What was Cleveland's role in James Leaving?

[Moranis]

On his podcast from a couple days ago, Bill Simmons alluded to something scandalous that he couldn't talk about that may have precipitated LeBron leaving even before the close of the season. Anyone know what he was referring to?

I would guess the D. West and Gloria James thing that has been floating around for some time.

[Birdbrain]

I don't like saying this but Kobe could have won with the Cavs this year. So could younger bird, magic, MJ, or Duncan.

100% agreeance the cowtowing to this fraud continues.

[Who]

LeBron James had a good enough supporting cast to win an NBA title.It was an unexceptional group that lacked a bonafide second option but had terrific strength and depth from there on down.

Five teams -- Miami, Chicago, LA Clippers, New Jersey and New York -- offered LeBron James a chance at a superior supporting cast than Cleveland did. Cleveland had the weakest offer.

[Birdbrain]

LeBron James had a good enough supporting cast to win an NBA title.It was an unexceptional group that lacked a bonafide second option but had terrific strength and depth from there on down.

Five teams -- Miami, Chicago, LA Clippers, New Jersey and New York -- offered LeBron James a chance at a superior supporting cast than Cleveland did. Cleveland had the weakest offer.

NJ and the Clippers are horrible teams and will continue to be horrible.  Miami had the best player in the league and someone he could coattail.  Chicago while overrated (no playoff series wins) probably had more talent but, it wasn't proven talent so I'll give him some credit in not buying into the hype.

[Moranis]

LeBron James had a good enough supporting cast to win an NBA title.It was an unexceptional group that lacked a bonafide second option but had terrific strength and depth from there on down.

Five teams -- Miami, Chicago, LA Clippers, New Jersey and New York -- offered LeBron James a chance at a superior supporting cast than Cleveland did. Cleveland had the weakest offer.

NJ and the Clippers are horrible teams and will continue to be horrible.  Miami had the best player in the league and someone he could coattail.  Chicago while overrated (no playoff series wins) probably had more talent but, it wasn't proven talent so I'll give him some credit in not buying into the hype.

I'd have rather played with Lopez, Harris, and Favors then the crap in Cleveland.  And certainly would have rather played with Davis, Griffin, Kaman, Gordon, and Aminu then the crap in Cleveland.

[soap07]

OMG no! Jamison is 33? Shaq is old? Big Z is old? JJ Hickson is inconsistent?

Oh I forgot that the Celts are all spring chickens and the model of health and our young guys are models of consistency.

So given all these seriously crippling problems for Lebron instead of giving up perhaps he should have tried harder? Maybe?

Uh. Apples? Meet Oranges.

[BballTim]

LeBron James had a good enough supporting cast to win an NBA title.It was an unexceptional group that lacked a bonafide second option but had terrific strength and depth from there on down.

Five teams -- Miami, Chicago, LA Clippers, New Jersey and New York -- offered LeBron James a chance at a superior supporting cast than Cleveland did. Cleveland had the weakest offer.

NJ and the Clippers are horrible teams and will continue to be horrible.  Miami had the best player in the league and someone he could coattail.  Chicago while overrated (no playoff series wins) probably had more talent but, it wasn't proven talent so I'll give him some credit in not buying into the hype.

I'd have rather played with Lopez, Harris, and Favors then the crap in Cleveland.  And certainly would have rather played with Davis, Griffin, Kaman, Gordon, and Aminu then the crap in Cleveland.

  In both cases, though, the only thing that would prevent him from being in a similar situation to Cleveland are players that have never played in the nba.

[Birdbrain]

LeBron James had a good enough supporting cast to win an NBA title.It was an unexceptional group that lacked a bonafide second option but had terrific strength and depth from there on down.

Five teams -- Miami, Chicago, LA Clippers, New Jersey and New York -- offered LeBron James a chance at a superior supporting cast than Cleveland did. Cleveland had the weakest offer.

NJ and the Clippers are horrible teams and will continue to be horrible.  Miami had the best player in the league and someone he could coattail.  Chicago while overrated (no playoff series wins) probably had more talent but, it wasn't proven talent so I'll give him some credit in not buying into the hype.

I'd have rather played with Lopez, Harris, and Favors then the crap in Cleveland.  And certainly would have rather played with Davis, Griffin, Kaman, Gordon, and Aminu then the crap in Cleveland.

And they've won what exactly that makes you so sure they are good? LJ wanted all the player he had in cleveland round we round we go. 

[Moranis]

LeBron James had a good enough supporting cast to win an NBA title.It was an unexceptional group that lacked a bonafide second option but had terrific strength and depth from there on down.

Five teams -- Miami, Chicago, LA Clippers, New Jersey and New York -- offered LeBron James a chance at a superior supporting cast than Cleveland did. Cleveland had the weakest offer.

NJ and the Clippers are horrible teams and will continue to be horrible.  Miami had the best player in the league and someone he could coattail.  Chicago while overrated (no playoff series wins) probably had more talent but, it wasn't proven talent so I'll give him some credit in not buying into the hype.

I'd have rather played with Lopez, Harris, and Favors then the crap in Cleveland.  And certainly would have rather played with Davis, Griffin, Kaman, Gordon, and Aminu then the crap in Cleveland.

  In both cases, though, the only thing that would prevent him from being in a similar situation to Cleveland are players that have never played in the nba.

I wouldn't quite go that far, Gordon seems to be the real deal.  he is young, but I'd take him over any Cav and wouldn't give it a second thought.  Davis, while old, has been a very solid clutch player throughout his career and is a better PG then Williams even at his advanced age.  Kaman and Lopez are both double double machines and both are at least respectable scorers (unlike Varejao).  Harris is a much better pure PG then Williams, though overall is similar to Williams in talent.  

