*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (1 Viewer)

[drummer]

BTW, article on James' Samsung campaign from Slate, with a bit of writer fill/bias that doesn't matter, but still illuminating nonetheless:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2012/12/05/lebron_james_samsung_ad_galaxy_note_ii_ad_wins_over_old_lebron_hater_video.html

It's a great ad. Way better than the smug iPhone ads with last year's It Girl Zooey Deschanel prancing around talking to Siri. Great ad with James using his phone like we all do, unlike said Zooey who just made me feel that Siri was annoying as she is.

 

[Daywalker]

Lebron is about 10 years from even considering returning to Cleveland.

He should go back to Cleveland. The goodwill he'd garner, especially if they win titles, would be an avalanche. The average fan loves to root against Lebron right now. That would change to a large degree if he went back to Cleveland.Lebron had $42mill in endorsements last year. Kobe had $34mill. Seems like the disparity should be much larger at this point in time. We've all the seen the segments on ESPN wondering why Paul and Griffin are all over the tube , commercial-wise, while Lebron is nowhere to be found. Just seems like Lebron is leaving a lot of money on the table.

Perhaps that will change if he keeps on winning in Miami or say NY or LA and it gets overwhelming. But it may not. It hasn't happened yet. I do think if he went back to Cleveland and won it would guarantee him maxing out endorsement-wise. Could set him up to be one of those guys who continues to rake on huge endorsement dollars long after he retires.

So financially going back to Cleveland makes the most sense IMO. Lebron and Irving along with the rest of that young-promising roster would be very formidable. Plenty of assets to trade for another stud if necessary too. Financially and basketball-wise it's a no-brainer.

LeBron and Durant are all over the commercials up here. Paul and Griffin each have one set of commercials (insurance and Kia). I can't recall a Kobe commercial since the rape trial.

Maybe it's a regional thing?

Perhaps Lebron is in regional commercials. But the ESPN segment I took in said he hasn't been featured in a national television campaign in more then a year. Was a McDonald's monopoly campaign a while back. Markets don't get much bigger then SoCal and I don't see Lebron doing commercials ever. Don't think Kobe is doing any national campaigns either.

The storyline writes itself if Lebron went back to Cleveland. We love to build people up then knock them down. But we also love to forgive. Don't get me wrong I don't fault Lebron for leaving Cleveland besides the decision. Going back home is the perfect third act. To Cleveland. Americana. Think a lot of fans would be rooting for Cleveland to win a championship instead of rooting for anyone but Lebron. The sentiment is against Lebron. Staying in Miami is not going to change that and going to LA or NY will only make it worse. Lebron has been to the finals three years in a row with back to back titles. Yet you don't see him doing national Nike, Gatorade or McDonald's campaigns. Going to Cleveland could flip that script.

I used to see commercial spots of James holding a huge Galaxy Note II like it was an iPhone. Having Samsung as a sponsor is a huge deal.

Am I the only one seeing segments on ESPN with Magic Johnson wondering why Lebron does not have more national campaigns while CP3 and Griffin are on every commercial break?

I dunno. Maybe James is tied into The Big Three a bit right now. I just see Griffin on a few spots but I doubt that contract would be as huge as James' would he decided to endorse the same product. Maybe James and his agent are carefully crafting what happens next, and that very well could be hinged on what happens in 2014. But the Samsung campaign is a nice pull, although I haven't seen any of he doing one for the GS4. That's probably more due to Samsung's many devices.

Lebron 42mill in endorsements. Kobe 34mill. I would think Lebron would be making much more. Kobe was a pariah for a time. James is the center of the universe NBA-wise and his worst moment was a bad hour on ESPN not a rape charge.

Tiger Woods is still one of the highest paid sports figures, maybe even more then James or Bryant. Personal issues or past transgressions and accusations wane in the public eye over time, and with the current climate of reality shows and celebs who are flawed, it ain't like anything is shocking enough to derail talent. Sports stars are the new rock stars. Why? Because there are no rock stars anymore.

