Lebron James

[babylondonks 5]

Because, not only is there a hard salary cap, but there's also a max salary that a player can have. Now, as I understand it, the team that a player is already on can offer a slightly higher contract than any other team can ( I'm not sure the details, but it's not very much more), but basically, every team in the league that has the space, will be offering LeBron the same contract. So really, for a player like lebron, it comes down to, where does he want to play. If he plays in New York, the slightly smaller contract will be compensated by being the best athelthe in the biggest city in the country. It would, conservatively, up his marketing potential by at least 40 percent, and that in itself is worth signing with NYN. Added to the fact that D'Antoni's offense is pretty much the best thing possible for Lebron, is why most people think he will go there.

Jesus, LeBron in the D'antoni system and they might as well not even bother voting for the MVP for the next 5 seasons

[Cappy37 0]

Jesus, LeBron in the D'antoni system and they might as well not even bother voting for the MVP for the next 5 seasons

let's not get ahead of ourselves... New York is actually the only place Lebron can go for an inferior supporting cast.IMO going to the Knicks would be a huge, huge mistake for Lebron.Why in god's name would Lebron not go to the Lakers? I mean, seriously...

[BigDMcGee 3,355]

let's not get ahead of ourselves... New York is actually the only place Lebron can go for an inferior supporting cast.IMO going to the Knicks would be a huge, huge mistake for Lebron.Why in god's name would Lebron not go to the Lakers? I mean, seriously...

I don't think you realise how much cap room the knicks are going to have. Like, they are going to have enough cap room to sign two max contracts. Two. It won't just be Lebron in New York, it will be like Lebron and Wade, or Lebron and Bosh. There are a ton of free agents coming off the books that year, so ignore the current line up. The reason he wouldn't go to the Lakers is because they will not have the cap room to sign him.

[Cappy37 0]

I don't think you realise how much cap room the knicks are going to have. Like, they are going to have enough cap room to sign two max contracts. Two. It won't just be Lebron in New York, it will be like Lebron and Wade, or Lebron and Bosh. There are a ton of free agents coming off the books that year, so ignore the current line up.

Yeah, Lebron and Wade would be positively filthy. I'm still not certain that the Knicks are a good fit. Players & agents alike have to give *some* creedence to ownership/management in their equations, and the Knicks haven't been a healthy organization from the waist-up in forever. It'd probably be easier to physically put Lebron on the Heat, with Wade and the rook.. /shrug, I dunno. I just do not understand why NY is such an attractive destination at all. It blew my mind that D'Antoni ended up there to begin with, esp. pre-draft.

The reason he wouldn't go to the Lakers is because they will not have the cap room to sign him.

to a max-contract. Remember, Lebron is reaching a Jordanesque-level of endorsement money and fame.. While a certain amount of ego is derived from the actual *player* contract... Already set up for life I think he'd take at least a look at taking about 5-8 mil off his asking price to go win about a half dozen rings with Kobe and Bynum and Pau.Los Angeles has really nice weather, and is pretty close to Hollywood. NY is slightly warmer than Cleveland in winter.I mean, at this point, staying in Cleveland and bringing another piece into their puzzle (they are essentially tied for the #1 spot in the Easy atm) would make a lot more sense than bolting for NY. Mo Williams is no joke, and the fans positively adore him there.

[SuitedAces21 2,723]

It wouldnt bother me of LeBron went to the Lakers. I mean, it might work out.

[BigDMcGee 3,355]

Yeah, Lebron and Wade would be positively filthy. I'm still not certain that the Knicks are a good fit. Players & agents alike have to give *some* creedence to ownership/management in their equations, and the Knicks haven't been a healthy organization from the waist-up in forever. It'd probably be easier to physically put Lebron on the Heat, with Wade and the rook.. /shrug, I dunno. I just do not understand why NY is such an attractive destination at all. It blew my mind that D'Antoni ended up there to begin with, esp. pre-draft.to a max-contract. Remember, Lebron is reaching a Jordanesque-level of endorsement money and fame.. While a certain amount of ego is derived from the actual *player* contract... Already set up for life I think he'd take at least a look at taking about 5-8 mil off his asking price to go win about a half dozen rings with Kobe and Bynum and Pau.Los Angeles has really nice weather, and is pretty close to Hollywood. NY is slightly warmer than Cleveland in winter.I mean, at this point, staying in Cleveland and bringing another piece into their puzzle (they are essentially tied for the #1 spot in the Easy atm) would make a lot more sense than bolting for NY. Mo Williams is no joke, and the fans positively adore him there.

