It is very interesting thinking about it from the perspective of crunch time. Who would you rather have the ball in their hand when it really matters, Wade or James? I would want Wade everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. I don't think James would mind deferring to Wade in big moments... times at which LeBron has not flourished consistently.

 

Imagine the debates that could grow from that. They win multiple titles with Wade being the go-to guy. Lebron could never attain the Greatest of All-Time status if he deferred to Wade in big moments.

 

It will be interesting to see who signs where and how they play together. Great players can make it work, but guys who need the ball a lot playing on the same team don't always equal a sum greater than the parts.

 

I'd be really concerned about Derrick Rose's production if he's in a situation where Lebron is dominating the ball. Rose isn't a spot-up shooter. How will Lebron respond if he's asked to play significant time without the ball?

 

How about Bosh if he's on a team with Wade and LBJ? There's not enough for both of them, much less a third marquee guy. Will he be satisfied as a glorified role player?

 

These guys certainly have the talent, but I don't know. I have some doubts about how good some of them will actually be if they're all on the court together.

 

I need to see who is on what team and how they play together first. I'm not convinced that they'll automatically be as good as people are projecting. It's possible they could dominate. It's also possible they won't mesh and they'll be a disappointment. Neither would surprise me. But, one thing I've learned from watching basketball is that generally speaking, guys who are used to getting shots and heavily involved in the offense don't play as well when those two things are decreased. Players need to find a rhythm, they need touches and shots. If you take a guy like Bosh who has averaged roughly 16 shots and 8 FT's per game over the last two years and significantly decrease those touches, you're not going to get the same player. It's not just that the stats will fall by default, he won't be as good, IMO.

 

We'll see. It's going to be interesting to say the least.

Imagine the debates that could grow from that. They win multiple titles with Wade being the go-to guy. Lebron could never attain the Greatest of All-Time status if he deferred to Wade in big moments.

 

It will be interesting to see who signs where and how they play together. Great players can make it work, but guys who need the ball a lot playing on the same team don't always equal a sum greater than the parts.

 

I'd be really concerned about Derrick Rose's production if he's in a situation where Lebron is dominating the ball. Rose isn't a spot-up shooter. How will Lebron respond if he's asked to play significant time without the ball?

 

How about Bosh if he's on a team with Wade and LBJ? There's not enough for both of them, much less a third marquee guy. Will he be satisfied as a glorified role player?

 

These guys certainly have the talent, but I don't know. I have some doubts about how good some of them will actually be if they're all on the court together.

 

I need to see who is on what team and how they play together first. I'm not convinced that they'll automatically be as good as people are projecting. It's possible they could dominate. It's also possible they won't mesh and they'll be a disappointment. Neither would surprise me. But, one thing I've learned from watching basketball is that generally speaking, guys who are used to getting shots and heavily involved in the offense don't play as well when those two things are decreased. Players need to find a rhythm, they need touches and shots. If you take a guy like Bosh who has averaged roughly 16 shots and 8 FT's per game over the last two years and significantly decrease those touches, you're not going to get the same player. It's not just that the stats will fall by default, he won't be as good, IMO.

 

We'll see. It's going to be interesting to say the least.

 

That's why I think NJ has more of a chance than I ever thought. If Wade/LBJ/Bosh team up nobody can say they are out for themselves. It's a move Kobe would never go for. Kobe had to be the man. His singular goal is all time greatest. LBJ's is Billionaire mogul. It's a completely different thing than we're used to for all timers. If LBJ really doesn't want to be looked at as the greatest of all time Miami is the place. How NJ can come out of this as the best option playing in that arena for 2 years is crazy. But I really think it's his and Bosh's best option right now.

If this does come to fruition, there would be no excuses and anything less than a title every year those three are together would be considered a failure, imo. Has there ever been a team with 3 players of that caliber?

 

That would certainly be the expectation. I wouldn't pencil them in for a title until I saw them play together for a while. It seems like Supergroups typically disappoint in the sports world. But, to be fair, we've never seen three guys in their prime like Wade, Bosh and LBJ come together.

 

I think Wade and James would be fine, but I'm a little more hesitant with Bosh. I'm not sure he'd be the same player in a more diminished role. Supposing the Heat could land James, I think they may be better served to try to find a guy who might be more comfortable as a role player. Someone to fill the Rodman/Horace Grant role on the Jordan-Pippen Bulls teams. I could be wrong though. Perhaps Chris Bosh just wants to win and he'll give the effort on the boards and defensively regardless of his offensive involvement.

