KnightXC1 wrote: Put Lebron with Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, Yi, and the possibility of John Wall and the Nets go straight to the top 5 of the East.

You put LeBron on any team in the NBA and that team probably goes into the top 5 of the conference, he has that kind of effect. The Nets look good on paper, but on the court they've translated to one of the worst teams in NBA history. If you take LeBron off the Cavs they're still a 6-8 seed in the East IMO.

Non wrote: I don't think he will leave either but there is a lot money going to be thrown around and some big opportunities. If he does leave what an enormous letdown. I think it would be better for fans to cherish these next few months and hope they can deliver this year, just in case.

His NBA contract would be about $30 Million less if he goes anywhere else.

There is a big difference between being top 5 in the conference and being the best in the conference--the King has already learned all about that.

It would be money + more star power and coolness if he went to New York, though.

That's still a big sell to a guy like LeBron. Can't deny that.

I don't think he'll leave but if there is even a chance you could lose one of the best players ever after this season, it makes this season very important.

I won't argue against star power--although he's got plenty of that anyways. But the money thing is false, trust me.

The image would probably be more of a sell than the money, I guess, but that may end up being more depending on endorsements.

LeBron is already the biggest star in the NBA and probably the biggest star in all of pro sports right now since Tiger went down.

He doesn't need a city to enhance his image, he is already there.

The endorsement argument is pointless. He isn't going to get more money from Nike or McDonald's just by playing in another city, it doesn't happen that way. I am amazed that a player was able to get a McDonald's endorsement playing in Cleveland lmao. I am not even sure these so called "new" endorsements would be more than his contract could give him in Cleveland.

His image is at a different level compared to any athlete in the NBA right now. He is the reigning MVP and will win his 2nd this year. He is everywhere right now all while being in Cleveland.

I don't think he's already there. New York offers more than Cleveland in terms of being cool and hanging around celebs, playing in Madison Square Garden.

LeBron already cares about that stuff, which is why he picked the Yankees as a favorite baseball team instead of Cleveland, growing up in Akron.

He could go that way again. When he gets into the offseason and away from basketball and thinks it out.

Cleveland still would be the heavy favorite but it's not a done deal IMO.

devil1197 wrote: LeBron is already the biggest star in the NBA and probably the biggest star in all of pro sports right now since Tiger went down.

He doesn't need a city to enhance his image, he is already there.

The endorsement argument is pointless. He isn't going to get more money from Nike or McDonald's just by playing in another city, it doesn't happen that way. I am amazed that a player was able to get a McDonald's endorsement playing in Cleveland lmao. I am not even sure these so called "new" endorsements would be more than his contract could give him in Cleveland.

His image is at a different level compared to any athlete in the NBA right now. He is the reigning MVP and will win his 2nd this year. He is everywhere right now all while being in Cleveland.

That post says it all. He doesn't need New York, he's bigger than New York, he's worldwide.
I root for the uniform...as a Cleveland fan, if Lebron left of his own choosing,, I'd no longer be a fan. He'd be worse than Jim Thome who sold out for a few $million. What does money matter to him anyway?, He has more than several third world nations combined.

Is there some NBA rule where businesses owned by NBA owners can't give endorsements to?

I mean wouldn't Lebron be a great person to endorse Quicken Loans?

I'd take another mortgage out instantly.

devil1197 wrote: LeBron is already the biggest star in the NBA and probably the biggest star in all of pro sports right now since Tiger went down.

He doesn't need a city to enhance his image, he is already there.

The endorsement argument is pointless. He isn't going to get more money from Nike or McDonald's just by playing in another city, it doesn't happen that way. I am amazed that a player was able to get a McDonald's endorsement playing in Cleveland lmao. I am not even sure these so called "new" endorsements would be more than his contract could give him in Cleveland.

His image is at a different level compared to any athlete in the NBA right now. He is the reigning MVP and will win his 2nd this year. He is everywhere right now all while being in Cleveland.

These say different.

http://espn.go.com/nba/attendance/_/sort/awayPct

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/04/30/jersey.leaders.2009/index.html

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/10/01/europe.jersey/

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/10/08/bryant.jersey.china/index.html


But to make you feel better Lebron is probally leading in sales in the Cleveland area but I could be wrong.

Where is Kobe's McDonald's commercials? Oh yeah they got removed since he raped a chick.

http://www.nba.com/2010/allstar/2010/01/21/allstar.starters.release/index.html

Not to mention LeBron makes more money all together than any NBA player in the league.

Yeah he is the biggest star in the NBA. You can have your little jersey sales, LeBron reigns #1 in $$$.

Everyone knows Kobe isn't the best anymore but you are taking it really hard. Its ok though you will get over it sometime.

Your right about one thing.

Lebron is more concerned about how much money he can make.

Kobe is more concerned about how many Championships he can win.

Which is why 1 of them has 4 and 1 of them has 0.

...and because Kobe is HUGE, that means Lebron should leave Cleveland? The only valid argument is championships....


Such man love for a guy you don't even know.....a rapist at that. I'm sure could could buy his jock on E-Bay, that way you could sniff it whenever you want.
Incidentally, you cited attendance? The only reason the Lakers are ahead of the Cavs is that they've played 3 more home games LOL.

HitsRus wrote: ...and because Kobe is HUGE, that means Lebron should leave Cleveland? The only valid argument is championships....


Such man love for a guy you don't even know.....a rapist at that. I'm sure could could buy his jock on E-Bay, that way you could sniff it whenever you want.
Incidentally, you cited attendance? The only reason the Lakers are ahead of the Cavs is that they've played 3 more home games LOL.

