Monday, November 24th, 2008 at 12:00 pm  |  87 responses

LeBron’s Effect on the Knicks and … Yankees

by Marcel Mutoni

The talk surrounding the free agent class of ’10 is absolutely out of control; I shudder at the thought of what it’ll be like 18 months from now. One person who seems to be getting a kick out of the whole thing, though, is the guy causing everyone to lose their minds.

After the New York Knickerbockers gutted their team last week in an obvious effort to clear cap space for the summer of 2010, LeBron James offered his 2-cents on the matter. From the Plain Dealer:

“[The media] did care about the guys that were coming to the Knicks, huh?” James said with a smile before the Cavs took on the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. “I figured that’s what would happen.”

“2010 is a big summer, really big summer,” James said. “It’s two years away but time goes fast. We’ll see what happens.”

To give you an idea of just how far-reaching the madness has become, LeBron’s zip code of choice two years from now is of such import that it’s starting to affect free agency in Major League Baseball.

C.C. Sabathia, the biggest free agent name in baseball this offseason, is reportedly going to base at least some of his decision on where LeBron decides to hoop in a couple of years. Well, that’s what ESPN is saying anyway.

The fun continues tomorrow night when the Cavs visit New York.

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  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 12:05 pm
    I believe C.C. is basing his decision on where LeBron goes about as much as I believe Stuart Scotts ebonics.

  • riggs Posted: Nov.24 at 12:07 pm
    even if he does come here, it will be him with a bunch of sh*tty teammates……again

  • NACHOveli Posted: Nov.24 at 12:10 pm
    if Lebron really wants to shock the world, he shld come to the suns in 2010 and ball with amare. phx aint ny or la, but it is one of the fastest growing markets in the country. and judging on how well we hosted the super bowl and the upcoming all-star game. folks are starting to take notice. oh did I mention its been about 75 degrees of late??? who else can offer better winter weather…think about it

  • Breeze Posted: Nov.24 at 12:19 pm
    never the suns….and he should go to ny.or teh nets …period

  • FLUD Posted: Nov.24 at 12:20 pm
    I don’t think he wants to shock the world..Just own it. Orange and Grey are disgusting colours together. Don’t do it ‘Bron. It’ll dampen the visual aesthetics of your iconicism-osity.

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Nov.24 at 12:37 pm
    Lol @ FLUD, yeah your right. I always felt that the knicks colors were highly disgusting. Beware of what happened to the McGrady/Hill/Duncan trio….

  • Breeze Posted: Nov.24 at 12:42 pm
    ahh ya both must not be from new york…blue yellow and black use to be a great first dat outfit ..haa…any way im tired of talking about this team..

  • Holy Baller Posted: Nov.24 at 1:09 pm
    Some smart team is going to come in and clean up on the player clearance that is going on now. Teams are trading away some of their best players and very good role players to get a chance at the free agents in 2010. Some team like OKC or Memphis is going to get all of these players and be a force in 2010.

  • Ken Posted: Nov.24 at 1:09 pm
    LOL at B Long. I’m going to start using that expression. Genius.

  • Knick of time Posted: Nov.24 at 1:11 pm
    It may be popular opinion that stars like LeBron, Wade, Bosh and Amare will not be attracted to a mediocre Knicks team in the summer of 2010, but it doesn’t always work out that way. Look at what happened with the Celtics last year. The big three of Pierce, KG and Ray Allen look phenomenal on paper, but the team wasn’t a serious contender until the roster was filled out AFTER the big three was secured. First, it was James Posey that signed. Then it was Eddie House. Then the Celtics wooed P.J. Brown out of retirement half-way through the season. And finally, Sam I Am Cassell came on board in March. We can all agree that without these crucial role players, the Celtics’ bid for a championship would not have been nearly as powerful. (You also had has-beens like Gary Payton and Travis Best (?!) making their desire to join the club public.) If LeBron and Amare were to sign with the Knicks in 2010, and we already had Nate, Lee and Chandler secured, I’d bet that there would be more than enough vets interested in signing with the team at a discount if it means making a title run.

