LLLLLeBron 3-5 Finals Record Without SuperTeam

Skip Bayless is not missing this opportunity to troll LeBron and the Cavs.

Source: https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless

(Using quotes rather than media tags because you can only embed a limited number of media tags)

 

Just looked it up so here's the deal:

- to sign and trade an RFA that RFA cannot sign another offer sheet. So Barnes can ruin this if he signs an offer sheet right away.
- the team receiving the signed-and-traded player (Warriors AND Thunder in this case) must both be below the tax apron (4 million above tax level) which I think both technically are right now, though I'd have to check.
- sign and trade contracts are for 3-4 seasons, no exceptions so Durant cannot do his 1+1 that way.
- raises in sign and trades are limited to the 4.5% amount (can't get the 7.5% bonus).
- a team cannot sign and trade AND go over the apron, it becomes a hard cap for the team that season.

Quoting myself from another thread to shed some insight on what he can and can't do for the Clippers idea to work. LeBron wouldn't be able to sign his 1+1 he'd have to sign long-term which limits his income. Other than that, he could make it happen. The Clippers are under the tax apron so they can sign and trade for LeBron by send out Blake or Jordan along with Pierce AND Reddick in order to make salaries match. That would leave them with about 15 million to maybe add Wade. Then you could trade Griffin for Carmelo and you got the whole gang together.

It's conceivable.

 

I've been giving this too much thought, but LeBron to LA makes a lot of sense.

A. The city.
B. Friends.
C. Legacy

That works for Clippers or Lakers.

Imagine his legacy if he could get these Lakers to win a title when Kobe got them the 2nd worst record. I know all about Kobes age, injuries, and it'll be different teammates, but the story will read differently.

Right now, I'd put him coming to LA at 25%.

 

I don't think Cleveland can really be too upset. He gave them what they wanted and needed. He fulfilled his promise. It'd be a little sad probably, but it wouldn't feel quite like he was abandoning them.

 

DERN IT



AND WE'RE BACK!

 

Magic: 5x Champ, 9 Finals, 3 MVPs, 3 Finals MVPs, 4x Assist Leader, 2x Steals Leader, 5th in Assists all time (shortened career), 12x All Star, 10x All NBA teams.

Kareem: 6x Champ, 9 Finals, 6 MVPs (changed voting so he wouldn't win anymore), 2 Finals MVPs, 15x All NBA teams, 11x All Defensive teams, 1x rebounding leader, 2x scoring leader, 4x Block leader, Most points ever, 3rd most blocks ever.

 

Perception:
Kobe was a ball hog.

Reality:
Jordan shot more than Kobe

Perception:
Jordan has the most with 6 rings

Reality:
Russell has 11, Hondo has 8, Horry has 7, Kareem has 6.

Perception:
LeBron had it easy in the East to get to the Finals

Reality:
If he were in the West he'd have better teammates to help him (I hate defending LeBron, but gotta be fair)

 

I believe he's now in the Top 10 conversation, but I'm just pointing out that there's always arguments for who is on top.

It's common to just accept Jordan and move on, but I think there's plenty of discussion to be had all the way down.