LeBron James 2010: Cleveland? NYC? LA???

This week Jason and I will discuss the impending Free Agency of LeBron James. Here's what Jason had to say...

So I've been hearing all this talk about LeBron James being a free agent at the end of the season and all the speculation about where he might go. Will it be with Kobe and the Lakers? Will it be the Big Apple? I've even heard Chicago mentioned once. Listen...he's not leaving. At least not yet. Why would he? LeBron is a business man and it is smart for him to not take Cleveland's preliminary offer because it gives him leverage, a chance to be treated like royalty all summer (not like he isn't pampered already). But that leads to my next point, Cleveland treats him like he walks on water. Dan Gilbert can offer him the MAX contract and right now Cleveland is his best chance to cement his legacy with a true title. He won't go to New York because they are terrible, even if they get Dwyane Wade they are still not going to be an elite team. He won't go to the Lakers because that is Kobe's team and, as unselfish as LeBron is, he will want to be the man. Chicago is just ridiculous. Plain and simple he will re-sign the maximum contract with Cleveland for about 2 or 3 years. If they don't win in that time frame he will leave but not until then. He loves the area, he loves the royalty treatment and he wants to win. Those three factors equal him staying. Cleveland fans and even the media will portray it as "This always happens to Cleveland" in terms of him leaving but I honestly believe this is totally different because we actually have an owner who has a ton of money and cares. We've only ever had one or the other in the past with our pro sports teams owners. Dick Jacobs was probably the best sports owner we've had here in the last 20 years. He spent what he could but his budget was not that of a Steinbrenner. Gilbert could very well be the most passionate, intelligent, and championship hungry owners in the NBA. He knows his franchise is worth nothing without King James. He will do whatever it takes to keep him here. Trust me...

I do trust you Jason, I really do. LeBron James will be a Cleveland Cavalier for at LEAST 2 more seasons. I think what frustrates me most about the whole situation is the fact that no one thinks that LeBron can win in Cleveland. Why? Because of our history? Ever since LeBron got here things have been looking up for Cleveland. The Cavs have gotten better each year, the Indians almost made it to the World Series and the Browns...well, let's just stop at "the Indians almost made it to the World Series." Anyways, back to the point, I think it is absolutely wrong to think that Cleveland can't attract another big star to help LeBron. Last night, during the game against Miami, I believe it was Reggie Miller that said "How about Wade and LeBron playing together in Cleveland?" and someone replied that there was no chance of that at all. Why not? If Dan Gilbert wants to spend the coin to make Cleveland a powerhouse, why wouldn't players do it? As much as the city of Cleveland has been down, it is starting to rise again and Dan Gilbert is a big reason for it. The city of Cleveland earns about One Million Dollars every time the Cavs play a home game. Ohio just passed an Issue to bring Casinos into Cleveland and Dan Gilbert is going to run one of them. Cleveland is a city that is getting ready to rise from the ashes and a Championship in ANY sport will be one of the steps that helps. The Cavs give LeBron the best chance to win AND be the man running the show. And as for another star coming to Cleveland, I think we could see that happen near the trading deadline.

I did hear that comment from Reggie Miller and the response. It further makes me believe that sports journalism has gone the way of rumor central. It's no fun for them to speculate that small market teams could be big time contenders. Now I don't think Wade would go to Cleveland but it's not beyond possibility that Cleveland could attract another big name. I think people ignore what Gilbert is doing simply because it's never been done here before. Gilbert is definitely a strong asset to this area for all the reasons you list and we should have faith in what he can accomplish. He won't let us down without a fight, which is more than we can say about the other "owners" of this city.

Exactly. Dolan and Lerner don't know anything about the sports in which they own a team. They just don't get it. Lerner seems like he's starting to get it but we'll have to wait and see. I know that Cleveland doesn't have the Billions that a New York or an LA has but to dub us a "Small Market" is a little off, I think. We have owner's with big bucks...don't let the Indians payroll fool you...and two of them (Gilbert and Lerner) are willing to spend it. Lerner just needs to learn how to spend it properly. I do believe that I will see a World Series Championship, an NBA Championship and a Super Bowl Title in my lifetime. I'm not saying I won't be on my death bed when it happens, but it WILL happen.