Since this just happened, I was wondering about everyone's opinion on the subject matter.
The threesome of Bron-Bron, D-Wade, and Bosh is pretty sick in itself. Pat Riley is a genius.

But can they build around it? Will they be able to stop the Magic/Celtics or even Lakers?

7/8/2010 10:20 PM
Posted by childplease on 7/8/2010 10:20:00 PM (view original):
Since this just happened, I was wondering about everyone's opinion on the subject matter.
The threesome of Bron-Bron, D-Wade, and Bosh is pretty sick in itself. Pat Riley is a genius.

But can they build around it? Will they be able to stop the Magic/Celtics or even Lakers?

Hopefully some of the 4 second round picks can develope!
7/8/2010 10:21 PM
Big 3?  Not again.  I'm hearing Miami Thrice and liking it.
7/8/2010 10:27 PM
They won't win the championship this year unless Riley coaches them. The Lakers are still the front-runners.
7/8/2010 11:00 PM
i wonder how far below max each will go to make the team better?
7/8/2010 11:01 PM
Posted by hackerhog on 7/8/2010 10:27:00 PM (view original):
Big 3?  Not again.  I'm hearing Miami Thrice and liking it.
I didnt necessarily mean that to be a nickname. It was just kinda the first thing that came out.
As long as they get a decent center and PG and begin to build that chemistry, man I think they will be very dangerous even better than the "Boston 3 Party" when they won the title.
7/8/2010 11:03 PM
Heat match up poorly with the Lakers, I'm not even sure the Heat get out of the East this year. You can't win with 3 players. I also don't understand the amount of backlash LeBron is getting, the dude takes less money so he can be in the best situation to win titles and people act like it's a bad thing. Would it have been more honorable of him to stay in Cleveland where he's clearly going to have a hard time winning a title just so he could get a max contract? 
7/8/2010 11:10 PM
The backlash is because Lebron is Cleveland, or at least he was. The city just lost their identity and the one guy who brought attention to their city and gave them a chance at a championship. The way Lebron went about this was terrible. He just went on national television and ripped out the hearts of cleveland fans. This really sucks for them.
7/8/2010 11:14 PM
Yes, they are broken-hearted about him leaving. They should've expected it though. It's not like they have bent over backwards to get some talent lined up beside him.They should NOT be burning his jersey either. The guy took the Cavs to their first NBA finals and that is ultimate disrespect. He could have went about this in a different manner but this kind of decision is very monumental. He did take the easy way out by not contacting the president of the Cleveland organization, but he said he didn't want to make an emotional decision. He said it is all about winning and what a golden opportunity to go to a team with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Obviously the money means nothing so the pay cut is more of a publicity thing considering those guys make so much more money on endorsements etc than their basketball paychecks. I think the Lakers are still the favorites since they are 2/3 of the way there to Jackson's 4th 3peat and destiny is nearby lol. I think the East still have top teams in the Celtics and Magic with several good teams including a pretty good Bulls team (with their additions). Undoubtedly though, the Heat now become the most talented team in the NBA. However, it doesn't spell championship as the Lakers found out when they signed Malone and Payton to play with Kobe and Shaq only to get embarrassment in the finals against Detroit. It does spell contender though and that's really as close as Lebron has been to a contender thus far imo. Even when they made the finals in 2007, there was no way they were going to beat the Spurs. I think the Lakers win this next season to complete Jackson's 4th 3peat and then the following season, Lebron gets his first ring. I kinda wanted him to go to Chicago. It's been 12 years since I could watch them without be disgusted lol.
7/8/2010 11:46 PM

yeah, i think they hit the heart of it when they asked"  Have you talked to cleveland personally (owner, gm etc) and let them know you wont be back?"

and he kind of stammered out something about wanting to focus on the decision or something.


dont get me wrong  i dont begrudge his decision, and in fact,  im really intrigued by it and it will make for some interesting nba stuff for a few years... and i dont think he owed it to cleveland to stay there for life.

My analogy would be the plumber in cleveland,  if he had a chance for a better job (whether that meant money. location, hours, etc) then oviously he would go for it.
but, i think bron bron should have figured out a way to at least break it to the cleveland brass before the big show... and if that ruined the suspense... so what?  more importnat to have class than suspense.

I know its going to be in vogue to hate on james  for a awhile,  but lets remember  he is a young fella who has had everything laid at his feet all his life.  big ego?  yes,  but can you imagine a kid growing up with that talent and that media-hype and not having an ego?   in some ways, he is very grounded.

anyway,  i just think he should have told the cavs personally.  smacks of breaking up with your girlfiriend via text or facebook.

you know what though,  maybe that was actually a good thing. maybe he is doing cleveland a favor by making himself more hateable.   they were going to hate him anyway,  they need someone to hate,  its pretty much all they have left.   its like when i cut a kid from a baseball team...  i used to try real hard to be his friend and help him understand,etc... but the truth is none of that matters... he wants someone to hate... and in a way i owe him that. 