I agree to an extent. But Woods and Federer are kind of in a different ballpark. They appeal to such a wealthy demographic. Lebron v. Kobe is more appropriate. If I'm Lebron I'm wondering why I'm not making double what Kobe rakes in.

 

[Daywalker]

I got railed for saying the Evans contract was insane but the same sentiment was made between Simmons and Lowe on their recent BS report.

 

[drummer]

Lebron is about 10 years from even considering returning to Cleveland.

He should go back to Cleveland. The goodwill he'd garner, especially if they win titles, would be an avalanche. The average fan loves to root against Lebron right now. That would change to a large degree if he went back to Cleveland.Lebron had $42mill in endorsements last year. Kobe had $34mill. Seems like the disparity should be much larger at this point in time. We've all the seen the segments on ESPN wondering why Paul and Griffin are all over the tube , commercial-wise, while Lebron is nowhere to be found. Just seems like Lebron is leaving a lot of money on the table.

Perhaps that will change if he keeps on winning in Miami or say NY or LA and it gets overwhelming. But it may not. It hasn't happened yet. I do think if he went back to Cleveland and won it would guarantee him maxing out endorsement-wise. Could set him up to be one of those guys who continues to rake on huge endorsement dollars long after he retires.

So financially going back to Cleveland makes the most sense IMO. Lebron and Irving along with the rest of that young-promising roster would be very formidable. Plenty of assets to trade for another stud if necessary too. Financially and basketball-wise it's a no-brainer.

LeBron and Durant are all over the commercials up here. Paul and Griffin each have one set of commercials (insurance and Kia). I can't recall a Kobe commercial since the rape trial.

Maybe it's a regional thing?

Perhaps Lebron is in regional commercials. But the ESPN segment I took in said he hasn't been featured in a national television campaign in more then a year. Was a McDonald's monopoly campaign a while back. Markets don't get much bigger then SoCal and I don't see Lebron doing commercials ever. Don't think Kobe is doing any national campaigns either.

The storyline writes itself if Lebron went back to Cleveland. We love to build people up then knock them down. But we also love to forgive. Don't get me wrong I don't fault Lebron for leaving Cleveland besides the decision. Going back home is the perfect third act. To Cleveland. Americana. Think a lot of fans would be rooting for Cleveland to win a championship instead of rooting for anyone but Lebron. The sentiment is against Lebron. Staying in Miami is not going to change that and going to LA or NY will only make it worse. Lebron has been to the finals three years in a row with back to back titles. Yet you don't see him doing national Nike, Gatorade or McDonald's campaigns. Going to Cleveland could flip that script.

I used to see commercial spots of James holding a huge Galaxy Note II like it was an iPhone. Having Samsung as a sponsor is a huge deal.

Am I the only one seeing segments on ESPN with Magic Johnson wondering why Lebron does not have more national campaigns while CP3 and Griffin are on every commercial break?

I dunno. Maybe James is tied into The Big Three a bit right now. I just see Griffin on a few spots but I doubt that contract would be as huge as James' would he decided to endorse the same product. Maybe James and his agent are carefully crafting what happens next, and that very well could be hinged on what happens in 2014. But the Samsung campaign is a nice pull, although I haven't seen any of he doing one for the GS4. That's probably more due to Samsung's many devices.

Lebron 42mill in endorsements. Kobe 34mill. I would think Lebron would be making much more. Kobe was a pariah for a time. James is the center of the universe NBA-wise and his worst moment was a bad hour on ESPN not a rape charge.

Tiger Woods is still one of the highest paid sports figures, maybe even more then James or Bryant. Personal issues or past transgressions and accusations wane in the public eye over time, and with the current climate of reality shows and celebs who are flawed, it ain't like anything is shocking enough to derail talent. Sports stars are the new rock stars. Why? Because there are no rock stars anymore.

I agree to an extent. But Woods and Federer are kind of in a different ballpark. They appeal to such a wealthy demographic. Lebron v. Kobe is more appropriate. If I'm Lebron I'm wondering why I'm not making double what Kobe rakes in.

It doesn't matter to me who makes more. These guys make more $$$ than anybody could ever spend. Despite the demographic.

