<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">CLEVELAND - Aren't you sick of the LeBron James rumors? He can't go anywhere for the next three years. Got that? THREE MORE YEARS!!! James is under contract through the summer of 2007, and then the Cavaliers can match any offer he receives. That means James should remain with the Cavaliers at least until the summer of 2008, when he can become an unrestricted free agent. The Cavaliers can't even offer him an extension until the summer of 2006. Those are the NBA rules, and it doesn't matter that Knicks fans are about to have a collective cardiac arrest about James coming to New York this summer. It's typical New York arrogance, assuming everyone would want to play in Madison Square Garden -- even though the Knicks are one of the most aimless franchises in the league. Despite New York's 95-89 victory over the Cavaliers, the Knicks have a $100 million payroll and a 31-47 record, having lost 10 of 12. Those are not the kind of numbers that will attract James or any other star whose main goal is winning -- because the Knicks are in a salary-cap swamp that hurt them in signing free agents. But some people just don't get it. The other night, one of the talking heads on ESPN said James can leave at the end of next season. Wrong.</div> Source
Typical. A Cleveland paper. Akron Beacon Journal, no less. They can try to make themselves as comfortable as they like, they can deny it all they want. But the fact of the matter is, LeBron to New York is a very real possibility. The media in New York does this pretty often, but this time there is more than just the Post or the Daily News, this is being said over and over again all over the place - it is possible. Same goes for L.A., LeBron doesn't have to worry about money in New York, he's got the Nike contract clause. Plus, money from elsewhere can't come close to the amount of satisfaction a guy like LeBron could get in New York - he'd be worshiped by the greatest city in the world! He'd be loved by New York - that's worth a lot more to a guy than this article seems to realize. The Lebron trade demand rumor etc. is circling now, and if Cleveland misses the playoffs it's actually moderately likely that LeBron will head to LA or NY, a big city.
What's the rumor even based on? Did LeBron ever say anything to suggest he'd demand a trade to the Knicks? It seems to be based on nothing but the recent struggles of the Cavs and the idea that LeBron would get more money from endorsements playing for the Knicks. I think he has more sense than to demand a trade from his hometown after one rocky half-season. Plus, the Knicks have absolutely nothing to offer Cleveland that could match LeBron.
There isn't anything wrong with that article, and the fact is that current rookie contract really favors teams, if they intend to sign them. Even if we assume that James really hates Cavs and wants to out as soon as possible... Summer of 2006: `Only way for James to get out of Cavs (barring from trade) is if Cavs doesn't extend his 4th year, which won't happen. `Cavs will try to sign max deal after James' 3rd year, so only thing James can do is to refuse the max deal. Summer of 2007 `After 4th year, James becomes restricted FA. Meaning, even if Cavs couldn't sign James with max, James can't sign with other teams as well, because if he signs the max deal, Cavs will undoubtably match the deal. So, if he really wants to out, he has to sign one year tender with Cavs and wait yet another year. Summer of 2008 `James becomes unrestricted FA. Well, if he really really wants out, he can sit, refuse to play, choke a coach, and make things so horrible for Cavs, so that they have no choice but to trade him. But, I don't think James is that dumb enough to ruin his image just to get out of Cavs. And, if that's the case, he won't get out of Cavs before the end of 2008. No players, including James, will refuse max deal for two years, because you just don't know when the career ending injury will happen, and that's why the current rookie contract really favors teams over players. If he really wants to out, he will sign a max deal, play a year or two until his BYC status is gone, and he will demand a trade. But, even that's the case, he can't leave Cavs for 2008 or 2009...
Ok, so cleveland papers don't have a right to defend against rumors started by some director who has nothing more to do than start rumors about people coming to New York. What, you think LeBron won't get worshiped anywhere he plays? It will be no different in New York. Is LeBron gonna go to new york because he wants more people to love him? What other than being in a city that will hype you up beyond belief does LeBron stand to gain from this? Are the Knicks a contender? Are they a well run organization? The NY media started these rumors, and the Cleveland media is only trying to dispell them.
You people aren't very familiar with New York or it's media. It's quite obvious. You don't get it - New York is the greatest place for a player to play. This is the main stage of the NBA - Madison Square Garden. This rumor has been about ever since LeBron signed the Nike contract, it's just growing and becoming more universal now because he may miss the playoffs again in a small market. His endorsement oppurtunities skyrocket if he lands in New York as well, that will easily outweigh what Cleveland has to offer. In New York, anything he touches will sell - to many many people, companies are willing to pay big for that. The Knicks offer the Garden, the city, endorsement oppurtunities, and a Nike contract bonus. This rumor can't possibly be completly bogus, it's lasted too long and has been noted in various sources.
