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Originally Posted by KurtBevacqua
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert must be feeling really good, while New York and LA ownership should be having a reality check. LeBron James is not leaving Cleveland any time soon, and there are really good financial and political reasons why. The voters have made their voice loud and clear in Gilbert's favor. Here are two links giving the details:
Gambling Measure Passes, Clearing Way For Casinos - Commitment 2009 News Story - WLWT Cincinnati
Backed by casino cash, would Dan Gilbert be motivated to broaden his Cleveland sports interests? NBA Insider | Cleveland Cavaliers - cleveland.com -
With Ohio voters giving Gilbert the legal means to greatly enhance his revenue streams I see no reason for the Cavs owner to basically disregard NBA salary cap penalties to do what it takes to a) pay LeBron the league max year after year and b) go out and grab another Shaq or whomever every season to prove to LeBron he's serious about winning him his title.
After watching last night's Cavs-Knicks game it's pretty obvious if LeBron goes to the Knicks he is resetting his title clock back to the time he was a rookie in Cleveland. That team has no kind of title talent. As for the LA rumors, the only way it can possibly work is through a sign and trade deal. Sorry, but outside of Kobie included in the trade, I see no way the Cavs make that kind of deal with LA.
Face it big market NBA lovers, you are not getting LeBron as long as Dan Gilbert owns the team and Ohio voters buy into his act. And at present that is not something that is on the horizon in LeBron's career. |
I fail to see the impact on James.
The argument for James to go to either Los Angeles or New York is that he'd have a much better chance to explore career and income options outside basketball. No matter how powerful or rich an owner is, what he could give the player is still pretty limited. If it's only about having money to spend, then Paul Allen would have had much more success in Portland.