Sabathia Shuts Out Distractions, and the Reds
June 28, 2008A Quick Response…
July 1, 2008With the story of LeBron’s “inevitable” journey to New Jersey in 2010 being such a popular story in major media outlets and blogs alike these days, we take a grim look into the eye of the beast and examine the ramifications of a LeBron James exile to Jersey. This is Part I of the “Sky Is Falling” series out of however many articles is necessary between now and D-Day.
There’s this Great Lie that permeates NBA media and blogging circles. It’s everywhere you turn. It’s suffocating. It’s pollution. It’s founded solely in rhetoric and innuendo. And it’s demeaning to a city, a state, a player, and a collection of fans who follow all 3 (city, state, and player). The Great Lie is that LeBron James is leaving Cleveland in 2010. The Great Lie tells the city of Cleveland that it’s not worthy of a person like LeBron James. The Great Lie tells the state of Ohio that it’s too backwards to qualify for housing a star of LeBron’s caliber. The Great Lie tells LeBron James that he’s an idiot if he isn’t scheming his escape from Ohio’s backwoods wilderness now already. The Great Lie tells us Cavaliers fans that we shouldn’t bother. The NBA isn’t for us. We aren’t good enough to watch our own homegrown hero succeed. The Great Lie is evil. The Great Lie is counterproductive. The Great Lie needs to stop.
It’s as thick and all encompassing as the humid air of a warm August night in Ohio. It’s everywhere we turn these days. John Hollinger started this latest round for ESPN.com. For some reason Charlotte, North Carolina decided to chime in on this subject. Mike Lupica talks about what Knicks fans can only dream about. For some reason the Boston Globe thought their readers might like to be let in on the Great Lie. Drew Sharp wonders aloud if the Pistons should throw their hat in the ring. I could keep going, I really could. There’s probably a good 40 more where these came from. But what’s the point?
The basis for all of this is simple. The Nets traded Richard Jefferson, thus freeing the $15 million dollars he’s due in 2010 from their roster. As of right now, the only money the Nets have locked in for 2010 is the $17 million due to Vince Carter. So, according to the popular sentiment, this means the Nets are lined up to bring LeBron James aboard in 2010. Ok, so the Nets also have team options for Yi Jianlian and Sean Williams, and they will have qualifying options for Marcus Williams, Josh Boone, and Maurice Ager. So there you have it. Your 2010 Nets. Perhaps Devin Harris will still be there. Harris, Vince, LeBron, Yi, Boone, a pair of Williams’, and an Ager.
What the great lie doesn’t tell you is that the Cavaliers have $0 tied up for 2010. It’s possible that Delonte West and Daniel Gibson could both still be there. J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson will likely still be there. Who knows who else the Cavs may sign or trade for between now and then. The biggest thing the Great Lie overlooks, though, is the fact that LeBron will be a Qualifying Veteran Free Agent. You might know these better as players who hold their Bird Rights. Tonight I went through and read the Collective Bargaining Agreement line by line in an attempt to better understand the Cavaliers’ unique advantage in keeping LeBron. You know what I found out? I could barely understand one single paragraph of that thing. Legalese is like a foreign language to me. Thankfully, I found this nice little tool to assist me in understanding how Bird Rights work.
Basically, once a player has played three consecutive seasons for the same team without being waived, he becomes what is called a Qualifying Veteran Free Agent. This is meant to give teams a distinct advantage in keeping their own players. Under the CBA, there are maximum contracts for players, but through various exemptions, teams can get around certain loopholes when trying to sign a player. The CBA’s max contract is dependent on the number of years of service. For a player who has played 7 years, which is what LeBron will be in 2010, the max contract is the greater of a) 105% of the final year on his previous contract, b) 30% of the salary cap, or c) $11,000,000. In LeBron’s case, his final season will pay him $15,779,912. 105% of that number is $16,568,907. We can’t say with any certainty where the salary cap will be at in 2010, but if you use the existing rate of growth of the cap, we can project that salary cap is expected to be in the neighborhood of $57.309 million. 30% of that number is $17,192,830.
Again, these are all estimated numbers, and everything is based on an admittedly loose understanding of the finer of points of the CBA, but we can estimate that the max contract for LeBron in 2010 will start at $17.193 million. Here’s where things get tricky. Because the Cavaliers hold LeBron’s “Bird Rights”, they will be able to offer him more years and a larger yearly raise than anyone else. If anyone else signs LeBron, the most they can offer him is 5 years and an 8% annual increase over the base year on his salary. That shapes up to $17.193 million, $18.568 million, $20.054 million, $21.658 million, and $23.391 million for a total of $100.863 million over the 5 years. That averages out to $20.173 million per year. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, can sign LeBron for 6 years with a 10.5% annual increase over the base year. That works out to $17.193 million, $18.998 million, $20.993 million, $23.197 million, $25.633 million, and $28.324 million for a total of $134.338 million over the 6 years. That averages out to $22.390 million per season.