It's all just New York and Knicks fans wishful thinking. LeBron wants to be in Cleveland. He wants to build a championship team in Cleveland. He wants to spend his entire career in Cleveland. End of story. Buh bye. Cya later.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">You people aren't very familiar with New York or it's media. It's quite obvious. You don't get it - New York is the greatest place for a player to play. This is the main stage of the NBA - Madison Square Garden. This rumor has been about ever since LeBron signed the Nike contract, it's just growing and becoming more universal now because he may miss the playoffs again in a small market. His endorsement oppurtunities skyrocket if he lands in New York as well, that will easily outweigh what Cleveland has to offer. In New York, anything he touches will sell - to many many people, companies are willing to pay big for that.</div>This explains why everyone wants to go there, right? It's so great, that's why you're landing all these superstar players because of the endorsements, right? I mean, you have Marbury, and Crawford. Do you see how many endorsements the man already has? Is he gonna get some Tampax ads because he's in new york? Sorry man, but you're overestimating the appeal of New York in todays NBA.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This explains why everyone wants to go there, right? It's so great, that's why you're landing all these superstar players because of the endorsements, right? I mean, you have Marbury, and Crawford. Do you see how many endorsements the man already has? Is he gonna get some Tampax ads because he's in new york? Sorry man, but you're overestimating the appeal of New York in todays NBA.</div> No, if anyone here has the inaccurate perception of New York it's you. The entire thing about how so few supers stars actually arrive is something entirely different. Such rumors come about by way of the players' agents for the sole purpose of drawing more money out of what usually is a smaller market team. About endorsments, what kind of a comeback was that? He will get loads of endorsments, the kid is already extraordinarily popular in Cleveland - imagine him, in New York city! Endorsment oppurtunities like this are exteremely rare, briang. A guy like Dampier wouldn't have gotten any, if he is one of the past "superstars" you ar reffering to. I can't even believe how much you're underestimating New York's appeal to a guy like LeBron, endorsments will go up for LeBron (lots of them too), you really didn't even argue that, you just stabbed at it with a flimsy plastic knife. You obviously haven't been to New York too much.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I can't even believe how much you're underestimating New York's appeal to a guy like LeBron, endorsments will go up for LeBron (lots of them too), you really didn't even argue that, you just stabbed at it with a flimsy plastic knife. You obviously haven't been to New York too much.</div> I really don't think the market matters that much. LeBron is probably the most liked player around the world, not because everyone around the world is Cavaliers fan, but because of all the hype around him along with his Powerade, Sprite, etc. ads. He's the type of player who can generate hype on his own without having to play in a big market like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles. As for whether or not he'll leave New York, I'd rather not speculate, but I'd personally love to see him stay in Cleveland. It makes a great story when you consider how he's playing for his home town team. He also has a chance to make something special out of a Cleveland team that has never really been much of anything. He could be the face of Cavaliers basketball, but he'll never be the face of Knicks basketball.
The rumors all started when Paul Silas was fired. But I haven't heard anything from LeBron saying that he wanted out of Cleveland and didn't say that he was too upset on them firing Silas? And the LeBron to New York rumors was started by the NY POST. They have just as much BS as the Cleveland papers have.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Plus, the Knicks have absolutely nothing to offer Cleveland that could match LeBron</div>. Well we can offer you Maurice Taylor,Tim Thomas,Penny Hardaway and a future 1st Round Pick.That could be in eyes off Cleveland's GM. The Future??
This just shows how pathetic the Knicks have become. Most crappy teams dream about next year, but it seems that things are so bad that all they've got to dream about is 2008. Lakers and Knicks fans have the same problem. They think that being from the greatest cities in the US guarantees that their teams will bounce back soon. But look at the Yankees. They failed to make the post season from 1982 to 1994.
lots of wishfull thinkers out there-they see that lebron isn't in the best situation, so that automatically means he should come play for them...not gonna happen. what would he do in chicago? eat cap space they don't have or need to spend on the other young guys. in new york? they have too many wings anyways, and they need post players, not another wing. in LA, well, kobe's a laker, and the clips are the clips, so that's out as well. he's staying put for the foreseeable future.