  • Ben Posted: Nov.24 at 1:34 pm
    yankees are his favorite team, ny is the greatest city in the world…bring him in lol…we could possibly have bosh and nash too…woww…but that is a long ways off, so for now, we just have to enjoy nate the great dunking and dancing lol….http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1859735478/bclid1859720801/bctid2454972001

  • Ryne Nelson Posted: Nov.24 at 1:53 pm
    While I don’t see this as a foregone conclusion by any means, I also don’t think LeBron will think twice about leaving if he feels like he can win a Title elsewhere in 2010. New York has a chance with all that cap room.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 2:23 pm
    THe Knicks are getting LeBron it is not even speculation anymore, LeBron says everything he can to insinuate he is going to NY without making it obvious because he would be in big big trouble if he did. THere is no reason for the Media to question him he is not going to slip up but he does already know for a fact that is where he is going

  • Breeze Posted: Nov.24 at 2:38 pm
    the question we should be asking if he goes what would that mean to ny? are they even gonna be better than the cavs are now..are us as a state is just happy we have a great shot at the playoffs..cause im sorry to all you big lebron fans he cant do it by himself if you didnt notice

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Nov.24 at 2:40 pm
    Aren’t the knicks colors orange/blue/black/white Breeze? If they still are, I will stick to my statement about their disgusting colors.

  • Jacob Posted: Nov.24 at 2:42 pm
    I still think somehow in someway Lebron is going to stay in cleveland…especally if he wins a title there

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 2:47 pm
    44 Million dollars, thats how much money the Knicks will have at the start of free agency in 2010 w/ the contracts they have now. Thats Lebron plus 2 players. One with a max salary and one around mid level. They will be better than Cleveland

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 2:54 pm
    I heard this is why Brett Favre is a Jet too.

  • Celts17 Posted: Nov.24 at 3:03 pm
    I’m with Riggs. The Knicks are much more than a Lebron away from a championship. I personally think Lebron’s mommy will make sure her boy stays close to home in Cleveland. Look for them to clear some capspace over the next 24 months and make history in 2010 with the most lucrative sports contract in history. But then they will still suck-just like the Knicks. LOL

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 3:13 pm
    If you don’t think the Knicks will be relevant in 2010 then you clearly have no idea what your talking about. Even if they somehow don’t end up with LeBron they will be top 5 in the east that season.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 3:13 pm
    If you don’t think the Knicks will be relevant in 2010 then you clearly have no idea what your talking about. Even if they somehow don’t end up with LeBron they will be top 5 in the east that season.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 3:17 pm
    The Knicks haven’t been relevant since Latrell Sprewell was on the cover of SLAM.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 3:22 pm
    ^^true that

  • Ryne Nelson Posted: Nov.24 at 3:39 pm
    NBK hit it. Even if the Knicks *don’t* end up with LeBron, they’re still going to take some major free agent (who wouldn’t take the type of money and attention the Knicks can provide?). They’ll be major players, but their placement on the player scale is drastically affected by where LeBron ends up.

  • Celts17 Posted: Nov.24 at 3:44 pm
    At least you tri-staters have the Nets…oh..sorry. Well at least you have the Frost Heaves…

  • bumarty Posted: Nov.24 at 3:57 pm
    to NBK: The knicks are not the only team who are freeing up cap space for 2010. The Cavs have already done the same thing. They have secured their solid role players with Mo, Gibson, etc. and they also have enough expiring contracts to offer Lebron and another big name like Bosh. Ultimately, Lebron will choose where he wants to play as everyone will be offering him a max deal, plus another all star to play along side.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 4:07 pm
    @bumarty: Chris Bosh will not leave Toronto for Cleveland your a little confused if you think thats is even plausible. For Cleveland to keep LeBron they will have to trade for Vince and probably add a better 4. But LeBron playing in the biggest market in the world is probably to tantelizing for Cleveland to do anything about it. Plus i realize what teams will have cap space for 2010 and the number is 18 at this point. Phx suprisingly will probably have the most space if you don’t count them resigning Stat to a max deal. They have 35 million coming off the cap between shaq and nash alone. No matter what though it is plainly obvious where LeBron wants to go and that prospect of playing for D’Antoni with another team USA’er is too much for LeBron to pass on. Look for Dallas to make a splash also seeing as how every player in the league is willing to play for Cuban (he treats his guys better than any owner in the league).

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 4:22 pm
    If Chris Bosh goes anywhere, it will be Dallas.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 4:25 pm
    or NY

  • Dalah Posted: Nov.24 at 4:27 pm
    Come on Lebron. Make your way just a little west and land in Detroit. Joe Dumars is the best at what he does. Six consecutive eastern conference finals and a revived Iverson. Just need a King.

  • Dalah Posted: Nov.24 at 4:31 pm
    Chris Bosh should go to Houston.

