Will you still be a Cavaliers fan if LeBron leaves?

[Chip R]

Simple question. Yes or no, will you still like the Cavs if LeBron goes. It's a secret poll so no one will know how you respond.

[RBA]

I thought you were a Celtics fan?

[Chip R]

I thought you were a Celtics fan?

I am but I'm curious about others.

[GIDP]

I dont really watch the NBA, but I would be more interested if Lebron stayed in Cleveland.

[Screwball]

Nope. I have no shame in admitting that Lebron is the sole reason I root for the Cavs.

[Eric_the_Red]

Not a huge NBA fan, but would only watch the Cavs for LeBron. If he goes to Miami, I'd watch more Heat games.

[NJReds]

If he creates a "dream team" in Miami, I probably won't watch much NBA at all.

[Chip R]

If he creates a "dream team" in Miami, I probably won't watch much NBA at all.


It might be interesting to see if they fail.

I wonder what Vegas has as the over/under of how many games it will take for Pat Riley to fire the current coach and replace him with himself if LeBron does go to Miami?

[NJReds]

It might be interesting to see if they fail.

I wonder what Vegas has as the over/under of how many games it will take for Pat Riley to fire the current coach and replace him with himself if LeBron does go to Miami?

Wade said yesterday that the current coach would be staying (forgot the guy's name). Would be interesting to see what happens if that isn't the case.

I still have a hard time that LeBron is going to be Wade's caddie. Even if he thinks it's the easiest way to a championship, it doesn't seem like a fit unless he takes a 2 yr deal and then goes off to join Jay-Z in Brooklyn.

[Redsfan320]

Don't ever watch NBA anyway, but when I do it's because of LeBron. So the answer is no.

320

[Yachtzee]

Personally, it makes me less of a Lebron fan and less of an NBA fan in general. That David Stern hasn't stepped in to squash all the nonsense tells me all I need to know. Putting on an hour show to celebrate your decision, with ESPN no doubt having live remotes to show fan reaction in each city. Why not bring some on stage so that Lebron can punch them in the stomach while he's at it. What's worse is that I can see ESPN and the NBA deciding this is a great idea and starting an annual Free Agent Signing show so that everyone waits to announce things live. So when do we get the show where people can dump their prom dates on national TV.

[Chip R]

So when do we get the show where people can dump their prom dates on national TV.


I think that's the replacement for American Idol next season. ;)

[OldRightHander]

I'll quote the line in Miracle.

"The name on the front of the jersey is a hell of a lot more important than the one on the back."

I never was a Cavs fan anyway, but that's my approach to sports rooting as a whole.

[reds1869]

I've always suppoted the Cavs and will continue to do so, Lebron or no Lebron. In truth I haven't watched much NBA basketball since the 80s anyway.

[Eric_the_Red]

If he creates a "dream team" in Miami, I probably won't watch much NBA at all.

How is that any different than the "Big 3" in Boston?

[Yachtzee]

How is that any different than the "Big 3" in Boston?

No hype machine. They weren't the "Big 3" until after they won something together.

[Eric_the_Red]

No hype machine. They weren't the "Big 3" until after they won something together.

None of them were in the top 3 players in the game at the time either. But at the time, Boston was viewed as a Dream Team, and rightfully so. I don't think having all 3 in Miami would be the end of the NBA.

[Chip R]

I don't think having all 3 in Miami would be the end of the NBA.

Nope. Just like having Gasol and Kobe and Bynum in L.A. means the end of the NBA. If you're not going to watch the NBA because one team has 3 All Stars on it, you're probably not inclined to watch it in the first place.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I'm not a Cavs fan to begin with (I'm a Jazz fan), but I do like Lebron. But if he does this whole dog and pony show and leaves Cleveland, Lebron will replace Kobe as my least favorite NBA player.

[Eric_the_Red]

I'm not a Cavs fan to begin with (I'm a Jazz fan), but I do like Lebron. But if he does this whole dog and pony show and leaves Cleveland, Lebron will replace Kobe as my least favorite NBA player.

So LeBron should be forced to stay with a team that doesn't give him the supporting cast to win it all?

I wonder how many of us would stay at our current jobs if another company came and offered us more money, better co-workers and more opportunity for the future.

[GIDP]

So LeBron should be forced to stay with a team that doesn't give him the supporting cast to win it all?

I wonder how many of us would stay at our current jobs if another company came and offered us more money, better co-workers and more opportunity for the future.

I think hes talking about Lebron going on ESPN for an hour on special. It certainly will look like he went out of his way to rip the hearts out of his biggest fan base. Cavs fans probably could handle him leaving, but if he does it like that its going to be pretty darn brutal.

[Yachtzee]

So LeBron should be forced to stay with a team that doesn't give him the supporting cast to win it all?

