LeBron James Discussion: Not Returning To The Lakers

Discussion in 'NBA Discussion' started by therealdeal, Jun 8, 2017.

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  1. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    Give it time, you’ll get there. I’m not saying you’ll be lead contributor to www.ihatelebron.com or anything, but LLLLL will make it obvious we don’t want him.
     
    sirronstuff, Jan 25, 2018
    #2201
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  2. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    [​IMG]
     
    LTLakerFan, Jan 25, 2018
    #2202
  3. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    My heart doesn't want him. It never has. My brain wants him for two years and the stipulation that he has ZERO say on personnel moves outside of where we use our minimum contracts to fill out the roster. And even then, he shouldn't get much say.
     
    Savory Griddles, Jan 25, 2018
    #2203
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  4. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Your brain is naive. :Fishwink: This is LLLLL we're talking about.

    :Laugh:
     
    LTLakerFan, Jan 25, 2018
    #2204
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  5. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    LeBron is not Boogie Cousins. Sure he's a diva, but he's not going to get these kids going out to parties in LA and whatnot. When it comes to actually playing, he's as professional as they come. He can teach them what kind of work ethic they need to have to reach the highest points in their games.

    I'll take LeBron's faults for a chance at the Finals or Conference Finals overnight. I won't hesitate. I find it strange that so many are more willing to continue this slow burn and maybe get lucky and sneak into an 8th seed the next couple years. So many are willing to wait another year and continue to throw Hail Mary's at other FAs, but not LeBron? Why? Because he's a jerk? I can live with a jerk as long as we're successful and there's no better way to gain competitiveness and competence quickly than signing LeBron James. Certainly he's a better investment than Boogie Cousins and he's honestly a better investment than George too if all three are taken in a vacuum, yes even at LeBron's age.
     
    therealdeal, Jan 25, 2018
    #2205
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  6. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    He doesn’t deserve to be a Laker. Ever.
     
    sirronstuff, Jan 25, 2018
    #2206
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  7. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    i think george is maybe an equal investment, as i expect he'll be able to play longer. lebron's on borrowed time. that time is EXTREMELY valuable, but it's still limited. sort of how i felt about nash when we traded for him--i knew it would be short-lived (not never-lived, though...).

    anyway, yes, i agree. we want lebron. and if the fans don't, it doesn't matter, because management DEFINITELY does.
     
    abeer3, Jan 25, 2018
    #2207
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  8. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I can agree with George being equal in terms of longevity, but he's not the same caliber of player either. Even if LeBron is only "LeBron" for two more years, that's still probably the best player in the league for two more years. George will never reach that height even if we got him through his prime for 4-6 years. I'd take him also without hesitation (Boogie probably maybe too), but my pont really is we have no right to be turning our nose up if someone of a high caliber is interested.
     
    therealdeal, Jan 25, 2018
    #2208
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  9. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    LeBron knows the clock is ticking on getting 1 or 2 more rings. Shudder to think what his price and demands on the FO are with regard to what it will cost our OKC and GSW "like" early and talented roster having to be decimated to give him that opportunity those 1st 2 years. While Warriors are still at their peak and Houston and other rising powers.

    The year or two it takes to "gel". (see Miami and Cleveland) (with in-his-young-and-defensive prime LBJ).

    Then Boom ....either he finally gets the big Kobe-like injury or opts out again after 2 years. What an awful risk to pay in how much we've lost in personnel in either scenario. Totally leaving out the huge quantity of personality baggage and scapegoating that comes with him.
     
    LTLakerFan, Jan 25, 2018
    #2209
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  10. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    What payment? If we don't pay him we're paying someone else. We're probably paying Randle and Pope or something and now we're locked in to that team. Now we're the Magic. Now we're the Hornets. Now if we're lucky we're the Wizards stuck paying for a team that's not quite good enough, but eats up all our money for 7 years before we start over again.

    That seems like a far worse risk to me.
     
    therealdeal, Jan 25, 2018
    #2210
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  11. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    sirronstuff, Jan 25, 2018
    #2211
  12. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Pope or something? C'mon! There's wise decisions to be made beyond if we keep Randle. And shooting guard we have Hart improved and stronger even by next year. Don't have to blow all the cap space just because declining defensively while keeping offensive numbers up LBJ is not here.
     
