LeBron and the Clippers - A Theory

by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Nov 9, 2009 12:27 PM CST in Fear My Opinion Comment 15 comments

While New Yorkers, and any media infatuated with New York, would lead you to believe that the Knicks are by far the biggest competitor to the Cavaliers when it comes to LeBron James and his home next fall, I have been of the mindset that there will be other teams that are in the running, perhaps of greater interest to LeBron than even New York.

One such place is Los Angeles with the Clippers. If LeBron is looking for a metropolis to help his start shine brighter, LA is much more attractive than New York, at least in terms of talent on the roster. Of course, I am not alone, as NBA Insider David Aldridge also talks about this option for LeBron -

Actually, if LeBron wants to play in L.A., joining the Clippers, with Baron Davis, Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman, etc., and with cap room next summer to make a major league offer, would make a lot more sense. After all, the Clippers, supposedly, came within a few hours of convincing Bryant to come aboard in 2004.

What Aldridge also does a nice job mentioning is the fact that the Cavaliers will also have some money to spend - to improve a roster that is already primed to make a deep playoff run this year, early struggles be damned -

Of course, no one seems to understand that Cleveland will have access to its own stash of millions next summer, when Shaq's $21 million comes off the books, and could sign its own max player to team with James, Mo Williams and company for the next five years. Who doubts LeBron's own very strong means of persuasion?

Then, there are the comments of Mo Williams. LeBron is very close with his teammates, and it is the loyalty towards them that will be the biggest pull on LeBron to stay. Williams agrees -

"I'm not really too concerned about it, because I know his heart and his love is here in Cleveland," Williams told me last week. "I know that. Just like anybody else, we love the New Yorks, we love the Miamis, we love the L.A.s, we love the Torontos. That's probably the most underrated city. We love those cities. But you can't underrate home."

I have always conceded that it is Akron, not Cleveland, that LeBron considers home, and while the national media may not get it , there is a difference. That said, LeBron is loyal to a fault, and fault are what drive people to love celebrities.

It is going to be a delicate balance, going through the season while dealing with all the LeBron talk - the price of have a superstar.

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I’m not sure how well DA understands the salary cap situation. People are expecting the cap to drop some, even if it doesn’t the Cavs are only going to be about 5 mill under the cap, if they renounce everyone they can.

And the Clippers? They are schedule to have about 41.6 mill against the cap once you include all the holds, but before they draft someone, which could set them back another couple million. To pay Lebron the 30% of the cap he is eligible to get as a 7 year vet, the cap has to go up about 2 million. Possible? Sure, but we’re hearing that its not very likely.

by 7foot3 on Nov 9, 2009 1:38 PM CST reply actions

$5 mil under the cap?

will net you another Parker, all it means is 2 mid level exemption

The problem with Cleveland is that there is no one on the roster, who is, or who will become a No2, ie a Scottie Pipper, or Pau Gasol. There is no one with that talent atm, and there is no one who will develope into that Player. Mo is more like a mediocre 3rd option or good 4th option.

So if James stays in Cleveland, he is likely to become the next Kevin Garnett at Minnesota. Always good enough to get to the playoff, never enough to win the big one… and by makjing the playoff, Cleveland will never get a no 2 in the draft

So it is left to Cleveland to convice James this year that he is good enough to carry this team to the championship and if so he will stay.

If not, it is really in James’ best interest to look at Miami- Wade/Beasley can they win it all, probably

NY – can Gallieneri, Douglas, Chandler and Hill develop, and can they sign a Wade/Boss as well?

NJ – Lopez and Harris

Cleveland really is in trouble, I think it would make sense for James to leave to win a championship

by a hay on Nov 11, 2009 7:48 PM CST up reply actions

I want some of that Crack you are smoking

Mo Williams a low #3 or high #4? Pau Gasol a #2? Gallineri, Douglas are not going to be that good. NJ is a much better option then NYK but still why leave a team you have for a team that at best is a little worse then the one you currently have. Beside swho says the Cavs will never have a true #2. The Cavs may not have big time money this off season but in the next few years Shaq and Z’s contracts and salary holds come off the books which will free up big time money for sign and trades or FA.

