LeBron - Intentions of finishing career in Cleveland haven't changed

[asujbl]

Of course he leaves himself an out, LeBron always does, but this is basically the narrative that's been going on in Cleveland forever. I've posted it in many threads. No one locally thinks he's leaving. Everyone pushing that is national media. Today was Cavs media day and he was asked directly.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index....valiers_6.html

LeBron James said his previously stated intentions to finish his career with the Cavaliers haven't changed, though he would make his decision on his future after this season.

"It hasn't changed," James said, when asked. He also nodded when asked, directly, if he intended to finish his career in Cleveland.

"And that's why I sit up here today, still in this uniform, still ready to lead this franchise to a championship, put us in a position where we can be successful."

[JustinVerlander07]

He's not staying, and he makes himself look bad with the fanbase when he's not truthful.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

He's not staying, and he makes himself look bad with the fanbase when he's not truthful.

Disagree. I don't think he goes anywhere. Been saying it since the beginning.

But we'll see in 9 months. I'm wrong a lot so I could be again.

[Orangejello727]

I see no issues on whether he stays or goes. No issues in telling anyone whether he is staying put or not either. His journey. Things change all the time. You cant expect people to commit to something they dont know.

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

He's not staying, and he makes himself look bad with the fanbase when he's not truthful.

I agree. He's gone. He just has to make sure things stay smooth.

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by Orangejello727

I see no issues on whether he stays or goes. No issues in telling anyone whether he is staying put or not either. His journey. Things change all the time. You cant expect people to commit to something they dont know.

I don't have any issue what he wants to do with his life, it's a real bad look when he says he's staying then leaves. He did it in Miami, he did it in Cleveland the 1st time. He seems calculated, I don't think he wakes up one day and makes his mind up.

Originally Posted by smalltown

I agree. He's gone. He just has to make sure things stay smooth.

Cleveland will be a circus this year no matter what with all the drama of Kyrie leaving + LeBron's free agency.

[johnyensmith123]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

He's not staying, and he makes himself look bad with the fanbase when he's not truthful.

Because you know what LeBron or what any star athlete thinks he's going to do in one year... Just like how Kevin Durant went to the Warriors after blowing a 3-1 lead to them in the WCF. Everyone knew right...? I didn't.

I didn't think LeBron was going to leave until I saw the news about scouting an LA high school, but after this, I don't know anymore again.

You don't know if he's not being truthful about his intentions to finish his career in Cleveland if everything works out. If all goes to hell and Gilbert does some more head-scratching stuff and things don't work out, LeBron's probably going to leave although he preferred everything to work out in Cleveland. My point is, don't accuse him of something that you have no idea (just like me and anyone who isn't LeBron) about what he really thinks.

[johnyensmith123]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

I don't have any issue what he wants to do with his life, it's a real bad look when he says he's staying then leaves. He did it in Miami, he did it in Cleveland the 1st time. He seems calculated, I don't think he wakes up one day and makes his mind up.

Well, it also depends. If Cavs hadn't won in '16, he wouldn't have signed a 2+1 deal. He would have signed a 1+1 deal again or signed somewhere else. So what happens matters as well. He doesn't decide where to play or to leave a year before free agency. So LeBron probably didn't decided to leave Cavs first time a full season before (before Boston series, etc.). LeBron probably didn't decide to leave Heat one year later right after winning back-to-back, but rather deciding after Heat got destroyed by Spurs in '14 and Wade/Bosh not being themselves and older.

[kevinh1919]

1-day contract, baby!!!

[mfisher27]

What else could he have said??

I mean really, do you think he'd say he's gone after next year before this year even started?

[LeonfromNC]

Better stay in the east. Easier path to the Finals. Go to the west and he will never get there again.

[DajuanWagner]

Originally Posted by mfisher27

What else could he have said??

I mean really, do you think he'd say he's gone after next year before this year even started?

Didn't Paul George tell Indiana the same thing and then, bazinga, he gone.......

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by DajuanWagner

Didn't Paul George tell Indiana the same thing and then, bazinga, he gone.......

Kind of... He originally said

"Of course, again what I'm preaching, more so than you see now, is having guys that I can win with, and wanting to win. It came from the heart, very sincere on wanting to bring that to Indiana...that's where my heart's always going to be at," George said.

He went on the say, "it's all about trying to bring a championship to Indiana."