Which contract LeBron chooses to accept will affect his max contract moving forward, as well. Because a player’s max contract can never be less than 105% of his last year’s value, the next contract LeBron signs will start at $24,560,187 if he signs with New Jersey. If he signs with Cleveland, though, his initial year on his proceeding contract would start at $29,740,485. That’s almost a $5 million difference. So not only would LeBron be leaving $33.5 million on the table by signing outside of Cleveland in 2010, he would also be leaving $5 million off the base year on his next contract he could sign after the 2010 deal. We’re getting close to $40 million in lost money already.
The common belief amongst many people is that LeBron would just use the escalators in his Nike contract if he goes to New York to make up the difference. That’s fair. The clause exists, and we can’t ignore it. But you know what? The Nike contract was a 7 year deal worth $90 million and is set to expire the same time his Cavaliers contract does. Some people will say that this gives the New York market an advantage because Nike can steer LeBron towards the “big market”. The thing is, LeBron James holds all the cards. Lets not fool ourselves here. Nike isn’t going to let LeBron James sign with another shoe company. Not after they already invested the largest initial contract they’ve ever given to an athlete (Tiger Woods’ first Nike deal was 5 years, $40 million). If LeBron wants Nike to give him “New York” money in Cleveland, they will. Nike ripped up Tiger’s initial deal and gave him a $100 million deal. They’ll have no problem doing the same for LeBron. Tiger Woods didn’t have to move to New York to get his new deal. LeBron won’t have to either.
Everything LeBron has accomplished in his already remarkable life, he has been able to accomplish in Cleveland. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a junior in high school…..in Ohio. He has appeared on the cover of Fortune Magazine……in Ohio. He has been on the cover of Vogue Magazine…..in Ohio. He has been on the cover of ESPN the Magazine….in Ohio. He has hosted the ESPY’s…..while playing in Ohio. He has hosted Saturday Night Live…..while playing in Ohio. He has assembled an astonishing marketing team and built his image and self into a multi-multi-million dollar enterprise….in Ohio. He managed to get the NBA to send his team to play in China…..from Ohio. He became the highest paid player in the NBA in endorsement and salary…..while playing in Ohio. He has played in the NBA Finals….in Ohio. He has become the image of the NBA…..while playing in Ohio.
Which leads us to the biggest thing the Great Lie doesn’t want you to know, and that is that New York/New Jersey needs LeBron James a heck of a lot more than LeBron James needs New York. The Nets haven’t made the playoffs each of the past 3 years….the Cavaliers have. The Knicks weren’t on the brink of an NBA title just 2 years ago. The Cavaliers were. The point is, LeBron James is doing just fine from his global headquarters in Bath, Ohio, just outside of Akron. Sure, LeBron is friends with rapper Jay-Z, who also happens to own a small part of the New Jersey Nets. But playing in Cleveland isn’t stopping LeBron from hanging out with Jay-Z now, and it won’t in the future. LeBron is a savvy businessman and he’s not going to leave millions of dollars on the table just to play for a team his good friend part owns.
We’re not being naive here. We know there’s a chance LeBron could leave Cleveland. We know there’s always a pull to the bright lights of the New York market. But for LeBron James to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers to go to New York, I think two things have to happen. One, either the Nets or the Knicks need to prove that they are on the brink of winning a Championship. LeBron is a strong competitor and he’s not going to walk into another rebuilding project. The team needs to be NBA Championship ready when LeBron walks through the door. As of right now, I don’t see either the Nets or the Knicks being in that position. The other thing that needs to happen is Danny Ferry needs to fail in putting a Championship caliber team around LeBron. Some of us would say the Cavs aren’t there yet, and despite the fact the Cavs fought the Celtics harder than anyone else in the playoffs this year, I would agree. Ferry has some work to do. But with a plethora of contracts set to expire in the next two years, Ferry is about to have the means to finally do something to improve this roster. If Ferry can get just one more marquee player on this roster, you’d have to like the Cavs chances. And if that happens, it’s hard to see LeBron leaving the city he was born in, the city he was raised in, the city he was drafted by, the city that caters to his every wish, and the city that adores him unlike any other.
Take a deep breath. Sit back and relax. Let the Great Lie consume the other markets who are so desperate for LeBron’s star-shine that they will write anything they can to create the illusion of inevitability. But don’t be fooled by it. We know better. The Cavaliers aren’t where we need them to be in order to keep LeBron just yet, but I like their chances. And I, for one, will continue to refuse to let ESPN, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, or anyone else tell me any different. I’ll reserve judgment for 2010 when any of this actually matters. For now, I’ll continue to just enjoy watching LeBron and the wonderful places he has taken our beloved Cleveland Cavaliers.
145 Comments
@ Ricky – Fair enough. But I think a lot of Indiana’s errors in recent years can be attributed to Larry Bird. I wrote about this recently at my site but the Pacers went downhill as soon as Larry was hired. It was Walsh that drafted Harrington and Bender. He also traded for Artest, O’Neal, and Brad Miller. The Pacers were a GREAT team in 2004. The Malice at the Palace and a few trades (Artest for Peja, Harrington & Jackson for Dunleavy and Murphy) destroyed that. I’m not putting all of that on Bird but I think it’s worth noting.
