Sunday, February 13, 2005

The True Mark of a Legend

After watching the Cavs just handle the Lakers on national TV, I got to thinking that we are well on our way and with LeBron as pilot, this will happen.  I don’t know if it’s going to be this year or the next, but a few years down the road this team will be victorious. 

But the question that looms over every Ohioan and the same question that wets every other teams appetite is simply this – Will the King Remain in Cleveland?

Before I answer that question, let’s look at a quick fact:

Real quick –
How many teams did Larry Bird play for?
How many teams did Magic play for?
How many teams did Michael Jordan play for (I am not counting his business venture in DC)?

The answer to all these questions is 1. 

1 team..think about it.  These are 3 of the best players of all time and they stuck with their teams and all were very, very successful. 

this isn't the 20th century anymore..

Let’s take out Magic and Larry.  I mean they were the respective leaders on the Lakers and Celtics, but both were surrounded with sick talent. 

That leaves one guy left..MJ.   As many of you know The King is now seriously compared to MJ…no more hype..LeBron is the real deal…(I expected nothing less).  So Jordan played in the city of Chicago..a city and team struggling at the time he was drafted.  But then came MJ.  Without question the greatest player to ever touch a basketball.  Jordan brought glory to the city and the team and created one of the greatest dynasties ever.  Jordan’s heart was always with the Bulls and arguably revived the city of Chicago.  You can’t tell me you don’t think of his Airness when Chicago is mentioned in any context. 

Anyone starting to think here? 

So let’s fast forward to the present.  It’s LeBron’s league…yes, I just said that.  It’s true..LeBron is the new face of the NBA.  A clean cut, respectable player who listens and aims to lift his team up ahead of padding his stats.  (oh and LeBron is currently average 25 PPG, 7 assists, 7 Reb….good lord).  I mean look at the Cavs record or in fact look at the stats of his teammates.  I mean Drew Gooden, Jeff McGinnis, and even Tractor Traylor..all having great years and owe it all to the King.  Look at LeBron’s interaction with the fans.  He is either in the corner pumping his fists to the fans, running down the court with a face of pure domination, and you can even see LeBron bowing to his teammates after a sick play. They look to him to lead and does…with ease. 

That brings me to my point:

Jordan is responsible for all the Bulls success and the team was built around him.  But more importantly on his resume is the tremendous help he played in reviving the largest Midwestern City.  I feel this is an overlooked aspect of his career in which no other athlete has recreated. 

Now, it’s LeBron’s turn.  He has a chance to bring this team, built around him, to glory and in the process help rebuild a very struggling city.  

This is why LeBron will not be leaving after his contract ends.  Jordan is the example of a true legend and LeBron knows this and will follow in his footsteps.  

How many players to do you consider legends?  Do you consider T-Mac a legend?  Seriously..a cocky player who hops from team to team.    He is not a legend and almost all players who make the NBA will never become true legends.  But LeBron has this chance and is an autograph away from reaffirming his commitment to just one team. 

LeBron is from Ohio (LeAkron) and knows his roots.  In just his first year of play, LeBron had already rebuilt 5 courts in the city of Akron.  Just the other day, LeBron went to check out his former high school St. V play.  Lebron’s home base of family and friends are all still in Ohio - the people who cared for him before he was the biggest thing in ALL of sports.  But more importantly than staying close to fam and friends is like I stated above – his opportunity to rebuild the city. 

LeBron has stated he has no intention to leave the Cavs, but still the rest of the world outside Ohio is convinced LeBron will jump ship after next year.  Everyone believes Lebron needs to be around true players in a big city.  I say no way, but it’s not my choice…

But will LeBron choose to become the greatest athlete to ever grace a Cleveland uniform both on and off the court?

Only a contract renegotiation will tell…

Will the King leave home?

