Photo. MannionSI’s Ian Thomsen writes that no one does more with less than does LeBron. True. But that’s a pretty obvious statement (we’ve killed his supporting cast and front office tons of times in this space), and not the most interesting part of the article.
Way down in the story though is buried a little piece of info that nobody is talking about:
It’s obvious that James would prefer to play in a fluid offense with more talented teammates, and it’s assumed he would love to play in New York. On the other hand, it’s just as obvious that the Cavs and coach Mike Brown have squeezed as much success as possible from their recent rosters, and that general manager Danny Ferry — with $30 million in contracts that expire next season — could have opportunities to trade for an All-Star teammate or two who can help James contend for a championship in Cleveland.
That’s significant loot. While everyone and their mother assumes that ‘Bron is going to bounce to New Jersey/Brooklyn or the Knicks, a lot can happen between now and 2010. What if Danny Ferry surprises everybody and turns those contracts into a legit supporting cast? Like Thomsen says, James with another All-Star at his side or any kind of general boost in surrounding talents changes the game. It would be a lot tougher to bounce if he has real shot at winning a title…
May 12th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Gary Lee says:
Wow . . . lebron’s situation sounds a lot like Kobe’s situation the last couple of years . . . I would tell Cleveland to have faith . . . but Lebron’s a moron if he doesn’t bounce to NYC if he wants to become the next Billionaire Superstar!
May 12th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Prof. TX says:
Ask any Rockets fan: two stars (one with a back injury) and a bunch of roleplayers doesn’t necessarily get you a title these days.
The Cavs will need to do more than signing one big name.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
djKianoosh says:
Lebron and AI?
more of the same from Denver? who else? Baron Davis??! the mind wanders and wonders..
May 12th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
fallinup says:
Cleveland is running on spare parts and a bunch of veterans on the decline…the most dependable on that roster now is big Z and he’s not getting any younger. Ferry is gonna have to parlay that 30 mil in the off season to about 2-3 different players, one of those players being an offensive and defensive force in the paint. Booby Gibson has to step up his game even more and they have to get some talented youth on that squad. Ferry has a lot of parts, contracts and money to work with…but what Cleveland lacks the most, is an identity for the team as a whole.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Scott says:
I don’t really think the Houston compares works at all. T-Mac is great, but injury prone and well ya, he’s injury prone, lol. Yao is the same, having 2 stars that are injury prone on one team does not make a title contender.
Luckily for Cleveland LBJ isn’t injury prone, and has the ability to will his team to W’s, something that T-Mac has lacked in the past.
Consider also that LBJ has already been to the finals with a lackluster squad.
Just think about if LBJ had just ONE star or superstar with him this year. Or just ONE star or superstar with him last year, it could’ve made all the difference in the world.
ps.
Get rid of Mike Brown, lol.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
doc says:
Yeah I think Bron and anybody who made the All Star team this year would do some serious damage in the NBA.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
JHov says:
I agree with Doc. We are talking about the Eastern Conference after all..so far in Bron’s career the best perimeter player played with is “Ricky Buckets”
May 12th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Bob Smith says:
This sorta reminds me of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. 1 susperstar, 1 all star and a decent supporting cast can equal championships.
May 12th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
reezzy says:
Jordan and Pippen had much more than decent supporting cast. They had John Paxson, Horace Grant and Bison Dele, and then Toni Kukoc, Dennis Rodman and Ron Harper
May 12th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
GEE...This thing is bigger than Nino Brown. This is big business. says:
The real thing here is will Cleveland actually make a move to do this. I mean look at this year they could have gotten better names for LeBron and you see what they did.
I have to think LeBron should escape to new grass and yea it should and more than likely be greener.
Cavs ain’t gone make no big change for real.
May 12th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
ERIC says:
I wonder how Michael Redd feels that he’ll won’t sniff playoff success when he could have taken a smaller deal and been the perfect hot-shooting compliment to LeBron. (5 yrs $70 mill with the Cavs VS. 6 yrs $90 mill with the Bucks).
Yes, he has $20 million more in his bank account, but i guess he could buy more houses, cars, tvs while he’s watching the playoffs at home.
May 12th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Three Stacks says:
The last big free agent the Cavs signed, I think, was Larry Hughes. So what’s the point of having cap space if you’re gonna blow it on Larry Hughes?
I’ve been to Ohio, and I’ve been to NY, and no offense to the good people of the Midwest, but Ohio ain’t no New York. If Lebron goes to NY, players will be LINING UP to play w/ him in the Big Apple. Not to mention the endorsement opportunities. As long as the front offices don’t muck it up, Lebron will either be a Net or a Knick.
Unless he’s one of those nice guys that doesn’t want to turn his back on his hometown state and people. But I doubt it.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Charles says:
Has anyone ever bothered to compare the stats of players before, during, and after they play with Lebron and Mike Brown? That’s Cleveland’s real secret.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
do it! says:
AI opt out and leave Denver and go help Lebron! Plus Baron Davis would be an interesting add to the Cavs too!
Lebron stay in Cleveland…they just need to bring in some help.