it is lose/lose for lebron

[the ob]

I think lebron has now set up a scenario where he will not be able to win regardless of what the outcome is in miami. let us look at the whole picture....

1)if he wins now it will be in part to the supporting cast of wade and bosh. His legacy as the guy who won it for his team will have to be shared now.

2)he is the guy who could not bring a championship to his hometown.

3)I am assuming he will have to sign a six year deal there so if this experiment goes wrong he will be stuck.

4)there are NO guarantees that he will win with this setup. I love wade but he is injury prone and they literally have no bench. when these three go out, other teams should be able to capitalize.

5)as we all know injuries are a part of the game. I am assuming miami will get hit with some as various points and if they do, they could be in trouble

6)there are no guarantees that the three of them will mesh. chemistry is a huge part of what makes a team work and no one knows if the three will have it.

7)he has really hurt his image (even further) with the whole "decision" thing. the only people pulling for him now are his mom and a few apathetic heat fans.

8)if they do not win multiple championships I think it will be considered a bust. and if they do, it was an expected outcome considering the money spent and the players that they got. either way this will not leave him with the same level of respect that people have for the other legends of the game.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

He's put incredible pressure on himself. He will be the only player in the league whom the press will ask after every season "Why couldn't you win a championship this year?"

 

[LameR]

I just posted in another thread that I am kind of re-evaluating him as a player in light of his playoff performance and exodus to Miami. I think he may be better off when he doesn't have to be the man all the time. Wade (when healthy) will be able to take a lot of pressure off of him. It's odd because he puffs out his chest so much, talks crap, and has all the ability in the world (see him scoring 20something points straight a couple years ago), but for whatever reason doesn't always take over. He seemed completely apathetic during the last few games of his final series in Cleveland. He is the most gifted player in the league by far, but I don't know if he has the mentality to fully capitalize on it. I think going to Miami will be very good for him.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

He is the most gifted player in the league by far, but I don't know if he has the mentality to fully capitalize on it. I think going to Miami will be very good for him.

I wonder if maybe a couple years of college would have helped in that regard... seriously.

 

[crandc]

Maybe he does not want to be "the man". But the most hyped player EVER in NBA history should welcome the chance to be "the man".

I guess he just needs a set of ovaries. Diana Taurasi did not shy away from much lesser hype and won 2 titles (so far).

 

[Nikolokolus]

I know Adrian Wojnarowski is persona non grata arond here, but this is a must read.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-lebrondecision070910

 

[maxiep]

I know Adrian Wojnarowski is persona non grata arond here, but this is a must read.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-lebrondecision070910

When he's not pushing an agenda, he's a pretty decent writer. This article was particularly good.

Honestly, I wonder what happens when Riley kicks LeBron's entourage out of the practice facility or off the court? James will throw a snit fit and then probably love him for the discipline.

 

[mook]

If this trio can break the Bulls' 72 win record, that's what people will remember about LeBron. That and the number of championships.

 

[Nikolokolus]

When he's not pushing an agenda, he's a pretty decent writer. This article was particularly good.

Honestly, I wonder what happens when Riley kicks LeBron's entourage out of the practice facility or off the court? James will throw a snit fit and then probably love him for the discipline.

Probably ... and after the way Mav Carter and World Wide Wes just trashed LBJ's brand and image, you might think he starts to question how much influence and bad advice he's willing to let them provide from now on ... especially when he's got a guy like Wade who is supposedly his good friend and a shit load more media savvy right next to him every day.

 

[Nikolokolus]

If this trio can break the Bulls' 72 win record, that's what people will remember about LeBron. That and the number of championships.

I disagree. LBJ will be remembered as a Wade's sidekick -- he went to Wade's team, Wade's city and will probably defer to the older guy with a true closer's mentality -- if they win big he'll be remembered as the super star who couldn't get it done without leaving his own team to join a trio of superstars.

 

[Wheels]

I disagree. LBJ will be remembered as a Wade's sidekick -- he went to Wade's team, Wade's city and will probably defer to the older guy with a true closer's mentality -- if they win big he'll be remembered as the super star who couldn't get it done without leaving his own team to join a trio of superstars.

truth

 

[maxiep]

Probably ... and after the way Mav Carter and World Wide Wes just trashed LBJ's brand and image, you might think he starts to question how much influence and bad advice he's willing to let them provide from now on ... especially when he's got a guy like Wade who is supposedly his good friend and a shit load more media savvy right next to him every day.

