OT: Lebron Opts Out

[JaYnYcE]

Let the Melo/Lebron teaming up rumors begin.

 

[Strummer]

G-d that's awesome! The NBA just got a lot more interesting.

As much as I don't like Melo's game, I think he could definitely be more of a team player playing with LeBron.

It's one of those things where you put them together and it's magic or it's an unmitigated disaster.

I hope they go to Cleveland. That would really shift the balance of power.

And when Miami doesn't make the playoffs next year it'll make it a little more clear how much of a load LeBron carried in Miami.

Oh. And I love the fact that LeBron is his own man and does what he thinks is best for himself, and screw what self-serving Pat Riley says.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

There is a 100% chance that Melo and LeBron end up on the same team. Boring basketball. Can't watch NBA.

 

[Dynasty]

There is a 100% chance that Melo and LeBron end up on the same team. Boring basketball. Can't watch NBA.

Not really. The only team that could theorectically sign both of them ,without a massive sign and trade, is the Heat but that doesn't help their problems at position depth.

 

[RayRay19]

Him opting out doesn't really mean anything. That was a known. He is going to use this as leverage for the heat to drastically improve their roster. Lebron has said he doesn't mind taking a pay cut to improve the roster. Does. OK want to take a pay cut just to save the owner some $.

 

[Waquoit]

Him opting out doesn't really mean anything. That was a known. He is going to use this as leverage for the heat to drastically improve their roster. Lebron has said he doesn't mind taking a pay cut to improve the roster. Does. OK want to take a pay cut just to save the owner some $.

LeBron can't be happy with what went on in Miami this year. The owner refused to pay a few extra bucks to stock a decent bench. Now Pat Riley is calling him out after he played his balls off? Who needs that?

 

[Kitaman]

Lebron is a team player. He certainly tries to get his teammates involved and defers quite often. If he goes to a team that has young good talent, allowing him to orchestrate like a point guard, that team will be in immediate position to be in the Finals.

He is not selfish (sometimes to a fault).

However switching teams is not good for one's legacy when compared to the great ones. Kobe, Magic, Jordan, Wade, Bird, Duncan, etc.. didn't voluntarily team hop. They brought the Championships to them.

 

[RayRay19]

If I was Cleveland I would trade the 1st overall pick for love and lure lebron. He gets a very good chance to get a chip in Cleveland, young talent and depth.

 

[FeedTheDove]

LeBron can't be happy with what went on in Miami this year. The owner refused to pay a few extra bucks to stock a decent bench. Now Pat Riley is calling him out after he played his balls off? Who needs that?

Oh, you mean making the finals for the 4th year in a row? They looked awful against one of the best offensive performances the NBA has ever seen. Ray is 100% right on this one. This most likely means nothing. The bigger story is what Wade decides to do, since Bosh has already said that he's willing to take a pay cut like LeBron. If Wade opts in, then I'll entertain the possibilities of LeBron going elsewhere. Until then, it's pretty absurd to think that from a basketball sense.

 

[Jerry1714]

There is a 100% chance that Melo and LeBron end up on the same team. Boring basketball. Can't watch NBA.

There is no chance they team up. None.

Lebron is not an idiot. No way he wants to play with a guy like Melo. His concern is actually winning.

Potential really fun destination for Lebron is Golden State. Trade Klay Thompson for Love. Love, Curry and Lebron.

 

[Dynasty]

There is no chance they team up. None.

Lebron is not an idiot. No way he wants to play with a guy like Melo. His concern is actually winning.

Potential really fun destination for Lebron is Golden State. Trade Klay Thompson for Love. Love, Curry and Lebron.

Still wouldn't have the cap space nor the assets for that.

 

[jfuchs91]

There is no chance they team up. None.

Lebron is not an idiot. No way he wants to play with a guy like Melo. His concern is actually winning.

I really hate this line of thinking. Melo has his faults, but to think that he's a net-negative for a team, or that he can never win a championship is completely absurd. He's got arguably the most well-rounded offensive game in the NBA, is an above-average rebounder, and is a much better defender than he's given credit for.

On top of that, if he were to team up with LeBron, that'd take a lot of defensive attention away from Anthony. The only time Melo hasn't been the primary focus of opposing defenses has been on Team USA, where he's absolutely exploded and played super efficiently.

I don't know where the narratives begin where certain star players "aren't winners", but it's a foolish line of thought. LeBron was considered one of those players before he won. Hell, Michael Jordan was considered one of those players at one point. Do I think Melo can carry a team to a title as the lead guy? I'm not so sure. But to say that LeBron would be an idiot for wanting to play with Melo is just asinine.

 

[Inyatkin]

Jim Boeheim is known for not winning the big one. The one time he did win the big one, it was all because of Carmelo Anthony. While understanding the NBA is not college, to take from that the idea that Carmelo Anthony is not a winner is just odd.
Now please stop so I don't have to defend Carmelo Anthony anymore.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Jim Boeheim is known for not winning the big one. The one time he did win the big one, it was all because of Carmelo Anthony. While understanding the NBA is not college, to take from that the idea that Carmelo Anthony is not a winner is just odd.
Now please stop so I don't have to defend Carmelo Anthony anymore.

