LeBron will go.

[leftyg]

I think he will stay. In a recent poll of ESPN writers they were asked where Lebron will land nest year. 38 said Cleveland; eight said New York; three said New Jersey; two said Miami; and one said Boston. The consensus seemed to be that New York is going nowhere; and Lebron does not want to get caught in that. For years the Knicks have tried to build a franchise and all they do is ruin player's careers. Besides, Cleveland has built the franchise organically, the way Lebron has said that he wants it to be built. He does not want to play on a team of thrown together superstars. Plus he has made an enormous investment in his teammates as human beings. This is not just sentiment; these are the people that can take him to the promised land. He has made an enormous investment in a home in the area.

Plus his family is here. If the Knicks moved to Akron, I have no doubt he would bolt. But Akron is to Lebron as his hair was to Samson. Cut his connection to Akron and you sap his strength. Finally, the reason for the Yankee stuff is simple: he is toying with the media and New Yorkers. Could Lebron go? Yes, but it would be a mistake. It would be like the Cincinnati coach taking the Notre Dame job. It will not work; Notre Dame is where coaches go to die. New York is where ballers go to fall apart.

But when Lebron leaves, it is going to be bad for the Cavs. And even if he stays here, when he is 35 or so, he will make an exit. I do not know if the franchise can survive that. No athlete in the history of sport has ever meant more to a town or to a team.

[TribefanstuckinMA]

......But when Lebron leaves, it is going to be bad for the Cavs. And even if he stays here, when he is 35 or so, he will make an exit. I do not know if the franchise can survive that. No athlete in the history of sport has ever meant more to a town or to a team.

Kosar came close with the Browns, but I think LeBron has passed the mark of adulation heaped upon the QB from Boardman and has left him eating dust.

[Sara Tonyn]

LeBron's not going anywhere.

He has everything he wants here -- or he knows he can get it -- and he's close to home, family and friends all of which mean a lot to him. He'll even make the biggest salary by staying here. He's no fool; that's what the "I haven't decided" is all about. Make other teams think they can get him so they'll make the biggest offers they can which will force the Cavs to give him the max. Smart businessman. And he knows how to play the crowds and the media so they keep thinking they have a chance at him.

Besides, the Knicks won't be ready to make a run at a championship for several years even if LeBron joined them immediately and the Knicks brought in another big name free agent to go with him. (Good luck with 2 big name free agent egos arriving at the same time. ) LeBron has made it clear it's all about winning a championship. He'd be crazy to go to a situation where the rebuilding is just beginning.

Have you forgotten the Knicks are owned by a Dolan? And that the fans have called him the worst owner ever? (Sound familiar?) He's destroyed the franchise over the years. (Again, sound familiar?)

Finally, as much as LeBron enjoys being in the limelight, the fickle New York fans and media just aren't worth dealing with up close day in and day out. He'll just continue to flatter them and they'll get over their disappointment. Honestly, if you read what "common man" NYers post on the Net it seems like most of them have already accepted the fact that he's not going there. They're even starting to make fun of the NY hype about it.

BTW, LeBron's mother is fine. I've seen her at games. She deserves respect even if she's not perfect.

[ssopata]

One big picture reason why LBJ will be staying. The 15% ownership by the Chinese investment group. How much more can LBJ make in the US commercially? What better way to become a billionaire athlete than expand your product to the Chinese marketplace. He is already extremely popular in China and these investors will open up even more doors for the James camp as far as endorsements and selling of LBJ products.

I doubt that the investors would have made this deal without assurances that James will re-sign in the summer. How interesting is a Cvaliers team w/o James on board and how wise an investment is it?

[Wahoo1324]

He loves Akron.

He can make more $$$ here.

He has a championship team here.

He has not a championship in NY.

Enough said. He's staying.

[Sara Tonyn]

I doubt LeBron cares or remembers that. LeBron is not an organic kind of guy. Money, fame, glamour, Yankee hats are all better from NY than Cleveland.

I dunno. LeBron seems to remember everything and he's been 100% "organic" up till now.