haha Anyone who doesnt think the LBJ rumors are true are either Cavs fans in denial that their golden boy would do this or have been living under a rock for the past 20,30 years. Of course he will pick up huge endorsments in NY don't be foolish. His Nike contract already states that the money gets DOUBLED if he goes to NY. In NY his Q rating would soar and he would become even bigger. No, his contract isnt up for a few years but I think he can demand a trade. Nowadays superstars that demand trades tend to get them *cough cough* TMac Vince *cough cough*. Clevland would much rather get something for him than letting him walk away for free. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting el_guasibiri:</div><div class="quote_post"> Well we can offer you Maurice Taylor,Tim Thomas,Penny Hardaway and a future 1st Round Pick.That could be in eyes off Cleveland's GM.</div> Why would they do this? why would they take contracts that come of the books when they are already under the cap? they dont need to clear cap room for next year, they have it NOW!! what the Knicks could offer are young players like crawford (they need a SG badly), sweetney (many people say he wont resign when his contract expires) and or draft picks. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">in new york? they have too many wings anyways, and they need post players, not another wing.</div> This one gave me a good laugh. LBJ IS A SMALL FORWARD!! We need a SF hence many people (especcially myself) wanting us to draft GG. So you are saying we should pass up on a player that could end up being the best EVER and try and get post players instead? If he wants to come to NY we arent going to say "no we need post players now" we will do all that is possible to bring him here.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JWohl:</div><div class="quote_post"> This one gave me a good laugh. LBJ IS A SMALL FORWARD!! We need a SF hence many people (especcially myself) wanting us to draft GG. So you are saying we should pass up on a player that could end up being the best EVER and try and get post players instead? If he wants to come to NY we arent going to say "no we need post players now" we will do all that is possible to bring him here.</div> derp i'm still thinking ncaa basketball. i mean that they have so much money tied up on perimeter players (including SMALL FORWARD tim thomas ), that adding and re-signing a guy like lebron is next to impossible for another year. checking realgm i see that they have no significant contracts coming off the books until next year-when hardaway (max contract ), and tim thomas become unrestricted. THEN they could sign lebron. i don't think that cleveland would pull the trigger before then. what are the knicks going to give up? most of the players they have are close to or past 30. that's not going to do it for a team like cleveland, who if they gave up lebron would be in serious rebuilding mode. i don't know how many 1st round picks the knicks could offer, but this year they'll have prolly the 5th-7th pick, and that combined with any of their existing players (assuming that they wouldn't give up marbury) isn't enough for bron bron. also, what i meant by the need for post players is this: they are going to be looking for a legit C this off season (big Z...) and that lebron is prolly gonna be on the back burner a) because he's still under contract for awhile he's the face of cleveland's franchise c) really, he hasn't done/said anything that would make the knicks think about pursuing him. all the rumors are started and talked about by people who are wishfully thinking. he's only in his second year, he's only 21 years old, and there are so many roadblocks that to be thinking about this without hearing from him is just wishfull thinking. i know you're a knicks fan dude, and beleive me, if there were rumors about bron coming to milwaukee, i'd be all over this too! but for now, until there is some more solid evidence of a trade or request, i think it'd be wise to just hold off on the big-time talk. it's getting pretty far ahead of what's going on right now.
speculation <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's all just New York and Knicks fans wishful thinking</div> No, you are just assuming this without looking at where the stories have come from. From the Chicago Sun-Times<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> If the Cavaliers, who were 34-30 when new owner Dan Gilbert had coach Paul Silas fired, either miss the playoffs or fail to re-sign free-agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, look for LeBron James to push to be traded to the Knicks. James is rumored to be lobbying for Gilbert to re-sign Ilgauskas. Silas also may end up coaching in Orlando or Toronto." Chicago Sun-Times</div> You think fans in chicago want him to go to NY? link
Why would Lebron want to move to a team like the knicks in the first place? Why as soon as lebron is mentioned about moving do people say he could go to New York, if he wanted to move, he would want to move to a team where he could play his style of basketball, and be a championship contender. His contract states that he will get more money if he moves to NY, BUT WHAT ABOUT LA OR CHICAGO? His contract also states that if he moves here, he will get more money! Looking at chicagos list, why wouldnt he want to move to a young, fresh team. And remember, Jordan had Pippen. Lebrons can have Gordan! It all works out. Bulls arent over the salary cap, but if they can talk their players into takin some cuts for some MAJOR SG room in the salary, then Chicago and Lebron have a good chance of meeting up in the future. To be serious? How old is the average age of the Knicks? Except for crawford, i dont know a single player in NY who hasnt been playing for at least 9 years! if lebron moved their in 2005 then these players would be thinkin of retiring, let alone rebuilding around a champion. The cavs have to resign Z and get something free agent wise and get someone who will help lebron play his ball, and get cavaliers into the playoffs. The firing of coach silas was a nail in the coffin. Lebron liked silas and the new management get rid of him. Does lebron like the new management or is something brewing???? If the cavs dont make the playoffs, which we will find out in under 24 hours, That will be another season to have to wait for that playoff birth. They need that player who will make Lebron and the Cavaliers a better team. If something aint done.......well we will have to wait and see what happens.....
Lebron isn't going to the Knicks, why would he want to play with ball hog marbury. If lebron should go anywhere or someone that might take him, it should be Chicago. First Mj, next lebron.