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

ah Mr. LeBlog, once again you are right on the money.

as much as I wish that Ben Wallace could be the poster child of the NBA, it is in fact Lebron, much more so than Kobe, T-Mac, Stevie Franchise, etc. etc.  His performance Sunday was sick, as always.  And its always nice to see the whiny Kobe get it handed to him.  but rebuilding the city of Cleveland? that will be a tall order for anyone to fullfill, even MJ.  I guess only time will tell.

as a non-clevelanite, id like to know just where does lebron rank among Cleveland's greatest.  1.) Jim Brown 2.) LeBron James?

Anonymous said...

LeBron James is the blink of an eye from being the greatest basketball player whoever lived!

Anonymous said...

yes lebron will remain a cavieler for the rest of his career and bring a nba championship to the cleveland cavielers
                                                         rgds,
                                                         doriano  

Anonymous said...

Mr. LeBlog:

Your comments are very insightful.  Let me quelch one rumor started by a NBA Insider.  He claims that LeBron has advertisement incentives from Nike that will pay him even more money if plays in a large market, such as New York or L.A.  Well that sounds good on paper, LeBron is the face of the NBA.  He can command whatever he wants.  Does one really think Nike will withhold money from LeBron because LeBron wants to play in Cleveland?  No.  Nike is smart and knows LeBron should be paid, regardless of the city he lives in.  He is too valuable an asset for Nike to lose.  

One other point.  It is a fact that Cavs ownership consults LeBron on personnel decisions.  I think LeBron is deferential and lets ownership make the ultimate call, but ownership knows that LeBron is special and deserves to be treated as such.  Watch the Cavs this summer make runs at free agents that LeBron thinks will fit in well, such as Michael Redd.  And look for some players to stay around for less money- such as "Z" and McInnis.    

Anonymous said...

Michael Jordan: 6-time NBA Champion, played in the 3rd largest market, did not win first title until his 7th season in the league ('91)

Magic Johnson: 5-time NBA Champion, played in the 2nd largest market, won first NBA title in his rookie season ('80)

Larry Bird: 3-time NBA Champion, played in the 7th largest market, won first NBA title in his third season ('81)

Each of these players had the good fortune to play in one of the largest media markets.  When a championship is won and the size the of local media market, I would argue, are the two most important factors in a player's staying power. Look at one of the more recent NBA Legends, Shaquille O'Neal - he couldn't win with the Magic and after several years of frustration decided to jump ship. He moved to the nation's second-largest market and in doing so became a man who could no longer profess that he has "won at all levels except college and pro".

It is hard for a player to leave the team that drafted him once he has won a championship there, particularly in a city which had never won a championship prior (see Tim Duncan).  It is much more difficult for the city and the league at this point to see a player leave. The lure of money from the major media markets is powerful - and staying in the 'wrong' city is a poor business decision for both the NBA and for the player himself. It takes a lot for any young player to deflect these forces, even a King.

Cleveland is currently the 16th largest market in the nation - but more importantly it is less than HALF the size of any city in the top 6. If LeBron wins soon he may very well spend the rest of his career with the Cavaliers. Of course if Dan Gilbert takes a cue from Cleveland sports tradition and moves the Cavs to Baltimore (Balt-Wash is the 4th-largest market) LeBron may not need to win to spend the rest of his days with the Cavs; they will just be spent next to a different foul-smelling body of water.

Anonymous said...

Ok how many noticed that Lebron got over $100 million in contracts outside the team? Is his savy off the court as well as on?

Lebron, getting his money outside of the team, leaves the team money to sign free agents or soon to be free agents. TV markets arent everything. Oh wait the Indians werent too bad in that small market as well.

The Big Z? No Z isnt Super Star but a very good support. No Z is not Shaq but after Yao and Shaq who is the next best center? Im not saying he is the super dominant player that Shaq or Duncan are, But he is no push over either.

If you got the chance to play at your home and get paid the big bucks then why worry about TV? The TV markets are obviously already coming to Cleveland to find Lebron.

Or is just cause everyone else wants them to come to their city? Just like everyone wants every big name free agent to come to their town.

