Did Lebron James Make the Right Decision?

[Peter_Gibbons]

Of course its different since those players were all acquired in the draft or through trade, not some kind of collusion that allegedly began at the 2008 Olympics when all 3 were under contract to different teams.

I don't really see how they got on the same team as a problem. The problem that people have with this is that it seems like LeBron is a coward and can only win with 2 other stars. Other guys have become legends before him by playing with 2 other stars. If Lebron wins it doesn't make it any less of an accomplishment. He sees that kobe has 5 rings and at the end of the day, most people don't care that he was shaq's sidekick for 3 of those. All they care about is how many he has total. He wants to rack up the rings also.

Whether him leaving the cavs makes him a coward is just a matter of opinion. If he went to NY or any other team that could've gave him max, people would say he didn't pick Heats beacuse they couldn't pay him max and therefore, he is greedy. If he stayed in Cleveland, which many people believed he would up until last night, people were already saying that his ego is too big to allow him to go to Miami and play on "Wade's team". If we over read too much into it, it really doesn't matter what his decision is as there is a negative spin on any team he chooses.

At the very least, the Cavs fans now know that his decision is based on winning as he will get less money and have to somewhat put his ego aside as it is Wade's team and there is a 3rd star in Bosh. I think its better than to see him leave thinking he went for money or fame at a team such as NY.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

magic and worthy were drafted in L.A. and stayed in L.A.
Kareem arrived in L.A. before they were even drafted.

Bird and McHale were drafted in Boston and stayed in Boston.

I would respond with my same response to pdxKingsFan.

I don't really see how they got on the same team as a problem. The problem that people have with this is that it seems like LeBron is a coward and can only win with 2 other stars. Other guys have become legends before him by playing with 2 other stars. If Lebron wins it doesn't make it any less of an accomplishment. He sees that kobe has 5 rings and at the end of the day, most people don't care that he was shaq's sidekick for 3 of those. All they care about is how many he has total. He wants to rack up the rings also.

Whether him leaving the cavs makes him a coward is just a matter of opinion. If he went to NY or any other team that could've gave him max, people would say he didn't pick Heats beacuse they couldn't pay him max and therefore, he is greedy. If he stayed in Cleveland, which many people believed he would up until last night, people were already saying that his ego is too big to allow him to go to Miami and play on "Wade's team". If we over read too much into it, it really doesn't matter what his decision is as there is a negative spin on any team he chooses.

At the very least, the Cavs fans now know that his decision is based on winning as he will get less money and have to somewhat put his ego aside as it is Wade's team and there is a 3rd star in Bosh. I think its better than to see him leave thinking he went for money or fame at a team such as NY.

 

[NME]

i know this isnt your point when mentioning draft or trade but those arent always legit ways of acquiring a player. (ie tanking to get a better draft or lakers trading a bag of chips for gasol)

It's true that even the more "organic" ways of building a team aren't always evenhanded and fair either, but never has the process felt this contrived and prefabricated. The Heat are the NBA's answer to a boy band.

 

[Kings Faithful]

Count me as one of the people who will be rooting for the Lakers over the Heat. Don't get me wrong, I hate the Lakers and I hope they don't even make it to the finals...but if it comes down to a Lakers-Heat finals I'm rooting for the Lakers. He said that a championship is a championship and that it won't make a difference for him whether its in Cleveland or Miami... I don't buy that for a second though.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

It's true that even the more "organic" ways of building a team aren't always evenhanded and fair either, but never has the process felt this contrived and prefabricated. The Heat are the NBA's answer to a boy band.

Bosh and Lebron left their teams because their team didn't have a chance to win. kobe wanted to leave the lakers and trashed his teammates when they didn't win. If the player is competitive, there is always the chance that they'll leave their team if they feel their team can't win. Do you think kobe would've stayed with the lakers if he was a free agent that summer when he asked to be traded and rather play in Pluto? He just wasn't a FA and they ended up getting Pau Gasol. kobe would've signed with the best team that had cap space for him.

 

[Entity]

Sure, every season they can get a new cast of vets to sign on for the minimum for one year, so that they can experience a title run. It's NBA Fantasy Camp for pros.