And who says "Money, fame, glamour, Yankee hats are all better from NY than Cleveland"? If not for the unlimited payroll and storied history of the Yankees nobody seems to like NY more than anywhere else. I don't see a list of athletes dying to join the Mets, Jets, Giants, Knicks, Nets (NY/NJ), Rangers, Islanders or Devils (NY/NJ).

Endorsements and huge $$$ will continue to come to LeBron even if he hides in a cave in Afghanistan. He's probably already the most well-known athlete in the world. He might prefer to get AWAY from all the attention he gets, not add to it by having the NY media hound him day and night and the (nasty) NY fans boo him if he has a bad night.

LeBron is not home much during the season anyway.

Eh? He's home 50% of the time. 41 games on the road, 41 games at home.

LeBron's staying with the Cavs.

[Wahoo1324]

The guy has a special connection with Akron. He said in his book that in basketball tournaments they would be announced from Akron and people would say, "Where's that?" He talked about how he wanted to put the place on the map. If he then left after that...Well, it would look really bad.

[Sara Tonyn]

He talked about how he wanted to put the place on the map.

Yeah, like he puts New York on the map by wearing a Yankees hat all the time, even at Indians games. He is playing you like a violin. And us.

Good grief. He likes the Yankees and they're world champs. I'm pretty sure wearing a Yankees cap -- 24 hrs a day if he chooses -- isn't a secret plot to play anyone. People made a big deal out of him wearing the cap so now he's doing what kids do; wearing it on purpose to annoy the people who criticized him. A passive-aggressive move at most.

And as has been stated several times already, he loves toying with NY; he likes keeping them guessing and hoping no matter how unrealistic it is that he'll go there. If anyone is being played like a violin it's the people who believe all the "LeBron's bolting to NY!" hype. Yawn.

[Sara Tonyn]

He loves toying with NY at our expense? Maybe he’s just an overpaid jerk.

Well, he's not overpaid in NBA terms but like anyone else, he can act like a jerk at times. He's human. And let's face it, it's better for him to stay on New York's good side if possible, for personal reasons as well as for business. Who needs enemies?

Regardless, I don't see him doing anything "at our expense". What has it cost us? The only people losing sleep here are those who buy into the media hype. And you know the media has to milk the story for everything it can. Every city that has a basketball team has come up with reasons why LeBron is likely to sign with them. It keeps readers/viewers/listeners coming back and puts fans in the seats.

[ssopata]

The NBA wants Lebron in New York so to start a east coast west coast Rivalry.And Lebron can sell more shoes

The NBA wants LBJ to go global. Thus, IMO, the Cavs have the inside track with 15% ownership by Chinese investors. He'd sell 10x the amount of shoes in China than he would in NY. He's already one of the most popular athletes there. If James wants to be a billionaire athlete, he's going to have to reach far beyond the U.S.

[Wahoo1324]

The NBA wants Lebron in New York so to start a east coast west coast Rivalry.And Lebron can sell more shoes

The NBA wants LBJ to go global. Thus, IMO, the Cavs have the inside track with 15% ownership by Chinese investors. He'd sell 10x the amount of shoes in China than he would in NY. He's already one of the most popular athletes there. If James wants to be a billionaire athlete, he's going to have to reach far beyond the U.S.

Yeah, cause there are so many famous athletes that play ball in China.

[Sara Tonyn]

Does anyone have a clue into LeBron’s thinking? Does anyone in the Cleveland media care about what’s beyond this season’s NBA championship? It seems like no one wants to know. Or we’re afraid to ask.

The investigative reporting on LeBron James by Cleveland media is pukey and non-existent. No one wants to piss off LeBron by infiltrating his family and close friends to get answers.

When LeBron leaves it won’t be like the turnip truck leaving the farm. It will be lots going with him. I wonder if Cleveland understands that, or if it will survive afterwards.

I agree that the Cleveland media stinks but I'd bet there's a tight lock on everyone connected to LeBron and no one would talk even with great investigators digging for answers. There's no motivation to talk but there's plenty of it to keep quiet.

I still don't understand why you think LeBron is leaving. I don't see that happening at all no matter which angle I look at it from. It looks like all the non-stop hype and rumor mills have claimed you as a victim. Not sure why you bought into any of it, but you clearly did.

Care to make a friendly wager on LeBron's decision? No money, just braggin' rights.

