All Lebron, All the Time
Feb 24, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) and Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) during the second half at the American Airlines Arena. MIami won 109-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The internet is full of talk of Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers as the Miami Heat prepare for their game in Cleveland tonight. Before I get to the links, and quotes, from some of the many articles out there, just a few thoughts on the subject from FoS:
- Any player that can help the team win championships is welcomed to Cleveland.
- James would help the team have a chance at a championship
- The Cavs do not have a small forward that should start for a championship level team.
- James is a small forward who would start for a championship level team.
- The Cavs are a young team lacking identity.
- James intensity, especially in practice and on the defensive end, would give them identity.
- The Cavs have quality young players who, while struggling right now, have the skills to be impact players.
- As Lebron ages he will need younger players around him.
- Kyrie Irving could be the best point guard in the league by next year or the year after.
- James always has wanted to play with a stud PG, Jason Kidd and Chris Paul to name 2, but never has.
- The Cavs need 3 things to be a championship level team: A stud SF, a knockdown shooter (could be Waiters and/or Karasev) and a big man in the middle who can defend and shoot some (could be Thompson and/or Bynum).
- Lebron could provide the star, open things up for shooters and benefit from his friend Thompson and/or Bynum to win a ring in Cleveland.
On to the postings:
Brian Windhorst posted about the grip the Miami Heat have on Lebron and why he isn’t likely to leave:
"The Heat, it seems, are also more comfortable hanging out in James’ hometown than they were a few years ago when they brought a small private security army with them for protection. That’s perhaps because they’ve never been more certain that his time in Cleveland in foreseeable seasons will be short stays such as these, those billboards and T-shirts notwithstanding."
Sam Amico looks at why Lebron should return, why shouldn’t he?, in this Fox Sports Ohio article:
"LeBron has never played with a better point guard or center. That’s true even if Bynum is never healthier than he is today. But he will be. Besides, a banged-up Bynum is still considerably more of a force than, say, a vigorous Joel Anthony."
ESPN’s 5 on 5 looks at the future for Lebron James and where he might go:
"Herbert: 10 percent. It makes sense on the surface: Kyrie Irving is great, Tristan Thompson is James’ buddy and the star of The Decision would like to redeem himself in Cleveland. As we’re seeing this season, though, the Cavaliers have tantalizing talent but the pieces don’t fit. It’s highly unlikely James is watching and thinking this group would complement him well."
Fear The Sword has a couple good articles, first talking with Bruce Bowen:
"Bowen: I really feel like this is a needle in a haystack. At the end of the day, it’s about championships. And players don’t get championships and then feel like, okay I got my championship, I’m done. You truly feel like that trophy belongs to you. It’s yours. When you see another team holding up that trophy, it’s like your girlfriend has kissed another man instead of you. I don’t think they have a great opportunity to [lure him back] because of what his legacy can be in Miami and those are the things Pat Riley talked about with him. What is it that your legacy is going to be?"
And they continue with Conrad’s piece on the game tonight:
"I’d certainly like LeBron James to play for the Cavs again. It would help the team win and I want to win. I don’t think the “Come Home, LeBron” campaign is going to be effective, but whatever. It’s not representative of every Cavs fan and you can want LeBron back without supporting the silly campaign. LeBron’s free agency decision will come down to what he thinks about the future of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, as well as Kyrie Irving and the pieces that the Cavs put together. His next decision will be about where he can have success as a basketball player, where he can win championships, how he wants to shape his legacy, and what he thinks is best for his family. It’s not going to be determined by some billboards or people thinking Cavs fans are lame. And that’s all I have to say about that."
A lot of good writers have spent time on this issue, there is just a couple. Tonight’s game could be very interesting or very difficult for Cleveland faithful, we will see.