OT: What happens now to LeBron?

[alex42083]

Apparently The King walked off the floor without congratulating any of the Magic players. He didn't even stay to talk to the media.

With all the hoopla next season going to be about LeBron's contract year, do people think he took another step out the door of Cleveland?
The Cavs have a pretty old team with their role players. Mo Williams showed he's not going to bring it in the big time. Ilgauskas got abused down low.

I'm leaning 65-35 right now that LeBron's looking ahead to leaving for the big stage of New York or New Jersey in summer of 2010.

James leaves Orlando defeated, speechless

ORLANDO, Fla. -- LeBron James slipped on a baseball cap, shoved his golden earphones over his ears to block out any noise, and walked out of the visitors' locker room at Amway Arena.

Past the outstretched hands offering him the Game 6 box score that summarized the 103-90 loss to the Orlando Magic.

Past the media that tried to ask him about his 25 points on 8-for-20 shooting, his lowest offensive output of this Eastern Conference finals.

He walked straight to the Cavaliers team bus without offering his insight to the end of the best regular season in franchise history, the team with the league's Most Valuable Player, the Coach of the Year and so much promise.

It was much like the way James walked straight off the court Saturday when the final buzzer sounded without offering a single handshake of congratulations to any Magic players as confetti fell.

This one, clearly, hurt more than the others. Nearly a year removed from leading Team USA to an Olympic gold medal and just weeks from being crowned the league's best player, James added another first to his resume -- the first time he refused to talk to media after a game.

"He'll be all right," Cavaliers guard Mo Williams said. "He'll be all right. That's just drive. This game is only going to make him better, that's all."

Whether it hurt more than other losses for James, not even coach Mike Brown was sure.

"Anytime you see an end to the season, it's going to be tough for anybody," he said.

In the locker room after the loss, James told his teammates they had a great season. No one spoke at length to him, said Williams, who compared James' frustration with a child who didn't get the present he longed for more than any other on Christmas morning.

"We wanted to win, man," Williams said. "Everybody in this room wanted to win and everybody in this room believed we could win. We didn't do it."

Still, James' teammates believe the frustration is something that will only push James to be better.

"I'm 110 percent sure he'll be all right," Williams said.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/05/james_leaves_orlando_defeated.html

 

[Nikolokolus]

He's a competitive mofo, this doesn't change a thing regarding 2010 ... now if they take an early bow next post-season and don't seem to be progressing then I think it becomes much more likely that he walks.

A looooooooong time between now and next July; tons can and will happen.

 

[alex42083]

He's a competitive mofo, this doesn't change a thing regarding 2010 ... now if they take an early bow next post-season and don't seem to be progressing then I think it becomes much more likely that he walks.

A looooooooong time between now and next July; tons can and will happen.

It's all on Danny Ferry this offseason to get LeBron some help. I think you'll see a completely different Cleveland team next year but they certainly have no money to offer, and they're stuck with Ben Wallace for $14 mil.

It probably is still early to speculate, but I'm guessing we won't hear the end of it from ESPN for the next year.

 

[Miksaid]

He gets traded to Portland.

 

[Minstrel]

He gets traded to Portland.

Portland can make a lopsided deal, after all.

 

[Wheels]

It's all on Danny Ferry this offseason to get LeBron some help. I think you'll see a completely different Cleveland team next year but they certainly have no money to offer, and they're stuck with Ben Wallace for $14 mil.

It probably is still early to speculate, but I'm guessing we won't hear the end of it from ESPN for the next year.

The thing about Ben Wallace.. next year is his last year on that 14 mill contract. Thats an even bigger expiring contract than RLEC, not as sweet cause no insurance, but that could be a big BIG trading chip for a major 2nd fiddle to Lebron. And leaving Mo Williams as a really good 3rd option.

 

[Natebishop3]

The thing about Ben Wallace.. next year is his last year on that 14 mill contract. Thats an even bigger expiring contract than RLEC, not as sweet cause no insurance, but that could be a big BIG trading chip for a major 2nd fiddle to Lebron. And leaving Mo Williams as a really good 3rd option.

What would we realistically offer for LeBron?

 

[alex42083]

The thing about Ben Wallace.. next year is his last year on that 14 mill contract. Thats an even bigger expiring contract than RLEC, not as sweet cause no insurance, but that could be a big BIG trading chip for a major 2nd fiddle to Lebron. And leaving Mo Williams as a really good 3rd option.

I've lost faith in the whole expiring contract being able to bring in a big-time player. I don't think any team is going to trade Cleveland a big-time player to complement LeBron for an expiring. And the Cavs don't have any other young pieces to offer other teams. It's a good idea in theory, but hard justifying to some team's fans by giving up a great player for nothing unless you're Chris Wallace and you're a complete idiot.

