Portland and the summer of Lebron

by 7677maniac on Nov 20, 2009 10:27 AM PST

Lebron James wants to be a NBA Champion.

Most commentators see James going to New York. At least one says he well stay in Cleveland (or should stay).

But what teams would give James a legitimate chance of winning a championship?

First, if he wins with the Cleveland team he has right now, then I'd say he could win anywhere.

If James, and Cleveland don't win this year, then where would James go? I am not going to address the possibility of getting personnel that might make it work in Cleveland, but what teams have the personnell James needs to win now.

Let's start with the Lakers. A proven champion without Lebron. A big market team with deep pockets. Always willing to make a big deal. Everyone feels this would be a good team for James. The lakers have two good post players, a great two guard, a capable if not outstanding point guard, and a very good defensive small forward who can score in streaks. James would be a definite upgrade at small forward.

What other teams are similar to the Lakers?

Orlando. Two post players. A very good shooting guard. An excellent point guard. Weak at small forward. Enter Lebron.

Portland. Two post players. A very good shooting guard. A good, capable point guard. Deep at small forward/guard but Lebron would be a definite improvement.

These teams have the talent, two have the market, and Portland has a deep pocket (Allen). James wouldn't have to worry that the teams listed would have to rebuild or be just another Cleveland--plenty of good players but not enough to bring home a trophy. These teams have very good defensive centers, good scorers at power foward and shooting guard, good if not excellent point guards, good to adequate small forwards (Portland may have very good small forwards as they become more experienced) and they don't have to acquire additional pieces to go with the addition of Lebron.

It seems to me if Lebron James wants to win a championship, and team skill is the main criterion for choosing a team, then the following teams would be the best destination for James:

1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Orland Magic
3. Portland Trailblazers

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Comments

he is going to play football

ha. That would be amazing, and I personally think he would be a bad as$ at football. It would be awesome to see him come to Portland, but Portland is way to small for lebron. I think he is going to go to New York with Wade or Bosh.. or Amare… that would be pretty beastly…

"The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don't have to waste your time voting"

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by jpaulson on Nov 20, 2009 10:39 AM PST reply actions

in a globalized economy

who cares how big the city is? The market is the globe!

Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash

by HurraKane212 on Nov 20, 2009 11:36 AM PST up reply actions

I said that to but if Turkey dissed us, Lebron wont even look in our direction.

The Dude: Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here!

by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 20, 2009 3:05 PM PST up reply actions

He's Ready For Football

He’s already taken the steroids.

by Anim8rguy on Nov 20, 2009 2:15 PM PST up reply actions

It would be nice

but yeah, if Turkyglue doesn’t want to play here, LeBron doesn’t want to play here.

by pdxlifer on Nov 20, 2009 10:45 AM PST reply actions

I think getting paid an additional $17 million a year has got to be a factor.

Would you give up a hundred million dollars for a real good shot at a championship? Especially when you’ve got a shot at it anyways? I don’t think I would. And Portland can only offer the MLE.

Still, it’s fun to dream, and I feel bad when I crush hopes and dreams.

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by T Darkstar on Nov 20, 2009 10:52 AM PST reply actions

We could do a sign and trade

We have a lot of talent we could give them back.

Not that I expect this.

"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5

by jscot on Nov 20, 2009 12:51 PM PST up reply actions

That would defeat the purpose of Lebron coming here

I’m completely against trading our good young players, and he would be too. Why go to a team that you ruin by getting traded their?

...and that's a good thing

by In Walks Rudy on Nov 20, 2009 2:12 PM PST up reply actions

We have enough talent

to send a lot of good talent and still have a great team.

For example, we could send Joel and Andre (for salaries) and Rudy and Nic (for talent), and rights to Freeland and a couple first round picks.

You’d have a starting lineup of Blake or Bayless, Brandon, LeBron, LMA, and Greg. Your bench would be thin — Travis, Blake/Bayless, Cunningham, Pendergraph. But you’d have an all-world starting lineup, and you could use your MLE and Bi-level exceptions to grab some bench role players. Perhaps buy some draft picks, too. And you could certainly get some guys to come for the vet minimum.

I’m not saying I would like this, but we have enough talent to give up a lot in that kind of deal and still have a great team. And for Cleveland, it would be better than losing him for nothing.

Even if we had to include LMA and Rudy in the deal, it would hardly ruin this team.

"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5

by jscot on Nov 21, 2009 12:38 AM PST up reply actions

no deal...

there is no deal that Cleveland would make with us that didn’t include Roy going to them. All of our mid-level talent doesn’t add up to the best player in the NBA.

