DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum So, where will LeBron end up

Like him or not the guy brings in tons of money to an economy. You should want him back just for the overall good of Cleveland. I could careless if the guy only cares about himself. he is the best player in the world, and would end the title drought in this city. tired of watching losers for over 30 yrs.

Speaking for myself, I would be thrilled to see him come back to the Cavaliers, now, while he is still at the peak of his ability.

For all of his faults, and the completely wrong way he handled things when he left, if he came back we would immediately be a favorite for the Eastern Conference. If he also helps us get Love, we would he a Finals favorite, Lebron James is still the best player in the NBA today, and if he comes back it's because he likes what is happening here, and sees championship potential.

I think that, any time you have a chance to add the best player in your sport to your team, no matter what happened in the past, you take it.

I would just suggest you stop watchng the NBA then.

Its a player driven sport, more importantly a superstar driven, you can have the best player in the NFL, MLB, and NHL and not make the playoffs..

If you have the best player in the NBA you are a contender every year. Its just how the league works.

LeBron effed up in 2010, he's aware of that, and its been four years since then.

I'm not going to complain if he comes here, because we'll win, and if winning solves everything for the Browns, why not the Cavs?

I agree with you.. I guess I just look at the NBA differently from the NFL or MLB.. In the NFL you have to draft wisely, fit players into your system and be very selective in your FA acquisitions.. in MLB you have to draft wisely, grow your farm system, move those players through the ranks to the majors and use some of that young talent to trade for select quality veterans... in the NBA you need a star (or 2).. yea, you have to use your draft picks wisely but in the NBA, if you have to mortgage the farm to go all in for a 3-4 year window to win a championship, then you do it.

Would I prefer to build our own version of the San Antonio Spurs? Of course, but so would 29 other teams in the NBA and none of them have been able to do it for the last 20 years...

Give me LeBron, Love, and Irving with some support and a 4 year window to win a championship knowing it will all get blown up at the end and I'll be happy.

I feel you a litle bit bro. Maybe not as intensely as you but I have some of those same feelings.

But I believe in forgiveness. I root for the name on the front of the jersey, not on the back. I am a CAVS fan, and if the best player in the NBA wants to play for us, I welcome him back with open arms. Come home and make things right.

KING

Just clicking. I guess it's all over the internet, twitter and the news that LBJ is returning or supposedly returning to the Cavs.

Not sure I believe it. He's proven to be a master manipulator of the press so for my money, I'd say NOTHING is close to set in stone.

LeBron setting up the people of Cleveland for heartbreak one more time.

Speak for yourself, I've not embraced anything to do with LBJ since he left town.

Well, I'm rather confident I can speak for thousands of Clevelanders simply due to the journalistic activity over the past couple of days alone.

I don't know .......it's hard to not get a little psyched about the idea .... especially with stories like these.

Report: LeBron James' agent pushing for return to Cleveland - CBSSports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-bask...rn-to-cleveland

Yahoo Sports reports that the agent for LeBron James, Rich Paul, is pushing his client towards returning home and joining the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rich Paul, the president of Klutch Sports, has been funneling belief into the organization that the Cavaliers are in strong position to lure James from the Miami Heat, sources told Yahoo Sports.

For years, Paul has confided to people that bringing back James to Cleveland has been something of a mission for him, and he's encouraging Cavaliers officials to offer no restraint in the recruitment of James, sources said.

via How LeBron James' agent has given Cavaliers hope of King's homecoming - Yahoo Sports.

Meanwhile, on the Cleveland side, ESPN reports that the Cavaliers genuinely believe they have a real shot at this thing, with a pitch built around young talent and roster flexibility.

After more than two years of planning, the Cleveland Cavaliers believe they have LeBron James legitimately listening to their pitch to leave the Miami Heat and return to his home state in free agency, according to sources close to the process.

