Cleveland Cavs get LeBron James!!!!!

[Kissimmee JP]

He could play every nationally ranked high school opponent and it still wouldn't change the fact that he's going to struggle to get his shot off against quicker, taller and stronger opponents every night.

He may pan out, however, for the Cavs to think that it won't take at least 5 years is ridiculous.

Kobe wasn't an overnight sensation...and he's still learning how to play in the team concept.

 

[Steve H.]

5 years sounds a bit high -- I would say it'll take somewhere around 3 years, but you're right, it's not likely you'll be seeing him setting scoring records or anything like that overnight.

As far as the team concept part goes, the one thing that scouts have been the most impressed with was his passing ability. The one main thing he has to work on is his outside shot.

As far as the Cavs go, if they don't screw this up and put another player or two around him (plus some decent coaching), I would predict that they can be a playoff team in 2-3 years, and maybe a real contender in 4-5.

 

[Kissimmee JP]

Could happen...however, they're gonna need a big man. It's so hard to win a championship without one.

 

[Steve H.]

As long as his feet stay intact, they have their big man: Zydrunas Ilgauskas

 

[Kissimmee JP]

I don't see them winning a championship with a center with a history of foot problems, not to mention all those consonants in his name.

 

[Steve H.]

Hey, if the Bulls could win all their titles with the likes of Bill Cartwright, Luc Longley and Will Perdue -- anything's possible!

 

[Kissimmee JP]

The difference was that the Bulls teams had Jordan (there will probably never be another player like him) who could light up any team for 50 a night, if he wanted to, Pippen who could play lockjaw defense and give you a triple double on any given night, Ho Grant who could not only board, but could knock down the 20' jumper with consistency and miscellaneous white boy who could shoot 3's with consistency. Heck, you could have played center for them and they still would have won.

 

[Steve H.]

Originally posted by Kissimmee JP
Heck, you could have played center for them and they still would have won.

Let's not get too carried away here!!

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Kissimmee JP
Does anyone honestly think LeBron is going to pan out? Dude just signed a $90million contract w/Nike. He already had an H2 - which his mother "bought" him 6 months ago, without having a job. This kid is going to be blindsided by all the money and fame that go along with it. My prediction is that he'll struggle mightily next year (dunking on 5'10" pimply faced kids in HS is one thing, but starring in the NBA is another), he'll start to hear the boo birds in his 2nd season and demand a trade in his 3rd. Playing at home creates too many distractions....ticket requests, family get-togethers, posse parties, etc. He's overhyped. Carmelo, whereas he's not ready for the NBA yet, will be the better player in the long run.

Kissimmee,

You couldn't be farther from the truth in your post above.I will point out some points that will say he will succeed. I have watched him for the last 4 years at Akron. I also have had season tx for the last 15 years for the Cleveland Cavaliers. My son played basketball in the Big East at WVU from 93-97. I have coached AAU and in summer Pro-Am leagues, so I do know a little about the game of basketball, so here are my opinions....

1. He dominated and won MVP in every High School all star game he played in.

2.Every General Manager in the lottery has stated LeBron would be there #1 pick also.

3.When he practiced with the Cavs last year(which the Cavs were fined $$$$) Bimbo Coles of the Cavs said he was the BEST player on the court.............period

4. Last year the Cavs averaged 11,000 fans per game............my account executive told me today they will sell out every home game next year(41 games in a 21,000 seat Gund Arena)

5.Do you think Carmello Anthony will sell out all of his games at Detroit or Denver???

6.He is getting 90 million from Nike.............is Carmello Anthony??

7.LeBron outplayed Carmello Anthony last year when Akron played Oak Hill (Anthony's H.S. team)

8. Lebron can "Dominate" a game from the pt guard position.

These are just a few points off the top of my head, that I think LeBron has a very good chance to succeed and be a NBA all star in a few years.

 

[Doctor P]

Michael Jordan was the third pick in the draft, and one of the two picks ahead of him is still considered to have been a good pick. James is a good pick, but the #3 pick may be the superstar.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Doctor P
Michael Jordan was the third pick in the draft, and one of the two picks ahead of him is still considered to have been a good pick. James is a good pick, but the #3 pick may be the superstar.

Do you think the CEO's of Nike,Reebok, and Addidas would be offering LeBron the 90 million $$, if there was any chance that Carmello Anthony was the better player.

MJ was the 3rd pick that year, if I re-call Sam Bowie was picked ahead of him.He never lived up to his potential because of injuries.

This is a different era of basketball, LeBron has been under the media microscope for the last 2-3 years and has always lived up to his billing against pros(summer) and McDonalds H.S. All Americans.

He already has an NBA body.....6'8 .....240 lbs. As I stated in an earlier post, both players(LeBron + Carmello Anthony) will be very good players, but LeBron has the "gate attraction"which means big $$$ in any place he plays(sell outs).

 

[Doctor P]

If I recall the article I read yesterday, Carmelo Anthony got a $70 million dollar shoe contract--not much difference, IMHO. Lebron James will be a good player, I expect. But everything I have read recently indicates that Carmelo Anthony is much more seasoned, tougher, and an overall better player. Time will tell.

BTW, I don't even count Sam Bowie when you talk about the Jordan draft. Houston will not be faulted for taking Olajuwon, but in retrospect he was not in any way the best or most dominant player in the draft (though a good player). I see the James/Anthony debate coming down the same way.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I live in Toledo and I am already bored to death with LeBron. Thank God I don't live in Cleveland or follow basketball.
Robin M.

 

[Tinkbell]

My boyfriend used to get us great 2nd row Cavs tickets from a work associate because nobody else wanted to use the tickets. I guess those days are gone. LOL

 

[Grog]

There next step wil be to hire Van Gundy as there coach.

This should get interesting. When Rudy Tomjanavich announced his retirement yesterday, Van Gundy's name was the only one being thrown out as a possible new Rockets' head coach.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Tinkbell
My boyfriend used to get us great 2nd row Cavs tickets from a work associate because nobody else wanted to use the tickets. I guess those days are gone. LOL

My season tx(15 years) seats are on the 4th row from floor, isle seats 1-2,right behind Cavs bench, between the basket and foul line.

When Michael Jordan was in his prime I sold 1 of my Bulls games for $400 for 2 tx($50 each face value back then). Now my 2 seats are $75 each. With the Cavs predicting a sell out for every home game(41),
I am sure I won't have any problem selling my seats now.

 

[Tinkbell]

Originally posted by ncligs
My season tx(15 years) seats are on the 4th row from floor, isle seats 1-2,right behind Cavs bench, between the basket and foul line.

Great seats! "Our seats" were behind the visiting team's bench. The company that owns them used to give us the seats all the time because the only time someone wanted to use them was when a "good" team or player came into town. They were even considering getting rid of them! What a difference a year will make for basketball!

Please keep this "non bandwagon" basketball fan on your list of potential buyers for any game you can't attend!

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Tinkbell
Please keep this "non bandwagon" basketball fan on your list of potential buyers for any game you can't attend!

Will do........

 

[Doctor P]

Apparently there are no scalping laws in Ohio?

 

[madcoco]

Nick sees

Signs. Don't go to a couple games and here comes another VB add on to secure a beach cottage.

LJ has the potential to change the entire face of BB in Cleveland. He is the real deal if he stays healthy Growing up in Pittsburgh I remember what Mario Lemieux' impact had on the local hockey scene when he first arrived. Used to be able to walk up to a game and there would be very few in the stands. It changed almost overnight.