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Nets no match in LeBron derby, either
by Jay Greenberg, New York Post
More from the New York Post
That will shake 'em in Shaker Heights, get blood pumping again in New York. It even briefly put the shovel that has yet to hit the ground at Atlantic Yards to work exhuming the Nets' hopes at signing James until he said this:
"We all seen the cutting of the ribbon, but that's the last thing we saw with the Nets moving to Brooklyn," he said. "I'm not sure if that's still in the works, but I'm not invested in the team, so I can sleep good at night."
He sleeps better than do his pal, part-owner Jay-Z, and Bruce Ratner. Now that the Nets won't be in to Brooklyn in time for James' 2010 free agency, they can only hope that before he dropped 31 in a 106-82 rout at a depressingly under-capacity Meadowlands on Tuesday, King James excitedly noted that there soon will be indoor skiing there.
If it turns out James has always wanted more than anything else in the world a Chinese teammate, the Nets will get him over any of the 18 teams projected to be under the cap in July 2010, plus the Knicks, who still have 19 months to unload Zach Randolph.
What would it take to get LeBron here? The key to Moonachie? Suddenly, this post-career chance for a third term as New York Mayor? Neither poses a problem for our local franchises.
So keep a light on for LeBron, just in case a player who earned an NBA run-away high $25 million off the court in 2007 makes the bad call — for himself, too — of turning out the lights for good on the NBA in Cleveland.
"Unless Nike steps up with some massive, eight-figure, Michael-Jordan-equity-type of deal to have him in New York, LeBron is not going to make more money there," said Chicago-based sports business consultant Marc Ganis. "And in this economic climate, we don't know where Nike will be [in 2010].
"Another $2 million a year from Sprite isn't going to make a difference when the CBA [collective-bargaining agreement] will allow the Cavaliers to pay him more [$133 million to $102 million] than any other team. And he gets a tremendous amount of attention already in Cleveland."
The 9-2 Cavs, who have added a significant scoring and passing option in Mo Williams to a team that took Boston to Game 7 last spring, will have the cap room to offer fellow big-time 2010 free agents Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire a chance to play with James. Certainly beats the opportunity to play with Danilo Gallinari.
"When I decide to make a decision, it's where I can win multiple championships," said James. "This is the best team we've had since I have been here."
Also should be the best one for him in 2010, no matter if he's already won a championship.
Member Comments
On the entire subject of free agent 2010 not only Lebron employee dream show I can certainly say that game has become politics instead of sport. Game is being cheated from its tasty character that kept viewers hungry for more in Barkley,Jordan,and before error. Game has set values aside and began managing,coaching,and playing for the quick 1 year championship ring. My opinion this decade will not see the pleasure of having a dynasty do to microwave given atmosphere this decade has adapted to from the long days of hard work value character days of Barkley,Jordan,and before days of the NBA
Tglover11/25/2008 23:44:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
The Cavs are giving LBJ a team that he can win with. How can a team who trades all of the best players away hope to sign a player like LBJ. He has the "Money" but not the ring, all a team like the ones that are looking at him can offer him is years of "REBUILDING"...
CoolClay11/25/2008 16:34:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I cant see LB leaving Cleveland. This is his home, he is right now building a who knows how many millions of $ home in Akron 30 mins from the Q. I cant see him wanting to have to get up and leave for thed season or try to sell his house her know one around here could afford that house. Plus its worth about 80% more than any other house around him.. The last team he would go to is the Lakers...
paulwall22211/22/2008 21:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
hehehe.....it's funny how you LJ haters been hating on LBJ and now you want hoping and praying he will play for your team.....I got news for you all....it won't happen....LBJ took notice and he smarter than most think...he proven over and over that the CAVS will win championship....now the World Championship is on its way....lol....you all keep forgetting Cavs have the money to sign James in 2010 and another top notch player ...so stop the nonsense LBJ is leaving...if that the case he should have left 2 years ago before he resigned with Cavs....All I have to say....LBJ made a believer out of all you haters and now you want him to play for your team....it wont happen in your wildest dream....like LBJ says....Home Sweet Home....his home is Ohio and remember he promised Cleveland fans he will bring a championship to Cleveland....it will happen whether you like it or not...lol
LHood721411/22/2008 20:49:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Know what would really be funny? Lebron leaves cleveland in 2010...but not to new jersey, new york or any of the teams who are gutting their rosters I'd laugh till I drop then recover consciousness and do it all over again.
