[will068]

http://i29.tinypic.com/1zl3j13.jpg

[AccordCouped]

the big 3

[d1]

Shit's rigged

[Tim Budong]

watch KOBE and the Lakers beat them for the 3peat
fuck the..its win now and win the future garbage

that was a waste of my time.
As per twitter, from TC_carling of the canucks

I hope ESPN does a 60min special of when the Lakers beat them!@


Miami has a weak bench anyways, they got some pieces to fill, but who wants to play with that. They need a big man

[wuuhoo]

^they will need a good supporting cast. Just becuase they have 3 killer all stars, does not mean they will win it all.

Orlando will be there biggest threat

[shawn79]

Still wades team

[Tim Budong]

Still wades team

thats not what he LBJ thinks

[JV6]

oh man! cant wait to see how this team does when the season starts!

[LUUUUUUUU]

stackedddddddddddddddddd

[Hondaracer]

dont give a shit about basketball but Go Lakers

[shawn79]

thats not what he LBJ thinks

miami still <3 wade more than lebron :troll:

[Ch28]

dont give a shit about basketball but Go Lakers

so why would you cheer for the lakers if you clearly "don't give a shit about basketball" ?

[TRDood]

Without a good bench, they are not going very far.

Look at the stupidity stacked Lakers team 6 years ago with Malone, Shaq, Kobe, (Payton?), ...

They lost to Detroit pretty badly.

[Hondaracer]

so why would you cheer for the lakers if you clearly "don't give a shit about basketball" ?

because i'd rather see the lakers win than a group of millionaires thinking they can create a dynasty on their own

[InvisibleSoul]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMPArYnklYo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wSh1GQsmDI

[Ch28]

because i'd rather see the lakers win than a group of millionaires thinking they can create a dynasty on their own

cause the lakers don't have a bunch of millionaires on their team? http://smiliesftw.com/x/hsughno.gif (http://smiliesftw.com)

[Hondaracer]

well the players on that team didnt try to collaborate to make it so :P

[Ch28]

well the players on that team didnt try to collaborate to make it so :P

don't worry

i'm just bored and :troll: you :rofl:

[Simplex123]

wait so he's #6 now?

[RacingMetro92]

He used to wear 23, but he got a petition started to retire 23 for Jordan across the league like what the NHL did with Gretzky and 99. He switched to 6 out of respect as he used it in HS and while on team USA.

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

jesus christ

there is a NBA thread in VLS

[Expresso]

jesus christ

there is a NBA thread in VLS

who cares! haha. OT > *

[Meowjin]

these guys would get destroyed in europe.

[hotjoint]

Lakers vs Heat in the finals, Lakers 3 peat!

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

these guys would get destroyed in europe.

ya think

[jpark]

i cant wait till the season

[InvisibleSoul]

Cavs owner: LeBron's signing a "cowardly betrayal"
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2010/07/09/14655031.html

Cleveland, OH - Cleveland Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert delivered a fiery open letter to fans, ripping LeBron James' decision to join the Miami Heat as "selfish" and a "cowardly betrayal."

Gilbert also offered a bold statement saying the Cavs would win an NBA title before James.

In a television special on ESPN devoted to James Thursday night, the reigning two-time league MVP disclosed his free agency decision to join stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to play in Miami this fall instead of remaining with the Cavaliers.

The antics by James ticked off Gilbert, so much to the point that he wrote a scathing letter directed at James' "narcissistic, self-promotional build-up" to his announcement Thursday night.

"You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal," Gilbert said in the letter to the fans. "You have given so much and deserve so much more. In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE. You can take it to the bank.

"If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our 'motivation' to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels."

Gilbert didn't stop there, continuing to rant about James, an Akron native who was Cleveland's No. 1 overall draft pick in 2003 and spent his entire seven- year career in a Cavaliers uniform, building the team into a Eastern Conference powerhouse.

"This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown 'chosen one' sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And 'who' we would want them to grow-up to become," Gilbert said. "But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio."

Fans in Lakewood, Ohio were so enraged at James' decision, they burned jerseys and t-shirts of their former idol.

It's a tough road ahead for the Cavaliers in a city that hasn't won a major sports championship since 1964, when the Browns captured the NFL crown. It's the longest drought for any city with at least three majors sports franchises. The Cavs made it to the 2007 NBA Finals before being swept by San Antonio.

"The self-declared former 'King' will be taking the 'curse' with him down south," Gilbert said in the letter. And until he does 'right' by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

"Just watch.

"Sleep well, Cleveland.

"Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

"I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

"DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Gilbert's name is then signed at the bottom of the letter.

Now, I don't care about Lebron, or even basketball for that matter.

But Dan Gilbert? Shut the fuck up. Lebron doesn't owe shit to you or the city.

Cleveland will win the NBA Championship before Lebron? Someone needs to spend some money on a bag of reality.

[raygunpk]

that's a pretty big guarantee

[Tim Budong]

What if Miami doesnt wanna sign LBj
that would be AWESOME
bwahahah
im sorry
the special today makes me hate him now. I use to only not like him as a player

yes selfish as it may seem, but he's tryin to steal fame and thunder from Dwayne Wade. Miami BELONGS to Dwayne Wade.

Anyways, I think LeBron jsut tarnished his career.

He's not gonna break no point record now that he's on this stacked team.
He's slapped Cleveland in the face..just like CB4 did. TAKE A FUCKING SIGN AND TRADE(altho I have to admit, Miami has NOTHING to give up really.)
If anything, I don't think he's gonna be a splash to share the court with Wade n Bosh, Wade wont snap becuz he's not the "star" but Bosh or LBJ will. Wade is too much of a team guy

[jackmeister]

Cavs owner: LeBron's signing a "cowardly betrayal"
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2010/07/09/14655031.html



Now, I don't care about Lebron, or even basketball for that matter.

But Dan Gilbert? Shut the fuck up. Lebron doesn't owe shit to you or the city.

Cleveland will win the NBA Championship before Lebron? Someone needs to spend some money on a bag of reality.



probably mark cuban wannabe

[Eastwood]

Why are they shit-talking Lebron. Is he still under contract? I don't get it, he should be able to sign with anyone he wants?

[dL]

Teamwork and determination > stacked superstars. Yes it's harder to build teamwork, but you will feel a lot more accomplished if you win it that way.

dL

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

a win is a win, it dont matter if u win by one point yo

:thumbsup:

[mrclean604]

lol @ gilbert.. one salty gm
burning jersey's wow

[canucksfan]

I'm a huge LeBron fan and disappointed that he left Cleveland and took the easy route, but he has every right to do this. He's a top notch player who has worked extremely hard to get to this position. He doesn't owe anyone anything, and I'm sure Gilbert's rant was just in the heat of the moment.

Players have the right to choose where they go, and LeBron has chosen to play with 2 of his closest friends in the NBA. If he wants to win a championship with his friends and take less money to do so, I can respect that.

Haters are gonna hate. If he took the $120mil max deal in Cleveland, people would be jumping on him for being a greedy asshole who just plays for the money.

[daval]

They need a center and some shooters, well basically a supporting cast~

Good luck to them! Is gonna be interesting who are willing to take the pay cut and play with them now.

[MR_BIGGS]

Wade's team or not, as much as Wade is a team guy, so is Lebron. Lebron is a very good unselfish player and has the ability to find the open man. Now he has players on his team that can knock down shots. Imagine how many drives and kick outs for threes the Heat will get.

[Euro7r]

Damn Cleveland just pissed Lebron left, now they're saying all these negative things in the media about him. Screw Cleveland or Miami, 3-peat for LA.

[ajax]

Its just not the same when you expect to win. He wouldve had more pride and joy had he stayed in Cleveland instead of taking the easy route.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[Ch28]

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/2010/7/8/1_78530.jpg

Lebron: "I'd love to stay in Cleveland and win a championship for all my fans"
Agent: "...just got word that Bosh + Wade are signing in Miami"

http://i27.tinypic.com/2i795zd.gif

Lebron: "Actually, I change my mind. Peace out holmes"

[Porschedog]

im pretty sure some players will be willing to sign for less if its to play for miami now..

[SkinnyPupp]

Cavs owner: LeBron's signing a "cowardly betrayal"
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2010/07/09/14655031.html
GIANT COMIC SANS~! :troll:

[Manic!]

FYI: By having a 1 hour special on ESPN he was able to raise 2.5 mill for the Boys and Girls club of America.

[KuSouL]

at least they just filled their starting line up
mike miller just signed over too

i had hoped LBJ would go to Chicago ~ make it more competitive
but hey what's done is done ... this doesn't guarantee a championship

what about when (correct me if im wrong) but i think barkley olajuwon and pippin got together and that didn't get anywere

anyways ... best of luck to celtics in taking down this heat team ~ lol still a devoted fan here and JO good pickup ~ even tho I was hoping celtics could pick up a true center

miami will be fun to watch ~ wait and see

[Ikkaku]

LBJ pretty much re-ignited the fan base in Cleveland, and he tried for a few years but they just could not get people who could play well with him. It's his right to leave. He wants to play with people he knows well, and he wants to win, is that against the rules?

:lol I wonder what people of Cleveland would've done if LBJ ditched them like Steve Francis ditched us

[asahai69]

FYI: By having a 1 hour special on ESPN he was able to raise 2.5 mill for the Boys and Girls club of America.

FYI: by having a 1 hour special on ESPN. he was able to raise way more for his own pockets


Lakers 2011.


ps. when was the last time you heard of a "king" that has no rings?

[will068]

Cavs owner: LeBron's signing a "cowardly betrayal"
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2010/07/09/14655031.html



Now, I don't care about Lebron, or even basketball for that matter.

But Dan Gilbert? Shut the fuck up. Lebron doesn't owe shit to you or the city.

Cleveland will win the NBA Championship before Lebron? Someone needs to spend some money on a bag of reality.

Wtf.. check out the cavs webpage

http://www.cavs.com

It shows a the letter by the owner. Earlier, Delonte West was on the homepage. That's a Big F U to LeBron.

(For those of you who do not know, Delonte West was banging Lebron's Mom).

Ruthless.... :D

[Manic!]

FYI: by having a 1 hour special on ESPN. he was able to raise way more for his own pockets


Lakers 2011.


ps. when was the last time you heard of a "king" that has no rings?


Lakers suck and the owner of the Cavaliers is an idiot. The only reason anyone cares about the Cavaliers is because of Lebron.

