Cavs 09-10 Season (official thread)

[exhawg]

I bet if someone came in and offered Ariza 45 mil for 5 years he would take it. Nothing is set in stone until tomorrow and the dollar is the most important thing to these guys. Maybe things would be different if Lebron had talked to Ariza before he committed to the Rockets, but most guys wouldn't back out on their word for the same money. Didn't Turk change his mind for 3 mil? I think Lebron will be back and I will think that until the moving vans pull up in Bath.
I still believe that signing someone to a long term deal now would actually be bad for the Cavs because it will kill their cap space next year. Ariza would have been worth it, but he was it. Just bring back Andy and a couple guys with the Exceptions for 1 year and call it a summer. Just win this year and most of the questions go away.

 

[Piney]

I agree with jlb, someone bought a LeBron Knicks jersey already...

Not sure anyone has signed for more money elsewhere. Most sources contend that the Cavs presented the same offer to Ariza and Artest that the Rockets and Lakers did.

I agree that for Artest & Ariza the money was the same the Cavs offered. But it wasn't because no one knows if LeBron is staying or not. First off Artest was a Lakers fan 'supposedly' and actually knows Kobe. It wasn't like Artest picked a worst team than the Cavs, just the defending champions.

You can't tell me these things point to Lebron staying:

1. An Ariza source claims Lebron called him to recruit him over to Cleveland and told Ariza that he was going to stay in Cleveland beyond 2010. That same source says Ariza didn't buy it and just thought it was a recruiting ploy. Ariza stays with Houston.

Ariza already decided to go to Houston before this happened. AND Ariza asked LeBron. Not like LeBron just called him and told him 'Dude... I'm staying in Cleveland" And after this call Ariza supposedly did have 2nd thoughts about signing with Houston, but decided to stand by his word. Why couldn't Ariza have some Boozer in him

Also Ariza says the reason he went with Houston was to be close to his kid in LA and also Houston told him that he will be starting and he will be a focal point in the offense. Cleveland told him he would battle West for the starting spot. I don't see one of his reasons being "LeBron is leaving after this year"

2. A source close to Lebron immediately contacts the media to refute that Lebron ever told Ariza he was staying in Cleveland. The reason to refute such a story so quickly? To save face when he leaves. He's always been careful not to commit himself to Cleveland so as to avoid a public relations issue when he does leave.

The reason to refute the story so quickly? Cuz you know how many LeBron Knick jerseys he won't be able to sell if word got out he was staying in Cleveland? But seriously... it got refuted quickly because every media guy probably flooded their 'LeBron sources' and just wanted to get it over by saying "He didn't say it"

The guy ain't staying. Cleveland fans are delusional if they think otherwise.

And Knick fans are delusional if they think LeBron is their god given right. LeBron is just doing what Dwayne Wade is doing but in a more subtle matter. LeBron knows the only way for him to be considered the best player ever is to win multiple championships. He is keeping his options open. Or, more bluntly he is keeping pressure on the front office to build a dynasty. Or better yet, not to screw up salary cap space to prevent them from signing Bosh next year.

Do I think LeBron is staying? I say the odds are 70/30 he stays. It will really depend on whether they win it all this year and also what other free agents the Cavs can sign next season when he is a free agent.

I will say this... LeBron has proven that he is a very loyal guy. So it just doesn't seem to be in his nature to just blindly leave the Cavs. Especially if they are a championship calibur team. And then why does he toy with everyone about where he will go in 2010? It is also in LeBron's nature to be a joker, a guy that loves drama and the media. I don't see a better way than keep doing what he is doing by keeping EVERYONE in the dark about what he wants to do as a free agent.

 

[Brutus1]

The Latino Albino was offered much more and chose Detroit.

While Artest was offered the MLE from both Cle and LA, I believe the offer from LA was for 3 years. I think the Cavs offered 1 year.

Ariza must want to be a big part of the Rockets, especially with Yao out next season.

There are still plenty of good players that fit what they're looking for. I think they would rather sign the MLE and BE players to 1 year contracts only. If they use the MLE on a young player, then I'm sure they would go more years.

LeBron is going no where!! If anything, I think they're watching so they can bring in Bosh next year. Who's to say that LeBron won't opt out after next season, but instead sign an extension, giving them more to spend in 2010 ? Isn't that what Kobe is doing ?

