[Michael.S.Participant]

Cleveland as a franchise has been the main reason LeBron could choose to leave this summer. From day one they should have built around LeBron with young players like OKC has done and by now, with a player like James, they could have had one or two titles already. But instead they surrounded him by mediocre role players and players at the end of their careers. Cleveland, as a city, is probably praying not to lose this guy every day, and going to extreme measures in order to persuade him to stay. I am not saying that even if the Cavs did win a title or two already James definitely would have stood, but it would have been MUCH harder for him to leave a team that, with a young core, right now, would would have been at their peak. I have to admit, I was wrong by saying Cle. could win it this yr….The fan part of me got the best of me…A 38 yr old shaq that pretty much sucks, an overrated Mo Will and a old, no-show on D Jamison will never be enough to win a title….That said, I hope LeBron does the right thing and stays in Cle. for a couple more yrs…

[drose1Participant]

How is it the right thing for him, if you just spent that entire post arguing why it was bad for him to stay?

[Michael.S.Participant]

I think he should do it for the fans of cleveland… Maybe it wouldn’t be the smartest choice basketball wise, but I think he could bring cleveland its first winner, it will be a great ending….It would be just as much of a gamble as going to unproven teams like NY, NJ, or CHI, and you know that

[drose1Participant]

I agree with you on NY and NJ, but Chicago I think is some-what proven. They seemed decent the last two play-offs,and seem to have starters ready at every position other then SG. And NY has the large amount of money to get Lebron. NJ will be adding a superstar potential player in the draft this year as well (Turner or Favors.) In Cleveland, as you said, have no young players getting him to say. If they had picked up Amare instead of Jamison, I would see possibility. Im not sure if fan loyalty should keep a player, Knicks fans already seem to be pretty loyal to Lebron as well.

[Michael.S.Participant]

I see where your coming from. I would concur that NY’s loyalty is far different than Clevelands loyalty though, its heartfelt in Cle…Remember, I am speaking from a fans perspective too, I just dont wanna see him leave the way they went out…

[drose1Participant]

Thats what stinks. Lebron would be coming back if they won the Title, and maybe the eastern conference. But players leave if the team they are on are not having success. Thats why I think Boozer and Amare will be other players leaving this off-season.

[Michael.S.Participant]

Yep..Though lets not speak too soon. The Suns have a legit shot in my book.

[drose1Participant]

I don’t see the Suns over coming this Lakers team. I don’t think they have a player to match up will Kobe, and the Lakers have the deeper bench.

[Michael.S.Participant]

Yeah, Kobe will continue to kill whoever the suns throw at him..But I disagree on your second point. I think the Suns have the better bench. Barbosa, Frye, Dragic, Dudley is a great bench. They just need to play better, especially Frye. He cant buy a bucket

[drose1Participant]

I see where you are coming from. But I think the Suns just don’t have what it takes.

[bkballerParticipant]

All three teams (NY, NJ, Chi) offer a better future for Lebron than Cleveland. This Cavs team that we saw these playoffs is the best it will get for the next 3-4 years. They are very old, have a lot of bad contracts and have not had a decent pick in the past 5 years so they don’t have any decent prospects. They aren’t a threat in free agency due to all these old and overpaid (varejao) players and Shaq, Big Z, Jamison will be worse next year because they are getting old.

NJ: A solid young core plus high lottery pick that would improve drastically with the guidance of a leader like Lebron. If Lebron can make Moon, Varejao and Parker rotation players imagine what he can do with CDR, Lee, Lopez and Harris. Moving to Brooklyn soon so will be in a great market as well.

NY: Have some good young players that would benefit immensely from Lebron, Gallo one of the best shooters would get a lot more open shots will become at least borderline all star (only 21), Douglas is the perfect pg for Lebron (great defender and shooter) which would allow Lebron to facilitate on offense. The big draw is the huge amount of money. Not only can the Knicks offer him a sidekick that he can never get in Cleveland (Bosh, Amare, Johnson etc.) but they also have 11.5 million dollar expiring contract which can either be used in a trade for a very good starter or add ANOTHER max caliber player in 2011 (Melo?). All that money and if Lebron comes people will want to sign, so there is a LOT of room for creating a dynasty (not available in Cleveland). People say he can;t win in NY, but he basically has a blank slate with lots of money and a great city to fill out an amazing roster. They have 4 good young players that take up only 6.5 million dollars of cap space, over 45 million to spend in the next two years. Can easily built a dynasty with that kind of money and Lebron and NYC calling.

Chi: Rose one of the best young play makers in the game. Noah is an upgrade over varejao. Also has a lot more talent and room for growth than Cleveland can offer. Great city and market as well.

All these places are A LOT more attractive than Cleveland for winning and market. I don’t like when people say that if he wants to win he will stay in Cleveland. The guy is 25 years old and the window to compete for a championship is already closing on this Cavs team. He might squeeze in one title in his career in Cleveland just by carrying this team. The only way he actually has a chance to build a dynasty and win multiple rings and be known as one of the greatest to play the game is if he goes to one of these 3 locations. The only reason for him to remain in Cleveland is loyalty, from any other perspective it doesn’t make any sense to stay.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Forget all of the talk about Lebron leaving thats false..He has won the individual awards..Now he wants to work on his legacy..And thats all about winning titles…And Cleveland is the best place to do that..You think a team of Lebron,Wade & Bosh won’t clash? This isnt the AllStar Game…Sometime having the most talent doesnt always guarantee success..You think when the game is on the line ..Wade will be happy if the coach draw up a play for Lebron to take the game winning shot and Lebron misses it..Bosh has already stated that he’s a 1st option guy..Cleveland might still be playing if Mike Brown knew how to manage his rosters…They could’ve used Telfair in that series..Hickson was rarely used..Powe had played with Boston and practice against those guys n practice..Should’ve he been given more minutes?1st they need to let Mike Brown go…And hire a veteran coach with some offensive imagination..True Cleveland haven’t added young players around Lebron becuz since he’s been there they haven’t had a high pick..But if you look at it, management has made some boned moves…Like letting Boozer get away..Drafting Luke Jackson when they could’ve had Al Jefferson or Josh Smith…As long as Lebron is there and healthy Cleveland will be in the running for a title..But they have to get the right pieces to help him win a title…

[bkballerParticipant]

He will NOT win in Cleveland, that team is just not good enough and never will be to win 16 games in the playoffs. They are insanely flawed and his supporting cast only looks decent because he makes them, any NBA caliber player can look half decent next to Lebron. Fact is when he struggles they lose by 35 at home because that “supporting cast” is the most overrated thing in the NBA. If you think with 30 million to spend in the next two years (after signing Lebron) the Knicks can’t provide Lebron with a better cast to go along with some already nice young pieces that they have now? Its not about Wade, Lebron and Bosh playing together its about getting talent thats under 35 years old and can win games when Lebron doesnt score 35 12 and 12. That supporting cast stinks, the city blows, there no reason except if he feels like he owes the franchise something for him to stay.

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