Lebron seems to be a hot topic, so I have a lot of thoughts.
First of all, is he basketball Jesus?
I don't think so. He's definitely a top 5 player in the league and arguably top 1, but he definitely has holes. He is the most dominant player ever in transition, but in the half-court set his style of play leads his offense to rely completely on him and can make a team very inconsistent and predictable. Remember the most recent Olympics? Wade, Melo, and Kobe were the stars, because they could play with other stars and thrive off the ball -- they enhance their teammates creativity. Lebron isn't as good off the ball or just doesn't care as much if the ball isn't in his hands.
I don't mean to say he's not a great player, he's obviously exceedingly talented -- I'm just saying he's not a lock for a championship if he comes to your town (obviously). I will also say that I don't think Lebron can play at a high level for 8-10 more years, because his game is highly predicated on his athleticism. Once his burst goes, so will his game (like T-Mac). Kobe and Durant are more skilled, so their games will stay good longer in their careers. Not to mention, he will just have a lot of miles on those legs of trying to carry teams single-handedly and playing with the burden of the supposed savior of a sport and city wherever he goes.
What do I think about Miami?
I don't think he goes here, because I don't think he wants to join DWade's team. Even though LeBron is the better player, that is still DWade's team and DWade has won a championship without Lebron. It would just seem like Lebron needed DWade more than DWade needed Lebron... and I think he knows that. Ego gets in the way here.
Could LBJ, DW, and possibly Bosh meet at a neutral team in Chicago?
LBJ will never be as highly regarded as Michael Jordan in Chicago and for a guy with an ego who is searching for immortality... that has to be a deal breaker. But, that WOULD be the ideal situation for winning championships. Rose, DW, LBJ, Bosh, Noah ... yikes. Then again, there's not a 3 point shooter in that group -- they might be better off taking Dirk than Bosh to stretch the court... but Dirk doesn't have 6 years left.
What about the Knicks/Nets?
Honestly -- not buying it. I'm certainly not buying the Knicks, I don't think there is anything remotely attractive about that situation. He doesn't need to be in New York to get worldwide attention (he already has it, the media now is different), and their team sucks... so does their GM and Coach. They don't have a nice collection of role players or youth... that's just a bad situation. The Nets have a good piece to add to LBJ... but I don't think Devin Harris would play well with LBJ like some others do. If LBJ signs up with the Nets, it'll be mostly because it'd be the cool thing to do -- and I think even he's more mature than that.
What about the Clippers or any other team with cap space?
No.
What about Dallas, Houston, the Lakers, or any other team pursuing a sign-and-trade
Hmm... this is where things get interesting. First of all, I never even mentioned this but -- I don't think Lebron will easily give up the $30MM on the contract he could sign with Cleveland. I'm not saying he won't -- I'm just saying it won't be easy. If he wants to win championships, I think he'd want to sign up with a well-stocked team -- not completely depleted like of his current options. Also, I think if he does leave he will be VERY guilty to be leaving Cleveland -- it's probably feel like cheating on his wife or 20 years and ditching her for a younger, prettier girl. While he did it for reasons he can justify to himself, he still knows he's an ass and totally ruined someone's life. So, via sign and trade, he can try to soften some of the blow.
When I try to picture the perfect team to put around Lebron, I actually start to come around to thinking the Rockets would be the perfect situation (hear me out).
PG: He needs someone who can knock down the open 3 at an elite percentage and someone to be able to handle the ball, create while he rests, and plays well in transition -- Aaron Brooks fits that bill as well as any PG in the league.
SG: He needs a SG who can knock down the open 3, can play almost exclusively off the ball and finish cuts, and can play lockdown defense on the other team's best back-court player -- hello Trevor Ariza, Shane Battier, and Chase Buddinger combo.
SF: His backup should be able to carry a scoring load while he's out and keep energy high: Hello Chase Buddinger.
PF: He needs a partner for his high-pick and roll game -- somebody who can step out and hit the jumper or roll to the basket and finish his feed... Luis Scola was born for this role and Jordan Hill isn't too far off from that. Not sure what Patterson will provide once in the league, but you don't NEED him at this point.
C: He needs a center who can keep defenders honest when he drives to the basket as an offensive threat and somebody who can give him another option in half-court sets to take pressure off of himself from setting every play up... hello Yao Ming.
Houston could trade Kevin Martin (giving the Cavs some much needed scoring), Jared Jeffries (cap room for Melo '12), Jordan Hill (young lottery player with untapped talent), and picks and it would make Cleveland better than if Lebron just walked away.
Now, I don't expect Lebron to go anywhere without a big name player, but a man can dream, can't he?