[Sara Tonyn]

LeBron will go even if a contract offer with bonuses by Cleveland is equal or higher than anyone else’s offer. The difference is the preferred venue of a big city and sponsorship potential it would garner. It's LA, Chicago, Boston or New York. Probably New York. But it won't be Cleveland for another five years. That is certain.

I will decline the bragging. It's usually unfair when I enter into a wager.

Okay, the bet is on -- and don't worry, you won't have to worry about bragging!

[ssopata]

The NBA wants Lebron in New York so to start a east coast west coast Rivalry.And Lebron can sell more shoes

The NBA wants LBJ to go global. Thus, IMO, the Cavs have the inside track with 15% ownership by Chinese investors. He'd sell 10x the amount of shoes in China than he would in NY. He's already one of the most popular athletes there. If James wants to be a billionaire athlete, he's going to have to reach far beyond the U.S.

Yeah, cause there are so many famous athletes that play ball in China.

It has NOTHING to do with playing ball IN China. Basketball is the most popular sport in China. The NBA has had teams go over to China to play exhibition games due to it's popularity. The NBA sees the potential market there for the selling of merchandise. It would make sense to market your leagues biggest star, who is already immensely popular there, to create more interest. It's about the almighty dollar, bottom line.

But I'm sure that James would much rather wind up in NY, taking a step back playing with a team that resembles our roster from '03-'06, and being knocked out in the 1st round of the playoffs.

[leftyg]

Go to New York and delay winning his second championship until he is 28 or 29 or stay in Cleveland and win or at least compete for the championship every year. Besides he wil be the king of Akron and Cleveland. He will never be that in New York. Also, these folks who talk about the Chinese market speak to Dan Gilbert's brilliance as an owner and his ability to create a solid venue for Lebron and company.

[Sara Tonyn]

He’s been King of Akron and Cleveland for a long time. A king wants a real kingdom, and big kingdom, a flashy concert kingdom. That’s New York.

No. It's here. He built his palace in Bath, Ohio.

[Sara Tonyn]

No. It's here. He built his palace in Bath, Ohio.

A palace is not a kingdom. He’s King James and he needs a kingdom, not a palace that sticks out like a sore thumb in an otherwise boring neighborhood.

Apparently LeBron doesn't agree with you. He built the palace exactly where he wanted it. His Kingdom is all of Northeast Ohio not simply a neighborhood. If he wanted to live in NY he would have bought or built something there long ago no matter which team he played for in the entire NBA.

Care to add to our friendly wager a bit? Do you ever attend Cavs' games?

[Alex]

I don't see LBJ here in 5 years either. That's a long time in NBA terms. If they don't win the championship this year or next, I think he'll go elsewhere.

If they do win, he'll stay longer, but still not 5 years.

If I can get a piece of that bet, Sara, I'd be happy to take it (either for bragging rights, a ticket to a Cav's game or some other prize).

The bet would be that LBJ plays for the Cavs until the end of the 2014-15 season. If he plays for any ther team during that time, I win. If he plays continuously for the Cavs during that period, you win.

[Sara Tonyn]

I don't see LBJ here in 5 years either. That's a long time in NBA terms. If they don't win the championship this year or next, I think he'll go elsewhere.

If they do win, he'll stay longer, but still not 5 years.

If I can get a piece of that bet, Sara, I'd be happy to take it (either for bragging rights, a ticket to a Cav's game or some other prize).

The bet would be that LBJ plays for the Cavs until the end of the 2014-15 season. If he plays for any ther team during that time, I win. If he plays continuously for the Cavs during that period, you win.

So I have to wait until the middle of 2015 to collect on a bet? Ummmmm...

Got anything a little more practical to offer? Waiting 5 years to claim bragging rights or a couple of Cavs tickets is a bit ridiculous don'tcha think?

I guess you're forgetting about the players who spend their entire careers with one team. It doesn't happen all that often because not many players have a choice. It's usually the superstars who stick with one team, as long as they're wanted. The others tend to get traded even if they'd like to stay where they are.

