Bulls Offseason Thread

[erik316wttn]

 

And also, I don't understand the criticism toward LeBron not being "THE guy" in Miami. He wants to win. This gives him the best chance to do so, and he's willing to share some of the spotlight with Bosh and Wade. He obviously doesn't care about having a Jordan-esque legacy, he just wants to win titles. I can respect that.

 

His situation in Cleveland wasn't that bad. Got to the Finals. Got to the East Finals twice. Best record in the league 2 years in a row....all in the last 4 years.

 

Sure he wants to win a title, but he is 25. His moved reeks of desperation and it wasn't necessary. If he wanted to win a title so bad, he could have convinced his team to bring in Amare, or Boozer, or Lee or Bosh to the best regular season team in the NBA for the last 2 years.

 

That being said, I can't fault him for making the move. I have never said it was a bad or stupid move. I think it was the easy way out. Bottom line.

 

I'm sure the team was fine with bringing any of those guys in, but did the guys want to go there? It's been very public that Bosh didn't want to play in Cleveland. I cant speak for any of the other guys as I don't know the situation, but from watching him last night I think it genuinely hurt him to leave Cleveland and I'm sure he would have preferred to stay there had he been able to bring in one of those players.

 

And I agree.. he didn't have a bad situation in Cleveland, but his situation in Miami is better. I personally don't blame him for wanting to go play with 2 close friends and probably 2 of the top 10 stars in the league today. Who wouldn't want that situation?

[jersey cubs fan]

Tons in merchandise sales, a full arena more often than not, appearances on national TV, perennial playoff contender, an NBA Finals appearance, national media outlets talking about your team..... yeah, LeBron did nothing.

 

And now? They have none of that. He didn't do anything for them. He played for the team that drafted and paid him. I don't get why people use the "after all he did for that city/franchise" nonsense for players. He didn't sacrifice or give up anything to help the city. He played for the team that drafted him, like most everybody else.

[jersey cubs fan]

And I agree.. he didn't have a bad situation in Cleveland, but his situation in Miami is better. I personally don't blame him for wanting to go play with 2 close friends and probably 2 of the top 10 stars in the league today. Who wouldn't want that situation?

 

The one thing he doesn't have is a city that gives a crap about sports.

[Soul]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

[Flames24Rulz]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

 

I doubt you'd be saying "it is what it is" if the Bulls lost Michael Jordan in the summer of 1990.

[erik316wttn]

And I agree.. he didn't have a bad situation in Cleveland, but his situation in Miami is better. I personally don't blame him for wanting to go play with 2 close friends and probably 2 of the top 10 stars in the league today. Who wouldn't want that situation?

 

The one thing he doesn't have is a city that gives a crap about sports.

 

So what? If he wins a title I don't think he'll say "Wow, I wish Miami was happier."

[Sammy Sofa]

Chris Bosh is not in the top 10.

[erik316wttn]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

 

I doubt you'd be saying "it is what it is" if the Bulls lost Michael Jordan in the summer of 1990.

 

Well, he is right, though.

 

I'm not saying that I don't understand the hurt and disappointment in Cleveland. I do. I'd probably be upset if the best player my franchise has ever had left in his prime before ever bringing a championship. However, it's the nature of sports. Jerry Seinfeld was right: Players move so much that you're essentially not rooting for teams, you're rooting for laundry.

 

He left a ton of money on the table to go to Miami, so this isn't about greed. It's about the desire to win, to reach the very pinnacle of your chosen profession. If I were a Cavs fan I certainly would not be happy at all, but I wouldn't be one of the idiots burning his jersey in the streets.

[Flames24Rulz]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

 

I doubt you'd be saying "it is what it is" if the Bulls lost Michael Jordan in the summer of 1990.

 

Well, he is right, though.

 

I'm not saying that I don't understand the hurt and disappointment in Cleveland. I do. I'd probably be upset if the best player my franchise has ever had left in his prime before ever bringing a championship. However, it's the nature of sports. Jerry Seinfeld was right: Players move so much that you're essentially not rooting for teams, you're rooting for laundry.

