LeBron James Interview w/Stephen A. Smith

[artiesliver]

A-Rod must have given LeBron acting lessons. Even the tilt of the head. Oh boy....LeBron is going to bankrupt the Cleveland Cavaliers. They have to keep him in CLE otherwise that city is going to turn on 'em.

Would love to have him here in NY, take the Knicks back to the next level. Spotlight for him. Win-win situation.

Good questions by Smith. Didn't let up on LeBron.

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[yanni_gogolak]

why would lebron want to go to the knicks with their front office and d'antoni? i realize its ny and all, but he would go the the nets if anywhere.

 

[artiesliver]

If he goes to the Nets when they go to downtown Brooklyn, damn...that means they'll be going after the HARDCORE fans. Continue the rebirth of the Brooklyn. Could work out.

 

[yanni_gogolak]

also i want to point out how ridiculous it is that all these teams are clearing cap space for 2010 when lbj, bosh, wade and stoudamire are free agents. thats not even next year. if you local team is doing this you should boycot them.

 

[eoghater]

hell, i'm just boycotting them because vince carter is on the team.

 

[yanni_gogolak]

hell, i'm just boycotting them because vince carter is on the team.

i dont think the nets dumped, do you? if they did it was last year, which would mean 2.5 seasons of bad basketball.

 

[eoghater]

Nah, Nets are trying to do it the Rays way by getting better with their young, raw talent. Brooklyn isn't happening until at least 2014 so no big name talent will want to play in the swamps. I still think we might be able to sign one lucrative free agent, but Thorn seems to be set on building around harris, yi, and lopez.

 

[fballplaya]

This is only my opinion....but being from Cleveland myself, the ONLY way LeBron stays in Cleveland is if they win a title in the next two seasons...which is a distinct possiblility....they are as deep as any team in the league....

LeBron has said time and time again that he wants to be "Tiger Woods rich." He cannot do that in Cleveland. Cleveland can pay him the most from and NBA contract standpoint, however his contract isn't gonna get him Tiger-rich.

He has clauses in most, if not all of his endorsement deals that escalate his potential earnings significantly if he signs to play in one of the major media markets (i.e. NY (Brooklyn), Chicago, LA).

He does risk losing a lot if he leaves Cleveland however....and so does Cleveland.

 

[yanni_gogolak]

/\
yea, cleveland needs him more than he needs them though. i think its stupid all these athletes need that extra couple mil in the contract. happens mostly in baseball. you cant take that money with you?

 

[Rude]

Blah ... Blah ... Blah .... Who gives a fuck! I can't believe people buy into this crap.

Everything these pro athletes say before they sign is all bullshit. The media has nothing better to do then "try and get the real story" too funny

The fact that these guys James, Bosh, Wade etc have almost 2 years of answering the same fucking questions over and over again, makes me think that the money these guys get is almost worth it. If I was asked the same questions 40-50 times a day, I'd fucking lose it after 2-3 weeks.

Are these media guys stupid ? or do they think the fans are stupid ? Its got to be one or the other. Here is the answer, these "so called breaking news media whores" are looking for.

The Players will sign with 1. Whoever gives them the most money and 2. Which team has the best chance/future to win.

It can't be more clear than that. Why can't these media whores get it. Its no secret ...no mystery. They are a f'in joke.

I still remember all the BS around McGrady when it came up for his big chance at "hitting it, Tiger rich" He kept saying how great it was to play in Toronto, and blah.. blah.. blah. Sign's with Orlando because it was so very important for him to be he #1 guy and to play close to home. I have no problem with that. Fuck .. I would do the same thing.

But where is he now ? Last time I checked he wasnt in Orlando. So everything he said is bullshit, just like everyone else, yet people still buy into it.

Athletes are just as bad as politicians. You believe about 20-30% of what they say .. and you read between the lines of bullshit for the rest.

What sucks is we have almost 2 years left to listen to this crap. I guess the media whores have nothing better to talk about .. or they think people really give a shit.

Hey media whores .... everything from now untill about a week before they can sign means nothing, so why the fuck do you think the fans wan't to listen to your bulllshit ??

 

[yanni_gogolak]

Blah ... Blah ... Blah .... Who gives a fuck! I can't believe people buy into this crap.

Everything these pro athletes say before they sign is all bullshit. The media has nothing better to do then "try and get the real story" too funny

The fact that these guys James, Bosh, Wade etc have almost 2 years of answering the same fucking questions over and over again, makes me think that the money these guys get is almost worth it. If I was asked the same questions 40-50 times a day, I'd fucking lose it after 2-3 weeks.

Are these media guys stupid ? or do they think the fans are stupid ? Its got to be one or the other. Here is the answer, these "so called breaking news media whores" are looking for.

The Players will sign with 1. Whoever gives them the most money and 2. Which team has the best chance/future to win.

It can't be more clear than that. Why can't these media whores get it. Its no secret ...no mystery. They are a f'in joke.

I still remember all the BS around McGrady when it came up for his big chance at "hitting it, Tiger rich" He kept saying how great it was to play in Toronto, and blah.. blah.. blah. Sign's with Orlando because it was so very important for him to be he #1 guy and to play close to home. I have no problem with that. Fuck .. I would do the same thing.

