OPINION: New York, Don't Hold Your Breath Waiting for LeBron James
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 02:44PM Teams (and media) that have begun to count the days until LeBron James becomes a free agent are wasting their time (unless they are the Cleveland Cavaliers). If you have a countdown looking toward 2010 when LeBron can make a decision to leave the Cavaliers, start counting something else. If you are a member of the media in New York or other high-profile cities believing that James needs your city to become a global star, start believing in something else. If you are the owner of a team who has been trading away or acquiring players based on freeing money to offer LeBron, start making other deals.
Last time we checked the NBA standings, LeBron and the Cavs were heading toward the playoffs with one of the best records in the league while the New York Knicks, among the top pre-suitors for LeBron's 2010 admiration, were improved over last season but still among the bottom third in the NBA. So LeBron is on track to make his second visit to the NBA finals with the Cavaliers while the Knicks were a decade removed from such glory. Which means a major rebuilding is needed for the Knicks to even sniff the air that LeBron has been breathing in Cleveland, which means that many of the players on the roster this season will be gone and locker space will be cleared out for the hopeful arrival of James and at least one other marquee player to start anew in 2010-11.
Also, last time we checked, LeBron was doing quite well with endorsements and national (and an ever-expanding global) presense. No one on a New York team even approaches his level of marketing, including the likes of Derek Jeter, Eli Manning and A-Rod. Same with Dwayne Wade, the marquee player with the Miami Heat whose contract also expires in 2010 (although no one appears to be inclined to count down the days until that happens). So James needs to be within walking distance of Madison Avenue because ...? Of course, anything can happen, including stories starting to appear that LeBron has indicated to Cavaliers' management that he would like to talk this season about extending his current contract. Perhaps James actually is encouraging thepublic countdown so that Cleveland management knows exactly how much time it has to find another vault to open to reward their superstar.
(Posted Jan. 13, 2009)
Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, NBA, New York Knicks in Opinions
Reader Comments (1)
<h1>ugg bailey button sale<h1>
<h1>ugg bailey button chestnut<h1>
<h1>ugg classic tall sale<h1>
<h1>ugg classic tall grey<h1>
<h1>ugg classic short sale<h1>
<h1>ugg classic short grey<h1>
<h1>ugg classic tall sale<h1>
<h1>ugg classic tall navy<h1>
<h1>ugg classic short sale<h1>
<h1>ugg classic short black<h1>
<h1>ugg bailey button bomber<h1>
<h1>ugg bailey button bomber<h1>
<h1>ugg classic cardy sale<h1>
<h1>ugg boots sale<h1>
<h1>ugg classic cardy sale<h1>
<h1>ugg classic cardy black<h1>
<h1>ugg bailey button triplet sale<h1>
<h1>uggs outlet<h1>
<h1>ugg bailey button triplet<h1>
<h1>ugg boots sale uk<h1>
<h1>ugg boots sale uk<h1>
<h1>louis vuitton outlet<h1>
<h1>the north face outlet<h1>
<h1>uggs for cheap<h1>
<h1>uggs on sale<h1>
<h1>ugg boots sale<h1>
<h1>uggs on sale<h1>
<h1>ugg boots outlet<h1>
<h1>ugg boots clearance<h1>
<h1>ugg boots sale<h1>
<h1>cheap ugg boots<h1>
<h1>ugg for cheap<h1>
<h1>ugg boots outlet<h1>
<h1>uggs outlet<h1>
<h1>uggs outlet<h1>
<h1>uggs for cheap<h1>
<h1>uggs for cheap<h1>
<h1>ugg boots sale<h1>
<h1>ugg boots sale uk<h1>
<h1>uggs on sale<h1>
<h1>ugg boots clearance<h1>
<h1>ugg boots clearance<h1>
<h1>ugg boots outlet<h1>
<h1>ugg boots sale<h1>
<h1>louis vuitton outlet<h1>
<h1>coach purse outlet<h1>
<h1>coach purses outlet<h1>
<h1>coach purse<h1>
<h1>coach purses<h1>
<h1>cheap coach purses<h1>
<h1>coach outlet store online<h1>