[asahai69]

teams that win championships dont suck. lol you know what sucks though. having the number one team in the east just choke. not only the team choked. so did lebron. where was he for the last couple games of the playoffs. hes not a winner like Kobe.

[Manic!]

teams that win championships dont suck. lol you know what sucks though. having the number one team in the east just choke. not only the team choked. so did lebron. where was he for the last couple games of the playoffs. hes not a rapist like Kobe.


Fixed.

[asahai69]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/366456-the-difference-between-kobe-and-lebron-is-that-kobe-works

read that.

[Gt-R R34]

Cavs owner: LeBron's signing a "cowardly betrayal"
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2010/07/09/14655031.html



Now, I don't care about Lebron, or even basketball for that matter.

But Dan Gilbert? Shut the fuck up. Lebron doesn't owe shit to you or the city.

Cleveland will win the NBA Championship before Lebron? Someone needs to spend some money on a bag of reality.

Lebron does owe the city, fuck that. Name me a STAR that did the move he did? AKA "i might come home, i love the team. give me time to think about it."

Then....in a 1 hour special, tell the world that this move to Miami is what he wanted all along with playing with Bosh/Wade for the last year.

Why not just when he finished the discussion on monday with the Heats, end it there?

WTF with a ESPN special?

Granted: Dan Gilbert's little letter is retarded. Cavs aren't winning jack shit.

[Manic!]

WTF with a ESPN special?



Would of had a press conference anyway and this way he raised a bunch for charity.

[SkinnyPupp]

I'm not an NBA fan, so I have no idea...

Is Lebron James really that good? I know he was marketed as being the next MJ... How many championships has he won?

[ae101]

none for the time being & i barely watch NBA every since the Clippers went straight down hill again, but serious im not a fan of James but if he was with the Clippers (now this is coming from a guy that says the greatest NBA of the 90s is dennis rodman)

[7seven]

FYI: By having a 1 hour special on ESPN he was able to raise 2.5 mill for the Boys and Girls club of America.

This 1hr special was all for Lebrons ego, not for charity. He could've quietly donated to the Boys and Girls club himself instead of this attention whore bs. I was always indifferent to Lebron, but now I just hate him. What kind of arrogant douchebag requests an one hour special to announce his signing, a simple half page press release would've sufficed, especially for a guy who hasn't won a single championship.

Hell if you're going to hold a one hour special to decide where you going to sign, least you could've done was made it interesting and have GMs from each team joust each other with the winner signing you or something, and then have Jordan come out at the end and bitch slap Lebron for pulling this 1hr special bs.

[taylor192]

You guys are all retarded.

Allen and Garnett did similar when joining Pierce in Boston, leaving teams/cities they had a long tenure with and fans that loved them. They all took pay cuts to ensure they'd put together a team to win.

Bosh and James have joined Wade taking less money in order to win. I think they should be applauded for actually wanting to win. It is not about the $$$, its about the championship. This will make for some fantastic games this year.

[ae101]

actually James only shine cuz the Cav suck monkey balls & they needed a star & they only way he can con't to shine is if he plays for another shitty team with no star (like my Clippers)

& we all know that James wants damn ring, but unlike KG & Allen hes consider a super star when hes joining the Heats, while Allen & KG were not as huge as James

[hotjoint]

I don't mind that LBJ joined Miami. I just wish he woulda just told the media the same way wade and bosh did. I'm pretty sure that they all knew that they were going to play in Miami already. They should have just announced it all at once. Lebron is taking a beating now for looking like a bitch. Cleveland fans and their owner are so classless...

[Ikkaku]

:lol KG and Allen were superstars back a few years ago, just that their move to boston occured past their 'prime' which in the NBA seems to quite early.

[dachinesedude]

Without a good bench, they are not going very far.

Look at the stupidity stacked Lakers team 6 years ago with Malone, Shaq, Kobe, (Payton?), ...

They lost to Detroit pretty badly.

I wouldnt call that team "stacked" since Malone and Payton were waaaay past their prime, to the point where they're about to retire

This team has 3 stars in their primes, so its gonna be interesting, can't say they'll win the title next season but they'll prob make it to the east finals, celtics vs heat thats gonna be fun to watch

[will068]

You guys are all retarded.

Allen and Garnett did similar when joining Pierce in Boston, leaving teams/cities they had a long tenure with and fans that loved them. They all took pay cuts to ensure they'd put together a team to win.

Bosh and James have joined Wade taking less money in order to win. I think they should be applauded for actually wanting to win. It is not about the $$$, its about the championship. This will make for some fantastic games this year.


Danny Ainge pulled the right moves and gave up a lot to get Allen and Garnett.

Btw, Allen and Garnett did not sign anything new with Boston when they were acquired. I believe Allen is making $16m and Garnett is making $24m.

[will068]

Bosh and James have joined Wade taking less money in order to win. I think they should be applauded for actually wanting to win. It is not about the $$$, its about the championship. This will make for some fantastic games this year.

Tell that to the city of Cleveland where they have been burning his jersey ever since.... :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Gumby]

I don't follow NBA very much. Could someone give an example of 3 NHL players that are at the "level" of Wade, Bosh, and LBJ?

[7seven]

I don't follow NBA very much. Could someone give an example of 3 NHL players that are at the "level" of Wade, Bosh, and LBJ?

IMO, Lebron would be like Ovechkin, Wade would be like Toews and Bosh would be like a Kopitar.

Personally I think Bosh is overrated.

[411ken]

You guys are all retarded.

Allen and Garnett did similar when joining Pierce in Boston, leaving teams/cities they had a long tenure with and fans that loved them. They all took pay cuts to ensure they'd put together a team to win.

Bosh and James have joined Wade taking less money in order to win. I think they should be applauded for actually wanting to win. It is not about the $$$, its about the championship. This will make for some fantastic games this year.

Nah, i think you are the only retarded one here.

Garnett and Allen was NEVER given a supporting cast like what the cavs were trying to do with LeBron....i.e. Williams/Jamison/Shaq/Parker/Moon, etc. and plus, Garnett and Allen went to boston when they were what? 32yrs old? and have yet to win a championship..but they TRIED to win on their own as the main guy on their respective teams.

Ok, so let's say James wins 5-6 championships with the HEAT or whatever how long he's there for,.. does that mean he's better than Kobe/Jordan, etc?

I don't think so.. he will ALWAYS have a label of being a tag along to Wade's TEAM and can't win on his own lol.... Just like Kobe, everyone was not giving him enough credit for his first few titles due to shaq being there with him as he was not the main guy.. but now he won his own back to back, he's got everyone's attention as one of the greats...


So before you call ppl retarded, read what you have written first.

[asahai69]

You guys are all retarded.

Allen and Garnett did similar when joining Pierce in Boston, leaving teams/cities they had a long tenure with and fans that loved them. They all took pay cuts to ensure they'd put together a team to win.

Bosh and James have joined Wade taking less money in order to win. I think they should be applauded for actually wanting to win. It is not about the $$$, its about the championship. This will make for some fantastic games this year.

yeah. we definatley should applaud them. they took, lets say, 5 million less a season. that means instead of buying a 120 foot yacht, they can now only buy a 100 foot yacht.

thank god for the lack of income tax in florida or i wouldnt know how they could live.

[411ken]

yeah. we definatley should applaud them. they took, lets say, 5 million less a season. that means instead of buying a 120 foot yacht, they can now only buy a 100 foot yacht.

thank god for the lack of income tax in florida or i wouldnt know how they could live.

I wonder if the owner can offer these players $$$ on the side.. cuz they can easily make the $ back thru sales/tickets, etc...hahaha maybe that's what the "meeting" was all about

[JD¹³]

Gilbert has made himself and the entire Cavs organization look like a bunch of whining fucking babies. "This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment." - Never before have we witnessed such unprofessionalism from an NBA owner either. If anything, his open letter is worse.

The Cavs had 7 years with James, in the sports world that's a long time to spend with 1 team. Being the franchise player that he is it was time to move on. Very few athletes pull a Michael Jordan and stick with 1 team essentially their entire career. Gilbert couldn't put a team together behind James, couldn't get a championship, and James is moving on because he wants to win. Cavs will win 1 before James? :haha:

If Cleveland loved Lebron so much like they say they did they would support him wherever he plays. Now they've just alienated him from his home state and home team. I'm surprised the rest of the Cavaliers organization is even letting Gilbert rant and rave like this, what a joke.

[taylor192]

Nah, i think you are the only retarded one here.
Nope, still you.

Garnett and Allen was NEVER given a supporting cast like what the cavs were trying to do with LeBron....i.e. Williams/Jamison/Shaq/Parker/Moon, etc. and plus, Garnett and Allen went to boston when they were what? 32yrs old? and have yet to win a championship..but they TRIED to win on their own as the main guy on their respective teams.
Yes, cause James NEVER tried to win a champsionship with the Cavs :rofl::banghead:

James needs a teammate like Jordan needed Pippen. Pippen is one of the leagues 50 greatest - none of the Cavs measure up to that and it didn't appear they were looking to acquire someone of that caliber.

Ok, so let's say James wins 5-6 championships with the HEAT or whatever how long he's there for,.. does that mean he's better than Kobe/Jordan, etc?
Who cares? You seem to forget James took a paycut to get to Miami with 2 other big stars, which means its not about the fame or $$$ - its about winning. Get your head out of your ass.

I don't think so.. he will ALWAYS have a label of being a tag along to Wade's TEAM and can't win on his own lol.... Just like Kobe, everyone was not giving him enough credit for his first few titles due to shaq being there with him as he was not the main guy.. but now he won his own back to back, he's got everyone's attention as one of the greats...
Kobe has a chip on his shoulder, James does not. I like Kobe, yet he's an arrogant ass and needed to win on his own to prove something to himself. James just wants to win.

So before you call ppl retarded, read what you have written first.
You're even more retarded now. :thumbsup:

[KuSouL]

one thing LBJ does have in common with Kobe now = the amount of love / hate

[tacobell]

You guys are looking way too much into this. Yes, he could of gone without the one hour special, but the networks wanted it, the media wanted the drama and the money earned from the special was donated, the only ppl butt hurt about this are the ones that wasted the entire hour watching the special.

lebron is fiercely competitive and he wants to be considered one of the best of all time, the only way to achieve that is to win multiple titles, not one or two, but four or five similar to the likes of jordan and kobe who have 6 and 5 respectively.

