Bron to Run in Jersey?
By Anonymous
Fri, 06/04/2010 - 1:14am
By Sam Littman
Of the five designated positions in the game of basketball, point guard and center are decidedly the most important. Having a confident point guard who can expertly manage a game and get his teammates involved while consistently threatening to score may well be the ideal player with which to start a team. Then again, possessing a big man with the will to exercise his physical gifts to dominate down low has proven to be perhaps the most valuable asset in the game over the past two decades.
In 27-year old point guard Devin Harris, who has averaged 19.2 points and 6.8 assists over the past two seasons, and 22-year old center Brook Lopez, who averaged 18.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in his second season in the league, the Nets have the requisite foundation for a championship team. With $34 million in cap space at their disposal and the third pick in this year’s draft, it isn’t hard to imagine the Nets morphing from league doormat to Finals favorite in a matter of months.
Lebron James
When the time comes for LeBron James to sign with a team sometime this summer, winning will be the determining factor. He can’t become much more famous than he already is, and what is the real value of some extra sponsorship dollars if he can’t afford the jewelry that means the most to him? According to Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen, “If he doesn’t win multiple championships, he’s the biggest bust in NBA history.” Don’t think LeBron isn’t aware. If he truly cares about his legacy, there’s only one realistic destination.
The New Jersey Nets are ready for LeBron James, ready to surround him with the pieces he needs to win those championships. They have Harris, who is just now entering his prime, locked down through the 2012-13 season, and will not have to worry about Lopez leaving for another two years. Should the Nets sign LeBron and draft either Ohio State swingman Evan Turner, Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins, or Georgia Tech power forward Derrick Favors, as expected, they will have filled out 80% of their starting lineup with ultra-talented ballplayers who are as committed to defense as they are to putting the ball in the hole. Figuring in LeBron's salary and the scale pay for the third overall pick, the Nets would still be $10 million under the cap, with room to sign a shooting guard worthy of playing alongside LeBron. Should that $10 million not be sufficient, new owner Mikhail Prokhorov would surely shell out the extra cash to fill out his dream team.
The Nets bench would then be stocked with players that could start on any number of teams, headlined by shooting guard Courtney Lee, who started in the 2008-09 Finals for the Magic as a rookie, swingman Terrence Williams, who averaged 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists over the final two months of his rookie campaign, and 7-footer Yi Jianlian, who averaged a healthy 12 points and 7 boards. Any one of those young talents could still start for the Nets if they can’t find a star shooting guard or power forward (depending on who they draft) that fits in. Entering versatile scorer Chris Douglas-Roberts into the equation, along with two more draft picks (the latest being the 31st overall selection), and you have a nearly complete roster without a single weak link.
If LeBron desires the grandeur afforded by a franchise located in a major metropolitan area, as most analysts suspect, the Nets may well have the have the most to offer. In 2012 the Nets are set to move to Brooklyn where they will play in the Barclays Center, the stadium for which Barclays Bank paid a record $400 for naming rights. The team’s new owner, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, has already established himself as the league’s new most flamboyant and assertive owner, and has extraordinarily lofty goals for his franchise. One of LeBron’s best friends, rapper Jay-Z, happens to be a part owner, and has been instrumental in promoting and facilitating the Nets’ move to Brooklyn.
LeBron could have everything. The league’s newest, state-of-the art arena situated in the trendiest area of the greatest city in the world, the backing of a billionaire sports fanatic, and the opportunity to play in New York while carving out a legacy of his own.
While LeBron’s other suitors undoubtedly have their merits, the fact of the matter is that no team can offer what the Nets can. Not remotely.
The Knicks, the team most frequently cited as a potential destination for LeBron due to their cap space and location, have but three valuable pieces in Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Bill Walker, who are all entirely one-dimensional and play the same position. Even with LeBron, they would have too many roster spots to fill with with spare parts and cheap journeymen.
The Bulls are also a reasonably tempting option, but it is hard to imagine LeBron, the most talented player of all-time, going to Chicago to play in the shadow of Michael Jordan, the greatest player of all-time. The Bulls' current franchise player, Derrick Rose, needs to control the game in order to play up to his potential, and they don't have the low-post scoring LeBron needs.