Very true. Anybody want to make wagers that one Mr. Allen Iverson is trying to cal Pat Riley now saying he would be a great bench player to come in for West and Wade an he will sign for the minimum. Your right NME I see that happening then one Mr. Tracey McGrady calls and says hey pat I can come in for bot Wade and Lebron when they need a rest. So bam you got your 1-3 positions wrapped up with depth. Then Shaq is still a FA he will call take the minimum to give it one more year as a backup. Then Tim Thomas and Malik Allen and Juwan Howard and Marcus Camby will call. lineup then

West/jason williams/AI
Wade/AI/Tmac
Lebron/Tmac/Tim Thomas
Bosh/Juan Howard/Malik Allen/Tim Thomas
Marcus Camby/Shaq/Howard

 

[steelevt]

I don't really see how they got on the same team as a problem. The problem that people have with this is that it seems like LeBron is a coward and can only win with 2 other stars. Other guys have become legends before him by playing with 2 other stars. If Lebron wins it doesn't make it any less of an accomplishment. He sees that kobe has 5 rings and at the end of the day, most people don't care that he was shaq's sidekick for 3 of those. All they care about is how many he has total. He wants to rack up the rings also.

Whether him leaving the cavs makes him a coward is just a matter of opinion. If he went to NY or any other team that could've gave him max, people would say he didn't pick Heats beacuse they couldn't pay him max and therefore, he is greedy. If he stayed in Cleveland, which many people believed he would up until last night, people were already saying that his ego is too big to allow him to go to Miami and play on "Wade's team". If we over read too much into it, it really doesn't matter what his decision is as there is a negative spin on any team he chooses.

At the very least, the Cavs fans now know that his decision is based on winning as he will get less money and have to somewhat put his ego aside as it is Wade's team and there is a 3rd star in Bosh. I think its better than to see him leave thinking he went for money or fame at a team such as NY.

+1

i agree no matter what he chose, someone will find a negative with his decision

 

[PurpleHaze]

They have basically filled 4 positions at this point. Now they have to find a starting center and fill out the bench. The problem is that they don't have anything other than the league minimum to offer players. This will result in the Heat having a very thin bench. Even with 3 great players, you need some depth to succeed. I think their lack of depth will be a major problem in the playoffs, and teams with a lot of size will also cause them problems.

If by "4" positions you mean to include Beasley you can scratch him as he was just traded to Minnesota tonight for a second round pick and plus Heat and Wolves swapping first round postions in next years draft. GM Riley frees up more cap space with the move and removes a simmering head case. Now if you mean that 4th position belong to PG Mario Chalmers I guess that's right at this point.

 

[wonjaeyou]

One thing for sure. Lebron will NOT get a reputation and legacy like MJ or Kobe. End of story.

 

[ElRey]

Pretty Good analysis by Sean Deveney at Sporting News.


Championship Road for Lebron Still Has Obstacles

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/70897

 

[Telemachus]

lebron gave them 7 years. he didnt just leave after his rookie contract. he signed an extension and gave them 2 years notice to give him help to win a championship. people are acting like he just left cleveland out of no where. everyone knew the possibility of him leaving was there. if reke becomes as great as lebron and we fail to give him a supporting cast to help him get a ring, i wont blame him. ill be upset, but if he gives us 7 years, and the kings dont help him deliver, whos fault is it? plus most people are saying wade, bosh and lebron dont plan on signing the max, so only signing 1 max deal is pointless.

I would agree with this IF Cleveland had done nothing to put a good supporting cast around James. I can see what Bosh had to complain about in Toronto. They didn't even seem to want to put players around him. But Cleveland bent over backwards trying to bring in every player that James asked them to get. I think part of their problem was that they tried TOO hard to please James, and ultimately hurt their cap space more than they should have.

