Fire or Smoke: LeBron Looking At Lakers?

[indeedproceed]

We told you last week that Phil Jackson's future -- whether he re-ups with L.A. this summer or heads elsewhere -- could have an effect on whether or not Kobe Bryant gets out of his contract and tests the free-agent waters this summer.

We also noted that if Jackson were to stay in L.A. but instead coach the Clippers -- a team that will be looking for a new coach next season -- it could be enough to convince LeBron James to come play the 3 for the Clips.

But what about if Jackson were to stay with the Lakers? LeBron couldn't possibly go there, could he?

Well, maybe.

According to Roland Lazenby of HoopsHype, James "is quietly making overtures to the Los Angeles Lakers. He wants to play for them. And James is not all that concerned whether Kobe Bryant is part of the equation."

Lazenby also notes: "Mainly, he wants to wear a championship ring, which means he wants to play for Lakers coach Phil Jackson."

Lazenby also cites a source that says Jackson loves LeBron.

Obviously, there are several complicating factors here: to bring on James, the Lakers would have to free up a good chunk of their payroll, and one would assume Kobe would need to sign off on such a potential move. That is, of course, if he opts to stay with the team beyond this year. But some sort of a sign-and-trade isn't out of the realm of possibility here.

Yet, if LeBron wants to play for Jackson, and Jackson apparently loves LeBron, the Lakers aren't the only team they could team up on.

We already mentioned the Clippers. But the Nets are looking for a new coach and are hoping to make a big-name splash, Vinny Del Negro's job in Chicago still isn't rock solid and the Knicks could also unload Mike D'Antoni in favor of Jackson, if they knew it meant landing James.

Seems like its more about Jackson than it is the Lakers, but I hate this.

This seems like bored journalism if I ever saw it, but still, I hate it.

[RebusRankin]

Very bored journalism.

For arguments sake, what if Kobe, Phil and LeBron went to the Clippers?

[Redz]

If he wants to play there, or anywhere, so badly just to win a championship, why doesn't he accept the vet minimum, or something well below his market value, for a contract?  He's making plenty with endorsements.

[PLamb]

Does anyone in really think that the Cavs would be a part of a sign and trade where they allow LeBron to leave

While it makes sense from the point that if he is going to leave the Cavs should get something

But if Lebron can't win the team a title this year and then comes to them asking for assistance to get traded to the Lakers because he wants to play for Jackson and win a title in Laker gold and purple, I could see Danny Ferry using a lot of four letter words in telling Lebron where to go

[cons]

As long as we're entertaing the clippers or the nets as possibilities - why not the celtics? I mean c'mon, just fire doc, hire red auerbach's arch enemy phil jackson to be the new coach, then he brings LeBron and Kobe with him. Perfect! (Pukes)

[indeedproceed]

If he wants to play there, or anywhere, so badly just to win a championship, why doesn't he accept the vet minimum, or something well below his market value, for a contract?  He's making plenty with endorsements.

I think the way this went down is:

LA Beat writer: Come on Lebron, how cool would it be to play in LA?
Lebron: Cool, I guess. I like the beaches. In Cleveland the river catches on fire.
LA Beat writer: Yeah, plus, is there any other coach who spells success like Phil Jackson?
Lebron: I'm pretty sure most coaches spell success the same...well except for Vinnie Del Negro. He only uses once 'c'.
LA Beat Writer: Well you want a ring don't you?
LeBron: Yeah.
LA Beat Writer: Well Phil has lots of rings.
LeBron: Yeah, he does.

annnnnd poof! Story!

[PLamb]

If he wants to play there, or anywhere, so badly just to win a championship, why doesn't he accept the vet minimum, or something well below his market value, for a contract?  He's making plenty with endorsements.

I think the way this went down is:

LA Beat writer: Come on Lebron, how cool would it be to play in LA?
Lebron: Cool, I guess. I like the beaches. In Cleveland the river catches on fire.
LA Beat writer: Yeah, plus, is there any other coach who spells success like Phil Jackson?
Lebron: I'm pretty sure most coaches spell success the same...well except for Vinnie Del Negro. He only uses once 'c'.
LA Beat Writer: Well you want a ring don't you?
LeBron: Yeah.
LA Beat Writer: Well Phil has lots of rings.
LeBron: Yeah, he does.

annnnnd poof! Story!

I thought it was the Lake that caught fire

[indeedproceed]

If he wants to play there, or anywhere, so badly just to win a championship, why doesn't he accept the vet minimum, or something well below his market value, for a contract?  He's making plenty with endorsements.

