Could winning this series extend our window?

[jdpapa3]

New Jersey will also become Brooklyn. Might appeal to Lebron just as much as Manhattan. Who knows? I think they have the Jay Z factor as well.

And nick is right. Add Lebron to their situation and they probably contend. Which would be insanity, but it really is realistic.

[slamtheking]

As could signing with a team with good to great established young talent that he could grow with.

NJ: Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts, Terrance Williams, and either John Wall, Evan Turner, DeMarcus Cousins or Derrick Favors

If NJ gets the number one pick, I say that could have more of an effect on Lebron's decision to leave Cleveland than not winning the championship could. New Jersey could then use Devin Harris as trade bait to get a quality shooting guard and Lebron could go to war with a lineup of

C: Brook Lopez
PF: Udonis Haslem(signed as FA)
SF: LeBron James
SG: Courtney Lee
PG: John Wall

With the possibility of  Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts, Terrance Williams, Mike Miller(also signed as free agent) and someone brought in with a trade of Devin Harris off the bench.

That team will make the playoffs easy.

Why would Lebron go to New Jersey? He's in his prime. The Jersey team you posit would probably make the playoffs. But that's it. They're an early round out. Probably second.

Lebron's in his prime. These are supposed to be his championship-winning years. I can't see him going somewhere where that's not a possibility from year one.

if anywhere is a possibility, other than Miami if it retains Wade, is NJ. 

They may not compete year 1 of the "Bron"ze Age, which is a valid point you've raised, but consider this:
Lopez is a stud center that would be a force on a team where he's not #1.  NJ has a top draft pick coming there way--a definite difference maker in their first year.   NJ has cap room to get another top FA.  Maybe not Bosh or Wade but JJ or Boozer are definitely possible.  Harris and Lee are good players that add depth if they don't start. 

That would be enough to get Bron by itself but here's the big enticement: NJ is moving to Brooklyn.  Bron has the opportunity that few players get and that is to become the biggest star on a new team that is dying for someone to worship and spend lots of $ on their merchandise.  (Durant just got the opportunity in OKC but he's not an established star and OKC is about as smalltime as it gets for a city with a pro sport.)  Think of the $ Bron would pull in as the face of the new franchise in Brooklyn NY--a part of the city that's been dying for a team since the Dodgers left town.  The fact he's on a team that's an immediate playoff team, in the weaker conference, in the weakest division of that conference, with the best team in that division on the decline--->everything points to him picking NJ as his next destination. 

[Fred Roberts]

Brand new Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn could be a good fit. I live down the street from where they're building it, and it's going to be awesome. CLE is in a bad position with regards to contracts moving ahead, so they didn't make it a no brainer to stay by any means. Mo Williams and Varejao are signed for too many years.

Let's just pray to god the Celts keep the heat on come Friday night.

[Roy Hobbs]

Brand new Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn could be a good fit. I live down the street from where they're building it, and it's going to be awesome. CLE is in a bad position with regards to contracts moving ahead, so they didn't make it a no brainer to stay by any means. Mo Williams and Varejao are signed for too many years.

Let's just pray to god the Celts keep the heat on come Friday night.

The problem, though, is that Lebron would have to play at least two seasons in Newark before moving to Brooklyn.  Newark isn't Brooklyn.  Heck, it isn't even Cleveland.  They did go a full month without a murder recently, though, for the first time in 30 years!  Go, Newark!

[Jon]

Winning definitely helps.  He won't win a title his first year somewhere else, which helps.  

Also, winning will go a long way proving that this team has a shot.  And seriously, why wouldn't we want to give it another go, especially if LeBron walks?  

If LeBron walks, it's pretty much just Orlando and L.A. who is a serious competitor to us.  Maybe you think that those teams are better.  But even if that is the case, who's to say Kobe and/or Howard doesn't get hurt next season?  And wouldn't you feel stupid as some mediocre team coasted to the title because we "needed" to start what likely will be a futile rebuilding process.  

Also, there doesn't seem to be a lot of incentive to rush things.  KG and Rasheed are here for two more years, and Pierce is here for at least one more.  There's no sense in getting rid of Ray if he'll agree to a reasonable 2 year extension.  