Anonymous said...

Didn't Jordan play one year for Washington?  I know he played for one team besides Chicago.

Anonymous said...

lebron is a loser , he will probley play for at least 5 diffrent teams. He is just like shaq he has been to 3 teams , ok!

Anonymous said...

LEBRON JAMES WILL BE  IN A LAKERS UNIFORM BY 2007 OR 8. ITS ALL ABOUT MONEY.  THE TEAM WITH THE MOST MONEY IN THE BANK WILL GET HIM.

Anonymous said...

Until he wins a championship in Cleveland, all bets are off.  I see him staying put for the next 8 years or so regardless, but the deeper he gets into his career without a championship, the more likely he is to start exploring other options.  

As far as him being a legend, he will need to win the championship. Today's media outlets refuse to label anyone a legend unless they have a championship to go along with their individual accomplishments (not my personal opinion however).

As a side note...I'm a non-clevelandite nor a big fan of the NBA, but just want to say hats off a high school kid who has not only lived up to the hype, but has done it with the utmost class.  The rest of the NBA players should take notice, and a backseat!

gigidy,
B

Anonymous said...

Yea they all have had good year this season but in 2007 King James is going to get tired of losing in the playoffs and eventually leave he won't play for the Cavaliers for the rest of his career. I give him about a good 7 years and then he's going to demand a trade. And the face of the NBA is not LeBron the face of the NBA is and always will be Allen Iverson, Kobe and T-Mac but mainly Iverson because of the simple fact that he's barely 6' and he scores 60 at ease with Steve Francis Jameer Nelson and Doug Christie all gaurding him if that happened to LeBron he probably score about a good 2o-25 points but not 60 Iverson can make things happen easy jus by his style of play when was the last time u seen somebody jus shut A.I down to about a 14 point game last season when he played like 48 games and 30 of them hurt come on now be forreal.

Anonymous said...

O Yea 1 more thing in Iversons rookie year he had hype and lived up to it and also broke 1 of wilt Chamberlain's records in the process 40 point in  like 4 consecutive games or something like that LeBron scored 40 on a brokoe down Nets team without Jason Kidd or Richard Jefferson. I'm not saying Lebron isn't good he's a great all around player but you can't just push A.I Kobe and T-Mac to the side just because LeBron is getting his shine on right now let King James face off against T-Mac and A.I and we'll see if he's still the King everyone thinks he is. He already downed Kobe he still got 2 more to go

Anonymous said...

Your comments on MJ are really out to lunch! MJ would not have won any Rings without PHIL to keep him from being a one man show.

Anonymous said...

yes

Anonymous said...

Mr LeBlog hit it right on. What a lot of people don't understand about lebron is that he is not about money and is not selfish. He has an incredible amount of class and respect for the game, his team, and the city of cleveland. As long as the managment treats him well and they build the team around him, i see him staying with the cavs for most if not all his career. And for all you new york or LA people that seem to think your better than the rest of the country...YOUR NOT AND HE'S NOT COMING THERE

Anonymous said...

For one Lebron will never goto The lakers like someone said earlier because Kobe would never let that happen, because kobe is the most selfish person in the game he wants to be the leader and if Lebron came ther he would be playing second fiddle again like he was to Shaq.  For two lebron will stay with the cavs because he wants to win there and prove he was the missing piece to them being a great team

Anonymous said...

good kid....but will go for the money...as most athletes do in this day and age....here's hoping he remains with his roots....will make a great story for an outstanding young man...

Anonymous said...

you never know i thought griffy woulud e a mariner forever and with isiah running the knicks anything is possible.
u never know he might just want to ride the ship with duncan or kg to win a title or take a big contract remember kenyon martin. #1 pick of the nets and he had kidd.

Anonymous said...

I think he needs to go to San antonio Bruce bowen is only good for defense but on offense is virtually useless with lebron the Spurs wolud be unstoppable for a long time.Same for the miami heat eddie jones has been in the league for a long time once the clear some space the heat should pick up this up and comin' KING JAMES.

