I understand how Cavalier fans feel about how LBJ handles his free agencies.

[3LiftHeatCurse]

As of today, July 5 2014, 10:00 AM eastern time, nobody knows where LeBron James is going. For all we know, he re-signs with Miami. Or a big splash is made and there ends up being a Big 4 in Miami. Or LeBron goes to Cleveland. Or New York, or anywhere.

So this thread is not made with the intention of being upset that he may leave my Heat. This thread is being made with my opinion of how LeBron handles his free agencies.


LeBron James, after joining the Miami Heat, has gone to FOUR STRAIGHT NBA FINALS, and has a proven front office with Pat Riley. Yet he is being indecisive. He is talking to other teams, through his agent. He is asking for max contract while expecting his teammates to take pay cuts. In the midst of all these actions by LeBron, he's putting pressure on Riley to add players. So Riley has less money to work with, no commitment from LeBron that he will play in Miami, Riley can't tell Free Agents what the Heat roster will even look like and if LBJ is on it or not, etc...

LeBron did this to Cleveland too. But with Cleveland, we all gave him a pass because.... Cleveland sucks. Their organization is incompetent. Their roster was a mess. Their salary cap situation was going to be hell for a few years.

But this is the Heat. Four straight trips to the NBA Finals. 2 Finals MVP's. And he's doing this indecisive crap again? Tying a franchise's hands together?

Can this guy commit to anything for once? Why is he always trying to be this "sharp businessman" and trying to outsmart everyone? He comes across as a huge douchebag. He didn't even sign in 2010 with Miami until AFTER Wade and Bosh committed to Miami. LeBron has no ball sack it seems. No faith. No real loyalty. He seems like the guy who won't ever play a game unless he can see where every single piece is on the game board BEFORE he decides to play.


Ultimately, LeBron might re-sign with the Heat, or something big happens and a Big 4 happens in Miami, or LBJ leaves Miami.

Whatever the case, it really doesn't change how LBJ has always behaved.

[STATUTORY]

OP is upset because he wants to preorder season tickets for whatever team Lebron decides on

[DukeDelonte13]

that sh*tty cavs roster won more regular season games than Miami ever did, and the 2007 cavs didn't even get their asses beat as badly against the spurs.

Let's not act Miami has this amazing roster outside of the big 3.

[3LiftHeatCurse]

OP is upset because he wants to preorder season tickets for whatever team Lebron decides on

I live in Miami. Stop trolling me with bandwagon comments.

[3LiftHeatCurse]

that sh*tty cavs roster won more regular season games than Miami ever did

Championships = 0
Trips to Finals = 1 in 7 years

Heat championships = 2
Trips to Finals = 4 in 4 years


The most regular season games won by Cavs = 66
The most regular season games won by Heat = 66

Longest win streak of the modern era = Heat with 27 straight wins

[GimmeThat]

.

But this is the Heat. Four straight trips to the NBA Finals. 2 Finals MVP's. And he's doing this indecisive crap again? Tying a franchise's hands together?

Can this guy commit to anything for once? Why is he always trying to be this "sharp businessman" and trying to outsmart everyone? He comes across as a huge douchebag. He didn't even sign in 2010 with Miami until AFTER Wade and Bosh committed to Miami. LeBron has no ball sack it seems. No faith. No real loyalty. He seems like the guy who won't ever play a game unless he can see where every single piece is on the game board BEFORE he decides to play.
Ultimately, LeBron might re-sign with the Heat, or something big happens and a Big 4 happens in Miami, or LBJ leaves Miami.

Whatever the case, it really doesn't change how LBJ has always behaved.


which came first, the decision, or the 4 trips to the finals with 2 rings?

someone get this guy out there and shot please.


thanks in advance.

[3LiftHeatCurse]

which came first, the decision, or the 4 trips to the finals with 2 rings?

someone get this guy out there and shot please.


thanks in advance.

English, mother****er do you speak it

[BoutPractice]

Miami fans owe everything to LeBron's "disloyalty". They're hardly the best placed to criticize him for it now.

[PJR]

that sh*tty cavs roster won more regular season games than Miami ever did, and the 2007 cavs.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/2013.html

Do you have amnesia or some shit?

