LeBron's day in NY: ESPN and the rest of the NY media machine are firing on all cylinders + POLL

KobeStoppa — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:58:45 -0000

Just to preface everything, this is the first time I've used pictures and videos in a fanpost. So please bear with me if it's not presented in the most organized fashion, I'm still learning.

The media is really buzzing with stories of LeBron heading to NY today. These are the sotries that I found most intriguing. I think the ESPN article from Chris Broussard was the best piece written on LeBron's future since the big trades on Friday. The shoes show an obvious infatuating LeBron has with NY. And it's nice to see LeBron actually talk a little about the situation in the video, although he does do a good job of dodging most of the questions.

Anyway, let me know what you think about the topic. It's obviously becoming a huge story not only for Cleveland and NY, but the entire league.

Chris Broussard - ESPN The Magazine:LeBron leaving Cleveland? 'It's not a foregone conclusion'

Here are a few of the main points from the article:

I've had several conversations with LeBron about his future, and I can tell you that anyone who says he's definitely leaving Cleveland doesn't know what he's talking about.

"It's not a foregone conclusion that he's leaving,'' a person close to LeBron said. "It's premature to make that assumption.''

Money probably won't play much of a role in LeBron's decision because he'll obviously be filthy rich no matter where he goes. Cleveland can pay him the most, roughly $133 million over six years, while everyone else can offer about $102 mil over five. And contrary to popular opinion, LeBron does not get more money from Nike if he plays in New York. That clause in his contract expired after his rookie season.

LeBron knows he's not competing against only Kobe, Dwyane Wade, Boston's big three and the rest of the league's stars; he's got to approach Jordan. That obviously takes plenty of titles. One, two and maybe even three, won't do. So, in 2010, what team is going to give him the best chance to win ring after ring after ring?

But Jordan didn't just win championships. He built a dynasty from scratch. That's the mentality LeBron was raised with by his coaches in Akron -- that you have to build something to have a legacy.

"He's obsessed with living in New York,'' another friend told me recently.

LeBron is a fashion plate, and what better place to show off your wares than New York. He clearly likes the limelight and the Hollywood scene, so playing in front of the Garden's famous actors, actresses, athletes, rappers, et al would undoubtedly appeal to him. Also, some of the people around LeBron would rather see him in New York, where they believe he's more marketable, than in Cleveland.

Speaking of fashion, check out the new shoe Lebron made to commemorate what the guys on PTI refferd to as Lebron's "favorite city."

Nike Zoom LeBron 6 "Big Apple"

In tomorrow’s game, LeBron will take the court in this exclusive colorway of his latest sneaker called the Nike Zoom LeBron 6 "Big Apple". Obviously, the colorway receives its inspiration from New York City’s nickname. The upper is covered in "candy apple" red perforated leather and patent leather accents. This sneaker is complimented with a uniquely speckled midsole as well.

via images.nicekicks.com

Personaly, that shoe reminds me of Scottie Pippen's Cinderella slippers in the 1994 All-Star game.

via www.nba.com

And don't forgot about the previous shoe he released before a game in MSG

Yankees Edition Nike Zoom Lebron 5

King James conquered the Knicks last March when he came to the Garden and put up 50 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds while wearing the NY themed Nike Zoom Lebron 5 "Yankees."

via images.nicekicks.com

And then we have some video courtesy of ESPN

Lebon chatting with screaming Stephen about his expectations for the Cavs and where he might end up after the summer of 2010.

Here's a Rachel Nichols report about the warm welcome LeBron is expected to recieve in the MSG.

And just for the heck of it, let it be known that I most definitely "Chalked" before creating this fanpost.

Poll

Where do you think Lebron will end up after the summer of 2010?

Lebron will stay with the Cavs

33 votes

Lebron will end up with the Knicks

7 votes

Not sure where he'll end up, but it won't be with the Cavs

8 votes

It's almost two years away, let's wait to see what the Cavs will do to make Lebron happy

25 votes

73 votes | Poll has closed

Basketball Prospectus on the Cav's chance of winning a title.

KobeStoppa — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:09:34 -0000

Basketball Prospectus on the Cav's chance of winning a title.

The article talked about how most teams won Championships with at least a big three. It points out the few exceptions of winning with a big two. And it talked about how it is possible but very rare to win a championship with just one star and a bunch of solid role players.

Overall though, the writer likes the chances of the Cavs winning it all as long as they continue to share the ball on the offensive end.

"Provided the Cavaliers do not revert to complete and total dependence on James, forgoing all the progress they have made in attack style and strategy, and assuming no injuries, the Cavaliers have every opportunity to win a championship this year. This is the first time in recent memory that a team has a better than mediocre chance at winning it all with only one superstar--and that says a lot about LeBron James."

X's and O's breakdown of Lebron and the new Cav's offense

KobeStoppa — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:34:04 -0000

X's and O's breakdown of Lebron and the new Cav's offense

This is a great post from the painted area breaking down the X's and O's of how the Cavs are using LeBron offensively.

It focuses on using LeBron at the 4 in a UCLA double high post set and comparing his role there to Karl Malone and Chris Webber/Vlade Divacs.

It's extremely educational. Make sure to follow his links too, they'll lead you to even more insight on the breakdowns of the UCLA offense and LeBron's effectiveness from different sets.

SB Nation User Blog: KobeStoppa

LeBron's day in NY: ESPN and the rest of the NY media machine are firing on all cylinders + POLL

Chris Broussard - ESPN The Magazine:LeBron leaving Cleveland? 'It's not a foregone conclusion'

Nike Zoom LeBron 6 "Big Apple"

Yankees Edition Nike Zoom Lebron 5

Where do you think Lebron will end up after the summer of 2010?

Lebron will stay with the Cavs

Lebron will end up with the Knicks

Not sure where he'll end up, but it won't be with the Cavs

It's almost two years away, let's wait to see what the Cavs will do to make Lebron happy

Basketball Prospectus on the Cav's chance of winning a title.

Basketball Prospectus on the Cav's chance of winning a title.

X's and O's breakdown of Lebron and the new Cav's offense

X's and O's breakdown of Lebron and the new Cav's offense