 

Ok um I know a lot of people like LeBron but personally, I would stop watching the Rockets because he doesn't fit in with the Rockets style. It's always the LeBron show. So, goodbye to Yao, so long Chuck, and goodbye Chase's improvement. I respect the fact that he's good. He's very good. But we don't need a bull looking for highlight reels every play.

 

this is not gonna happen, i tweeted ric bucher what percentage from 0-100% that lebron lands with the rockets next summer, his response was simply 0.. hes been a pretty trustful source , he knows his stuff, so im sure we dont get him, and actually i would prefer chris bosh

 

Ric Bucher? Seriously?

I dont think we have a chance at LeBron but I wont take Ric Buchers word. Same guy who reported "Tracy has an obvious limp" which he may of had but he sometimes spews stuff. And I dont know if this is true but some others said Ric Bucher is a known Rockets 'hater'. I'll take what Bucher says w/ grain of salt