LeBron James Discussion: Not Returning To The Lakers

I'm sad that this rumor didn't go away by now.

Go away LLLLLbron

 

For what it's worth Ramona Shelburne on ESPN710 just completely validated this report. She says she has spoken to the same source that told this to Wise and that it's 100% legit (I'm guessing it's Maverick Carter).

LeBron, if he goes to LA, wants nothing to do with the Clippers and their horrid brand, it would hurt his brand. He'll never be a Clipper.

Shelburne said LeBron would only come to LA if the Lakers have proven they can be the place that gives him a shot to beat the Warriors. He will only come here if he feels like he's the last piece to get the team over the top. Is he and George enough? Who knows? But it's the only way he's doing it.

She also said LeBron really has no interest in playing with Chris Paul because their games don't really match so the whole banana boat thing may be a straw man.

 

Yeah. The most "realistic" path to a title for us at this point is sign PG-13 in 2018. Sign Klay Thompson in 2019. Ingram, Ball and Zubac make big leaps forward. Kevin Durant decides to retire and pursue a career of making flavored olive oils.

 

For what it's worth Katz on ESPN went on a LONG rant about LeBron. What ended up happening is Brian Windhorst jumped on with Ireland and Katz and Katz is CONVINCED that LeBron is on his way to LA. Katz says the sources he's talked to (and admittedly he's not a full sports guy, he's more of an entertainment guy) have said it's basically a lock to happen.

Windhorst angry told him that nothing is set and it's not a lock but it's a good possibility. Windhorst said "LeBron doesn't know yet".

This set Katz off because Katz made the good point that LeBron ALWAYS knows what his next move is or at least what his best options are. Katz went on to put everyone on blast calling out Ireland, Windhorst, and even Ramona saying that they've all spoken to the same people that say it's going to happen. Ireland tried to mediate and pointed out that a lot has to happen and nothing is 100%, but Ireland did admit that he's been hearing these rumors for years. Windhorst angrily told Katz that if Katz is so confident then he should bet the house on it at Vegas and Katz said he gladly would. Katz pointed out that unlike all the NBA people he doesn't have to protect sources so he's not afraid of saying this. Katz said he was told about LeBron going to Miami a full three years before it came to fruition.

In short... I'm starting to think this is a more genuine option than we think it is right now. Think of all the smoke... there were rumors years ago that LeBron had his eye on LA from Dave McMenamin. We heard the same rumors this year. The Lakers cleared all the room for LeBron. Magic's knowing smile. The whispers aren't quiet anymore. Obviously if things implode in LA it's possible it never happens. It's possible that if Lonzo flops it doesn't happen. But the fact that Ireland so quickly said he knew about these rumors and he said well it's not done... yet.

I don't know guys. I think this could be getting serious. So serious that I typed this up on my phone.

 

S***. I hate Windhorst by the way, he always seems slightly miffed at answering questions, like he wants to stop and get back to the buffet. He has almost no sense of humor. I appreciate what Katz did though, calling out these media people for holding back info until they can get a good story or more clicks out of it, saying they all have info they don't put out there but save for themselves for the best time.

 

You heard all that though right? Seems like am awful lot of smoke at the moment. The recent report that other teams are leery of how calm the Lakers are is REALLY interesting in this context. Magic saying "I wouldn't make that move if I wasn't confident"... I don't know...

 

Yes, dammit. Look, bottom line, I can accept LeBron joining the Lakers, because if he does I'll have no choice, I'm not going anywhere. My only concern is that if he does we don't trade away all our youth to get players he wants in here. LeBron will be 34 when we can sign him, and he will decline, and he will make a s***load of money. When he's done, if we traded away Ingram, Zu, Ball, etc along the way to get guys he wanted in here we would be screwed, we'd have to start our rebuild from scratch. If we got LeBron WHILE keeping those players and they get to play alongside him and develop, it's easier for me to take. Ball, George, Ingram, LeBron, center, fine, I'd get over it. We'd be relevant once again and bottom line that would make me happy.