I think the way this went down is:

LA Beat writer: Come on Lebron, how cool would it be to play in LA?
Lebron: Cool, I guess. I like the beaches. In Cleveland the river catches on fire.
LA Beat writer: Yeah, plus, is there any other coach who spells success like Phil Jackson?
Lebron: I'm pretty sure most coaches spell success the same...well except for Vinnie Del Negro. He only uses once 'c'.
LA Beat Writer: Well you want a ring don't you?
LeBron: Yeah.
LA Beat Writer: Well Phil has lots of rings.
LeBron: Yeah, he does.

annnnnd poof! Story!

I thought it was the Lake that caught fire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuyahoga_River

[Who]

Very bored journalism.

Great description

[PLamb]

If he wants to play there, or anywhere, so badly just to win a championship, why doesn't he accept the vet minimum, or something well below his market value, for a contract?  He's making plenty with endorsements.

I think the way this went down is:

LA Beat writer: Come on Lebron, how cool would it be to play in LA?
Lebron: Cool, I guess. I like the beaches. In Cleveland the river catches on fire.
LA Beat writer: Yeah, plus, is there any other coach who spells success like Phil Jackson?
Lebron: I'm pretty sure most coaches spell success the same...well except for Vinnie Del Negro. He only uses once 'c'.
LA Beat Writer: Well you want a ring don't you?
LeBron: Yeah.
LA Beat Writer: Well Phil has lots of rings.
LeBron: Yeah, he does.

annnnnd poof! Story!

I thought it was the Lake that caught fire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuyahoga_River

You'ld figure after spending 4 years in Cleveland I would have gotten that right

Oh well

[Donoghus]

If he wants to play there, or anywhere, so badly just to win a championship, why doesn't he accept the vet minimum, or something well below his market value, for a contract?  He's making plenty with endorsements.

I think the way this went down is:

LA Beat writer: Come on Lebron, how cool would it be to play in LA?
Lebron: Cool, I guess. I like the beaches. In Cleveland the river catches on fire.
LA Beat writer: Yeah, plus, is there any other coach who spells success like Phil Jackson?
Lebron: I'm pretty sure most coaches spell success the same...well except for Vinnie Del Negro. He only uses once 'c'.
LA Beat Writer: Well you want a ring don't you?
LeBron: Yeah.
LA Beat Writer: Well Phil has lots of rings.
LeBron: Yeah, he does.

annnnnd poof! Story!

I thought it was the Lake that caught fire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuyahoga_River

You'ld figure after spending 4 years in Cleveland I would have gotten that right

Oh well

"That's what they get for building a ballpark on the ocean" - Oil Can Boyd

[Scalablob990]

Phil Jackson is scum. I hate no Laker more then that old vile pigs guts. He's as much of a prostitute as Johnny Damon is. They pick their spots....for the right price.

[greg683x]

Yes very bored journalism.  Great choice of words.

Doesnt make sense for Lebron to do this, why would he wanna go there and win a title with Kobe, just so he can get judged like Kobe did early in his career for needing Shaq to win rings.

Then again, this excuse could have and was used before Cleveland brought in Shaq, and it still happened.


.....I understand the hunger to win a title, but Lebrons acting like his careers almost over and he has no ring.  This is all about him winning as many rings as he can during his career so no one can say he isnt the best ever.....




.....well Lebron, you got your work cut out for you....b/c youre gonna need 12   

[adam8]

Yes very bored journalism.  Great choice of words.

Doesnt make sense for Lebron to do this, why would he wanna go there and win a title with Kobe, just so he can get judged like Kobe did early in his career for needing Shaq to win rings.

Then again, this excuse could have and was used before Cleveland brought in Shaq, and it still happened.


.....I understand the hunger to win a title, but Lebrons acting like his careers almost over and he has no ring.  This is all about him winning as many rings as he can during his career so no one can say he isnt the best ever.....




.....well Lebron, you got your work cut out for you....b/c youre gonna need 12  

You say that like its a bad thing that he wants to win rings. People try to bad mouth lebron for a lot of things but I see no issue with him just wanting to win rings that should be the reason everyone plays I mean sure I would hate to see it in LA or with Phil Jackson but if the man is willing to get paid less to win rings I could only give him props for that

[guava_wrench]

If he wants to play there, or anywhere, so badly just to win a championship, why doesn't he accept the vet minimum, or something well below his market value, for a contract?  He's making plenty with endorsements.

Why not have both winning and high pay? It's not like Shaq and Kobe had to give up money to win. The big 3 were all making ridiculous money when we won it all.

Lebron is the kind of player who is actually worth all that money because of the extra income he generates.