[GOBB]

Its called free agency. Its a right a player has to explore other options. He signed a deal and you had a boner. The deal said this day could happen. You didnt care. Fast forward to now, the day is here. Whats the problem? Bron doesn't owe the most fraudulent fan base in the NBA anything.

[Akrazotile]

Its called free agency. Its a right a player has to explore other options. He signed a deal and you had a boner. The deal said this day could happen. You didnt care. Fast forward to now, the day is here. Whats the problem? Bron doesn't owe the most fraudulent fan base in the NBA anything.


I agree with this poster.


Its fukcing basketball OP. Bran has his own life to live, you should do the same and not sweat his every word or movement, in the OFFSEASON no less.


Go outside OP. Enjoy the weather. Forget about Bran for a little while. For your own sake.

[Lebronxrings]

that sh*tty cavs roster won more regular season games than Miami ever did, and the 2007 cavs didn't even get their asses beat as badly against the spurs.

Let's not act Miami has this amazing roster outside of the big 3.

can we just agree both rosters were terrible? No one would win with that lack of help.

[Dro]

I agree with the OP....Lebron could make a decisions especially if he wants to sign back with the Heat......Why tie the hands of the franchise that you might want to play for? Doesn't he realize the longer he holds out, the more chance for other free agents to be off the board, thus lowering the chances for Miami to get him some help? I know he's a free agent, but he's not freaking Lance Stephenson where he has to wait and see what the biggest stars will get before teams offer him big money, he's freaking Lebron James, THE Superstar in the NBA. He's the leader, regardless where he goes and when you hold out like this, even if you go to a new team, your new teammates are questioning your true loyalty and whether or not you really want to be there or you just want the money......

[GimmeThat]

English, mother****er do you speak it


So this thread is not made with the intention of being upset that he may leave my Heat. This thread is being made with my opinion of how LeBron handles his free agencies.

No, I don't speak it.

But I can read and write.


your mom's pubic hair is where I keep my tab open though

[Nuff Said]

Shit I say let the ***** go. **** it we can do alright without him and his cap space.

[Akrazotile]

I agree with the OP....Lebron could make a decisions especially if he wants to sign back with the Heat......Why tie the hands of the franchise that you might want to play for? Doesn't he realize the longer he holds out, the more chance for other free agents to be off the board, thus lowering the chances for Miami to get him some help? I know he's a free agent, but he's not freaking Lance Stephenson where he has to wait and see what the biggest stars will get before teams offer him big money, he's freaking Lebron James, THE Superstar in the NBA. He's the leader, regardless where he goes and when you hold out like this, even if you go to a new team, your new teammates are questioning your true loyalty and whether or not you really want to be there or you just want the money......


This is fan talk. Every NBA player has his own motives and for the VAST majority of players its money. Theyre not judging each other for the personal business decisions each one makes. This is their career. The truth is that fans care far more about the wins and losses than most players do. To them that is a secondary concern. Players have about a 10 year window in which they need to maximize their careers in whatever way they see fit.

Steve Nash flat out said hes not retiring bc he wants the money from his final contract year. Do you think anyone in the lockerroom is questioning what kind of teammate Nash is? Come on. Hes the all-time career leader in high fives. His loyalty is above reproach.

[Dro]

This is fan talk. Every NBA player has his own motives and for the VAST majority of players its money. Theyre not judging each other for the personal business decisions each one makes. This is their career. The truth is that fans care far more about the wins and losses than most players do. To them that is a secondary concern. Players have about a 10 year window in which they need to maximize their careers in whatever way they see fit.

Steve Nash flat out said hes not retiring bc he wants the money from his final contract year. Do you think anyone in the lockerroom is questioning what kind of teammate Nash is? Come on. Hes the all-time career leader in high fives. His loyalty is above reproach.
Yeah, but at this point Nash is a role player.....I understand what you mean, I just think for the best player in the league, the standards should be a bit higher...

[PleezeBelieve]

Cleveland/Akron is home.

How we think about LeBron differs on so many levels from what you could/can feel about him.

Be happy he brought you a couple championships.

[Akrazotile]

Yeah, but at this point Nash is a role player.....I understand what you mean, I just think for the best player in the league, the standards should be a bit higher...


I agree this may not be the most tactful approach if he wants Miami to be in a position to put the best team around him, but I dont think it will affect his standing with teammates. They understand guys have to put their own careers first. They all do it.