 

[ElRey]

Very true. Anybody want to make wagers that one Mr. Allen Iverson is trying to cal Pat Riley now saying he would be a great bench player to come in for West and Wade an he will sign for the minimum. Your right NME I see that happening then one Mr. Tracey McGrady calls and says hey pat I can come in for bot Wade and Lebron when they need a rest. So bam you got your 1-3 positions wrapped up with depth. Then Shaq is still a FA he will call take the minimum to give it one more year as a backup. Then Tim Thomas and Malik Allen and Juwan Howard and Marcus Camby will call. lineup then

West/jason williams/AI
Wade/AI/Tmac
Lebron/Tmac/Tim Thomas
Bosh/Juan Howard/Malik Allen/Tim Thomas
Marcus Camby/Shaq/Howard

I thought Camby was under contract with Portland

 

[steelevt]

One thing for sure. Lebron will NOT get a reputation and legacy like MJ or Kobe. End of story.

theres no way to know that for sure. what if they go on to win like 7 rings with a couple 3peats in there and he wins a few finals mvps? will it happen? probably not but no one knows. no one expected kobe to do anything after shaq left but know one knew the future.

 

[Telemachus]

If by "4" positions you mean to include Beasley you can scratch him as he was just traded to Minnesota tonight for a second round pick and plus Heat and Wolves swapping first round postions in next years draft. GM Riley frees up more cap space with the move and removes a simmering head case. Now if you mean that 4th position belong to PG Mario Chalmers I guess that's right at this point.

Yes. I was referring to Chalmers. And I wasn't saying he is a great 4th player, but he will likely be their starting PG.

 

[wonjaeyou]

theres no way to know that for sure. what if they go on to win like 7 rings with a couple 3peats in there and he wins a few finals mvps? will it happen? probably not but no one knows. no one expected kobe to do anything after shaq left but know one knew the future.

That's being too dramatic. Realistically, yeah, Lebron could win 3,4 rings at Miami WITH Wade. That won't change the view of critics. Who's the leader? Is it Wade, who's been loyal to Miami for 7 years or Lebron who just joined in to win a championship WITH Wade and Bosh?

 

[PurpleHaze]

One thing for sure. Lebron will NOT get a reputation and legacy like MJ or Kobe. End of story.

I stongly disagree or at least think I have more of an open mind about this situation. No doubt MJ and Kobe are great - but to put them in some special class way above LeBron is absurd. MJ was caught up in a huge gambling scandal that almost turned him into the Pete Rose of pro basketball but NBA did everything to down play it with Air Jordan suddenly transformed into a mediocre minor league baseball player for the Chisox organization. Later he started playing hoops again and finished his career as a old man on the Wiz. Kobe struggled mightily early in his career, had all kinds of problems with management, fellow teammates, and almost went to prison in Colorado for rape until he paid, reportedly several million dollars to his "victim" to go away. Lebron finally after all he did for the Cavs should not be tainted and trashed just because he wants to go someplace else regardless of how he did it - and if I was him I would just be happy this insane free agent drama is finally over.

 

[steelevt]

I would agree with this IF Cleveland had done nothing to put a good supporting cast around James. I can see what Bosh had to complain about in Toronto. They didn't even seem to want to put players around him. But Cleveland bent over backwards trying to bring in every player that James asked them to get. I think part of their problem was that they tried TOO hard to please James, and ultimately hurt their cap space more than they should have.

you are correct, they didnt do "nothing" but they didnt bring in a #2. it wasnt as bad as bosh's situation like you said, but an aging shaq, mo williams, and half a season with jamison isnt going to get you a title. they did bring in good role players and decent players, but i think lebron needed a legit #2. look at the rest of the league. lakers had kobe and gasol. celtics had the big 3, magic had dwight/lewis/carter, mavs had dirk and kidd, suns had nash and amare, spurs had duncan/manu/parker, the list goes on and on. i think if they would have focused and brought in 1 key player, he might have stayed. but he saw that the rest of the league had multiple star teams and he believes that is what it takes to win. and i agree with him. name me the last championship team that won with 1 star.

 

[wonjaeyou]

If Lebron went to some other place other than Miami, I would be okay. (personally I wanted him to go to NY so he can join Amare and play against big 3 and Miami) But going to Miami just kills everything. Will he win a championship? Yeah, probably. Will he be named next to MJ with this route? No.

 

[Telemachus]

theres no way to know that for sure. what if they go on to win like 7 rings with a couple 3peats in there and he wins a few finals mvps? will it happen? probably not but no one knows. no one expected kobe to do anything after shaq left but know one knew the future.