When LeBron inks his new contract with the Cavs, I think you can close the door on him going anywhere else for the rest of his career unless the Cavs organization goes straight to Hades. But as long as they're one of the top teams in the NBA there's no reason to go anywhere else to chase a title, especially once he gets one here. He has his heroes' records to chase: Jordan, all his rings & entire career with Chicago; Kobe, all his rings & entire career with L.A.; and then there are his all-time heroes.

[Sara Tonyn]

Who do you think I am? A rich white guy? I don’t want to add to our wager.

Ah, I see. You're already worried about how you'll pay up. That makes sense from your viewpoint.

I want to make it as painless as possible for you to back out as the time approaches and you and everyone realize LeBron will vanish.

Me back out of something -- especially when it's a lock?

You don't know me very well! Maybe you should ask around...

[TribefanstuckinMA]

I don't see LBJ here in 5 years either. That's a long time in NBA terms. If they don't win the championship this year or next, I think he'll go elsewhere.

If they do win, he'll stay longer, but still not 5 years.

If I can get a piece of that bet, Sara, I'd be happy to take it (either for bragging rights, a ticket to a Cav's game or some other prize).

The bet would be that LBJ plays for the Cavs until the end of the 2014-15 season. If he plays for any ther team during that time, I win. If he plays continuously for the Cavs during that period, you win.

Alex, what kind of deal is this? You KNOW the world is ending in 2012, right?

[Alex]

So I have to wait until the middle of 2015 to collect on a bet? Ummmmm...

Got anything a little more practical to offer? Waiting 5 years to claim bragging rights or a couple of Cavs tickets is a bit ridiculous don'tcha think?

I guess you're forgetting about the players who spend their entire careers with one team. It doesn't happen all that often because not many players have a choice. It's usually the superstars who stick with one team, as long as they're wanted. The others tend to get traded even if they'd like to stay where they are.

When LeBron inks his new contract with the Cavs, I think you can close the door on him going anywhere else for the rest of his career unless the Cavs organization goes straight to Hades. But as long as they're one of the top teams in the NBA there's no reason to go anywhere else to chase a title, especially once he gets one here. He has his heroes' records to chase: Jordan, all his rings & entire career with Chicago; Kobe, all his rings & entire career with L.A.; and then there are his all-time heroes.

I agree, there is plenty to keep him here. However, unless he wins a championship in the next couple of years, I think he'll be gone as that is his most cherished goal. I don't think the Cavs can surround him with the talent needed to make consistent runs at a championship -- so he'll head to greener pastures.

I choose the five year horizon because it came up in your earlier offer to bet someone who also used five years.

Don't take the bet if you don't want to.

[Wahoo1324]

First you say, he needs to reach beyond the U.S. and into China. But then you say he doesn't need to play there.

But I'm sure that James would much rather wind up in NY, taking a step back playing with a team that resembles our roster from '03-'06, and being knocked out in the 1st round of the playoffs.

Exactly. That's why he's staying in Cleveland, freaking Ohio.

[Wahoo1324]

First, you assume Cleveland will win a championship this year. Second, you assume, having won this championship, that a second one will be forthcoming. Shaq and Zee are old men. Donte is on and off.

No, he said "at least contend."

[ssopata]

First you say, he needs to reach beyond the U.S. and into China. But then you say he doesn't need to play there.

You're not reading the part where I typed for MARKETING purposes he needs to reach out to China. Never said he needs to PLAY in China. The Cavs, having 15% ownership by Chinese investors, will help get the LBJ team an inside track to commercials and product endorsement.

[Sara Tonyn]

Tell me New York isn’t obsessed with LeBron James. Look at the following links on the Times sports section today. Three of the eleven links are about LeBron James and the Cavs. One link appears twice:

Matthews Calls The Tune as Jazz Block Out Suns
James Outduels Wade as Cavaliers Edge Heat
Paul Hits Winning Shot for Hornets
Hot-Shooting Bulls Stop Spurs, Win 3rd Straight
James Outduels Wade as Cavaliers Edge Heat
Billups' 27 Points Leads Depleted Nuggets
Boozer Leads Jazz in Win Over Suns
Hot-Shooting Bulls Stop Spurs, Win 3rd Straight
LeBron Saves Cavs at the End, Beat Heat 92-91
Hawks End Houston Drought With 102-95 Win
Randolph Leads Grizzlies to 11th Straight Home Win

All of the basketball world is obsessed with LeBron. Where have you been?

