Anthony Davis

[Kyrie4MVP0202]

I think this part is glossed over because Cavaliers fans are coming off two All NBA level players leaving in consecutive seasons. Davis had no ties to New Orleans but was a good soldier for seven seasons. For the most part, those seasons were wasted as the GM failed to acquire enough talent to make much of a splash in the post season. It was often painful watching Davis and a bunch of nobodies get swept time after time in the first round.

I thought the Pelicans were onto something last season, but the Boogie injury killed them. Now they find themselves in the familiar position of bottom quarter of the Western Conference.

And somehow LeBron has him signed to his agency and has him declaring he wants a trade to the only team that could afford him.

The Lakers.

I’m not poking the bear here as I’m only pointing him out in a room full of nothing else.

How are you OK with this? This is a seismic shift in NBA history and there’s no other example of this taking place.

LeBron is holding and entire organization and fan base hostage with his agency.

How come this is not talked about?

 

[KilgoreTrout]

The entire league is unhappy until someone unseats that team. Ok they did it within the rules, but it was a total fluke. No one else gets the opportunity they got and maybe things break different for that organization without them. Boogie even signed to GS instead of NO. They got nothing because he got hurt in a contract year.

Davis should play out his contract. GS ruined the league for now. It's one of the most talented group of players the league has ever seen, and yet there is no doubt who will win because Durant joined the superteam who barely beat him.

Not to mention Steph’s bionic ankles. In another universe - one that was probably even more probable than the one we actually inhabit, Steph struggles with ankle injuries for 5-7 years, before hanging it up. As it happens, he gets the ligaments of some kind of moose-cheetah-gazelle hybrid cadaver, and his ankles now have superhuman strength. Remember - GSW had him on a cheap contract for so long, bc his ankles were not trustworthy. We just had shit luck.

 

[gourimoko]

LeBron is holding and entire organization and fan base hostage with his agency.

How come this is not talked about?

FWIW, everyone in LA that I know is thrilled to have LeBron and no one cares if the entire team were traded or the coach fired. The mandate is to win, not many people really care about the other players - and frankly, most Lakers fans don't even know half the players on the team.

 

[Kyrie4MVP0202]

FWIW, everyone in LA that I know is thrilled to have LeBron and no one cares if the entire team were traded or the coach fired. The mandate is to win, not many people really care about the other players - and frankly, most Lakers fans don't even know half the players on the team.

So what does this have to do with me in Cleveland?

Not talking shit but I want my organization to have continued success throughout its course of history.

How does LeBron leaving Gilbert high and dry again after he bent over backwards for him make me feel as a Clevelander?

I got a ship so the rest of Cleveland basketball is fucked? That’s the way it looks from my lense.

Who the fuck wants to play for Cleveland after the “GOAT” decides to ride out after winning a chip?

His leaving again is a bad look. It only helps him and not our market as Clevelanders.

 

[MediumBaller]

So what does this have to do with me in Cleveland?

Not talking shit but I want my organization to have continued success throughout its course of history.

How does LeBron leaving Gilbert high and dry again after he bent over backwards for him make me feel as a Clevelander?

I got a ship so the rest of Cleveland basketball is fucked? That’s the way it looks from my lense.

Who the fuck wants to play for Cleveland after the “GOAT” decides to ride out after winning a chip?

His leaving again is a bad look. It only helps him and not our market as Clevelanders.

Gilbert and LeBron both benefitted from each other. Gilbert spent crazy amounts of money, and LeBron got him 4 straight trips to the finals and a championship. Most NBA owners, especially small market owners, would love that four year stretch, even if it meant you'd be a really bad team again once it was over. I doubt that he felt like he got left high and dry.

If Durant never signs in Golden State the Cavs likely repeat and I'd bet both LeBron and Kyrie are still Cavs right now. Hell, if Kelly Olynyk never rips Love's shoulder out of its socket then the Cavs probably win in 2015. The only thing stopping them from becoming a dynasty was bad luck. It sucks, but it is what it is.

