BREEDING GROUND: Rain
7 hours, 19 minutes ago | 0

NYOil: Slick Talker
7 hours, 54 minutes ago | 0

Kardinal Offishall: Ambassador Imperial
12 hours, 48 minutes ago | 1







It's All In The Game: Does LeBron Stand Alone?
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008 2:00 PM
By Gerald Narciso


Kudos to the Cleveland Cavaliers for pushing the Boston Celtics to seven games. And even more kudos to the Cavs for getting all the way to the NBA Finals a season ago. But despite their achievements, it really isn't good enough.

Let's state the obvious. LeBron James is a damn good player. So good, in fact, that he basically carried a team with lottery level talent and pushed them deep into the postseason.

 

But no matter how nice he is, he can't do this without some help.

Let's say they stole Game 7 from Boston. Now what? Do you really think they could touch L.A., San Antonio or New Orleans? In last year's Finals they looked like the J.V. team playing varsity.

In order for the Cavs to pull off big wins, LeBron needs nearly a triple double and someone else on that team has having a career night. I don't care who you are, that is just not realistic if you’re talking about championships. You need another All Star caliber player, and Cleveland has failed to provide him with that.

 

Just look at this last game. Delonte West was the second best player on the Cavs team. Don't get me wrong, D-West is solid, but a second option? Then you got Wally Szczerbiac, Joe Smith, Zydrunas Ilgauskus, Ben Wallace - three players who are on the decline of their careers. Boobie Gibson is getting better, but he can't even start for most NBA teams.

‘Bron’s situation reminds me a lot of the situation KG was in for several years. Good enough to get deep in the playoffs, but not a shot in hell of winning it all. Management there also didn’t give KG much to work with. And as loyal as Kevin was to that organization, eventually you knew he was going to want out, and that’s exactly what happened.


In my opinion if management doesn’t upgrade LeBron's supporting cast soon, they will see their home-grown star bolt.

King James hits free agency in two years, and believe me, he is going to have options. The New York Knicks got a lot going for them to lure him. By then the Garden will have been completely renovated. You also know that LeBron will like the idea of playing in Mike D'Antoni's system. And the endorsement opportunities? Well that's self explanatory.

LeBron could also build his empire playing just one borough away in Brooklyn where the Nets are scheduled to move in 2011. Everybody knows the relationship 'Bron has with Hova and you know he is intrigued with the chance to play for what will be the hippest team in the league.

 

A few years ago, management tried to give LeBron that Pippen-esque sidekick, by throwing $60 mil to Larry Hughes. Obviously that failed. Since then they have done a lot of small-time wheeling and dealing that resulted in acquiring more average players. They lost out on the chance to snag guys who became available like Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion.

 

Cavs’ GM Danny Ferry must be aggressive in getting LeBron help this summer. He has a few bargaining chips like Szczerbiac’s expiring contract. Names like Corey Maggette, Shawn Marion,  Jose Calderon and LeBron’s buddy Carmelo Anthony are just a few of the names that could become available.

 

So it’s now or never this offseason for the management. Last week, James was quotes as saying, “No LeBron James team is a desperate team.” But if Cleveland wants to keep him in a Cavs jersey, then that’s exactly what they are going to have to be.

 


Comments

 

International Ice said:

if lj 23 stood alone he wouldn't be home alone by himself. it depends what your asking. does he stand alone with his team hell yeah. but they also had a chance. they beat my injured wizards. so that didn't really count but hey boston has good d. but if you sayin does he stand alone in the nba hell no. you can't discredit the boston 3 or kobe or even fundamental san antonio for that matter. they did sweep them last year so it matters what you're asking. i hope lebron doesn't go to the knicks yea i mean they may be able to afford him but man the knicks ain't doin shit and haven't been. y would he go from the finals last year to possibly the final place in the nba. doesn't make since i guess if you want money but you know dat nigga want a chip. i think da brooklyn nets may be the probable place. all he got to do is tell jay who he want to play with you think jay won't pay you fuckin crazy. common sense to me

myspace.com/teamunva

hottest group out north VA
May 20, 2008 2:16 PM
 

Young BRINK! said:

Can Someone Get This Guy Allen Iverson or Baron Davis???
He needs another star player!