You’re right, Cleveland probably isn’t a “small-market team.” But they can’t compete with New York and now Brooklyn. That’s not a knock on the Cavs…it’s just reality.
I have to step out for a moment but I’m really enjoying this discussion.
Once again, great article RockKing!
Quicken Loans and Fathead and all of Dan Gilbert’s other investments do not qualify as significant financial resources?
“The Nets haven’t made the playoffs each of the past 3 years….the Cavaliers have. ”
If you are such a big Cavs fan, you’d remember that the Nets and Cavs met in the 2007 playoffs. If you can’t get that fact right it calls into question in the validity of the whole post.
Um…yeah, I remember that. But last year the Nets finished 10th in the East and missed the playoffs, so they have not made the playoffs in each of the last 3 years.
“The Nets haven’t made the playoffs each of the past 3 years….the Cavaliers have. ”
its written a little awkwardly, but he means the nets have not made the playoffs in each year of the past 3 years. i think Vince reads it as meaning the nets havent made the playoffs in any of the past 3 years.
It should probably just read “The Nets weren’t in the playoffs last year.” That would have cleared it up. I just meant that in each of the past 3 seasons, the Cavaliers have been in the playoffs….the Nets can’t say the same. My mistake.
Brandon, good read, thanks. I think two things stick out as particularly unfair in that article: 1. comparing LeBron’s shoes and the MJ’s is wild…no shoe will ever be as popular as MJ’s, those are just the facts; 2. saying LeBron isn’t the pitchman that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Maria Sharapova are??? Is this author serious? Potentially the most ridiculous comment in sports in 2008. Just look at the athlete $$ list on SI.
Also, I’ll concede that Donnie W and Kiki are good hoops guys, and they have a good chance of building solid foundations in their new spots, but Ricky is right in that neither one is a lock. The Cavs also have the distinct advantage of being able to ask LeBron what he wants…as opposed to Kiki and Donnie W. having to guess at what might attract LeBron. Let’s also remember, Kiki got run from Denver and Walsh was being tuned out in Indy. So while they both have a shot to be better in their new places, esp. w/ more $ at their disposal, they aren’t sure things to lure LeBron with promises of rings right off the bat.
In general, LeBron’s celebrity could not be bigger than it is in the US right now. New York or LA won’t do that…he is as big as it gets in sports in the US today. By the way, more jersey sales doesn’t benefit LeBron, at least financially, at all. As I said above, it’s going to be about global branding, and that means China. LeBron is already among the most heavily exposed athletes in China today…that’s how he’s going to be the first athlete billionaire. Not winning rings in the US.
Tsar…player’s can’t own teams they play for. See MJ, Wizards.
wow, lots of comments here.
I could be wrong, but I don’t think players get kickbacks from jersey sales, so why would one care if they doubled? Even if they do it has to be marginal compared to their salary.
Here is the playoff history for the New Jersey Nets, from their own mouths, or at least the NBA’s:
http://www.nba.com/nets/history/00400579.html#33
If you don’t want to make the jump, it is the last entry in the History section of the team, dated for the season of 2005-2006. It describes the last playoff appearance that the Nets/NBA cares to share with the world. With a little math, one can determine that means New Jersey hasn’t been to a playoff in three years.
….now, could we talk about the subject at hand, rather than try to nit-pick stuff out of an article. I don’t care if facts are right or wrong in this blog as much as the logic that it is expalining. I respect its authors and hold this blog as one of the highest standards in sports blogs. Right or wrong about facts or number, I think the one principle fact that is irrefutable that RockKing is sharing is the following:
Sports awesomeness does not always equal a move to large market team.
Truly, this is LeBron’s call. We could all argue on a sports blog until are fingers are bruised, but at the end of the day, its a logical look and a broad view of the situation that will prevail…and I think RockKing has successfully done that.
Gordo:
Thanks for the clarification. I know Mario Lemieux had player/owner status with the Pittsburgh Penguins, so I thought that was a possibility in the NBA as well. Perhaps one day…?
Yes, Jersey sales go into the Team. All LeBron would have to do next year is change his number and he would be number 1 in jersey sales – those lists are so bogus.
As far as China, LeBron is a superstar there. When Asian tourists come over they want to see LeBron James play.
The love for the big markets is nauseating. Every year you listen to reports about what the ratings are/will be. WHO CARE!?!? Why should we, the fans, give a rat about how big a market is. We don’t tune into sports because of how many people live in a city – we tune in to witness great games.
I love this article because it forces people to back up their claims with evidence.
The LeBron to wherever articles are so incredibly full of bs. They are created out of (almost) thin air and propagated SO WILDLY, that yes, it is just plain disrespectful to the city and the state. If there was some kind of SOLID EVIDENCE besides “LeBron is friends with Jay-Z” or “Who WOULDN’T want to play in NY” I probably wouldn’t fight this so diligently.
