NoYork

on February 22, 2010

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Our new expert on where LeBron won't go (the one with the beard)

A new article from the NY Daily News’ Mitch Lawrence gives reasons that the Nets, Clippers, and Heat are out of this summer’s LeBron lottery. He also goes on to explain what teams still have a shot at LeBron. Any surprise that he thinks the Knicks have one of the best situations for attracting LeBron?

Lawrence reasons that LeBron would not want to play second fiddle in Kobe’s town so the Clippers are out of the running. Next he shoots down the Nets dreams because they will most likely be playing in Newark for somewhere between 2 and 4 years while the Atlantic Yards project is set into motion. Finally the Heat won’t be getting LeBron because both Wade and James need to dominate the ball. These thoughts all seem reasonable, besides the fact that Wade and James would probably love to be on the same team and LeBron is a very unselfish player. Something tells me they could make it work…

On to the teams that Lawrence believes might still have a chance at LeBron. First up the Chicago Bulls freed up some cap space for LeBron and possibly Bosh this summer. They have a solid core and the big city lights of Chicago fits LeBron’s rumored need for a bigger market. Lawrence then directs his attention to the Knicks who gambled everything on the LeBron lottery. He claims that they are the only team with a chance to get LeBron and Bosh, although I’ve heard Miami and Chicago could sign more than one free agent.

Lawrence strenghtens his argument with a quote from LeBron about playing with Bosh. During All-Star Weekend LeBron had this to say, “Being around him last summer (in the Olympics), I got to see how smart he is. His basketball I.Q. is unbelievable. He’s a very, very good player. Sometimes you look at him and you say, “He’s not that strong or he’s not the fastest guy out there.’ But the way he approaches the game … his mindset really helps him dominate a basketball game.”

In the end we’ll see where LeBron goes, but it’s funny that the Knicks have started to rule out other teams from the LeBron sweepstakes. While the Knicks cleared a ton of cap space they gave away a lot of talent to do so. Until LeBron signs a new contract with the Cavs I’ll be thinking NoYork!!!

Don’t Worry Cleveland - NY Post

Published

on February 8, 2010

Read the full article here

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"Championship first, then I'll talk about next year"

Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote an article recently about the odds of LeBron leaving Cleveland. He writes about an encounter with a Cavs fan who thinks that a Cleveland championship in 2010 means LeBron is more likely to leave. This is an interesting issue that I think we should expand on…

There seems to be two distinct camps on this one. Either you think a championship seals the deal and keeps LeBron in Cleveland, or you think it means mission accomplished and freedom to skip town. I can see the logic in both viewpoints.

On one hand, if this Cavs team wins a championship LeBron knows they are capable of being a contender for years to come. On the other hand if he brings Cleveland the trophy that has eluded them for so long, he may feel like he’s done enough for his hometown and he’s free to pursue greener pastures.

I think a championship is very significant, but LeBron will be looking further into the future than June. His decision will depend on the development of JJ Hickson, the durability of Shaq and Z, and the cap situation for the Cavs. If these issues are in place, LeBron will stay in Cleveland win or lose come playoff time…at least I think he’ll stay, don’t you?

LeBron to resign before the end of the season?

Published

on January 27, 2010

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Do we look nervous? We're fine, seriously.

I’ve heard rumors that LeBron would resign with the Cavs if they were able to trade for a superstar power forward. That’s right, if the Cavs can land a game changing power forward LeBron would resign, and his signature would be inked before the end of the season! Let me be the first to say this will not happen!

Unless the Cavs can find a way to land Chris Bosh, LeBron won’t be signing a contract with the Cavs before the season ends. It doesn’t make sense that LeBron would wait this long to sign, then decide half way through the season that now was the time. There would have to be a blockbuster trade that improved the Cavs dramatically for LeBron to resign early.

The rumors claim that LeBron told Cavs management that if they could sign a top tier free agent he would sign a new contract before the Cavaliers season ended. There is no credible source and there is no evidence that this conversation ever happened. LeBron wouldn’t even have to make this statement for the Cavs brass to feel pressure to improve.

The Cavaliers organization, and many Cavs fans, are already feeling the heat from LeBron’s upcoming free agency. If LeBron said this to management it wouldn’t get more done than what the Cavs are already attempting. They’re talking to anyone willing to listen and trying to get everyone from Antawn Jamison to Amare Stoudemire in Cleveland. Unfortunately for all of us LeBron fans, these reported whispers of an early resigning are nothing more than words in the wind.

New 2010 Agendas

Published

on January 17, 2010

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"Hey Chris if YOU get traded YOU could mess up our plans!"

As many of you know the NBA trade deadline is a month from tomorrow (February 18th). The newest rumor is that Chris Bosh will be dealt before that deadline, which could dramatically change the landscape for this summer. If Bosh were to get dealt here’s the way things may shake out.

