Do you think it's even POSSIBLE now (championships be damned) for him to build a legacy the likes of Jordan, Bird, Magic, Kobe.... or even Tim Duncan?
Well, he's been compared to Jordan and Kobe endlessly on this board and in the media for quite a few years now, so I would say that he already has.
From a basketball talent standpoint, yes.
Legacy is different, in my opinion.
I think LeBron is going to be the A-Rod to Wade's Jeter.
Jeter was the winner, Jeter was the class act. It's Jeter's team. A-Rod's the much better ball player, but he was lucky enough to be on jeter's team for a title.
lukethedrifter wrote:He's not taking less money btw. Anyone care to explain how I came to that conclusion?
Are you going to say income tax?
No, although Florida has none.
The increase in his Nike contract?
The whole thing. He's not about 1 source of money. Or even two. If he takes $5 million a year less ( i have no idea what the actual number is) to play in Miami, he's not doing because he plans on being $5 mill poorer in the end. So please, whoever you are, quit with the LBJ took less money blah blah blah.
lukethedrifter wrote:He's not taking less money btw. Anyone care to explain how I came to that conclusion?
Are you going to say income tax?
No, although Florida has none.
The increase in his Nike contract?
The whole thing. He's not about 1 source of money. Or even two. If he takes $5 million a year less ( i have no idea what the actual number is) to play in Miami, he's not doing because he plans on being $5 mill poorer in the end. So please, whoever you are, quit with the LBJ took less money blah blah blah.
LBJ himself played the "took less money blah blah blah" card last ngiht.
In every trade Gilbert made, he took on more money than he sent out, his payroll spiraling into the luxury tax and then more deeply into the tax. Each, whether it was for Ben Wallace or Mo Williams or Shaquille O'Neal or Antawn Jamison, came only as James signed off. Yet when it was time to sign free agents, James would not commit to the future.
It left the team being forced to improve mostly through trades, deals they often made with the short term in mind that required them to give up future assets in the form of draft picks and prospects. Largely it worked, as the Cavs became one of the league's most successful teams.
Gilbert hired one of James' friends and paid him more than some assistant coaches to hang out with the team so James would be comfortable. Gilbert allowed members of James' management team to fly on the team jet. He spent $25 million to construct a practice facility that was located 20 minutes closer to James' home than the old one. He rebuilt the locker room. He hired a masseur to travel on the road because James likes massages.
Gilbert thought his relationship with James was deeper than 'player/owner'. He had invited James on leadership conference last year because he knew of LeBron's desire to be a business mogul. Many of LeBron's upper-echelon business contacts came from Gilbert and that conference. Gilbert considered LeBron a partner in the Cavaliers, not an employee.
In every trade Gilbert made, he took on more money than he sent out, his payroll spiraling into the luxury tax and then more deeply into the tax. Each, whether it was for Ben Wallace or Mo Williams or Shaquille O'Neal or Antawn Jamison, came only as James signed off. Yet when it was time to sign free agents, James would not commit to the future.
A player walked away from millions more in guaranteed money, put his ego aside to play with other established superstars in an effort to win the championship and somehow it's the worst thing ever. I don't get it.
InvincibleCakeEater wrote:A player walked away from millions more in guaranteed money, put his ego aside to play with other established superstars in an effort to win the championship and somehow it's the worst thing ever. I don't get it.
that is a load of [expletive]. I don't believe that you actually believe it.
InvincibleCakeEater wrote:A player walked away from millions more in guaranteed money, put his ego aside to play with other established superstars in an effort to win the championship and somehow it's the worst thing ever. I don't get it.
you don't get why cleveland might be a bit bummed about this? and why
the rest of the country might think his little tv show last night was
a bit off color? again.. not what he did.. it's how he did it..
I see why Cleveland fans are bummed and how he looks like an ass for his special. But all of this legacy, abandonment, buying a championship, Cleveland needs a hero stuff is bull [expletive]. You play to win the game. Doesn't take a genius to see that Miami gives him a better chance than Cleveland to do it.
InvincibleCakeEater wrote:A player walked away from millions more in guaranteed money, put his ego aside to play with other established superstars in an effort to win the championship and somehow it's the worst thing ever. I don't get it.
He left money on the table BECAUSE of his ego. He wants what Kobe, Jordan, Magic, Bird, Dwyane, Duncan, etc. have got....... a championship ring.
The problem is that he doesn't understand that the rings aren't necessarily what people appreciate about those guys. It's the competetive spirit and courage to do what it takes to bring their teams to that level. The journey is normally more meaningful than the destination.