My favorite point is that the Cavs have ZERO DOLLARS committed in 2010. You’ll NEVER hear something like that in these other articles. It’s funny how Stephen A. Smith says that he is absolutely sure LeBron will be playing in NEW YORK and everyone else is sure he will be playing in Brooklyn. Wow – overwhelming evidence…..the only thing those two points have in common is taking a dump on Cleveland – nothing else resonates between those arguments.
33 million dollars is a lot of money.
Here’s my question. If LeBron makes more money in endorsements (almost TWICE AS MUCH!!!) NOW than Kobe does, and Kobe plays in the 2nd or 3rd largest sports market, and everyone and their freakin UNCLE in the media boldly claims that Kobe Bryant is the “best player on the planet” [cringes] then where is the logic that LeBron is going to be able to offset the 33 million he will walk away from by going to NY/NJ?
To state “the Cavs have too long a track record of gross incompetence” when arguing for the superiority of NY/NJ basketball is high comedy.
Kobe pretty much killed his ability to bring in massive endorsement dollars when he cheated on his wife in that whole ordeal in Colorado, so that is an unfair assessment. I agree with the rest of your post however
There have been a lot of good points brought up in this comments section, but we all have to remember while that it is far from a lock that Lebron will leave in 2010, it is also far from a lock that he will stay. If the Cavs suck and are not in a position to win a championship, make no mistake about it he is out of here. Even if the Cavs are in the same position as they are now in 2010, he is likely to leave. That is because we need to be contending for titles if we expect Lebron to stay. He won’t just blindly stay in Cleveland because he loves Northeast Ohio
Great post Rock, when was the last time there have been so many comments in one post? Hopefully you guys picked up some more readers with this post
Looks like Gregg Doyel agrees with Rock…
http://www.sportsline.com/columns/story/10881637
I agree Ricky, if the Cavs haven’t made strides to be a championship team for the prime years of LeBron’s career, then he will leave. The pressure is on Ferry and Gilbert to make that happen. Unfortunately, they have yet to show me that they are capable of putting the right players and coach on the court. The Cavs are a playoff team because of LeBron, and despite Mike Brown. But they have the time and the contract structure to make it happen. Better front offices have failed, so here’s hoping they’re lucky.
Yeah Kiki Vandeweghe is a great GM. What’s Kenyon Martin’s contract look like again? Nene’? Oh didn’t he take on Allen Iverson’s contract too?
Hate to break David Stern, Screamin A. Smith and Hova’s heart, but Lebron isn’t going anywhere for a good while. I’m thinking that the soonest he might move, or even request a move will be if the Cavs are still struggling a couple of years after he signs his new deal in 2010, a’ la Kobe “How my ass taste” Bryant.
What a nice change of pace. Even if Lebron goes to the east coast (I don’t think he will), it’s nice to read something that actually has some fact behind it vs. the talking heads that have been talking about this.
Don’t for a second think that Dan Gilbert won’t have something to think about this. Don’t be naive in thinking that just because the housing market is in the tank that he won’t have the funds. The housing situation will certainly be straightened out by 2010, it’s a cycle.
Another thing…..
I just sat with the head economist for Bank of America and thought this tidbit was very interesting. There is 1 BILLION DOLLARS in mortgages in which the 3 year ARM’s are rolling over PER DAY. Homes don’t have to sell for Quicken Loans to make money. The refinancing game is going to be huge over the next 3 years (over a TRILLION DOLLARS) and I gurantee you that Quicken Loans will be a huge part of it. Dan Gilbert will be doing everything in his power to influence Lebron to stay in Cleveland. He’ll have the financial resources to do it. I wouldn’t bet against him.
That was a most excellent article. When I first read the stuff about Lebron going to New Jersey I thought that was a spit in the face of Cavs fans everywhere. I hope you guys keep him. Your team has gone through enough heartbreaks the last 20 years and it’s my belief that Lebron and Co. will bring you guys multiple championships when everything clicks.
Great article, folks. I enjoy getting in on this topic as a native Clevelander. I’ll try and avoid jargon, but the bottom line is everything favors Cleveland here except one thing (see the end of my comments):
1) Quality of Life – When people have millions and fame, they become concerned about a few things: their families (if they have them), and in sports, winning. As a few posters mentioned, Lebron is VERY comfortable in northeast Ohio and it hasn’t kept him from dominating the sports market at all. In NYC, he faces an abrupt lifestyle change, constant hounding by a voracious media, and he’d have to spend much more time away from his children. It’s not all about the money. And it certainly isn’t if you can have success in your backyard.
2) Money – But if you want to talk about money and marketing, fine. He can make more by staying with the Cavs and still give himself an opportunity to move on to another team when he’s about 30. He witnessed KG’s long quest for a title and understands there’s a risk in being loyal to the end. But KG was never hurting for money. In sum, the extra advertising dollars can indeed make a difference, but what a few of you have noticed – and the less-enlightened out of towners have not – is that the face of marketing, particularly in sports image marketing, has changed dramatically for two reasons: a global market, and the internet. Marketed properly (which Nike is failing at completely, btw), Lebron can sells thousands more shoes across the globe where such an item is more unique. (The real problem is this adherence to shoes and jerseys; there’s so much more potential, which you are seeing Lebron’s team explore….) In other words, if this was 1991, the advertising lure would be different. But with advances in internet marketing and the simple fact that the man can fly to Vegas and NYC if he wants to, all that matters is that Lebron stay on a championship-caliber team.
