Well this sure didn't take long … New York says LeBron's going to join D'Antoni
Posted May 12th, 2008 by Pat McManamon
It's surprising only in that it came fast: Already a story has been written speculating that the hiring of Mike D'Antoni as coach means the New York Knicks will make a strong run to sign LeBron James in 2010. Geez, the guy's only been hired for two days.
The story details the lust the Knicks have for James (big surprise there) and how James would fit so well in D'Antoni's high-flying offense. It goes into some great detail for an event that is pure conjecture, and a couple years away if it happens at all.
I can only imagine the panic a story like this will cause in our area …
It's no secret that a guy like D'Antoni would love to have James. No coach with a working brain in the NBA would not want to have him. If a coach would turn down the chance to have James on his team then it's time he open an umbrella stand outside Canal Park.
Second, James would probably love to play in D'Antoni's offense. He's called him a genius or mastermind or something like that. No NBA player with the ability to score would not want to play for him. If a guy who can play did not want to be in D'Antoni's offense, then he should open a lemonade stand next to the umbrella stand.
What does this mean? For now, nothing. James said the other day that he has no idea what the Knicks want to do.
But we should all probably get used to these stories, because they won't go away. The notion of James in New York has to be enticing — for James and the league. The best player in the league on the biggest stage? Whew. Newsday speculates in its story that the Knicks could be $28 million under the salary cap in 2010. Which is a lot of subway tokens to throw at a guy. But New York won't be the only team lusting after James if he does go to free agency. Every team in the league would maneuver to get him.
So expect these stories to increase as the final year of James' deal approaches (he has an option to opt out after the 2009-2010 season). The Cavs can offer James more years, more money and better annual raises, but James left money on the table with he took a three-year deal for this contract. Too, he makes so much money from his endorsements you wonder how much an NBA deal actually means to him.
It seems that the thing that would keep him in Cleveland is a chance to win championships for his hometown team. Michael Jordan won a bunch, but he wasn't from Chicago. Larry Bird went from Indiana to Boston and won. Magic Johnson went from Michigan to LA and won. James would stay home and win — and that would be unique.
This only means that his decision will come down not to money, but to the ability to win. The Cavs know this. They know that they must get him help so that the Cavs are a championship contender, not just an Eastern Conference-best team.
D'Antoni's hiring in New York really doesn't change anything. If D'Antoni were in Phoenix and James were to be a free agent, it's a safe bet he'd like James in Phoenix as well. The thought of James actually running that offense is pretty enticing. But … and this is key … D'Antoni has not shown his system can win a title. It can be exciting. It can bring a player great numbers. It can be fun to watch. But it never got the Suns out of the West.
Every NBA player pays attention to his numbers, but James seems bigger than numbers. He seems to be devoted to winning titles, and if he can do that in Cleveland the Cavs' chances to keep him are good. Think about it: What good is it to run a 110-point offense in New York if you can 't even get to the NBA Finals?
So the onus continues to be on the Cavs front office to build a team around James that can win. That was true a week ago, a month ago, a year ago. It hasn't changed just because D'Antoni was hired in New York.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Alot depends on New York's roster at that point as well. Right now, D'Antoni doesnt have much to work with on that roster, so housecleaning is in order.
You hit it on the head tho, Pat. If the Cavs have the talent in place to win it all, all of this is meaningless. Why leave if the situation is good and the wins keep coming? I think this coming NBA draft is going to be critical. The Cavs must find a Carlos Boozer type to replace Z eventually, a true point guard, and maybe some more shooting to replace Damon Jones. HUGE draft, and the Cavs do have 3 picks.
New York would be enticing, I understand that, but perhaps LeBron should ask A-Rod what it's like to play in that fishbowl every year. I bet he'd say he misses Texas or even Seattle.
Cleveland is where LeBron belongs, and he has a chance to own that city someday, as well as being beloved by the entire state of Ohio if he retires as a Cavalier. That has to be pretty enticing too.