  • Celts17 Posted: Nov.24 at 4:36 pm
    ESPN.com is reporting Bosh is going to sign with the New Dehli TeaDrinkers of the International Cricket Federation. It’ll be the biggest sports switch since Brock Lesner went to MMA.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 4:38 pm
    I have no comment on the Bron as a NYK at the moment. Just click my name, go to the side, find the article entitled “The Future”, and read. My thoughts on Bron as a Knick, kinda.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 4:55 pm
    The Lakers could use an upgrade at the three spot…I’m just saying…but then again being a part of a dynasty is not for everyone.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 4:59 pm
    B, Bron ain’t going to LA. Hate to break it to you. And whose dynasty is this? :)

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:11 pm
    Why wouldn’t LeBron atleast consider LA? THey will have enough presumably to offer him around 13 million-15 million a year, it is not max but it is close enough, plus the extra revenue LeBron would pull in from the market…plus he could make some guest appearances in movies and tv shows and pull in another couple mill a year, plus some time under the Zenmaster must be enticing if phil is still there. There would be as many reasons for LeBron to go to LAL as there are for any team other than NY and Cleveland.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 5:13 pm
    You can’t be considered a dynasty unless you repeat, Moose. The early 2000′s Laker squad was the last dynasty. I’m just saying if LeBron cared more about stacking rings than stacking eur…err, dollars and becoming a global commodity, he’d come to L.A. But he doesn’t so we’ll carry on our dynasty the next three years without him.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:15 pm
    B, the smiley face indicated the dynasty joking thing. A repeat looks highly possible, especially (and I love bringing this stat up) we have duplicated our record at this time last year so far this year. I’ll talk to you after we take y’all to seven in June, Bradley. ;)

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:15 pm
    And good Euro line there, B. Long.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:16 pm
    @B.Long> The problem with your comment calling LAL a dynasty is that there is no way LeBron James will allow a dynasty while he is in the league unless he is on it. LA will compete and probably win a title or two but for them to reach dynasty status the best player in the world will have to be on their team. And kobe (whether you agree or not) is in his last year as even arguably the best player (he isn’t, LeBron is) this is LeBron’s league just like it was Jordans..

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:21 pm
    NBK, don’t liken LeBron to Jordan. Don’t liken ANYBODY to Jordan.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:23 pm
    LeBron is having a better career then Jordan already…..You can’t argue with the truth which up to this point in their respective careers LeBron is better….

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:25 pm
    NBK, again, don’t liken LeBron to Jordan. Don’t liken ANYBODY to Jordan.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 5:26 pm
    NBK must’ve missed the SLAM TOP 50. Again, No Baskeball Knowledge.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:27 pm
    I can do whatever i want especially if i am right. Live with it, even if jordan is your idle if not LeBron somebody will be better. But LeBron will your gonna have to hear it for the rest of his career get used to it