Jerry Rice never had a big time endorsement despite being one of the greatest football players of all time. He was doing local radio spots for Cintas on KNBR. Ocho Cinco had more endorsement cred than Rice had.

I admire Magic Johnson because he put that business acumen back into the community. It's not what they make playing, it's what they make after they are finished and what they do with it. Endorsements are just what their value is at the given time. Now Magic is part owner of the Dodgers. As much as I want to hate him, I still can't help but admire him even more, given that he had lived through the stigma of the HIV virus.

 

[Daywalker]

As I brought up in my initial post Lebron could be beloved like Magic if he went back to Cleveland. Could set him up to be one of the few who make more after his playing days then during.

I'm just driving at that Lebron would be better served going back to Cleveland then a major market like LA/NY. On top of it Cleveland probably has the most talented roster of any of the landing spots for Lebron.

Basically I'm just looking for a counter-argument against him returning to Cleveland.

 

[drummer]

As I brought up in my initial post Lebron could be beloved like Magic if he went back to Cleveland. Could set him up to be one of the few who make more after his playing days then during.

I'm just driving at that Lebron would be better served going back to Cleveland then a major market like LA/NY. On top of it Cleveland probably has the most talented roster of any of the landing spots for Lebron.

Basically I'm just looking for a counter-argument against him returning to Cleveland.

It's not so much as he returning to CLE as much as he would be successful there. Has anything changed in CLE in the ownership and front office that would bring him back?

Magic never changed jerseys. He stopped playing to due to the HIV virus.

 

[JMon348]

LeBron and Durant are all over the commercials up here. Paul and Griffin each have one set of commercials (insurance and Kia). I can't recall a Kobe commercial since the rape trial.

Maybe it's a regional thing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it3nzV8r6R4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVHxgNsBbqU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huHmHshx9g0

 

[Abraham]

I didn't realize Myck Kabongo hadn't been drafted. He's on the HEat summer league team and while his outside shot leaves something to be desired, he has good size (6'3) and is plenty quick. I realize a player like Jordan Farmar knows how to locate the team bus and not be late to practice, but Kabongo costs less and would probably produce similar results in a year or two.

 

[Juxtatarot]

As I brought up in my initial post Lebron could be beloved like Magic if he went back to Cleveland. Could set him up to be one of the few who make more after his playing days then during.

I'm just driving at that Lebron would be better served going back to Cleveland then a major market like LA/NY. On top of it Cleveland probably has the most talented roster of any of the landing spots for Lebron.

Basically I'm just looking for a counter-argument against him returning to Cleveland.

Miami is more fun and he's on a team that he picked, has won championships and might win more.

 

[TobiasFunke]

As I brought up in my initial post Lebron could be beloved like Magic if he went back to Cleveland. Could set him up to be one of the few who make more after his playing days then during.

I'm just driving at that Lebron would be better served going back to Cleveland then a major market like LA/NY. On top of it Cleveland probably has the most talented roster of any of the landing spots for Lebron.

Basically I'm just looking for a counter-argument against him returning to Cleveland.

It's not so much as he returning to CLE as much as he would be successful there. Has anything changed in CLE in the ownership and front office that would bring him back?

Magic never changed jerseys. He stopped playing to due to the HIV virus.

Well, the Cavs changed GMs right around the time LeBron left. But more importantly, the talent that would surround him has completely changed. That was the whole reason the LeBron-to-Cleveland talk started up in the first place. No Kyrie, no LeBron. If Anthony Bennett pans out ... you've got a solid starting lineup at the 1, 2 4 and 5 with a LeBron-sized hole at the 3.

 

[Abraham]

As I brought up in my initial post Lebron could be beloved like Magic if he went back to Cleveland. Could set him up to be one of the few who make more after his playing days then during.

I'm just driving at that Lebron would be better served going back to Cleveland then a major market like LA/NY. On top of it Cleveland probably has the most talented roster of any of the landing spots for Lebron.

Basically I'm just looking for a counter-argument against him returning to Cleveland.

Miami is more fun and he's on a team that he picked, has won championships and might win more.