I don't think anything can penetrate the bubble of self-delusion LeBron occupies. I guarantee you he believes last night was a huge success from a PR standpoint. No one near him is going to tell him otherwise.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Per Bill Simmons twitter feed

Pretty much says it all ...

 

[HailBlazers]

I don't think anything can penetrate the bubble of self-delusion LeBron occupies. I guarantee you he believes last night was a huge success from a PR standpoint. No one near him is going to tell him otherwise.

Where do you think the bubble came from...? Could it possibly be from being hounded by everyone in the world since junior high as the next Michael Jordan? It's easy to Judge Lebron at this point in his career, but its not so easy to put yourself in his shoes.

I'm tired of all the Lebron hate, but I guess it comes with being King

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Where do you think the bubble came from...? Could it possibly be from being hounded by everyone in the world since junior high as the next Michael Jordan? It's easy to Judge Lebron at this point in his career, but its not so easy to put yourself in his shoes.

I'm tired of all the Lebron hate, but I guess it comes with being King

I don't hate Lebron. However, he has successfully portrayed himself as a "good guy." Now we know he's a dick like Kobe and MJ.

 

[alex42083]

Some more photos..

 

[crandc]

Now, Gilbert is the tough guy with James leaving the Cavs behind? Listen, Ferry and Brown always warned Gilbert that giving James everything he wanted – giving it when and where and how – wouldn’t be the way they would keep him. LeBron didn’t respect them because they never demanded it.

Gilbert always believed he should do everything James wanted – hire his buddies into jobs, throw them on summer-league rosters, allow him to do those stupid pregame choreographed dances – that James would love him, that he would never leave. Only, James is a taker, and he took and took until he had bled Gilbert and that franchise to the bone.

You know, I remember when the Blazers were looking at Oden & Durant. They said that Oden was a caretaker. That he would be loyal. They said that the Cavs lived in fear of James leaving and the franchise becoming irrlevant. Sounds prescient.

What I don't agree with in the article is the pity for James. He's a grown man. He is responsible for his own decisions. I see no reason to pity him if his decision, really not the decision itself but how he made & announced it, tarnishes him.

 

[BGrantFan]

I disagree. LBJ will be remembered as a Wade's sidekick -- he went to Wade's team, Wade's city and will probably defer to the older guy with a true closer's mentality -- if they win big he'll be remembered as the super star who couldn't get it done without leaving his own team to join a trio of superstars.

LOL

Yeah, Wade's 47-win team is quite the dynasty. James, by all accounts, tried to recruit Bosh to Cleveland. Bosh even says this is the truth, but Bosh didn't want to live and play in Cleveland. The idea that James just took a dump on Cleveland without trying to stay is laughable. Not getting Bosh probably made it an easy decision for him. Had he stayed in Cleveland and continued to not win titles, would it have been better for him?

Also, the idea that his image is somehow destroyed seems goofy to me. He'll get on the court, the Heat will win, the ratings will be huge, and everybody except the bitter Cleveland fans and the bitter message board junkies will move on.

 

[Idog1976]

Per Bill Simmons twitter feed

Pretty much says it all ...

I think LeBrand did irreparable harm to people of this generation. Yes, bandwagon bitches will love him like the little brown shirt followers they are. However, connoisseur's of the game will know he is a tool. Wade is the big winner in this move followed by Bosh. LeBron is the big loser of the three. Non-corrupted sportswriters who aren't sucking off Stern will rightly call out LeBron.

 

[BGrantFan]

I think LeBrand did irreparable harm to people of this generation. Yes, bandwagon bitches will love him like the little brown shirt followers they are. However, connoisseur's of the game will know he is a tool. Wade is the big winner in this move followed by Bosh. LeBron is the big loser of the three. Non-corrupted sportswriters who aren't sucking off Stern will rightly call out LeBron.

Oh brother.

 

[Wheels]

I'm tired of all the Lebron hate, but I guess it comes with being King

no it comes from being a dick. Constantly having to thrust yourself in the limelight, making it about you. Was there BS shows or announcements needed when Kobe or Durant had their extensions? no they just did their thing. What I am seeing from Lebron is the same thing I see from High School kids picking where to play college ball. Only difference is, they are 17.. Lebron isnt.

 

[hasoos]

Lose/Lose for the rest of the league. There are now going to be a bunch of doormats for years to come, and those are all going to be games nobody wants to watch.