3) Winning – This is the only thing I can see being discouraging to Lebron (and the rest of NE Ohio). But look, the Cavs were in the Finals in ’07 and pushed the eventual champion this year to a Game 7. They’re a few important moves away. As plenty of you have mentioned, they have the resources in the next 2 years to ensure they have the best possible chance of becoming a champion. Much of the past few years have been hampered by the legacy Paxson left behind, especially re: draft picks. That’s beginning to change. Idiots in the national media thought the big trade in Feb. was about winning now – not entirely. It was about losing some dead weight and, yes, that magic word: flexibility. They have roughly 33 million in assets for this summer and the upcoming trade deadline in 2009. And in 2010, depending on what happens b/w now and then, they won’t have much tied up in the roster, freeing them to go after free agents, etc. And, of course, resign Lebron.
A few quick ones:
If Lebron was surrounded right now by a team like the Knicks, I’d be worried. If the Nets think he’ll come there to play with Yi and Devin Harris, they’re sadly mistaken.
Never, never promote that you write for RealGM. One of the worst NBA sites in existence.
As for TV ratings, does anyone think that a Lebron-Kobe Finals would have been less popular than Kobe-Celtics?
Why do the Coasters never bring up that Jordan stayed in, ho hum, Chicago? A huge market, sure, but it’s no NYC or LA. And yet he won 6 titles there. Hmm….
I’m not saying he’s going to leave, but your logic is slightly flawed in this analysis.
First, The relative lack of success the Nets and Knicks have had comparatively over the past few years (as compared to Cleveland) is not going to influence Lebron. What if Lebron were on those teams? Do they make the playoffs the last 3 years? Absolutely. Do the Cavaliers make the playoffs if they don’t have Lebron? I’m going to go with no. Unless you somehow imagine Larry Hughes leading a team to more than 15 wins. I sure can’t.
Also, the potential rosters you lay out for the Nets and Cavs in 2010 I don’t really think help your point. Vince and Devin Harris are better than anyone you mention on the future Cavs. Additionally, you conveniently place the Cavs draft picks from Thursday on the roster, and forget to mention the Nets adding Brook Lopez, Ryan Thompson, and Chris Douglass Roberts. A pretty considerable haul that was applauded by most draft experts.
Tiger Woods didn’t have to move to New York because golf isn’t a sport with teams associated with a particular city or region. It will affect his offer. There’s a reason that there were escalators initially in the contract. Lebron does have infinite bargaining power. According to your logic he could demand $1 billion dollars no matter where he is because Nike wouldn’t want to lose him. Nike obviously considers a move to New York beneficial to his marketability, and that benefit will be realized in any contract he signs. That’s simple economics.
Like I said, I’m not saying he will leave or he won’t. But I have to think honestly the only true benefit for him in Cleveland would be it’s his hometown and he’s obviously made a name and a home for himself there.
“First, The relative lack of success the Nets and Knicks have had comparatively over the past few years (as compared to Cleveland) is not going to influence Lebron. What if Lebron were on those teams? Do they make the playoffs the last 3 years? Absolutely. Do the Cavaliers make the playoffs if they don’t have Lebron? I’m going to go with no. Unless you somehow imagine Larry Hughes leading a team to more than 15 wins. I sure can’t.”
This is asinine. Sure, in a magical land, if Lebron was on the Nets this year, they’d have made the playoffs. The Knicks? Well, not so sure. In reality, what will matter is what they have in 2010/2011. Lebron has no interest in making a lateral move. Donnie Walsh left the Pacers in ruins to takeover a team even worse than his. Rod Thorn’s great, but all Kiki has to his credit is overspending to create a mediocre team in Denver that will never sniff a championship. So when Lebron looks at their track record, I’m not sure he sees encouraging signs.
If ONE of those three draft picks for NJ – all of them good, in my mind – turn out to be star caliber, then at best the Nets have Harris, Yi and take your pick. (Carter, by then, is just a pair of knees.) The Knicks have nothing but junk on their roster now and have to convince someone to take those ridiculous contracts off their hands before they can even have the cap room to sign Lebron or any other FA.
I love you. I was talking to my friend the other day that i once remember LeBron saying he wanted to be a billionaire someday. The fact that nobody can offer him more money coupled with the fact that he has already accomplished so much in CLEVELAND shows that he doesnt need a big market to make money. You said it beautifully. Basically, with any and every company that LeBron has an endorsement deal with (mainly Nike), he has the power. He will get the money he wants from them no matter where he is. He’s already the biggest name in sports, despite being from Ohio.
Thank you so much, this brightened my day and perhaps the next two years of my life (although being from Cleveland, I know not to get to high. I just hope I don’t end up being disappointed like every other Cleveland sports moment I have witnessed in my life).