He wasn't gonna win any championships if he stayed in cleveland, wade wasn't gonna go there, bosh said he wanted to play with lebron, but not in cleveland, so what real choices did lebron have if he really wanted to win. Boozer, Dirk, Amare, Melo, Durant already signed, who can he lure to cleveland?

If lebron went to chicago, ppl would still be giving him shit. If it was about his ego and money, he would of went to the knicks and become one of the richest bankable athletes in the world playing in the mecca of basketball, but instead, lebron took less money, chose to go to a place where he considers is the best chance to win championships.

it would of been a nice story if he stayed with cleveland, but it's easy to understand why he left.

[411ken]

Nope, still you. :


LOL


Yes, cause James NEVER tried to win a champsionship with the Cavs :rofl::banghead::


[B]I never said that.....the CAVS wants to win and are trying to work with James.. even bringing in pieces to the puzzle...

James needs a teammate like Jordan needed Pippen. Pippen is one of the leagues 50 greatest - none of the Cavs measure up to that and it didn't appear they were looking to acquire someone of that caliber.:


Yes, Pippen and Jordan.... So why can't LeBron try and get Boozer or something with the Cavs. and just have a 1-2 punch.. now he needs 2 guys' help. And I hope you don't bring up Rodman, Kukoc, etc...cuz that will make you look more stupid.

Who cares? You seem to forget James took a paycut to get to Miami with 2 other big stars, which means its not about the fame or $$$ - its about winning. Get your head out of your ass. :



Kobe has a chip on his shoulder, James does not. I like Kobe, yet he's an arrogant ass and needed to win on his own to prove something to himself. James just wants to win.:


Yes, and I'd rather have a chip on my shoulder and win on my own it's a personal challenge.. What LeBron did is make himself look desperate for a title at age 25.. He could've gone to the BULLS and he will be the "main guy" and it will be his team and CONTEND... Even announcing where he will play after BOSH and WADE said they will go to Miami made him look like he is piggybacking hahaha

You're even more retarded now. :thumbsup:

LOL..such a dumbass

[411ken]

one thing LBJ does have in common with Kobe now = the amount of love / hate

I agree... one thing they dont' have in common though is....... Kobe has 5 rings.... hahaha

[411ken]

I'm not here to make an argument but as everyone says.. they will all have different opinions to this matter.

[7seven]

Yes, he could of gone without the one hour special, but the networks wanted it,


I have absolutely no issues with Lebron leaving Cleveland or signing with Miami, hell, if it was me, I'd do the same, it's the way he did it and make no mistake, it was Lebron and his team that wanted and came up with the idea for the 1hour special. It has been reported that this idea first surfaced before the all-star game from his camp.

Some blurbs from an article I saw this that I agree with
If nothing else, the James Team's manufactured saga makes you yearn for simpler times, like when Michael Jordan, who actually won things such as championships, announced one of his monumental career decisions in a concise "I'm back" fax.

But no, we got 27 minutes of TV appetizers, followed by eight seconds of LeBron steak ("This fall -- man, this is very tough -- um, this fall I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat"), followed by 33-plus minutes of Worcestershire sauce. The whole thing was semi-ridiculous, although it did reveal a vain, self-absorbed side of James that's as attractive as braided nose hair.


What bothers me isn't so much the contrived nature of the announcement, but that James was such a willing participant -- if not the creator -- of the spectacle. He is an immensely gifted player, the best in the NBA, but he has won nothing. Zilch. Goose eggs. At least Wade has a championship ring. Whatever James won in high school doesn't count.

This was a James production, filled with James-endorsed products, coordinated by James employees. Was it news? Absolutely. Was it narcissistic? Absolutely. Was ESPN a partner of sorts? Absolutely.

I don't think less of James' basketball skills, but I do think less of his instincts. He didn't grow his brand Thursday night; he grew his ego. It was clumsy, ill-conceived and unnecessary. I watched and winced.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&page=wojciechowski/100708"

[taylor192]

I never said that.....the CAVS wants to win and are trying to work with James.. even bringing in pieces to the puzzle...
Sure you did:
but they TRIED to win on their own as the main guy on their respective teams
Otherwise why would you make such an asinine statement? and use CAPITALS to make some asinine point?

Own your words tard.

Yes, Pippen and Jordan.... So why can't LeBron try and get Boozer or something with the Cavs. and just have a 1-2 punch.. now he needs 2 guys' help. And I hope you don't bring up Rodman, Kukoc, etc...cuz that will make you look more stupid.
Why are you bolding your points? To highlight your retardation?

The Cavs had 3 years to acquire a caliber player. I'll remind you that the Cavs made the 2007 finals.

Why would I bring those players up? The Cavs had acquired the right supporting cast for James, minus a big name 1-2punch. Who's retarded? you.

Yes, and I'd rather have a chip on my shoulder and win on my own it's a personal challenge..
This is why you're a loser, and bolding your responses. It is a team sport dumbass, even Kobe couldn't win until Gasol was brought in.

What LeBron did is make himself look desperate for a title at age 25.. He could've gone to the BULLS and he will be the "main guy" and it will be his team and CONTEND... Even announcing where he will play after BOSH and WADE said they will go to Miami made him look like he is piggybacking hahaha
Now we all completely understand your argument. Its all about YOU, not the team, not winning. You're a selfish arrogant prick and feel that's the recipe for success.

Remember, Kobe didn't win either until a good 1-2 punch was brought in with Gasol, and Kobe fits the stupid mentality you're portraying.

[411ken]

I put my responses in BOLD just in case you didn't know how to read properly... Yes, I know the Cavs made the finals...who did they have before that? Eric Snow? Donyell Marshall? and who did they bring in to try and win it all? Mo Williams/Jamison/Shaq/and other role players...the only mistake they made is bringing Shaq in when they could have went for a younger/more durable big man as Big Z and Shaq won't cut it.

All I'm saying is why are you ppl saying he had no chance to win in Cleveland? doesn't make sense....they have won 60+ games every season and is just 1 player or even 1 role player away from winning it all.

Let's say he did stay in Cleveland and added let's say Boozer or David Lee...do you honestly think they will lose to Miami that had Bosh and Wade by themselves? And you did say that Kobe won when brought in Gasol... so why can't the Cavs try to bring someone like Gasol and win with James.

Sure it is about the team and winning about championships..but he did say that to cement his legacy as the greatest ever he needs to win some rings...wouldn't that be a bit tarnished knowing that he won it with thse 2 guys under the "Wade;s team" as they say...


Taylor, please don't hate me if I've hurt your feeelings LOL

[411ken]

But I guess 7even is right.. Maybe I just hate how he announced it... As I've said.. announcing it right after Wade and Bosh made it too damn weird for me.... It's like saying "ahh, wth... I'll go there too now" as he just made the decision the morning of his announcement as he said.

[taylor192]

I put my responses in BOLD just in case you didn't know how to read properly...
No. You did it to be an annoying prick, like the selfish attitude you support.

so why can't the Cavs try to bring someone like Gasol and win with James.
The correct question is: "why haven't the Cavs brought in a player like Gasol, Pippen, Allen, ... since 2007?"

The Cavs had their chance. Too bad, so sad.

Sure it is about the team and winning about championships..but he did say that to cement his legacy as the greatest ever he needs to win some rings...wouldn't that be a bit tarnished knowing that he won it with thse 2 guys under the "Wade;s team" as they say...
Jordan's legacy is not tarnished cause he could not win without Pippen. Instead Pippen's legacy is one of the 50 greatest.

You're such a Kobe douchebag.

Taylor, please don't hate me if I've hurt your feeelings LOL
Now you're exactly like a Kobe douchebag. Act like a selfish arrogant ass and then beg the public for forgiveness in some vain attempt to be liked.

[411ken]

First of all, I could care less someone likes me or if nobody does.....it's the internet buddy..if you actually thought I apologized then the word that's out of your vocab is Sarcasm.....you talk just like an e-thug DB too..ooohh..

Second of all, the Cavs brought in Shaq/Mo Williams/Jamison(which I think plays like Pippen) so I don't know what you are crying about. They had freaking Donyell Marshall and Eric Snow and Larry Hughes for fuk's sake...they got lucky and just been unlucky lately.
It's a sport/game..you win some you lose some.. but you can clearly see the cavs are trying to win but just been unlucky..i.e. Shaq was USELESS..

Now go suck on LeBron's right nuts next when you're done with the left one...

[Manic!]

This 1hr special was all for Lebrons ego, not for charity. He could've quietly donated to the Boys and Girls club himself instead of this attention whore bs..

The 2.5 mill was made by the TV ad's.

[JKam]

The Cav's fans are pissed because James is from cleveland. He's a hometown boy who deserted them.

[taylor192]

First of all, I could care less someone likes me or if nobody does.....it's the internet buddy..if you actually thought I apologized then the word that's out of your vocab is Sarcasm.....you talk just like an e-thug DB too..ooohh..
Please don't lecture me on sarcasm when you're not intelligent enough to understand sarcasm when its directed at you.

Second of all, the Cavs brought in Shaq/Mo Williams/Jamison(which I think plays like Pippen) so I don't know what you are crying about. They had freaking Donyell Marshall and Eric Snow and Larry Hughes for fuk's sake...they got lucky and just been unlucky lately.
It's a sport/game..you win some you lose some.. but you can clearly see the cavs are trying to win but just been unlucky..i.e. Shaq was USELESS..
Finally some good points.

I think the Bulls got lucky with Pippen, and Jordan wouldn't be the superstar he is today without luck. James has been very unlucky with the Cav's selections of supporting cast, picking players that have fizzled in the playoffs.

James is making his own luck, choosing to play with 2 established stars - yet for some asinine reason Kode sack-riders like yourself see something wrong with building a dynasty unless you're the only name remembered.

Now go suck on LeBron's right nuts next when you're done with the left one...
I'm surprised you can say that with both Kobe's nuts in your mouth.

[Greenstoner]

my memory for NBA is staying at Bull's dynasty .. I dont like Kobe and I dont care about Lebron...

Only player that i like in recent years is Tracy McGrady lol, although he is not doing so well

[MR_BIGGS]

Wow, internet is serious business.

I’m not going to take sides, but will make some points.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been criticized for never bringing in players to surround James and win a championship. This is known, read any blogs or articles from well respected basketball analysts or simply do your own research. I will say though, yes luck also plays into it, and the Cavs haven't had much, blame the curse for that.