...and that's a good thing

by In Walks Rudy on Nov 21, 2009 8:44 AM PST up reply actions

If it's a sign and trade

as opposed to LeBron walking for nothing to an Eastern Conference team, we’re in a better position to dictate terms than they are.

LeBron for nothing to NJ vs. LeBron to Portland for LMA and Andre and Nic. Easy choice for the Cavs.

"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5

by jscot on Nov 23, 2009 1:53 AM PST up reply actions

But even if it was Roy

KP would do Roy and Andre and Nic and a first rounder for LeBron in a heartbeat. And in no way would that ruin this team.

You’d start Blake, Rudy, LeBron, LMA, and Oden. The bench would be Bayless, Martell, Travis, and Joel. We’d use our MLE to get a backup SG. It wouldn’t be a great bench, but it wouldn’t matter.

The idea that a sign and trade would ruin Portland is out of bounds. We have so much depth, we would have lots of role players.

Not that this would ever happen, or should.

"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5

by jscot on Nov 23, 2009 2:03 AM PST up reply actions

He'll never play in a small market by choice

Ego is too big. Can’t live without constant attention.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Nov 20, 2009 11:14 AM PST reply actions

For two years?

And then move to the Lakers when Kobe shows decline?

by 7677maniac on Nov 20, 2009 11:30 AM PST up reply actions

he couldn't play in LA

Then L@ker fans would not be able to hate him

"The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don't have to waste your time voting"

"I don't like jail, they got the wrong kind of bars in there"
Charles Bukowski

by jpaulson on Nov 20, 2009 11:37 AM PST up reply actions

I'd add Miami to the list

First of all, Miami has the ability to do what neither of the 3 you mention can do – sign him outright next summer to a max deal. In order to sign with LA, Portland or Orlando, James would either have to take the MLE (yeah, right….) or agree to a sign and trade. But Miami will have the cap space to just sign him.

Secondly, Miami has Wade. James and Wade could make for the deadliest combo in the league.

Thirdly, Miami (like Orlando) has an advantage because of Florida’s tax situation.

Finally, after signing James, Miami would still have some room to sign another quality FA (probably a big man) to go with Wade/James/Beasley/Chalmers.

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by Storyteller on Nov 20, 2009 11:37 AM PST reply actions

My criterion was

that you wouldn’t have to add any other player but Lebron.

by 7677maniac on Nov 20, 2009 11:45 AM PST up reply actions

he saying miami wouldn't have to, but could.

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by Zaron5551 on Nov 20, 2009 12:17 PM PST up reply actions

If James is smart

he will sign with the Bulls. They are a huge market, have a up and coming pg and a good young big, plus they will have more money after signing James to sign someone else to the team. His second choice should be Miami, playing along side D-Wade would be amazing to watch, I wonder if he really do that though, because he would have to share the spot light with Wade, niether one might be willing to accept the “scottie pippen” role. But if one of them was, then it would be a very very good team.

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by usmcr3049 on Nov 20, 2009 11:39 AM PST reply actions

i agree

James won’t go to Miami. He’s driven by winning and fame. He’ll want to define the franchise. The Bulls do offer that opportunity, but he might just feel he is ripping off Jordan.

New York and New Jersey make the most sense from a “marketing” standpoint, but the basketball situation is terrible. So my guess is he signs a short term deal with Cleveland and see whether NY and NJ can get it together.

by atomiccafe on Nov 20, 2009 11:44 AM PST up reply actions

If James is smart

he won’t pin his hopes of championships on pairing up with Wade. Who knows how long Wade’s career will last?

"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5

by jscot on Nov 20, 2009 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

plus #23 is retired there

"I play, Coach stays. He goes, I go." - Jimmy Chitwood

by DucRider on Nov 20, 2009 4:06 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Miami

Don’t see Beasley as a defensive force or rebounder.

by 7677maniac on Nov 20, 2009 11:43 AM PST reply actions

Not going to happen

An all-world ego like him wouldn’t come to a city like Portland for a ring, especially not if it’s going to cost tens of millions of dollars.

It’s fun to dream about, but I think it will be a lot more fun to see Roy and Oden take him out 4-2 in the Finals in a couple of years. 40 points a night isn’t worth a ring if you’re playing on a mediocre Cavs team or a bad NY team!

by JonathanPDX on Nov 20, 2009 11:51 AM PST reply actions

No way

James needs the ball in his hands to be effective, and that will take away from Roys game.

And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.

by RipCity on Nov 20, 2009 11:54 AM PST via mobile reply actions

No way

James needs the ball in his hands to be effective, and that will take away from Roys game.