And again, New York is a much bigger market than LA. Much, much Bigger. And it's one where he wouldn't have to take a 20 million dollar per year pay cut to play on. New york is an attractive destination because1) the money2) the size of the market3) being the biggest star in new york will pretty much assure him of being the biggest star in the world4) more endorsement opportunities than even LA5) the coach6) The chance to play with another max contract guy in their prime for several years. By the time he would go to LA, Kobe would be old, and not getting younger. If he went to NY with Wade, they would own for like 7 straight years or something.

[keith crime 8]

He'd never go to the Lakers1. Only players late in their careers who want a ring take less money - it's still an ego thing - he's got plenty of places that will pay him the max where he could win2. Say he goes to LA and wins the next 8 championships with Kobe - does that make him the better player than Kobe - this is a guy that wants to be seen as the greatest of all time - just as Kobe wanted his own team - Lebron's not going to take second to anyoneI actually wrote a novel once where the Yankees bought all the great players and DiMaggio and Williams were on the same team and they won every single year - that ruins the competitive aspect - who can tell who is better if they are all on the same team? I honestly think he's torn right now - I think he likes it in Cleveland and it's his hometown, but he's always been fascinated by New YorkI wouldn't say that D'Antonio makes a huge huge difference - I think he'd enjoy it more offensively but I also think that Mike Brown has convinced him that defense wins championships - and what has D'Antonio ever won?

[BigDMcGee 3,355]

He'd never go to the Lakers1. Only players late in their careers who want a ring take less money - it's still an ego thing - he's got plenty of places that will pay him the max where he could win2. Say he goes to LA and wins the next 8 championships with Kobe - does that make him the better player than Kobe - this is a guy that wants to be seen as the greatest of all time - just as Kobe wanted his own team - Lebron's not going to take second to anyoneI actually wrote a novel once where the Yankees bought all the great players and DiMaggio and Williams were on the same team and they won every single year - that ruins the competitive aspect - who can tell who is better if they are all on the same team? I honestly think he's torn right now - I think he likes it in Cleveland and it's his hometown, but he's always been fascinated by New YorkI wouldn't say that D'Antonio makes a huge huge difference - I think he'd enjoy it more offensively but I also think that Mike Brown has convinced him that defense wins championships - and what has D'Antonio ever won?

what has mike brown ever won?

[keith crime 8]

what has mike brown ever won?

A conference championshipbut i'm not saying that Brown is a better coach I wish it wasn't true becuase I hate watching the Spurs and love watching up tempo games, but Don Nelson D'antonio and about 7 others have pretty much conclusively proven that that run and gun style is tons of fun but will never win an NBA title

[BigDMcGee 3,355]

A conference championshipbut i'm not saying that Brown is a better coach I wish it wasn't true becuase I hate watching the Spurs and love watching up tempo games, but Don Nelson D'antonio and about 7 others have pretty much conclusively proven that that run and gun style is tons of fun but will never win an NBA title

yeah, I don't buy it. Players win championships. I think Lebron and wade would win championships with D'antoni.

[keith crime 8]

yeah, I don't buy it. Players win championships. I think Lebron and wade would win championships with D'antoni.

if he had Lebron and Wade I suppose the only way he could lose is if he decided to run and gunit would have been interesting to see if Michael and Scotti could have won a title without Dennis Rodman those last three years

[keith crime 8]

But it all comes down to the guy who through Sunday was averaging 27.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 2.0 steals and three mother-of-God-did-you-see-that? plays a game. "You knew the Cavs would be good, but I didn't think they'd be this good," says one Eastern Conference scout. "I didn't think LeBron was going to improve that much, especially defensively. It's not usual to see a guy his age come back better and stronger every year. He really is a freak."http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...ames/index.html

[SuperJon 175]

But it all comes down to the guy who through Sunday was averaging 27.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 2.0 steals and three mother-of-God-did-you-see-that? plays a game. "You knew the Cavs would be good, but I didn't think they'd be this good," says one Eastern Conference scout. "I didn't think LeBron was going to improve that much, especially defensively. It's not usual to see a guy his age come back better and stronger every year. He really is a freak."http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...ames/index.html

Ok, I really don't get that part. What does he mean it's not "usual"? Lebron is only 23 years old. He is supposed to be better each year. It's called growing as a player.

[keith crime 8]

James averaged 27.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists in January, having the best month in those categories since Larry Bird in March of 1987, according to the Elias Sports Bureau

[YonYonson 156]

James averaged 27.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists in January, having the best month in those categories since Larry Bird in March of 1987, according to the Elias Sports Bureau

just more god damn media hype.

