McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special priviliges" during meeting

Discussion in 'Chicago Bulls' started by such sweet thunder, Jul 5, 2010.

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  1. such sweet thunder

    such sweet thunder Member Staff Member Moderator

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    McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    Mike McGraw has posted a new article on the Daily Herald's website that contains some new info:

    That's game, set, match as far as I am concerned, and goes a long way to explain why the conventional wisdom shifted so dramatically following the meeting between the Bulls and James' camp. Lebron James has never been about winning like Jordan or Kobe. He's cared about his friends and confidants and building a community of people around him he can trust as family. Is this conducive for winning? Probably not, but the Bulls could have won with him if Reinsdorf was willing to turn over some power and work in a partnership. Lebron James isn't going to accept these terms -- he's going to go back to the Cavs and likely find his name on the Barkley, Malone, Wilkens list of good players who never won a ring, and that will be fine for him. I would be shocked if James accepted the offer, given the relationship he has established with the Cavs. And once again, the Bulls find themselves in the position of being unable to land the marque free agent.
     
    such sweet thunder, Jul 5, 2010
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  2. huevonkiller

    huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    If he goes back to Cleveland it is because of the whole Akron guilt trip angle and unfinished business.
     
    huevonkiller, Jul 5, 2010
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  3. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    And it's also possible that he might welcome a chance to get rid of his entourage and put the blame on someone else.
     
    UKRAINEFAN, Jul 5, 2010
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  4. MikeDC

    MikeDC Member

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    McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    That's conveniently soft-headed for a guy wanting a bunch of special perks.

    I'm not sure it's really what it sounds like though. Given the flame out in Cleveland, it might be something he kind of wants. In any case, I can't really decide what to make of it.
     
    MikeDC, Jul 5, 2010
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  5. huevonkiller

    huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    Don't make anything out of it, people focus on surprisingly insignificant details in this free agency period. Even Woj says this is his decision, what makes it hard is that James believes Ohio deserves a title more.
     
    huevonkiller, Jul 5, 2010
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  6. such sweet thunder

    such sweet thunder Member Staff Member Moderator

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    The leaks have been that Cleveland created organizational positions for Lebron's friends, put his associates on the summer league team, and that Maverick Carter, LJ's business manager and high school teammate, flew on the team plane, along with other members of LJ's posse.

    I think this is the end of things for the Bulls. You don't go into a meeting with LJ's manager, and then deny the guy access. How's that going to fly?
     
    such sweet thunder, Jul 5, 2010
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  7. truebluefan

    truebluefan Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    if that keeps 'Bron from coming to the Bulls, then he was not 'all about winning.' He is about the moment.

    Clearly we have the best and youngest supporting cast that is ready made for numerous titles if he wanted them.
     
    truebluefan, Jul 5, 2010
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  8. bullshooter

    bullshooter Active Member

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    From what I've read, the "Lebron is going to Chicago" thing was hype from World Wide Wes, and not James' inside circle anyway. WWW isn't in the decision making process. And if Lebron doesn't sign because Reinsdorf doesn't make all of his buddies asst. GM's, I don't have a problem with Reinsdorf about that. They still need to go get Wade and Bosh though.

    But the fact that Lebron hasn't announced anything yet leads me to believe he is leaving.
     
    bullshooter, Jul 5, 2010
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  9. Fastforward7

    Fastforward7 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    If Lebron's reason for not choosing the Bulls is because we said no to all the shit that the Cavs gave him, I'd look at him differently. You say you want to win, and I understand this decision is about family as well, but youre going to need to separate family from business.
     
    Fastforward7, Jul 5, 2010
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  10. such sweet thunder

    such sweet thunder Member Staff Member Moderator

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    That's good and fine but it also reflects on the Bulls' commitment to winning. If the Bulls were all about winning they would do what it takes to get him to sign and take the growing pains. Our franchise isn't all about winning either.
     
    such sweet thunder, Jul 5, 2010
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  11. Fastforward7

    Fastforward7 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    They didnt even let Jordan do wat he wanted. The only thing he had was "For The Love of the Game" clause where he could play basketball anywhere in Chicago that he wanted. If they didnt let the greatest player ever do wat he wanted, why would they let lebron do it?
     
    Fastforward7, Jul 5, 2010
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  12. such sweet thunder

    such sweet thunder Member Staff Member Moderator

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    Because it's conducive to winning.
     
    such sweet thunder, Jul 5, 2010
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  13. bullshooter

    bullshooter Active Member

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    Is it? Cleveland and Lebron only made it one round farther than the bulls did this year. And they were beaten as soundly in the second round by an old Celtics team as they beat the bulls in the first round. I don't see the Cavs as real contenders with their current roster.
     
    bullshooter, Jul 5, 2010
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  14. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    How'd they do in the regular season? Were the playoffs ever in doubt?

    Either team. (Bulls, Cavs)
     
    Denny Crane, Jul 5, 2010
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  15. bullshooter

    bullshooter Active Member

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    Two things count: Making the playoffs and winning the playoffs. Bulls and Cavs made the playoffs, and neither team won the playoffs. So I'd say they are pretty even in that respect. And which team is in jeopardy of losing their best player and not making the playoffs for a while, and which team is going to be better next season? Would you rather be the bulls or the Cavs going forward? (That's for everybody but Denny, since we all know what his answer is going to be....)
     
    bullshooter, Jul 5, 2010
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  16. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    We were fortunate that Toronto imploded or we would not have made the playoffs. Cleveland was up 2 games to 1 against the EC champs.
     
    Denny Crane, Jul 5, 2010
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  17. such sweet thunder

    such sweet thunder Member Staff Member Moderator

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    You're missing the big point. Does Lebron James w/ baggage make the Bulls better? Yes.

    Do you think otherwise?
     
    such sweet thunder, Jul 5, 2010
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  18. MikeDC

    MikeDC Member

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

    At this point, I'm not 100% sure what to believe in those respects, but it's still very important insofar as how it came up and how it was discussed. Doing all of that stuff didn't work out well for the Cavs, clearly. Maybe that's a briar patch Lebron would actually like to be thrown into, but couldn't do himself as a hometown rookie?

    Obviously I'm just pulling that out of my ass, but I think the Bulls are on pretty firm ground to say something along the lines of "Hey, we didn't do this stuff for Michael Jordan. And you know what, Michael Jordan didn't ask for this. He knew the only way to win was to bond with his teammates".

    Of course, Lebron might end up calling up Michael Jordan afterward and hearing a different story, but, um... ok, never mind.
     
    MikeDC, Jul 5, 2010
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  19. Fastforward7

    Fastforward7 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special priviliges" during meeting

    That would be hilarious if he called Mike to confirm the story.
     
    Fastforward7, Jul 5, 2010
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  20. MikeDC

    MikeDC Member

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    Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special priviliges" during meeting

    "Mike, Lebron here. Should I sign with the Bulls?"
    "Jerry Reinsdorf is a tool. Have you ever had real Carolina barbecue?"
    "Why, exactly? You did win six titles when you played there"
    "You know who's the Pip to your Michael? Ray Felton!"
    Click.
     
    MikeDC, Jul 5, 2010
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