The Cavalier Train Wreck

[HowBoutDemSox]

This has to be LeBron just leaking things to mess with people, right?

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22281387/golden-state-warriors-play-lebron-james

OAKLAND, Calif. -- If the Golden State Warriors can create a max salary slot this offseason, the defending NBA champions could position themselves to secure a meeting with LeBron James, league sources told ESPN.

There is no indication that Golden State is evaluating such options to acquire the Cleveland Cavaliers star at this time.

Article notes that basically the only way Golden State could get LeBron on a max is a sign and trade with Clay and Iggy going to Cleveland, which I bet the Cavs do in a heartbeat but Golden State laughs at.

 

[BaseballJones]

Yeah but then GS would have Durant, LeBron, Curry, and Draymond. That's three of the five best players on earth. Plus another easy all star.

 

[BigSoxFan]

This has to be LeBron just leaking things to mess with people, right?

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22281387/golden-state-warriors-play-lebron-james

Article notes that basically the only way Golden State could get LeBron on a max is a sign and trade with Clay and Iggy going to Cleveland, which I bet the Cavs do in a heartbeat but Golden State laughs at.

Golden State laughs at Klay/Iggy for LeBron?

 

[OnWisc]

This has to be LeBron just leaking things to mess with people, right?

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22281387/golden-state-warriors-play-lebron-james

Article notes that basically the only way Golden State could get LeBron on a max is a sign and trade with Clay and Iggy going to Cleveland, which I bet the Cavs do in a heartbeat but Golden State laughs at.

So IF Golden State clears a max slot, which there is no indication they will try to do, but IF they do it, they COULD POSITION themselves to secure a MEETING with LeBron.

Espn continues to recalibrate expectations for the value of their content downward.

 

[HowBoutDemSox]

Golden State laughs at Klay/Iggy for LeBron?

Maybe I'm way off, but I would imagine they'd rather keep the gang together, especially if LeBron won't sign for more than the short deals that he's been doing with Cleveland recently. But I probably oversold that, the Warriors pick up the phone and listen to that call, no doubt.

 

[Average Reds]

This has to be LeBron just leaking things to mess with people, right?

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22281387/golden-state-warriors-play-lebron-james

Article notes that basically the only way Golden State could get LeBron on a max is a sign and trade with Clay and Iggy going to Cleveland, which I bet the Cavs do in a heartbeat but Golden State laughs at.

That may be the dumbest article I've ever read. Like saying that if I won powerball, divorced my wife, moved to LA and stalked Gal Godot, I might be able to secure a meeting with her.

 

[bowiac]

Golden State laughs at Klay/Iggy for LeBron?

Golden State is moving Klay and Iguodala to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis.

 

[DJnVa]

So, Lebron has to have a max deal to go there, but KD has to take a pay cut to make this work?

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Golden State is moving Klay and Iguodala to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis.

Throw in one of Casspi or McCaw and I don't know how Demps can say no.

 

[RedOctober3829]

This is the ultimate troll job from LeBron's camp. Either do what I say and trade for another star(without a guarantee that I'll stay) or I'll go to the Warriors.

 

[cheech13]

Golden State is moving Klay and Iguodala to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis.

I think you're on the right track but Klay/Draymond is more likely.

 

[Devizier]

we haven't seen cavaliers fall apart this badly since the battle of naseby

(/dennis miller type joke)

 

[Kliq]

I said a couple of weeks ago that if LeBron's real endgame is to try and win as many championships as possible, than Golden State would be number one on his list. It would take some trades and salary cap finagling to get that done, but I think it has real potential to happen. Which I would be really interested in watching unfold just for the sheer spectacle of it. At that point, Silver would have to start working on some form of rule change that would prevent a team from acquiring a half-dozen All-NBA players.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I said a couple of weeks ago that if LeBron's real endgame is to try and win as many championships as possible, than Golden State would be number one on his list. It would take some trades and salary cap finagling to get that done, but I think it has real potential to happen. Which I would be really interested in watching unfold just for the sheer spectacle of it. At that point, Silver would have to start working on some form of rule change that would prevent a team from acquiring a half-dozen All-NBA players.