There has yet to be a firm indication that James actually is ready to leave Miami after four years and two championships with the Heat, but sources told ESPN.com that the four-time MVP is increasingly considering the Cavaliers as an option as he moves into the final stages of deciding which team to sign his next contract with.

LeBron James is becoming more interested in the Cavs' free-agency pitch, according to sources.

James' agent, Rich Paul, has already sat down with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert in what is regarded as the first formal step toward trying to shrink the gulf between James and Gilbert after the ocean of hard feelings stemming from James' departure from Cleveland in 2010 to sign with the Heat.

Sources say that the Cavs' pitch made to Paul last week -- which they also hope to make this week to James in their own face-to-face meeting -- revolves around Kyrie Irving and the other young prospects they have, in addition to the numerous options Cleveland possesses to add to the roster over the next year.

via Cleveland Cavaliers believe LeBron James is receptive to their free-agency pitch, according to sources - ESPN.

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports that James is set to sit down with Heat president Pat Riley this week.

LeBron James and Pat Riley are on the verge of a face-to-face meeting to discuss the superstar's free agency, a league source confirmed to CBSSports.com on Sunday night.

James and his agent, Rich Paul, are working to schedule the sitdown with the Heat president in the next two or three days days, said the person familiar with the details. USA Today first reported the plans.

With James weighing his free-agent options, and with uncertainty about the futures of fellow free agents Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James and Riley have much to discuss -- and in some ways, not much at all. Given the team's salary-cap constraints, Riley has thus far been unable to secure any roster additions that would enhance the team's chances of keeping the Big Three together.

In the meantime, James' agent has spoken with the Rockets, Mavericks, Lakers, Cavaliers and Suns as he gathers information for the four-time MVP. Teams that have had discussions with James' agent have been told that James may be prepared to meet with them in person this week.

via LeBron James, Pat Riley planning sitdown to discuss free agency - CBSSports.com.

The whole situation points to an interesting power play by Rich Paul, who is extremely new to this whole process and oh, by the way, is from Ohio.

James returning to Cleveland would be a trendset in several ways. It would be opting for young talent over veteran talent. A small market over a bigger one (and even bigger options). Going back to a city that has a history of failure and misery, part of which he was involved with. He'd be hailed as a hero by both Ohioans and general sports moralists for undoing the damage he did in 2010. There will be some backlash, there always is, but nothing like what 2010 was like.

On the other hand, now that the expectation has been set... can you imagine if James leaves Cleveland hanging again? If he turns them down for a second time? It was one thing when it was "maybe he could come back." But the past 48 hours have seen fans chasing air plane flight paths and multiple reports that Cleveland's all of a sudden in the driver's seat.

James has been silent through it all. No meetings with him. No one's even spoken with the King. He's a phantom. If he's not planning on going back, he had better do something to temper those expectations because it certainly looks like Rich Paul is setting up the expectation he's going back.

James has his choice of a team whose core went to the Finals four straight years and won two titles, Houston which has James Harden and Dwight Howard, the Lakers with all their star-studded history and proximity to the entertainment industry, going home to Cleveland, and anywhere else he wants. But one thing is becoming clear. His efforts to stay out of the spotlight and avoid the circus of 2010 have failed. The circus has come to him, whether that's a product of his agent or social media or whatever. It's time for the King to speak, make his decision, and put this chaos to rest. It's only going to get more out of hand from here.

I can very well see him staying with the Heat right now, and I really wouldn't be angry with him. It's not like last time where he personally kept saying things that indicated he would be staying in Cleveland, only to come back and say "well, I've changed my mind at the last minute, bye"

Frankly, I've been over the decision for awhile now. If the best basketball player around wants to turn down better options elsewhere to come back and make amends, everyone else should get over it as well. If you want to win Championships anytime in the next 5 years ... he's going to be your only option anyway.

Incidentally, the whole decision thing was really what Cleveland needed if it wanted to get Championships with Lebron. Before, they were stuck in a place where they couldn't get major Free Agents to fit under the cap, couldn't get a draft pick anywhere inside the top-20, and couldn't trade for decent pieces because they had no assets. These last few years have allowed us to actually get some assets that we never would of had if Lebron had stayed.