Yes, they brought in Shaq, Mo Williams and Jamison. Shaq is old and past his prime, and not the player Kobe won 2 rings with. Mo fucking Williams? Come on, he ain’t no Rondo. Lastly, Jamison who 411 says plays like Pippen? Come on man, you sometimes have pretty insightful things to say in the NBA thread, and this isn’t one of them.

While Pippen was busy winning 8 defensive player awards, what’s Jamison done? A 6th man of the year award? Pippen consistently filled every stat up on the score sheet. There is no comparison.


I think most people have a problem with how Lebron announced who he’d play for. In the past, great players won because they had other great players on their teams. This is no different.

[hotjoint]

Lakers gonna 3peat anyways...

[Vinny G]

One thing I'm getting sick of is all the bandwagon Lakers "fans". I bet half the people rooting for them (at least in Vancouver) only started in the last 1-2 years.

I think I will be watching more Miami games next season. I could care less about any of these players on a personal level. I've always been a fan of Wade's and I think they will be a very exciting team to watch and that's all I care about.

[MR_BIGGS]

Shares of Madison Square Garden Inc, which owns the New York Knicks, dropped nearly 4 percent early on Friday, the day after superstar LeBron James spurned the basketball team to sign with the Miami Heat.

[hotjoint]

damn this thread is booming now :lol

[411ken]

Wow, internet is serious business.

Yes, they brought in Shaq, Mo Williams and Jamison. Shaq is old and past his prime, and not the player Kobe won 2 rings with. Mo fucking Williams? Come on, he ain’t no Rondo. Lastly, Jamison who 411 says plays like Pippen? Come on man, you sometimes have pretty insightful things to say in the NBA thread, and this isn’t one of them.

.

My bad.. I should have worded it as "Jamison will be like James' Scottie pippen".. Jamison can light up the scoring and his D isn't that bad...plus they haven't played the entire season together so who knows how well that could have gotten.

Not Rondo again ;) lol... but Mo Williams is pretty good man.. you gotta admit. He might not be a Rondo but he can hold his own....so all in all, the Cavs aint a bad team that has a couple good role players....that's why they've won what? 60 games each time?

Barkley/Miller/Jordan/Ewing should've teamed up and won 20 championships.. but I guess they prefer competing against eachother's "team"

[411ken]

One thing I'm getting sick of is all the bandwagon Lakers "fans". I bet half the people rooting for them (at least in Vancouver) only started in the last 1-2 years.


Yes, you can tell when ppl who says they don't even care about basketball but always says "go lakers" LOL..

[hotjoint]

^ :lol

[Manic!]

Lakers gonna 3peat anyways...

Why not put some money on it if your so sure?

[Not really racist!]

I've been a Lakers fan since I was 5... :thumbsup:

Anyways, if Miami doesn't win the cup then its probably going to be because they have no supporting cast. Nothing more nothing less. I think they'd be fine if one of the big 3 got injured TBH, that'll probably mean that the ball will move around more

[411ken]

One thing I'm getting sick of is all the bandwagon Lakers "fans". I bet half the people rooting for them (at least in Vancouver) only started in the last 1-2 years.




I think what you should ask now is ...How many Miami Heat bandwagon fans there will be now....I bet it started about 18 hours ago..

[7seven]

The 2.5 mill was made by the TV ad's.

I realize this, what I'm saying is that the objective of this 1hr special was not to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club, it was for Lebron's ego. If all he wanted to was get the Boys and Girls Club money, he could've just made a donation himself or held a charity golf tourney or donated proceeds from his
upcoming film to them.

The thinking going into this was not how can we raise money for the Boys and Girls Club, the thinking was I'm Lebron, better than everyone else, I deserve a 1hr special dedicated to my signing.

[411ken]

I've been a Lakers fan since I was 5... :thumbsup:

Anyways, if Miami doesn't win the cup then its probably going to be because they have no supporting cast. Nothing more nothing less. I think they'd be fine if one of the big 3 got injured TBH, that'll probably mean that the ball will move around more

The cup? this isn't hockey lol.. But yes, it's all about the supporting cast and if they co-exist...which I'm sure they can since they are friends,etc and played during the olympics together.

[MR_BIGGS]

I've been a Lakers fan since I was 5... :thumbsup:

Anyways, if Miami doesn't win the cup then its probably going to be because they have no supporting cast. Nothing more nothing less. I think they'd be fine if one of the big 3 got injured TBH, that'll probably mean that the ball will move around more

Are you a closet hockey fan? LOL.

965

[MR_BIGGS]

Do you need a supporting case if 3 players combine for just under 90 points?

We will find out this season.

[411ken]

The thinking going into this was not how can we raise money for the Boys and Girls Club, the thinking was I'm Lebron, better than everyone else, I deserve a 1hr special dedicated to my signing.


I thought the same way...hell, even the Panel was making fun of it... "The Decision" LOL.. It's like a f'ng presidential campaign

[MR_BIGGS]

ESPN analysts:

Rank the NBA's top five teams going into the 2010-11 season.

Abbott: 1. Lakers; 2. Magic; 3. Heat; 4. Spurs; 5. Celtics

Adande: 1. Lakers; 2. Celtics; 3. Magic; 4. Heat; 5. Thunder

Arnovitz: 1. Heat; 2. Lakers; 3. Magic; 4. Celtics; 5. Rockets

Ford: 1. Lakers; 2. Heat; 3. Magic; 4. Mavericks; 5. Celtics

Hollinger: 1. Lakers; 2. Magic; 3. Heat; 4. Thunder; 5. Celtics

Sheridan: 1. Lakers; 2. Heat; 3. Celtics; 4. Thunder; 5. Rockets

Stein: 1. Lakers; 2. Heat; 3. Celtics; 4. Magic; 5. Thunder/Bulls

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

he aint the king dude

he is a giant king crab

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCoT2HM9hwk

[hotjoint]

ESPN analysts:

Rank the NBA's top five teams going into the 2010-11 season.

Abbott: 1. Lakers; 2. Magic; 3. Heat; 4. Spurs; 5. Celtics

Adande: 1. Lakers; 2. Celtics; 3. Magic; 4. Heat; 5. Thunder

Arnovitz: 1. Heat; 2. Lakers; 3. Magic; 4. Celtics; 5. Rockets

Ford: 1. Lakers; 2. Heat; 3. Magic; 4. Mavericks; 5. Celtics

Hollinger: 1. Lakers; 2. Magic; 3. Heat; 4. Thunder; 5. Celtics

Sheridan: 1. Lakers; 2. Heat; 3. Celtics; 4. Thunder; 5. Rockets

Stein: 1. Lakers; 2. Heat; 3. Celtics; 4. Magic; 5. Thunder/Bulls


Arnovitz is the only one that thinks Miami will win :lol. Even the experts don't think that this guarantees that Miami will win.

[411ken]

I think Stein has the best picks... It's nice to see the Thunders and Bulls be on the "mix"

I am curious as to what the Cavs and the owner will do next... I guess he didn't want to lose a lot of season ticket holders that's why he said they will win one before the heat...haha

[hi5-ive]

its like the boston celtics in 2007 adding Kevin Garnett,Ray Allen to play with Paul Pierce and they only won once in 2008

[MR_BIGGS]

Cleveland is like Edmonton. A shit box city that noone wants to live in.

[tacobell]

Arnovitz is the only one that thinks Miami will win :lol. Even the experts don't think that this guarantees that Miami will win.

Even lebron knows that going to Miami isn't a guarantee championship, but going to miami will give him the best chance to win now.

Kobe is 31 yrs old and has 5 rings, jordan at age of 36 won 6 rings. Lebron is 25 and has 0 rings, he knows, he understand that if he doesn't have 4+ rings, he won't ever be considered as good as MJ or Kobe. He wants to have a legacy of being one of the top players ever, not a legacy like barkley of no rings and one final appearance.

lets assume lebron retires at age of 36, that gives lebron 11 seasons to win 4+ rings. This is why i think he chose miami, this gives him the chance to obtain multiple rings before he retires.

Replying to Ken411 or whatever, if you think cleveland was one player away from a championship caliber team, then i want what you are smoking. Cleveland has 60+win every season, so what? they play in a weak eastern conference, you could be below .500 and still make playoffs. If you base things on regular season, phoenix should have a legitimate shot at winning every year right, well truth is, they won't win a ring anytime soon regardless if they win 70 games in the regular season.

The fact is, the cavs went to the finals once and got swept, they lost to the magic, the lost to the celtics, they were much more than one player away from winning it all.

[Greenstoner]

Bone thug n harmony & Lebron James made Cleveland famous, otherwise its a shit hole that no one cares about

[Manic!]

I realize this, what I'm saying is that the objective of this 1hr special was not to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club, it was for Lebron's ego. If all he wanted to was get the Boys and Girls Club money, he could've just made a donation himself or held a charity golf tourney or donated proceeds from his
upcoming film to them.

The thinking going into this was not how can we raise money for the Boys and Girls Club, the thinking was I'm Lebron, better than everyone else, I deserve a 1hr special dedicated to my signing.

He raised 2.5 mill in one hour buy doing almost nothing. How much time and effort would it take to set up a golf tourney. He can still do a golf tourney and raise even more money.

[taylor192]

Bone thug n harmony & Lebron James made Cleveland famous, otherwise its a shit hole that no one cares about

The Drew Carey Show!

[7seven]

He raised 2.5 mill in one hour buy doing almost nothing. How much time and effort would it take to set up a golf tourney. He can still do a golf tourney and raise even more money.

Do you seriously think the reason for the 1hr special was to raise money for charity, no, the reason was simple, his ego. That was why is was such a disaster, because the whole thing was all about Lebron going look at me, I'm more important than any other athlete and I deserve a 1 hour special.

Tune into any sports radio show today, ESPN and even CNN, the overwhelming consensus was that it was a disaster and the only message that was delivered was not that he was signing in Miami, but that Lebron is an arrogant egotastical self righteous douchebag that thinks he's above any other athlete.

It was nice that Boys and Girls Club got 2.5mil, but again, that was not the objective of the 1hr special.

[411ken]

Any other athlete in the history of sports ever get a 1 hour or whatever how long to announce where they will be signing ? I'm curious and can't search it up right now...