 

[benchplayer]

Cavs should try to take advantage of this situation as a third team, maybe get a couple of assets.

 

[Kyrie4MVP0202]

Gilbert and LeBron both benefitted from each other. Gilbert spent crazy amounts of money, and LeBron got him 4 straight trips to the finals and a championship. Most NBA owners, especially small market owners, would love that four year stretch, even if it meant you'd be a really bad team again once it was over. I doubt that he felt like he got left high and dry.

If Durant never signs in Golden State the Cavs likely repeat and I'd bet both LeBron and Kyrie are still Cavs right now. Hell, if Kelly Olynyk never rips Love's shoulder out of its socket then the Cavs probably win in 2015. The only thing stopping them from becoming a dynasty was bad luck. It sucks, but it is what it is.

Maybe. All I can go by is what is happening now.

The behavior of the players involved is strikingly collusive behavior.

We can slice it any way we want but LeBrons vision of winning in Cleveland was a must. He suffered greatly when he made the decision to leave Cleveland in national television. It was in his best interest to play with Kyrie and win one for the land which he accomplished. Image repaired.

I’m not saying that LeBron or Kyrie are bad people. I’m saying what they are doing was a collusion much like how LeBron colluded with Miami before his departure. He couldn’t risk giving up 7 years of legacy for a decision to go to Miami so he went back to Cleveland for the better of his legacy.

I’m only basing this off what transpired between Kyrie, The Cavs, and LeBron up until now.

Kyrie demands a trade, LeBron blames Gilbert, and now they are singing kumbaya.

It doesn’t make sense. LeBron came out and said he was PISSED with Durant for saying he was toxic but didn’t come out and say he was PISSED with Kyrie for demanding a trade for the same thing? They are dapping each other up? Bullshit man.

Bullshit.

 

[MediumBaller]

Maybe. All I can go by is what is happening now.

The behavior of the players involved is strikingly collusive behavior.

We can slice it any way we want but LeBrons vision of winning in Cleveland was a must. He suffered greatly when he made the decision to leave Cleveland in national television. It was in his best interest to play with Kyrie and win one for the land which he accomplished. Image repaired.

I’m not saying that LeBron or Kyrie are bad people. I’m saying what they are doing was a collusion much like how LeBron colluded with Miami before his departure. He couldn’t risk giving up 7 years of legacy for a decision to go to Miami so he went back to Cleveland for the better of his legacy.

I’m only basing this off what transpired between Kyrie, The Cavs, and LeBron up until now.

Kyrie demands a trade, LeBron blames Gilbert, and now they are singing kumbaya.

It doesn’t make sense. LeBron came out and said he was PISSED with Durant for saying he was toxic but didn’t come out and say he was PISSED with Kyrie for demanding a trade for the same thing? They are dapping each other up? Bullshit man.

Bullshit.

It's been a year and a half since Kyrie demanded a trade, though. When he first found out about it he was probably pissed off. He couldn't come out and say he was pissed off right away though because he wanted to talk Kyrie into staying.

It takes a lot of maturity to call up LeBron and apologize like Kyrie did. I just don't really see any reason for LeBron to hold a grudge against Kyrie moving forward. They've both moved on. Lebron cares about his brand more than anything, and it's best for his brand if he and Kyrie are cool with each other. As a LeBron fan, it'd be cool to see the two reunite in LA. They made for one helluva combo.

 

[Kyrie4MVP0202]

It's been a year and a half since Kyrie demanded a trade, though. When he first found out about it he was probably pissed off. He couldn't come out and say he was pissed off right away though because he wanted to talk Kyrie into staying.

It takes a lot of maturity to call up LeBron and apologize like Kyrie did. I just don't really see any reason for LeBron to hold a grudge against Kyrie moving forward. They've both moved on. Lebron cares about his brand more than anything, and it's best for his brand if he and Kyrie are cool with each other. As a LeBron fan, it'd be cool to see the two reunite in LA. They made for one helluva combo.

