Was west a factor?

[Eric_Suede]

This may sound kind of dumb, maybe even crass but I was having a convo with my friend about the Lebron saga and he brought up an interesting point (seeing that Lebron sighted his mom as a major factor in his decision) You guys think the drama with His mother messing with Delonte West was a factor as to why Lebron bolted. Yeah , yeah I know he wants to win blah blah, but staying in Cleveland would've produced some internal issues don't you think. Especially now with the owner claiming he think Lebron "Quit" in the playoffs. was something on his mind. Things the make you say HMMMMMMMMMM.

[35Lewis]

I don't think the drama with West happened.  I think this is floated out there as a reason Lebron wasn't playing well.  People started thinking something was on his mind and then started digging for information.

 Unless Lebron found his mom's cell phone and started texting Delonte to catch her messing with him and then chased her with a basketball before she crashed her Escalade then I don't think it happened.

Lebron does seem like a broken man right now though, even on ESPN last night he seems broken.  This leads me to believe that something may have happened somewhere and his reps did this thing to get him back to being his arrogant self.

[Bankshot]

I think it did happen. Some reporter from Cleveland was on WEEI this morning and says Gilbert is probably going to start spilling the beans on Lebron. He said there were lots of things they covered up for Lebron and the owner had to hire some of Lebron's friends to keep him happy. There was something with Lebron's mother, but we'll have to wait and see if it has to do with Delonte.  And the fact that they've been trying to get rid of Delonte after they all loved him before speaks volumes, imo.

I also heard that Lebron is the one that handpicked the players that were brought in so I guess it would be some of Lebron's fault that a better team wasn't assembled around him.  I wonder if Lebron is the one that decided he wanted Jamison instead of Amare?

[blackbird]

I don't think it happened, but I think the fact that they put Delonte's picture on the front page Cavs website after the announcement is absolutely hysterical.

[Mizzy21390]

I don't think the drama with West happened.  I think this is floated out there as a reason Lebron wasn't playing well.  People started thinking something was on his mind and then started digging for information.

 Unless Lebron found his mom's cell phone and started texting Delonte to catch her messing with him and then chased her with a basketball before she crashed her Escalade then I don't think it happened.

Lebron does seem like a broken man right now though, even on ESPN last night he seems broken.  This leads me to believe that something may have happened somewhere and his reps did this thing to get him back to being his arrogant self.

No I think it actually did happen... People close to Lebron's mom and Delonte confirmed it. Everyone on the team knew what was going on between Delonte & LBJ's mom, except for Lebron. And he unfortunately found out during games 5 and or 6... And so they had a fight in the locker room... But I dunno..

I feel like it maybe was not a huge factor, but a minor factor to why LBJ couldn't stay...

[SCBirdman]

It definitely happened. It sounds as though LeBron was set on leaving Cleavland during the Boston series.

Gilbert should have exhibited more class, even though he was angry and upset, rightfully so.

I do think Byron Scott would have made a difference. I mean, they did win 66 games in the regular season. With a better coach, and all their key players back, Cleavland could have made another run to the finals.

In the end, LeBron could not convince any top tier FA's to come to Cleavland, and he saw the writing on the wall. He knew to win a title, or have a Lakers/Celtics 80's type Dynasty, he had to leave.

It will be interesting to see what comes out of Cleavland and who Miami fills out their roster with.

All the comparisons to our Big 3 forgets that both Rondo and Perk were 1st rounders. Miami only has Chalmers and it appears they will get Mike Miller. Apparently, LeBum will play PG in Miami.

[Brendan]

I don't see why Gilbert takes it personally with LBJ, he enabled everything that happened, he hired the bad GM and coach that messed the teams cap up and brought in inferior talent, and drafted poorly. He has plenty of culpability in turning LBJ from prodigy to prima donna.

LBJ chose to go to MIA, to play with his friends, and to give himself the best chance to win multiple rings in a dynasty. How he did that was narcissistic and clowny, but the actual decision was always his to chose, and I don't like Gilbert's criticism of the choice.

His claim of building a competitor is laughable, like a bad businessman he left his team too few chances for success, it was LBJ or bust.

[Bankshot]

I don't see why Gilbert takes it personally with LBJ, he enabled everything that happened, he hired the ****ty GM and coach that messed the teams cap up and brought in inferior talent, and drafted poorly. He has plenty of culpability in turning LBJ from prodigy to prima donna.

LBJ chose to go to MIA, to play with his friends, and to give himself the best chance to win multiple rings in a dynasty. How he did that was narcissistic and clowny, but the actual decision was always his to chose, and I don't like Gilbert's criticism of the choice.

His claim of building a competitor is laughable, like a bad businessman he left his team too few chances for success, it was LBJ or bust.