Or will LeBron be the first ever to do so ;)

[411ken]

Replying to Ken411 or whatever, if you think cleveland was one player away from a championship caliber team, then i want what you are smoking. Cleveland has 60+win every season, so what? they play in a weak eastern conference, you could be below .500 and still make playoffs. If you base things on regular season, phoenix should have a legitimate shot at winning every year right, well truth is, they won't win a ring anytime soon regardless if they win 70 games in the regular season.

The fact is, the cavs went to the finals once and got swept, they lost to the magic, the lost to the celtics, they were much more than one player away from winning it all.


I'm not going to go through this again.. lol..but to quickly summarize...Yes, they win 60 games a season = they are ALWAYS in the playoffs.... but just cant get over the Celtics/Magic bump.. if they were able to add pieces to the team i.e. Boozer or even trade for Lee then they will have the shot as that's wht they were lacking.. PF/C... the backcourt and sf are taken care of.

[411ken]

Btw, were there any Western Conference teams that interviewed the big 3? All I heard was NY/NJ/TO/CHI/MIA/CLE

[will068]

Btw, were there any Western Conference teams that interviewed the big 3? All I heard was NY/NJ/TO/CHI/MIA/CLE

LA Clippers

[MR_BIGGS]

Any other athlete in the history of sports ever get a 1 hour or whatever how long to announce where they will be signing ? I'm curious and can't search it up right now...

Or will LeBron be the first ever to do so ;)

To play Devil's advocate, with the NBA having low viewership and low attendance numbers league wide, how does not having Lebron (let’s face it, he’s the face of the NBA) have a one hour special make sense? The NBA needs someone to step onto the global marketing brand of Michael Jordan. Kobe could have been that guy, but his rape allegations said no. Were things such as Twitter and Facebook around back in Jordan's era so he could stroke his own ego? No. Was there celebrity crazed paparazzi following your every move? Maybe on a smaller scale, but nothing like TMZ.

Here’s one NBA analysts (ESPN’s Bill Simmons) take on Lebron’s time with Cleveland and many others share his sentiments:

“He's never had a good coach. He's never had a great teammate, or even a very good one. These past two years, he's been asked to vacillate between Magic Mode and MJ Mode depending on the situation. Because his front office screwed up so many times, his supporting cast ended up being a peculiar blend of hand-me-downs, discount guys and bargain pickups from teams that wanted to cut salary.”

For those that think Lebron’s one hour special was to stroke his own ego and increase his brand. Of course it was, why wouldn’t it be? Jordan was no different. One example I’ve read was Jordan’s explanation to Tiger Woods about why he refused to give public support to Democratic political candidates, whom he privately supported. "Republicans buy tennis shoes, too," Jordan said. This wasn’t to stroke his own ego, but definitely neutralize his stance on political matters.

[shawn79]

too bad Seattle had to relocate after they drafted a MVP caliber type player

[MR_BIGGS]

When does Miami visit Portland? I am going to try and get some tickets for that game.

[Not really racist!]

Are you a closet hockey fan? LOL.

965

was in the canucks thead just b4 i posted :p my bad

[7seven]

For those that think Lebron’s one hour special was to stroke his own ego and increase his brand. Of course it was, why wouldn’t it be? Jordan was no different. One example I’ve read was Jordan’s explanation to Tiger Woods about why he refused to give public support to Democratic political candidates, whom he privately supported. "Republicans buy tennis shoes, too," Jordan said. This wasn’t to stroke his own ego, but definitely neutralize his stance on political matters.

Oh I have no problems with stars building their brand, I even work with people in the entertainment industry so I know all about stuff they do and the thinking behind how to build their own brand. However, Lebron executed that yesterday in the worst possible way ever, he tarnished his own image more than he helped it yesterday, not by leaving Cleveland but how he executed it.

I've talked to 5 different publicist today, and they all agree, Lebron fucked his brand up last night. It was a major train wreck.

No one blames Lebron for leaving Cleveland, who would want to stay in the Edmonton of the USA.

They ended up with that split-screen of the King’s jersey burned live on his infomercial, as this sad, lost robot sat in a leafy suburban gymnasium with children as props and the world watching, those empty eyes masking a lost, dazed LeBron James(notes). This was the champagne shower for the Championship of Me, an exercise in self-aggrandizement and self-loathing that will have far-reaching implications for the NBA and James. What a spectacle, what a train wreck.

Cleveland fans were left feeling jilted after LeBron James abandoned them via national TV.

As the worst idea in the history of marketing unfolded, James looked trapped somewhere between despondence and defiance. His bumbling buddy Maverick Carter had walked him into the public execution of his legacy, his image, and there was a part of James that clearly wished he could turn back through the doors and hide. Only, it was too late. No going back now. James goes to the Miami Heat, Cleveland goes into a basketball Hades and LeBron’s legacy becomes that of a callous carpetbagger.

“His brand is [bleep] now,” one high-level NBA official said late Thursday. “He’s destroyed everything.”

The Championship of Me became the Championship of Flee, because LeBron James doesn’t believe he can be the centerpiece of a title team. He needed Dwyane Wade, a closer, far more than Wade needed him.

Yes, he’s ruined everything. What a wonderful idea: Divorce your childhood sweetheart on national television and tell her, hey, I’ll let you keep the “We are all Witnesses” billboards lording over downtown Cleveland.

“I’m taking my talents to South Beach,” James said, and it was like time stopped because – even for him – this was a moment so devoid of reality and free of concern of consequences. South Beach? He wasn’t picking a basketball team as much as a party. He’s 25 years old, and yet somehow this felt like a cloistered teenager picking a party school for college.

Yes, James will take his talent to South Beach and leave his soul in Cleveland. His hometown won’t hate him as much for leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers as for the way he left them. Leaving never would’ve been easy, but he went out of his way to humiliate them. LeBron James can never go home now. He’s the Browns leaving town, The Fumble, The Shot, all rolled into one colossal disappointment.

Now, Clevelanders truly see it for themselves: He was a fan of the Cowboys, the Yankees – never the Browns and Indians. He was a frontrunner, and he just made the most frontrunner move in the history of the NBA. Off to Miami with Riles, D-Wade and Chris Bosh(notes).

New York would’ve been hard, and maybe Cleveland would’ve been the hardest. With those state tax laws in Florida, he isn’t taking less money with the Heat. He’s just taking less risk and less burden in his championship chase.

“This whole idea that he makes his own decisions, that [bleep] went out the window with this,” one NBA executive said. “Someday, he’s going to look back at this and not believe that he let those kids at LRMR talk him into doing this. This idea that he’s his own man … Come on, he’s a follower. And he’s following all the way to Miami now.”

This was the train rolling down the tracks from miles and miles away, and James never saw it coming. He should lose his obsession to become the richest athlete ever, because the people surrounding LeBron James are much more likely to leave him broke than a billionaire. Someday, he will fire his business manager Maverick Carter for turning the two-time MVP’s free-agent moment into Geraldo and Al Capone’s vault. Carter used the cover of charity for a historically horrible event and completely destroyed the credibility of his client.

So now people are cheering Dan Gilbert’s manifesto tearing apart James, but no one contributed more to what the world witnessed on Thursday night than the owner’s enabling of James and his inner circle for seven years. Gilbert is the biggest con going, a man who makes his fortune peddling mortgages, and he’ll make his next on casinos in downtown Cleveland. He sells illusions for a living, and now he’s selling the biggest of all: that he’s a victim here, that James betrayed everyone. That’s a lie, and no one ought to dare buy it.

Everyone searching for a scapegoat here – Mike Brown, Danny Ferry, Delonte West(notes) – well, just understand that it was the man screaming loudest with LeBron out the door, the man most determined to deflect blame onto him now.
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert called LeBron James' decision to leave a "cowardly betrayal."
(AP Photo)

Now, Gilbert is the tough guy with James leaving the Cavs behind? Listen, Ferry and Brown always warned Gilbert that giving James everything he wanted – giving it when and where and how – wouldn’t be the way they would keep him. LeBron didn’t respect them because they never demanded it.

Gilbert always believed he should do everything James wanted – hire his buddies into jobs, throw them on summer-league rosters, allow him to do those stupid pregame choreographed dances – that James would love him, that he would never leave. Only, James is a taker, and he took and took until he had bled Gilbert and that franchise to the bone.

So now, Gilbert unleashes the most revisionist and self-serving screed that a scorned owner’s ever done. Gilbert is a bully and a baby. As much as James, Gilbert revealed himself, too. He asked for this humiliation and deserves it. Only those fans in Cleveland don’t deserve this. They were loyal, true, and ultimately they must know Gilbert lashed out to make James the villain for a most self-serving reason: to avoid the blame himself. Damn right James quit on the Cavaliers in that playoff series, but that was because Gilbert was always there to make it easy for him. All those times Ferry and Brown warned the owner they had to make stands with James, that they had to force him to have some level of respect within that organization or there would be an ultimate price to pay.

And here it came on Thursday night, in this bizarre, sad set-up that turned LeBron James into a caricature. His puppet seems more human than him. Listen, James’ people tried to leak this story to soften the blow on Cleveland, but here was the problem: He’s so insincere, and they’re so over their heads, that most of us were uneasy with believing what they were selling in the hours leading up to Jim Gray holding everyone hostage. There had to be an agenda, a bait-and-switch, and yet source after source within LeBron’s world insisted: He’s leaving. He wants out. They had been doing this for weeks, even months. So, armed with that knowledge, why would they ever stage this event to rub it in the face of James’ hometown? Lots of stars have moved on, but never one that had such a unique history with a town, a city, a franchise.

We kept writing it with qualifiers because deep down a lot of us doubted his courage to leave that cocoon. He would make Cleveland feel like it had lost him, and then swoop back into town and be celebrated all over again. Only, LeBron’s people were telling the truth. He was gone. He was always gone. He never considered staying, and that’s the most frightening part of all.

For the hand-wringing out of Gilbert and James’ apologists who protected him – and who would still be protecting him had he simply said, “Cleveland,” on Thursday night – they need to stop with this nonsense that somehow LeBron James has transformed into someone else. This is him, and it’s always been him. He’s a creation of our times, of an industry and system that wants to manufacture the next M.J. at the expense of a young man having a sense of himself.

