The Decision - Second Edition

[Lipoli390]

What team will LeBron play for this upcoming season?

[thedoper]

I voted Heat. I think this is all posturing for getting more money from Riley.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Other - Timberwolves :thumb:

[foye2smith [enjin:6593248]]

I voted for the Cavs. I don't think the moves Riley has gotten verbal commits from move the needle enough. Wade's downfall late in the conference finals and finals may be overstated but he definitely ran out of gas so how can you bet on him next june with another 2,500 minutes from this season on his legs plus whatever his minutes get managed to next regular season.

Now is the time to jump. He won't find a better opportunity than what Miami had in 2010 and it still took them a minute to get on the same page. Get the season or two of likely Cavs hicups out of the way sooner rather than later.

[thedoper]

I voted for the Cavs. I don't think the moves Riley has gotten verbal commits from move the needle enough. Wade's downfall late in the conference finals and finals may be overstated but he definitely ran out of gas so how can you bet on him next june with another 2,500 minutes from this season on his legs plus whatever his minutes get managed to next regular season.

Now is the time to jump. He won't find a better opportunity than what Miami had in 2010 and it still took them a minute to get on the same page. Get the season or two of likely Cavs hicups out of the way sooner rather than later.

I think those are all great points. On the other hand, everyone was saying the same things they are saying about Wade in reference to Manu's ability to contribute and were pointing at him as the reason the Spurs weren't able to win the year before. Look how he and the Spurs bounced back. I think if you have a team that has been in 4 straight finals you keep them together with other tweaks. The Spurs were lightning in a bottle last year and there is no guarantee that they will ever play a season like that again. I don't see Lebron wanting to start from scratch on another team even if the core was him Kyrie and Love.

[Monster]

I just listened to a Houston media guy that appeared on the local radio show. He made an interesting point. If the reports are true Lebron wants to sign basically a 1 or 2 year deal why would Bosh sign a 4 year deal? He could get stuck in Miami with an old way overpaid Wade. He said maybe Bosh figures its better to go to Houston get paid and have a chance at competing for the next 4 years. Its an interesting point.

[thedoper]

I just listened to a Houston media guy that appeared on the local radio show. He made an interesting point. If the reports are true Lebron wants to sign basically a 1 or 2 year deal why would Bosh sign a 4 year deal? He could get stuck in Miami with an old way overpaid Wade. He said maybe Bosh figures its better to go to Houston get paid and have a chance at competing for the next 4 years. Its an interesting point.

They are in totally different situations but both situations are about money. Bosh might not get that kind of money in 2 years where Lebron wants to sign a max long term deal after the salary cap has the new TV revenue included in it.

[Monster]

I voted for the Cavs. I don't think the moves Riley has gotten verbal commits from move the needle enough. Wade's downfall late in the conference finals and finals may be overstated but he definitely ran out of gas so how can you bet on him next june with another 2,500 minutes from this season on his legs plus whatever his minutes get managed to next regular season.

Now is the time to jump. He won't find a better opportunity than what Miami had in 2010 and it still took them a minute to get on the same page. Get the season or two of likely Cavs hicups out of the way sooner rather than later.

I think those are all great points. On the other hand, everyone was saying the same things they are saying about Wade in reference to Manu's ability to contribute and were pointing at him as the reason the Spurs weren't able to win the year before. Look how he and the Spurs bounced back. I think if you have a team that has been in 4 straight finals you keep them together with other tweaks. The Spurs were lightning in a bottle last year and there is no guarantee that they will ever play a season like that again. I don't see Lebron wanting to start from scratch on another team even if the core was him Kyrie and Love.

You make a good point and I've thought the same thing. Remember in that Finals Parker wasn't quite healthy either and didn't play that well. Wade put up nice numbers but I remember him struggling some himself even in that series. The Spurs can probably survive with either of their old big 3 not playing up to their usual game but if Wade is broken down the Heat the way they have been put together are in trouble. We will see how things shake out.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I don't see Bosh or Wade talking pay cuts for two year deals. The only way they take a pay cut is if it matches or exceeds what they gave up when they opted out which would take 4-5 years to make at a discounted rate. If LBJ wants to sign for 2 years, Bosh is out and taking the max unless the Heat essentially give Bosh and Wade the deals they gave up which I just don't see them being able to do while keeping any kind of team around them. Everyone seems to be wanting to make their decisions based on others and I actually see Bosh as the first domino to fall if LBJ gives him no sign because this is Bosh's last max deal and he would be going to another stacked team. If I'm Bosh, I'm texting LBJ that it's another 4 years in Miami or I'm heading to Houston to win and get paid.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I voted Cleveland. I think James doesn't see a future in Miami, and so Cleveland makes the most sense. It's close to home, and has a very solid young core with 3 No. 1's and 2 No. 4's in recent years. Plus, I think LeBron wants to be loved in his home state again, and he will be welcomed back with open arms.

I think LeBron will be comfortable with the young core Cleveland already has in place, or at least he will be after he has a chance to evaluate Wiggins and Bennett in Vegas, and he will not push for a Kevin Love trade that would gut the team. Realistically, he won't expect to be a contender in 2014-5, but since he is still young, will relish the chance to help a talented young group grow, and will hope to be ready to contend in 2-3 years. It will help his legacy if he can win both in Miami and in Cleveland...winning in Cleveland will seem like more of an accomplishment, since it won't just look like he had to join a super team to win.