MYSPACE WHERE U AT???

http://www.myspace.com/youngbrink1
May 20, 2008 2:22 PM
 

DA_1NE said:

ME BEIN 4ROM OHIO(DA H.O.F.) CITY,WHICH IS ONLY BOUT 20 MINUTES 4ROM AKRON....I BEEN FOLLOWIN BRON SINCE HIGHSCHOOL SINCE WE IS ONLY A YEAR APART N AGE.AND YES HE DOES NEED MORE PPL TO HELP HIM OUT BECUZ LIKE YU WERE SAYIN,HE'S GON LEAVE IF SUMTIN DONT CRACC N CLEVELAND OVA DIS SUMMER. TO TELL YU DA TRUTH,I WOULD'NT BE MAD AT HIM SHIT!! WHY NOT? BIG UPZ TO DA CLEVELAND BRONDALIERS FO MAKIN IT SO FAR ANYWAYS!!!!!! OHIO STAND UP!!!!LOL
May 20, 2008 3:10 PM
 

TYBOGGIE said:

WTF^^^^^

"SINCE WE IS ONLY A YEAR APART"..WOW.. WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO..
May 20, 2008 3:38 PM
 

doobie ashtray said:

lebron needs a point gaurd like parker...
May 20, 2008 3:42 PM
 

brotha310 said:

get that guy a true point guard and maybe get his ass in the post more
May 20, 2008 4:05 PM
 

doobie ashtray said:

I THINK LEBRON WILL BE A POWER FORWARD BEFORE ITS ALL SAID AND DONE... LATER ON IN HIS LATE 20'S HE WILL START PUTTING ON THE POUNDS AND BECOME A LOW POST PLAYER...
May 20, 2008 4:18 PM
 

odeisel said:

homey shoulda followed Lebron TO school. Don't cry for Lebrnon he' got all the calls in that game including pulling peirce's jersey in plain sight on defense  and stepping on the baseline only to get the guy he ran into a blocking foul.  can we get some playoff analysis in here?
May 20, 2008 4:21 PM
 

WhoRyde said:

Couldn't say it any better. They need to do something or he will want to leave the Cavs. Hell no one really even payed any attention to the Cavs before he came there. GET HIM HELP or he'll be out.


WhoRyde hip hop show hosted by Tye Banks

http://www.WhoRyde.podomatic.com

http://www.TyeBanks.com
May 20, 2008 4:35 PM
 

AJRICH said:

forget LB DWADE is the best
May 20, 2008 5:25 PM
 

jjgreenis said:

They're gonna pick up Earl Watson... hahaaha Watch.. Remember who said it first... Earl Watson..
May 20, 2008 5:29 PM
 

Tommy K. said:

Yea he just needs a lil bit more help.
May 20, 2008 5:54 PM
 

DA_1NE said:

@TYBOGGIE.....WDF YU MEAN?!
YA COMMENT DONT MAKE SINCE..LIKE I SAID WE A YEAR APART IM A YEAR OLDER DEN HIM & I WENT TO TIMKEN HIGH.
\SINCE YU WANTED TO KNOW YEDIIG?!
May 20, 2008 6:52 PM
 

Dove said:

lol...
May 20, 2008 7:02 PM
 

SELASOLJER said:

WHO CARES BOUT LEBRON N THE CAVS,LAKERS GONNA TAKE IT FOR THE NEXT THREE TEARS,,,FUCK THE CELTICS THEY MIGHT NOT EVEN GET PASSED THE PISTONS,,PLUS THE CAVS MUST FEEL LIKE DUMB SHITS WHEN THEY GAVE UP BOOZER,SEEING HOW HE'S DOING IN UTAH...LAKERS 08 CHAMPS KOBE FINALS MVP,,,WE GONNA SMASH ON DETROIT AND GET SOME PAYBACK FOR 04
May 20, 2008 7:29 PM
 

Boss Up said:

mane they need a true center not some 7'5 european who doesn't even dunk
May 20, 2008 7:43 PM
 

NJRebel said:

I don't think the Knicks and Nets are better off than the Cavs are, they both have a worse chance of winning
May 20, 2008 9:42 PM
 

TYBOGGIE said:

@ DA_1NE.... COMMENT DOES'NT MAKE SENSE. WOW. THE WORLD MUST BE TRULEY COMING TO AN END. YOU TYPE/SPELL LIKE A 12 YEAR OLD. I DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT THE SCHOOL YOU WENT. I WAS ATTACKING THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE. YOU HAPPY TO BE A YEAR OLDER THATN LEBRON, BUT YOUR SPELLING LIKE A PRE-TEEN. NEXT TIME, SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO ME AND I WILL INTERPRET THEM FOR YOU. KIDDING. DON'T SEND ME SHIT..LOL