 

He left a ton of money on the table to go to Miami, so this isn't about greed. It's about the desire to win, to reach the very pinnacle of your chosen profession. If I were a Cavs fan I certainly would not be happy at all, but I wouldn't be one of the idiots burning his jersey in the streets.

 

How do you feel about Brett Favre?

[rawaction]

 

It's been very public that Bosh didn't want to play in Cleveland.

 

A lot of crap was very public that was completely untrue.

[jersey cubs fan]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

 

I doubt you'd be saying "it is what it is" if the Bulls lost Michael Jordan in the summer of 1990.

 

Well, he is right, though.

 

I'm not saying that I don't understand the hurt and disappointment in Cleveland. I do. I'd probably be upset if the best player my franchise has ever had left in his prime before ever bringing a championship. However, it's the nature of sports. Jerry Seinfeld was right: Players move so much that you're essentially not rooting for teams, you're rooting for laundry.

 

He left a ton of money on the table to go to Miami, so this isn't about greed. It's about the desire to win, to reach the very pinnacle of your chosen profession. If I were a Cavs fan I certainly would not be happy at all, but I wouldn't be one of the idiots burning his jersey in the streets.

 

 

Aren't you the guy who gets apoplectic when the Cubs go behind in a game?

[Banedon]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

 

Cleveland would have dealt with it just fine if he'd talked to them...explained that he felt like he needed to go somewhere else, and was just a decent human being about it. Sure, he'd have had haters, but nothing like this. Certainly not Gilbert throwing a temper tantrum. Instead, James decided to announce on a TV special to the Cavs (and 4 or so other teams) that he wasn't going to be joining them.

 

I've lost a massive amount of respect for Lebron James through this....even if he had come to the Bulls, which I still wanted. Clearly a very skilled basketball player, but clearly not as mature as most thought.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

As a casual observer to the NBA, this thread has been entertaining.

[UMFan83]

And I agree.. he didn't have a bad situation in Cleveland, but his situation in Miami is better. I personally don't blame him for wanting to go play with 2 close friends and probably 2 of the top 10 stars in the league today. Who wouldn't want that situation?

 

The one thing he doesn't have is a city that gives a crap about sports.

 

So what? If he wins a title I don't think he'll say "Wow, I wish Miami was happier."

 

Exactly. And plus, in his presence, Miami fans will act like the biggest happiest fans ever. In Lebron's bubble everyone thinks hes the best person ever, and all fans in his presence adore him. If Miami fans truely didn't care, he wouldnt know about it, because everywhere he goes in Miami, he will be surrounded by people who are "the biggest Heat fans ever".

 

LeBron could walk down the streets of any city in this country today besides probably Cleveland and people would gawk, and when people approach him, they'd suck up to him and tell him how amazing he is. Someone said on tv last night that they don't think LeBron really understands the backlash that is coming his way. In a way I might agree with that, but I don't think overall it is a big deal for him. First of all, he obviously don't give 2 shits what the fans think of him, as long as they buy his products. And also, no matter where he goes the people he sees in person on a day to day basis think he's the greatest thing better, even if they are cursing him behind his back.

[Jon]

How have I not followed Stephen A. Smith's twitter account before? It looks like half of his tweets are responses to people calling him a moron:

 

Good night everybody. Thanks to the Haters, too.

 

@Blanco_craig Are you from Cleveland?

@Blanco_craig Go the Hell.

 

@dann0h1 Thank God what pathetic haters like you. You inspire me!

 

@kingcaba Then you're on drugs, because I've been a Knicks' fan all my life. I'm a native New Yorker. Born in the Bronx; raised in Queens.

 

@JRUIZ_ Feel what you want, man. But could you please refrain from using those words on Twitter. What's wrong with you?

 

@Blueshirts11 yet, your dumb self is still twee ting me. So what does that say about you???

[erik316wttn]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

 

I doubt you'd be saying "it is what it is" if the Bulls lost Michael Jordan in the summer of 1990.