So there was LeBron James, the MVP, the man of the hour, sitting in the middle of his own “Truman Show” on Thursday night. His personal network ran his commercials and celebrated his greatness and let him hijack a platform to build his brand and break hearts. He can never go home again now, and he can never completely rebuild what he let his cast of buddies talk him into losing that night. He’s taking his talents to South Beach, and the kid going away for the first time will have some party down there. After all these years, it was clear he had been coddled and protected and ultimately prepared to do one thing: Take the easy way out. Wherever he was going, he looked conflicted, lost and completely confused.

What a spectacle, what a train wreck.

What a shame.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-lebrondecision070910

[drunkrussian]

if you were with an employer for 7 years and you were the all-star employee, but weren't getting to the top with that company, would you not switch to a company where you can? It's a fair decision.

if you were a multi-billion dollar brand name and were making a big move that people care about, would you not announce it, hype it up and publicize it as much as you could to continue to increase your brand value? It's smart business sense.

If after you put in 7 hard-working years, thanked the organization and then left for another organization, your boss:
-went apeshit on you, putting up hateful letters for the world to see (fucking hypocrite btw)
-put scandalous pics on organization's website of people who banged your mother

and your fans:
-burned your jersey after 7 years of dedication
-started hating on you overnight for one decision which everyone saw coming

Then do you want to be in this environment in the first place? Clearly you need to go somewhere where people aren't retarded.

...All you people hating on lebron are either haters or bitter. Get over it, it's a smart business and smart career decision for Lebron and great potential for the NBA as a whole. Fuck the cavs.

[411ken]

As Spike Lee said... "This shit is rigged, these 3 knew all along they will play together in Miami..." He then went on and said "James/Wade probably told bosh to say he wants to play with LBJ but not in Cavs so he needs to leave or something like that"

IMO, if LeBron/Wade/Bosh wanted to play together from the very beginning since after they signed that 4 year extension in 06 (And I believe some analyst suspected the same thing.) before then they should have just said right after the season... rather than James giving hope to the city of cleveland that he might stay, etc... then this wouldn't be such a gong show.... having a 1 hour "The Decision 2010" show LOL...

[411ken]

GREAT article by the way

[unit]

Arnovitz is the only one that thinks Miami will win :lol. Even the experts don't think that this guarantees that Miami will win.

theres definitely no "guarantee" of anything.

if they make finals this year or win a championship within 3 years, it'll be a huge success.

also as an expert, you have to be pretty brave to say that the heat will win within one season of getting lebron and bosh. the lakers are a team that already works, the heat isnt... yet.

[asahai69]

im still amazed how people are all on lebron's dick even though he hasn't won anything.

6th ring for Kobe in 2011

http://www.benchwarmersunited.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/kobe-Bryant.jpg

[MR_BIGGS]

Good article 7seven.

Bottom line, big 3 made a pact in 06 to play together. What I find funny is, they knew all along that they would play together, yet they took the opportunity to entertain pitches made to them by teams as to why they should play on that team. I know I would do that, why wouldn't you? They've earned that right.

If Jay Z wanted Lebron to come to the Nets he should have offered James the night with:

966

[MR_BIGGS]

im still amazed how people are all on lebron's dick even though he hasn't won anything.

6th ring for Kobe in 2011



Are you insinuating you are on Kobe's dick then? :rofl:[ j/k.

[asahai69]

^ no homo

[Tim Budong]

Put it this way, LeBron's goal is clear. it wasn't to WIN a championship. It was to WIN a championship with Bosh and Wade.

If LeBron just wanted to win a championship, he could have either stayed with Cleveland or goto the Bulls. The Bulls look more solid than the Heat actually do.

Now lets take a look at the interview. IT WAS VERY HARD TO WATCH WITH ALL THE CONTRADICTING STATEMENTS, TRYING TO FIRE OUT QUOTES AND TRYING SO HARD TO BE A "TEAM PLAYER" WHEN CLEARLY ALOT OF THE BULLSHIT WAS IM LEBRON MEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMMEME

Good on him, using the show to donate money to kids on the cost of everyones time.

It does suck for cleveland, Hometown boy, the performance on the court was mediocre. But we cannot deny the fact that Cleveland tried to put the best players around him. At the same time, its a competitive sport. Boston was the better team. Sucks for Cleveland.

[g604]

I'm a huge LeBron fan and disappointed that he left Cleveland and took the easy route, but he has every right to do this. He's a top notch player who has worked extremely hard to get to this position. He doesn't owe anyone anything, and I'm sure Gilbert's rant was just in the heat of the moment.

Players have the right to choose where they go, and LeBron has chosen to play with 2 of his closest friends in the NBA. If he wants to win a championship with his friends and take less money to do so, I can respect that.

Haters are gonna hate. If he took the $120mil max deal in Cleveland, people would be jumping on him for being a greedy asshole who just plays for the money.

Lebron owes alot to the city of Ohio Cleveland and Akron supported him from the start. I mean its cool to leave but leave without disrespecting your hometown by annoucing your leaving on national TV.

[411ken]

But to summarize everything.. NBA CAP system sucks shit..

We will see this

Lakers
Celtics
Heat
Magic

And the rest are just "fillers"


Rotation..lol.. with the Lakers coming out on top everytime... lol ;)

[BlacknJean]

we all knew this was coming lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1DjJtp2wF4&feature=player_embedded#

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

:rofl::rofl::rofl: lol wtf

[MDMA]

FYI: by having a 1 hour special on ESPN. he was able to raise way more for his own pockets


Lakers 2011.


ps. when was the last time you heard of a "king" that has no rings?

When was the last time u heard of a nba champion that was a rapist ??? King, Flash & CB4 takin over....
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[asahai69]

When was the last time u heard of a nba champion that was a rapist ??? King, Flash & CB4 takin over....
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

How is the miami heat bandwagon. Enough seating? Probably not cuz I'm sure you just got on and its standing room only

KB24.com
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[raygunpk]

This thread is going fight club pretty soon.

[MDMA]

How is the miami heat bandwagon. Enough seating? Probably not cuz I'm sure you just got on and its standing room only

KB24.com
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

Lol no bandwagoning here bro lebron & wade always been my fav 2 players, actualy I guess I am a bandwagoner since iv been a cavs fan since lebron got drafted so yah technically I am bandwagoning, LOL but that has nothin to do with lebron,wade, & bosh takin over, whether I'm a bandwagoner, a kobe fan or w.e this triple threat is gna accomplish big things
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[411ken]

How is the miami heat bandwagon. Enough seating? Probably not cuz I'm sure you just got on and its standing room only

KB24.com
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

Be nice now.... these guys are die hard miami heat fans;);)

[asahai69]

Lol no bandwagoning here bro lebron & wade always been my fav 2 players, actualy I guess I am a bandwagoner since iv been a cavs fan since lebron got drafted so yah technically I am bandwagoning, LOL but that has nothin to do with lebron,wade, & bosh takin over, whether I'm a bandwagoner, a kobe fan or w.e this triple threat is gna accomplish big things
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heres the difference. Miami has great players. Lakers have a great team.

most of the time when you have alot of stars on one team they don't do jack shit. look at real madrid in soccer. they cant buy a champions league title. and they have tried. miami heat will go down the same way

[Tim Budong]

Simply put it. How will this affect the legacy of LeBron James?

hes goin to play with 2 others with similar point totals a night as an individual.
he's not gonna break no point record that he's on pace for now that his numbers will be drastically WRECKED.

Here are the stats for TEAM USA in 08

LBJ - 15.5ppg
Wade 16ppg
Bost 9PPG

sounds about right... hmm Chris Bosh isn't gonna be the big man in the middle, so they need a spot there. Wade, Bosh and LBJ as outside shooters? nah. Bring in Mike Miller

or rather, this team needs a bench.

The Magic will give the heat a run for the money.

oh yea..btw KG and Allen were traded to build the celtics so they could actually win.

[Tim Budong]

heres the difference. Miami has great players. Lakers have a great team.

most of the time when you have alot of stars on one team they don't do jack shit. look at real madrid in soccer. they cant buy a champions league title. and they have tried. miami heat will go down the same way

than what are the boston celtics?

[asahai69]

than what are the boston celtics?

Quoting kevin garnett. "Anything is possible". Plus, That isn't a dynasty like the lakers with kobe
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[MDMA]

^ I can understand what u trying to say, firstly u can't compare ball to soccer, lebron wade and bosh are all going to elevate their games when they play with each other, these guys are all buddies and have planned this for 2 years, they are going to make every player around them bring their game to a new level, they are pretty much in immediate contending for the nba finals, I'm not going to count any other team like LA,boston,orl,sa,denver,okc.atl
Etc out, just gota wait and see wen 10/11 season begins but I guarantee one thing its gona be fukn great to watch and that's probably the best part about all this
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[Tim Budong]

the trifecta means they are going to draw in a buncha players that will sign for cheap. Whether the pieces are right, we will see. The only issue is that since NBA players are so ego filled hot headed athletes will only hurt the Heat. Eventually someone will snap

anyways. Good on Chris Bosh, lets hope LeBron does the same, a sign and trade

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=327146

[tacobell]

the trifecta means they are going to draw in a buncha players that will sign for cheap. Whether the pieces are right, we will see. The only issue is that since NBA players are so ego filled hot headed athletes will only hurt the Heat. Eventually someone will snap

anyways. Good on Chris Bosh, lets hope LeBron does the same, a sign and trade

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=327146

Good on Bosh? you think he is doing a favor for Toronto? he agreeing to the sign and trade so he can line his pockets with 30 extra million dollars. he doesn't give a shit about TO

[daica-viet]

oh yeah the big 3 bosh and lebron would be gud

[PiuYi]

i think in the end this is good for Toronto, if they signed another 6years with Bosh, thats 6 years guaranteed no championship, everyone knows that, Bosh can't do shit by himself

without Bosh at least they can re-build and try to find somebody who CAN win and be relied upon as a leader. Yes, the next few years won't be pretty but in the end it'll be better than having a franchise player that can't bring home the bacon

Also, I predict Orlando will come out on top in the East for regular season... playoffs... different story, hard to say

East Standings Regular Season:
Orlando
Miami
Boston
Atlanta

[asahai69]

^ I can understand what u trying to say, firstly u can't compare ball to soccer, lebron wade and bosh are all going to elevate their games when they play with each other, these guys are all buddies and have planned this for 2 years, they are going to make every player around them bring their game to a new level, they are pretty much in immediate contending for the nba finals, I'm not going to count any other team like LA,boston,orl,sa,denver,okc.atl
Etc out, just gota wait and see wen 10/11 season begins but I guarantee one thing its gona be fukn great to watch and that's probably the best part about all this
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please. dont bank on shit that hasn't happened

[canucksfan]

Wow so many haters suddenly showed up...