From what I heard, they let Lebron pick the players that were brought in.  Makes you wonder if Lebron wanted Jamison instead of Amare. Is that possible that he would want Jamison instead?

[Brendan]

From what I heard, they let Lebron pick the players that were brought in.  Makes you wonder if Lebron wanted Jamison instead of Amare. Is that possible that he would want Jamison instead?

And LBJ was naive or egotistical to think he knew what he needed - but the GM/Coach/Owner allowed it to happen. (BTW - watch for the trashing of LBJ to save face from Gilbert, a classic Jon Harington / Dan Duquette move and sign he's not a winner.)

I cannot wait for the CLE fire sale.

[Neurotic Guy]

I don't think the drama with West happened.  I think this is floated out there as a reason Lebron wasn't playing well.  People started thinking something was on his mind and then started digging for information.

 Unless Lebron found his mom's cell phone and started texting Delonte to catch her messing with him and then chased her with a basketball before she crashed her Escalade then I don't think it happened.

Lebron does seem like a broken man right now though, even on ESPN last night he seems broken.  This leads me to believe that something may have happened somewhere and his reps did this thing to get him back to being his arrogant self.

No I think it actually did happen... People close to Lebron's mom and Delonte confirmed it. Everyone on the team knew what was going on between Delonte & LBJ's mom, except for Lebron. And he unfortunately found out during games 5 and or 6... And so they had a fight in the locker room... But I dunno..

I feel like it maybe was not a huge factor, but a minor factor to why LBJ couldn't stay...

This is first I heard of 'People close to Lebron's mom and Delonte confirmed it' or that 'Everyone Knew...'.  Please provide links or some credible evidence of this.

It's not that I don't believe it happened -- it's that I have no idea. And this is a personal matter that is sensitive and potentially embarrassing, and should not be judged based on idle rumor or speculation.

[nba is the worst]

I don't see why Gilbert takes it personally with LBJ, he enabled everything that happened, he hired the ****ty GM and coach that messed the teams cap up and brought in inferior talent, and drafted poorly. He has plenty of culpability in turning LBJ from prodigy to prima donna.

LBJ chose to go to MIA, to play with his friends, and to give himself the best chance to win multiple rings in a dynasty. How he did that was narcissistic and clowny, but the actual decision was always his to chose, and I don't like Gilbert's criticism of the choice.

His claim of building a competitor is laughable, like a bad businessman he left his team too few chances for success, it was LBJ or bust.

From what I heard, they let Lebron pick the players that were brought in.  Makes you wonder if Lebron wanted Jamison instead of Amare. Is that possible that he would want Jamison instead?

My understanding is that the Suns wouldn't part with amare without getting Hickson, so LeQuit decided on Antawn.

As to the Delonte/Gloria rumor, here's why I think it happened:

First, no one directly involved ever denied it - and the response from LeBron's attorney was very late in coming.

2nd, a look at the performance of both players in games 1-3 and 4-6 is night and day. West went from shooting 58% to under 10%...

[Greenbean]

If LeBron wanted West gone all he has to do was say so. He is on a non guaranteed contract.

LeBron left for other reasons.

That being said...where there is smoke there is fire. I mean who could make that up?!?!

[Bankshot]

I don't see why Gilbert takes it personally with LBJ, he enabled everything that happened, he hired the ****ty GM and coach that messed the teams cap up and brought in inferior talent, and drafted poorly. He has plenty of culpability in turning LBJ from prodigy to prima donna.

LBJ chose to go to MIA, to play with his friends, and to give himself the best chance to win multiple rings in a dynasty. How he did that was narcissistic and clowny, but the actual decision was always his to chose, and I don't like Gilbert's criticism of the choice.

His claim of building a competitor is laughable, like a bad businessman he left his team too few chances for success, it was LBJ or bust.

From what I heard, they let Lebron pick the players that were brought in.  Makes you wonder if Lebron wanted Jamison instead of Amare. Is that possible that he would want Jamison instead?

My understanding is that the Suns wouldn't part with amare without getting Hickson, so LeQuit decided on Antawn.

As to the Delonte/Gloria rumor, here's why I think it happened:

First, no one directly involved ever denied it - and the response from LeBron's attorney was very late in coming.

2nd, a look at the performance of both players in games 1-3 and 4-6 is night and day. West went from shooting 58% to under 10%...

Lebron and/or the Cavs didn't want to give up Hickson.  How dumb is that?  Lebron might still be there if they got Amare and traded or dumped Delonte.

[RAcker]

I don't think it happened, but I think the fact that they put Delonte's picture on the front page Cavs website after the announcement is absolutely hysterical.

I heard that LeBron's elbow leaked that rumor anyway.

[Roy Hobbs]

Colin Cowherd is convinced from his "sources" that there really was bad blood.