LeBron’s future
Posted February 10th, 2006 by Brian Windhorst
One of the most popular topics concerning LeBron James over the last year or so is what his future holds, and it is with the Cavs? I’ve covered this ground extensively here and in the paper, but I’ve just finished this story for ESPN.com that ties everything that has been going on together.
It is a major issue with many facets and the story is still unfolding and I’ll continue to report on it.
February 10th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Great work Brian. Not to sound like a fanboy, but I really enjoy reading your material every day. Keep it up!
February 10th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Great article, Brian. Really good insight. I read it on ESPN.com before realizing you wrote it. Congratulations.
February 10th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
The countdown has begun…
Of course, I’m referring to the inevitable posting from Tucker which will contain the usual tiresome points about Ferry, Z, D. Jones, etc. I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t get posted before this comment makes its way through cyberspace.
February 10th, 2006 at 4:56 pm
I don’t know about the Gamblin part of the screen name, but the part that says “Wad” is right on the money.
February 10th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
Front page of ESPN now. How’s that for exposure? Congrats, Brian!
February 10th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Yes, it was a nicely written piece intended to be read by a general audience. But one begins to walk a slippery slope when inching towards writing for ESPN, even if it’s just initially on a freelance basis. If you don’t believe me, just ask my brother. When I buy a new car, I like that new car smell. The last thing I ever want to smell is Brian Windhorst’s writing smelling like Chris Berman’s left armpit, let alone like Chris Berman’s writing. Hope it never happens. Because the next logical step after that is a pompous bloated self-promoting attitude, a producer telling you to color your hair orange in honor of the great Mike Patrick, and then finally screaming at a camera like 80% of the on-air carvival talent affiliated with that Disney conglomerate farce.
February 10th, 2006 at 8:26 pm
Great article…brought up my spirits afte reading about the horrible sounding loss tonight
February 10th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
awesome article. i’m a spurs fan in san antonio who has appreciates danny ferry’s work and he learned from the best.. u people have a great gm. these are good days to watch the cavs grow..
February 11th, 2006 at 9:28 am
Brian this is the best work I’ve seen you do. Congrats on making it and writing a great piece.
February 11th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
Great work Brian, very insightful.
February 11th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Very good article. Also read it before I realized it was you. Hope Gilbert’s efforts pay off…
February 11th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Awesome article, Brian. Enough to make me post on the weekend - that last paragraph (quote from Gilbert) gave me the chills just a lil’ bit.
February 11th, 2006 at 8:48 pm
Hey, don’t get your heads in the clouds, guys. This is a business like any other business. People will say anything if it serves their purposes - - especially to the media for dissemination. Right now it’s all nothing but a lot of smiles and happiness and lighthearted banter. Everybody wants to go to Dairy Queen and share a brownie sundae together. But it’s a business. 100% posturing. Simple common sense dictates nobody will be signing anything major until the summer of 2008, and everybody involved knows it. Gilbert knows it, James knows it, Gilbert’s people know it, James’ people know it, the New York Dolans and their people know it. So let the games begin.
In the interim, it will also give the media a tremendous benefit in that it will give them something to write and talk about on a regular basis, particularly if it’s a slow news day. Lots of fodder. And it will give the local guys like Brian a whale of a career benefit in that it will present a tremendous opportunity to display his stuff on a much larger stage. Such as this ESPN.com freelance piece, which I am guessing they came to him to write as opposed to the other way around. I can’t speak for Brian’s future intentions, but if he has aspirations to become a sports columnist and/or to do something even grander in a larger media market and/or within a superior venue, then this is a helluva way for any talented young guy to pave that eventual path to Denver, Dallas, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles or wherever it happens to be. Even if LeBron James is wearing a Cleveland uniform in 2012, I have a sense the Windhorst byline won’t be coming out of any burg called Akron.
But anyhoo…If you are a fan and your entire life revolves around whether or not LeBron James is going to re-up with the Cleveland Cavaliers, then my advice to you is to get a pedicure, watch reruns of old Art Modell, Carlos Boozer and Drew Rosenhaus interviews to remind yourself just how many tons of bullcrap can float in a glass of milk, and then do a Vulcan mindmeld with Rip Van Winkle and take a 2 1/2 year nap. Nothing but secrets and lies in-between. You are going to miss absolutely nothing.
February 11th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Forget Lebron, is Akron going to lose Brian Windhurst to ESPN? Are you leaving Brian? Don’t leave, Brian.
February 12th, 2006 at 7:31 am
Great article Brian. Though the article is about LeBron, I think it shows even more insight into the approach of ownership and the front office. Rookie owner: Rookie GM: Rookie coach: How are they handling such a delicate and critical situation? I appreciate the inside view of this new management group. Well done.