But where is he now ? Last time I checked he wasnt in Orlando. So everything he said is bullshit, just like everyone else, yet people still buy into it.

Athletes are just as bad as politicians. You beleive about 20-30% of what they say .. and you read between the lines for the rest.

What sucks is we have almost 2 years left to listen to this crap. I guess the media whores have nothing better to talk about .. or they think people really give a shit.

Hey media whores .... everything from now untill about a week before they can sign means nothing, so why the fuck do you think the fans wan't to listen to your bulllshit ??

dont sugar-coat it, how do you really feel?

 

[Rude]

dont sugar-coat it, how do you really feel?

:lolBIG: Had to put my 2 cents in. Just tired of hearing about it 5-10 times a night watching the games.

If I had a dime for eveytime someone talked about it untill these jokers signed, I would be "Tiger Rich"

 

[eoghater]

It does get irritating to hear it every night, and it bothers me to hear that lebron wants to be "tiger rich." I always thought he was a humble guy but that greed is going to bite him in the ass eventually. Look at A-Rod, he's almost a billionaire yet his real life is in shambles.

 

[Rude]

It does get irritating to hear it every night, and it bothers me to hear that lebron wants to be "tiger rich." I always thought he was a humble guy but that greed is going to bite him in the ass eventually. Look at A-Rod, he's almost a billionaire yet his real life is in shambles.

When is enough, enough ? 50, 80, 100, 120 Million ?

How much money do these jokers need ? I guess when you have 20-30 people in your entourage that EXPECT you to take care of them it doesnt help.

 

[yanni_gogolak]

When is enough, enough ? 50, 80, 100, 120 Million ?

How much money do these jokers need ? I guess when you have 20-30 people in your entourage that EXPECT you to take care of them it doesnt help.

ha, you would think. but i work at a restaurant where lebron comes every once in a while. he rarely picks up the tab. but i guess he does pay these guys for doing nothing, so really he does pick up the tab.
there was a reader letter in a local news mag last year how lebron stiffed the waitress on a tip on $1,000 check. he came back a week later and gave her a tip, but if that article wasnt there would he have? doubt it.

 

[zeketaylor]

theres honestly 2 ways to look at this


1- financial, what makes your team the most money
2-what makes your team better and able to win


i do not necessarily think lebron fulfills both of these..

if a team struggles for attendance, then sure...win or lose..lebron will bring the crowds

Personally, barring an injury, dollar for dollar i think amare stoudamire is a better free agent aqcuisiton in achieving team success of wins and losses..



If u acquire lebron, he becoems your team, and its everyones job to mold to how he plays....so u may just have to junk your whole back court or frontcourt, if they dont enjoy standing around watching the show.....and lebron is the worst hi profile playmaker when it comes to shooting ft ,the nba has seen with the ball in his hands in the waning moments of a game in my entire lifetime. Bar none.....He also attempts to do alot of things in the clutch that are not really his strenghts.....IE shoots alot of 3s in final 2 mins of games, which is not one of his strength.....Basically if Lebron doesnt win the game for you in the first 42 mins of the game....u better have some capable shot makers in the last few mins, becs he isnt a game winner, but he can get u to the end of the game as well as anyone. I simply think these teams are all gonna overpay because of the whole 'CHOSEN ONE, and highlight stuff....But lets call the nba what it is....A PRODUCT, and if the business is to make money, put the freak show out there, at the expense of spending more wisely and aqcuring guys that will eventually make u winners.

I wish there was a prop bet u could place now on "will LeBrick ever win a nba title ".....id ,love to bet NO

 

[yanni_gogolak]

ha, he does suck at ft's. 3pts? idk about that. the only person who can hit a 3 anywhere on the court better is kobe. and by that i mean he has a hand in his face squared-up elevation or inbounds ridiculous shot. mechanics are not the best in the league, but he basically throws it in there.

 

[eoghater]

As much as the Knicks appeal to lebron, dantoni and walsh are shrewd businessman. They may see through the hype eventually and just nab amare and another great free agent. Plus, these gms arent factoring the potential injuries that may have a factor 2 years from now.

 

[Rude]

As much as the Knicks appeal to lebron, dantoni and walsh are shrewd businessman. They may see through the hype eventually and just nab amare and another great free agent. Plus, these gms arent factoring the potential injuries that may have a factor 2 years from now.

As stated its a business. Who over the length of the contract will bring in more money .... That is the real million dollar question.

The type of team Kobe has is what James is looking for. Problem is, James has yet to grow up and get out of the mindset of "I need to be the centre of attention" etc ...

The more I watch the Lakers, the more I love them. The team is Perfect. Phil and Kobe are finally on the same page, and understand how to play the game/win the game.

If knock on wood, the Lakers stay injury free, and Kobe doesnt fall back into the "I need to be the centre of attention", "Look At Me!" (I don't think this will ever happen again. They guy has really grown/smartened up) no one will be able to beat them out of the Championship this year.

The way these guys play is beautiful. No lead is safe playing these guys. The way they pull away or put teams away .... I've never seen anyone do it better in the last 10 years.

LA could be looking at 3-5 more rings in the next 5 years. No doubt about it.

James will hopefully realize someday that money comes and goes. He could be the next "best player to never win a title"

The "King or Chosen One" I think not.