           

Anonymous said...

yes lebron is better of staying in cleveland than going to NY, why would he want to Isiah has screwed that city over just like danny ainge trading antoine walker (former UK wildcat)was a very big mistake the knicks need help in the decision making.the so called KING JAMES is the best thing this league has seen since the days of AIR JORDAN. But if lebron wants to WIN NOW.... he needs to go New Jersey with RJ out for the season Vince and Jkidd could win the ring. but that probably wont happen

Anonymous said...

I see a lot of comments about what a "classy" guy (kid) LeBron is. Wearing wristbands that say "King James" to his first practice with the Cavs last year is hardly a show of class. Getting a tattoo across your shoulder the next year that says "Choosen one" is as far away from Classy as it gets, I mean can you imagine MJ or Magic doing something so untterly tastless? Ok, LeBron is a man-child so I can give him a break, but at this point in his young life, "class" does not describe him, maybe it time it will. He's one hell of a talent and one of "(not THE one) the best players in the the NBA. There are a few other all time greats I need not name who haven't never one a championship, there is one all time great out west right now who likely wont win another one any time soon, that being said, the cavs are a good team, not a great one, not championship material..yet? The reality of it is come 2007 if the cavs aren't on their way to a championship LeBron is as likely to jump ship as anyone. The warm fuzzy home town feeling has a way of fading fast.

Anonymous said...

The Knicks are already making the necessary CAP ROOM to bring James to NY.  Sorry Cleveland, but you can't expect James to play in the minor leagues his entire career.

Anonymous said...

money is king.  if cleveland lets negotiations go too long, he'll be in la or ny-no doubt.  breyo@aol.com

Anonymous said...

LeBron is a very talented player i'll give him that..Ever since last yrs. Rookie of the Year award being given to him, it is all just publicity. It was all a scam, there was another player by the name of Carmelo Anthony who should've been awarded rookie of the year. I mean did LeBron take the Cavs to the play-offs? umm NO..I'll give LeBron 3 more seasons in Cleveland after that he will demand a trade..The Cavs wont make it past the 1st round in the playoffs in the next 25 years!!

Anonymous said...

The thing that makes me sick is reading all this crap about who everone thinks is the best because he plays for their favorite team.  KG, Lebron, Kobe, and Duncan are the only four in the league right now that can be considered the best.  T-mac and AI can put up some points but when have they ever had a bad shooting performance and still LED their team to victory.  Against the Lakers Lebron was 2 for 7 in the first half, but had 6 assists and 5 boards and not to mention 2 steals.  If Lebron stays in Cleveland he could go down in history as one of the greats, if he leaves, he will go down in history as champion.  Lead your team to victory, don't go become the final piece to the puzzle in some other city.  Stay become great just like Bird, Magic, and MJ.

Anonymous said...

I hope that Lebron stay with the Cavs he is a great players on and off the court. every city had a superstar that came to their team like Jordan to the bulls and magic to the Lakers he is everyone supersatar in OHIO. he is a great player no one else in the league in ave 25 pts 7 reb 7 ass in a season is there Everyone in Akron is happy that he came from here and do great things with the Cavs. but if he leave the Cavs the air will leave Ohio when will we get another superstar in ohio. but if he stay everyone will think about champship come to clelevland it will be great fro ohio period. Everyone was talk about the hype when he come and he live up to it and was no bother by it last year when he play the cavs the cavs record was improve from year before he was draft to cleveland and he came back to akron ohio to built new court for ED Davis and other place in Akron ohio he is a hometown star he is great only if they can get help from other players. and if u ask some playes do u want to play with Lebron they will say yes i do. he is akron superstar this is Jeff Brown from akron ohio

Anonymous said...