I wonder how many of us would stay at our current jobs if another company came and offered us more money, better co-workers and more opportunity for the future.

The Cavs tried to get Bosh in a sign-and-trade, but Lebron couldn't convince Bosh to do it. If LeBron goes to Miami, it will be pretty clear who wears the pants in that relationship.

[Chip R]

The Cavs tried to get Bosh in a sign-and-trade, but Lebron couldn't convince Bosh to do it. If LeBron goes to Miami, it will be pretty clear who wears the pants in that relationship.


:lol:

[Eric_the_Red]

The Cavs tried to get Bosh in a sign-and-trade, but Lebron couldn't convince Bosh to do it. If LeBron goes to Miami, it will be pretty clear who wears the pants in that relationship.

Probably because LeBron isn't as heartless and egotistical as some here suppose, and he really wanted to build a winner in Cleveland. Once Bosh made his decision, perhaps it became clear to LeBron that if he ever wanted a title, he would have to change to a team with enough talent to support him.

[BuckeyeRed27]

So LeBron should be forced to stay with a team that doesn't give him the supporting cast to win it all?

I wonder how many of us would stay at our current jobs if another company came and offered us more money, better co-workers and more opportunity for the future.

That is not at all what I'm saying. If he wants to go to another city good for him. But if he goes on national television and rubs in the fact he isn't going back to Cleveland for an hour that is just mean and unforegiveable.

And to your second point there most of that is either not true or just blind guessing.

Cleveland can offer him more money than anbody else. A lot more money. Like almost $30M more over the life of a 6 year deal.

I think the only opportunity where he can have "better co-workers" is Chicago. The Miami situation may work, but those three with nine other guys who make the league minimum is not a great situation. Those three can never have a bad game or take any time off and will run into a team (Orlando, LA) they don't match up with because they have a rookie or a washed up vet trying to stop a real player.

[savafan]

I root for the Cavs because of Lebron. You have to wonder, will loyalty win out, or will money. The guy's spent his entire life in Ohio. He's probably the most recognizable Ohio athlete, after Joey Votto of course ;) (Actually, it may be Ochocinco after Dancing with the Stars and his reality dating show).

[Roy Tucker]

I'll still mildly root for the Cavs like I do now. Like, scan the NBA scores and say "hmmm, Cavs won" and watch the occasional game.

But they will be a pretty sad team to watch without LeBron and will take some years to rebuild.

[Eric_the_Red]

That is not at all what I'm saying. If he wants to go to another city good for him. But if he goes on national television and rubs in the fact he isn't going back to Cleveland for an hour that is just mean and unforegiveable.

And to your second point there most of that is either not true or just blind guessing.

Cleveland can offer him more money than anbody else. A lot more money. Like almost $30M more over the life of a 6 year deal.

I think the only opportunity where he can have "better co-workers" is Chicago. The Miami situation may work, but those three with nine other guys who make the league minimum is not a great situation. Those three can never have a bad game or take any time off and will run into a team (Orlando, LA) they don't match up with because they have a rookie or a washed up vet trying to stop a real player.

Whatever LeBron would lose in salary in miani vs. Cleveland would more than be made up for in marketing and branding.

And Miami doesn't offer better teammates than cleveland? Seriously? If LeBron has an off night in Cleveland, they lose. In Miami, Wade could easily step up (and vice versa). Was Michael in a better situation before or after Pippen?

[texasdave]

LeBron has more money than he could ever spend. I would find it hard to believe that money is a consideration. Rings? Yes. Fame? Yes. Money? No.

[Yachtzee]

Whatever LeBron would lose in salary in miani vs. Cleveland would more than be made up for in marketing and branding.

And Miami doesn't offer better teammates than cleveland? Seriously? If LeBron has an off night in Cleveland, they lose. In Miami, Wade could easily step up (and vice versa). Was Michael in a better situation before or after Pippen?

Sounds like he's going to be spending his time repairing his image after tonight's fiasco. The media are already setting up at Cleveland bars to catch the reaction of fans. Nothing like showing Cavs fans getting their hearts ripped out on live TV. :rolleyes:

Maybe the poll should be "Will you still be a Lebron fan if he leaves Cleveland?"

[BuckeyeRed27]

Whatever LeBron would lose in salary in miani vs. Cleveland would more than be made up for in marketing and branding.

And Miami doesn't offer better teammates than cleveland? Seriously? If LeBron has an off night in Cleveland, they lose. In Miami, Wade could easily step up (and vice versa). Was Michael in a better situation before or after Pippen?

I disagree. If Lebron goes to Miami he will destroy his brand. There isn't a person outside of Florida that will be a fan of how he went about it and he will be joining someone elses team. Lebron is already a huge brand and will continue to build that if he doesn't mess it up. Going to another city will do nothing to increase his value.