JSW11/20/2008 21:14:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
LeBron is coming to LA. If they can't offer him a max contract in 2010, he will easily make up the money in advertisements and he knows that. LeBron, Kobe, Bynum, Gasol, Ariza, Farmar and Sasha...scary.
bmbak11/20/2008 18:11:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
ok...so the chinese teamate thing is something lebron to keep fans cheering for him in NY and for them to be his cheerleaders essentially, and his NY yankees hat and being a cowboys fan, he does that so that he can get big markets interested in paying him the big bucks, and if they dont, its no big deal, he has cleveland to fall back on...but with our salary cap being as high as it is going to be, and with the stars we will have by 2010, cavs are going to be going to the finals every year
bro1cav1ind111/20/2008 13:58:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Come to the Lakers LeBron..Then we will realy stick it to them Celtics...Muwahahahaha...Kobe!
Reapin69111/20/2008 11:47:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The Chinese teamate thing was a joke I beleive which will definetly not factor in James' decision to play for a certain team. The Nets won't be able to pull Melo and James that's for certain (plus both players play the same position) However I previously stated that the Nets would have Lebron however with new info opinions change quickly and after hearing that the Cavs will have sufficient cap room to sign another star in 2010 to put alongside Lebron...well I can see Lebron staying with the Cavs and the Cavs signing Amare. The Suns do not have the young talent to keep Stoudemire interested in playing with them past 2009-2010. What a trio: Mo , Lebron and Stoudemire...Now this makes good sense and good enough sense for Lebron to stick with the Cavs!
IH8THaters11/20/2008 7:59:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I don't think LeBron will leave Cleveland in 2010. As stated, he was born & raised here which I also believe will influence his decision. The guy is gonna make mega-millions no matter where he plays and honestly, probably makes the majority of his money off endorsements anyways, and those endorsements are definately not going anywhere. Cleveland will be able to pay him a ton of money also, and not to mention he has the best team this year that he has had since he's been a Cav. So hopefully he'll stay, otherwise, Cleveland basketball will take a huge shot as my man is the face of Cleveland. Living in Cleveland, believe me, LeBron is like the mayor. So if he left, there would be a ton of disappointed Cav's fans and would literally kill the morale in this city. Hopefully my boy stays and can bring a championship, or championships, to a city that is in desperate need of one. Guess we'll have to just wait & see.
Russoisme2311/20/2008 7:58:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
See you can't be too sure that he won't leave. Just because the Cavs signed some pieces doesn't mean anything!<br /><br />Besides, Cleveland is a extremely poor cold weather city and no superstar would really want to live here and raise their family. (Not to hate on Cleveland, but that's a true statistic and my opinion only.)<br /><br />Plus, Look at the Nets. So what if the stadium won't be ready his first year there. He could have a Chinese teammate in Yi, a dynamic PG in Devin Harris, possibly a still good Vince Carter, but if not, Melo is from NY and him and Bron have been cool since HS, and a good young rotation with Sean Williams, Josh Boone, and Brook Lopez up front. <br /><br />Harris<br />Carter<br />Melo<br />Bron<br />Lopez<br /><br />That would be a sick line up.
Gametime11/20/2008 2:16:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Imagine Lebron and Melo on the same team. That'll be Sick!!!
roy3211/19/2008 22:59:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Cleveland has two years to work it out with lebron<br />Lebron is a star baby its all about the big lights big city big money big superstar<br />He aint a Tim Duncan a well younger Brett Favre Jim Kelly you know those guys that stay with the small market teams because of loyalty<br />they say that sometimes superstars are too big for the small cities, pretty sad sports has come to that but its the truth<br />Lebron is still best in NBA he has scored 11,000 points way faster than Kobe Bryant and Lebron is the only player that i know that takes a weak team to the finals and has taken his team far in the playoffs. most teams cant even do that with two superstars
gordoyjs11/19/2008 20:54:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
LeBron is not going anywhere. Cleveland added Mo Williams as a two or three option, and Bron is gonna recruit someone like Bosh to seal the deal with inside presence. There is no question he has some 'ships coming no matter where he plays. But he is also based in Ohio. That will weigh heavily in his decision process.
Jack_2111/19/2008 17:21:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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