Where will LeBron be in the 2010 season?
I know people may be sick of this question. But I just want to know what the majority of people are thinking. It comes down to Cleveland, Detroit, New Jersey, and New York. I’ve heard Boston thrown in there, but that’s absolutely ridiculous. And I have no bias for any team, as I live in Seattle, who no longer has a team. This is more a discussion than a question. I will present you with my idea, but I would really like to know what all of you are thinking.
Here’s my take on this:
DETROIT
Traded Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess for Allen Iverson. Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace are coming off the books after this year, and they will have enough cap space for two max free agents.
Pros:
They have experience in Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. They have young talent like Jason Maxiell and Rodney Stuckey. Even without Rasheed and Iverson, the Detroit team is still better than Cleveland without LeBron.
Cons:
It’s Detroit. They have a history of championship teams, but I don’t think LeBron is attracted to landing in Detroit. Also Joe Dumars probably knows they aren’t likely to get LeBron and is aiming more towards Chris Bosh. Or maybe even Dwayne Wade or Amare Stoudamire.
Conclusion: I don’t see this one happening. It would take a little short of a miracle of situations for this to happen. Sorry, Detroit.
NEW JERSEY
Traded Jason Kidd and change for Devin Harris and change. Traded Richard Jefferson for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.
Pros: The relationship between LeBron James and Jay-Z is well-known to anyone who pays any attention to basketball. Will that be enough to lure LeBron over? Especially if they relocate to Brooklyn, which LeBron has said is his favorite borough, not Manhattan. They have a budding star in Devin Harris, whom James has complemented on different ocassions.
Cons: I think too much is being made of LBJ’s relationship with Jay-Z. That being said, New Jersey sucks. Vince Carter is close to being done, Yi Jianlian and Brook Lopez look like quality rotation guys at best. New Jersey probably won’t be in Brooklyn for a couple of years, either. Well, probably see Michael Redd here instead.
Conclusion:
Despite what many people think, I don’t see this one happening either. But they do have a much better chance than Detroit
CLEVELAND
Traded Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons, and Shannon Brown for Ben Wallace and Joe Smith. Traded Donyell Marshall and Ira Newble for Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak.
Pros:
It’s his hometown. LeBron grew up in Akron, about 30 minutes south of Cleveland. Many people think the Cavaliers are just one piece short of a title. Mo Williams did very well in the season, and Delonte West has shown what he is capable of doing. Gibson could have a bright future, and the Cavs have a synergy together that makes them better. LeBron is very close to his teammates. They had a very successful season this year, and look very close to being a championship team. Cleveland also has enough cap space to attract a major free agent. I here talk of Cleveland trying to land Shaq. Plus, Cleveland has never won anything. Nada. If LeBron were to bring a much needed title to the city of Cleveland, they might actually make him the King of Ohio. All jokes aside, LeBron could do something great by helping Cleveland win its first title, and bring hope and a sense of pride to the community.
Cons:
While people may say they are only a piece short, that is the same headline from last year after losing to Boston. They thought that had found that in Mo Williams, who played inconsistently, and at times just flat-out terribly, during the playoff run. After losing in the Finals to San Antonio, and then losing to Boston and Detriot in the playoffs, has LeBron had enough? Is Mike Brown really the coach he think can lead him to a Championship trophy after his seemingly absent display of coaching against the Magic in the Conference Finals? Or one of the most incompetent GMs in Danny Ferry? Take away LeBron from the Cavs, even with their connection, and the team is probably a sub .500 team in the weaker Eastern Conference. The teams big men are getting old, as is Wally, and Varejo will never be a star and definately never someone to contend with the likes of Dwight Howard, or even Kendrick Perkins. Even if they did bring Shaq on board, would James want to risk that liability. How many people have given Kobe grief for not winning it all without Shaq? Are the Cavs really only one piece away from being a championship team, or did the Magic expose the truth: that without LeBron the Cavs are nothing, and even with him cannot be a championship team because basketball is ultimately a team sport?
Conclusion:
I think this heavily depends on how next season ends. Depending on next season, LeBron may or may not stay in Cleveland. If Cleveland does win a championship next year, then the chance of James leaving is close to zero. However, if it ends in disappointment (and,
Oops, it didn’t put it all of my question.
My last team was New York.
which I think was the most likely case. Why? Pros: a flashy player in Nate Robinson and you’ve got David Lee and Al Harrington. Also who would you trust? Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh or Mike Brown and Danny Ferry? Then you have the 7th pick who will most likely be Stephen Curry, who James is good friends with. Curry is also something nobody on the Cavs, including James is – a pure shooter who can create his own shot. With LeBron in the mix, think about that offensive fire power. Will it be too much for LBJ to resist? Without LeBron, I bet the Cavs would be worse than NY. Cons: The Knicks should have been better than 32-50… but they weren’t. Conclusion: Knicks look like they might land him.