How would you guys feel if Marbury ended up staying on the team?

[nickagneta]

I dont think he cares, honestly.

 ive yet to see a rationale explanation of why he would turn down more money per year in CLEV where he's a god and they are a viable contender via a bird right max deal to go to a team that has cut all its money players to offer him a less money max deal and will have to start the same building process CLEV is in the middle of around him.

Let me start by saying I agree with you that LeBron will be a Cav.

However, he cares just as much about LeBron the brand as LeBron the player, and he knows that if he was to sign with the New York Knicks, among the crown jewels of the NBA, and revive pro basketball in the Big Apple and at MSG, that could be too much of a legacy opportunity to pass up on. He knows he is good enough to do it, and he knows if he went there he could basically own New York for bringing championship-caliber basketball back to the Garden.

From a basketball perspective, he should be a Cavalier. It makes sense that the team has already started to build around him, plus it's his home town team which is a huge draw. However, the bright lights of NYC are shining, and they could all be his if he cares to do so.

I also think that in New York he knows that that same year they will have the opportunity to sign another superstar. Winning multiple titles is a lot easier when Batman has Robin.

Shaq-Kobe
Shaq-Wade
MJ-Pippen
Magic-Kareem-Worthy
Bird-McHale-Parish
KG-Pierce-Allen

It might take another year or two to collect enough parts to win that ring but can you imagine LeBron matched with any of these guys that could be signed there because they are FAs or can opt out:

LeBron-Yao
LeBron-Amare
LeBron-Wade(could also happen in Miami)
LeBron-Bosh
LeBron-Dirk

LeBron-Amare in an open court D'Antoni style play would be scary as would LeBron-Yao in any style of play. LeBron-Yao with David Lee and a couple of guards that can snipe would be a frightening starting five for a very, very long time.

This could never happen in Cleveland.

[BudweiserCeltic]

This offseason will be key for LeBron and Cleveland chances to keep him. Zydrunas and Verajao have player options, and I think Verajao will surely opt-out. Will Cleveland give him the money? Will they let him walk, while still being over the cap?

Depending on how the Verajao situation goes, the Cavs could see quite a decrease in depth and talent surrounding LeBron, plus not have the financial resources to bring in better talent to keep LeBron interested.

If I were the Cavs, I'd try to make some 1-year deals with some of their players that are free-agents, even if they overpay, and try to make some good deals during the season.

[crownsy]

I dont think he cares, honestly.

 ive yet to see a rationale explanation of why he would turn down more money per year in CLEV where he's a god and they are a viable contender via a bird right max deal to go to a team that has cut all its money players to offer him a less money max deal and will have to start the same building process CLEV is in the middle of around him.

Let me start by saying I agree with you that LeBron will be a Cav.

However, he cares just as much about LeBron the brand as LeBron the player, and he knows that if he was to sign with the New York Knicks, among the crown jewels of the NBA, and revive pro basketball in the Big Apple and at MSG, that could be too much of a legacy opportunity to pass up on. He knows he is good enough to do it, and he knows if he went there he could basically own New York for bringing championship-caliber basketball back to the Garden.

From a basketball perspective, he should be a Cavalier. It makes sense that the team has already started to build around him, plus it's his home town team which is a huge draw. However, the bright lights of NYC are shining, and they could all be his if he cares to do so.

I also think that in New York he knows that that same year they will have the opportunity to sign another superstar. Winning multiple titles is a lot easier when Batman has Robin.

Shaq-Kobe
Shaq-Wade
MJ-Pippen
Magic-Kareem-Worthy
Bird-McHale-Parish
KG-Pierce-Allen

It might take another year or two to collect enough parts to win that ring but can you imagine LeBron matched with any of these guys that could be signed there because they are FAs or can opt out:

LeBron-Yao
LeBron-Amare
LeBron-Wade(could also happen in Miami)
LeBron-Bosh
LeBron-Dirk

LeBron-Amare in an open court D'Antoni style play would be scary as would LeBron-Yao in any style of play. LeBron-Yao with David Lee and a couple of guards that can snipe would be a frightening starting five for a very, very long time.

This could never happen in Cleveland.

why could it not happen in CLEV? They already pay a heavy luxary tax, so salary can't be the issue.