Umm you might want to look at the column that is is in bolder black print as the reason I cited the attendance figures. More people go to see Kobe on the road than anyone else.

Non wrote: I don't think he will leave either but there is a lot money going to be thrown around and some big opportunities. If he does leave what an enormous letdown. I think it would be better for fans to cherish these next few months and hope they can deliver this year, just in case.

There is no "money" issue. Please. The NBA is not structured like baseball.

Why do people use this argument?

These constant Lebron vs. Kobe argument threads are hilarious. My dream is to one day have Lebron play for the Lakers and Kobe for the Cavs and see how the putdowns like Kobe is a rapist and Lebron a poor sport for not shaking hands switch.

GoPens wrote: These constant Lebron vs. Kobe argument threads are hilarious. My dream is to one day have Lebron play for the Lakers and Kobe for the Cavs and see how the putdowns like Kobe is a rapist and Lebron a poor sport for not shaking hands switch.

If Bron was traded to the Lakers for Kobe, the analist, I would then become a Laker fan.

And Ferry would be sent to jail for making such a horrendous trade.

Footwedge wrote:

Non wrote: I don't think he will leave either but there is a lot money going to be thrown around and some big opportunities. If he does leave what an enormous letdown. I think it would be better for fans to cherish these next few months and hope they can deliver this year, just in case.

There is no "money" issue. Please. The NBA is not structured like baseball.

Why do people use this argument?

I don't mean contract money alone. It's hard to say how much endorsement money he can get or other opportunities by being in New York compared to Cleveland. Most Cleveland people don't think it will be any different but that seems to be a bit wishful thinking.

I'd put it about 80 percent right now he stays and 20 percent chance he could still leave and go to New York. Those are good odds for Cleveland but not 100 percent signed, sealed and delivered. Could be some drama when it comes time.

You're just ignoring things if you think he'll make more endorsement money in NY. The world doesn't work that way anymore--LeBron James is his own market. No matter where he is he'll bring in money--not to mention what are most of his endorsements for? To sell products, products that are sold everywhere and commercials that are shown nationally. He already makes more endorsement money than A-Rod, Jeter and Eli Manning combined--and you could argue that New York is a huge baseball market and the NFL is the biggest professional league in the US and Eli is a big name in it--and a very marketable one.

People are going to shit their pants when they see what Nike offers him this summer, the number will be the same no matter where he is playing and I bet it's somewhere over 200 million.

LeBron makes more in endorsements than Peyton Manning, Derek Jeter and ARod COMBINED.

Also, after watching "More Than a Game", I truly see how loyal LeBron is. He's a Cleveland Cavalier and will be as long as the Cavs prove to him they're trying to win.

I respect your opinions but I just don't feel the same way. It's not a big deal because I kind of think he will stay, too, but I'm just not sold on it. I think the door is still open until he flat out says he's staying in Cleveland.

That's not the argument here. The argument is money, it's fine if you don't feel the same way but I'm telling you I'm right. Nike said a long time ago that there was never a clause to play in NYC/LA/Chicago. That's all BS, things don't work the way they used to. LeBron is his own market.

I agree with you that no one knows until he signs on the dotted line. I'm of the opinion, based on facts that have been presented to me, that I'm 99.9% sure that he is staying. And there is no bias in that, I don't really care. I would prefer if he stayed in Cleveland because I get to see him play live much easier than if he played in NYC. But I'll still be a LeBron fan, I can still watch him play every night. I just think the argument for him leaving is VERY poor when you actually present all of the information. Which has been done many times and has become totally pointless--we'll all just have to wait and see. But if he leaves, and maybe I'll be wrong and he will, it will not be able money. I guarantee you I've looked deeper into this than anyone on this site and it will absolutely not be about the money because there isn't more waiting for him in NYC. Not any more than what is waiting for him right now--there is money everywhere for this guy, it's not like he isn't being offered other endorsements in Cleveland. There are only so many hours in the day and I'd say he's comfortable anyways.

The argument isn't money alone, it's the combination of factors that New York would present to him, the opportunities to be in the biggest city. It's kind of hard to pinpoint what all that means exactly but I think LeBron has a lot of interest in playing there. The Cavs have done a good job adding pieces around him and showing they're serious. If they would've stumbled some in doing that I think he would be leaning more towards leaving.

SQ_Crazies wrote: That's not the argument here. The argument is money, it's fine if you don't feel the same way but I'm telling you I'm right. Nike said a long time ago that there was never a clause to play in NYC/LA/Chicago. That's all BS, things don't work the way they used to. LeBron is his own market.

I agree with you that no one knows until he signs on the dotted line. I'm of the opinion, based on facts that have been presented to me, that I'm 99.9% sure that he is staying. And there is no bias in that, I don't really care. I would prefer if he stayed in Cleveland because I get to see him play live much easier than if he played in NYC. But I'll still be a LeBron fan, I can still watch him play every night. I just think the argument for him leaving is VERY poor when you actually present all of the information. Which has been done many times and has become totally pointless--we'll all just have to wait and see. But if he leaves, and maybe I'll be wrong and he will, it will not be able money. I guarantee you I've looked deeper into this than anyone on this site and it will absolutely not be about the money because there isn't more waiting for him in NYC. Not any more than what is waiting for him right now--there is money everywhere for this guy, it's not like he isn't being offered other endorsements in Cleveland. There are only so many hours in the day and I'd say he's comfortable anyways.

False.

Also, you're a LeBron fan first, and not really a Cleveland fan.. Cool..

However, I'm Cleveland no matter what. I was born Cleveland and will die Cleveland. I've been through some tough years, and LeBron is the best thing to happen to this city in a loooong time. This scenario means a little bit more to us than it does you.