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:27 pm
    And does LeBron have a NCAA National Championship? And how many Finals has he won? I know you’re talking about being early in their career and BLAH BLAH BLAH, but Jordan is the best ever. LeBron won’t be Jordan. He can come pretty damn close (not that I’m saying that it will actually happen) but he won’t be Jordan.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:29 pm
    The slam top 50 (sorry slam) does not do any justice to rankings of anything. Baron Davis ahead of iverson? Keep bringing up the top 50 and league will keep showing why it didn’t prove anything.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:31 pm
    LeBron is 24 years old (almost) he skipped college can’t count that. And what did Michael have at age 24? a first round exit? LeBron has already been to the finals by himself, and matched Jordans best overall statistical season. (not scoring, overall statistics) If you try to be open minded and look it is not even arguable that LeBron is better at this point in his career then jordan was.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:32 pm
    NBK, lemme remind you about Jordan. ONE NCAA National Championship. SIX TIME NBA Finals winner. FIVE TIME league MVP. SIX TIME NBA Finals MVP. FOURTEEN TIME NBA All-Star. THREE TIME All-Star Game MVP. NBA Rookie of the Year in 1985. NINE TIME NBA All-Defensive team selection. ONE TIME Defensive Player of the Year. TEN TIME All-NBA First Team selection. TWO TIME NBA Slam Dunk Contest Winner. All of this great stuff, and he’d still be arguably the best ever with only (ironic) the six NBA Finals. LeBron won’t touch most of this stuff. There will never be another. MJ is the G.O.A.T. Period.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:33 pm
    He won’t be jordan either your right, he will be a better overall player. Jordan is the best as of now, but LeBron is stomping on jordans career records and everyone elses for that matter. The only other player that was this productive this early in his career was the big o, but he did not have anywhere near the athletic ability as lebron. Nor the competition.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:35 pm
    NBK. NBK. NBK. Dude. Will LeBron ever win defensive first team? I REALLY don’t think so. Let alone win a DPOY award. And there’s no way in hell Bron will win five MVPs or six NBA Finals.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:35 pm
    I don’t need to know what MJ did, i know very well of every basketball accomplishment he has. But like i said to this point in jordans career compared to lebron-it is not even close. Although this is the year michael won dpoy and mvp – don’t think lebron will do that. But michael was still older than james is by 2 years.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:35 pm
    So saying that Bron will be a more complete player is crap. And dont get me wrong, LeBron is my favorite player in the NBA right now. Just he ain’t Michael.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:37 pm
    NBK, he also had a college National Championship under his belt. And you’re saying that Bron’s career matches up to Jordan’s at this time in their careers. OK. I can take that. Just don’t come telling me the same thing in three, even two or one, more years.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:37 pm
    LeBron might win MVP for a decade, you have no idea how many he will win. And if LeBron wanted to win dpoy he would, you can argue all you want but LeBron is Michael’s athletic ability in a PF’s body.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:38 pm
    LeBron would have a national championship and a player of the year as a freshman if he went to college don’t bring that crap college sht too this argument.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:40 pm
    But LeBron didn’t go to college, NBK. Michael did. And he won the championship. So don’t argue about what Bron COULD’VE done in college. He just didn’t. And the competition in the league for MVP is too great. Paul, D-Will, all those guys and a bunch of others will be there for good. And six NBA Finals? Bron isn’t Michael.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:41 pm
    And again, saying that if Bron wanted to win DPOY he could is crap as well. You say he COULD if he WANTED. You got proof? LeBron wants to win. If he wants to play great D, he does, ya dig?

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 5:42 pm
    Since LeBron is the overseer and allower of all things in the NBA, why the hell did he “allow” his team to be knocked out by the Celtics? And why doesn’t he allow his free throws to go in during close games in the 4th quarter?

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:44 pm
    Conclusion: Jordan > LeBron. Thoughts on the debate, fellas? Who put up a better argument? :)

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 5:45 pm
    OUT. Be back later . . .

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:47 pm
    The competition for Michael to win MVP’s was just as tough- malone-olajuwan-barkley-robinson-shaq- i am aware of everything your saying but i am not a closed minded once a guy is the best he is the best forever ignorant- i know what michael did, but to this point at age 24 micahel was in his 3rd year and about to win his first all nba 1st team award.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 5:50 pm
    Well if Randy Brown says so, who am I to argue? http://www.nba.com/2008/news/features/dave_mcmenamin/11/24/wc.1123/index.html

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:54 pm
    I said he wont allow a dynasty b long not a championshp. And LeBron is only getting better, being only the third player to average 30 7 and 7 (oscar-michael) (michael did it in his 5th season as well but he was 26) plus lebron is the second player in history to average 27 6 6 for 4 consecutive years(oscar). LeBron is obviously off to a better start then jordan. And much like LeBron, Jordan was not known for his defense until he decided it was time for him to show his worth and he won a dpoy. LeBron currently does not have to shut down the best player on the opposing team but at the end of games thats what he does and thats when he shows how good of a defensive player he is. Just watch the 4th quarter of LeBron against another star (except boston last year in the pf’s but nobody was keepin pp from his ring) LeBron proves his defensive abilities just about every time they play the lakers.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 5:58 pm
    The problem with your argument moose is that you used career achievements to say Michael is better while LeBron is only 24. You cannot compare entire careers only what they had done at similar ages and if you do that – then this argument isn’t even worth having because it is not close.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 6:04 pm
    Oh scratch michael winning dpoy in his 5th year, it was his 4th. My Bad but he was still 25

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 6:08 pm
    I’m saying that Bron won’t be Michael. That’s my whole argument basically in a nutshell. I’m debated out. Just watch, NBK. Bron will be great. He won’t be MJ. I ain’t trying to start a rivalry with you or anything here. Just saying what I think. Have a good day, Mr. NBK.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.24 at 6:09 pm
    Oh yeah for sure no grudge or anything moose, i just think lebron will end up with a better career have a good one

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 6:18 pm
    I’m holding you to that, NBK. *writes down in head, “NBK thinks Bron will have a better career than MJ”*. Thanks for arguing, NBK. :)

  • davidR Posted: Nov.24 at 6:46 pm
    b long, i think you forgot the spurs are the latest dynasty.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 6:48 pm
    They repeated? Where have I been?