 

If Miami could land James, I think they could follow the Bulls blueprint from the '90's. Fill the PG slot with a shooter (Paxson, Armstrong) or a long defender (Harper). Fill the 5 slot with some bangers who will compete down low, and find a 4 man who can rebound, defend and provide energy. Fill out the roster with a shooter or two and some guys who can defend. James and Wade could take care of the offense either by scoring themselves or creating opportunities for the supporting cast.

It is very interesting thinking about it from the perspective of crunch time. Who would you rather have the ball in their hand when it really matters, Wade or James? I would want Wade everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. I don't think James would mind deferring to Wade in big moments... times at which LeBron has not flourished consistently.

 

I'm still waiting on someone to list one time LeBron hasn't delivered in the clutch. Individually he's been the best player in the playoffs the last 4 years. Maybe he doesn't have the moments others do, but others have actually won big series so their plays stick out more. Outside of the Boston series this year I don't think any series LBJ has ever lost could be put on him because he has been the only reason they have been competitive. Best performance by a Cav (not named LeBron) in the playoff during the LeBron tenure? Quite possibly Boobie Gibson the year they went to the Finals.

 

Miami's owner will pay the luxury tax. Riley is a proven winner. It's freaking South Beach. Chicago is cold in the winters. No state income taxes. 3 super-stars that not only know each other well (unlike Noah and Rose to an extent), but really like each other. What's not to love? All 3 will probably have an option to do this all over again in 3y ears. Wade's age isn't an issue. To me LBJ always being one behind Wade would be more of an issue.

 

DWade will be a very old 29 years old next season. For someone with 7 years in the league he has taken more shots than a seasoned NFL QB. DWade is not a great shooter, how good will he really be at 33 when he isn't athletic anymore?

That would certainly be the expectation. I wouldn't pencil them in for a title until I saw them play together for a while. It seems like Supergroups typically disappoint in the sports world. But, to be fair, we've never seen three guys in their prime like Wade, Bosh and LBJ come together.

 

I think Wade and James would be fine, but I'm a little more hesitant with Bosh. I'm not sure he'd be the same player in a more diminished role. Supposing the Heat could land James, I think they may be better served to try to find a guy who might be more comfortable as a role player. Someone to fill the Rodman/Horace Grant role on the Jordan-Pippen Bulls teams. I could be wrong though. Perhaps Chris Bosh just wants to win and he'll give the effort on the boards and defensively regardless of his offensive involvement.

 

If Miami could land James, I think they could follow the Bulls blueprint from the '90's. Fill the PG slot with a shooter (Paxson, Armstrong) or a long defender (Harper). Fill the 5 slot with some bangers who will compete down low, and find a 4 man who can rebound, defend and provide energy. Fill out the roster with a shooter or two and some guys who can defend. James and Wade could take care of the offense either by scoring themselves or creating opportunities for the supporting cast.

 

What players would you suggest in this market to follow that blueprint?

Some interesting things from ESPN:

-Nets are supposedly trading Yi Jianlian to the Wizards for next to nothing. They are expected to have 30 million to work with now.

-Cavs say they will not do a sign and trade for LeBron. So if that's true LeBron loses 30 million by leaving.

I'm still waiting on someone to list one time LeBron hasn't delivered in the clutch. Individually he's been the best player in the playoffs the last 4 years. Maybe he doesn't have the moments others do, but others have actually won big series so their plays stick out more. Outside of the Boston series this year I don't think any series LBJ has ever lost could be put on him because he has been the only reason they have been competitive. Best performance by a Cav (not named LeBron) in the playoff during the LeBron tenure? Quite possibly Boobie Gibson the year they went to the Finals.

You can defend James and his individual play all day long. The fact of the matter is, whether it is his fault or not, he has yet to prove he can carry his team to the promised land... even in consecutive years when they were the favorites going in to the playoffs. I am not saying I totally disagree that James could not benefit from having more help on his roster, but who is to say his game is simply not catered to elevate his teammates in postseason play like he does during the regular season?

 

I am not going to stat you to death or list teammates on the Cavs or any other team. Mine is strictly feel and observation. I have yet to see that killer mentality and clutch gene that we have seen in other great players. I feel James will get his in due time though. He is too good not to.