ESPN’s Chad Ford reported that both Knicks and Nets officials have told him that “the only scenario in which they think the would have a real shot at prying LeBron out of Cleveland,” is by signing James and another superstar next season. The superstar that they’re referring to most often is Chris Bosh. If Bosh is traded this scenario probably won’t play out.

According to Ford, New Jersey is already rethinking a LeBron or nothing summer plan. Apparently New Jersey is afraid that gambling on the LeBron lottery could force their hand if they come up short. A team source had this to say about the situation, “Because of our record we are going to be forced to overspend on guys like David Lee and Rudy Gay and perhaps Boozer if you can’t land LBJ. I don’t want to be like Detroit and spend to just spend.” Instead the Nets are looking to trade their expiring contracts and anyone besides Brook Lopez to improve the team right now.

The Knicks are in a similar situation, but they haven’t given up the hopes of signing a big free agent in 2010. Mike D’Antoni doesn’t want to wait until 2011, but may be forced to do so if the Knicks don’t land LeBron. In 2011 both Jared Jeffries and Eddy Curry have expiring deals, so they could make some serious noise in the free agent market.

With New York and New Jersey out of the hunt things open up for Chicago, Miami, and believe it or not Oklahoma City. Miami feels that they have the best shot of landing LeBron and Bosh this summer. They would have to let go of a lot of quality players in the process, but I’d say it’s worth it for that three headed monster! Chicago has been after Bosh and Wade for as long as we can remember, but without New Jersey or New York running interference they may have a realistic shot. Oklahoma City isn’t a huge market, but they’re anchored by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

This could be a very interesting turn of events, but I don’t see LeBron in Oklahoma City. I’m convinced that LeBron won’t leave Cleveland unless it’s for a big market or the shot at playing with Wade and/or Bosh. Chicago does have a lot of good players to surround a superstar free agent or two, but would LeBron really want to play in Jordan’s shadows for years to come?

Truthfully the only team that I see LeBron gravitating toward if New York and New Jersey bow out of the race is Miami. It would be hard to pass up the chance to play on a team with Wade and Bosh. For now LeBron seems very content in Cleveland though. Last night when asked if he knew how to spell I Love LA, LeBron responded with, “I know how to spell I love Akron and O-H-I-O.” That’s enough for me, for now.

“New York would help LeBron…”

Published

on January 4, 2010

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"You can't wear something like this in Cleveland LeBron"

Those are the words of Walt Frazier, who believes that Kobe is above LeBron currently. Frazier went on to say that, “I think LeBron would gain in stature by coming to the Knicks. I think if he signed with the Knicks, he’d be right up there with Kobe.”

It seems that New York has some sort of LeBron alarm that goes off every few days. When the alarm sounds a new writer or athlete needs to step up and suggest that LeBron play for the Knicks. I guess this time it was Walt Frazier’s turn.

Frazier brought up many of the same points as everyone else who wants LeBron in orange and blue next season. The only new idea was that New York has never had one of the top two players in the league, so LeBron would automatically be the best player to ever suit up for the Knicks.

Personally I have no idea why that has any relevance, but hey Walt Frazier said it so we’ll roll with it. I will leave you with one more quote from Frazier, “If he were to play in New York, he’d be even bigger than he is now. He’d enhance his position.” Well not in the conference standings, but you know…who cares about winning these days?

LeBron and Wade on the same team?

Published

on December 29, 2009

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Melo, when does your contract expire? Nevermind you shoot too much.

Peter Vecsey recently wrote an article that made the possibility of LeBron and Dwyane Wade teaming up sound more probable than ever. Wade was quoted as saying, “Before we agreed to terms, LeBron and I had a couple conversations. I can’t recall exactly what we said, but the gist of it was we wanted to give ourselves the flexibility and the option to play together.”

As if that wasn’t enough Wade went on to say, “A lot of times in this league, players usually wind up going where they can get the most money. We’re both blessed within that area. We’ve made a lot of money. So we wanted to base our decision on two things, the organization and the ability to win a title. And that’s what we’ll do. When the season is over, we plan to sit down and talk about it. I’m not saying it will happen. But I’m intrigued by the idea.”

So Wade is thinking about joining forces but what does LeBron think about the idea? “I’d like to play here (in Miami), but I don’t mind where it is as long the organization is a good fit and it’s committed to competing for championships. The unknown has me intrigued.”

It would be amazing to see LeBron and Wade on the same team. The talk coming from the two stars seems like it’s a possibility that we’ll see them wearing the same jerseys in 2010? Now the question becomes will they be wearing Cavs jerseys, Heat jerseys, or another team’s jerseys? Sadly enough I believe that if the two players decide to play on the same team, it won’t be in Cleveland. Miami’s combination of cap space and talent seems like the best fit. Keep in mind that the Miami tax structure might also come into play if the two stars are taking lower salaries.

Of course the LeBron/Wade scenario is purely speculation at this point, but it would be fun to see the two players on the same team. I guess we can always hope that LeBron can convince Wade to come to Cleveland, but I’m not counting on it. If Wade did come to Cleveland, Andy wouldn’t be safe in practice anymore…

LeBron to Houston or LA?