 

Well, he is right, though.

 

I'm not saying that I don't understand the hurt and disappointment in Cleveland. I do. I'd probably be upset if the best player my franchise has ever had left in his prime before ever bringing a championship. However, it's the nature of sports. Jerry Seinfeld was right: Players move so much that you're essentially not rooting for teams, you're rooting for laundry.

 

He left a ton of money on the table to go to Miami, so this isn't about greed. It's about the desire to win, to reach the very pinnacle of your chosen profession. If I were a Cavs fan I certainly would not be happy at all, but I wouldn't be one of the idiots burning his jersey in the streets.

 

How do you feel about Brett Favre?

 

Not happy about it, and I'll admit that I was mad when he went to Minnesota, and I won't root for him in the evil purple colors, but when he went to the Jets I at least wished him well. I didn't burn any of my Brett Favre stuff, though. I don't expect Cavs fans to root for him in Miami, but just because he left I don't think his time in Cleveland should be discounted. I fully understand that Brett Favre was a key reason the Packers came back to respectability after being terrible for most of the 70's and 80's, just like LeBron brought respectability to a franchise that never really had much of it.

 

And Brett had brought a championship to Green Bay and wasn't in his prime. Also, football isn't as much of an individual sport as basketball is.

[Banedon]

And I agree.. he didn't have a bad situation in Cleveland, but his situation in Miami is better. I personally don't blame him for wanting to go play with 2 close friends and probably 2 of the top 10 stars in the league today. Who wouldn't want that situation?

 

The one thing he doesn't have is a city that gives a crap about sports.

 

So what? If he wins a title I don't think he'll say "Wow, I wish Miami was happier."

 

Everybody is happy when they're winning titles. But he better win titles. If they don't, you're wasting Lebron's "star power" on a market that could care less.

[erik316wttn]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

 

I doubt you'd be saying "it is what it is" if the Bulls lost Michael Jordan in the summer of 1990.

 

Well, he is right, though.

 

I'm not saying that I don't understand the hurt and disappointment in Cleveland. I do. I'd probably be upset if the best player my franchise has ever had left in his prime before ever bringing a championship. However, it's the nature of sports. Jerry Seinfeld was right: Players move so much that you're essentially not rooting for teams, you're rooting for laundry.

 

He left a ton of money on the table to go to Miami, so this isn't about greed. It's about the desire to win, to reach the very pinnacle of your chosen profession. If I were a Cavs fan I certainly would not be happy at all, but I wouldn't be one of the idiots burning his jersey in the streets.

 

 

Aren't you the guy who gets apoplectic when the Cubs go behind in a game?

 

Changing the subject because your argument was shot down? And what does that have to do with LeBron?

[SouthSideRyan]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

 

I doubt you'd be saying "it is what it is" if the Bulls lost Michael Jordan in the summer of 1990.

 

Well, he is right, though.

 

I'm not saying that I don't understand the hurt and disappointment in Cleveland. I do. I'd probably be upset if the best player my franchise has ever had left in his prime before ever bringing a championship. However, it's the nature of sports. Jerry Seinfeld was right: Players move so much that you're essentially not rooting for teams, you're rooting for laundry.

 

He left a ton of money on the table to go to Miami, so this isn't about greed. It's about the desire to win, to reach the very pinnacle of your chosen profession. If I were a Cavs fan I certainly would not be happy at all, but I wouldn't be one of the idiots burning his jersey in the streets.

 

 

Aren't you the guy who gets apoplectic when the Cubs go behind in a game?

 

Changing the subject because your argument was shot down? And what does that have to do with LeBron?

 

It was in response to you saying you wouldn't be an idiot burning his jersey in the streets. You'd be burning the guys house down.

[jersey cubs fan]

Changing the subject because your argument was shot down? And what does that have to do with LeBron?

 

Just you talking about idiots fans overreacting to disappointment, and how you would supposedly never do it.

