First of all it's in the west and second we have no idea what Riley can do to put more pieces around him. Right now Miami is still the team to beat in the East, better than Pacers, better than Chicago. _
I just can't see LeBron James taking another cut to play with Miami. I just can't see it. They basically robbed him of another title by not spending money last offseason, from what he believes, and they have a Dwayne Wade who had to sit for half the season to rest for the finals, which he looked like an 80 year old woman anyways. Lebron James has a chance to make a TON of money and join forces with a team that has more talent around him. Houston, Cleveland, Dallas, etc. all have the talent. Chalmers is as good as gone, Battier is retiring, Allen is probably retiring, and Bosh is the only one worth a damn, and even then, he struggles. Choose that over a young Dwight Howard and James Harden? Choose that over Kyrie Irving and a new draft pick? Choose that over Carmelo Anthony, possibly, somewhere else? I just can't see it.
I dont even think he wants the giant contract, because that means he wont be surrounded with as much talent. That extra $4-5 million might be the difference in having a reliable 3 pt shooter on the wing.
And Nike made $2.5 BILLION off of Jordan's apparel in 2013. That's a guy who hasn't played in 10 years. Because he was a 6 time champion that NEVER lost a final. That's what Lebron needs to try to approach, but he can't pass him. _
This x100. The Heat without James is basically an average team. The Rockets are already one of the top teams without James, so imagine if they had him? That would be just stupid.
Bullshit. Look at the Cavs and the Rockets. He could make his $30 million and still be surrounded by talent.
Robbed? He set that whole situation up AND let's not forget, 4 straight Finals appearance. Yeah, the Heat robbed him. _
The 3peat would have been huge for Lebrons brand. No one at Nike was celebrating when the Spurs won the championship for sure.
No I agree but Irving is going to become a free agent, which means they will have to pay him a max contract next season (because if the Cavaliers dont, another team will). So Lebron would still take less so they can Kyrie/add other pieces. The way it is setup, if you have 3 max contract players, you really cant have any other solid pieces (unless you get ring chasers like Ray Allen, who is done now anyway).
The pressure is there because he can leave next year or the year after. If he opts out isn't the pressure on Miami to resign Lebron? They have no room if Bosh and Wade opt in to resign Lebron to a lot. If Lebron opts in, they can make some smaller moves then have Bosh/Wade on expiring contracts next year. If he opts out, Miami only gets better if Lebron takes way less. Lebron should only opt out if he can guarantee himself a long term deal on good, different team. That's not Cleveland in my opinion. It's Houston, Chicago, and that's it. The Melo destinations. I would opt in if I was him, because next year it seems more teams will have room 1-2 stars near the max and he can join Marc Gasol, Aldridge, and others like that at a destination.
I'm not saying he's right. I'm stating what he believes. He believes the Heat robbed him by not signing Miller back and other weapons when Miami just inked their biggest TV deal ever. In fact, before LeBron James, the Miami Heat averaged about $124 million a season in revenue. After Lebron James, the Heat averaged $154 million. Forbes also valued the Heat franchise before LeBron at $364 million and as of 2013, it was valued at $625 million. Not to mention in 2013, Miami signed a TV deal that would net them almost $100 million a year. He's underpaid. And he deserves his money.
If only the Clippers could afford him! That would be sick! Imagine Chris Paul, LeBron James, DeAndre Jordan, and Blake Griffin?! With Doc Rivers running the show?! Holy hell that would be fuckin epic!! It would awesome to watch Sterling cry himself to sleep at night also if that happened.
You are confusing your perception of "underpaid" and Lebron's. Several million more a year now means nothing compared to hundreds of millions after he retires with more championships. Deserve is absolutely the wrong term. _
Not getting a 3 peat, actually LOSING in the finals, the cramping, all of that just moved him several paces back from being a billionaire someday. Jordan won everything and no one hated him, in fact everyone respected him. He "willed" teams to win (which is a fiction) and people revere him for it. Lebron is hated by a large portion of fandom. And he's lost. Could not will his teams to win. _
Idk man. I think he deserves more than he is getting. I understand that championships will net him more in the future, but why can't he have both? Why can't he make the money he deserves now and later? He has made Miami a powerhouse. He has the Heat back on the map, something they desperately needed after the Wade/Shaq championship. He has single handedly made that franchise worth more money and earn more revenue both with games and with networks. How does he not "deserve" a $30 million contract? I dont get it. Just because he doesn't have the rings to show for? I dont think it matters in this case. When you do the things LeBron has for Miami, they owe you that much. Whether LeBron asks for it or not is one thing, but he sure as hell should get it. There should not be one other player in the NBA right now, paid higher than him. There just shouldn't be