And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.

by RipCity on Nov 20, 2009 11:55 AM PST via mobile reply actions

But would you trade Roy for Lebron

we’d have to match salaries somehow. wy not swap Roy for Lebron?

Personally I like Lebron about as much as I did Jordan; they are very good but neither are gods.

by NWfan on Nov 20, 2009 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

Would the Bulls trade Jordan for Clyde then?

And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.

by RipCity on Nov 25, 2009 11:59 PM PST up reply actions

Not happening...

not sure if anybody else said brought this up, but Lebron want’s to be the first athlete to make a billion (isn’t Tiger there yet?)… coming to Portland, championship or not, would greatly slow that potential down. He might want a championship, but I think money is still more important at this stage in his career.

...and that's a good thing

by In Walks Rudy on Nov 20, 2009 12:08 PM PST reply actions

thanks for saying that

meWOW

by Philthyanimal on Nov 20, 2009 2:15 PM PST up reply actions

i’m pretty sure tiger is there if you include endorsements, but tiger will most likely be the first to reach a billion by sports earnings alone. (i believe).

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by Marmaduke on Nov 20, 2009 6:38 PM PST up reply actions

hes half way there

meWOW

by Philthyanimal on Nov 21, 2009 3:59 AM PST up reply actions

New Jersey with Courtney Lee, Brook Lopez, and Devin Harris is where Lebron should go.

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by Zaron5551 on Nov 20, 2009 12:18 PM PST reply actions

I think this is right

They are also going to add a top quality player in the draft this year.

"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5

by jscot on Nov 20, 2009 12:55 PM PST up reply actions

possibly the #1 pick in the draft at the rate they're playing now.

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by Zaron5551 on Nov 20, 2009 1:42 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed

He’ll be in Brooklyn (Russian oligarchs >>>>>>>>>>global recession), Jay Z is a co-owner (even more crossover appeal), and Lopez, Harris, Lee, Williams and at the very least a high lottery pick, which they could use on a player or trade the pick/Harris for another post. Brooklyn could be a budding powerhouse.

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by blazeraddict on Nov 20, 2009 2:29 PM PST up reply actions

For sure.

by Nick Van Excellent on Nov 20, 2009 2:24 PM PST up reply actions

I wouldn't want him on the team anyhow.

"We believe" -Rudy Fernandez

by twiggs on Nov 20, 2009 12:24 PM PST reply actions

Lebron wants to win a championship

but he’s more concerned with his image than his team. He won’t play in Portland.

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by koyote on Nov 20, 2009 12:35 PM PST reply actions

exactly. in my opinion Lebron wants to create a Jordan like image to make money

winning a championship is part of making the image.

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by Zaron5551 on Nov 20, 2009 1:43 PM PST up reply actions

hes already moved on from that (winning a championship)

and wants to be better at an alternative sport than jordan was.

meWOW

by Philthyanimal on Nov 20, 2009 2:16 PM PST up reply actions

we cant afford him

with aldridge and miller

bayless leaves over my dead body
thanks for starting Andre

by thomasikehara on Nov 20, 2009 12:48 PM PST reply actions

no.

We need the cap space for CP3.

My team went to the playoffs in my first year.

by pxilpooshr on Nov 20, 2009 3:00 PM PST reply actions

RONDO!!!!

Is all we need
Go Blazers!!!!!

by blaze1 on Nov 20, 2009 3:43 PM PST reply actions

Lebron in NYC is just too perfect

Let it happen. It’s good for the league.

by wilsonpdx on Nov 20, 2009 3:54 PM PST reply actions

One Problem

If the finals are scheduled to be LA vs. NYC what happens to Boston? And we sure can’t have LA vs. Boston if Lebron is in NYC. No way Stern would allow that to happen.

I think that the Celtics will move their franchise to NY this year and Lebron will join them to ensure we get the classic East vs. West finals matchup for the next ten years. It won’t matter if Kobe turns 40 and breaks a hip or Lebron shatters his wrist dunking on a third-string point guard, NY + Boston Vs. LA = $$ The NBA, where profiteering happens.

by JonathanPDX on Nov 20, 2009 4:13 PM PST up reply actions

Brooklyn Celtics?

by wilsonpdx on Nov 20, 2009 4:31 PM PST up reply actions

It might be horrible paranoia but...

Somehow I see the l@kers pulling some rediculous pau style sign n trade for artest+filler for lebron. Wouldnt be suprised to see them do the same for monta ellis since they really dont need a pg anyway.

Portland could coast along with their superior talent and stay right with us. Now that Portland woke up, the hammer cometh down.

by Batumshakalaka on Nov 20, 2009 5:22 PM PST reply actions