Then he said... like 2 weeks later

“I’m sorry for not holding on, but I wasn’t sure we’d ever get a team together to compete for a championship and that’s where all this came from,” Paul George told Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated on why he decided he was going to leave the Indiana Pacers.

“I kind of felt a rebuild coming,” said George. “I felt like the window had closed. I thought they were going in a different direction and I wanted to go in a different direction.”

Not sure it's apples to apples as any LeBron team is going to compete for a Championship.

[dasiegel]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Disagree. I don't think he goes anywhere. Been saying it since the beginning.

But we'll see in 9 months. I'm wrong a lot so I could be again.

I don't see him leaving for the teams that have been mentioned in outlets. I do not like Lebron and he is a lot of things... but he's not dumb. The East makes his legacy of Finals runs and shots at titles stronger. They will bring in talent before he leaves to play with talent.

[asujbl]

Don't feel like starting another thread... but just something else from media day... Cavs expect IT to be playing in January

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2...p-play-january

Would mean he'd miss about 40 games... which as a Cavs fan I'd be totally fine with. If he plays 25+ games before the Playoffs? I'll be pumped

[SPauthentic84]

Here is my feeling.

He leaves. Blames Gilbert. Lowers value of Cavs. Buys Cavs.

[Brobocop]

I don't know why he'd leave at this point? Solid team here, easy path to the Finals, he might be joined by his buddy Dwyane Wade, has a lot of say in where the team heads, I mean, what else could he ask for really? He has plenty of exposure, has been in movies, gets whatever sponsorship he wants, has a top selling shoe, everything.

If he leaves next year, so be it. He's gotta leave some time given that time is undefeated. At least we won a title which is what we wanted in the end. A lot of teams out there with a lot of promise can't claim that, so Cavs fans will always have that to hang their hat on.

[Brobocop]

Originally Posted by SPauthentic84

Here is my feeling.

He leaves. Blames Gilbert. Lowers value of Cavs. Buys Cavs.

I could see Gilbert cutting him in as a partial owner of the Cavs when all is said and done.

[HP7163]

Originally Posted by dasiegel

I don't see him leaving for the teams that have been mentioned in outlets. I do not like Lebron and he is a lot of things... but he's not dumb. The East makes his legacy of Finals runs and shots at titles stronger. They will bring in talent before he leaves to play with talent.

The INLY way LBJ stays IMO is if PG13, CP3 come to Cleveland. Melo to me isn't a piece I'd take over PG13 unless they deal Love for a solid pick An rol PF/C type..Even then can the Cavs find quality "cheap" role players? I'm leaning No because even with that team they aren't beating Golden State.

Also consider the cavs have done everything guy wanted until recently I hear which is why it shows a tipping of the hand possibly.

Lots of variables here but I do believe lebron has already thought all this out and has made up his mind. From what I hear he's a super secretive guy so doubt we'll know till he wants us to know but guy can't say he's leaving nor can any fan be mad at that

[drobfan8]

Being LeBron it's always intriguing.

I could see him leaving but nowhere really makes sense.to me.

It depends if he actually wants more rings. Sure he'll have a chance with the Cavs going forward due to the East being a joke, but man if he joined SA and had Pop and Kawhi, I think they could beat GS.

I don't think the Cavs beat GS ever again.

[johnyensmith123]

Originally Posted by HP7163

The INLY way LBJ stays IMO is if PG13, CP3 come to Cleveland. Melo to me isn't a piece I'd take over PG13 unless they deal Love for a solid pick An rol PF/C type..Even then can the Cavs find quality "cheap" role players? I'm leaning No because even with that team they aren't beating Golden State.

Also consider the cavs have done everything guy wanted until recently I hear which is why it shows a tipping of the hand possibly.

Lots of variables here but I do believe lebron has already thought all this out and has made up his mind. From what I hear he's a super secretive guy so doubt we'll know till he wants us to know but guy can't say he's leaving nor can any fan be mad at that

I don't think that's the ONLY way. CP3 and PG13 aren't the only good players in the league, especially if you're coming up with a hypothetical situation where two star players join CLE. Besides, as has been said many times by many people (you can google if you want), CP3 and LeBron is not a good fit. Sure, CP3 can shoot the three so he's a better fit than, say, a player like Rose (I'm not saying Rose is anywhere near the level of CP3), but CP3 needs the ball to be effective. LeBron as well. It's a bad fit. PG13 is not as good as you think playing off ball either.