Published

on December 9, 2009

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"Yao, you're joking right? Houston...no really Houston?"

Two recent articles have surfaced with reasons for LeBron to play in Houston and LA. The Houston article is basically a plea with LeBron to consider the Rockets as his future home. The Clippers article sounds a lot like the rationale that the Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, has used for months now.

I don’t have a problem with an article that makes a case for LeBron leaving the Cavs in seven months, but an article that basically begs him to play for your team is a bit much. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle writes, “You’d love it here, and you don’t have to take my word for it. Ask anyone who has played here. It’s one of the NBA cities others are measured by. Players love it here.”

Justice goes on to discuss the positive side of playing for Houston, pointing out that the Rockets are a team built on toughness, unselfishness, and smarts. I guess that Justice is just trying to improve his own situation, but I don’t buy LeBron leaving for Houston.

If LeBron leaves Cleveland it will be for Miami, New York, New Jersey, or LA. I can’t see him going anywhere besides those four teams, and yes I do mean the LA Clippers. Houston offers the same supporting cast as many other NBA teams. LeBron already plays with an unselfish team in a classy organization. Plus, playing with Yao Ming is too risky, as he’s had a string of bad luck injuries lately. One thing is for sure, I’ve never seen more writers asking a player to come to their city.

I can’t remember a situation where there’s been even half as much speculation about an athlete’s free agency as there has been already with LeBron. If you’re already getting tired of hearing about LeBron’s future teams, it’s only the beginning. As July 1st approaches the intensity of the LeBron Lottery will only increase. For now let’s be thankful that New York and New Jersey are off to such horrible starts this season.

Free Agency Update

Published

on December 3, 2009

. 2 Comments

I didn’t think LeBron’s refusal to talk about free agency could stop the media, but it certainly has been effective. There are still stories every now and then about where LeBron will be in 2010, but there has been a sharp decline. If only Tiger could do the same…

The only scenario I’ve heard recently was LeBron to Charlotte on the strength of Michael Jordan’s legacy. While it is true that LeBron thinks very highly of Michael, I don’t see him imprisoning himself in Charlotte with the Bobcats. LeBron has made it clear that he wants to be part of a championship caliber team. That’s been his reason for considering leaving Cleveland since the beginning, so Charlotte doesn’t seem like a reasonable possibility.

As the season continues New York and New Jersey are looking less and less feasible as well. The Nets recently set the record for most consecutive loses to start an NBA season and the Knicks have only won four of their first nineteen games. If LeBron truly wants to go to a winner, the city of dreams seems like a nightmare in the making.

LeBron once again showed his loyalty this week when he criticized Coach Brown for not playing Z against the Dallas Mavericks. Undoubtedly one of the best teammates in the NBA, LeBron has continually supported and involved his team during his time in Cleveland. I just can’t see him turning his back on these guys at the end of the season.

LeBron’s free agency is getting more complicated with every Cavs victory and every new handshake the team comes up with. LeBron can’t leave for a team that’s below average and it seems that he wants to be the leader of a championship team. I’m not convinced that LeBron would be willing to go to Miami and play on Wade’s team. I’m sure he’d love to have Wade in Cleveland, but he’s not going to play second fiddle to anyone.

This is a dilemma that Cleveland fans should be delighted to have. I’m happy to see Hickson developing as a player, despite his slight drop in efficiency lately. It’s also good to see Delonte back on the court getting consistent minutes. The better the Cavs play this season, the higher the chances that we’ll have LeBron next year. Let’s keep stacking up these W’s.

Artest wants LeBron to sign with New York

Published

on November 25, 2009

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Is Ron Artest a fan of the King?

Ron Artest has told the media that he hopes LeBron James will sign with the Knicks next season. The next logical thought is why does Artest want LeBron to go to New York? Although many times logic and Ron Artest aren’t mentioned in the same breath, I will do my best to marry these two opposing forces. Apparently Artest would like his Lakers to meet the Knicks in the NBA championship. “It would be a huge thing to see L.A. and New York in the championship. Someone’s going to New York.”

Artest hopes that someone is LeBron, because he believes LeBron is strong enough to handle the attention that comes with playing under the bright lights. Artest said that many players are scared to go to New York, “That’s the one thing I hear from the players recently. People don’t want to play in New York. They fear having a bad game, fear the fans. If somebody does go there, you got to be able to have a heart.” It seems the one player that he feels could handle New York is James, “I know LeBron could,” said Artest.

Of course this seems to be just another random thought from Artest. He doesn’t mention speaking to LeBron or seem to have any real purpose for making the comments. Artest ended his thoughts with this
“I love New York. When my career’s over, maybe I can do something with the organization. Maybe coach or something.”

Artest as coach of the Knicks, can you think of anything more frightening?

Whole article here

Nets are one step closer to Brooklyn

Published

on November 25, 2009