LeBron was in a no win situation here...Whatever he did, he would have either been scorned by people for not choosing their team, or being a greedy bitch and taking the money in Cleveland. It's not his fault that teams like the Knicks and Nets decided to take a gamble and cleared cap space for him for the past 2 years...At the end of the day only 1 team will be happy.

LeBron has had an unbelievable start to his NBA career, better than anyone in the history of the NBA. He has been a dominant player for the past 7 years and is a 2 time MVP. Yet people say he was mediocore? Please...he led a shitty Cleveland team to the NBA finals. I'm tired of how "greatness" is measured by championships, because basketball is a team game and when the players around you are not as good as the other team, you simply can't win.

With regards to the 1 hour special...To say that his sole purpose for doing it was for the whole "Oh look at me, I'm LeBron James" is ridiculous and short sighted. I honestly believe the main reason why he chose to do it was because he thought he could take advantage of all this publicity for a good cause. Why is he the only athlete to ever do this? Because he is the only athlete to be able to command this much attention. IF DWade were to do a similar thing, do you think he would be able to fetch $2.5million? Not even close.

I'm sure a part of it was to "build" his brand as well, but overall, he believed the benefits outweighed the disadvantages. Some of you say he should donate himself, well he does...a lot. But he shouldn't be expected to do it all. The money that was generated was from advertisers and ESPN. $2.5 million is not a small amount people...Maybe relative to his contract it is, but that money can really make a difference in a lot of children's lives.

If I were a Cavs fan, I would be disappointed, not upset at LeBron. LeBron was a FREE AGENT. He did not owe anyone anything, if you don't like the rules than blame it on the NBA. Cleveland was just like any other team waiting in line for his servives. They had a false sense of ownership when they were no different than New York, New Jersey, Chicago, etc.

1 more thing..."experts" don't think Miami is a top team right now because Miami doesn't even have a full roster yet. They have essentially 5 guys signed, with Beasley waiting to be traded. Once they fill out their roster so that they can actually field a full roster, then I have no doubt that Miami will be top 2 on anyone's list.

[Noir]

the trifecta means they are going to draw in a buncha players that will sign for cheap. Whether the pieces are right, we will see. The only issue is that since NBA players are so ego filled hot headed athletes will only hurt the Heat. Eventually someone will snap

anyways. Good on Chris Bosh, lets hope LeBron does the same, a sign and trade

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=327146

You're underestimating the character of both Wade and Bosch.

Considering the characters of all 3, the bigger concern is that they get too generous to each other or too fancy rather than Miami having too many cooks in the kitchen.










Edit:

Oh, and on a couple posters brought up Delonte in this topic. Why bring it up as last I heard it was dismissed as false? Or was it confirmed?

[Vinny G]

Be nice now.... these guys are die hard miami heat fans;);)

I've been a Lakers fan since 2001 when I first played NBA 2k1 on the Sega Dreamcast (RIP). People like you are why I hate cheering for the team now.

All the Lakers fan seem so butthurt about Miami, so that was obviously the perfect team to move to. Never seen so many "GO LAKERZzz!!" FB posts from people who don't even watch basketball. :lol

For what it's worth, I don't think Miami will win a championship even with the 3.

[cow20xx]

I wouldnt call that team "stacked" since Malone and Payton were waaaay past their prime, to the point where they're about to retire

This team has 3 stars in their primes, so its gonna be interesting, can't say they'll win the title next season but they'll prob make it to the east finals, celtics vs heat thats gonna be fun to watch

After the failure with the lakers, payton went on to the heat in which he had critical roles and hit critical shots during the finals and ended up with his one and only ring. That lakers team WAS considered stacked, they just failed to live up to the expectation.

[cool moe D]

LOL thread title reminded me of this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUBB1lOLD6k

[will068]

You're underestimating the character of both Wade and Bosch.

Considering the characters of all 3, the bigger concern is that they get too generous to each other or too fancy rather than Miami having too many cooks in the kitchen.



Edit:

Oh, and on a couple posters brought up Delonte in this topic. Why bring it up as last I heard it was dismissed as false? Or was it confirmed?


This was the 2nd player that it was rumored for mama james to be sleeping around with. Regardless if it was true or not, where there's smoke, there's gotta be a fire near by.

You saw the letter made by cavs owner Dan Gilbert on the cavs homepage. That + placing Delonte West in their homepage alone is a total disrespect to James.



I was only familiar with the old NBA cap rules in the 90s. Someone correct me here, but having a sign and trade agreement mean that the Larry Bird rights of the player is also traded. Does that mean Dinosaur Face Chris Bosh does not eat up any of Miami's Cap room ( like DWade ) ? Thus, Miami trying do a sign and trade with the Cavs as well ?

[will068]

Wow so many haters suddenly showed up...

LeBron was in a no win situation here...Whatever he did, he would have either been scorned by people for not choosing their team, or being a greedy bitch and taking the money in Cleveland. It's not his fault that teams like the Knicks and Nets decided to take a gamble and cleared cap space for him for the past 2 years...At the end of the day only 1 team will be happy.

LeBron has had an unbelievable start to his NBA career, better than anyone in the history of the NBA. He has been a dominant player for the past 7 years and is a 2 time MVP. Yet people say he was mediocore? Please...he led a shitty Cleveland team to the NBA finals. I'm tired of how "greatness" is measured by championships, because basketball is a team game and when the players around you are not as good as the other team, you simply can't win.

With regards to the 1 hour special...To say that his sole purpose for doing it was for the whole "Oh look at me, I'm LeBron James" is ridiculous and short sighted. I honestly believe the main reason why he chose to do it was because he thought he could take advantage of all this publicity for a good cause. Why is he the only athlete to ever do this? Because he is the only athlete to be able to command this much attention. IF DWade were to do a similar thing, do you think he would be able to fetch $2.5million? Not even close.

I'm sure a part of it was to "build" his brand as well, but overall, he believed the benefits outweighed the disadvantages. Some of you say he should donate himself, well he does...a lot. But he shouldn't be expected to do it all. The money that was generated was from advertisers and ESPN. $2.5 million is not a small amount people...Maybe relative to his contract it is, but that money can really make a difference in a lot of children's lives.

If I were a Cavs fan, I would be disappointed, not upset at LeBron. LeBron was a FREE AGENT. He did not owe anyone anything, if you don't like the rules than blame it on the NBA. Cleveland was just like any other team waiting in line for his servives. They had a false sense of ownership when they were no different than New York, New Jersey, Chicago, etc.

1 more thing..."experts" don't think Miami is a top team right now because Miami doesn't even have a full roster yet. They have essentially 5 guys signed, with Beasley waiting to be traded. Once they fill out their roster so that they can actually field a full roster, then I have no doubt that Miami will be top 2 on anyone's list.

LOL.. people are saying LeBron is mediocre?... easily the 2nd Best Player in the NBA at least.

Kobe gets hate, the right kind of hate being an Elite Player. Like MJ in his prime hate. ( Balhog, selfish, cannot win with Pippen, etc.. ). Critics just look for holes to bring the guy down. ( Kobe with that emo photoshoot in spring ???? LOL)

Lebron gets the wrong kind of hate now. He was the poster boy of the NBA and he was a media darling. Now he gets called a coward. I mean a coward ? damn... such a weak character flaw to be placed upon a person. :rofl::rofl:

[GLOW]

i think in the end this is good for Toronto, if they signed another 6years with Bosh, thats 6 years guaranteed no championship, everyone knows that, Bosh can't do shit by himself

without Bosh at least they can re-build and try to find somebody who CAN win and be relied upon as a leader. Yes, the next few years won't be pretty but in the end it'll be better than having a franchise player that can't bring home the bacon


time to build around bargnani i guess :p

seriously though, i think they need to dump turkolu though, i dont know why they signed him to so much $

man i wish we still had a bball team, dam you michael heisley, dam you :(

[MDMA]

Wow so many haters suddenly showed up...

LeBron was in a no win situation here...Whatever he did, he would have either been scorned by people for not choosing their team, or being a greedy bitch and taking the money in Cleveland. It's not his fault that teams like the Knicks and Nets decided to take a gamble and cleared cap space for him for the past 2 years...At the end of the day only 1 team will be happy.

LeBron has had an unbelievable start to his NBA career, better than anyone in the history of the NBA. He has been a dominant player for the past 7 years and is a 2 time MVP. Yet people say he was mediocore? Please...he led a shitty Cleveland team to the NBA finals. I'm tired of how "greatness" is measured by championships, because basketball is a team game and when the players around you are not as good as the other team, you simply can't win.

With regards to the 1 hour special...To say that his sole purpose for doing it was for the whole "Oh look at me, I'm LeBron James" is ridiculous and short sighted. I honestly believe the main reason why he chose to do it was because he thought he could take advantage of all this publicity for a good cause. Why is he the only athlete to ever do this? Because he is the only athlete to be able to command this much attention. IF DWade were to do a similar thing, do you think he would be able to fetch $2.5million? Not even close.

I'm sure a part of it was to "build" his brand as well, but overall, he believed the benefits outweighed the disadvantages. Some of you say he should donate himself, well he does...a lot. But he shouldn't be expected to do it all. The money that was generated was from advertisers and ESPN. $2.5 million is not a small amount people...Maybe relative to his contract it is, but that money can really make a difference in a lot of children's lives.

If I were a Cavs fan, I would be disappointed, not upset at LeBron. LeBron was a FREE AGENT. He did not owe anyone anything, if you don't like the rules than blame it on the NBA. Cleveland was just like any other team waiting in line for his servives. They had a false sense of ownership when they were no different than New York, New Jersey, Chicago, etc.

1 more thing..."experts" don't think Miami is a top team right now because Miami doesn't even have a full roster yet. They have essentially 5 guys signed, with Beasley waiting to be traded. Once they fill out their roster so that they can actually field a full roster, then I have no doubt that Miami will be top 2 on anyone's list.