The only thing that bothered me about him leaving was the way he did it. But when I look back at it, I see a naive 26 year old kid that wanted to go through the same joy that high-school students did when they got to pick a hat off a table of hats when choosing their college. He never got to do that and I think in his mind, that's what he was try to go for. He didn't realize it's not quite the same when a fanbase has already invested 7 years into your career, and you've made promises to them about winning championships.

Honestly, had he come out and said something to the effect of, "I think Cleveland's roster situation has run out of options, I really need to explore other opportunities if I want to win a championship, and give Cleveland a chance to grow their roster again. But I did enjoy my time there, blah blah blah" ... I think people would of been mad at first, but ultimately realize he was right.

Six reasons LeBron James will choose Cleveland Cavaliers in free agency: Chris Fedor | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/07/six_reasons_lebron_james_will.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What I'm about to write is not something I believed just one week ago. I was skeptical. It might have been a case of me being stubborn; I could've been scared to get burnt again. I might have been looking at the wrong factors. But things have changed. I believe LeBron James will be returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

I haven't formed this conclusion from something I have heard from inside sources. It's not coming from anyone in LeBron James' inner circle. I guess there's a chance I've been listening to the lyrics of Skylar Grey's "Coming Home" featuring Diddy too much, getting lost in the message. Really, I'm just connecting dots and trying to make sense of all the possible options in front of James.

Things have changed since LeBron James went to free agency four years ago. Not just with the landscape in the NBA, but with him. Back in 2010, James was desperate to win titles. As ridiculous as it may sound right now, there were debates on his standing in the league. People wondered if the bright lights and the big stage created unshakeable demons, ones too much for him to handle. People wondered if he could be the killer, clutch performer and champion that Kobe Bryant was and still is.

LeBron was desperate. He was looking for validation. In his mind, as he was chasing the ghost of Michael Jordan, rings were the best way for him to get the validation he sought. He didn't want to be another great player left ringless. He didn't want his entire prime to be wasted on a flawed team that let him down time after time. He wanted to be as far away from his Cleveland teammates as possible as they continued to shrink in the postseason.

So he devised a plan. He decided, with a strong pitch from Miami president Pat Riley that included mesmerizing rings, to join the Heat. He decided to team up with Dwyane Wade, who already had a ring on his finger, and Chris Bosh, who LeBron played with in the Olympics. It's a decision that helped James become a champion. Two titles and four-straight trips to the NBA Finals later and James is a free agent again. The fate of a number of NBA players and franchises resting in the palms of the game's most special talent.

But his life is different. He apparently has a third child on the way; he's married now.

The teams chasing him are different too. So is momentum. Everything that needed to happen in order to pave the way for a return to his hometown team has.

General manager David Griffin was hired, bringing stability to an organization that once looked dysfunctional. Mike Brown was fired, paving the way for a better coach. Miami was embarrassed by San Antonio in the NBA Finals. Dwyane Wade needed rest throughout the regular season, showing LeBron that his running mate was starting to break down and could no longer be the player that he once was. The Cavs won the NBA Draft lottery and selected Andrew Wiggins, a guy once called the "Canadian LeBron." The Cavs agreed to a max extension with Kyrie Irving to kick off free agency while Miami has been shot down repeatedly because it has no money. The Cavs can put the necessary pieces around James while Miami can't.

The roles have been reversed this summer. This time it's the Cavs that have both basketball reasons and emotional reasons on their side, and LeBron will notice. He's smart. He knows the game. LeBron sees what many others are starting to see: The Miami Heat empire is starting the crumble, and the Cavs are in the driver's seat to take advantage.