[keith crime 8]

James scored 33 points, eclipsed 12,000 for his career, blocked Chris Bosh's dunk attempt during a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter and guarded almost every one of Toronto's starters as the Cleveland Cavaliers remained flawless on their floor by winning their 23rd straight home game, 101-83 over the Raptors on Tuesday night.James became the fastest player in NBA history to reach the 12,000-point plateau. At 24 years, 35 days, he did it quicker than Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant, who was 25 years, 220 days."He's still going to get better," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "That's the scary thing."

[BigDMcGee 3,355]

James became the fastest player in NBA history to reach the 12,000-point plateau. At 24 years, 35 days, he did it quicker than Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant, who was 25 years, 220 days.

This record will never be broken, at least the way the NBA rules are right now, with making a player wait a year after their senior high school. In fact, I would guess that the rule would be more likely to turn into 2 years than get removed at all. So I think all of these " youngest to X" records are going to be Lebron's in perpetuity.

[keith crime 8]

The cavs are gonna blow out the knicks so i don't know if Lebron can catch Kobe but he had 20 points in the first quarter

[Jadaki 0]

This record will never be broken, at least the way the NBA rules are right now, with making a player wait a year after their senior high school. In fact, I would guess that the rule would be more likely to turn into 2 years than get removed at all. So I think all of these " youngest to X" records are going to be Lebron's in perpetuity.

This, which combined with periods were the great players all played years of college ball. Imagine what Wilt would have done even at 18 in the NBA.

[CindyLou 11]

This, which combined with periods were the great players all played years of college ball. Imagine what Wilt would have done even at 18 in the NBA.

I just went and looked at Wilt's career stats. Good god, what a monster.So he was 23 his rookie season. Averaged 38 points and 27 rebounds. Following years: 38/27, 50/26, 45/24, 37/22, 35/23, 34/25. Then his scoring dropped by about 10 points per game when he hit 30. What happened? Did he get injured or was it age? Rule changes? Interestingly enough, that first year where his scoring dropped down to 24, he shot the highest FG% of his career at that point by far, 68.3% when his previous high was 54%. He did average about 3 more assists per game that year, so maybe defenses just collapsed and surrounded him? Anyway, interesting stuff.

[keith crime 8]

I just went and looked at Wilt's career stats. Good god, what a monster.So he was 23 his rookie season. Averaged 38 points and 27 rebounds. Following years: 38/27, 50/26, 45/24, 37/22, 35/23, 34/25. Then his scoring dropped by about 10 points per game when he hit 30. What happened? Did he get injured or was it age? Rule changes? Interestingly enough, that first year where his scoring dropped down to 24, he shot the highest FG% of his career at that point by far, 68.3% when his previous high was 54%. He did average about 3 more assists per game that year, so maybe defenses just collapsed and surrounded him? Anyway, interesting stuff.

Part of the reason his scoring went down is because his teams got better. That 67 team is one of the greatest of all time.Also Wilt's head was never really totally into it - every year he was told that he wasn't a winner like Russell and that the only reason he scored so much was his size. He started trying to prove things by taking more skilled shots instead of dunking. Nothing he ever did ever got that Russell Russell Russell thing to go away.Plus he was banging 20,000 chicks and that takes a lot out of you even if you are Wilt.

[keith crime 8]

Lebron hurt his leg tonight i believe but he still did thisNEW YORK -- LeBron James couldn't catch Kobe Bryant, so he settled for matching Michael Jordan.James scored a season-high 52 points in his 21st career triple-double, joined Jordan as the only players with multiple 50-point games at the present Madison Square Garden, and led Cleveland to a 107-102 victory over New York on Wednesday night.Two nights after Bryant set a record at the present building with 61 points, James was on pace to break it after scoring 20 in the first quarter.He added 11 assists and 10 rebounds, becoming the first player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to have a triple-double in a 50-point game. James grabbed his final rebound with under 2 seconds left, then tumbled out of bounds as time expired.Not bad for a guy with serious defects in his game -

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

Lebron hurt his leg tonight i believe but he still did this

He had a cramp

[SuitedAces21 2,723]

He had a cramp

it was a bad one though. real bad.

[Poppy_Hillis 11]

it was a bad one though. real bad.

The courage he showed to finish the game, and shove his teammates out of the way to grab that last rebound to complete his triple double no less. At least we found out he doesn't care about his stats as much as any player doesn't care about their stats.