And also CP3 probably isn't joining CLE. He signed with Houston and gave up millions to sign there because he intends to sign a huge deal with HOU next year. He gave up signing a huge deal with Clippers and signed with HOU for one year for the bigger picture in Houston.

[HP7163]

Here's my problem.. yes I'm aware of the CP3 content but isn't IT the same type of player.? Can't possibly say LBJ wanted that particular trade which tells me he's gone . I agree with all your points but what players are out there that can appease lebron in staying?

I believe Westbrook opts out but no way he's going to Cleveland and like u said has to have the ball. I'm sure there are other quality FA out there after next year but Cleveland needs a superstar and IMO those just aren't being traded for using Kevin Love or IT. He needs a healthy Anthony Davis but easier said than done .

Lebron has 3-4 elite type years left IMO and this year is most likely a wash. Really hard for me to think Lebron hasn't broken down all these scenarios and or was real with himself about his own "prime" coming to the back end . It's literally at a now or never phase as the best player in the world . Problem is you're possibly going up against an all time great dynasty type team .. All things everyone knows but it's the elephant in the room.. lebron wants championships not being in the finals

[johnyensmith123]

Originally Posted by HP7163

Here's my problem.. yes I'm aware of the CP3 content but isn't IT the same type of player.? Can't possibly say LBJ wanted that particular trade which tells me he's gone . I agree with all your points but what players are out there that can appease lebron in staying?

I believe Westbrook opts out but no way he's going to Cleveland and like u said has to have the ball. I'm sure there are other quality FA out there after next year but Cleveland needs a superstar and IMO those just aren't being traded for using Kevin Love or IT. He needs a healthy Anthony Davis but easier said than done .

Kyrie wanted out, so Cavs had to trade Kyrie. A lot of people actually said Cavs got better with that trade (again, if you don't believe me, google). IT's play style is very different from CP3. IT was excellent playing off ball. IT's a great pick and roll playmaker as well, but CP3 is more ball-dominant. Not all point guards have similar play styles.

I don't know what LeBron wants at this point. I don't know what players he wants at this point. Great players, just don't know how great, and which specific players. He doesn't need Anthony Davis, but he's obviously an excellent player who would very much help LeBron.

Everyone has such different interpretations of the word "superstar", but depending on who you are, Kyrie and IT are superstars. For other people, the only superstars are LeBron, KD, Curry, Westbrook and maybe a few more. But CP3 and PG13 probably isn't the only way to get him to stay if he has any intentions of staying.

[Hollywood42]

Like he'd say anything else

[HP7163]

Originally Posted by johnyensmith123

Kyrie wanted out, so Cavs had to trade Kyrie. A lot of people actually said Cavs got better with that trade (again, if you don't believe me, google). IT's play style is very different from CP3. IT was excellent playing off ball. IT's a great pick and roll playmaker as well, but CP3 is more ball-dominant. Not all point guards have similar play styles.

I don't know what LeBron wants at this point. I don't know what players he wants at this point. Great players, just don't know how great, and which specific players. He doesn't need Anthony Davis, but he's obviously an excellent player who would very much help LeBron.

Everyone has such different interpretations of the word "superstar", but depending on who you are, Kyrie and IT are superstars. For other people, the only superstars are LeBron, KD, Curry, Westbrook and maybe a few more. But CP3 and PG13 probably isn't the only way to get him to stay if he has any intentions of staying.

Lol you don't gotta throw the "google" reference bro. I believe u. I actually do know these players but didn't watch many Celtic games. IT is not better than Kyrie if "better" isn't in the context discussing the trade without the pick. ESPwhen no one has a clue what IT is till January. The cavs won the trade if they land Bagley, Porter etc. I also have a shortlist when saying "superstar" an neither kyrie or IT are IMO. Kyrie could potentially be one but IT is about to be 30 with a suspect hip.

And Lebron absolutely needs an AD coming into his prime type.. there are only so many players you can put with Lebron that are both attainable and good enough to beat the Warriors. Lebron has stated he wanted PG13, Melo.. he's not looking to get to the finals and lose to the Dubs so it's OBVIOUS what he wants and the solutions aren't abundant. So telling me he doesn't need "x" or "y" or ABCD is just kinda non sense when he absolutely does considering the options that are quality enough to beat Golden State. Dude isn't hanging around in Cleveland to win 55-60 games then lose to GS & hype his brand with stats or his hot takes. I say all of this nicely btw