Comments on: Would an NBA Title Set LeBron James Free?

By: rick

rick — Fri, 08 May 2009 07:30:06 +0000

you’re a real floater, red.

By: Red

Red — Fri, 08 May 2009 04:39:45 +0000

This isn’t really a new idea, as its been discussed on numerous blogs and sports websites. It’s a pretty poor argument in my opinion, but its certainly possible, however remote.

The fact that James would leave a championship team would be difficult when he needs as many titles as possible to be considered the greatest ever, which of course is what he’s striving for.

The idea of James striving for billionaire or global icon status is waaaaaay overemphasized; He said it when he was 19, and likely isn’t entirely accurate of the way he feels now. And citing the Europe story is misleading, b/c he obviously did that for publicity. If you think James would play in Europe at this stage in his career, well you simply haven’t followed james that much.

Second, we know the cap is going down, and its likely no other team will be able to offer him a contract and bring another star. At this point, its highly unlikely. Cavs on the other hand will have space, with or without a change in cap. They have Mo and Delonte locked up for a long time as well.

Its hard to gauge James feelings, but its clear he absolutely LOVES the attention of this issue. He says one thing to the NY media, and then something completely different depending on his location at the given time.

In the end, James is first and foremost concerned about winning. It trumps everything else by a large margin. If he sees a team where he can win 10 titles, he’ll bolt. If Cleveland is the best chance he has for that (not necessarily a given), he’ll stay.

By: Zach Harper

Zach Harper — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:19:01 +0000

I have to say that I was pondering this idea the other day and I tend to agree that it might make it easier for LeBron to leave. Cleveland will still love him because they finally got a title in the city so I don’t think he’d have any added pressure there.

Great post, Mr. Thell.

By: Short Shorts

Short Shorts — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:48:49 +0000

Gonna have to slightly disagree Jeremy – obviously you’re right, titles are what sell a superstar, but Lebron has Zero titles thus far and is a pretty damn huge star already. If he goes to NY and doesn’t win a title for ten years (bc Dantoni ball can’t win championships) Lebron will still be a global icon. that’s the thing about today’s nba – it’s unfortunately become more about individual matchups (see: every xmas day game) and less about the team (see: why last year’s c’s were so special & unique).

Spewing Sports Nonsense in podcast form:
http://shortshorts.tumblr.com/

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:25:23 +0000

Very interesting point!

The only counter I can think of is this: LeBron’s financial and professional success depends on winning titles, ultimately (Jordan wouldn’t be Jordan without the threepeats). So when he’s a free agent in 2010, the question will be whether he looks at any of his suitors and says “Yes, I can go here and continue winning titles; they have the personnel and fit for me to make them dominant.” If he wins two straight titles in Cleveland, he may instead look around and say, “Holy cow, I need to ride this train as far is it goes while I still can; dynasties are hard to come by.”

I’d still lean toward him leaving if I had to guess now, but the rationale for staying is there, even in the context of the personal success you’re talking about.