Monday's game against the Heat was LeBron vs DWade -- 2 superstars and close friends -- and they put on one heckuva show. That game was a headline story everywhere not just NY. If you missed the 2nd quarter and the final 2 minutes, you missed some of the best NBA highlight film of the season.

[ssopata]

If James stays in Cleveland, he will sign a series of short term contracts. (3 years) This will keep the front office on their toes to make sure they keep a competetive team surrounding him.

[leftyg]

If James stays in Cleveland, he will sign a series of short term contracts. (3 years) This will keep the front office on their toes to make sure they keep a competetive team surrounding him.

Exactly right. Even if the Cavs get Chris Bosh in the off season, Lebron will continue to put pressure on Dan Gilbert to put a winner on the floor.

I do not see Lebron leaving, but the most interesting scenario has him going to the LA Clippers. Blake Griffin, who sat out this year, will be there next year. The Clippers have a good nucleus for a team. They are competitive this year without Griffin. They inhabit a big market, LA, but are second banana. With Lebron and another superstar, they could make Kobe and the Lakers second banana. That appeals to Lebron's sense of humor. It is a Lebron thing to do. He will not go to New York because the Knicks quite frankly suck. I also think New York would be a bad place for him to ply his excellence.

[Sara Tonyn]

They're not getting Chris Bosh. I'd love it, but no way will it happen. It would put a ring on each of LeBron's fingers for a few years, but Bosh will probably re-sign with Toronto or go to Miami to play next to DWade instead. If the Heat don't bring in a star for DWade, they can kiss him goodbye. You can see his frustration boiling over already.

Forget the Clippers for LeBron. No chance of that happening.

After LeBron re-signs with the Cavs this summer, he'll do what all the superstars do when their contracts are up. Nothing different. There's more drama this time because it's his first chance at FA and he's doing what he should do. Milk it for all it's worth.

[ssopata]

Why did LeBron kick the bottle? Because he didn’t play the forth quarter to bring his game average up? Sounds like a Zee tantrum: Blame coach Brown because he puts his team above personal accomplishments. LeBron needs a slap-down. When he leaves, we can only insult him.

The water bottle incident happened in the 1st qtr of the game. And it was a water cup that he slapped off the top of the cooler.

Not justifying it as he came across as childish and douchey.

Nice post, would be much better if you actually had facts to back it up. Good effort though.

[Wahoo1324]

Why did LeBron kick the bottle? Because he didn’t play the forth quarter to bring his game average up? Sounds like a Zee tantrum: Blame coach Brown because he puts his team above personal accomplishments. LeBron needs a slap-down. When he leaves, we can only insult him.

Big deal. People show frustration all the time and kicking a water bottle doesn't sound like that big a deal.

[Wahoo1324]

Stupid rednecks.

It was a theory. It’s nice to have just theories when we don’t get anything better from smartasses like you.

The only problem was it didn't fricken happen in a chronological order that made sense. It's nice to have your facts straight when dealing with dumb@$$es like you.

It is a big deal. LeBron is not your average frustrated person just kicking a bottle around the kitchen. Something larger than an electric bill or girlfriend caused LeBron to do that.

No, but he is still a PERSON who does get frustrated. Big deal. For example, he got upset with a ref. So he takes it out on a water bottle. It happens in sports all the time.

What are you suggesting happened other than your ignorant theory that didn't make sense because of the order it happened?

[ssopata]

Nice post, would be much better if you actually had facts to back it up.

It was a theory. It’s nice to have just theories when we don’t get anything better from smartasses like you.

So it better to theorize that he was acting like a child because the coach pulled him from the game, keeping James from achieving personal statistics? Sorry I presented the fact it happened in the first quarter. I was mistaken though on the kick. From the video I saw it looked like he slapped the cup off the water bucket. I saw a video from a different angl and he did indeed kick the set up. My bad. At least I'll admit I was wrong. As far as being a smartass, at least it's better than being a theorist and spewing idiotic statements. Bt keep doing what you do, you're the tops!