All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist
Baseball’s biggest busts Andy Marte.

by E5 on Nov 11, 2009 9:41 PM CST up reply actions

Don’t forget they have an owner who is unwilling to spend. He also happens to be a slum lord and probably the most hated person in the NBA.

Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic. - Robert S. Wieder

by jerseywahoo on Nov 9, 2009 5:32 PM CST reply actions

Very good point

Lebron doesn’t want to be associated with a Slum lord when Lebrons stated goal is to be a billionaire.

All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist
Baseball’s biggest busts Andy Marte.

by E5 on Nov 9, 2009 6:41 PM CST up reply actions

Well he has been spending some money. Sure, the behind the scenes factors don’t help the Clippers, but the chances of them being in a position to sign a max guy are slim enough as is

by 7foot3 on Nov 9, 2009 7:58 PM CST up reply actions

Lebron isn't going anywhere - My Theory

Lebron is using the same Leverage that Paul Pierce used and Kobe was less methodical in using but it worked…which is their ace in the hole and that is free agency. Lebron’s legacy will be greater if leads the Cavs to a title. New York for Lebron is like a thinking of marrying someone just for their looks. He is just physically attracted to the city but his heart lies with the city of Cleveland and he knows that. But it is good to joke and tease that he might leave because that is his way of saying, improve this team or else. But he will never voice that because of the back-lash by the media. Just look at how Kobe got burned for demanding that the team improve or trade him.

The Cavs have enough salary to sign another top 2 or 3 players and still keep him. The Celtics had a choice to make two years ago. Let Pierce walk and rebuild or get players like Ray Allen and KG which in turn secured Pierce signing his extension. Lebron will be commited to Cleveland only depending how the organization is commited to him. It’s put up or shut up time and if they get a player like Bosh or wAde then that will show him they are committed if not he will end up walking.

"When I walked into the locker room on my first day as a Laker and saw my gold uniform hanging there, I cried." - Magic Johnson (Best Laker Ever)

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Nov 9, 2009 9:51 PM CST reply actions

I think LeBron isn't going anywhere

My theory has always been this essentially. 95% chance he stays in Cleveland because they can offer 20 more million dollars. That’s a huge difference regardless of whether LeBron goes to a bigger market or not.

I think the Nets have a 3% chance at getting LeBron, and the Clippers have about a 2% chance. I’m not sure LeBron would even consider the Bulls at this point, but they might be in play.

I’ve pretty much resolved the only reasonable answer to where LeBron James is going to play next season is when he signs the contract. Until then, it’s just a bunch of people generating hype and trying to get themselves read by writing about LeBron.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Nov 9, 2009 10:00 PM CST reply actions

Agreed

I honestly think of all the superstars lebron would be most wiling to take less money to sign another ‘five star’ free agent such as bosh or amare just to ensure a chance at a title. And i think this is supported with his recent claim that ‘money isnt everything’.

Now in my heart of hearts i do believe lebron is staying. Growing up in Cleveland he has to now that any person that delivers a championship to cleveland instantly attains demi-god like status, but am i 100% sure? No and i think that little bit of uncertainty is what scares me and the rest of cav nation collectively

by apod on Nov 10, 2009 1:44 AM CST reply actions

sorry growing up near cleveland

by apod on Nov 10, 2009 2:51 AM CST up reply actions

HOW BOUT THIS

KOBE AND WADE JOINING THE KING IN CLEVELAND EVER THINK OF THAT??

by JRBULLY1 on Nov 13, 2009 10:45 AM CST reply actions

Clippers

Are you freaking serious?……The idea of Lebron joining the Clippers has got to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard…..bunch of dreamers……

by David Madsen on Nov 14, 2009 11:01 AM CST reply actions

The Clippers?

Sure…if he wants to throw the rest of his career away.

by WaveOcean on Nov 14, 2009 9:37 PM CST up reply actions

Bottom line.......

Lebron is just flat out “fun to watch” , no matter who he will play for…….who cares if he is better or worse than any other player….. He brings alot of enjoyment to those who truely love the game of basketball and the NBA…..the blocks, the steals, the dunks, the long three pointers,….not bad for a kid from Akron, Ohio……I will follow him wherever he plays!

by David Madsen on Nov 14, 2009 11:09 AM CST reply actions