On your second point Cleveland has been the best team in the Eastern Conference the past two years and had the best record in the NBA last year. If Lebron doesn't hurt his elbow I believe they get to the Finals too. They are already a very good team. In Miami they would be three good players. They would no doubt be a very good team and win many many games. I do not believe they would win a championship with the make up of the roster unless they all take big pay cuts.

[Eric_the_Red]

I disagree. If Lebron goes to Miami he will destroy his brand. There isn't a person outside of Florida that will be a fan of how he went about it and he will be joining someone elses team. Lebron is already a huge brand and will continue to build that if he doesn't mess it up. Going to another city will do nothing to increase his value.

On your second point Cleveland has been the best team in the Eastern Conference the past two years and had the best record in the NBA last year. If Lebron doesn't hurt his elbow I believe they get to the Finals too. They are already a very good team. In Miami they would be three good players. They would no doubt be a very good team and win many many games. I do not believe they would win a championship with the make up of the roster unless they all take big pay cuts.

So I guess Kevin Garnett isn't a great player, what since he couldn't win it all until he went to "someone elses team".

And the Bulls had some good teams with Jordan and not Pippen. They didn't win it all until they had two great players.

Magic-Kareem-Worthy
Bird-Parrish
Wade-Shaq
Robinson-Duncan
etc
etc

1 player, no matter how great, cannot win it all without other great players.

[texasdave]

Olajuwon did. Who was his great teammate in the Rockets first championship?

[BuckeyeRed27]

So I guess Kevin Garnett isn't a great player, what since he couldn't win it all until he went to "someone elses team".

And the Bulls had some good teams with Jordan and not Pippen. They didn't win it all until they had two great players.

Magic-Kareem-Worthy
Bird-Parrish
Wade-Shaq
Robinson-Duncan
etc
etc

1 player, no matter how great, cannot win it all without other great players.

Garnett is certainly a great player, but he is definately a notch below Lebron. That's not a bad place to be mind you, but Garnett was never going to be able to win a championship without another player that was his equal (turns out he needed two).

Lebron isn't in that boat. He can be the alpha dog. He doesn't need a Wade caliber player to win it all with (not saying it wouldn't help, he just doesn't need it). Playing a whole season with Jamison may be enough perhaps.

All of those teams you listed above either had very solid role players as well and like I said before that is something this potential Miami team wouldn't have.

[Oxilon]

I always thought the NBA season was a joke. Now apparently, the NBA offseason has become a joke, with teams buying championships and LeBron making his decision on a hour long ESPN special. The best part of the NBA is that it's season takes place during the NHL season, so I don't have any gap in the calendar year when it comes to watching sports.

[Eric_the_Red]

Olajuwon did. Who was his great teammate in the Rockets first championship?

Clyde Drexler? He was pretty good.

[Eric_the_Red]

All of those teams you listed above either had very solid role players as well and like I said before that is something this potential Miami team wouldn't have.

Maybe not this year, but they would have enough talent to make some noise in the playoffs in 2011. But it would be a phenomenal foundation. And I'm sure players would take less to be part of that team.

[texasdave]

Clyde Drexler? He was pretty good.

Clyde only played on the second championship.

[Eric_the_Red]

Clyde only played on the second championship.

I stand corrected. So, 1 team is named that won it all without only 1 great player, and that came when the greatest player ever sat out.

[GIDP]

lol hes going to Miami. Cleveland burns to the ground tonight?

[Eric_the_Red]

Bill Simmons owes Stephen A. Smith an apology.

[Boston Red]

He's going to live in Akron? Really? He would be wise to take a security detail with him when he spends time there.

[top6]

I don't really follow the NBA, and I generally root against Cleveland sports teams, but I will be a Cavs fan now that LeBron has left. If they could somehow win a championship without him, some day, before he does, I think it would be one the best non-Cincinnati-team-winning things that could happen in sports (for me).

[WVRed]

Not really inclined to start a new thread, but which one hurts worse?

A) Losing LeBron, especially the way he left through a TV special in which he rips the heart out of Cleveland.

B) Art Modell moving the Browns to Baltimore

It's a legitimate question.

[flyer85]

went from beloved to persona non grata.

IMO, when you look at the moves the Heat made just prior to the draft and the picks on draft night, the logical conclusion was that they knew before the draft the Bosh and James were coming.

[Chip R]

Don't they have some kind of mosaic of him on the arena there in CLE? Wonder how long that will stay up?

[Eric_the_Red]

Don't they have some kind of mosaic of him on the arena there in CLE? Wonder how long that will stay up?

The mosaic or the arena?
Bazinga!