I don't see why he would go to LAL. I just don't. He can be the "next great Laker" or he can put a stamp on a Miami franchise the way the Bulls wil ALWAYS be Michael first, everyone else (Rose included) following behind. NBA players certainly view legacies differently than fans so who knows what's important. I understand that playing in LA means having Jack courtside just as the Knicks mean having Spike courtside. There is celebrity and fame and some other things. But isn't Lebron pretty much the biggest celebrity in every building he ever plays basketball in? Is he really going to be in awe that Dianne Canon never misses tipoff? IIRC there are only a couple players that have had their jerseys retired by multiple teams, but is that important to him?

As for the Cleveland return I think the Bynum signing is sneaky good. Lebron isn't going to Cleveland to help Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson turn in to the 6 seed. The only chance they have on the court is to have a team that is "one Lebron away from a banner." A healthy Irving, healthy Bynum....it's not quite Wade and Bosh but it's not that far off if you think about Wade being another year older. Could that core win the East? Hard to bet against a Lebron team with two quality sidekicks.

 

[TobiasFunke]

As I brought up in my initial post Lebron could be beloved like Magic if he went back to Cleveland. Could set him up to be one of the few who make more after his playing days then during.

I'm just driving at that Lebron would be better served going back to Cleveland then a major market like LA/NY. On top of it Cleveland probably has the most talented roster of any of the landing spots for Lebron.

Basically I'm just looking for a counter-argument against him returning to Cleveland.

Miami is more fun and he's on a team that he picked, has won championships and might win more.

I don't see why he would go to LAL. I just don't. He can be the "next great Laker" or he can put a stamp on a Miami franchise the way the Bulls wil ALWAYS be Michael first, everyone else (Rose included) following behind. NBA players certainly view legacies differently than fans so who knows what's important. I understand that playing in LA means having Jack courtside just as the Knicks mean having Spike courtside. There is celebrity and fame and some other things. But isn't Lebron pretty much the biggest celebrity in every building he ever plays basketball in? Is he really going to be in awe that Dianne Canon never misses tipoff? IIRC there are only a couple players that have had their jerseys retired by multiple teams, but is that important to him?

As for the Cleveland return I think the Bynum signing is sneaky good. Lebron isn't going to Cleveland to help Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson turn in to the 6 seed. The only chance they have on the court is to have a team that is "one Lebron away from a banner." A healthy Irving, healthy Bynum....it's not quite Wade and Bosh but it's not that far off if you think about Wade being another year older. Could that core win the East? Hard to bet against a Lebron team with two quality sidekicks.

Don't forget about Bennett. In two years he could be a force, and there's a good chance that he's at least a solid contributor.

 

[Premier]

As I brought up in my initial post Lebron could be beloved like Magic if he went back to Cleveland. Could set him up to be one of the few who make more after his playing days then during.

I'm just driving at that Lebron would be better served going back to Cleveland then a major market like LA/NY. On top of it Cleveland probably has the most talented roster of any of the landing spots for Lebron.

Basically I'm just looking for a counter-argument against him returning to Cleveland.

Miami is more fun and he's on a team that he picked, has won championships and might win more.

Yea, but still.

 

[Slapdash]

What's the problem with Monta Ellis?

He shoots all the time at a really low percentage, turns the ball over a ton, doesn't play defense, and makes everyone around him worse.

Other than that, though...

Thanks. I don't watch a ton of basketball.

 

[Gr00vus]

I didn't realize Myck Kabongo hadn't been drafted. He's on the HEat summer league team and while his outside shot leaves something to be desired, he has good size (6'3) and is plenty quick. I realize a player like Jordan Farmar knows how to locate the team bus and not be late to practice, but Kabongo costs less and would probably produce similar results in a year or two.

They need guys who can play this year who will play for the league minimum on a 1 year contract. Kabongo belongs in a completely different conversation from whether the Lakers should have brought Farmar back or not.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Monta fires his agent. Surely that was the problem.

 

[Abraham]

Monta fires his agent. Surely that was the problem.

That's awesome. "What do you mean no one is giving me 13 a year? You're the guy that told me to decline the Bucks extension!"