First of all, is he basketball Jesus?
I don't think so. He's definitely a top 5 player in the league and arguably top 1, but he definitely has holes. He is the most dominant player ever in transition, but in the half-court set his style of play leads his offense to rely completely on him and can make a team very inconsistent and predictable. Remember the most recent Olympics? Wade, Melo, and Kobe were the stars, because they could play with other stars and thrive off the ball -- they enhance their teammates creativity. Lebron isn't as good off the ball or just doesn't care as much if the ball isn't in his hands.
I don't mean to say he's not a great player, he's obviously exceedingly talented -- I'm just saying he's not a lock for a championship if he comes to your town (obviously). I will also say that I don't think Lebron can play at a high level for 8-10 more years, because his game is highly predicated on his athleticism. Once his burst goes, so will his game (like T-Mac). Kobe and Durant are more skilled, so their games will stay good longer in their careers. Not to mention, he will just have a lot of miles on those legs of trying to carry teams single-handedly and playing with the burden of the supposed savior of a sport and city wherever he goes.
What do I think about Miami?
I don't think he goes here, because I don't think he wants to join DWade's team. Even though LeBron is the better player, that is still DWade's team and DWade has won a championship without Lebron. It would just seem like Lebron needed DWade more than DWade needed Lebron... and I think he knows that. Ego gets in the way here.
Could LBJ, DW, and possibly Bosh meet at a neutral team in Chicago?
LBJ will never be as highly regarded as Michael Jordan in Chicago and for a guy with an ego who is searching for immortality... that has to be a deal breaker. But, that WOULD be the ideal situation for winning championships. Rose, DW, LBJ, Bosh, Noah ... yikes. Then again, there's not a 3 point shooter in that group -- they might be better off taking Dirk than Bosh to stretch the court... but Dirk doesn't have 6 years left.
What about the Knicks/Nets?
Honestly -- not buying it. I'm certainly not buying the Knicks, I don't think there is anything remotely attractive about that situation. He doesn't need to be in New York to get worldwide attention (he already has it, the media now is different), and their team sucks... so does their GM and Coach. They don't have a nice collection of role players or youth... that's just a bad situation. The Nets have a good piece to add to LBJ... but I don't think Devin Harris would play well with LBJ like some others do. If LBJ signs up with the Nets, it'll be mostly because it'd be the cool thing to do -- and I think even he's more mature than that.
What about the Clippers or any other team with cap space?
No.
What about Dallas, Houston, the Lakers, or any other team pursuing a sign-and-trade
Hmm... this is where things get interesting. First of all, I never even mentioned this but -- I don't think Lebron will easily give up the $30MM on the contract he could sign with Cleveland. I'm not saying he won't -- I'm just saying it won't be easy. If he wants to win championships, I think he'd want to sign up with a well-stocked team -- not completely depleted like of his current options. Also, I think if he does leave he will be VERY guilty to be leaving Cleveland -- it's probably feel like cheating on his wife or 20 years and ditching her for a younger, prettier girl. While he did it for reasons he can justify to himself, he still knows he's an ass and totally ruined someone's life. So, via sign and trade, he can try to soften some of the blow.
When I try to picture the perfect team to put around Lebron, I actually start to come around to thinking the Rockets would be the perfect situation (hear me out).
PG: He needs someone who can knock down the open 3 at an elite percentage and someone to be able to handle the ball, create while he rests, and plays well in transition -- Aaron Brooks fits that bill as well as any PG in the league.
SG: He needs a SG who can knock down the open 3, can play almost exclusively off the ball and finish cuts, and can play lockdown defense on the other team's best back-court player -- hello Trevor Ariza, Shane Battier, and Chase Buddinger combo.
SF: His backup should be able to carry a scoring load while he's out and keep energy high: Hello Chase Buddinger.
PF: He needs a partner for his high-pick and roll game -- somebody who can step out and hit the jumper or roll to the basket and finish his feed... Luis Scola was born for this role and Jordan Hill isn't too far off from that. Not sure what Patterson will provide once in the league, but you don't NEED him at this point.
C: He needs a center who can keep defenders honest when he drives to the basket as an offensive threat and somebody who can give him another option in half-court sets to take pressure off of himself from setting every play up... hello Yao Ming.
Houston could trade Kevin Martin (giving the Cavs some much needed scoring), Jared Jeffries (cap room for Melo '12), Jordan Hill (young lottery player with untapped talent), and picks and it would make Cleveland better than if Lebron just walked away.
Now, I don't expect Lebron to go anywhere without a big name player, but a man can dream, can't he?