1. Redemption for 2010

"The Decision" continues to be the worst moment in James' career. Instead of informing the Cavs in a face-to-face meeting, James went on television and announced his future plans. Wearing a red-and-white-checkered shirt, James said, "This summer I'm taking my talents to South Beach." It was heartbreak for Cavs fans. It was betrayal from the city's favorite son. Despite having two titles and four MVP trophies, it's still something that people talk about; something that negatively impacts his legacy. Choosing to go back to Miami doesn't change what happened on July 8, 2010. Neither does going to Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas or other teams that covet James this summer. There's only one place where can go to erase the horrible memories from that fateful night: Cleveland, the city where his career started. Wouldn't it be something if he did it on Tuesday, the four-year anniversary of the moment that has put a black mark on his otherwise shiny resume?

2. An owner that is willing to spend

The Miami Heat made a move last off-season that some overlooked, but I think spoke volumes to James. Afraid to go into the repeater tax, Miami used its amnesty clause, and cut ties with Mike Miller. When Bosh, Wade and James teamed in Miami, Miller joined them. He was there from the beginning. Dealing with a myriad of injuries, Miller gutted through and his lights-out shooting was a key component for the Heat. That cost-saving move helped owner Micky Arison's checkbook, but it's something the Cavs can use in their pitch to LeBron. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has made baffling choices in the past, but he doesn't let money stand in the way. He's willing to spend. He will always go into the luxury tax. His move to acquire and accept Baron Davis and his albatross contract in 2011 was a terrible financial decision, one that many owners probably never would've made. But the Cavs received an unprotected first-round pick, and it turned into Irving.

3. Financial flexibility

Miami is reportedly having an issue luring free agents to South Beach. Sure, it has the weather and beautiful scenery on its side. But one problem remains: money. Miami doesn't have any. It would need some of these prospective free agents to take less than the market is offering in order for Miami to keep its Big Three together. The best chance for Miami again is to get older, experienced players, but that creates the same problem they had this past season. The Cavs, on the other hand, have been preparing for this summer, creating cap space. They are also aided by the young players on the roster being on rookie, team-friendly deals.

4. Kyrie Irving

The first move the Cavs made when free agency opened was agreeing to a deal with their two-time All-Star. It's the biggest move of the off-season by any team so far. The Cavs know they have Irving for at least six more years, and while uncertainty swirls in South Beach, James knows it too. Irving agreeing to the max extension gives the Cavs a strong beginning to their pitch. The Cavs can tell James that he and Irving would be the start of a new Big Three, and it's one that helps him chase titles for more than just one or two years. Irving is better than any player James played with in his previous Cleveland stop, and Irving's age and growth potential would extend James' title window. Kyrie's an enticing new running mate or an extremely valuable trade chip. I'm not saying that's something the Cavs will or are going to explore, but that possibility presents itself now as more teams could be inclined to pay a hefty price for a 22-year-old point guard whose future contract is set for at least six years.

The Cavs have other assets as well. Young players such as Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett, Dion Waiters, Wiggins and Tyler Zeller combined with future draft picks have the Cavs armed to pull off a blockbuster deal to lure another superstar to join James if he doesn't believe the roster as currently constructed is good enough to compete for titles. Either way, the Cavs have options that other teams, Miami included, do not, and the future is bright. They can also continue to add to the roster in the next few years. Any team with James will be a title contender, but Cleveland, with Irving, would take some of the burden off James' broad shoulders.

5. It's home

It snows in Cleveland and construction can be annoying, but there's one place where James can play his home games about 45 minutes away from his beloved Akron, and it's Cleveland. There's no other team that can offer that.

It makes him a unique free agent. Other players around the NBA may not be drawn to Cleveland, but James is. It's where his heart lies. It's where it always has. His friends and family are here. His wife Savannah's friends and family are as well. Being back home allows his sons and future child to grow up near people they are familiar with. His alma mater is here. He could have an interest in mentoring young hooper VJ King, who is Saint Vincent St Mary's new star. He once promised to end the championship drought for his hometown and that possibility still exists. If things are close, LeBron would rather do it in Cleveland, according to his former high school coach Keith Dambrot, who knows James extremely well.