7/9/2010 12:01 AM
If they win a title, won't it seem "cheap" though, like they bought it instead of earned it? 
7/9/2010 12:17 AM
Posted by pitino27 on 7/8/2010 11:46:00 PM (view original):
Yes, they are broken-hearted about him leaving. They should've expected it though. It's not like they have bent over backwards to get some talent lined up beside him.They should NOT be burning his jersey either. The guy took the Cavs to their first NBA finals and that is ultimate disrespect. He could have went about this in a different manner but this kind of decision is very monumental. He did take the easy way out by not contacting the president of the Cleveland organization, but he said he didn't want to make an emotional decision. He said it is all about winning and what a golden opportunity to go to a team with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Obviously the money means nothing so the pay cut is more of a publicity thing considering those guys make so much more money on endorsements etc than their basketball paychecks. I think the Lakers are still the favorites since they are 2/3 of the way there to Jackson's 4th 3peat and destiny is nearby lol. I think the East still have top teams in the Celtics and Magic with several good teams including a pretty good Bulls team (with their additions). Undoubtedly though, the Heat now become the most talented team in the NBA. However, it doesn't spell championship as the Lakers found out when they signed Malone and Payton to play with Kobe and Shaq only to get embarrassment in the finals against Detroit. It does spell contender though and that's really as close as Lebron has been to a contender thus far imo. Even when they made the finals in 2007, there was no way they were going to beat the Spurs. I think the Lakers win this next season to complete Jackson's 4th 3peat and then the following season, Lebron gets his first ring. I kinda wanted him to go to Chicago. It's been 12 years since I could watch them without be disgusted lol.
I'm not so sure about the "bending over to get talent for him" argument.  The reports all season long were that Lebron wanted Shaq and a PF (preferably Amare, got Jamison) and that the Cleveland front office did everything in their power to appease him.  Those reports may not be true, who knows, but he got the players HE wanted (mostly) and still couldn't do anything with them.  And let's not forget, he was one of the ones who basically "quit" at the end of the Celtics series.  He may get a ring, but to me, the everlasting image will be of him quitting in the playoffs and now trying to "buy" himself a title.  Even if he wins, it'll be cheapened, in my eyes anyway.
7/9/2010 12:23 AM
I don't think that's what Boston did when they acquired Garnett and Allen. Obviously this is a different scenario, but no I don't think so. They still have to put players around those three guys and I am actually quite intrigued to see who they will get now. I think situations like this one are good for the game essentially because it generates a lot of hype. Also, Dave that's an interesting theory on Lebron being grounded, but I think in some ways, as you said, he is. When asked about how he felt this would do to his relationship to the city of Cleveland and all the hate for him spawning he basically staed that he only cared about his relationship with God and with his family. I completely respect that. I mean in general, and of course a much smaller scale, aren't we all the same way. We are all human and to err is human.
7/9/2010 12:27 AM
Shaq is of course a big name to be sure, dcy.  However, how old is he now? I think he is more of a reality star than a basketball star in today's age. Lebron may have wanted him, but to me that is in no way of bending over backwards. Shaq is still good, but no longer dominate. As far as the Boston series, yeah the guy let's things get to him. He skipped out on the press conference following the loss to the Magic last year as well. He is more in the limelight so we see his mistakes and mis-judgements more so than average people but he is still human.
7/9/2010 12:33 AM
Posted by pitino27 on 7/9/2010 12:33:00 AM (view original):
Shaq is of course a big name to be sure, dcy.  However, how old is he now? I think he is more of a reality star than a basketball star in today's age. Lebron may have wanted him, but to me that is in no way of bending over backwards. Shaq is still good, but no longer dominate. As far as the Boston series, yeah the guy let's things get to him. He skipped out on the press conference following the loss to the Magic last year as well. He is more in the limelight so we see his mistakes and mis-judgements more so than average people but he is still human.
Oh, I agree 100% about Shaq.  He's waaaay past his prime and has been for some time.  My point was, Lebron wanted him (so the story goes) and Cleveland went out and got him for the kid.  Bad judgment on Lebron's part?  Absolutely.  But the front office did what he asked/wanted/demanded, so in essence, they did bend over backwards for him.  Same with Jamison.

And yes, he still is human.  But with the kind of money and exposure that he brings, his responsibilities become somewhat different than the average Joe.  Sir Charles may not have wanted to accept it, but athletes ARE role models to today's youth.  Do I agree?  Nope.  I think the true role models should be parents, grandparents, teachers, etc., but in today's society, I think that's become a pipe dream.

One last thing.  In my opinion, Lebron scheduling an hour long "show" just to announce where he was going to play was beyond disgusting.  He can say all the right things on camera......."It's not about the money, it's about winning, blah, blah, blah", but it's patently obvious that all he REALLY wanted was his ego stroked.  And I find it shameful that ESPN played the whore for him.  Hey Lebron, guess what bro?  You're NOT the greatest thing to ever happen to the NBA.  Is he the most athletically gifted player around?  Probably.  Is he the BEST player?  Nope, that still goes to Kobe.  Does he have the biggest ego?  No one else is even in the same conversation.  Hey Lebron, who cares where you're going, just pick a team already.  I'm not one to really sit and hope that someone fails, but in this case I hope Miami doesn't even make it to the Finals.  "Buying" a title just doesn't impress.  Earning one, much better.
7/9/2010 12:48 AM
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