    LTLakerFan, Jan 25, 2018
    #2212
  13. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    :D

    He won't ever be great? He's already great. He's a three time champion, an MVP, a Finals MVP, and a first ballot Hall of Fame player. Any objective person can tell you all that.

    He's not a good player? He's washed? He's leading the league in points, second in assists, 11th in steals, 11th in FG%, 4th in points per game, 4th in assists per game, 13th in steals per game, 13th in TS%, 7th in eFG%, 4th in assist%, 5th in win shares, 2nd in Box +/-, 1st in VORP.
     
    therealdeal, Jan 25, 2018
    #2213
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  14. Kenzo

    Kenzo - Lakers MVP -

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    Lakers fans are to Lebron what other teams fans were to Kobe... HATERS. Simple as that.
     
    Kenzo, Jan 25, 2018
    #2214
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  15. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    So you'd rather just keep punting along? We'll just bring back Lopez for a big one-year salary (assuming he wants to) and keep trying again next summer?

    You're good with winning 30-40 games next year and probably missing the playoffs just so you don't have to root for LeBron? I'd rather be competitive.
     
    therealdeal, Jan 25, 2018
    #2215
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  16. Battle Tested20

    Battle Tested20 Moderator Staff Member

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    Yes sorta of, but LBJ gives the opposing fan base so many more reasons and examples to hate him. Kobe was hated because what??

    1) He was talented and won
    2) Colorado
    3) Great Teammates at certain times of his career

    Kobe never called himself the greatest in the 3rd person, which is just one of the many things Lebron has done. Oh and worn a shirt out in the public that says "Check out my Stats"
     
    Battle Tested20, Jan 25, 2018
    #2216
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  17. vasashi17

    vasashi17 LB's Resident Capologist

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    I'm with Real on this one...

    Currently, LA are beggars, not choosers. Any star that even bats an eye our way, we need to serenade the f*** out of them.

    LaBron stroking his LeBone was nauseating....no doubt. But egocentric stars are a dime a dozen. Did George really need Russ to have his back to make it an easier decision? Didn't Kobe narrate a docuMEntary on how Mambaby with his rolled up socks grew into the Manba? Athletes are wired differently and in order to be great, you gotta think you are great. But I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the poor execution the "chosen1" had in congratulating his younger self. If you're going to bite off Kobe, then make sure you execute it like Kobe (ie #OscarNod).

    Also, I think this LaBron dictating the franchise's terms narrative is a bit subjective. I actually believe LaBron had every intention to hand Gilbert a large tax bill only to have that clown sign it in comic-sans. That's ultimate retribution and you know an egomaniac like LaBron is petty enough to do that. By all accounts, he adores Magic and I just don't see LaBron trying to squeeze Jeanie (sans Phil) into moves that gets his "posse" paid.

    Just like Durant is angling into getting into ownership after his playing days (kinda explains why he gave Lacob such a massive discount last summer), the same is probably true with LaBron and what better mentor than Magic/Jeanie to achieve that goal.

    George as the headliner in Indy, didn't really lead his team deep into the Leastern playoffs. Boogie as the headliner in Sac, didn't sniff the postseason. So pairing those dudes could set us up, but I prefer something more proven. You have a guy that has gone to 7 straight Finals. I get that the league is diluted AF, but that's still impressive. You give either George or Boogie a player like LaBron and they are instantly in contention.

    I would prefer Brony/Georgie or Brony/Boogie, but Georgie/Boogie would be just as satisfying, cause again beggars can't be choosers.
     
    vasashi17, Jan 25, 2018
    #2217
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  18. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm not saying LeBron I'm a giant LeBron fan, but I don't see how we can honestly turn him away when we're busy winning 17-30 games for the 5th year in a row.
     
    therealdeal, Jan 25, 2018
    #2218
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  19. Kenzo

    Kenzo - Lakers MVP -

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    Young Kobe was cocky as f***, on and off the court. He grew up though ;)
    Still, can't pass on Bron because he's a diva.
     
    Kenzo, Jan 25, 2018
    #2219
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  20. ZenMaster

    ZenMaster - Lakers All Star -

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    Lol @ you guys willing to mortgage our future for 2 years of lebron circus. I’m guessing because you think the price will be the max slot.

    It won’t. It will be much higher.

    Anyway, time as usual will prove that seaking immediate gains over steady improvements was the wrong choice.
     
    ZenMaster, Jan 25, 2018
    #2220
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