martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:

Caseloads wrote:

Vmart wrote:LeBron's crew didn't put this out. Its Wade's crew that put this out. He has been playing this FA like a MOFO. His goal is LBJ, Bosh and Wade together. He talked smack about Chi and now leaning towards Chi. That reeks of a player trying to block others from going there.

How do you know Wade put this out?

And if he did, Wade is playing great Chess

I have sources.

playas twitter feed? I thought that was all 9/11 stuff

Damn you figured out Wojo's and my source.

kam77 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Here is the part of the original Wojo story that pretains to LeBron's impression of the presentation.

The Bulls must make a strong case to James on Saturday to get him to take what would be $30 million less than the Cavaliers could offer. Sources say one team that all but eliminated itself with James in the presentation process was the New York Knicks. James met with the organization on Friday and his inner-circle has described New York’s presentation as lacking preparedness and organization. James’ camp also found it to be redundant to much of the New Jersey Nets’ far sharper, edgier presentation on James’ earning power.

James hasn’t been convinced that he can overcome the $30 million difference between possible Cleveland and New York offers through endorsements and other streams of revenue. However, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov’s vision of bulking up James’ international portfolio did resonate with him, and the Nets vision of using Brooklyn and the owner’s international muscle does appeal to him.

Sources say that James is dubious his mere presence on the Knicks will be worth that much more to him in endorsements. The appearance of Knicks GM Donnie Walsh in a wheelchair due to a neck problem and the frumpy, unimpressive Jim Dolan didn’t provide James with an image of vibrancy.

All this may be true. The NETS went first and probably stole the Knicks thunder while wowing LBJ with star power.

But i thought the point of holding the meetings in Cleveland was to keep it all about BASKETBALL.

If LeBron was craving pizzazz why didn't he bring his ass to NYC?

That was some dirty ****, cancelling the FA tour. NYC was the sizzle.

LeBron in newark would make me laugh.

Supposedly, Jayz sold Lebron on the fact that he can have his own clothing line and fragances, amongst other things. This doesn't sound very impressive to me, but hey.

Moonangie wrote:

BlueSeats wrote:Lets be honest. The Nets have all the advantages of the NY market along with an image maker like JayZ, a state of the art facility in the making, and a "vibrant" new owner with international ties.

The Knicks are stodgy. They tried to appeal to him as a star or brand, while JayZ went after him as an icon and bedazzled him with nouveau riche glitz.

In short, it was probably the back of the truck with a puffy intern vs the penthouse suite with Beyonce and friends.

Well put. Let's face it, Jay-Z is a master salesman. I love his music. And most of it (like hip hop generally) is a sales job, an attempt to convince us of some sort of iconic status. He's a master presenter, as his many interviews have demonstrated. He gets people, understands how to communicate to a broad audience. He has stature, a super-rich new owner, a slick facility coming soon, and some solid role players.

It's starting to look like Lebron may choose a three year deal with Cleveland (player option in the third year) and jump to Brooklyn in two years when the place opens. Playing in Newark for two years would be a weird segue for his career, can't see him doing it. It's really a shame the Knicks are this pathetic, and I have to agree that it likely flows from the very top. Frumpy loser in charge, Donnie's stature becomes key. But he was in a bloody wheelchair and probably looking a tad pathetic. That just can't compare with Jay-Z and a Russian tycoon.

BRIGGS wrote:

misterearl wrote:Translation: Lebron needs to find something to rationalize his fear of the bright lights of Btoadway

I know, blame the presentation

hilarious

Maybe he saw how Isiah Thomas handled it--with a suicide attempt

This could be a reason. I could think of another.

BRIGGS wrote:

Paladin55 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Here is the part of the original Wojo story that pretains to LeBron's impression of the presentation.

The Bulls must make a strong case to James on Saturday to get him to take what would be $30 million less than the Cavaliers could offer. Sources say one team that all but eliminated itself with James in the presentation process was the New York Knicks. James met with the organization on Friday and his inner-circle has described New York’s presentation as lacking preparedness and organization. 1) James’ camp also found it to be redundant to much of the New Jersey Nets’ far sharper, edgier presentation on James’ earning power.

James hasn’t been convinced that he can overcome the $30 million difference between possible Cleveland and New York offers through endorsements and other streams of revenue. However, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov’s vision of bulking up James’ international portfolio did resonate with him, and the Nets vision of using Brooklyn and the owner’s international muscle does appeal to him.

Sources say that James is dubious his mere presence on the Knicks will be worth that much more to him in endorsements. 2) The appearance of Knicks GM Donnie Walsh in a wheelchair due to a neck problem and the frumpy, unimpressive Jim Dolan didn’t provide James with an image of vibrancy.

1- Sounds like one of LeBron's guys did not have the attention span to watch a professional presentation.

2- This alone tells me that someone was out to sandbag the Knicks, and if James really did make that kind of comment about Walsh his rep should take a major hit.

Palladin-- As I creep older I realize more and more just how much the world is catered to youth. It's a young person's world. As much as it is classless to say something like that it would be swallowed up and chewed in a world where image means everything. Coming in with a man in a wheelchair and the odd Dolan was probably not a selling point to a 25 year old iconic figure good or bad.

Think about that compared to seeing a young high energy coach a billionaire playboy and an iconic entertainer

A. Johnson is a control freak who soon wore out his welcome in Dallas, and Jay Z is a guy who tried to get a piece of the Knicks, and has a seat in the Garden because he's a celebrity and knows that he is not going to be a considered a major league celeb if he does not have seats in the Garden.

I know what you are talking about, and as someone who is getting older I understand that you are right in some ways, but if that is the type of thing that will mean something to James it is going to be a lot easier for me to accept our losing him to another team.