Very well said! Lakers vs heat finals! I can't wait :d
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[TRDood]

the heat has to get pass the celtics first.

they have at least 6 players that can play WITH each other. i dont know about the other heat players, but wade, lebron, bosh cannot play 48 minutes every game.
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[KuSouL]

just let 'em play and see how it goes ~ stop talking about Kobe's dick and LBJ's dick

this rivalry about who's better will never end until these all stars retire and then this shitstorm will pass ... and then another star will emerge and both Kobe and LBJ will be brought up as the best players in the world this decade

personally ~ i dont think the choice to go to miami was a bad choice, just a little disappointed cause i would've liked to see him go to chicago

now there's a stacked team with no guarantees when we coulda had another good playoff contender

anyways ... imma stick with my celtics and see what happens vs the heat

[411ken]

I've been a Lakers fan since 2001 when I first played NBA 2k1 on the Sega Dreamcast (RIP). People like you are why I hate cheering for the team now.

All the Lakers fan seem so butthurt about Miami, so that was obviously the perfect team to move to. Never seen so many "GO LAKERZzz!!" FB posts from people who don't even watch basketball. :lol

For what it's worth, I don't think Miami will win a championship even with the 3.

LOL that's funny.. you ain't nothing but a bandwagoner man... and what are we going to see now? All of a Sudden, everyone will be die hard Heat fans... I actually laugh at the situation.. you know why? because it shows a team needs to have 3 superstars to even compete with the Lakers lol..

And yes,I love it when I see ppl I know that doesn't even know anything about bball become a fan all of a sudden...

But the bandwagon for the heat is just too funny.

[411ken]

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/2010/news/features/steve_aschburner/07/09/miami.heat/0709_ash-mia-526-t1.jpg

Check out Bosh and James.. LOL. .Then there's wade right in the middle laughing lol... To me, James didn't feel like a superstar yesterday but just a sidekick... that's just ME though

[kobefans]

it's wade's team. I can see wade gets pissed off when LBJ come in and steal his thunder.

And Chris Bosh is overrated. and as a PF , he is too soft.

[4chinit]

As of right now, teams are having a lot of trouble dealing with the laker's overall size.

The size factor is huge both on the defensive and offensive ends of the floor, even when kobe fails like he did in game 7 of the Oklahoma series and game 6 of the Boston series, lakers bigs were able to clean up the board to SAVE the lakers.

Who knows if Kobe is past his prime or it was the finger that made him LESS effective than what we expect from him, especially in a game 7 of a nba final, but how the lakers big men play have a big effect on the results of the game.

Thats why the heat don't have the tools to compete with the lakers, SIZE neutralizes alot of the drive styles of both Lebron and Wade, making them perimeter players, which is alot easier on defenders especially when they are not as great of a catch and shoot player as kobe. That said, how Bosh plays will dictate how the other two plays, if he is able to threaten offensively and not get shut down by the lights of dwight, perks/garnett, and gasol/bynum, it opens up alot of options for LBJ/wade.

Orlando and Boston have some big men to compete with the lakers, but certainly don't have enough. I'm not even sure if the heat will be able to get pass the Celtics and Magic, just because of the defensive mentality of the teams.

All that being said, and being a hybrid Orlando/phoenix fan, so disappointed that the two teams have no chance against the lakers except if those 3s land like crazy. SIGH.

[MR_BIGGS]

Laker fans, Derek Fisher just met with the Heat yesterday.

Miami Heat President, Pat Riley met Derek Fisher. A day after the announcement of new members, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, Derek Fisher visits Heat.

Fisher has been part of all five Los Angeles Lakers’ championships in the Kobe Bryant era. After the Lakers won, Fisher said he would return to Los Angeles, and Bryant persisted that he wouldn’t allow Fisher to play anywhere else.


But after Fisher allegedly received a $2.5 million offer for next season from Los Angeles, he listened to other possibilities, including the chance to play in Miami, that’s why Derek Fisher visits Heat.

The Heat is prepared to make Fisher a stronger offer, according to a number of inside sources. “Courting” is on process according to some sources. Derek Fisher visiting Heat shows that he’s open to other options.

[Wongtouski]

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/2010/news/features/steve_aschburner/07/09/miami.heat/0709_ash-mia-526-t1.jpg

Check out Bosh and James.. LOL. .Then there's wade right in the middle laughing lol... To me, James didn't feel like a superstar yesterday but just a sidekick... that's just ME though

That's not just you. Any writer, any basketball fan, or any Miami fan knows the Heat is WADE's team. So the fact that Lebron is "bringing (his) talents to South Beach" just means he turned himself into A-rod to Wade's Jeter. Which is fine really, because after seeing pics of Chris Bosh looking like an absolute idiot with the yelling and shit, I now have a number one guy to hate on the Heat. LBJ once again gets a pass.

[Not really racist!]

LeBron IS a SIDEKICK at this point, he doesn't even have a ring either

[FerrariEnzo]

SOOO whos gona be the Main star of attraction??

you cant have 3 Number 1.....

[Not really racist!]

Lebron went South because his mom went West.

[mqr03]

kobe bryant is better than lebron and better than chris bosh and wade combined
even Jordan said bryant is the best player in the NBA

[drunkrussian]

http://lookliker.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/chris-bosh-velociraptor.jpg

[PiuYi]

Lebron went South because his mom went West.
:troll:


Turkoglu traded to Suns for Leandro Barbosa!!! :D
Bryan Colangelo has honestly been Raptors MVP the past few years

[bigG]

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/257/20h3wbt.gif (http://img337.imageshack.us/i/20h3wbt.gif/)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qoxi37vvviQ&feature=player_embedded
.
.
.







Pat Riley:
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3219/rileysmilingumad.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/i/rileysmilingumad.jpg/)

[411ken]

Too bad for Cleveland..lol...they should have known that it's over once LBJ announced that he will change his number from 23 to 6 last year... know why? Miami has #23 (jordan) retired so he can't wear it there... So it was his try to make himself look "nice and respectful" first rather than sign with the heat and asked to pick a new # or asked what # he will wear.....;)

[Greenstoner]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSyRhlGae-M

[411ken]

^LOL... nicely done

[NinjaAceYork]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs076.snc4/35154_10150239351940473_632735472_13530797_4569489 _n.jpg

I made this. Welcome to Miami indeed... :thumbsup:

http://www.colorfulvisuals.com (http://colorfulvisuals.com)

[TRDood]

Too bad for Cleveland..lol...they should have known that it's over once LBJ announced that he will change his number from 23 to 6 last year... know why? Miami has #23 (jordan) retired so he can't wear it there... So it was his try to make himself look "nice and respectful" first rather than sign with the heat and asked to pick a new # or asked what # he will wear.....;)

so kobe wears 24 because he wants to be +1 better than jordan? haha
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[411ken]

so kobe wears 24 because he wants to be +1 better than jordan? haha
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

LOL.. I'm not sure.. but if let's say LeBron wanted to go to NY or NJ to begin with, I doubt he would be changing numbers just out of "respect" to Jordan... 7 years later....... ;) ;)

[PiuYi]

calderon + reggie evans to charlotte for boris diaw + tyson chandler

:thumbsup:

[shawn79]

nobody (jays, leafs, raptors) wants to play for toronto and its the 4th largest major sport market in north america.

Yeah nobody wants to play for the freaking toronto maple leafs

[BLUETIGER]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs076.snc4/35154_10150239351940473_632735472_13530797_4569489 _n.jpg

I made this. Welcome to Miami indeed... :thumbsup:

http://www.colorfulvisuals.com (http://colorfulvisuals.com)

open to criticism?

looks like sperm lol sorry

[MDMA]

Too bad for Cleveland..lol...they should have known that it's over once LBJ announced that he will change his number from 23 to 6 last year... know why? Miami has #23 (jordan) retired so he can't wear it there... So it was his try to make himself look "nice and respectful" first rather than sign with the heat and asked to pick a new # or asked what # he will wear.....;)

No. He is changing to #6 because as of this upcoming season the #23 will be retired throughout the entire league for obvious reasons, just like how #99 is retired in the NHL, LeBron chose 6 because its his # from the 2008 Olympics. I didn't know Jordan played for the heat and they retired his # :s lol
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[kchan]

No. He is changing to #6 because as of this upcoming season the #23 will be retired throughout the entire league for obvious reasons, just like how #99 is retired in the NHL, LeBron chose 6 because its his # from the 2008 Olympics. I didn't know Jordan played for the heat and they retired his # :s lol
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

Jordan never played for the Heats, but they retired the #23 out of respect to him when he finally quit the game back in '03

[411ken]

No. He is changing to #6 because as of this upcoming season the #23 will be retired throughout the entire league for obvious reasons, just like how #99 is retired in the NHL, LeBron chose 6 because its his # from the 2008 Olympics. I didn't know Jordan played for the heat and they retired his # :s lol
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

Yes, but which announcement came first? ;) him changing #s or the nba saying they will retire it?

damn, lebron is so nice eh that he got 23 retired from the league.

[7seven]

wow, NBA is dying a slow death

According to NBA Commissioner David Stern, the NBA lost about $370 million in the 2009-2010 NBA season.

This reported loss was good news to the NBA's ears seeing that they expected to lose more money this season. Stern was expecting to lose $400 million this year, and also stated that the NBA has lost at least $200 million a year for the four previous years.

According to my math, the NBA has lost over $1 billion dollars in the past 5 years.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/davidnelson/archives/214349.asp?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[hotjoint]

:lol Rashard is the 2nd highest paid player in the league

[g604]

I am banking on New York's soon to be big 3. Amare, Carmelo, and Chris Paul. Coming soon 2012 :thumbsup:

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

:lol Rashard is the 2nd highest paid player in the league

lewis?? wtf


complete :bullshit:

[411ken]

^ Rashard lewis signed for 6 years 120 million or 118.. .. something around that range...I said from day 1.. this guy is OVERRATED.....

But let's not make this into an NBA discussion thread...this is the LeBron James page ;) ;)

[MR_BIGGS]

I am banking on New York's soon to be big 3. Amare, Carmelo, and Chris Paul. Coming soon 2012 :thumbsup:

I heard about this. Chris Paul saying him and Melo will join Amare.

[Not really racist!]

Then we're gonna have a bunch of shitty teams with prospects and some stacked teams...

hmmm

[Euro7r]

Zydrunas Ilgauskas is expected to sign with the Heat this week.

[drunkrussian]

open to criticism?

looks like sperm lol sorry

funny u say that; when i first saw each of their faces, it sorta looked like they were in the midst of releasing sperm, if u know what i mean

[Ronin]

So has LeBron even signed? He just said he wants to go to Miami but have they actually put a contract together?