It's virtually impossible to keep track with all the developments in terms of what team made a good presentation, what team made a bad one ( btw that would be the Knicks being unprepared), and what team made a goofy one (Cavs using Family Guy, Pat Riley waving his rings in front of LeBron), and what team "put 'em on the table" (Bulls doing THIS). It's also tough to really keep track of possible scenarios with anything from Sign & Trades for Chris Bosh, or from Wade joining LeBron in Chicago or with any other team, or from LeBron going to the Knicks to join the recently acquired Amare Stoudemire.
With what I've been able to retain so far, I'd say it's coming down to a photo finish between the Bulls and the Cavs. We all know why Cleveland would be attractive to LeBron. I also must give the Cavs credit. They knew the magnitude of their chance to make their best pitch, and they handled it surprising well to the point where if LeBron had a good idea that he was leaving before all this began...he might be re-thinking it now.
Bottom line : it will come down to what LeBron wants/values more. Behind Door Number 1 is staying loyal, being well compensated while staying loyal, and remaining beloved in his hometown while they "gee, golly, gosh darn will TRY to win". Behind Door Number 2 is leaving home to go for his best chance of winning championships, expanding his brand to unprecedented heights in China (where all the merchandising money is), and run the risk of being hated more than Jim Thome in Cleveland in the process.
The way I feel right now? I think he's staying in Cleveland. I don't know if James is really that calculating or ruthless deep down in terms of positioning himself marketing wise by winning championships regardless of personal feelings. I'm not going to pretend I know the guy, but LeBron has always come across as someone who just wants to have fun more than anything. I think that leaving home to go for rings might be a major obstacle to him having as much fun as he's had in the past. Then again, who really knows? I mean isn't Delonte West still on the Cavs despite bringing the wood to LeBron's Mom?!
I've been wrong before, but I'm lowering the LeBron Clock to 50% after this weekend. The Bulls still have a chance because a lot can still happen, but my confidence is certainly not as high as it once was.
If he does leave i think he will always be compared to Art Modell. Next, I heard Leo Burnett did the marketing campaign for LBJ. The shoes was one thing. The bulls sent 7 empty ring boxes, and a tribune paper headlining his 7th title, starting his greatest. Since, July 1st LBJ received something from the bulls until they made their pitch. Interesting, I believe he is leaving and does want want to announce until after his camp.
ReplyDeleteHe might get similar vitriol as Modell, but it won't be as bad. Cleveland is first and foremost a football town. They've known LeBron might leave for years. Modell moving the team came out of NOWHERE. Modell moving the Browns was the equivalent of lightning striking and burning the town to cinders overnight. That town still hasn't fully recovered from it, and never will until they win a Super Bowl.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right that he's leaving if he's going to the Bulls obviously. If the best case scenario happens and LeBron signs, who would you rather comes with him, Wade or Bosh?
And btw I HATE that they used the shoes on LeBron. It's so condescending and it's treating him like he's an idiot. They shouldn't have to put Jordan's Shadow on him, no matter how much he may like Jordan.
ReplyDeleteIt's a interesting thing about his B-Ball Camp though. If he was going to stay...why not announce it at the camp right?
I think this situation is what Churchill meant when he described Russia as a "mystery, wrapped in a riddle, wrapped in an enigma".
Hey Rossi did you hear LBJ played a pickup game with your gay lover Chris Wright over the weekend at his Nike camp in Akron?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Chris Wright dunked on him.... I guess we'll never know
Yes I actual knew that. C money aka c monster has attended the camp the last 3 yrs. He also matched up on him and both are very good friends. Lbj also got marcus johnson a spot on the cavs summer league team. Marcus and lebron have the same agent leon rose.
ReplyDeleteHa! "C Money"! Hope so this year...
ReplyDelete