February 13th, 2006 at 11:04 am
Sorry to post so late but I did read it a few days back. Brian, I was very impressed. With out a doubt that was the best written piece from you, that I, have ever read. (You too Tucker)You opened up the picture of where Gilbert wants to take this team. I can say that I am happy with what this organization is doing, and where they are going.
It seems like every time you turn on the TV someone is talking about this and now, I think, I understand it. LBJ wants to get his ring, but he wants to earn it. What would he prove by going to a team that won the year prior or is a given to get there? Mike earned his and that is the only way, in my own mind, that Bron Bron can get the respect that he deserves.
The Kid is young, we need to remember this. That is the reason we as fans need to be patient. We will make the playoffs this year and once that team gets a taste of them, watch out, good things will happen.
Brian, nice job. Good Luck.
February 14th, 2006 at 9:16 am
oh, what a surprise! the most revered one, mr. tucker is telling us poor, silly, fans to relax as nothing is going to happen on the LBJ front ’til ‘08. let me be the first to say, oh, thank you, o’ wise one, for sparing me the sleepless nights and wasteful days i WOULD have spent worrying about whether LBJ will re-sign or not. oh, and it’s about business, you say?? genius! where DO you come up with such insights? if only i, a mere mortal, could conjure up such magic from my mind…
oh, and btw, LBJ will sign with the cavs because, as i’m sure mr. tucker forgot to mention, LBJ makes the most money by re-signing. that’s called buisness, right, mr. tucker? i know it, ferry knows it, gilbert knows it, the dolans know it, bo knows it…
oh, and while you pull your hair out over the boozer and modell situations, ask yourself, who did tim duncan, ray allen, michael redd, et al. sign with?
February 14th, 2006 at 10:42 am
Uhh…James would make a helluva lot more money in New York. His ultimate cash flow potential is off the court, not on it. In relative millionaire terms, the comparative difference between a max Cleveland NBA contract and a max New York NBA contract is a drop in the bucket over the life of a five-year contract. On the other hand, in just one single afternoon, he could make up the entire difference by standing in front of Madison Square Garden while holding up a Sak’s Fifth Avenue sign, a Nike sign and a sign telling people to check out the brand-new porno theater that just opened up around the block. Voila! In just one single afternoon, there’s the ten million dollars he otherwise lost by not re-upping with Cleveland for five years.
By staying in Cleveland, he won’t be able to reach his full cash potential. Not even close. That’s why Brian’s stuff is interesting with respect to what some of the stuff Gilbert is doing to keep his local posse happy. At this point is his young life, James needs his local posse. And his local posse most definitely needs James. Brian knows better than to reveal things he’ll hear about, such as the Roman orgies, plasma TV giveaways and the other ugly business sleaze that’s absolutely certain to occur behind-the-scenes as it gets closer to the summer of 2008. But the other stuff is still pretty interesting.
February 14th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Hate to rain on everyone’s parade, but like Joe Namath, I can guarantee that this story Windhorst wrote about LBJ got massaged by the editors at ESPN more than a man with $50 in cash can at those nifty asian spas in Warren. Windhorst is a swell reporter, but I doubt he’s going to be replacing Ric Bucher anytime soon. He undoubtedly would be an upgrade from the slop they serve up on the Cavs in the PD, though.
As far as LeBron goes, I agree with Tucker. Nobody is telling the truth to the media about the negotiations. The stuff about the plasma screens and other goodies are right on. That said, we fans should concentrate on the here and now. It was really nice to see LeBron attack the basket against San Antonio after playing like the second-coming of Truck Robinson against Washington and Golden State. Keep going to the rim, young brother. Keep going to that rim.
February 14th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
Only $50? For an Asian massage? I’m certainly no expert on the subject, but I believe they are erroneously accepting your outdated coupons that expired back in 1982.
February 15th, 2006 at 5:58 am
Seriously, has anyone considered just ignoring Tucker? Acknowledging his presence only encourages him to respond. His tantrums, like those of a five year old, are best left ignored because he’s only doing it to get attention.