BasketballJones wrote:I think the problem was that Donnie fell asleep, and Dolan showed up drunk. D'Antoni yelled and threatened to bench LeBron in favor of Duhon. Suffice it to say, the presentation was not well received.

So the Knicks' fallback plan of Houston sitting in the corner of the room during the meeting and praying did not have the desired effect?

I'm not saying I think Lebron will sign with us- I'm very sceptical, but I do think that the Nets spinning machine is on overdirve- I mean come on, they start off by announcing that their presentation was tremendous (how on earth do you gauge that- did Lebron start whooping and faint at it's awesomeness?!)claim that they are the "front runners" after being the FIRST and only presentation- ha! They've put up the billboard near MSG, they've got the whole media listing them as the prime landing ground for Lebron- this is a team that won 12 games and was one of the worst of all time! They have 1 mediocre point guard, 1 fair centre, a rookie and NOTHING ELSE! They don't even have a proper home for at least 2 years, they have no GM, and they have a coach that alientates even more players than ours! The fact that they've got so many people convinced of their might is a credit to their spin machine, but it's based on complete bulls****!

The fact is we don't know what Lebron thought of the presentation or indeed how important the presentation was. What I find wierd was where we scheduled- after all the hype and manouvering we did, why did we get hidden away with the second slot, AFTER the nets, and well before the final day where he meets the cavs and bulls? I mean wouldn't he put us first even if he had no intention, just as a courtesy for how much we did to try and get him? I guess I'm hoping he's downplaying the knicks as a place to sign because he doesn't want it to look like it was a foregone conclusion if he signs- but I'm very probably grasping at straws!

smackeddog wrote:That wheelchair comment to me calls the article into question- fair enough someone may be put off by someone turning up in a wheel chair but there is no way that person would then go around afterwards telling their friends: "Wow! Did you see him in the wheelchair?! Thats f***ed up! That's it! I'm not signing there!", it's the kind of thing people keep to themselves.

I'm not saying I think Lebron will sign with us- I'm very sceptical, but I do think that the Nets spinning machine is on overdirve- I mean come on, they start off by announcing that their presentation was tremendous (how on earth do you gauge that- did Lebron start whooping and faint at it's awesomeness?!)claim that they are the "front runners" after being the FIRST and only presentation- ha! They've put up the billboard near MSG, they've got the whole media listing them as the prime landing ground for Lebron- this is a team that won 12 games and was one of the worst of all time! They have 1 mediocre point guard, 1 fair centre, a rookie and NOTHING ELSE! They don't even have a proper home for at least 2 years, they have no GM, and they have a coach that alientates even more players than ours! The fact that they've got so many people convinced of their might is a credit to their spin machine, but it's based on complete bulls****!

The fact is we don't know what Lebron thought of the presentation or indeed how important the presentation was. What I find wierd was where we scheduled- after all the hype and manouvering we did, why did we get hidden away with the second slot, AFTER the nets, and well before the final day where he meets the cavs and bulls? I mean wouldn't he put us first even if he had no intention, just as a courtesy for how much we did to try and get him? I guess I'm hoping he's downplaying the knicks as a place to sign because he doesn't want it to look like it was a foregone conclusion if he signs- but I'm very probably grasping at straws!

well put, sir!

joec32033 wrote:LOL...This is great. Do people realize that since LBJ came in the league, like 10 teams won the NBA championship and Lebron was not on the roster for one of them?

I don't want LeBron. I want a championship. LeBron is NOT a requirement.

that doesn't make any sense. Lebron came in to the league in 2003 and it is 2010 right now. LeBron is the best player in the league, and having the best player in the league helps your chances of winning a championship - no matter what your previous accomplishments are.

Cosmic wrote:So the Knicks are disorganized, frumpy, and washed up.... but the Bulls are doing the right thing right guys?

===
On Friday, executives from the Bulls pushed Dwyane Wade for a commitment during a second meeting but Wade declined for the time being.

Chris Bosh participated for part of the meeting.

Wade and LeBron James are intrigued by the prospect of signing with the same team as free agents.

===

The Bulls also want an answer from LeBron James during their Saturday meeting.

===

....yeah. That's professional, right? But the Knicks, naw, the Knicks are disorganized.

Yeah, okay.

it's the same anti-knick shyt that's been going on for years now.. I dont get where all the animosity comes from.

joec32033 wrote:

skeng wrote:

joec32033 wrote:LOL...This is great. Do people realize that since LBJ came in the league, like 10 teams won the NBA championship and Lebron was not on the roster for one of them?

I don't want LeBron. I want a championship. LeBron is NOT a requirement.

that doesn't make any sense. Lebron came in to the league in 2003 and it is 2010 right now. LeBron is the best player in the league, and having the best player in the league helps your chances of winning a championship - no matter what your previous accomplishments are.

You're right. It doesn't make any sense. It's only been 8 teams.

All I am saying is I want a Championship. I do not care if it is with LeBron or without. LeBron is NOT a requirement for a championship. Does he help the chances, yeah, sure. But he is not required.

A lot of people are acting like if we don't get LeBron, the Knicks will never win a championship. Not the case.

Even LBJ has some drawbacks (behind the scenes problems with his "guys", possible money over winning issues, LeBron the company possibly taking precedence over LeBron the player).

I will state it again. I don't want LeBron. I want a championship. LeBron is NOT a requirement.

I'm with you. And most people probably are - Championship > LeBron. The thing is, LeBron has taken his Cavs team far in the playoffs in several occasions. And those Cavs rosters weren't pretty. To me, LeBron is the guy that will get you closest to a championship - with or without a good supporting cast.

Adding LeBron to your team increases your chance of winning a championship more than if you added any other player in the NBA. Kobe is Kobe, but he won't be able to carry the Lakers like he almost did back in the post Shaq years.