He clearly thinks about his legacy a lot and being 3-5 in the NBA Finals probably bothers him even though it’s not really fair since he was on far inferior teams for many of his losses. With the Warriors being a super team, going there is the only way he’ll ever approach Kobe/MJ/Magic in rings.

I think it would be hilarious and helpful to the Celtics. Give us a chance to go to the Finals and become America’s darlings trying to take on an all-star team.

 

[cheech13]

Buried in an si.com piece about the Griffin trade is that the Pistons were looking to acquire Kevin Love but that it was unlikely that the Cavs would be interested. I think Harris/Bradley/1st round pick isn't a terrible offer for Love. Keeps the Cavs flexible going forward and adds draft capital for another move if they wanted.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

He clearly thinks about his legacy a lot and being 3-5 in the NBA Finals probably bothers him even though it’s not really fair since he was on far inferior teams for many of his losses. With the Warriors being a super team, going there is the only way he’ll ever approach Kobe/MJ/Magic in rings.

I think it would be hilarious and helpful to the Celtics. Give us a chance to go to the Finals and become America’s darlings trying to take on an all-star team.

If he wants to win rings, he should convince CLE to do a sign and trade with the Cs for Horford and pieces and a #1. Then he'd win rings.

 

[Kliq]

I will say that the Cavalier franchise is unique in that basically the future of the franchise is entirely dependent on winning a championship this year. GS, Boston, Houston, etc. if they don't win the title they still feel good about their chances in the following years, but for Cleveland; I think it is reasonable to believe that if they don't win the title this year, or at least get unbelievably close, LeBron is going to leave and the franchise will have to re-build next year. There has to be a ton of pressure on everyone involved to win RIGHT NOW in order to secure the long-term future of the team, and I think that might be a reason why you hear about so much dysfunction.

 

[DJnVa]

Windhorst, who’s covered Lebron since high school, says IT4 belongs in the G League.

Gotta wonder if that’s really his opinion...

 

[bosockboy]

Buried in an si.com piece about the Griffin trade is that the Pistons were looking to acquire Kevin Love but that it was unlikely that the Cavs would be interested. I think Harris/Bradley/1st round pick isn't a terrible offer for Love. Keeps the Cavs flexible going forward and adds draft capital for another move if they wanted.

Bradley got moved to LAC.

 

[cheech13]

Windhorst, who’s covered Lebron since high school, says IT4 belongs in the G League.

Gotta wonder if that’s really his opinion...

That's not exactly what he said. He said that Thomas needed some time in the G-League after the injury to get his timing and conditioning back but that there's such a stigma against it that no one would ask him to do it.

 

[cheech13]

Bradley got moved to LAC.

Yes, I'm aware. The point is that if the Pistons didn't move Bradley and Harris to LAC for Griffin they might have tried to do the same deal for Love. It's in Fischer's SI piece.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

That's not exactly what he said. He said that Thomas needed some time in the G-League after the injury to get his timing and conditioning back but that there's such a stigma against it that no one would ask him to do it.

You wonder why when baseball players do it all the time. You even here how it's a custom for them to treat everyone to dinner. I know players constantly practice with the G league squads, just never play the games.

I guess basketball is different in that one player can really change the outcome of a game.

 

[the moops]

I guess basketball is different in that one player can really change the outcome of a game.

A starting pitcher probably has more control over a baseball game than an individual basketball player.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

A starting pitcher probably has more control over a baseball game than an individual basketball player.

Probably. I just think Kershaw would be more likely to lose a game in the minors than LeBron would in the G league. There's always a chance a minor league baseball team (or even a college team) could beat an MLB team on a given day. There is no chance of that occurring in basketball, literally none.

 

[Reverend]

If he wants to win rings, he should convince CLE to do a sign and trade with the Cs for Horford and pieces and a #1. Then he'd win rings.

Bracketing the fantasy, if things were different and that were in play, I wonder how LeBron would feel about becoming “another great Celtic.”