I dont think that he will jump ship, he is a down to earth nice guy that knows what its like to have nothing and then to wealthy.  Akron is so very proud of Labron and he knows it.  The kid is an all around good guy that will do things for the kids in his neighborhood and the ones that are struggling.  Its about time that a player does something for their own people.  We hear all the benefits for the kids in cleveland and what they dont realize is that its just not cleveland but the surrounding areas with kids that support the cavs and all major basketball, football and baseball teams, but all you hear is that it will benefit the kids in cleveland.  Thats where I think Labron will draw the line and support the kids from Akron and the surrounding areas instead of just fogusing all for cleveland.

All races of children look at Labron as being their idol and he well deserves that and rightfully he should.  Its not all about cleveland because it should be all about the surrounding areas also.

Anonymous said...

All of your points and comments are valid. However, there is one issue, and one big issue, that you are avoiding. You cannot compare Cleveland to Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles. As Lebron gets a bit older his tastes and desires will change and Cleveland is not the place for a rich celebrity to matriculate. I know the fans of Cleveland will not like to hear this, but when this contract expires the hometown hero moves on.

Anonymous said...

WOW some really ignorant people are posting on here. What is wrong with Cleveland? When is the last time you have been there? It is a nice town and I believe LaBron will stay here and the CAVS will be the NBA champs in the near future. Sorry if thats too hard for some of you to swallow

Anonymous said...

If cleveland can fine a player like Prince from Detroit that can play like Scottie  do it all and let him be the star Cleavland will be Champs for a long time, Detroit is real good without  Prince with him they are champs. He is the smart player from Detroit. they have allways tryed to have him come of the pine he is just to good for that

Anonymous said...

If cleveland can fine a player like Prince from Detroit that can play like Scottie  do it all and let him be the star Cleavland will be Champs for a long time, Detroit is real good without  Prince with him they are champs. He is the smart player from Detroit. they have allways tryed to have him come of the pine he is just to good for that (THE BOTTOM LINE)  Larry-Magic -Jodan  are champs- they had there guy on the court.

Anonymous said...

Not a Knicks fan but, I also believe he will end up there.  By 2007, he will be pulling down $50 per and the Knicks will give him a piece of MSG and every LeBron item sold in in the Garden, Shops, Web and Cable.  I think you will also seem more excluse marketed items solely to sweeten the pot.  He will be worth it, compared to the stiffs making $10-20 now and, he will not be able to refuse.
Mike

Anonymous said...

lebron should honor his current contract.........dont let him be a pain in the ass like other ballplayers...........if he does ,get rid of him........................................................p

Anonymous said...

It depends on the owners commitment. It's going to be the biggest contract ever show lebron the money!

Anonymous said...

Hell NO...LeBron James is half way to Staples Center right now and will be a Laker, I guarantee it, once his contract expires or before it expires if he can get out of Cleveland.  After all who wouldn't?  Check the fine print in his shoe deal and you will see Cleveland has no chance in keeping this guy.  He is ready for the big stage and it sure as hell is not in the cesspool called Cleveland.

Anonymous said...

Like i said earlier, lebron is not about money and flash and fame. He was born and raised in inner city akron and understands the city of cleveland and fits in very well there. As of right now, the cavs are not a championship caliber team...but in about 2 to 4 years i can see it happening. Lebron knows this and if they can land a good trade...maybe picking up a michael redd type player they will develop into a very good team. Jordan would be the first to tell you if it wasn't for pippen...they probably wouldn't have won as many championships in chicago. I really don't see him ever going to LA, especially if kobe is there. New York i'm sure will try to get him but i don't think he would ever sign there, mostly because he likes it in cleveland and wouldn't want to put up with the crazy media. The only way i ever see him leaving is if the managment starts doing really stupid things and puts a losing team around him. This could happen in the distant future, but i think right now he's very happy and wants to bring a long awaited championship back to cleveland.

Anonymous said...

You you spell Lakers or Knicks

Anonymous said...