The Heat and Thunder, who both boast a great deal of cap space, must be immediately discounted from the LeBron sweepstakes as a result of their already possessing a scorer as great as LeBron. King James could never share the spotlight with Dwyane Wade, the second most exciting player in basketball, or with Kevin Durant, the best scorer in the game.
While the Clippers can offer LeBron a tremendously talented supporting cast from top to bottom, and have the funds necessary to sign him, they cannot possibly expect him to agree to play for the second best team in his own arena. The Wizards will have John Wall next year, but they also have the league's biggest ball hog in Gilbert Arenas and are comprised mostly of inexperienced players who don't want to pass or play defense.
LeBron might be the most prized free agent in the history of the game, but these teams would not be debilitatingly devastated if he spurned their advances. This is the deepest free agent pool in NBA history, and there are plenty of superstars and potential superstars to be had.
There is one team, however, that would not be able to handle losing out on signing LeBron: His own.
The Cavaliers, and the city of Cleveland, Ohio, need LeBron James. Yet it is simply too hard to believe that he would return to a team that failed to reach the Finals after winning 66 games in the 2008-09 campaign, and then regressed this past season, failing to make it past the second round of the playoffs despite the additions of Shaquille O’Neal and Antawn Jamison. Seeing how the Cavaliers have moved backwards, and seeing how frustrated LeBron has become, it is so hard envision him staying put with so many more talented and potential-laden options set before him.
Compared to these ball clubs, The Nets are virtually flawless. They have stars that give their all on both ends of the floor, and they won't have to sign a handful of career benchwarmers and expect them to contribute. They have an unselfish point guard who can play off the ball, exceptionally reliable low-post scoring and would put James in a position to become a legend for a franchise devoid of one. They have stars who are capable of taking over games, but who would willingly defer to LeBron when the game is on the line, whenever he feels the need to take control. They have proven veterans, and while they might not be one of the league's most storied franchises, they made as many Finals appearances in this last decade as the Knicks, Bulls, Heat, Thunder, Clippers, Wizards and Cavaliers combined.
Speculating as to what lineup a team might put on the floor on a weekly basis is quite challenging. Guessing who might suit up for them when the next season tips off is nearly impossible, and such assertions are often met with derision and heated criticism, especially when that team has a lot of money to spend and a few draft picks to look forward to. Such speculation might be considered immature, but the Nets have too much potential to ignore. Next year, they could conceivably put on the floor a lineup of Devin Harris, Ray Allen, LeBron James, Derrick Favors and Brook Lopez, while sitting comfortably under the salary cap.
Even if the Nets can't manage land a shooting guard like Allen, it demonstrates what they are capable of doing with the amount of money they have to spend. If Prokhorov proves to be as generous with his checkbook as he's rumored to be, they could have an even better, more surreal lineup. They would win title after title after title.
That is LeBron's ultimate goal. This is his ultimate destination.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE AS A DESTINATION FOR LEBRON:
Summer of Lebron Sweepstakes: Case for the Los Angeles Clippers
Of the five designated positions in the game of basketball, point guard and center are decidedly the most important. Having a confident point guard who can expertly manage a game and get his teammates involved while consistently threatening to score may well be the ideal player with which to start a team. Then again, possessing a big man with the will to exercise his physical gifts to dominate down low has proven to be perhaps the most valuable asset in the game over the past two decades.
In 27-year old point guard Devin Harris, who has averaged 19.2 points and 6.8 assists over the past two seasons, and 22-year old center Brook Lopez, who averaged 18.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in his second season in the league, the Nets have the requisite foundation for a championship team. With $34 million in cap space at their disposal and the third pick in this year’s draft, it isn’t hard to imagine the Nets morphing from league doormat to Finals favorite in a matter of months.
Lebron JamesWhen the time comes for LeBron James to sign with a team sometime this summer, winning will be the determining factor. He can’t become much more famous than he already is, and what is the real value of some extra sponsorship dollars if he can’t afford the jewelry that means the most to him? According to Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen, “If he doesn’t win multiple championships, he’s the biggest bust in NBA history.” Don’t think LeBron isn’t aware. If he truly cares about his legacy, there’s only one realistic destination.