February 15th, 2006 at 7:44 am
wrong again, mr. tucker. an article, (which i am sorry to say i cannot reference right now; maybe it was even a windy one?) anyway, this article set out to PROVE that LBJ’s endorsements would NOT go signifcantly go up if he went to NYC or LA, despite the ASSUMPTION (we know what happens when we assume, right mr. tucker?) that they would.
endorsements come and go (ask kobe!) but more money in the here and now is more money in the here and now. again, duncan, redd, allen, etc. all stayed and the guy who was gonna be the next jordan and had all kinds of endorsement chances, grant hill left his team and how’s that working out? sorry, the facts jut don’t support your arguement.
i’ve said it before, i’ll say it again. mr. tucker is an old, CYNICAL cleveland sports fan. he thinks only bad things will happen to cleveland sports teams, he thinks all management people of said teams are idiots and he loves to wallow in the sort of self-pity that comes with being such a “fan.”
like so many of mr. tucker’s “jokes,” it’s old and tired and has no real value in a serious discussion of basketball. notice how he rarely uses facts, just a lot of “common wisdom”-type things. weak, mr. tucker. very weak…
February 15th, 2006 at 9:00 am
You’re absolutely correct. Much like LeBron James, the mega-Madison Avenie trio of Ray Allen, Michaael Redd and Tim Duncan are all endorsement megastars. And yet they stayed and signed new contracts anyway. I never thought of that. Powerful argument.
And yet, LeBron James’ endorsements would immediately disappear if he was playing in New York or Los Angeles. Just like you assert. Ah, the Bright Lights and Big City known as “Cleveland.” The star wattage of Downtown Cleveland, the land of my Mt. Sinai birth, is absolutely incredible! The Flats. Known worldwide.
And gosh, the fact that Kobe Bryant likes bending strange girls over chairs and then letting the lawyers negotiate a plea bargain has absolutely nothing to do with his subsequent drop in endorsements. Again, that’s a powerful argument. Excellent point.
Hey, any word on the street when Allen, Redd and Duncan will be doing their next Corky & Lenny’s commercials? Commercials for a deli are so lucrative, it could even pay Sean Kemp’s child support of five dollars per kid. Do the math. Thirty kids, so that’s an incredible $150 per commercial spot!
So forget the lure of New York, I’m totally shocked that Leon Rose hasn’t tried to grab James a piece of that Cleveland deli action. With that kind of dough, LeBron might be able to rent a ritzy South Euclid apartment!
Bottom line, all sarcasm aside, read Brian’s pieces concerning this subject. You might actually learn a little something about the business of sports, because you’re not speaking from a frame of reference that has anything whatsoever to do with reality. Or, in the alternative, take a bus to a good public library and read a publication called Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal. It’s the Bible of sports business and a terrific publication.
February 16th, 2006 at 9:00 pm
really? kobe got in some sort of trouble?? when did this happen? gee, i thought he lost his endorsements because he was tired of all the money…
and i never said ANYTHING about LBJ’s endorsements diappearing if he went to LA or NYC. can you actually read or are you getting a co-worker to read this stuff to you aloud? the article stated that there was no EVIDENCE that he would make significantly more money in LA or NYC. KG and Tmac play in minnesota and houston YET both are on national TV in addidas commercials all the time. and garnett had a best buy ad not too long ago as well. if KG in MINNESOTA can get nationwide endorsements with no probelm, you really think LBJ will leave his HOMETOWN to get some additional LOCAL NYC endorsements? my god, but you are silly, aren’t you?
my point is still valid. endorsements come and go. ask magic or kobe and even shaq. even jordan lost some after his gambling issue.
fact is his nike deal has no extra incentives if he goes to NYC or LA. and NO ONE has left a max contract on the table. NO ONE. EVER. i go for facts, mr. tucker. you seem to like to peer into peoples minds and…well, hell i don’t even know where you get half of what you say.
and this whole NYC stuff is such bull. the NBA thrived in the 80’s and 90’s and the knicks were never much of a factor, except when jordan retired the first time and that was because riley got the rules changed so he could turn the game into animal ball for a couple of seasons. the NYC factor is an old myth not based on any facts. but what a surprsie that you, mr. tucker, would be peddling an OLD MYTH.
the nba marketing system is far more concerned about LBJ making enough apperances in china, not about him being a knick. the nba markets stars and individuals. where they play ALMOST doesn’t even matter.
February 16th, 2006 at 10:44 pm
LeBron James + New York Knickerbockers + A Winning New York Team Starring LeBron James = Marketing Fort Knox. Remember this formula. You will be tested on it later. I have seen Leon Rose naked, and this formula is already tattooed on his calf and under his left nipple. Extremely small print, though. Turns out the egomaniacal “Chosen 1″ billboard posted on James’ back had already used up 99.99% of the available tattoo ink left in stock in the parlors east of the Mississippi.