 

[Minstrel]

In 20 years, none of this will be relevant. Almost no one today even cares about Boozer "tricking a blind guy." In 20 years, circumstances won't matter to those fans, who didn't necessarily "live through" this (and many of those that did will have long since moved on to new outrages and will no longer care). What will matter to those fans will be stats and championships. If some 50 year old basketball fan at that point says, "Well, LeBron James was a coward and had to go be Dwyane Wade's sidekick, " he/she will be refuted by a bunch of 20-30 year old fans who say, "Considering James was producing more, Wade was pretty clearly the sidekick, no matter who was there first."

The only quasi-moral judgment about players that sticks long-term is "loser" if they didn't win titles. James has made a business decision to minimize the chances of that (and as a bonus, gets to win with friends and play with other talented guys, which is always a nice experience). He may take criticism from some fans today...but the more years pass, the more his legacy will be enhanced by the titles, as long as his individual numbers remain great. Outrage passes, statistics and championships stay in the books forever.

 

[Wheels]

In 20 years, none of this will be relevant. Almost no one today even cares about Boozer "tricking a blind guy." In 20 years, circumstances won't matter to those fans, who didn't necessarily "live through" this (and many of those that did will have long since moved on to new outrages and will no longer care). What will matter to those fans will be stats and championships. If some 50 year old basketball fan at that point says, "Well, LeBron James was a coward and had to go be Dwyane Wade's sidekick, " he/she will be refuted by a bunch of 20-30 year old fans who say, "Considering James was producing more, Wade was pretty clearly the sidekick, no matter who was there first."

The only quasi-moral judgment about players that sticks long-term is "loser" if they didn't win titles. James has made a business decision to minimize the chances of that (and as a bonus, gets to win with friends and play with other talented guys, which is always a nice experience). He may take criticism from some fans today...but the more years pass, the more his legacy will be enhanced by the titles, as long as his individual numbers remain great. Outrage passes, statistics and championships stay in the books forever.

thats true. Not many think about Boozer anymore.. but dang.. twice its happened to them. It just clicked as I read your post lol.

 

[oldmangrouch]

There is a disturbing undertone to the Woj article: "if you are nice to people, you deserve a kick in the teeth - if you want respect, treat them like shit!"

Sounds like a guy with multiple arrests for domestic violence and animal abuse.

 

[Blaze01]

I agree Hasoos, it will be interesting to see what the TV ratings are next year......

 

[the ob]

LOL



Also, the idea that his image is somehow destroyed seems goofy to me. He'll get on the court, the Heat will win, the ratings will be huge, and everybody except the bitter Cleveland fans and the bitter message board junkies will move on.

I do not agree with this statement. I think there were many examples of lebron being either disrespectful or just a flat out dick over the last several years. I think there were people who were aware of the behavior. I think now the entire world has "witnessed" his true personality. the display he put on last night (with ESPN's help) was atrocious.

 

[the ob]

In 20 years, none of this will be relevant. Almost no one today even cares about Boozer "tricking a blind guy." In 20 years, circumstances won't matter to those fans, who didn't necessarily "live through" this (and many of those that did will have long since moved on to new outrages and will no longer care). What will matter to those fans will be stats and championships. If some 50 year old basketball fan at that point says, "Well, LeBron James was a coward and had to go be Dwyane Wade's sidekick, " he/she will be refuted by a bunch of 20-30 year old fans who say, "Considering James was producing more, Wade was pretty clearly the sidekick, no matter who was there first."

The only quasi-moral judgment about players that sticks long-term is "loser" if they didn't win titles. James has made a business decision to minimize the chances of that (and as a bonus, gets to win with friends and play with other talented guys, which is always a nice experience). He may take criticism from some fans today...but the more years pass, the more his legacy will be enhanced by the titles, as long as his individual numbers remain great. Outrage passes, statistics and championships stay in the books forever.

this is assuming they DO win multiple championships. I do not think this is a guarantee at all.

 

[Minstrel]

this is assuming they DO win multiple championships. I do not think this is a guarantee at all.

Nothing is guaranteed. All you can do is play the odds.

 

[SnakeOiler]

I think LeBrand did irreparable harm to people of this generation. Yes, bandwagon bitches will love him like the little brown shirt followers they are. However, connoisseur's of the game will know he is a tool. Wade is the big winner in this move followed by Bosh. LeBron is the big loser of the three. Non-corrupted sportswriters who aren't sucking off Stern will rightly call out LeBron.

Oh brother.

Yeah but KP got screwed, right? That's the real "Oh brother"