[cordobes]

This could never happen in Cleveland.

Why? Cleveland will have plenty of cap-space in 2010 - they have 2 contracts guaranteed for that season, Mo Williams and Boobie Gibson. Probably more than NY if they re-sign Lee to a new contract.

I think Cleveland will re-sign Varejão to a long term contract and try to trade some of their assets (expirings, players like West, Hickson, Jackson, draft picks) for a bona-fide big man.

[cordobes]

Marbury is going to Europe to get his money.

Stephon Marbury made a shocking revelation yesterday, saying that when his contract expires with the Knicks in two years, he's planning to play in Italy. (Marc Berman July 18, 2007 New york post)

Stephon Marbury didn't get the championship he craved, but he got the experience he wanted. And though Marbury's role off the bench was low-impact on too many playoff nights, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after getting eliminated last night in a 101-82 Game 7 loss to Orlando that he would like to see the Coney Islander in green next season. Marbury said he would like to return to Boston, but indicated a starting job elsewhere -- even in Europe -- could pique his interest.(New York Post)

I dunno man, every player mentions this as an option now, as a tactic to attempt to drive up his price. west did it last year, as did kobe and lebron.

Kobe and LeBron? They weren't even trying to negotiate a new contract... That was just the press being idiotic.

I like the idea of Marbury going to Europe; on the other hand, I don't know how will he react when he's outplayed by a bunch of American point-guards he never heard about. Can he handle being consistently schooled by nobodies?

it was leaked sources "close tot he players" that neither player denied one iota when asked about it, they both hedged about basketball being a business and how much the euro game has grown. 

you don't think thats a ploy to put pressure on the league with the CBA up in 2 years?

It's a smart leak by the players/union to put pressure on the NBA to review the max contract rule and the possibility of setting themselves up with  higher negation leverage.

What I remember is Kobe throwing some jokes about the issue. I think NBA team owners are perfectly aware of what European teams can and will play. It's not like Kobe and LeBron got real offers anyway, just speculation (and nonsensical speculation, for that matter). 

[crownsy]

Marbury is going to Europe to get his money.

Stephon Marbury made a shocking revelation yesterday, saying that when his contract expires with the Knicks in two years, he's planning to play in Italy. (Marc Berman July 18, 2007 New york post)

Stephon Marbury didn't get the championship he craved, but he got the experience he wanted. And though Marbury's role off the bench was low-impact on too many playoff nights, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after getting eliminated last night in a 101-82 Game 7 loss to Orlando that he would like to see the Coney Islander in green next season. Marbury said he would like to return to Boston, but indicated a starting job elsewhere -- even in Europe -- could pique his interest.(New York Post)

I dunno man, every player mentions this as an option now, as a tactic to attempt to drive up his price. west did it last year, as did kobe and lebron.

Kobe and LeBron? They weren't even trying to negotiate a new contract... That was just the press being idiotic.

I like the idea of Marbury going to Europe; on the other hand, I don't know how will he react when he's outplayed by a bunch of American point-guards he never heard about. Can he handle being consistently schooled by nobodies?

it was leaked sources "close tot he players" that neither player denied one iota when asked about it, they both hedged about basketball being a business and how much the euro game has grown. 

you don't think thats a ploy to put pressure on the league with the CBA up in 2 years?

It's a smart leak by the players/union to put pressure on the NBA to review the max contract rule and the possibility of setting themselves up with  higher negation leverage.

What I remember is Kobe throwing some jokes about the issue. I think NBA team owners are perfectly aware of what European teams can and will play. It's not like Kobe and LeBron got real offers anyway, just speculation (and nonsensical speculation, for that matter). 

which brought media attention to the massive salaries some players are receiving overseas, which is smart on the players point from a business prospective.

[vagrantwade]

1) I don't really know what to do with Eddie House. He is a good shooter but if necessary teams can shut him down pretty easily because of his height, and he isn't effective guarding other 2 guards because of it as well. He also doesn't seem to handle the ball like a PG or pass like one. He seems to be most effective on the wing. So yea, I don't know.

