5 Ways Cleveland Can Keep LeBron James
How can an organization with the deep halitosis of the New York Knicks rot out a Starbury, and remotely qualify to convince King James to voluntarily bathe in their stank in 2010? 5 Ways Cleveland Can Keep LeBron James
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You know the situation. However, this story got new legs when the small forward recently admitted he would leave Cleveland for the right offer. And New York, his apparent destination of choice, traded big-tickets Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph for expiring contracts. The plot thickens. Even anti-conspiracy theorists and the greatest of Cavalier homers have concerns. The Knicks only have eighteen million dollars on the books for the 2011 season. The five boroughs could ink James, max out another star (like Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh), and add several blending pieces. The possibilities are endless ...
 Every week, HoopsVibe The Blog drops a basketball related list for fans to weigh-in on. We call it ‘Listed’ … Years ago, with his rookie contract expiring, I wrote a story detailing how Cleveland could re-sign franchise superstar LeBron James. In ‘To Keep LeBron’, I urged new Cavalier owner Dan Gilbert to back off the basketball operations, hire a qualified executive and coach, and supply a legitimate supporting cast. History repeats itself. In eighteen months, King James becomes an unrestricted free agent. He can pick a new kingdom and Cleveland would get nothing in return. You know the situation. However, this story got new legs when the small forward recently admitted he would leave Cleveland for the right offer. And New York, his apparent destination of choice, traded big-tickets Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph for expiring contracts. The plot thickens. Even anti-conspiracy theorists and the greatest of Cavalier homers have concerns. The Knicks only have eighteen million dollars on the books for the 2011 season. The five boroughs could ink James, max out another star (like Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh), and add several blending pieces. The possibilities are endless. In this edition of ‘Listed’, HoopsVibe the Blog decided to drop five strategies the Cavaliers could use to re-sign James long-term. Some of these ideas are outside the box, but necessary in light of last week’s developments. Desperate times. Desperate measures. As always, read the post, form an opinion, and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below. 5) Fear the Unknown … James has a competitive squad in Cleveland, while there is no guarantee New York signs Bosh or Wade. And change can backfire. Last summer, lesser star Baron Davis left Golden State for Los Angeles partly because he assumed Elton Brand would be his teammate. Brand then departed for Philadelphia and Davis is stuck with Hollywood’s dysfunctional team. 4) Play the Loyalty Card … James is from Ohio. His crew, the infamous four horsemen posse, grew up in nearby Akron. Winning an NBA Title in his home state and championship-starved Cleveland hopefully counts for something. The key word is hopefully. Pro sports are big business leaving little room for the sentimental. 3) Chase a True Second Star … I’ll give Ferry credit. He has been active, constantly reshuffling the line-up and trading for complementary players. The organization hasn’t found their Robin, a legit number two guy to mesh with James. Cleveland must convince a superstar to accept second banana status. Clearly, Larry Hughes didn’t work. And newly acquired Mo Williams won’t cut it either. Recently, there have been rumblings about bringing-in Vince Carter. I don’t think ‘VC’ is the answer, but the Cavaliers have the right idea. They must think big and provide James with the NBA’s best co-pilot. 2) Tell James to Pick a Free Agent (if option 3 fails) … Trading for a superstar is tough, so Cleveland could instead play the free agent game in 2010. After all, the club only has 35 million dollars on the books, which means they have the cap space to keep James and chase ‘D-Wade’, Chris Bosh, or Steve Nash. Ferry and the Cavaliers must use this carrot to sign their all-world All-Star. 1) Offer Franchise Equity (The best option) … Gilbert should consider giving James a small ownership stake (fiver percent), which could be held in-trust until he retires. There is precedence for this arrangement. Michael Jordan was a minority owner in Washington before suiting up for the Wizards. And I’ll bet Magic Johnson and David Robinson had a handshake agreement in place to join the Lakers and Spurs’ brass when they retired. Cleveland’s best ‘max’ deal (complete with trade kickers, up-front annual salary, and a massive signing bonus) will fall short in comparison to the sponsorship dollars available in New York? James is a businessman. He may recognize the value in having franchise equity.
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5 Ways Cleveland Can Keep LeBron James
Hi Coach G ... Thanks for reading and commenting. I think the Knicks have changed their culture by bringing in D'Antoni and Walsh. While they are putting the screws to Starbury, they had little choice in order to move forward. He was one of the pieces they inherited and didn't fit. Fair or not, moving Starbury is necessary to ridding MSG of the Isiah era.On the whole, D'Antoni and Walsh have a track record of being fair to players. Thanks again for commenting ... report abuse
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5 Ways Cleveland Can Keep LeBron James
Sorry, I meant clensing not ridding ... report abuse
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5 Ways Cleveland Can Keep LeBron James
LeBron is out of there. Too bad, New York wants the KING, but they really need KOBE. Kobe is better than LBJ. No doubt. KB is a free agent too, that is who NY should chase if he leaves the Lakers. Kobe For The KNICKS 2009, screw LeBron report abuse
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imagine lebron AND DWADE TOGETHER !!!!!!!!!! report abuse
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5 Ways Cleveland Can Keep LeBron James
All yall need to put your tounge back in your damn mouth. The talk about kobe leaving is not gonna happen. 6 straight wins and there 12 and 1. second lebron sucks! when are you people gonna realize that he's not all they say he's cracked up to be. He's good ill give him that but when he's dropping 45 points a game, how do you think the team feels. i'd be Pissed! He cares to much about being on sportscenter the next day, making the all star team, and being the player of the game! Tell me people, when is the last time anyone has been player of the game besides lebron? All he cares about is smiling in front of that camera. THATS IT! 45 points isnt skill, its called "Hogging the ball" report abuse
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I think the only way that will make Lebron stay in Cleveland is for them to win championship within two years. With this, Lebron cannot use the alibi of wanting to win a championship for his transfer to other team. If he transfers in 2010 with cleveland winning a championship, then he wanted money more that the championship. I cannot blame him with that. =) report abuse
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New York aint gettin Lebron or Kobe point blank. They wont even be able to convince either of them to join because they wont have anyone to aid them. AN Lebron Doesnt suck. He just to good. Beisdes Kobe use to hog the ball for serveral years after shaq left. For about a good 3 or 4 years. Until he got Gasol. So yu mineswell cut that out kid. Get real an look at reality. report abuse
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Yea that would be cool if Lebron an Dwade to play together, but it might take them a while to win a championship. Just because both of them going to want the ball. So that will be confusing for serveral months. report abuse
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