The New Jersey Nets are ready for LeBron James, ready to surround him with the pieces he needs to win those championships. They have Harris, who is just now entering his prime, locked down through the 2012-13 season, and will not have to worry about Lopez leaving for another two years. Should the Nets sign LeBron and draft either Ohio State swingman Evan Turner, Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins, or Georgia Tech power forward Derrick Favors, as expected, they will have filled out 80% of their starting lineup with ultra-talented ballplayers who are as committed to defense as they are to putting the ball in the hole. Figuring in LeBron's salary and the scale pay for the third overall pick, the Nets would still be $10 million under the cap, with room to sign a shooting guard worthy of playing alongside LeBron. Should that $10 million not be sufficient, new owner Mikhail Prokhorov would surely shell out the extra cash to fill out his dream team.
The Nets bench would then be stocked with players that could start on any number of teams, headlined by shooting guard Courtney Lee, who started in the 2008-09 Finals for the Magic as a rookie, swingman Terrence Williams, who averaged 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists over the final two months of his rookie campaign, and 7-footer Yi Jianlian, who averaged a healthy 12 points and 7 boards. Any one of those young talents could still start for the Nets if they can’t find a star shooting guard or power forward (depending on who they draft) that fits in. Entering versatile scorer Chris Douglas-Roberts into the equation, along with two more draft picks (the latest being the 31st overall selection), and you have a nearly complete roster without a single weak link.
If LeBron desires the grandeur afforded by a franchise located in a major metropolitan area, as most analysts suspect, the Nets may well have the have the most to offer. In 2012 the Nets are set to move to Brooklyn where they will play in the Barclays Center, the stadium for which Barclays Bank paid a record $400 for naming rights. The team’s new owner, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, has already established himself as the league’s new most flamboyant and assertive owner, and has extraordinarily lofty goals for his franchise. One of LeBron’s best friends, rapper Jay-Z, happens to be a part owner, and has been instrumental in promoting and facilitating the Nets’ move to Brooklyn.
LeBron could have everything. The league’s newest, state-of-the art arena situated in the trendiest area of the greatest city in the world, the backing of a billionaire sports fanatic, and the opportunity to play in New York while carving out a legacy of his own.
While LeBron’s other suitors undoubtedly have their merits, the fact of the matter is that no team can offer what the Nets can. Not remotely.
The Knicks, the team most frequently cited as a potential destination for LeBron due to their cap space and location, have but three valuable pieces in Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Bill Walker, who are all entirely one-dimensional and play the same position. Even with LeBron, they would have too many roster spots to fill with with spare parts and cheap journeymen.
The Bulls are also a reasonably tempting option, but it is hard to imagine LeBron, the most talented player of all-time, going to Chicago to play in the shadow of Michael Jordan, the greatest player of all-time. The Bulls' current franchise player, Derrick Rose, needs to control the game in order to play up to his potential, and they don't have the low-post scoring LeBron needs.
The Heat and Thunder, who both boast a great deal of cap space, must be immediately discounted from the LeBron sweepstakes as a result of their already possessing a scorer as great as LeBron. King James could never share the spotlight with Dwyane Wade, the second most exciting player in basketball, or with Kevin Durant, the best scorer in the game.
While the Clippers can offer LeBron a tremendously talented supporting cast from top to bottom, and have the funds necessary to sign him, they cannot possibly expect him to agree to play for the second best team in his own arena. The Wizards will have John Wall next year, but they also have the league's biggest ball hog in Gilbert Arenas and are comprised mostly of inexperienced players who don't want to pass or play defense.
LeBron might be the most prized free agent in the history of the game, but these teams would not be debilitatingly devastated if he spurned their advances. This is the deepest free agent pool in NBA history, and there are plenty of superstars and potential superstars to be had.
There is one team, however, that would not be able to handle losing out on signing LeBron: His own.