2) People keep talking about how Marbury won't be the "Starbury of old" yet I find it hard to believe most Boston fans ever watched him play with consistency to begin with. I have been a life long Celtics fan who has also been a Marbury fan since him and Iverson had their rivalry in the NCAA in 95-96. There is virtually nothing physically different with Marbury now than there was 5 years ago. He might actually be in better shape now. I don't know why specific people keep bringing up how other teams won't sign him for multi-million dollar deals because he had his "worst shooting year" this year. I'm sorry but no team gives a crap about how his shooting percentage was while coming off the bench with a team he signed with 30 games left after not playing for a year.

3) Marbury will get starting offers. This is just the truth. And I am not just talking Europe.

4) There is no chance of Marbury going to europe to play. There has never been a reason to even think he will. I think he had a quote where he said he is going to consider all of his options. That is it. People need to learn who Marc Berman is and stop taking his "opinions" as fact.

5) Where Marbury goes is most likely going to depend on how bad he wants to start. Boston is going to put Boston at the #1 priority as he has been saying constantly that he wants to stay. He is not going to go to a team just because they offer 1-2 million more.

[nickagneta]

I dont think he cares, honestly.

 ive yet to see a rationale explanation of why he would turn down more money per year in CLEV where he's a god and they are a viable contender via a bird right max deal to go to a team that has cut all its money players to offer him a less money max deal and will have to start the same building process CLEV is in the middle of around him.

Let me start by saying I agree with you that LeBron will be a Cav.

However, he cares just as much about LeBron the brand as LeBron the player, and he knows that if he was to sign with the New York Knicks, among the crown jewels of the NBA, and revive pro basketball in the Big Apple and at MSG, that could be too much of a legacy opportunity to pass up on. He knows he is good enough to do it, and he knows if he went there he could basically own New York for bringing championship-caliber basketball back to the Garden.

From a basketball perspective, he should be a Cavalier. It makes sense that the team has already started to build around him, plus it's his home town team which is a huge draw. However, the bright lights of NYC are shining, and they could all be his if he cares to do so.

I also think that in New York he knows that that same year they will have the opportunity to sign another superstar. Winning multiple titles is a lot easier when Batman has Robin.

Shaq-Kobe
Shaq-Wade
MJ-Pippen
Magic-Kareem-Worthy
Bird-McHale-Parish
KG-Pierce-Allen

It might take another year or two to collect enough parts to win that ring but can you imagine LeBron matched with any of these guys that could be signed there because they are FAs or can opt out:

LeBron-Yao
LeBron-Amare
LeBron-Wade(could also happen in Miami)
LeBron-Bosh
LeBron-Dirk

LeBron-Amare in an open court D'Antoni style play would be scary as would LeBron-Yao in any style of play. LeBron-Yao with David Lee and a couple of guards that can snipe would be a frightening starting five for a very, very long time.

This could never happen in Cleveland.

why could it not happen in CLEV? They already pay a heavy luxary tax, so salary can't be the issue.

Because Big Z and AV aren't going t be cheap to resign to be able to keep for the next two years. Also because the Cavs free agents salaries still count against the Cavs salary cap number until they are signed or renounced. So leBron's, Wallace's, Big Z's(if he doesn't ETO this year), and Pavlovic's salaries still count against the cap. Unless Cleveland renounces everyone but LeBron and don't sign AV and somehow trade away their 1st round pick slot for one of the next two years, it's going to be virtually impossible for them to offer a max salary to LeBron and another player. If the cap is under $50 million by that year it will be impossible.

[Mr October]

I'm all for resigning Marbury if he comes cheap. I think with a training camp he could fit better.

And as myself and others are echoing, the priorities are to fill out the front line. I'd really like to see us get a 5, a 3 and resign Baby.

If that money costs us, Marbury, so be it.

[Finkelskyhook]

He won't.  Moot point.

[ACF]

He won't.  Moot point.

At least he shed his "team cancer" skin.

[vagrantwade]

He won't.  Moot point.

At least he shed his "team cancer" skin.

Marbury was awesome in Phoenix.

[Ed Teach]

He was also not a cancer in Minny until he requested a trade, most Minny fans liked him until he left and did not like the manner that he left the team.  Most of his team mates liked him but he p---ed a lot of people off when he left.

He still claims today that he wanted to move closer to home, not that he wanted to be the man.