Like, would he find that appealing or would he bristle at being compared to and situated among a bunch of greats as making his legacy seem to stand less “alone”? And if so, does that come in to play with the Lakers? (I dunno if they have the same sense of legacy and history as Celtics Pride. I mean, basically, I assume Lakers fans are illiterate, though they could have an oral tradition or something...)

 

[j-man]

if i was Lebron i wouild go to Philly or Houston

 

[Sprowl]

Bracketing the fantasy, if things were different and that were in play, I wonder how LeBron would feel about becoming “just another great Celtic.”

FTFY

 

[jose melendez]

He clearly thinks about his legacy a lot and being 3-5 in the NBA Finals probably bothers him even though it’s not really fair since he was on far inferior teams for many of his losses. With the Warriors being a super team, going there is the only way he’ll ever approach Kobe/MJ/Magic in rings.

I think it would be hilarious and helpful to the Celtics. Give us a chance to go to the Finals and become America’s darlings trying to take on an all-star team.

It’s completely fair as he’s been the de facto gm of most of his teams.

 

[benhogan]

if i was Lebron i wouild go to Philly or Houston

Agree. Think Philly would give Bron a good shot for multiple seasons, City of Philadelphia is thirsting for a Championship.

Sixers could also add his banana boat buddy, Chris Paul. Go with a starting 5 of Embid, Bron, Covington, Simmons, Paul...fill out the bench with Saric, Fultz, Holmes, TLC, McConnell, Bolton.

They should look to unload Bayless to get out of $8.5 owed to him next season. They have plenty of assets to staple to him if need be.

 

[ElUno20]

Lebron's troll job is him just pressuring the front office to move the Brooklyn pick for help. He knows he's leaving and that he has an ass kicking coming in the playoffs this year, so he's trying to turn the heat on Cleveland FO

 

[Reverend]

Lebron's troll job is him just pressuring the front office to move the Brooklyn pick for help. He knows he's leaving and that he has an ass kicking coming in the playoffs this year, so he's trying to turn the heat on Cleveland FO

What you describe us brutal and utterly plausible.

Some part of me doesn’t want to see him tear the souls out of Cavs fans again. And I know, like, one Cavs fan.

 

[DisgruntledSoxFan77]

What you describe us brutal and utterly plausible.

Some part of me doesn’t want to see him tear the souls out of Cavs fans again. And I know, like, one Cavs fan.

Do you honestly think they can't see it coming this time? Good lord if they're that in denial...

 

[Reverend]

Do you honestly think they can't see it coming this time? Good lord if they're that in denial...

Honestly? My understanding is that many blamed Gilbert and stayed loyal to LeBron and felt vindicated on his return.

It’s all very sad.

 

[DisgruntledSoxFan77]

Honestly? My understanding is that many blamed Gilbert and stayed loyal to LeBron and felt vindicated on his return.

It’s all very sad.

Yes, that was last time. Fool me once...

 

[nighthob]

It’s completely fair as he’s been the de facto gm of most of his teams.

No, the 20 year old LeBron was not running the Cadavaliers. Nor during the Danny Ferry error, and certainly not the Heat.

 

[nighthob]

Agree. Think Philly would give Bron a good shot for multiple seasons, City of Philadelphia is thirsting for a Championship.

Sixers could also add his banana boat buddy, Chris Paul. Go with a starting 5 of Embid, Bron, Covington, Simmons, Paul...fill out the bench with Saric, Fultz, Holmes, TLC, McConnell, Bolton.

They should look to unload Bayless to get out of $8.5 owed to him next season. They have plenty of assets to staple to him if need be.

They no longer have room for two max signings (Embiid has a new cap max starting next year), so James would need to be a sign & trade. Which is fine because they have guys like Covington and Fultz to make it work.

 

[Ed Hillel]

What you describe us brutal and utterly plausible.

Some part of me doesn’t want to see him tear the souls out of Cavs fans again. And I know, like, one Cavs fan.

As long as he rips his jersey off and throws it on the floor again on the way out, I’ll be happy.

 

[ugmo33]

If Lebron is really as concerned with is legacy as we all think, don't you think he'd like to be the first player-owner? And hasn't it come out that Gilbert might sell?