 

[Wheels]

What would we realistically offer for LeBron?

huh?

 

[Wheels]

I've lost faith in the whole expiring contract being able to bring in a big-time player. I don't think any team is going to trade Cleveland a big-time player to complement LeBron for an expiring. And the Cavs don't have any other young pieces to offer other teams. It's a good idea in theory, but hard justifying to some team's fans by giving up a great player for nothing unless you're Chris Wallace and you're a complete idiot.

I agree with you mostly.. I guess it just depends on how those smaller market teams who arent as financially fortunate are doing, if the economy still worsens, it sure is possible though. We'll just have to do the wait and see method.

edit. I guess I shouldnt have said MAJOR 2nd fiddle. When you have someone the talent level of Lebron, a lower tier semi all star can be had, kinda like Gasol over in LA. (not knocking his talents, he's just not a "perennial" all star.)

 

[Shapecity]

I wonder how secure Mike Brown's job is after this defeat. He didn't exactly stand out in the series and basically put his faith in LeBron James being able to make plays and shoulder all the burden.

The Orlando Magic have a chance to dominate the Eastern conference if they keep their core intact. Howard, Shard, Hedo & Nelson are all young still. Hell they're in the Finals even without Jameer Nelson being healthy. Howard is only going to get better and has barely scratched the surface of his potential on offense. I'm not sure what Cleveland can do to improve their odds of beating Orlando.

 

[Draco]

Lebron is a loyal guy, he will want to stay in Cleveland unless the team is total crap. Cleveland only has Mo's contract on the books next offseason, so they could potentially sign Wade and another huge FA (Bosh?) plus resign Lebron.

 

[Kaydow]

I wonder how secure Mike Brown's job is after this defeat. He didn't exactly stand out in the series and basically put his faith in LeBron James being able to make plays and shoulder all the burden.

The Orlando Magic have a chance to dominate the Eastern conference if they keep their core intact. Howard, Shard, Hedo & Nelson are all young still. Hell they're in the Finals even without Jameer Nelson being healthy. Howard is only going to get better and has barely scratched the surface of his potential on offense. I'm not sure what Cleveland can do to improve their odds of beating Orlando.

Has there ever been a coach who get fired after winning coach of the year?

 

[JE]

I'm leaning 65-35 right now that LeBron's looking ahead to leaving for the big stage of New York or New Jersey in summer of 2010.

He'll be a Cav or a Knick. No way he ends up in NJ.

 

[JE]

yeah, it's quite common. Sam Mitchell and Avery Johnson for instance.

I think he meant instantly, like the following summer.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Lebron is a loyal guy, he will want to stay in Cleveland unless the team is total crap. Cleveland only has Mo's contract on the books next offseason, so they could potentially sign Wade and another huge FA (Bosh?) plus resign Lebron.

I agree that he tends to be loyal, but that only goes so far. He has everything a player could want excpet the one thing that separates the greats from the greatest players- championships. If Cleveland isn't poised to make several title runs with a good supporting cast, he'll walk for sure. For players like him, it's all about the rings.

 

[alex42083]

He'll be a Cav or a Knick. No way he ends up in NJ.

I wouldn't discount New Jersey that fast with their owner talking about breaking ground on a new arena this summer in Brooklyn in time for the 2011-12 season, and you see Jay-Z congratulating LeBron on the court after the games.
But yeah, if I had a preference, I'd like to see LeBron go to NY. That'd be one big circus.

 

[Uther TheGardener]

Lebron leaves and the coach just got the kiss of death the sad thing is that his and nate's offense is the same..

 

[Natebishop3]

huh?

Minstrel said "Portland can make a lopsided deal, after all."

I'm just curious. What would you guys offer for LeBron?

 

[STOMP]

What would we realistically offer for LeBron?

Roy and LA
Roy or LA + Batum, and Joel

thats with all of 2 seconds of thought, but thats as close to realistic as I can get off the top o me head

STOMP

 

[Wheels]

Minstrel said "Portland can make a lopsided deal, after all."

I'm just curious. What would you guys offer for LeBron?

Oh I thought you were saying I was throwing out trading for him. I honestly cant think of a package. Because There is so much that Cleveland would want in return (and rightfully so) that it would decimate us and leave us with almost nothing. Then Lebron is in a city where he has to do everything like he is now. Except now there is no reason for him to be loyal to us, like he would Cleveland and we lose him. There is no realistic trade that would benefit us in the long run.

