[jaysmith1987Participant]

 There was an episode on first take recently on why lebron isn’t respected.  While he is my favorite player I understand why he isn’t as respected as he should be.  For as great of a player as he is he created the same nba that is killing his legacy and the moves he made Cleveland make when he got there is the reason this team is stuck in Golden States shadow.  Not only did they give up Andrew Wiggins who would have still been on a rookie deal they overpaid Lebrons guys.  The overpaying his guys is probably the worst part.  JR smith, Tristian Thompson are way over paid.  Also since his first go around in Cleveland his demands for trades has stripped teams of the necessary draft picks that keep a team going via the spurs.  Imagine Cleveland with Lebron Kyrie Andrew Wiggins and even Dion waters with cap space.  The reason Cleveland has no cap space is because of the bad moves made in trades. Also there is a going rhetoric that Cleveland is perfectly built for his skills but I think he would be better with a team like the spurs high iq ballers who hit open shots and play d.  

[nick5354Participant]

 you lost me at Dion Waiters haha – i know he has started to play some nice ball but if I want to win a ‘ship I do not want that guy on my team. 

There is a sought of funny harsh criticism surrounding these debates. He has taken the Cavs to 3 straight NBA finals appearances of which they won 1 NBa championship. Only losing to perhaps one of the best team to ever grace a baskebtall court. That’s pretty good if you ask me. 

It is easy to just say imagine if they had Wiggins – but Imagine they didn’t trade him – they most likely don’t beat GSW in 2016 and Lebron’s record in finals is 2-6 and remains without a ring in Cleveland. There would definitely be a post on here instead reading how his legacy is ruined. 

When you win a Championship it would be hard to break up your team so I don’t think it is crazy to think they paid JR and TT. 

They still sit in a good position and even though Kyrie wants a trade Cavs still have leverage with two years left on Kyrie contract so they would definintely get a nice deal for him with lots of assets.

Lebron in many ways is a victim of his own greatestness – I still think people are unfairly harsh on him 

 *EDIT* and even with all these off season issues and people criticising the Cavs they are most likely going to the NBA finals or at least the conf finals  – Love and Lebron are a walk up conf finals team no matter, which is crazy to say with such a causual manner.  

 

 

 

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 Imagine if Joel Embiid does not have a small bone break in his foot after dazzling Cleveland Execs in a 2014 Pre-Draft work out.

Imagine if Lebron is playing with Embiid, Kyrie & Tristain Thompson all on Rookie deals when he first arrives. 

Try to wrap your mind around what Embiid would look like if he was healthy all 3 years & playing w/ Lebron & Kyrie – how much Space Embiid commands on the low block & b/c he can shoot the 3 Clev could duplicate a lot of the actions that Miami ran & on Defense Embiid statistically is neck & neck w/ Rudy Gobert

Put aside your feelings about the Sixers for now & try to honestly imagine what a Monster team that would be AND they’d have salary cap room to sign Another Top guy (maybe Carmelo in a trade)

I don’t know if they could beat Golden State w/ Durant but what a difference Embiid would make b/c he’s so athletic he could follow people all the way out to the 3pt line & he’s an Incredible shot blocker / alterer. 

That One tiny little foot bone really changed the course of NBA history & this happens ALL the time – what if Shaq stays in Orlando w/ Penny (who prob never gets hurt b/c he’s not trying to do Everything himself) does Jordan’s Bulls get that 2nd 3peat? The Lakers 3peat of 2000-2002 certainly Never happens. Is Orlando known as the Greatest team of the modern era b/c they won 6 Rings in a row in the watered dwon by expansion 90’s NBA??? 

What if Greg Oden & Brandon Roy stay healthy & team up w/ LaMarcus Aldridge to win 2 or 3 Championships w/ the Portland Trailblazers. 

What is the 76ers who finished 2nd in the 1997 NBA Draft Lottery one year after finishing #1 & drafting Allen Iverson in 96′ landed the #1 pick in 97′ too & were able to pair Tim Duncan w/ Allen Iverson?  W/ Shaq & Penny in Orlando & Dominating from the mid 90’s to the early 2000’s does a Iverson & Duncan core lead the 76ers to multiple championships in the mid 2000’s??? 

What if Steph Curry’s chronically bad ankles grew worse & he was forced into early retirement like so many other Great young players & the Warriors trade Klay Thompson to Minnesota for Kevin Love as they planned? They certainly never land KD in Free Agency & never win any Titles.

What if the OKC Thunder traded Westbrook instead of Harden & decided to build around Durant, Harden & Ibaka??? Does that core win a Championship or Two?

What If, What If, What If? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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