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 6:53 pm
    B. Long, they have won 4 in 9 years. Thats niiiiiice. Sounds like “dynasty” to me. They don’t need to repeat; every other year works just as well.

  • Quail Posted: Nov.24 at 6:59 pm
    @ riggs: why would there be any teammates coming with lebron? the knicks would be signing him… not trading for him. i doubt all of his teammates would follow him.

  • Hursty Posted: Nov.24 at 7:00 pm
    I cant believe that you just got into a LeBron/Jordan arguement Moose. With NBK. Damn. They totally differnt players….

  • Moose Posted: Nov.24 at 7:18 pm
    Sorry to disappoint you, Hursty. Just defending my beliefs. :)

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 7:29 pm
    4 in a decade is nice, but it’s not an dynasty. A repeat is required. It’s in section 3 of the offical NBA Dynasty Handbook.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.24 at 7:56 pm
    its not “a” dynasty. WTF is wrong with me today?

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Nov.24 at 8:40 pm
    @ B. Long: Are you just saying that because the Lakers happened to win 3 in a row?

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Nov.24 at 8:41 pm
    @ riggs: You are stupid.

  • Anton Posted: Nov.24 at 10:40 pm
    so why’s Bron flirting with NY? The money? I thought he wanted to win multiple championships…

  • neaorin Posted: Nov.25 at 3:44 am
    Wow, I thought ESPN had lost its mind when I saw Jalen rose say he thinks both LeBron and Wade will resign with their respective teams in 2010, only to do a complete 180 a few hours later and proclaim that his “sources” told him LeBron and Bosh are Knicks in 2010. Then came Screaming A’s rant, and now this. Seriously, did they dump something in the water at ESPN HQ?

  • Yassi Posted: Nov.25 at 5:19 am
    Spurs are no dynasty, they´re only the Spurs :lol:
    Me thinks, Lebron should go on and stirr madness for two years and then – retire. Now that would be fun…….

  • 007 Posted: Nov.25 at 4:37 pm
    Jordan isn’t Lebron and vice versa and they play different positions and built differently. When yuo try to compare who’s the best, its like comparing a hummer to a porsche or something to that extent. And they existed in totally different eras so you couldnt say whos the best at thier age bcoz if lebron played in the 80′s-early 90′s he would be banged up every game by the pistons,barkely.ewing and the knicks..he would go against the best dynasties and legends in Bird and celts and Lakeshow and magic. and best defensive,ultra talented, or dominant big men like Olajuwon,Robinson and Shaq.
    If jordan played in this era with rodman and pippen, they would have won almost all the 82 games..and the bulls wud have avg. like 120-130 ppg. while limiting opp. to just below 100 considering the brand of basketball NBA is promoting and teams almost would just go small and go offensive and run instead of defend and bang inside bcoz most teams now only have half a decent big men while best teams only have 1 and they happen to be powerforwards or shooting centers.(can include yao there) Peace.
    So there is no contest.(and if anyone in d NBA wanted to be great..then they wud have to do it now. cuz there’s no other right time and you can’t give no excuses when it’s al said and then cuz ur all given your chance.)
    BUT..to say that lebron is on line to be the next LJ(again LJ) …well he might well be. And you can bet your bottom dollar on that. Indiviudal,team and international game-wise.
    (Jordan also had 2 olympic medals.)

  • 007 Posted: Nov.25 at 4:41 pm
    (lakers and) spurs is a dynasty but it’s almost over now since theyre getting old and popo didnt do much to shake up their roster. The 2000-2006 detroit pistons team where close runner-up but were just to in with their heads with complacency.

  • 007 Posted: Nov.25 at 4:47 pm
    IMO. bosh,wade,lebron stays with their teams in 2010.Period. No way there transferring. Unless..their respective teams now can provide at least 1 decent big men or defensive big men in there to help them..they might reconsider.

  • Sheed Posted: Nov.27 at 10:55 pm
    lebron should go to the bobcats or clippers

  • neibo Posted: Jan.10 at 2:54 am
    …first of all…for all of yall who claim that lebron needs to go to L.A., here is a quick reality check…we all know that Kobe’s at the top of the pyramid as far as the Lakers Organization goes…and i doubt that he would stand for another high profile superstar on his team…He still tryng to prove that he can do it without Shaq and the last thing he needs is the second coming of “MJ” leaving a blemish on his fourth Title ring….

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