Obviously the development of Griffin and Favors will dictate a great deal of their respective teams success, but I'd rather have those guys then any of the young guys on the Cavs and that includes guys like Hickson who have actualy played in the league.

[Birdbrain]

LeBron James had a good enough supporting cast to win an NBA title.It was an unexceptional group that lacked a bonafide second option but had terrific strength and depth from there on down.

Five teams -- Miami, Chicago, LA Clippers, New Jersey and New York -- offered LeBron James a chance at a superior supporting cast than Cleveland did. Cleveland had the weakest offer.

NJ and the Clippers are horrible teams and will continue to be horrible.  Miami had the best player in the league and someone he could coattail.  Chicago while overrated (no playoff series wins) probably had more talent but, it wasn't proven talent so I'll give him some credit in not buying into the hype.

I'd have rather played with Lopez, Harris, and Favors then the crap in Cleveland.  And certainly would have rather played with Davis, Griffin, Kaman, Gordon, and Aminu then the crap in Cleveland.

  In both cases, though, the only thing that would prevent him from being in a similar situation to Cleveland are players that have never played in the nba.

Well yes but, unproven talent is better than bad talent.  Bad talent that LJ wanted that is.

[BballTim]

LeBron James had a good enough supporting cast to win an NBA title.It was an unexceptional group that lacked a bonafide second option but had terrific strength and depth from there on down.

Five teams -- Miami, Chicago, LA Clippers, New Jersey and New York -- offered LeBron James a chance at a superior supporting cast than Cleveland did. Cleveland had the weakest offer.

NJ and the Clippers are horrible teams and will continue to be horrible.  Miami had the best player in the league and someone he could coattail.  Chicago while overrated (no playoff series wins) probably had more talent but, it wasn't proven talent so I'll give him some credit in not buying into the hype.

I'd have rather played with Lopez, Harris, and Favors then the crap in Cleveland.  And certainly would have rather played with Davis, Griffin, Kaman, Gordon, and Aminu then the crap in Cleveland.

  In both cases, though, the only thing that would prevent him from being in a similar situation to Cleveland are players that have never played in the nba.

I wouldn't quite go that far, Gordon seems to be the real deal.  he is young, but I'd take him over any Cav and wouldn't give it a second thought.  Davis, while old, has been a very solid clutch player throughout his career and is a better PG then Williams even at his advanced age.  Kaman and Lopez are both double double machines and both are at least respectable scorers (unlike Varejao).  Harris is a much better pure PG then Williams, though overall is similar to Williams in talent.  

Obviously the development of Griffin and Favors will dictate a great deal of their respective teams success, but I'd rather have those guys then any of the young guys on the Cavs and that includes guys like Hickson who have actualy played in the league.

  While I don't disagree with what you're saying, I could easily see LeBron joining either team and not having a really good chance of contending for a title over the next couple of years. He's in a win now mode.

[wdleehi]

I don't like saying this but Kobe could have won with the Cavs this year. So could younger bird, magic, MJ, or Duncan.

100% agreeance the cowtowing to this fraud continues.

Except when Kobe had such a team (with Odom and Butler) they were low seeds to out of the playoffs.  He didn't start really winning until Memphis gave them Gasol. 

[Birdbrain]

I don't like saying this but Kobe could have won with the Cavs this year. So could younger bird, magic, MJ, or Duncan.

100% agreeance the cowtowing to this fraud continues.

Except when Kobe had such a team (with Odom and Butler) they were low seeds to out of the playoffs.  He didn't start really winning until Memphis gave them Gasol. 

The losing is the part of Kobe I respect.  That's the point that everyone appears to be missing.

[Moranis]

LeBron James had a good enough supporting cast to win an NBA title.It was an unexceptional group that lacked a bonafide second option but had terrific strength and depth from there on down.

Five teams -- Miami, Chicago, LA Clippers, New Jersey and New York -- offered LeBron James a chance at a superior supporting cast than Cleveland did. Cleveland had the weakest offer.

NJ and the Clippers are horrible teams and will continue to be horrible.  Miami had the best player in the league and someone he could coattail.  Chicago while overrated (no playoff series wins) probably had more talent but, it wasn't proven talent so I'll give him some credit in not buying into the hype.

I'd have rather played with Lopez, Harris, and Favors then the crap in Cleveland.  And certainly would have rather played with Davis, Griffin, Kaman, Gordon, and Aminu then the crap in Cleveland.

  In both cases, though, the only thing that would prevent him from being in a similar situation to Cleveland are players that have never played in the nba.

I wouldn't quite go that far, Gordon seems to be the real deal.  he is young, but I'd take him over any Cav and wouldn't give it a second thought.  Davis, while old, has been a very solid clutch player throughout his career and is a better PG then Williams even at his advanced age.  Kaman and Lopez are both double double machines and both are at least respectable scorers (unlike Varejao).  Harris is a much better pure PG then Williams, though overall is similar to Williams in talent.  

Obviously the development of Griffin and Favors will dictate a great deal of their respective teams success, but I'd rather have those guys then any of the young guys on the Cavs and that includes guys like Hickson who have actualy played in the league.

  While I don't disagree with what you're saying, I could easily see LeBron joining either team and not having a really good chance of contending for a title over the next couple of years. He's in a win now mode.

Oh, I clearly agree with that, I was merely pointing out those two teams would be better then staying in Cleveland (from a pure winning standpoint).  At the time Lebron made his decision, Miami, Chicago, and NY/LAC (very close) in that order were the best opportunities to win and win now.

[dooyork]

Cleveland Cavs.