LeBron and his talents are opting out

If he does take the cash, "He's all about the money."

If he doesn't take the cash, "He just wants to go to a hand-picked, ready-made champion. Again."

Curious what Option No. 3 is available that won't draw criticism.

 

If he goes back to Cleveland, there won't be a warmer and fuzzier story this summer.

I get the loyalty criticism or people criticizing him for leaving as soon as things get tough, but the money argument is absurd. I'm not a fan of the guy on any level, but he's not doing any of this for the money.

 

Going back to Cleveland after the way Dan Gilbert --- and the fans --- ripped him four years ago? Don't see it happening.

 

The Cleveland stuff never ceases to amaze me. He owes the Cavaliers NOTHING. Actually, he owes them a giant Fuck You for the things their owner wrote and said about him when he left.

 

He doesn't have to stay in Miami, he doesn't owe Miami anything and they don't owe him anything. LeBron certainly doesn't owe Wade and Bosh anything either. But he has to know that his contract along with Wade and Bosh's makes it improbable that Miami can replicate a consistent appearance in the Finals. Riley recruited himself 4 Finals and 2 Wins, and now Miami is a 7-10 seed at best for the foreseeable future, without James. James leaves and Miami = Cleveland. Not James problem.

 

Now, what would be amazingly entertaining, and fascinating, is if he does go back to Cleveland, takes them to five straight NBA Finals, but Bills them all and Cleveland still never gets a title.

 

Except Miami can sign a big free agent to replace James --- certainly not as good, but good enough to make some noise in the Eastern Conference.

Cleveland can't do that.

 

Alright, place your bets NOW. Where will James play next season?

I vote Miami. (with a nice raise)

 

There's one man who can achieve this dream of yours, if only he's given another chance to be LeBron's sidekick.

His name is Larry Hughes.

 

without James, Bosh leaves. Who is coming to Miami with old man Wade and ....

 

He's not angling for a raise. That's not what this is about. He wants a better supporting cast and he's not getting that with a raise.

My guess is he stays in Miami for about the same money if they can land another key player. If not, all bets are off.

 

If Bosh leaves, then you have cap room for TWO big free-agent signings.

Face it, Miami is a destination franchise with a pretty smart front office. The only thing that keeps them out of contention in the East is if whatever star(s) they have suffer a Kobe-like injury. They are capable of the occasional season in the toilet, but history (Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Jamal Mashburn, Antoine Walker, Lamar Odom, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James) says they will work their butts off to restock the cupboard, even if not all of the moves work out quite as well as they hope. And they're not afraid of blowing things up and making moves if necessary.