Besides Im sure Bran knows things about the situation that we dont. Itd be misguided of us to judge too harshly from this distance, IMO.

[TimmyDuncan]

I agree with op
Lebron is asking a lot and is not even doing what he could do to make it easier

Basically it's:
Pat Riley to Kyle Lowry:
Join the heat and take a huge paycut on your first big contract so you can maybe play with Lebron
And if the team is not winning, Lebron will have a player option after 2 years so you are stucked with a really bad team
Ready to sign?

Lebron to Riley: You can't even sign good FA????

[lilteapot]

its only 3 days into free agency calm down

[MavsSuperFan]

I give Lebron a break. Heat have on average the worst/least loyal fans. If any fanbase deserves heart break, its the average heat fan

[DaSeba5]

Just chill out and be patient.

[GimmeThat]

I agree with op
Lebron is asking a lot and is not even doing what he could do to make it easier

Basically it's:
Pat Riley to Kyle Lowry:
Join the heat and take a huge paycut on your first big contract so you can maybe play with Lebron
And if the team is not winning, Lebron will have a player option after 2 years so you are stucked with a really bad team
Ready to sign?

Lebron to Riley: You can't even sign good FA????

Did Pat Riley also mentioned to Lowry how shitty of a GM he is, and that if Lebron leaves, Riley can't do anything.

I thought you were suppose to sell yourself/organization at a meeting, instead of just your players.


just think how a sporting agent organization would sign players...

"If Lebron leaves our agency, we can't help you collude"

[lilteapot]

I give Lebron a break. Heat have on average the worst/least loyal fans. If any fanbase deserves heart break, its the average heat fan
there was a time where I'd disagree with you but not I'm not so sure. He cant go 3 days mulling over his future without heat fans going "WE DONT NEED HIM" and "FINE THEN LEAVE YOU TRAITOR"

[DaSeba5]

there was a time where I'd disagree with you but not I'm not so sure. He cant go 3 days mulling over his future without heat fans going "WE DONT NEED HIM" and "FINE THEN LEAVE YOU TRAITOR"

To be fair every fan base will have people with that reaction.

[TimmyDuncan]

Did Pat Riley also mentioned to Lowry how shitty of a GM he is, and that if Lebron leaves, Riley can't do anything.

I thought you were suppose to sell yourself/organization at a meeting, instead of just your players.


just think how a sporting agent organization would sign players...

"If Lebron leaves our agency, we can't help you collude"

The organization is not that important.

Spurs are the uncontested best organization in the NBA and they haven't attracted a star FA since Finley in 2006

Knicks have hired PJ / Fisher and have an owner willing to spend and trust PJ. Yet I don't hear about players lining up to play for them

Players will take big money / big market and a team ready to win now over a great organization any day of the week

[aj1987]

Dude, even Wade hasn't committed yet. Be patient. He might leave, but he helped Miami win two titles.

[GOBB]

I agree with op
Lebron is asking a lot and is not even doing what he could do to make it easier

Basically it's:
Pat Riley to Kyle Lowry:
Join the heat and take a huge paycut on your first big contract so you can maybe play with Lebron
And if the team is not winning, Lebron will have a player option after 2 years so you are stucked with a really bad team
Ready to sign?

Lebron to Riley: You can't even sign good FA????

What's up with this paycut crap? Why does Lowry have to take a HUGE paycut? Makes no damn sense because Miami is not obligated to reward Lowry at a later date. They can tell him f*ck off you signed this. So Lowry first big payday is gone in the wind. These teams aren't all that loyal. What happens when Lowry is a FA again and Miami doesnt want him? He can go sign elsewhere and get money right or will another team ask him to take a huge paycut to play with its team star.

Deal with reality.

[kennethgriffin]

Championships = 0
Trips to Finals = 1 in 7 years

Heat championships = 2
Trips to Finals = 4 in 4 years


The most regular season games won by Cavs = 66
The most regular season games won by Heat = 66

Longest win streak of the modern era = Heat with 27 straight wins

2 for 5 though

[TimmyDuncan]

What's up with this paycut crap? Why does Lowry have to take a HUGE paycut? Makes no damn sense because Miami is not obligated to reward Lowry at a later date. They can tell him f*ck off you signed this. So Lowry first big payday is gone in the wind. These teams aren't all that loyal. What happens when Lowry is a FA again and Miami doesnt want him? He can go sign elsewhere and get money right or will another team ask him to take a huge paycut to play with its team star.

