On Friday night, CNN’s Larry King Live will show a taped interview with LeBron James in which The King is/was asked whether the city of Cleveland has “an edge going in” to free agent negotiations with His Highness.
LeBron’s response: “Absolutely. Because, you know, this city, these fans, I mean, have given me a lot in these seven years. And, you know, for me, it’s comfortable. So I’ve got a lot of memories here. And — and so it does have an edge.”
Yay for Cleveland, right?
Maybe not. Rob Parker of ESPNNewYork.com thinks that LeBron’s statement is a bunch of blather: “If someone can read into that quote and determine that James is staying in Cleveland, they’re just engaging in wishful thinking, at best. If anything — sorry, Cavaliers fans — it shows that James is searching for the best way to let everyone down easy when he finally decides to leave the comforts of the Midwest for the bright lights and a new challenge in the big city.”
Of course, Parker believes that James will end up in New York with either the Knicks or Nets. My take? It’s impossible to tell at this point. All we can do is watch, wait and hang on rumors.
Speaking of rumors, Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer writes that the supposed “free agent summit” between LeBron, Amar’e Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Dywane Wade, and Joe Johnson won’t be taking place after all.
According to Schmitt: “CNBC’s Darren Rovell spoke to agents for Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Amar’e Stoudemire, who put the kibosh on the most anticipated summit conference since Potsdam. Rovell reports that agent Henry Thomas, who represents Wade and Bosh, actually told that to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel last week, but other news outlets have been slow to pick it up.”
Furthrmore, Thomas told Rovell: “Dwyane never made reference to a summit. He said that he’d have conversations with some of these guys, and that still will happen. But there’s no summit of any kind planned where they’ll all be in the same location. … The way it was first characterized and the way it continues to be characterized — as if the only thing left to determine is a date and a location — is not the reality.”
So much for those colluding allegations.
Stoudemire, Boozer, Bosh, and anyone other than James and Wade are not worth the max contracts they will probably sign. I am praying that the Bulls are smart enough to realize this and do not waste their time and money on them. I can hardly wait to see what happens. I love the NBA off season, it generates such passionate and enlightening discussions and fantasies.
To me it’s still such a pipe dream that we could actually land bronbron. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing more I would love more than to see him in a bulls uni. But I just can’t bring myself to get my hopes up too high. Not landing a big FA this off season would be completely unacceptable. But think about it though, if we don’t get James and max Joe Johnson, wouldn’t that leave a sour taste in your mouth? Just saying that getting James SEEMS like it’s way too good to be true, but if we don’t get him and unless the bulls sign 4 studs for 5 mil a piece, in the end everyone might be very disappointed.
Why would he say anything else. He is way to smart to say it’s wide open with less than a month to go before free agency starts. He also said nice things about the clippers. Does anyone really think he would sign with them? If he stays in Cleveland then so be it but if he leaves then Chicago is just as good a option as anyone. Probably better.
Sorry for being a dick Max but, I kind of told you so remember? We don’t know what is in Lebron James mind, he can choose what ever team he wants to play for and most likely it will be Cleveland. Remember, he still has not accomplish his mission, which is bring in at least 1 championship trophy to Cleveland. If he wants to take the same steps like MJ.
It says nothing DJ..If I were going to be a free agent, I’d say the same thing. I wouldn’t be saying anything or letting people know what my intentions are. Of course Cleveland has the edge..we ALL know that, it’s his hometown.
Like he’d really come out and say “Cleveland has no edge..I’m leaving!”
No comments Trm3-Max lol
Where do you guys get your info?