 

[tommyGunZ]

I didn't realize Myck Kabongo hadn't been drafted. He's on the HEat summer league team and while his outside shot leaves something to be desired, he has good size (6'3) and is plenty quick. I realize a player like Jordan Farmar knows how to locate the team bus and not be late to practice, but Kabongo costs less and would probably produce similar results in a year or two.

They need guys who can play this year who will play for the league minimum on a 1 year contract. Kabongo belongs in a completely different conversation from whether the Lakers should have brought Farmar back or not.

Exactly.

Relatively no risk in bringing in Farmar. He knows the Laker way and would seem to be a great fit in D'Antoni's offense.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Monta fires his agent. Surely that was the problem.

That's awesome. "What do you mean no one is giving me 13 a year? You're the guy that told me to decline the Bucks extension!"

Do you think Monta is aware about what the advanced stat geeks think about him? I would assume so.

 

[Abraham]

Monta fires his agent. Surely that was the problem.

That's awesome. "What do you mean no one is giving me 13 a year? You're the guy that told me to decline the Bucks extension!"

Do you think Monta is aware about what the advanced stat geeks think about him? I would assume so.

He would have never turned down that extension if he was. He's 27 years old and scores 19.5 per 36 minutes and he's likely getting 2 and 3 year offers under 11 each year. He HAS to know that something is wrong with how his game is perceived.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Monta fires his agent. Surely that was the problem.

That's awesome. "What do you mean no one is giving me 13 a year? You're the guy that told me to decline the Bucks extension!"

Do you think Monta is aware about what the advanced stat geeks think about him? I would assume so.

Nope. He probably thinks that if he can just get a couple more touches a game he'll be as good as LeBron.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Pekovic rumored to be getting 4/$50M from Team Whiteout.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Pekovic rumored to be getting 4/$50M from Team Whiteout.

Corey Brewer deal close too. I guess they need someone to play a little D.

 

[Gr00vus]

Marc Stein: Rumbles persist that Luke Ridnour winding up in OKC as an offshoot on Kevin Martin's forthcoming signing with Wolves is option on the board Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Ridnour would be a helper in OKC I think - better than having to run Fisher out there at least.

 

[Timmay]

Marc Stein: Rumbles persist that Luke Ridnour winding up in OKC as an offshoot on Kevin Martin's forthcoming signing with Wolves is option on the board Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Ridnour would be a helper in OKC I think - better than having to run Fisher out there at least.

Reggie Jackson went HAM yesterday in the summer league, scoring 24 in the 4th, 35 in the game (grant it, its summer league). Don't know when Westbrook is projected to be back. Does he pull a Derrick Rose and sit out the entire year?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

is it grant it or granted?

 

[Moe.]

Marc Stein: Rumbles persist that Luke Ridnour winding up in OKC as an offshoot on Kevin Martin's forthcoming signing with Wolves is option on the board Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Ridnour would be a helper in OKC I think - better than having to run Fisher out there at least.

Reggie Jackson went HAM yesterday in the summer league, scoring 24 in the 4th, 35 in the game (grant it, its summer league). Don't know when Westbrook is projected to be back. Does he pull a Derrick Rose and sit out the entire year?

No chance in hell. He'll be back before the season starts.

 

[sporthenry]

is it grant it or granted?

Granted.

 

[Gr00vus]

Marc Stein: Rumbles persist that Luke Ridnour winding up in OKC as an offshoot on Kevin Martin's forthcoming signing with Wolves is option on the board Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Ridnour would be a helper in OKC I think - better than having to run Fisher out there at least.

Reggie Jackson went HAM yesterday in the summer league, scoring 24 in the 4th, 35 in the game (grant it, its summer league). Don't know when Westbrook is projected to be back. Does he pull a Derrick Rose and sit out the entire year?

Looks like Ridnour is heading back to the Bucks anyway.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

He knows the Laker way

 

[Abraham]

I find it bizarre that ridbour has had such a long career.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Simmons' plan for saving the Lakers:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9466869/lakers

Agree with most of this (especially the Bieber part), but Ujiri's not taking on Nash for sentimental reasons. Gasol trade might be iffy too.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Simmons is spot on with that piece.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

is it grant it or granted?