February 17th, 2006 at 12:16 am
By the way, has anybody actually seen and read James’ Nike contract? The answer is “no.” Nobody knows what it actually says other than the parties involved. So for any media person to say there is or isn’t a clause that jacks up James’ compensation if he lands in New York is just making a jackass of himself or herself. It seems pretty silly that anybody with any semblance of intelligence would simply believe whatever any agent says if he’s not under oath with threat of death penalty by lethal injection. Current agent, former agent, never was the agent. It doesn’t matter. There isn’t a teaspoon of credibility to be found among them. Unless it’s a mole within an agent’s office making a call and leaking something about it to Peter Vecsey, what you read and hear regarding these kinds of matters is total cockinbull. Agents. Those guys are so pathological, they regularly go into a church confessional booth just so they can practice their lying skills.
February 17th, 2006 at 7:37 am
wow, you really are amazing, mr. tucker. first you urge me to read brian (which of course i do, hence my being here on HIS BLOG) and the street and smith sports buisness journal or whatever it’s called THEN you say one can’t believe anything one reads about LBJ’s contract! i am pretty sure brian himelf reported on that nike contract fact. but what does that matter to you, eh, mr. tucker? why let FACTS get in the way of your tired, old, lame conventional wisdom, right?
felllow readers (assuming there ARE any after mr. tucker and i’s tet-a-tet on this blog) here is mr. tucker’s fantatic destruction of my fact-based analysis: “LeBron James + New York Knickerbockers + A Winning New York Team Starring LeBron James = Marketing Fort Knox.” wow! what insight, eh? and the way he backs up his baseless claims with fact after fact, eh? again, look at the way he disproves the fact that the knciks sucked for all the 80’s and most of the 90’s, when the NBA enjoyed it’s heyday and biggest growth. oh, wait…he didn’t.
but, dear reader, don’t take my word on it. here is NBA COMMISSIONER DAVID STERN in an interview just the other day,”The (Knicks are) an important franchise because all of our franchises are important. But our league went through its greatest period of growth when the Celtics, the Lakers, the Pistons and the Bulls were all doing great.”
but i guess mr. tucker is right and me and the NBA COMMISSIONER are wrong, eh?
i await your devastating retort, mr. tucker…
February 17th, 2006 at 10:04 am
Jeez…
David Stern is a CEO of a corporation. And a damn good one. Precisely what is David Stern going to say publicly - - the truth? When has a CEO in any business ever told the public the truth?
The NBA is all about marketing its stars and, if at all possible, marketing its markets, particularly New York. The basketball game itself is secondary. It is an embarrassment to the NBA office the way the Knicks are now playing. But not an embarrassment the way the Bobcats are playing.
Of the thousands of cities he could have chosen, why did Osama specifically choose New York City and ram a plane into the World Trade Towers instead of a skyscraper elsewhere? Shockingly, the Terminal Tower is still standing.
Does anybody in their right mind believe David Stern is going to hold a press conference and say, “I agree we expanded too much. Oy vey, too many franchises. What were we thinking? The talent is amazingly diluted in our league. But more franchises means more money. That’s the ticket. And thank God for sending us Johnson and Bird and Jordan so CBS could stop putting our championship series’ on tape-delay. And the local affiliates don’t show a movie instead of the game we’re televising. That was embarrassing. We don’t care about the teams. Teams don’t equal ratings, teams don’t equal revenue. We don’t care about cities with a market size of a pimple. New York is where it’s at, man. If we get LeBron James in New York, we’re going to be taking this league to marketing heights it ain’t ever seen. Do you think Larry O’Brien ever cared about your lousy town? Do you think I really care about your lousy town?
Now go away, you’re bothering me. I’m trying to eat my corned beef on rye. And major league props to my man Windhorst in that hellhole Akron. That Cleveland market and the entire area is crap on a stick, but that boy can write words to die for.”
February 17th, 2006 at 11:56 am
well, there ya go, folks. this is the kind of “intellect” i’m dealing with here. using 9/11 to TRY and make his point about LBJ going to NYC. AND doing a terrible job of it!
yeah, ummm, i think i’ll be going now…have fun with this real winner…
March 21st, 2006 at 10:15 pm
Alan Tucker you are a freakin idiot. First of all, you are saying nothing major will be signed before 2008? Hey moron, his extension is due THIS SUMMER, in August, as in 4.5 months, and he says he can’t wait to sign it. There is a reason you are the only clown contesting LeBron re-signing. Because you are a moron. Get your head out of your ass and realize that LeBron has the richest shoe deal in history…HE DOESN’T NEED NEW YORK FOR THAT!!!
Name me one basketball player who had a swelling of endorsements bc he played for the Knicks. Yeah that’s right. Thanks for playing, dork.