Being pissed off and making sound decisions career wise are two different things.

Maybe we feel he was pissed off when actually he was planning to sign with LeBron all along.

Again, if you look through the WWE style tactics, you see through it.

Kyrie makes movies. Kyrie and LeBron in LA go hand in hand. The way it is designed is to make you think otherwise.

I’m not saying I’m right or wrong, just that business wise... this is a slam dunk for all involved. The emotional “well maybe he felt bad” is surely up for grabs. Sure. If you want to believe that more power to you.

Could be totally off my rocker. However, if it happens... then maybe I’m not off mine? Who knows?

 

[kentuckyeddie]

if LA gets AD I think Kyrie will sign free agent and they will still have money. if they trade ball and ingram away.

 

[Cavs Need To Win]

Not to mention Steph’s bionic ankles. In another universe - one that was probably even more probable than the one we actually inhabit, Steph struggles with ankle injuries for 5-7 years, before hanging it up. As it happens, he gets the ligaments of some kind of moose-cheetah-gazelle hybrid cadaver, and his ankles now have superhuman strength. Remember - GSW had him on a cheap contract for so long, bc his ankles were not trustworthy. We just had shit luck.

It fuckin' sucks that the Warriors started this dynasty the same time the Cavs were good. No question that the Cavs should have more than the 1 Championship, so I hate the Warriors because they fucked up the Cavs great run. But to be fair, they drafted well, they didn't have high draft picks but still drafted All-Star players, while the Cavs had a string of high picks but more times than not screw up the their pick. And when Kevin Durant wants to join your team, are you supposed to tell him No. It sucks for us Cavs fans Durant made the choice he made but what were the Warriors supposed to do when the second best player in the league wants to play for your team, tell him to take a hike? There are 3 ways to improve your team. Draft, Free Agency and trades. The Warriors built their dynasty fair and square. And yes they've had lucky breaks and bounces go their way, but that's life man. Lucky breaks and bounces are a part of life. Durant is taking less money and wants to win. Other times in sports we beat up guys who just want a big paycheck and don't care enough about winning. Call him a bitch if you want too, but I don't see anything wrong with taking less money to win. I will have to give all their players credit if they continue this run by checking their egos at the door to take less money and continue what could be arguably the greatest dynasty of All-Time.

 

[Randolphkeys]

And somehow LeBron has him signed to his agency and has him declaring he wants a trade to the only team that could afford him.

The Lakers.

I’m not poking the bear here as I’m only pointing him out in a room full of nothing else.

How are you OK with this? This is a seismic shift in NBA history and there’s no other example of this taking place.

LeBron is holding and entire organization and fan base hostage with his agency.

How come this is not talked about?

We disagree this is, as you put it, a seismic shift in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain was younger than LeBron when he used similar back channels to move to the LA Lakers from Philly for two marginal centers and a scoring guard fifty years ago. Kareem Abdul Jabbar was similarly the best player in the NBA and still in his prime when he was traded from Milwaukee.

Baron traded from Charlotte, Barkley traded from Philly, CP3 traded from New Orleans... sadly this IS the NBA's history. I am not posting in support of it because of course it hinders Cleveland and other small markets... but I'm posting what the NBA always has done.

I can want the sun to revolve around the Earth because I live on Earth, but what I want doesn't change reality. Some posters are taking time to lead you through reality and what it looks like. The good news is that while NBA players will always have more personal control over their careers than the other major sports, there are changes in marketing that have slightly evened the playing field for small markets. It's just more of a challenge to get a young dynasty started in a small market instead of a large market.

 

[Kyrie4MVP0202]

We disagree this is, as you put it, a seismic shift in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain was younger than LeBron when he used similar back channels toove to the LA Lakers from Philly for two marginal centers and a scoring guard fifty years ago. Kareem Abdul Jabbar was similarly the best player in the NBA and still in his prime when he was traded from Milwaukee.