Same thing, for all intensive purposes.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Gasol trade might be iffy too.

Yeah, Bulls won't do that. There aren't enough minutes for Gasol, Boozer, and Gibson and they would have only Butler as a decent defensive wing to throw at Miami (or Brooklyn or Indiana or New York).

 

[Premier]

Their coach is realistically two years away from taking over the Minnesota Lynx or the Pepperdine Waves.



and keeping their stars nearly 100 percent of the time, with two notable exceptions: a celibate A.C. Green and a decidedly uncelibate Dwight Howard.

he got some good shots off in this one.

 

[Abraham]

Reggie Williams to Houston.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Good article except no team would agree to those trades.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

Bynum to Cleveland.

Nice of Simmons to waste the time to create an article of trades with zero chance of happening.

 

[Mentos]

Reggie Williams to Houston.

he had some good years with the nuggets

 

[Abraham]

Reggie Williams to Houston.

he had some good years with the nuggets

Different guy. This one was Undrafted, went to dubs, then cats.

 

[No. 16]

Reggie Williams to Houston.

he had some good years with the nuggets

Different guy. This one was Undrafted, went to dubs, then cats.

He'll be good on the Rockets since they may play a similar style to the Nelson Dubs. I'll be rooting for him to do well, like I always will with CJ Watson, Anthony Morrow, Kelenna Azubuike, and Anthony Tolliver.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Even if Bynum flops, #Cavs risk is minimal. They are paying him what they paid Luke Walton last season.

 

[Abraham]

Parsons and Beverly combined making less that Royce white. Oof.

 

[thecatch]

Gasol trade might be iffy too.

Yeah, Bulls won't do that. There aren't enough minutes for Gasol, Boozer, and Gibson and they would have only Butler as a decent defensive wing to throw at Miami (or Brooklyn or Indiana or New York).

Unless you think there's a fork sticking out of Gasol right now and he's finished, there's no way you turn down that trade because you are worried about Pau Gasol eating into Taj Gibson's minutes.

 

[thecatch]

I got railed for saying the Evans contract was insane but the same sentiment was made between Simmons and Lowe on their recent BS report.

Lowe wrote an entire column about the Pelicans today and didn't kill the deal, FWIW.

 

[sporthenry]

Even if Bynum flops, #Cavs risk is minimal. They are paying him what they paid Luke Walton last season.

Well I was very wrong with this. I have to think he is still injured if this is what he is getting. What, $6 million is guaranteed/$6 million incentives based and 2nd year team option.

 

[Gr00vus]

Gasol trade might be iffy too.

Yeah, Bulls won't do that. There aren't enough minutes for Gasol, Boozer, and Gibson and they would have only Butler as a decent defensive wing to throw at Miami (or Brooklyn or Indiana or New York).

Unless you think there's a fork sticking out of Gasol right now and he's finished, there's no way you turn down that trade because you are worried about Pau Gasol eating into Taj Gibson's minutes.

If they got this done real soon, couldn't they amnesty Boozer? Not that any of that will happen, just saying.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Even if Bynum flops, #Cavs risk is minimal. They are paying him what they paid Luke Walton last season.

Well I was very wrong with this. I have to think he is still injured if this is what he is getting. What, $6 million is guaranteed/$6 million incentives based and 2nd year team option.

That's what's being reported.

That same ABJ reporter asked a Cavs team rep if one of Bynum's knees was worse than the other and the answer he got was "They're both not good"

 

[Premier]

Even if Bynum flops, #Cavs risk is minimal. They are paying him what they paid Luke Walton last season.

Well I was very wrong with this. I have to think he is still injured if this is what he is getting. What, $6 million is guaranteed/$6 million incentives based and 2nd year team option.

That's what's being reported.That same ABJ reporter asked a Cavs team rep if one of Bynum's knees was worse than the other and the answer he got was "They're both not good"

That probably shouldn't put that in the season ticket flyers.