[erik316wttn]

Changing the subject because your argument was shot down? And what does that have to do with LeBron?

 

Just you talking about idiots fans overreacting to disappointment, and how you would supposedly never do it.

 

There's a difference between posting displeasure on an internet message board and actually physically setting fire to a jersey in a symbolic act.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Changing the subject because your argument was shot down? And what does that have to do with LeBron?

 

Just you talking about idiots fans overreacting to disappointment, and how you would supposedly never do it.

 

There's a difference between posting displeasure on an internet message board and actually physically setting fire to a jersey in a symbolic act.

 

Not really a substantive difference. What fun is sports if you don't lack a sense of proportion about them? The whole point is to take them more seriously than they deserve.

[erik316wttn]

 

It was in response to you saying you wouldn't be an idiot burning his jersey in the streets. You'd be burning the guys house down.

 

Whatever you say.

 

And besides, the judge and the doctor both believe that my pyromania is under control.

[Flames24Rulz]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

 

I doubt you'd be saying "it is what it is" if the Bulls lost Michael Jordan in the summer of 1990.

 

Well, he is right, though.

 

I'm not saying that I don't understand the hurt and disappointment in Cleveland. I do. I'd probably be upset if the best player my franchise has ever had left in his prime before ever bringing a championship. However, it's the nature of sports. Jerry Seinfeld was right: Players move so much that you're essentially not rooting for teams, you're rooting for laundry.

 

He left a ton of money on the table to go to Miami, so this isn't about greed. It's about the desire to win, to reach the very pinnacle of your chosen profession. If I were a Cavs fan I certainly would not be happy at all, but I wouldn't be one of the idiots burning his jersey in the streets.

 

How do you feel about Brett Favre?

 

Not happy about it, and I'll admit that I was mad when he went to Minnesota, and I won't root for him in the evil purple colors, but when he went to the Jets I at least wished him well. I didn't burn any of my Brett Favre stuff, though. I don't expect Cavs fans to root for him in Miami, but just because he left I don't think his time in Cleveland should be discounted. I fully understand that Brett Favre was a key reason the Packers came back to respectability after being terrible for most of the 70's and 80's, just like LeBron brought respectability to a franchise that never really had much of it.

 

And Brett had brought a championship to Green Bay and wasn't in his prime. Also, football isn't as much of an individual sport as basketball is.

 

Again, he didn't win a damn thing in Cleveland. His time in Cleveland won't end up mattering at all. Favre at least led us to a Super Bowl. LeBron didn't win anything in a city that hasn't won anything in generations.

[Soul]

It may have hurt him to leave, but he did leave. I don't think Cleveland will get over it, because Lebron is all they had.

 

That said, it is what it is. Sports stars change teams sometimes. That's the reality.

 

Cleveland would have dealt with it just fine if he'd talked to them...explained that he felt like he needed to go somewhere else, and was just a decent human being about it. Sure, he'd have had haters, but nothing like this. Certainly not Gilbert throwing a temper tantrum. Instead, James decided to announce on a TV special to the Cavs (and 4 or so other teams) that he wasn't going to be joining them.

 

I've lost a massive amount of respect for Lebron James through this....even if he had come to the Bulls, which I still wanted. Clearly a very skilled basketball player, but clearly not as mature as most thought.

 

Probably true. I think the Cleveland hate was coming no matter what. Maybe it would have been less.

 

By doing this, I don't think Lebron really cares about whether people in the cities who lost out respect him or not. He wants rings. Rings = legacy. It was obvious to me that's how he thinks of it. He was concerned he would never get the legacy he wanted in the NBA if he stayed in Cleveland.

 

To me, that makes him a lesser legend than Jordan automatically. And I know many, many others feel the same way.

 

But, this is apparently the new NBA. Work out a team-up deal and get your rings. To hell with everything else. Now watch the cavalcade of almost-retired pseudo-stars who will want to play on this team for peanuts to get their rings, too.

 

I'm not saying I like it. But I'm not losing any sleep over it. The NBA isn't important enough to me for that.