You know the saying "happy wife, happy life?" I don't think the draw to home can be overlooked.

6. His agent, Rich Paul

According to Yahoo Sports, Paul has been asset for the Cavs. The agent, who is based in Cleveland, has reportedly confided to people that bringing James back to Cleveland has been something of a mission for him. Paul was the only person to inform the Cavs of James' decision prior to it being announced moments later on television. Paul also reps Cavs forward Tristan Thompson, which means Paul has a relationship with members of the team's front office, and he has seen how the organization operates. He has also seen how the new organizational changes have come together in the last few months. Paul and the Cavs have possibly built a level of trust with Paul working hard to mend the fences between the two sides after the messy breakup in the summer of 2010. This is not like the past when James, Bosh and Wade shared the same agent.

Just heard on ESPN that, after talking to Lebron James, Chris Bosh is strongly considering accepting the Houston Rocket's offer.

That does not bode well at all for Miami.

Stephen A smith won't let the Melo to Miami go. He claims that if Bosh leaves, Melo would go play in Miami.

I'm thinking Melo goes to the Lakers ... although that will be an interesting dynamic with Kobe and Melo both wanting the ball all the time.

I think the onoy hurdle Cleveland has left is LeBrons meeting with Pat Riley..

I swear that dude could pull some sith mind trick bullcrap if he wanted to..

Have never been a big B Ball fan ...But do folks really want James back in Cleveland ?

The irony here is that had James just, I don't know, beat his wife, or done drugs and got a DUI, the overall backlash would of been a fraction of it..

I remember when Thome took the money and left for Phiy ; I remember when Cleveland wouldn't pay Omar .. Still , to this day , feel different about both men .

Heat sign Josh McRoberts .....

That takes their mid level exception off the table.

I think that Chris Anderson > Josh McRoberts .... so this is, probably at best, a parallel move for the Heat. If the idea was to get better than last year, I don't think that this move does that. I think that he is better than a gaping hole in the roster, and is a quality backup, but I don't think that this makes them a better team.

In what world is Anderson better than McRoberts?

McRoberts is a decent pickup for them. I'm not sure what to think of Granger though. He's a poor man's version of Lebron, with Dwayne Wade's injury problems. Where is he going to play exactly?

The Heat also sign Danny Granger to a two year deal.

Heat Sign Granger

Sam Amico with FSO reporting he's been told Cavs should know something on Lebron's decision by wednesday.

Sam Amico: Twitter

Sam Amico with FSO also reporting/tweeting Cavs have been active in trade talks today expected to make moves soon. Should be an interesting next couple of days.

Twitter

OK, I just don't think that McRoberts is anything special. He is a low performance starter, and a guy that a good team would always be looking to replace. He is a decent backup/very nmarginal starter ..... but certainly nothing special.

McRoberts finally played 30 minutes/game last year, for the 1st time in his 7 year career ..... and really did not have much production at all. His passing might be the best part of his game. He's not a scorer, and he's not a rebounder. He's not a physical presence, and he's not a defensive presence.

If the Cavaliers had signed this kid, people would be throwing themselves off a bridge, and wondering what Griffin was smoking. I realize that the Heat are far more limited financially ..... but that still doesn't make this kid any more than he is ... which is a piece that might give you some useful minutes ..... but that usefulness will be very limited. If he is your starting PF, you can pretty much count on being badly outscored and out-rebounded by almost every opposing starting PF.

I am not nominating Andersen for any All Star type awards. I just like the hustle, energy, and willingness to sacrifice himself for his team. If the big 3 did return to Miami this year, I think that they would really miss Andersen, and his ability to scrap and fight and claw with anyone to help his team win games.

You should stop using per game averages on stat pages to assess players you're unfamiliar with.

McRoberts job on almost any team is to pull guys out of the paint, not bang inside or score/rebound at a high level.

Granger can play 2-4 as a backup.