The Cavaliers, and the city of Cleveland, Ohio, need LeBron James. Yet it is simply too hard to believe that he would return to a team that failed to reach the Finals after winning 66 games in the 2008-09 campaign, and then regressed this past season, failing to make it past the second round of the playoffs despite the additions of Shaquille O’Neal and Antawn Jamison. Seeing how the Cavaliers have moved backwards, and seeing how frustrated LeBron has become, it is so hard envision him staying put with so many more talented and potential-laden options set before him.
Compared to these ball clubs, The Nets are virtually flawless. They have stars that give their all on both ends of the floor, and they won't have to sign a handful of career benchwarmers and expect them to contribute. They have an unselfish point guard who can play off the ball, exceptionally reliable low-post scoring and would put James in a position to become a legend for a franchise devoid of one. They have stars who are capable of taking over games, but who would willingly defer to LeBron when the game is on the line, whenever he feels the need to take control. They have proven veterans, and while they might not be one of the league's most storied franchises, they made as many Finals appearances in this last decade as the Knicks, Bulls, Heat, Thunder, Clippers, Wizards and Cavaliers combined.
Speculating as to what lineup a team might put on the floor on a weekly basis is quite challenging. Guessing who might suit up for them when the next season tips off is nearly impossible, and such assertions are often met with derision and heated criticism, especially when that team has a lot of money to spend and a few draft picks to look forward to. Such speculation might be considered immature, but the Nets have too much potential to ignore. Next year, they could conceivably put on the floor a lineup of Devin Harris, Ray Allen, LeBron James, Derrick Favors and Brook Lopez, while sitting comfortably under the salary cap.
Even if the Nets can't manage land a shooting guard like Allen, it demonstrates what they are capable of doing with the amount of money they have to spend. If Prokhorov proves to be as generous with his checkbook as he's rumored to be, they could have an even better, more surreal lineup. They would win title after title after title.
That is LeBron's ultimate goal. This is his ultimate destination.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE AS A DESTINATION FOR LEBRON:
Summer of Lebron Sweepstakes: Case for the Los Angeles Clippers
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Comments
Here's the problem
The Nets seem to have all the pieces in place, on paper.
They were almost the worst team in NBA history last year. The Knicks are a league joke as far as how they have been run over the past decade. In all fairness, that was mostly the fault of Isiah Thomas (who basically turns every basketball franchise AND LEAGUE he touches into crap) but Dolan was the owner who allowed it. If I were Lebron, I would try and join a team that would be championship contenders the second he signs his name on the contract.
Assuming that every team in the league isn't included, I will just use the most talked about teams that have a shot.
Chicago, L.A. Clippers, Miami, Cleveland, New York, New Jersey, and Dallas.
Miami would be title contenders with Wade and Lebron.
Cleveland IS a title contender with Lebron. They have won more games over the past 2 years than any team in the past 30 years except for the 90's Bulls (or something along those lines)
I believe that (although they are MY team), Chicago would be a title contender with Lebron. Assuming that they can add
another piece. Watching the Bulls in the playoffs the last 2 seasons, I think that adding Lebron would make them a better team than Cleveland is now with Lebron. Derrick Rose is better than anyone else on Cleveland's roster.
Dallas (assuming they can move some money around and keep Dirk) would definitely be a title contender with Lebron.
New Jersey would not be a title contender with Lebron. Just my opinion, but I don't think that you can argue that would be a better fit than adding him to a playoff team like Chicago, Miami, Dallas, or Cleveland. It's just stupid.
As the article , the New York Knicks best players under contract are all SF (same position). Even adding Bosh, you have a hole at PG and C (I agree with the author of the article in that Lebron needs to either join a team with a strong PG and C on one with another SUPERSTAR like Wade).
I guess the Clippers would be in title talks, but I just cannot really count on the Clippers to ever be much of anything.
If Lebron wins a title next year, he will be 26 with title #1. If he wants to surpass Jordan, he will be have to 7-peat right off the bat and be an OLD (in NBA terms) 33 at the end of it. He would want to contend IMMEDIATELY!
The safest bet would be Miami, Chicago, Dallas (once again, I don't know how they are even in the discussion but I do see their name pop up all over the place), or to stay in Cleveland.
