s3231 wrote:So many people say that if LeBron wins a title, there is a better shot he comes over here.

I'm not sure anyone truly knows what LeBron is thinking though.

I feel like you can make a strong argument for him coming here either way. I mean if he wins a title, he delivers on his promise and some may say that allows him to come to NY without being hated. On the other hand, him leaving a championship team in Cleveland may make him look like an even bigger jerk because Cleveland would have demonstrated the ability to surround him with a championship caliber supporting cast.

Conversely, you can say that if he doesn't win it this season in Cleveland, there is a good shot he comes here because he may never win one over there as his supporting cast is only getting older and Cleveland doesn't have too much flexibility to improve the personnel. On the other hand, you can say that him leaving Cleveland without delivering a title would make him the ultimate villian as Cleveland hasn't celebrated a professional sports title since 1964 (the Browns).

That's why I suggest all Knicks fans just watch the playoffs and try to enjoy. No matter who wins the title, chances are we'll probably still be as clueless as we are now.

No doubt, but if he really means it that he wants to deliver he can cut his salary to bring in the talent. Endorsement wise he'll make it back many times over. Lebron needs a "chip" to keep his marketing going.

We are all witness to his greatness, but its gotta win one.

I'm done trying to figure out what LBJ in going to do.

LeBron on free agency: It's all about winning
Knicks Blog
Berman on TwitterBy MARC BERMAN
Last Updated: 5:50 PM, February 15, 2010
Posted: 2:44 AM, February 13, 2010

Despite starting out his interview session at All-Star weekend in Dallas by saying he's not talking about free agency until after the season, LeBron James dropped a hint that could be something of a dagger to hopeful Knicks fans.

"It's all about winning," said James when asked about his summer. "It's going to be a great summer -- a very thought-out summer -- and I'm going to make the decision that's best for myself and my family."

"It's all about winning" is not necessarily the most encouraging phrase for Knicks officials as the club heads for its ninth straight losing season at 19-32.

"It's all about marketing." "It's all about Nike." "It's all about being on the world's greatest stage." If James made one of those statements, it would have been better for the Knicks.

If James is participating in his final All-Star game as a Cavalier, he is doing it in style. His Cavaliers are "all about winning," because they have the league's best record (43-11) and are on a 13-game winning streak.

"It's fun," James said. "You can walk around here with a strut that a lot of people can't walk around here with. We got the No. 1, best record and a 13-game winning streak. To represent our team and franchise is great."

Whether he represents Team USA in the World Championships is "up in the air" because of his free-agent status.

Reiterating what he said last Saturday after beating the Knicks, James said, "I got a busy schedule going as far as my summer that I got to iron out. So we'll see. I got a lot going on this summer." It's a summer that should include at least a recruiting visit to the Knicks. James, still looking for his first NBA title, made it clear he was disappointed to be the only Cavalier at All-Star weekend.

The Knicks and Cavaliers have the same number of players in Sunday's game, with David Lee's selection Thursday over Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal as the injury replacement for Allen Iverson.

The Knicks have three All-Stars overall, with Danilo Gallinari in the rookie-sophomore game and 3-point shooting contest and Nate Robinson in the Slam-Dunk contest. Gallinari was selected over improving Cavalier, J.J. Hickson.

"I have two All-Stars and that's Mo Williams and Shaquille, even though they're not voted here as All-Stars," James said. "Mo Williams is an All-Star and Shaquille O'Neal is an All-Star."

James, the leading candidate for MVP, also dipped into the O'Neal-Dwight Howard controversy. O'Neal said this week he's disappointed Howard has stolen his "Superman" nickname.

"I think Shaq is going to go down as one of the greatest basketball players to ever play this game," James said. "He's the most dominant force that we've ever seen and Dwight is doing some great things right now. Being a younger guy, he's great."

Asked if he would be upset if someone else tried to take his "Chosen One" nickname, James said if the player could back it up, fine.

"I don't have a problem with guys want to follow in my footsteps and want to be great and have my nickname," James said. "I have no problem with that, as long as they perform under the name the right way. You can't just take 'King James' or 'The Chosen One' if you go out there and don't perform the right way."

The negotiations between the owners and players' union have become fractious with reports of massive salary cuts in maximum deals. That could effect James' thinking this summer. Instead of taking a chance with the Knicks and signing a deal that has an opt-out after three years, James probably would want the security of the longest term -- six years.

"The owners are going for more harsh contracts and things like that," James said. "My role will be hopefully to play a big part in it. It can affect not only myself but every guy."

Allanfan20 wrote:

crzymdups wrote:lebron never said winning is his ultimate goal. he said becoming the first billion dollar basketball player is his ultimate goal. i think we can assume he wants to win as part of that, but he's got make more than $1 as a player to become a billion dollar player. he's gotta get that investment capital!

He's said on a number of occasions that winning is his prime goal.

he's also said on a number of occassions that being the first billion dollar player is his prime goal. not saying he doesn't want to win, but he's a business man, too. the idea of him signing for $1 is ridiculous in the extreme.

Currently, he's pretty much universally loved at this point by everybody outside of that dumb ass Skip Bayless. He comes here and that all changes --- potentially.

The whole midwest will hate his guts, especially Ohio obviously. The left coast hates NY, so they will hate Lebron just off general principle. The media are consistent in their anti-NY bias and wont hesitate to paint Lebron as a mercenary who broke the heart of his hometown team.

He's got a good situation right now and a lot to lose. Yeah, he will be the biggest star in the biggest media capital, but the whole image of Lebron changes.

I'm glad you brought up the Kobe-LA example, because that helps. The only reason why baseball is constantly marginalized as being unfair is because the Yankees dominate. You never hear the same type of attacks geared towards the Lakers, and the NBA, even though they have dominated for the past 30 years and reload their squad with top flight talent at will.

Media, fans, ext. condemn the whole sport of baseball just because they hate NY, lol. Trust, people will hate him if he signs with NY. The envy and hate for NY is strong, bro. Started with the south and their hostility towards the "yankee northeast" and it spread over the decades.

Lebron was on record as loving Curry's game.

Lebron + another free agent + Gallo + Curry. Thats a hell of a nucleus

Yankees are hated but its for winning 27 titles and biytch slapping the baseball world. Then George and his merry cash machine installed a new tradition.

Where Jordan was the face of the Bulls and perhaps the NBA, no real yankee can lay that claim. Ali, Jordan, and Tiger are all in a different catagory. Gretzky was like that in Canada, and Pele in his day was as big as you can be given the media era.

My point is that I agree that Lebron can build his brand in Cleveland and be a global icon. But all things being the same, he still has to win, and winning in NY has more glamor to it then Cleveland. Were there too many celeb's in celeb row in Cleveland? THis guy is ambitious in many ways. Its just bigger here.

As far as hating "damm Yankees" by southerners, well lets just say that your small mind redneck yankee hater is not the demographic to be wearing Lebron apparel even if it got Cleveland on it either!! I have been to BObcat games were the Knickfans were louder, and Cavs fans (AKA: LeBron Homers") also came out big. Lebron is his own entity.

NYC has exported millions of people to parts of the country. ATL has a ton of NYers there as does Miami. Those games draw lots of knick support.

I don't think we are entitled to him, nor is he going to fail in Cleveland.

I just think it would be bigger in NY. ANd ambitious people want it big.

If not this year, we'll always have cap room for him.