The problem is that everyone knew that the Bulls were MJ's team. I think some will question that about Miami. Wade has been the man there, and already won a title. So if they go on to win a bunch of titles (highly doubtful IMO), I think there will be mixed feeling on who will get the most credit - James or Wade. That in and of itself will hurt any legacy James will have when compared to players like MJ, Bird, a Magic.

 

[Bricklayer]

As someone stated earlier. Had he signed with the Bulls or Nets it wouldn't have been that bad. But to sign with 2 All-Stars already when your former MVP. Its just overkill. I guess I am just not a "if you can't beat them join them" kinda guy.

Nobody who isn't a coward is.

Its one of the all time great competitive sins. Far far more respectable is the guy who goes down fighting.

Its just a fail maneuver. If you win, it means little. If you lose its humiliating. You can certianly be part of a team of greats that's assembled, but as a competitor, as a (previous now) applicant for GOAT, you can't go run away and intentionally join one without ever having won one yourself. Now he never will. He can win the next 5 titles this way and end up with about as much credit as if he had won 1 or 2 himself elsewhere. The credit is shared, and in the real dangerous possibility, the blame is going to fall disproportionately on him if they fail. Even if he was going to make this decision, it was paramount he sign before Bosh and leave Bosh dangling as the bandwagoner. The way it played out, now it looks like poor little LeBron needed a "sure thing" as a safety blanket adn went off not to build something, but to join something. The greats don't join things. They make them.

And just as an aside, since the name has been raised, I watched Jordan's entire career. Behind the scenes he was an *******. But he was also a compeltely ferocious competitor and there is no way in hell he would ever have made this maneuver. Anything, and I do mean ANYTHING that bespoke of weakness or compromise he would not tolerate. He had his town and his team, and he was coming to get you no matter how you put together your team. And BTW, Jordan didn't win his first title until his 7th year at age 27. Under Bron logic, he should have bailed because of lack of instant gratification.

 

[wonjaeyou]

I stongly disagree or at least think I have more of an open mind about this situation. No doubt MJ and Kobe are great - but to put them in some special class way above LeBron is absurd. MJ was caught up in a huge gambling scandal that almost turned him into the Pete Rose of pro basketball but NBA did everything to down play it with Air Jordan suddenly transformed into a mediocre minor league baseball player for the Chisox organization. Later he started playing hoops again and finished his career as a old man on the Wiz. Kobe struggled mightily early in his career, had all kinds of problems with management, fellow teammates, and almost went to prison in Colorado for rape until he paid, reportedly several million dollars to his "victim" to go away. Lebron finally after all he did for the Cavs should not be tainted and trashed just because he wants to go someplace else regardless of how he did it - and if I was him I would just be happy this insane free agent drama is finally over.

But those are all personal issues. Not involving basketball. As much as I hate Kobe, he is going to be named next to MJ because he stayed through the hard time and won two rings as a leader. But Lebron... he changed the team that already has a franchise. This is not what superstars do if they want to be named next to MJ.

 

[Lockehead]

Oo man the town is bitter...

 

[pdxKingsFan]

The problem is that everyone knew that the Bulls were MJ's team. I think some will question that about Miami. Wade has been the man there, and already won a title. So if they go on to win a bunch of titles (highly doubtful IMO), I think there will be mixed feeling on who will get the most credit - James or Wade. That in and of itself will hurt any legacy James will have when compared to players like MJ, Bird, a Magic.

On top of that they have to win. And if they don't nobody is going to second guess Wade who stayed with his team or Bosh who left Toronto. So every year they don't win a title, and I suspect it will take 2 or 3 years if it even happens they are going to be the most hated team in the league with the most nasty venomous press lead by jilted writers from NY. His best way to have a legacy was to win ONCE in Cleveland. But he could still have had a nice legacy in sports meccas NY or Chicago. Nobody gives a crap about Florida, they are a favorable destination for athletes thanks to their tax status and warm beaches, the same reason they attract so many retirees. You don't find Miami people spread out all over the states like you do Chicago, NY, Boston, Philly, etc. Florida is a final destination.

