No doubt NY is a huge market and would greatly benefit the Chris Bosh's and equivalent or 2nd tier players out there. But Lebron is such a dominant and marketable player that he transcends the team market. That's a simple fact. In the end, he will make more money either staying in Cleveland, or having Cleveland agree to a sign and trade with another team. At this point, NY has no real assets besides cash to trade back to make it worth Cleveland's cooperation.
If Lebron really need Wade and Bosh to play with him to win a championship, he will no longer be considered close to Jordan or even Kobe. Jordan will his team to the championship.
Pippen finished 3rd in MVP voting the season after Jordan left. The Bulls also won 55 games that year.
Alright. Let's just end this discussion here. Although we can certainly revisit after FA market has been settled. I just want to clarify that I made a mistake, I should've said "any GM" rather than Morey to make it clear. And I want to clarify that it's the #8 pick, not Jordan Hill. As in Morey could've drafted Brandon Jennings or some other player instead. Basically my point was that the #8 pick itself is more valuable than Jordan Hill, whom even the Knicks admit they did not want. 1) Develop, draft, whatever. You can say players develop themselves. In which case, the Knicks sucked at drafting. I don't agree with your opinion on player development, but in the end it doesn't really matter. They're not good at creating talent. Whether through trade or draft or player development whatever you want to call it. How about that? 2) Not sure why you bring up David Lee and Nate Robinson. They were both Isiah's picks. And developed under Isiah. Donnie Walsh's picks were Gallinari, Jordan Hill, Toney Douglas, and Marcus Landry(undrafted FA). 3) I mention Darko because he at least has potential. Even if it is slight potential ala Von Wafer. It's still more than someone like Johnathan Bender. But I can take him back if you wish. Not really the core of my argument. 4) Gallinari is decent indeed. But that only serves to remind people that he's just that, "decent". You know who else is decent? Chase Budinger. Of course I understand that lottery picks don't always pan out. But that's why it's important to hit on one when you have it. Because if you're the Knicks, Gallinari and Hill are the last lottery picks they'll see in the forseeable future. You know what's funny? I didn't even THINK about Isiah when I wrote my post. I don't know why you'd think I'm conflicting them. Of course Walsh accomplished his task of freeing up cap space. But what good will it be if that space is spent on Amare and Gay? Or Joe Johnson and David Lee? If Morey came out tomorrow and say the Rockets are going to gut the team, clear up cap space for 2011 to "make a run at Carmelo", do you think Rockets fans would be okay with Carmelo eventually re-upping in Denver? And the Rockets overpay for some other scrub because they need to pay someone, anyone?
I won't speak to the other destinations, but are you serious about Houston? Several NBA players who aren't with the Rockets make their home here during the off-season. We have no state income tax. Check out the taxes in New York. For a huge star like James, New York could be a gold mine of endorsements, but for second tier free agents, Houston has a hell of a lot to offer. With Yao on the team, we have the Chinese shoe endorsements. Ask some of the Rockets if that's valuable or not. We have a low cost of living compared to a lot of cities and a moderate climate (OK, hot and muggy during the summer, but then why do they live here?). We have a state of the art venue and training facilities. We have some of the best men's clubs in the entire country. Seriously. NBA players think of such things, believe it or not. We have a owner who's willing to open his pockets if he thinks we have a shot at being a contender. We have one of the winningest and most respected coaches in the league. I could go on. There are a hell of a lot of reasons a free agent would consider Houston, buddy.