You'd better have some defenders on the team if you're gonna build around Melo.

 

[Jerry1714]

I really hate this line of thinking. Melo has his faults, but to think that he's a net-negative for a team, or that he can never win a championship is completely absurd. He's got arguably the most well-rounded offensive game in the NBA, is an above-average rebounder, and is a much better defender than he's given credit for.

On top of that, if he were to team up with LeBron, that'd take a lot of defensive attention away from Anthony. The only time Melo hasn't been the primary focus of opposing defenses has been on Team USA, where he's absolutely exploded and played super efficiently.

I don't know where the narratives begin where certain star players "aren't winners", but it's a foolish line of thought. LeBron was considered one of those players before he won. Hell, Michael Jordan was considered one of those players at one point. Do I think Melo can carry a team to a title as the lead guy? I'm not so sure. But to say that LeBron would be an idiot for wanting to play with Melo is just asinine.

Carmelo has been in the league for 11 years and made it out of the first round twice.

Jordan had 4 titles in 11 years, Lebron has 2. Any comparison of the three and winning is absurd. Almost as absurd as defending Melo's ability to be a team player.

Carmelo has done nothing to change the narrative that he can win a title in this league.

 

[traitor71]

Is there anyone who seriously didn't think he was going to opt out? It's been a given since he came to Miami as it is the only move that allows for salary flexibility for Miami and freedom for him if things don't go as he would like. The ONLY question about Miami is what Wade does.

 

[Inyatkin]

Carmelo has been in the league for 11 years and made it out of the first round twice.

Jordan had 4 titles in 11 years, Lebron has 2. Any comparison of the three and winning is absurd. Almost as absurd as defending Melo's ability to be a team player.

Carmelo has done nothing to change the narrative that he can win a title in this league.

How long did it take Kevin Garnett to make it out of the first round? What's Kevin Love ever done in the playoffs? Where are Chris Paul's championship rings?
Fine, he's not Jordan and LeBron. That's a lot different from being a big loser.

 

[Strummer]

There is a 100% chance that Melo and LeBron end up on the same team.

There is no chance they team up. None.

One of you will be very wrong. Dammit, the tension is killing me!

 

[Danzz]

Lebron is a team player. He certainly tries to get his teammates involved and defers quite often. If he goes to a team that has young good talent, allowing him to orchestrate like a point guard, that team will be in immediate position to be in the Finals.

He is not selfish (sometimes to a fault).

However switching teams is not good for one's legacy when compared to the great ones. Kobe, Magic, Jordan, Wade, Bird, Duncan, etc.. didn't voluntarily team hop. They brought the Championships to them.

Yes but it is clear that Wade's skills have faded along with his playing time. It looks like Ray may retire. The talent level in Miami next season isn't going to be what it was 2 years ago. Agree that Lebron would flourish on a talented younger team and maybe that is the direction he will go.

 

[RichZ]

...I love the fact that LeBron is his own man and does what he thinks is best for himself, and screw what self-serving Pat Riley says.

Isn't "does what he thinks is best for himself," kind of the definition of self-serving? Why is it good for Lebron, but bad for Riley?

 

[SubbaBub]

Is there anyone who seriously didn't think he was going to opt out? It's been a given since he came to Miami as it is the only move that allows for salary flexibility for Miami and freedom for him if things don't go as he would like. The ONLY question about Miami is what Wade does.

If I'm Wade, I opt in like it was a lifeboat. Miami has to be secretly hoping he and Bosh opt out allowing them to resign LeBron at a max+ deal and surround him with better more physically reliable parts.

 

[Jerry1714]

Still wouldn't have the cap space nor the assets for that.

They would need to move some players (Igadula) but it is doable.

 

[traitor71]

Well, certainly Wade has the right to opt in. If anyone has ever deserved it, it is Wade. He brought Miami titles and could have left instead of sticking out a rebuild after the Shaq team ended. The real question is does he want to chase more titles in Miami with James and Bosh. If he opts out, then it's a good bet that Miami already has it all planned out. We know Bosh is in. We know James is in if the team is retooled a bit, which you know Riley will find a way to do. It's just impossible to know about Wade when his earning potential is limited compared to the other two guys.

 

[Strummer]

Isn't "does what he thinks is best for himself," kind of the definition of self-serving? Why is it good for Lebron, but bad for Riley?

Because LeBron doesn't BS about why he is doing anything. He went to Miami to win Ships. That's it. Clear as day. No BS.

Riley gets up and makes a play to "LeBron's legacy" and comparisons to Magic and MJ, who "did it all in one place." Riley has zero concern for James' legacy. He cares about his own success, but he's trying to couch it in terms of concern for somebody else. Or else it was a weird threat. Ergo, in either case, the difference.

 

[HuskyNationJE]

Lebron should take his talents to Storrs and be a UConn Husky. So what if you can't play college after the pros? College kids get paid behind the scenes anyways.