 

[Captaincoop]

Lebron's troll job is him just pressuring the front office to move the Brooklyn pick for help. He knows he's leaving and that he has an ass kicking coming in the playoffs this year, so he's trying to turn the heat on Cleveland FO

And the one thing Cleveland can't do is move that BKN pick and then have Lebron leave in free agency.

I'm sure they've had that conversation with him, but we've never seen anything from Lebron to indicate that he cares about anything beyond his own image and legacy.

He's probably apoplectic that Cleveland won't go all in on this season for his benefit.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

And the one thing Cleveland can't do is move that BKN pick and then have Lebron leave in free agency.

I'm sure they've had that conversation with him, but we've never seen anything from Lebron to indicate that he cares about anything beyond his own image and legacy.

He's probably apoplectic that Cleveland won't go all in on this season for his benefit.

Wojo was saying on the last telecast that LBJ has refused to give CLE any assurance he is staying and because of that CLE won't move the BRK pick.

 

[OnWisc]

ESPN now running a story on LBJ utterly dismissing the article (which as unsourced and as heavily qualified as it was, did a good job more or less dismissing itself in the first few sentences).

ESPN really has refined the art of spewing forth a self-perpetuating stream of absolutely valueless content. Publish a hastily assembled and anonymously sourced article that involves a big name, an outlandish claim, and no substantiation whatsoever. Generate a few days worth of content by having other ESPN employees react to the claim of said article as if it wasn't an utter fabrication. Then a few days later publish a follow-up article, this time with named sources, dismissing the original piece as utter bullshit. Wait a week and repeat.

ESPN is basically a DPW crew that spends the morning drilling potholes into the street so they can have something to do that afternoon.

 

[Koufax]

Sound like sports radio around here. Utterly vacuous.

 

[Big John]

I view the Cavs' difficulties as a coaching issue-- which is also a LeBron issue since he is the de facto coach and point guard of the team. LeBron has to transform himself into Kawhi Leonard and let someone else run the offense.

 

[ElUno20]

Are there rules against a current player owning a percentage of the team?

Wouldn't that be a way to lock LeBron in?

 

[SumnerH]

Are there rules against a current player owning a percentage of the team?

Wouldn't that be a way to lock LeBron in?

Prohibited by the CBA:

During the term of this Agreement, no NBA player may acquire or hold a direct or indirect interest in the ownership of any NBA Team or in any company or entity, whether privately or publicly owned, that owns any interest in any NBA Team

Jordan had to sell his stake in the Wizards when he came back to play for them.

 

[Infield Infidel]

Prohibited by the CBA:


Jordan had to sell his stake in the Wizards when he came back to play for them.

Yup, same with Magic when he came back to play for the Lakers.

 

[Kliq]

When does fat Jonah Hill come out with a mysteriously sourced story that thrusts the blame on everyone in the franchise but LeBron?

 

[benhogan]

ESPN now running a story on LBJ utterly dismissing the article (which as unsourced and as heavily qualified as it was, did a good job more or less dismissing itself in the first few sentences).

ESPN is basically a DPW crew that spends the morning drilling potholes into the street so they can have something to do that afternoon.

+1, that is excellent work

 

[Reverend]

ESPN now running a story on LBJ utterly dismissing the article (which as unsourced and as heavily qualified as it was, did a good job more or less dismissing itself in the first few sentences).

ESPN really has refined the art of spewing forth a self-perpetuating stream of absolutely valueless content. Publish a hastily assembled and anonymously sourced article that involves a big name, an outlandish claim, and no substantiation whatsoever. Generate a few days worth of content by having other ESPN employees react to the claim of said article as if it wasn't an utter fabrication. Then a few days later publish a follow-up article, this time with named sources, dismissing the original piece as utter bullshit. Wait a week and repeat.

ESPN is basically a DPW crew that spends the morning drilling potholes into the street so they can have something to do that afternoon.

Isn’t this how the Iraq War started?

 

[TheoShmeo]

Have the Cavs hit the bottom? Seven wins in the last 20. Home loss to the Rockets 120-88 that was a wire to wire annihilation. LeBron with only 11 points. A lack of hustle all night long. Home fans booing throughout.