That's just my 2 cents.
Thanks for the 2 cents
One thing that is often overlooked is chemistry. Lebron has the one undeniable trait of making those around him even better. Let's call it the "upgrade" effect if you will. And we all know what happened the last time someone with that trait ended up in New Jersey after the Nets had a horrible season (Jason Kidd)... Back to Back Finals appearances in Year One. If he wants to win multiple titles it would be important to develop a young core that he can grow with. So that as he ages they will be able to carry more of the load.
Kiki was sent in to gut the Nets and he did just that. They drafted very well. Brook Lopez is already better than any center Lebron has ever played with, Terrance Williams is a smaller Lebron without a jumper yet, Chris Douglas Roberts has proven he can score in this League and wants to win.
Devin Harris averaged 21 and 7 a year ago playing next to Vince Carter. Yi Jianlian is still a 22 year old , long, athletic, 7 footer with three point range (37%) who at stretches is starting to get it. It took Dirk a few years too.. Courtney Lee is a great looking shooter athlete who started in a finals in his rookie year.
Be great to see how the Cavs without Lebron would fare against these Nets.
Devin Harris and Derrick Rose are statistically the SAME PLAYER. And Devin started in the Finals a few years back.. And people keep talking up Joakim Noah when the guy averages 10 points per game. Last time I checked he wouldn't require a double team. And this season saw Brook getting doubled regularly sometimes even trippled. And who is the Power forward there? Deng now goes to the bench or gets traded. And then there is that in the shadow of Mj thing and those 6 banners to look at. Playing in the shadow of a former NBA Legend.
Miami even with Wade has not much else. They have no premium pg or big AT ALL. Their roster has a TON of holes on it. Wade and Udonis Haslem are all that remains of that championship team and UD is a free agent too...lol. So they pay Wade and Lebron and then what? The Nets will have 3 players in the draft before Miami gets player number 2 of their 4. Say what you will but championships are won on the frontlines.
The Clippers??? Currently led by 31 year old Baron "I Play when and if I feel like it" Davis. And in the Western Conference. And in the Same building as Kobe??? Would the "King" really want to share his Castle with another superstar? Actually Kobe and his rings would be way higher on the pecking order in LA for years to come. Playing in the shadow of a current Legend. And there is not much else on the roster with 10 players from last year now free agents.. Gordon and Kaman are decent players. And who knows what Nba Blake Griffin will be? Their ownership and front office is also a joke.
Lebron has an Ego and doesn't want to be a 1a or a 1b. He wants to be a number 1 with a strong 2-15. Ray Allen, Rip Hamilton are 2 players who could be solid number 2 options and have Championship rings themselves. They wouldn't be as expensive as the top tiers. And off the bench just for fun we can bring in Jersey Native Al Harrington for a bit of scoring punch. The Object surround Lebron with as many capable scorers as possible.
Maybe bring in Larry Brown to coach. Defensive coach with a championship pedigree (1-1 vs Phil Jackson in the finals) And last time I checked Newark was closer to Brown's family in Deleware than Charlotte. 2 hour drive and maybe the rich guy throws in a private jet usage to ease the commute. New Jersey is now the closest coaching option now that the Sixer job is filled. Try finding a active coach with a championship not named Phil Jackson or Greg Poppavich. The list is extremely short and Brown's name is on it.
New Jersey/Brooklyn makes a lot more cents than you think. Lebron would still get New York. And be playing games on the Yankees Entertainment Sports network. He is a Yankee fan. And I'm sure the Yankees will definitely sweeten the pot for him as well as their network would go up in value with Lebron in a Nets uniform. With Marv Albert calling his home games...lol. The last time the Nets called New York home there was this guy there Julius something winning a couple titles. But Only two... not much pressure there.
What was Chicago Bulls tradition like before Jordan got there? NO BANNERS...lol.
They built around him with youth. The bulls drafted Pippen, Grant and Paxon. And they all got there a few years after Jordan had been in the League. It's about how personalities and skill sets mix from 1 through 15. Not just 1 through 3.