I really think if Lebron leaves Cleveland that the conspiracy theories will only get worse in the NBA.
One person that everyone here is overlooking is Yi Jian Lian. If this kid proves that he can play and is making an impact on the nets team in the next two years, Cleveland’s fan needs to start worry about James leaving. The trade for Yi was part of the plan, not just to get rid of Jefferson contract.
Yi’s popularity is already rising up to near Yao Ming’s status, here in China (I’m studying in China right now). Imagine this scenario in 2010. The nets has Yi has their top two go-to guys and the nets are competitive. Lebron James will be salivating at the thought of going to Brooklyn to play with Yi.
As many of you have brought up, China is a huge market. Lebron, playing with Yi on his side can accomplish his goal of being a global superstar.
Yes I know, Yi is an unproven player. NJ nets managements are rolling the dice here, but if they win, it will be big.
I’m going to totally ignore that whole Yi /Lebron fantasy trust me… he will never have an impact on Lebron going anywhere unless he is the Chinese coming of Dirk which I would think is highly unlikely. This is a great article with excellent point across the board. The most important issue is can Ferry get it done, because the legacy of an NBA player (or really any other major sport) is based on rings. If the talent is in place and we at least get to the finals before his contract is up, it would be career suicide for him to leave to an unproven team. Also if Lebron accomplishes everything in Cleveland (meaning at least 4 rings, 6 to be on Jordans level) he will go down as the arguably best player in NBA history and the best player in Cleveland history, in NY he would just be another one of the greats that that city takes for granted. Competing with ARod Eli and all the other NY stars isnt something that I think he would like esp when he can rule all of Cleveland and still be the best player in the world and create a legacy for a franchise that will never be matched. Right now my focus isnt on Lebron, he’s in uniform at least 2 more seasons and hes gonna get it done night in and night out… I’m looking at Ferry and his staff to come up with the goods wether its this offseason (preferably) or next offseason we HAVE to get another legit allstar who can create his own shot with a couple of the pieces we have now otherwise this franchise may be doomed.
Rock. Do you even follow basketball??? I quote “The Nets haven’t made the playoffs each of the past 3 years….the Cavaliers have” The Nets had a run of 7 years in a row IN THE PLAYOFFS snapped this year. They even played the Cavs in 2006. Where is the Great Lie when you need him….
That is the dumbest article I’ve read yet. you guys keep fooling yourselves that NJ is not stocked with talent that will be contention-ready in under two years. PLEASE tell me that you don’t think this:
West
James
Szcerbiak
Wallace
Z
is a better lineup than:
Harris
James
Carter
Yi
Lopez
With Boone, Krstic, williams, Diop, that is already WAAAAY more than you guys have, and we’re not done, either, we just have options. As for your math, you are not so good at business if you think the Bird rights will come anywhere near the financial gain of NYC. Not to mention, playing on one of the 2 Chinese-supported teams (where there’s already a LeBron museum – he’s their favorite player, Yao’s #2), he’ll make tons more in that market, and be on a perennial playoff team. Instead of waiting 3 years just for the Cavs to get good enough for LeBron to carry them to success. HOW COULD YOU PASS THAT UP? Especially since the current team is much crappier than anyone of you Twinsburgers think.
The Nets had a 7 YEAR run of making the playoffs. They’ll get back on track this year or next, making them competitive or close to the championship around 2010. If that coincides with a bad season for the Cavs, I like the Nets chances of landing Lebron.
Seriously, if you’re going to right about the Nets and their lack of recent playoff appearances, check your sources.
Baron Davis opted out of his contract today. Obviously the Cavs don’t have any cap space, but can you say sign and trade? We might have to offer him a max deal (I think it would be 18 mil for the first season but I am not sure), which is risky, considering he is 29 and has had injury problems in the past (he played all 82 games last season). But I am quickly going to make the case for the Cavs doing so
1) We need a PG that can score and push the tempo. Baron does just that. Averaged almost 22 points per game last year shooting 42% and 33% from long range (not a great 3 pt shooting percentage but its better than what Larry shoots from the field…). And his GS teams were notorious for running the break so well, just ask Dallas
2) He does not need the ball and does not need to shoot all the time. He averaged almost 8 assists last year. And he shot the ball 100 times less than Lebron did last year, which is a lot considering the slow pace the Cavs played, how fast the Warriors played, and Lebron missed 8 games. Lebron obviously shoots it a lot, but Baron makes sure his teammates get theirs and he will take a back seat approach on a team led by Lebron
3) Baron is actually a decent defender, averaged a little over 2 steals per game
Yesterday, a deal involving Wally, Varejao, and Damon Jones would not have gotten it done, not even close. Now, the Warriors risk losing Baron Davis for nothing if they don’t resign him. Those 3 might be a little light, so we might have to include a future first rounder, and maybe even Gibson. I don’t want to lose Gibson so I don’t know how I feel about that since we still need young guys, but I wouldn’t mind losing a first round pick, especially considering with Baron we will have a pick in the late 20s
