NBA

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

And yeah, I'm assuming Gasol will make the HoF.

[ulf]

And now cleveland fans on Facebook are making fun of Heat fans for eventually abandoning their team. Facepalm

[Gaucho]

Amazing. Good for him.

[SubtropicalPenguin]

So, reaction from a LGP Miami resident:

It was fun while it lasted. Four consecutive finals appearances and two titles is nothing to scoff at. That was probably the best basketball I'll ever see in person. Teams with that kind of talent don't come around very often.

I always knew there was a strong chance LeBron would leave Miami when his contract was up, and I never begrudge someone for wanting to go play for his local team. I mean, I love living in Miami, but if i were a professional athlete and got an offer to play for the Pirates/Pens/Steelers, I'd probably take it even if it wasn't a perfect situation.

The only thing that bugs me about LeBron returning to the Cavs is that Gilbert ends up winning. That letter he wrote (and then left on the team website for 4 years), was completely absurd and unprofessional. Business 101 tells you not to burn bridges. That ******* should have been punished for being a bad businessman, if nothing else.

Time to rebuild... and at least I'll be able to afford tickets again.

[Idoit40fans]

I know he went to his local team, but if Cleveland weren't in a better position to win with him now than Miami is, is there any chance he'd have gone? I don't really care one way or the other, but this is the same move he made in 2010 as far as i'm concerned.

[Desiato]

There's something funny to me about a team that fails to recruit Carmelo Anthony trading for Jeremy Lin. Especially with references previously made to a "plan b".

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

I know he went to his local team, but if Cleveland weren't in a better position to win with him now than Miami is, is there any chance he'd have gone? I don't really care one way or the other, but this is the same move he made in 2010 as far as i'm concerned.

If Cleveland didn't end up with Wiggins or Jabari I doubt Lebron would've wanted to go there.

[tifosi77]

1) he didnt think he could create a championship legacy on his own, so he conspired with wade and bosh

My understanding is that when these three extended their rookie contracts, they all did it under broadly the same terms that allowed them to be free agents together in 2010.

The only thing that bugs me about LeBron returning to the Cavs is that Gilbert ends up winning.

That guy is going to wake up tomorrow morning and be worth probably $100 million more than he was this morning.

[IanMoran]

Yea, whatever PR guy wrote that essay is a really good one.

Framing this as "wanting to accept a challenge of rebuilding his home team" / realizes it'll be tougher, but wants to do this is pretty genius

At this point, joining up with Irving is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> better than joining up with DWade

If they get KLove, its arguably as good of a big 3 as the big 3 4 years ago

[IanMoran]

Actually, if they get KLove.... Situation Lebron joining now vs. 4 years ago

Love 26.1 PPG 12.5 RPG ....... 25 years old
2010 Bosh 24.o PPG 10.0 RPG ........ 26 years old

Irving i20.8 PPG 6.1 APG......... 22 years old
2010 Dwade 25.5 PPG, 4.6 APG........ 28 years old

[canaan]

It really would be a better big three in cleveland if they were to land love, but i dont see it happening. its crazy to think that love can be a 30+ppg guy with two threats to attract attention from the defense. Love wasnt exactly bombarded with high quality offensive specialists. Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin dont exactly scream "dangerous"

[Beveridge]

I think Cleveland has to go all-in to get Love at this point.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

Actually, if they get KLove.... Situation Lebron joining now vs. 4 years ago

Love 26.1 PPG 12.5 RPG ....... 25 years old
2010 Bosh 24.o PPG 10.0 RPG ........ 26 years old

Irving i20.8 PPG 6.1 APG......... 22 years old
2010 Dwade 25.5 PPG, 4.6 APG........ 28 years old

Except Kyrie and Love have never been in the playoffs

[ulf]

Was Bosh ever in the playoffs before 2010?

[canaan]

2 years with the Raptors, iirc

[count2infinity]

Was Bosh ever in the playoffs before 2010?

07, 08

11 games played, 20.5 PPG, 9 RPG

[ulf]

Ah so there's a decent experience factor, as Wade had a championship under his belt as well. I think they'll have a bit more talent, but less postseason experience. I'd bet the Pacers knock them out next year, then I can see them going on a Heat-like run of winning the East for a while.

[shmenguin]

It really would be a better big three in cleveland if they were to land love, but i dont see it happening. its crazy to think that love can be a 30+ppg guy with two threats to attract attention from the defense. Love wasnt exactly bombarded with high quality offensive specialists. Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin dont exactly scream "dangerous"

There are certain stats indicating that Rubio may be one of the worst shooters in NBA history.

[IanMoran]

I know most people disagree, but I really don't weigh things like post-season experience / championships, etc at all in my evaluations of players

[Idoit40fans]

I don't really understand why people do that either. If people are invisible in their time in the playoffs, thats one thing, but not having experience in the playoffs shouldn't count against you.

[canaan]

^agree

[SolidSnake]

I was surprised to see that James only signed a 2 yr deal with the Cavs, it's not like he's 40 or something.

[canaan]

Bron isn't dumb. There is a new television contract being negotiated and/or finalized which will increase the salary cap/max contracts.

[count2infinity]

Lebron almost makes 3 times more money in endorsements every year than his nba salary. I would have thought he'd lock up a long term deal and be done with the moving every few years. Oh well, we'll see what happens in a couple years.

[MWB]

He's supposedly not leaving and will opt out after one year to sign a bigger deal. I don't think there's any way he would do that and leave Cleveland again. They've got a good young team that will be able to win with him.