@ SELASOLJER
THE CAVS DID NOT GIVE UP CARLOS BOOZER. CARLOS BOOZER PROMISED TO RE-SIGN WITH THE OFFER THAT WAS IN PLACE FOR HIM. UTAH CAME WITH A BETTER DEAL AND HE JUST LEFT WITHOUT WAITING TO SEE IF THE CAVS WOULD MATCH THAT OFFER.
May 20, 2008 11:56 PM
 

c4_gutta said:

Hey... Lebron said himself that he was happy with the trade.  So do you think HE feels he needs a lil' more help?  True indeed, that trade was week as hell... but if he felt that it was... he should of said something.  He'll eventually leave Cleveland.
May 21, 2008 1:48 AM
 

Thenewcomer said:


You can best belive If the Cavilers Failed Too Get to playoffs next year, Or get illuminated in

the first Round of the playoffs, That may be the Iceing on the Cake, for Lebron Too Move Too

Another Market. Lets hope they don't have to see Gilbert Arenas, And the Washigton Wizards Next

Year for A Forth time. And Not to say that they can't Beat them again..  But Who Knows what will

happen next season, everything now is just pure speculation.
May 21, 2008 11:54 AM
 

DA_1NE said:

@TYBOGGIE...I SPELL DIS WAY ON PURPOSE
IM NOT HERE TO BE IN NO SPELLIN BEE YEDIIG

YU DO YU & I'LL DO ME....LMAO
May 21, 2008 12:03 PM
 

Thenewcomer said:


But one thing i like too look at it from many points of view, And one thing is that alot players

on the team don't pull their weight, or they only show up to play in the big games against a

dominating teams like the Lakers, but too i would have to agree with AUSTIN CARR (Who led the

Cavaliers to the playoffs on three occasions ) Who is now our Sports Caster said This maybe like

five years ago, some players on the team or Teams  SHOW UP ONLY FOR A PAY CHECK When your make millions our dollars  !!!! uh lets see here , I think the average salary for a NBA bench wamer  is 80,000 To 500,000.  But As far as the Caviliers Go, Zee Always pulls his Weight,  Delonte West definately came up this year.  For the rest I can't speak, plus i didn't watch many games this year. only Game Hightlights So I won't comment on everyone else,
May 21, 2008 12:27 PM
 

Thenewcomer said:

But i would have to agree With Me my Self And I, your not going always be 100% in

everygame, or everyplay, or play hard against Medicore Teams,A NBA body the needs rest. Just like I

won't always give a 100 percent at a Regular Job  its just human nature to slack off And I love

to Slack off, But theres a time and place for everything . So im not going to be the one who playa hates....  But you must show up for the games that do count Like The Playoffs...   Its not like the Cavs don't have talent on the team ts just that certain players chose not to step up their game durning critical games, especilly during the playoffs,  Even your WEAKEST LINK on the team, has to be willing to give a 110% especially durning the playoffs.  Thats how championchips our won
May 21, 2008 12:54 PM
 

Thenewcomer said:

I Wasn't going to Comment, But I Think Larry Hughes And Drew Gooden Have Strong Game, Those  two

combined were my favorite players on the team, besides Lebron . And I Think Larry  Hughes  

complmented Lebron very well at begining of his contract with the Cavs,  but I think the last

couple years is when things started to go down hill. He was always  hurt, and i don't think Larry

Hughes always played to the best of his ablilities, I don't think Larry should be denied beacause

I 've seen larry shake the hell out some people, As well As put up big numbers.But As Far As

Trading Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes towards the middle of the season, As A  General Manager I

would have passed until the end of the season, then traded them too Chicago If they didn't

perfome durning the playoffs.  . Also i noticed this with a few teams, including Cleveland As

well as the Lakers of 2004, when try to bring in top talent from another team, It dosen't always

mean that that  particular Player, will perform well as  as the Team that they left.


All in All This is only from a fans perspective, and we don't really know what goes on behind

close doors..
May 21, 2008 2:31 PM
 

Thenewcomer said:

And The Carlos Boozer Situation This should come as a Lesson To anybody in The Sports World As

well As the Real Working World, If you choose not pay your Best perfomers, Workers or Players

even your Poor Perfomers Decent wages,You Can best belive they will be going to another Market or

Jobsite . Come To Think About it. I should ve pulled a CARLOS BOOSER On  my place of Employment

Two Years Earlier after being layed off, for eight years of service, with poor pay results, and

no descent wage increases, And The Bad Thing About it, I seen it coming. I knew i was the weakest

link
May 21, 2008 2:34 PM
Anonymous comments are disabled. Sign up or Login
Lifestyle Archives
 >