 

[PurpleHaze]

I think this "his team" stuff is vastly overrated and mostly media spin. Wasn't it "Paul Pierce's team" when Garnett and Allen arrived with both of them having same supposed titles in Minny and Seattle. Wasn't it "Kareem's team" until Magic arrived - and on and on. If Miami wins the championship next season or following year no one will care if it's D-Wade's team or not.

 

[Krunker]

Maybe Karl Malone will come out of retirement to play for Miami

If the Miami superteam gets a string of championship wins I think all will be forgotten. I have a feeling David Stern thinks this is good for the NBA. There is renewed attention and hype. If Miami end up steamrolling their opponents it could be like watching Tyson in his prime - you knew he was going to win and it was just a matter of how badly he was going to beat up the other guy. That makes it all the more exciting when someone is able to finally topple them.

 

[KingsFanFromItaly]

James just showed the world he's a loser. Going to Miami is like saying "Ok, I can't win a ring by myself, so I need to be Wade's Robin to get one". Right now, if he'll ever win one, nobody will be impressed. But, if he does not, he will always be remembered as one of the biggest losers to ever play the game.

At least we won't have to listen to the comparison between him and MJ. Lebron is not the GOAT, not even close.

Anyways, Miami won't win the ring next year. Write that down. You can't have a team with 3 superstars like them.

 

[Telemachus]

I think this "his team" stuff is vastly overrated and mostly media spin. Wasn't it "Paul Pierce's team" when Garnett and Allen arrived with both of them having same supposed titles in Minny and Seattle. Wasn't it "Kareem's team" until Magic arrived - and on and on. If Miami wins the championship next season or following year no one will care if it's D-Wade's team or not.

What you have to consider here is legacy. James want to be considered the greatest player of all time. That means he HAS to be the man. Wade already has a ring and has been "the man" in Miami. That perception will greatly affect James' "legacy" no matter who is the leader of the team. It didn't matter whether Boston was Pierce's team when Garnett and Allen came there because they hadn't won anything yet. It was Pierce's team simply because he as the best player on the team. No one considered Paul Pierce one of the top 5 players in the NBA or of possibly winning an MVP. That is not the case with Wade in Miami.

 

[Ed2009]

If they will win a title everybody will say he made the right decision if not
they will all curse him.
Thats the way the business works.
Anyway people forget very quick and in a few weeks you wont hear anything anymore about Cleveland, Chicago etc.
The soup is not being eaten as hot as it is cooked.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

And BTW, Jordan didn't win his first title until his 7th year at age 27. Under Bron logic, he should have bailed because of lack of instant gratification.

I was tempted to point that out for all the excuse makers. And his teams weren't 60 win teams. They were even underdogs to the Cavs of all teams when he first won. And if Jordan pulled the same "bow to me or else" nonsense LeBron did they probably would have gone on losing under Doug Collins the way the Cavs did with a coach who wouldn't stand up to his star. The Bulls traded away Jordans bros to deepen their roster and it infuriated him but they could do that because they didn't have the threat of him bolting at the next opportunity hanging over their heads. And that has always been something Cleveland had to contend with, they were damned if they did, damned if they didn't.

 

[steelevt]

The problem is that everyone knew that the Bulls were MJ's team. I think some will question that about Miami. Wade has been the man there, and already won a title. So if they go on to win a bunch of titles (highly doubtful IMO), I think there will be mixed feeling on who will get the most credit - James or Wade. That in and of itself will hurt any legacy James will have when compared to players like MJ, Bird, a Magic.

i think the stats will determine whos team it is. not just who's been there longer. if the won a couple titles and lebron led the team in points and/or got the finals mvp. or made the winning shots that they needed. i would assume it was his team. but in the end i dont think thats the point. we as fans have to label it someones team. i believe all 3 said in interviews its not about whos team it is or accolades. they want to win as a team. someone can lead the team one night and someone else can do it the next. they all just want to win together. i think wade or bosh said they heard about the whole only 1 ball on the court and not enough balls for all 3 and they know they have to put their pride aside and give some personal stats up. if they all sign for less than the max, i will take that as a sign they are committed to winning this as a team. lebron said something along the lines of 'in this league, you become a superstar individually, but you become a champion as a team" i truly feel he believes this and this is why he made the decision