I know this is all wishful thinking but I am sure Ferry is going to try and get something done with Baron. It would make us a Finals favorite
“The Nets haven’t made the playoffs each of the past 3 years….the Cavaliers have. ” NETS made play offs 5 times in a row before missing them for first time last season (after trading Jkidd) Anywayz this article is pointless…its not a question that LeBron is better of financially in a bigger market…sprite and nike will give him 150 millions each if he goes to a large market…
Just saw that Elton Brand did the same thing, wouldn’t mind getting him either in a sign and trade
Great Article…I agree about the whole Yi thing, he’s a HUGE star in China already as only an average player. imagine his popularity if his game gets better (which it most certainly will playing with an actual pg in harris and playing in a huge media market for the attention-needy Yi), he would be much bigger than Yao and with the combination of Lebron, who is also a superstar there, will create a monster franchise in Brooklyn, one with endless oppurtunities and one that most def. Lebron wont be able to pass up
RockKing “The Nets haven’t made the playoffs each of the past 3 years….the Cavaliers have.” Last year you idiot was the first year they didn’t. You can’t get that facts right how can you get those right in your article. Nets just had a stellar draft with Lopez, Anderson, and CDR. Then they have Devin Harris. Sean Willaims, Vince Carter, Josh Boone, possibly Boki Nacgbar and whoever thye pick up this free agency. Bad chemistry didn’t help last year but this is a talented team. Oh I forgot they have YI and Bobby Simmons. Stop hating the Cavs suck and will lose Lebron to a better franchise in the Nets. Seriously you guys can look at it anyways you want but Lebron is a Net. He will have his jersey retired in the Barclays Center… #23 10 time Atlantic Division Champion, 5 NBA championships. Ill make sure I buy a ring.
im sure you saw it but terry pluto wrote a shorter version of this article for the PD/cleveland.com, and the first commentor said he was jocking WFNY…ha (though he gave you props further down).
i think its interesting that a lot of people are using kevin garnett as an example when debated for or against lebron staying in cleveland.
kg played in minnesota, a place better known for kirby puckett, hockey, and jesse ventura, yet everyone knows who he is, what he is, and what hes done. minnesota is, from my understanding, a much smaller market than cleveland. it wasn’t money (as stated in this epic comment section) that made created the grounds for moving kg, it was the fact that the timberwolves were going nowhere and that something needed to be done, for him and the team.
and that, as rock stated, is what it comes down to. not money, exposure, or endorsements, but the team, and how ready they are to win a championship. and as terry pluto put it, a lot can happen in 2 years.
What about a “LeBron Tax” that all Ohioians have to pay. Everything earned from it will go to a “Ohio Rejuvenation/Beautification” aka a championship (keeping LeBron). It’s outside the NBA therefore no cap, and even if each person payed a dollar it would still be significant. I’d pay it.
One of the great lies of this article is that the nets have made the playoffs every year since 01 before this year’s season, contrary to the report of “they haven’t made the playoffs the last 3 seasons”. In fact, the Nets played the Cavs in the playoffs 2 seasons ago, remember?
LBJ will be the 2nd Cleveland player to make the move to NYC after CC Sabathia does. Playing in Cleveland just isn’t New York.
The author acts as if Cleveland is the only team that will have money to spend. If a player can make x amount of dollars in city whatever, or make the same amount in Cleveland, why would a player choose living in Ohio as opposed to living in Florida, Texas, New york or California?
Pointing out that Cavs went to NBA finals last year and took the Celtics 7 games this year as proof that the Cavs are close to winning a championship is absurd. Especially when the reasons why the Cavs were humilated in the finals and lost to Boston have not changed. The Cavs insistance that defense first and defense only will not get Cleveland a championship. Yes, defense wins games,but obviously a lack of offense loses them.
And don’t forget that the teams around the Cavs have improved and are improving while with each passing season the Cavs regress. And the proof of that, is the fact that bench players like Andy and Sasha can hold this so called championship caliber team hostage. When Ben Wallace and Wally Sz12#$%^%^^ k in 2008 is considered to be a major part of your success you are on the way down. If Lebron wants to win a championship he must leave Cleveland.
Ok, if your comment revolves around the phrase “Why would he want to play in Cleveland when he could play in _________.” Just save it. We;ve heard it. You and your uneducated opinion of our city and state can move on.
LeBron is now being marketed on Nickelodeon …. so his popularity continues to rise. Bringing home the gold medal in the Olympics will only enhance his image. Lebron has a ton of money …. and as long as the Cavaliers can put him in a situation to compete for the NBA Championship, he will remain in Cleveland. Just think if we could have knocked off Boston …. we had our chances in some of those games we lost.
He is very loyal to Akron … his hometown. More so than Cleveland …. it’s Akron where Lebron finds his comfort zone. If the Cavaliers cannot put a team around Lebron to win it all …. then he would go …. to a team that can. New Jersey does not offer that …. but something more like what Boston did. It’s all about the ring and who can put Lebron in position to win one …
Jay
Eric – you’re forgetting that it isn’t the “same” amount. It’s more.