You can defend James and his individual play all day long. The fact of the matter is, whether it is his fault or not, he has yet to prove he can carry his team to the promised land... even in consecutive years when they were the favorites going in to the playoffs. I am not saying I totally disagree that James could not benefit from having more help on his roster, but who is to say his game is simply not catered to elevate his teammates in postseason play like he does during the regular season?

 

I am not going to stat you to death or list teammates on the Cavs or any other team. Mine is strictly feel and observation. I have yet to see that killer mentality and clutch gene that we have seen in other great players. I feel James will get his in due time though. He is too good not to.

 

Taking that garbage team to the Finals was like winning a championship. Big Z, Donyell Marshall, a baby Varajao, Daniel Gibson, Sasha Pavlovic, sounds more like a D-League Squad than a team that was capable of giving the Spurs a run for their money. Perception and reality aren't the same thing. The Cavs were favorites because of James not because of their roster like LA and others have been. You think Kobe or anyone else in the league would have made the Cavs anywhere near as good as they were?

 

That's why I want him to go to the Bulls. He can be the man, he'll have good teammates though. Give him Bosh and it's not even fair. Let Derrick Rose grow with him and I'll call it a night. We'll see how clutch or non-clutch he is going forward, I'll bet that the label gets dropped pretty quickly though haters will say it's only because he has a good teammates now, I'm sure.

As far as "stat"-ing me to death, there are no stats that are kept that would say that LeBron is "un-clutch" unless you're strictly talking championships won.

Some interesting things from ESPN:

-Nets are supposedly trading Yi Jianlian to the Wizards for next to nothing. They are expected to have 30 million to work with now.

-Cavs say they will not do a sign and trade for LeBron. So if that's true LeBron loses 30 million by leaving.

 

I am not sure that they will folllow thru on this and lose him for nothing, and I do not think the 30 mill means a whole lot to Lebron - - the tax laws in Florida will off-set a good chunk of that, as well as I would expect the marketing dollars to increase quite a bit in Miami over what they are in Cleveland. To me - it really comes down to where Lebron wants to play - does he want to stay home with the Cavs, or not? And if not, I think Miami has the inside track - as much as I thnk that would be the place his posse would be yelling the loudest.

 

DWade will be a very old 29 years old next season. For someone with 7 years in the league he has taken more shots than a seasoned NFL QB. DWade is not a great shooter, how good will he really be at 33 when he isn't athletic anymore?

 

I've got news for you a 29 year old w/ only 7 years in the league is not very old at all. When LBJ is 29 he'll have 11 years in the league. How many times has Wade gone 82 games? He's played 61 once and 51 twice. Not exactly a ton of miles.

You can defend James and his individual play all day long. The fact of the matter is, whether it is his fault or not, he has yet to prove he can carry his team to the promised land... even in consecutive years when they were the favorites going in to the playoffs. I am not saying I totally disagree that James could not benefit from having more help on his roster, but who is to say his game is simply not catered to elevate his teammates in postseason play like he does during the regular season?

 

I am not going to stat you to death or list teammates on the Cavs or any other team. Mine is strictly feel and observation. I have yet to see that killer mentality and clutch gene that we have seen in other great players. I feel James will get his in due time though. He is too good not to.

 

It isn't his fault his team was favored. Cowherd made a good point a few weeks back. The Cavs played as hard as they could almost every night. They guard people hard in the regular season. When the postseason starts everone goes hard. The best player James has ever played w/ is Mo Williams. Mo Williams isn't good. The 4th best team on the Celtics and Lakers would easily be the 2nd best player on the Cavs. Who is clutch in your eyes? What James did against Detroit a few years ago is by far the best individual performance I've ever seen in the playoffs since Jodan. Jordan had better players around him though.

I've got news for you a 29 year old w/ only 7 years in the league is not very old at all. When LBJ is 29 he'll have 11 years in the league. How many times has Wade gone 82 games? He's played 61 once and 51 twice. Not exactly a ton of miles.

He does play with a reckless abandon though. They will be at about the same pace at 29.

He does play with a reckless abandon though. They will be at about the same pace at 29.

 

No they won't. Wade has only played in 471 career games. He's a baby. Lebron has already played in 548. It won't be close.

Some interesting things from ESPN:

-Nets are supposedly trading Yi Jianlian to the Wizards for next to nothing. They are expected to have 30 million to work with now.

-Cavs say they will not do a sign and trade for LeBron. So if that's true LeBron loses 30 million by leaving.

 

He doesn't need a 6th year. He's opting out and doing a new deal in 3 years.