Deal with reality.

Lebron wants the Max. He wants a stacked team. Even more than the current team that was considered one of the most stacked of all times.

Do the maths and you'll see that means he ask for everybody to take less money that they could take while not commiting to theses guys.
That's selfish as hell

It's not about Miami's loyalty. It's about Lebron's loyalty and commitment issues

[DukeDelonte13]

i love how heat fans compare Lebrons early years to his prime years like his skill level was the same.

Lebron developed a lot over the years. You can't compare a team winning the lottery and getting Lebron to rebuild then Lebron joining a team with 2 other prime all stars on it.

[AnaheimLakers24]

stopped reading at big4. you are delusional

[AnaheimLakers24]

I agree with this poster.


Its fukcing basketball OP. Bran has his own life to live, you should do the same and not sweat his every word or movement, in the OFFSEASON no less.


Go outside OP. Enjoy the weather. Forget about Bran for a little while. For your own sake.
loser fgt. get a life yourself.

[Nash]

why exactly should lebron rush his decision? and who knows what is going on? Maybe Bosh and Wade are the ones who are waiting as well? Maybe the 3 of them doing this together to see what Riley can get, and if they don't like it, they'll all go their different ways.

[Kvnzhangyay]

loser fgt. get a life yourself.

The classic response when people got no response to the truth :lol

[MavsSuperFan]

there was a time where I'd disagree with you but not I'm not so sure. He cant go 3 days mulling over his future without heat fans going "WE DONT NEED HIM" and "FINE THEN LEAVE YOU TRAITOR"
Im not even talking about that, Im talking about this

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--xP7aeyHz--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/18raqlp1ft54xjpg.jpg

http://www.local10.com/image/view/-/20626748/highRes/1/-/maxh/360/maxw/640/-/br4o4/-/fans-leave-early-image.jpg

worst fans in american sports (on average, obviously there are exceptions)

[dubeta]

It's Riley's fault, if he built a good team by now then lebron would sign. Why would lebron commit himself to a team which has a aging wade, and that he has to routinely carry?

[IncarceratedBob]

Lifetime Heat fans since 2010

[HOoopCityJones]

It's Riley's fault, if he built a good team by now then lebron would sign. Why would lebron commit himself to a team which has a aging wade, and that he has to routinely carry?


This.

People like to forget , but since the big three came together what exactly has Riley and Arison surrounded them with?


I'll give them Allen since he made that huge shot in 2013 and clutched the Finals for the Team. But outside of him?


Beasley?

Lewis?

Oden?

Then they cut Miller purely to save money, not even because they couldn't pay him.


It's easy to see why Lebron has little faith in what Riley can do in the offseason. He hasn't done much since signing Bron and Bosh.

[Ocks]

He's not handicapping the Heat but he's not helping either...

Him committing would give Miami five selling points to FA:
1. Play with the best player in the league
2. Contend for a ring
3. Play with two other all-stars
4. Play for a "world-class organization"
5. Live on south beach
(also a more solid contract number can be offered)

Him not committing eliminates the 1st three, with the 1st 2 being things that "he giveth" so it's within his right to "taketh" imo. Him indirectly messing with the third point is where his indecisiveness is kinda effed up. To me Melo would have been the obvious backup plan for the Heat if Bron just said "Two words: I'm. Gone!"

Either way his delay tactics really isn't doing anything...:oldlol: the FA landscape is waiting for him to make his move, and with the Heat having the most uncertainty, they stand to lose the most...

Bron back to Cleveland!

[Kvnzhangyay]

Lebron wants the Max. He wants a stacked team. Even more than the current team that was considered one of the most stacked of all times.

Do the maths and you'll see that means he ask for everybody to take less money that they could take while not commiting to theses guys.
That's selfish as hell

It's not about Miami's loyalty. It's about Lebron's loyalty and commitment issues

Of course he WANTS it, so would you in his position. The only thing is he understands what you WANT is not what you NEED to win a championship, so he's going to be willing to make sacrifices like he did in 2010

[mehyaM24]

lebron doesnt owe anything to miami

wade and bosh's legacies all benefited from lebron carrying their sorry assess and making miami, a shitty sports town, RELEVANT....