Welcome, Nets fans!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3468173
James listed New York as his favorite city Monday (his hometown of Akron, Ohio came in fifth behind Washington D.C., Dallas, and Los Angeles)
“My favorite borough? Brooklyn”
/just fueling the fire
Well written but clearly a biased article.
First off, let me just say that New Jersey has only missed the postseason this year after being in the playoffs since 2002. All this talk about New Jersey not being competitive when Lebron’s contract is up befuddles me since we’ll be fielding players who are going to enter into their prime in 2010. Vince Carter, even with his injuries, can still put up 18-4-4 if you compare him to last season where he averaged 22-5-5. Devin Harris will certainly be here in 2010 as the Nets see him as a defensive PG with a Tony Parker quickness in him. Harris’ game will flourish once he recover from his injuries and being that he’s out of Avery Johnson’s pick-and-roll offense and into Lawrence Frank’s motion offense. Then you still have a much developed and experienced Lopez, Anderson and CDR together with a polished Sean Williams and Josh Boone.
It’s clear that, should Lebron opt to sign in New York/New Jersey area, the ramifications of his contract financially will be offset by the fact that the endorsements in a major market will make Lebron a global icon (something that we all know he’s striving for). Think about Kobe playing in LA and how that affects his status globally. Add that to the fact that Lebron will be playing right next to another international wonder in Yi Jianlian and you have an even bigger impact that what Yao and T-Mac already have in Houston.
Having said all that, I still think Cleveland will have a HUGE advantage in terms of re-signing Lebron to a lucrative contract. This is his hometown, where he grew up in and all the sentimental effects that comes with signing in Cleveland. However, New York/New Jersey (especially the Nets) will have a huge impact in the signing process as it makes sense for Lebron financially.
Let’s not forget, money talks.
It should be a fun 2010.
….and he wore a Yankess cap at an Indians game while playing in Ohio
LeBron is smart. He needs everyone to keep guessing. It keeps his stock that much higher. What else would he say? “I’m very happy and comfortable playing in Cleveland, and I will never leave.” Give me a break.
Read the comments lenihan, the “missing the playoffs” statement was explained.
Also, comparing last years Cavs roster to New Jersey’s new roster is plain stupid. Wait until the Cavs have finished making their moves, than make the comparison. And barring injury Lopez won’t be better than Z for at least 5 years. I would never admit to having Diop on my team.
“Um…yeah, I remember that. But last year the Nets finished 10th in the East and missed the playoffs, so they have not made the playoffs in each of the last 3 years.”
Fair enough RockKing. But they did make the playoffs for 6 straight seasons before 08 – six out of the past seven years isn’t a bad run.
As a Net fan I’m just looking for them to get the best player to fit their team.
The die has been cast that Net mgt (Thorn & Kiki) has their sights set on the FA Class of 2010 (when the team will be less than 1 yr from moving to Brooklyn). As much as you want to point to Kiki’s less than stellar record in Denver, Thorn is the key decision maker in the Net org.
IMO, it will be a matter of who will fit best with whomever is left of Harris, Yi, Lopez, Boone, Kristc 24 months from now.
As has been stated many times in the comments, LeBron is already a global icon. He’s already bigger than Kobe (thanks in some part to his proclivity for cheating on his wife and raping young college students.) Money is already talking. It will be about one thing, winning. Period. That’s the whole point of this article.
Terry Pluto has lost some of my respect.
Great post Rock. Well researched investagitory journalism. Thanks for taking the time to piss off half of Brooklyn in the process.
The worst thing in all of this is we’re going to have 2 years of this shit. It doesn’t matter – if LeBron goes on a cruise with Jay-Z, they’re talking contract already. If Yi has a deal with Nike, it’s so he can get in close with LeBron.
I grew up and lived in Sandusky for 18 years, then attended Ohio State. I’ve never lived in Cleveland but that’s where my devotion is. Now that I live in DC (going on 2 years now) I still haven’t gotten used to the sense of superiority that people feel entitled to just because they live in a big city, especially New York.
I really get frustrated when assholes like Stephen A Smifffff go and guarantee with no shred of evidence that someone is making a move. If he’s right and in 2 years that happens, I’ll tip my cap to him (even though he’ll be busy tipping it to himself that I won’t have to). Until then I feel like every adult male in Cleveland should take a moment out of their week, drive to Bristol, and personally teabag that jackass.
You wrote, “The Nets haven’t made the playoffs each of the past 3 years….the Cavaliers have.” Get your facts straight. The Nets missed the playoffs last year for the first time in this DECADE. Not only that, but the Nets played the Cavs in the 2007 playoffs.
Also, the millions Lebron would “lose” in his contract are pocket change to what he would make in endorsements in New York.
Finally, what makes you think Danny Ferry will put anything around Lebron. All he’s done is bring in washed up vets (e.g. Ben Wallace). I will admit that neither the Knicks nor the Nets will have a championship roster next year, but you have to admit that the Cavs, as they are current conceived, will not get past the Celtics. You played them tough, but your lineup is only getting older. And as for the season after next, you better pray that Ferry can make some big moves. We’ll just have to wait and see.
100th reply! That’s all.