If Lebron left Cleveland it would be a huge mistake for him and the organization. He could own this city. The man would have streets named after him if he finished his career in this town. He would have his name mentioned with Jim Brown as the greatest athletes in Cleveland history. Just think about it, Bernie Kosar was just a pretty good Quarterback and you can't say anything wrong about him in Cleveland. If you say anything bad about Lebron you are willing to start a riot. In my opinion, It would be a huge mistake for him to even think of living......Cleveland Rocks

Anonymous said...

the king will not leave if he knows wats best for him. if he leaves to go to LA kobe will try to take his fame and will not let him come over to LA to be the man of that team that will not happen. i think that the KING will stay where he is cause he loves the team and he is doing a great job over there.

Anonymous said...

OH Lord i hope not i think that for such a young talented athlete he has proven to everyone that he is a  smart person on and off court. I think when it comes down for him to choose he will make the best decision for him and his career.

Anonymous said...

There's only one thing LeBron James cares about. WINNING. PERIOD. As long as the Cavaliers organization is commited to that, he'll be around for a long long time. And right now LeBron is Cleveland. Don't think the Cavalier brass doesn't know this. They are very much aware he is their bread and butter. Whatever he needs to win they'll get. Money won't be a factor to him. He's already said he's got enough millions. How many players have you heard say that? No LeBron won't be going anywhere anytime soon. And if the Cavs play their cards right, he'll be Cleveland till the day he retires.

Anonymous said...

cavs suck dick

Anonymous said...

I was at Sundays game against the Lakers and LeBron only had 4 points at halftime. Ball hog Bryant had i think 18 at the half and only had 26 at the end of the game.If LeBron was a ball hog like Bryant he would lead the league in scoring. But he lets the game come to him. LeBron won't leave Cleveland even if they don't ever win he was born here in Ohio and played high school ball here.
He is very close to his home town of Akron and is trying to rebuild inner parks and even has bought a apartment complex down there. He is very close to his mom and his mom would not let him leave for more money. LeBron isn't stuck on his self like others in this league.He will retire here.Watch and see

Anonymous said...

It's likely that he won't complete his career with the Cavs...think about Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Akeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Shaq, the list goes on.

Anonymous said...

No chance lebron james leaves cleveland, lebron james is SO big that free agents r heading 2 cleveland (now who would of thought wed c that in our lifetime??) micheal redd is by far the mots outspoken one, and a Z-gooden-lebron-redd-mcinnis combo propels cleveland into 3 NBA championships.....then Z retires....and another big free agent will come along...i hope....lebron gets 7-8 titles b4 its all said and done......hes got enough money, he wont leave

Anonymous said...

hell no!

Anonymous said...

I hope and pray he stays with the Cavs and leads them to many NBA titles. A Cleveland team is well over due.

Anonymous said...

i don't think he'll leave neither ,ohio love him an he love ohio ,i'm from dayton an i'm fell truly blessed that my sons  will grow up watching an following him ,my era we had jordan my boys got lebron ,an ohio is the heart of it all many great people an things have come out of ohio ,i put lebron up there with the wright brothers ,the 5or 7 presidents from here ,all the great inventor.while too sum it all up he has all the make of a legend so stay home an become the legend he is intended of becoming ,i hated every ohio sports team beside UD until i seen him n person at UD ,i wish him nothing but the best ,so yes he'll b here .an i am now a huge cav fan

Anonymous said...

no new york here he comes

Anonymous said...

fuck  the king  iam the king of ny,nj

Anonymous said...

First of all, a lot of you HATERS are IGNORANT!!!  As a Cleveland fan, I LOOOOVE to see you haters seething at Cleveland having such a good player, and you guys coming up with off the wall scenarios so that some big market team that doesn't do jack otherwise gets The King, OUR KING!!!  It means two things, 1) we have something you want, and 2) you guys want it so bad that you're gonna try to ruin the experience for us.

