LeBron James a Net, why it can happen
June 27, 2008 by James Edwards
Filed under Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, NBA Basketball, New Jersey Nets
NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.
LeBron James in a Cav’s uni drives on Richard Jefferson in a Net’s uni. Jefferson is now a Buck and LeBron could become a Net
Image details: Cleveland Cavaliers v New Jersey Nets served by picapp.com
The New Jersey Nets are starting over.
Heck, they have been starting over for years. Ever since they beat the Pistons in the conference finals, years ago, they have been on a slow downhill slide.
Now they want LeBron James.
The Nets need a perfect storm to make this happen once James can opt out of his Cleveland Cavaliers contract and make himself the most desirable free agent in NBA history. The Nets are counting on part-owner Jay-Z’s personal crusade to recruit his close friend to Brooklyn, but there’s nothing to discuss until the Nets remake themselves for the long run.
During the regular season, the Nets unloaded Jason Kidd to Dallas and ended up much younger with Devin Harris.
Now they have traded Richard Jefferson with his 42.5 million dollar contract to the John Hammond run Bucks for Yi Jianlian, so they picked up size and unloaded a sizeable long term contract. Yi may never develop into much of a player, it is too early to tell, but in the New York area, he will have an audience. Meanwhile, John Hammond lands a star player with toughness for his new energized tough Bucks. It will be fun to follow John’s future moves.
In the draft they added size and shooting.
two No. 1 picks on Thursday night – Stanford’s Brook Lopez and California’s Ryan Anderson. They would’ve been satisfied with this change, but a player who they had considered picking at No. 21 – Memphis’ Chris Douglas-Roberts – dropped to them early in the second round.
LeBron James plays one more year before he is a free agent. New Jersey wants to be well under the salary cap, because if they land LeBron, they also may land one of his friends, like Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire.
If any two of those players are put together … Wow!
You can only imagine how much LeBron could make in New York compared to Cleveland. LeBron would become the global icon that David Stern has wanted since Michael Jordan moved into the front office.
As always, any NBA Basketball related comments are welcome.
More blogs about basketball.
James,
I have never done this before, but I am sorry your post is so insipid I just had to respond. First of all you are ill-informed LeBron James does not become a free agent in the Summer of 2010, he has an opt-out clause. As you may be aware, Shawn Marion and Ron Artest have the same clause this Summer, neither will exercise it. I was Sports Director of Metro Networks in Cleveland for 8 years. I covered the Cavaliers as a radio beat reporter for 11 years, from 1995-2006. I also covered the NBA Finals games in Cleveland last season. I interviewed LeBron James after every home game for his first three years in the Association. LBJ has stated that he has no intentions of leaving the Cavaliers http://www.slamdunkcentral.com/2008/06/18/lbj-tells-radio-station-right-now-i-cant-see-myself-going-anywhere-else/. Now tell me James why you think that you have inside information that I do not have? LBJ will not go to New York, New Jersey, or Brooklyn. He owns the city of Cleveland. He does not want to share the back pages with Jeter and Manning. Plus the Cleveland media treats him with kid gloves. He would never subject himself to the New York Media. I eagerly await your response!
Your an idiot Lebron gone get over it
me? an idiot? ouch!
by the way, that would be “You’re” as in “You are” and not “Your”.
I really hope this does not happen, i just want him to stay in Cleveland or at least somewhere thats not, well New Jersey, maybe somewhere more like Miami or Orlando somewhere that just seems more appealing, or my what i really want is him to stay in Cleveland
Lebron would be much more dominant with Jefferson and Harris on his side.I think that would be awesome for the Nets.I hate Clevland.
Eric,
Jeffesron is now in Milwaukee
Jeff, great response and a great blog you have. Had to look up the word insipid! It means boring. Boring? Don’t care if you don’t agree with me. And it sounds like you may be closer to the situation than me. That is fine, but Boring is not! Help!
As for LeBron, just reporting the news.
The news is that the Nets are setting it up to make a go for LeBron.
The news is that David Stern and the NBA brass would love to have LeBron in a major city like New York.
The news is that LeBron could make so much more money in New York.
Will he go? Says he won’t now. But what if Danny Ferry can’t put a better team around him?
Is there no scenario where you see him leaving, Jeff?
@ Jeff Sack – LBJ would become the star among stars in the league’s largest media market. I don’t think he’d have to worry about “sharing” exposure with the likes of Jeter. How do you feel about James earning power in a city like New York? Do you think that aspect of potential departure is blown out of proportion or do you feel it has merit? “I eagerly await your response.”
Brandon,
As I wrote back to James Having LBJ in Cleveland makes Cleveland a viable market for the NBA. It was not before he got there. That matters more to Stern than having him in NYC. Boston and LA are the hubs of the NBA,as the ratings showed. When the Knicks were in the Finals the ratings were poor. Also how can LBJ make any more than he already does? He is omnipresent! EveryWhere! The ESPYS, Saturday Night Live, the Commercials. He has his picture on the side of a building a block away from where he plays! Look at his contracts with Nike, Sprite, that new vitamin water. Plus as far as pure NBA salary, the Cavaliers having his Bird rights can pay him more than any other team! So again I don’t see how playing in NYC, NJ or Brooklyn benefits him. It’s only a matter of time Brandon if he does that he ends up on the back page of the Post or the News in some controversy. That will never happen in Cleveland!
Ferry better put a better team around him or he is gone.
James,
You’ll get no argument from me there my friend. As I wrote you last night LBJ made it clear after game 7 in Boston, that changes had to be made. That’s why as I wrote you last night, I think they go after Redd. Milwaukee has made it clear they are rebuilding, Redd has 3 years left, they can get rid of Szczerbiak after one. Now you have LBJ, Redd, and Delonte West, nice little core to build from!
i think lebron is better at cleveland because because there are so much fans who like him there but who cares if he gets more money
in new york cleveland is his home town
I’m a VERY big Nets fan ever since J-Kidd arrived. Of course, they aren’t the greatest team in the NBA history, but J-Kidd just hooked me into the team so much, i’m a full fledged Nets fan and hell, i live in South California. I don’t hate Lebron, don’t get me wrong, he is a hell of an amazing player, but as much as i want the Nets winning and going into the Playoffs, i just am really scared of what James might bring for the Nets. On the 09 trade deadline, VC was rumored to be traded everywhere and VC is also another reason i love the Nets. His salary was just too much for the rebuilding team. Now, VC isn’t in his prime anymore, but he’s still putting up amazing points, but comparing VC to LBJ, chances are more likely for LBJ winning playing wise and salary wise. I would hate to see a veteran Captain to leave New Jersey as J-Kidd already has. VC is the stronghold of the team for the young kids and he already has them under his wing as he wanted. Adding either DWade or LBJ would just ruin it a bit. I mean if we (Nets) could have DWade/LBJ + VC, i’d be satisfied. Cleveland isn’t his hometown. Akron is. Jay Z, hope you make a wise decision on this one.
I am a big fan of the nets. they are my favorite team.if lebron james hasnt resigned by the 2010 free agency i am absoulutly sure that he will be in brooklyn playing alongside with devin harris. that would be amazing.on the other hand i dont see the nets being a better team than they are now.They were so close to making it this year but a couple of games slipped in the final minutes.I wouldnt be sure about what the starting line up would be for the nets. so whoever reads this please reply by telling me what you think that starting line up would look for the 2010 brooklyn nets!