 

[OH10]

I agree with jlb, someone bought a LeBron Knicks jersey already...

Sadly, I've been trying to prepare myself to deal with NBA after Lebron leaves, which I honestly believe will happen. Normally, I'd chalk up my negativity and pessimism to being a Cleveland fan trying to jinx the bad luck away. But I just don't see him staying, not with all of the endorsement dollars on the table AND the strong possibility that the Knicks could sign Bosh as well, making them championship frontrunners.

I also believe that the ultimate result will be the Cavs moving. The city did not support the Cavs post-Price and pre-Lebron. The Gund Arena was practically a barren wasteland on gameday. And it will be that way again if Lebron leaves. They won't be economically viable and they'll have to leave.

So, that's the long way around saying "yes," I have considered the possibility of becoming a Lebron Knick fan if the Cavs leave for any city other than Columbus.

 

[exhawg]

The Latino Albino was offered much more and chose Detroit.

While Artest was offered the MLE from both Cle and LA, I believe the offer from LA was for 3 years. I think the Cavs offered 1 year.

Ariza must want to be a big part of the Rockets, especially with Yao out next season.

There are still plenty of good players that fit what they're looking for. I think they would rather sign the MLE and BE players to 1 year contracts only. If they use the MLE on a young player, then I'm sure they would go more years.

LeBron is going no where!! If anything, I think they're watching so they can bring in Bosh next year. Who's to say that LeBron won't opt out after next season, but instead sign an extension, giving them more to spend in 2010 ? Isn't that what Kobe is doing ?

The Lakers are so far over the cap that they didn't have any more to spend than the Cavs regardless of what Kobe did. Maybe it saves them some luxury tax this season. I think Lebron is on the books for around 17 mil next year if he opts out or not so that won't help the Cavs sign someone else. Sadly he accounts for a majority of their 2010-11 salary unless they renounce his rights or he signs someplace else. If he doesn't opt out they will likely have the same problems that they have this year unless all the players will get it through their heads that he is staying in Cleveland.
That's a couple pro Lebron posts in a row that are spot on. I just don't see Lebron leaving a championship contending team for less money, but he could be one of the 2% of players that is willing to take less money. I just don't think he is.

 

[buchtelgrad04]

Sadly, I've been trying to prepare myself to deal with NBA after Lebron leaves, which I honestly believe will happen. Normally, I'd chalk up my negativity and pessimism to being a Cleveland fan trying to jinx the bad luck away. But I just don't see him staying, not with all of the endorsement dollars on the table AND the strong possibility that the Knicks could sign Bosh as well, making them championship frontrunners.

I also believe that the ultimate result will be the Cavs moving. The city did not support the Cavs post-Price and pre-Lebron. The Gund Arena was practically a barren wasteland on gameday. And it will be that way again if Lebron leaves. They won't be economically viable and they'll have to leave.

So, that's the long way around saying "yes," I have considered the possibility of becoming a Lebron Knick fan if the Cavs leave for any city other than Columbus.

I don't see that as a valid point, Lebron makes more in Cleveland, (a small market) than Kobe does in LA (the 2nd largest market in the country). In fact, Lebron makes more than double than the next highest NBA player in endorsement money. Only two pro athletes earn more endorsement money than him, and that's Tiger and Phil. If he leaves, which he won't, it won't be for the endorsement money.

 

[tsteele316]

Sadly, I've been trying to prepare myself to deal with NBA after Lebron leaves, which I honestly believe will happen. Normally, I'd chalk up my negativity and pessimism to being a Cleveland fan trying to jinx the bad luck away. But I just don't see him staying, not with all of the endorsement dollars on the table AND the strong possibility that the Knicks could sign Bosh as well, making them championship frontrunners.

I also believe that the ultimate result will be the Cavs moving. The city did not support the Cavs post-Price and pre-Lebron. The Gund Arena was practically a barren wasteland on gameday. And it will be that way again if Lebron leaves. They won't be economically viable and they'll have to leave.

So, that's the long way around saying "yes," I have considered the possibility of becoming a Lebron Knick fan if the Cavs leave for any city other than Columbus.

as someone else mentioned, lebron made $28 million in endorsement deals last year, as compared to kobe's and garnetts' $10 million apiece in major markets.

the cavs also have new chinese minority ownership. while lebron is already a worldwide figure, to think that the new owners won't open up new marketing options for him in the most populated country in the world is also "delusional".

you will not be able to put forth a monetary or financial reason as to why lebron will leave cleveland.