Here are the rules, you misinformed FOOLS: The Cavs can offer LeBron more money than ANY OTHER TEAM in the NBA under the collective bargaining agreement.  On July 1, 2006, they can offer him a max of 7 years, $112 million extension.  No other team, even if freakin Donald Trump is their owner, can offer him even within $20 million of that money.  His contract is up after 2007, not 2006, and before his last year the Cavs can extend it.  If he chooses not to sign it, he can play out 2006/07 and become a restricted free agent, which means that if LeBron DOES hit the open market (which he won't but might as well entertain the wishful thinking by you Haterade drinkers), the Cavs will have the right to match ANY OFFER that ANY OTHER team makes him, REGARDLESS of our salary cap situation.  If LeBron signs with no other team, he signs his one year tenure with us for 2007/08 and becomes an unrestricted free agent in which case we can still offer him more than ANY OTHER TEAM, but he is free to go wherever, even if he wants to take less money.  If it does get that far, he will make his intentions clear to millions of Cleveland fans for 2007/08 and we will boo him relentlessly at the Gund.  Does he want to be hated in his hometown?  No, because he isn't quite as stupid as you idiots who think that he has his heart set on leaving Cleveland.  

Anonymous said...

Also...the one guy who said that LeBron will play for the Knicks because he doesn't want to be "minor league" anymore....what is the Bricks record?  What is the Cavs record?  Which team is going to the playoffs this year?  If LeBron wants to be a WINNER, then the BRICKS certainly aren't the answer.  Bunch of panzies in New York...Boston freakin owns you.  Worry about them before you worry about us in Cleveland.

Anonymous said...

you people are envious of the Cleveland Cavaliers and their remarkable rebirth. you guys should be ashamed of your jealousy. chicago, you've had your jordan and six rings. LA, you had kobe and three rings, coulda had more but pi$$ed it away by dealing shaq, the most dominant force in nba history. new york, you guys just plain suck and are trying to use the "big market" card. new jersey/brooklyn, your franchise has no tradition and history and your arena never sells out as is. plus you have j-kidd and vinsanity so shut up.

To go to one of those teams, he has to first become a restricted free agent after the '06-'07 season, then turn down a 7 year max contract from the Cavs to instead accept the 1 year qualifying offer to then become an unrestricted free agent after the '07-'08 season, thus play an entire year in cleveland with the team and fans knowing he's leaving after the season is over. That's throwing away a lot of basketball salary. The difference between a cleveland max deal vs a max deal from another team. The difference between the max salary in 07-08 and a qualifying offer. The risk of injury in 07-08, etc. It just doesn't make financial sense.

Perhaps after the '13-'14 season, when LeBron is 29 and unrestricted it may happen. But by then his endorsement deals will have been renewed and I expect they will decide it doesn't matter what city he plays in.

Also, I'm not sure he needs to worry about incremental endorsement income from playing in another city. As it is, he will probably make at least $1 billion by the time his career is over. He made $40 million last year, so I'm conservatively using an average of $50 million/year and basing it on a 20 year career, retiring at age 38.

If you stand to make $1 billion playing for your hometown team and that team is winning championships, why would you want to leave and win championships for another city?

Anonymous said...

If Kevin Garnett can survive in Minnesota, if Tim Duncan can survive in San Antonio, if Allen Iverson can survive in Philly, and if Vince Carter can survive in Toronto for as long as he did, then there is no question that LeBron can survive in Cleveland.  The big market crap is overrated, whens the last time the K-nicks signed a big-name free agent???  Larry Johnson was via trade, as were Camby and Sprewell.  Give up?  The answer is Allan Houston.  Hardly a landmark player if you ask me, heck he isn't even an All-Star.

And the guy who said to read the "fine-print" in LBJ's shoe contract...what do YOU know?  Did YOU read the fine print?  Acting like you know everything...the only way LBJ leaves is if the Cavs suck and he demands a trade.  Right now things don't look good but if we get Flip Saunders or Phil Jackson in the offseason and sign Mike Redd, the sky's the limit.