Baron traded from Charlotte, Barkley traded from Philly, CP3 traded from New Orleans... sadly this IS the NBA's history. I am not posting in support of it because of course it hinders Cleveland and other small markets... but I'm posting what the NBA always has done.

I can want the sun to revolve around the Earth because I live on Earth, but what I want doesn't change reality. Some posters are taking time to lead you through reality and what it looks like.

One could go even further into Barkley being traded to the Suns. His best years were spent trying to dispel the equally small market Rockets in the playoffs.

I’m not disagreeing with that.

However, having an agency in your childhoods friend name and then forcing a trade to your team is something that has never been done. Not even close.

This is beyond a seismic shift and goes into unknown territory.

I get that players have wanted trades but almost none of them went to large market teams. Barkley went to Phoenix who is struggling to fight for the #1 pick.

Baron went to a Golden State team who was middle of the pack at best as far as market share.

Chamberlain was the first to go to LA and became a household name due to it. He is the starting point for what players would eventually do to gain recognition in this league.

You have a perfect storm of Magic and Bird and then onto LA drafting Kobe.

The Lakers were the go to for many stars during their golden years to remain a face of sport and maintain their entertainment value including Karl Malone who not only wrestled but spent his last years with the Lakers.

It’s the Lake show for a reason. It’s a big thing to be successful in LA and it’s even bigger when you have an entertainment business that you’ve been chipping away on for many years like a LeBron and Kyrie have.

I do begrudge them both because I’m a Cleveland fan and both were drafted by my team.

Do I begrudge them because they both felt like Cleveland wasn’t the place to maximize their image? Sort of.

At the end of the day I enjoy owners drafting the best talent and making moves that best fits winning long term.

When you give the players the power it ultimately ends up in big market teams because that’s where these guys, rightfully so, want to play.

That is the opposite of parity. LeBron signing a player to his agency and then forcing the owners hand is nothing new per say if you’re Dan Gilbert and Tristan Thompson.

It IS new to Pelicans fans and I feel for them as well as the rest of the league.

We are at a point in which a player has so much power that he alone can determine whether a fan base retains their hand drafted player.

That’s asinine and borderlines criminal for a guy that grew up on 80s and 90s basketball.

It’s fake is what it is... and I used to stick up for LeBron when Jordan comparisons were made.

Not any longer. No way, with all due respect.

 

[SK808]

What's really hilarious is all these Lakers fans that think getting AD and pairing him with LeBron means instant title. You could argue that Kyrie was one of the best playoff performers ever in terms of his clutchness and his ability to score at will. He gave Golden State fits. So he was every bit as much of a superstar as Davis, and one that's actually proven it in the finals. Yet the Cavs still got blown out in the first year Durant was there in the finals and won at the last second the year before. That's with a younger Bron and a bonafide playoff assassin in Kyrie. Yet I'm supposed to buy that an older LeBron and an unproven playoffs guy in Davis (who has barely led his team to the playoffs by the way) is going to beat the Warriors? Not happening man.

 

[godfather]

What's really hilarious is all these Lakers fans that think getting AD and pairing him with LeBron means instant title. You could argue that Kyrie was one of the best playoff performers ever in terms of his clutchness and his ability to score at will. He gave Golden State fits. So he was every bit as much of a superstar as Davis, and one that's actually proven it in the finals. Yet the Cavs still got blown out in the first year Durant was there in the finals and won at the last second the year before. That's with a younger Bron and a bonafide playoff assassin in Kyrie. Yet I'm supposed to buy that an older LeBron and an unproven playoffs guy in Davis (who has barely led his team to the playoffs by the way) is going to beat the Warriors? Not happening man.

Davis would be by far LeBron's best teammate ever.

I actually think they could beat the Warriors. They would be a devastating duo.