[misha]

Even if Cavs fail once again, it won't be as easy for Lebron to leave as many think. He would have to admit his failure in reaching his main goal for the past seven years - bringing the title to Clevlend. It's not that simple with Lebron's big ego and the desire to prove that he's the best. Also, he's a huge Jordan fan, and that's one more example of someone sticking with his team despite early playoff problems.

[Bahku]

Even if Cavs fail once again, it won't be as easy for Lebron to leave as many think. He would have to admit his failure in reaching his main goal for the past seven years - bringing the title to Clevlend. It's not that simple with Lebron's big ego and the desire to prove that he's the best. Also, he's a huge Jordan fan, and that's one more example of someone sticking with his team despite early playoff problems.

Great point, Misha, (TP) ... and not only that, but you know Cleveland is going to do whatever they can to keep him there. Can you imagine the drop in ticket sales?!? You just don't let the biggest draw and best player in the world get away without a major fight.

[jdub1660]

If we win this series, LeBron is gone from Cleveland. No doubt. And free agents will be more encouraged to come here to win, but I don't know about players that demand alot of minutes. I like Doc, but if we don't win a ring this year, I expect Doc to be dropped and us sign a coach like Avery Johnson or maybe even Vinny Del Negro. Then sign a couple of stud role players like Travis Outlaw and Mike Miller, add another big like Juwan Howard and draft a player like Dexter Pittman, and we got another running team.

As for LeBron, I think a scary team for him to go to would be the TrailBlazers. A team that given a chance to stay healthy, is scary alone, but weak at SF. A running 5 of Andre Miller, Roy, James, Aldridge and Oden/Camby would be a sick team.

And back to winning this series, I'm more worried about the ECF. If we can work our way past the refs and arthritis in the 2nd half, then we gotta beat ATL or the Magic. Both teams have matchup problems for us. The Hawks have Josh Smith and Crawford, and the Magic have a whole team of 3 point shooters - Pietrus, Lewis, Nelson, Anderson, Barnes, and Reddick. Not to mention they have a 20RPG machine down in the paint and blocking shots(beware BBD, you will get smothered)

[nickagneta]

I like Doc, but if we don't win a ring this year, I expect Doc to be dropped and us sign a coach like Avery Johnson or maybe even Vinny Del Negro. Then sign a couple of stud role players like Travis Outlaw and Mike Miller, add another big like Juwan Howard and draft a player like Dexter Pittman, and we got another running team.

Hate to burst your bubble, but as long as Doc Rivers wants to come back, he's going to have the job as the head coach of the Celtics. Also, there is ZERO chance of the Celtics signing both Travis Outlaw and Mike Miller. One maybe, both never happen. Not with just the MLE and vet min contracts to entice them.

[FallGuy]

I like Doc, but if we don't win a ring this year, I expect Doc to be dropped and us sign a coach like Avery Johnson or maybe even Vinny Del Negro. Then sign a couple of stud role players like Travis Outlaw and Mike Miller, add another big like Juwan Howard and draft a player like Dexter Pittman, and we got another running team.

Hate to burst your bubble, but as long as Doc Rivers wants to come back, he's going to have the job as the head coach of the Celtics. Also, there is ZERO chance of the Celtics signing both Travis Outlaw and Mike Miller. One maybe, both never happen. Not with just the MLE and vet min contracts to entice them.

Just piggybacking on your comments Nick.

Why would we want Vinnie Del Negro? Or Avery Johnson? I hear names being thrown around but I can't figure out the logic. Especially with Vinnie, who did not get good reviews in his first head coaching gig. (And Avery's too much of a control freak to be a coach, IMO).

[GreenFaith1819]

I haven't read entire thread yet, so I apologize ahead of time if I am taking someone's comments.

For me, just seeing KG play like he has the last few games I think extends our window, He is our Defensive Anchor, holding the team in place.

I'd like to see Ray back with a reduced contract.

We need some youth, though..someone to run with Rajon and Tony.

My biggest issue I see with the Team is Age. But that can be offset.

And on the Age Issue: We aren't the only team affected by it. Shaq and Jamison will be older (and less effective) next year. Rashard Lewis will be 32 next year, and Vince Carter will be older as well. With this being said I really love our opportunity this year and next. We are in no worse shape than both of those teams.

Just have to find a way to offset Father Time.

On a Side Note not related to this thread: Lebron Lames is on Nightline. I am getting a Headache already.