 

[STOMP]

Oh I thought you were saying I was throwing out trading for him. I honestly cant think of a package. Because There is so much that Cleveland would want in return (and rightfully so) that it would decimate us and leave us with almost nothing. Then Lebron is in a city where he has to do everything like he is now. Except now there is no reason for him to be loyal to us, like he would Cleveland and we lose him. There is no realistic trade that would benefit us in the long run.

I'm not that taken by his surrounding cast in Cleveland, and Z is close to done. If Portland didn't totally gut their roster to attain him, I'd think there would be a better chance of winning titles as a Blazer then as a Cav.

STOMP

 

[Minstrel]

Minstrel said "Portland can make a lopsided deal, after all."

I was just making a joke. "Lopsided deal" in the context of this off-season has meant lopsided in salary. But I extended it to LeBron, as if "lopsided" referred to talent. I don't think Cleveland will ever trade him unless James says he's leaving but will accept a sign-and-trade.

I'm just curious. What would you guys offer for LeBron?

Two of the big three. Or one of the big three and two of Rudy, Batum, Bayless.

I don't know if that's fair value (hard to place fair value on the best player since Michael Jordan), but beyond that Portland guts their team too much to be competitive even with James. All of this would be predicated on James signing an extension. So it would have to be next year, as a sign-and-trade.

 

[rocketeer]

this changes nothing for lebron.

for the cavs, it doesn't really change anything either. they just need to improve the team. if they win the title next year, lebron isn't going anywhere.

 

[Sug]

Why would the Cavs ever want to move LBJ? If anything they will look to move one of their three PGs in a draft day deal. I have a feeling either West or Gibson will be the one shipped out. They have zero cap space, so the MLE is going to be their main summer tool, and I would imagine that they could get a decent player this summer. LBJ is a pretty attractive piece for a FA to think about joining, even at a reduced rate.

 

[ehizzy3]

lebron is gonna stay in cleveland or sign with miami

 

[rocketeer]

Why would the Cavs ever want to move LBJ? If anything they will look to move one of their three PGs in a draft day deal. I have a feeling either West or Gibson will be the one shipped out. They have zero cap space, so the MLE is going to be their main summer tool, and I would imagine that they could get a decent player this summer. LBJ is a pretty attractive piece for a FA to think about joining, even at a reduced rate.

well if it became evident that lebron was going to leave and they didn't want to lose him for nothing, it would make sense to try to get something in return. it isn't going to ever come to that though.

i'd be surprised to see mo, west, or gibson moved. none of the 3 are really signed to unreasonable deals and all work well with lebron. they just need to do a better job of hitting shots in the playoffs.

the cavs really need two things in my mind. a big perimeter player(other than lebron) and a real post up threat. they have the last pick of the 1st round, the MLE, and ben wallace(14 mil) and pavlovic(5 mil)'s expirings to work with.

 

[Stevenson]

"Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today, I want to be a part of it ... New York, New York!"

 

[alex42083]

this changes nothing for lebron.

for the cavs, it doesn't really change anything either. they just need to improve the team. if they win the title next year, lebron isn't going anywhere.

I think it changes a big deal for LeBron and Cleveland. It's all or nothing next season, or else he becomes an unrestricted FA which would make me nervous if I were a Cavs fan. There's no big-time FA in this summer's class, and they're going to have to take some sort of risk in a trade by breaking up their core to bring in somebody.

This current group got exposed big time, and won't win it all next year.

 

[rocketeer]

I think it changes a big deal for LeBron and Cleveland. It's all or nothing next season, or else he becomes an unrestricted FA which would make me nervous if I were a Cavs fan. There's no big-time FA in this summer's class, and they're going to have to take some sort of risk in a trade by breaking up their core to bring in somebody.

This current group got exposed big time, and won't win it all next year.

this current group didn't get exposed at all. they played the one team in the league they didn't matchup well with in the eastern conference finals and lost in 6 games when 3 of the games(and two losses) were determined on last second shots.

there's no reason for the cavs to panic, but like any other team they should be looking to make improvements. and it isn't all or nothing next season. the cavs not winning the championship next year doesn't mean that lebron is going to leave. it's very much in doubt whether there will be any team with a chance at getting him that would also be able to offer him as good of an opportunity to win.

why do they need to break up the core? there aren't any star free agents out there for them this year, but there are plenty of guys who could come in and help the team. and when you're in the cavs situation all it takes is a little improvement(or really they don't even have to improve at all) to win a championship. the MLE, 30th pick in the draft(if they use it wisely), and improvement from hickson should already have the cavs on the right track. and yet again they have big expirings to play with if deals present themselves.