 

[exhawg]

It's funny that you don't hear as much of Wade leaving Miami. He's in pretty much the same boat as Lebron except his team sucks and management hasn't done anything to help. Gilbert has shown that he will do whatever it takes to make the Cavs a winner. If Gilbert owned the Magic do you think he would have let Turk walk? I doubt it. That team would be amazing next year if they had resigned Turk and made the Carter trade, but now they will drop back to above average.

 

[BayBuck]

Sadly, I've been trying to prepare myself to deal with NBA after Lebron leaves, which I honestly believe will happen. Normally, I'd chalk up my negativity and pessimism to being a Cleveland fan trying to jinx the bad luck away. But I just don't see him staying, not with all of the endorsement dollars on the table AND the strong possibility that the Knicks could sign Bosh as well, making them championship frontrunners.

I also believe that the ultimate result will be the Cavs moving. The city did not support the Cavs post-Price and pre-Lebron. The Gund Arena was practically a barren wasteland on gameday. And it will be that way again if Lebron leaves. They won't be economically viable and they'll have to leave.

So, that's the long way around saying "yes," I have considered the possibility of becoming a Lebron Knick fan if the Cavs leave for any city other than Columbus.

I didn't think it was possible, but I think you've finally taken your ongoing parody of a doom-and-gloom Cleveland fan too far past reality. Which is not to say your absurdist experimentation is not entertaining, only that what began as satire now seems more a form of surrealism.

 

[OH10]

I don't see that as a valid point, Lebron makes more in Cleveland, (a small market) than Kobe does in LA (the 2nd largest market in the country). In fact, Lebron makes more than double than the next highest NBA player in endorsement money. Only two pro athletes earn more endorsement money than him, and that's Tiger and Phil. If he leaves, which he won't, it won't be for the endorsement money.

I believe I read that somewhere: http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/...v-champs-official-thread-153.html#post1491723

(and yet I still know he could make a lot more in New York)

I don't really feel the need to further validate an opinion I've held about Lebron for years now. It's not even really a question of "we'll see a year from now who's right and wrong." I very much hope I'm wrong. I just find it impossible to interpret the lastest statement by the Lebron camp as anything other than a strong sign that he's gone.

 

[jlb1705]

I don't see that as a valid point, Lebron makes more in Cleveland, (a small market) than Kobe does in LA (the 2nd largest market in the country). In fact, Lebron makes more than double than the next highest NBA player in endorsement money. Only two pro athletes earn more endorsement money than him, and that's Tiger and Phil. If he leaves, which he won't, it won't be for the endorsement money.

The Kobe comparison isn't exactly fair. LeBron hasn't been charged with rape. Regardless of the outcome or location, that cost Kobe a lot of money - and not just what he spent on his wife after it came out.

I think the larger point about LeBron's earning power stands though.

 

[buchtelgrad04]

The Kobe comparison isn't exactly fair. LeBron hasn't been charged with rape. Regardless of the outcome or location, that cost Kobe a lot of money - and not just what he spent on his wife after it came out.

I think the larger point about LeBron's earning power stands though.

True, but not even Shaq, when he was the big fish in LA, made 28 mill in endorsement money in one year. I have a link somewhere, but I have to look and find it. I think Shaq's highest year of endorsements came in the 2nd of the 3peat...at like 22 mill.

 

[itownbuckeye]

But I just don't see him staying, not with all of the endorsement dollars on the table AND the strong possibility that the Knicks could sign Bosh as well, making them championship frontrunners.

So you think there's a strong possibility that both LBJ & Bosh accept less money to go to a team with not much talent on the current roster?

 

[buchtelgrad04]

I don't think if you put Bron and Bosh on the team right now, they'd be able to get very far. I think the management is so inept, that a lineup of Magic, Jordan, Bron, Duncan, & Chamberlain couldn't do much at this time. Especially with D'Antoni as the coach. Brooklyn/NJ Nets won't be much better.

 

[jlb1705]

True, but not even Shaq, when he was the big fish in LA, made 28 mill in endorsement money in one year. I have a link somewhere, but I have to look and find it. I think Shaq's highest year of endorsements came in the 2nd of the 3peat...at like 22 mill.

But when you add in the retail value of all that free IcyHot...