So what if LeBron went to L.A.? What if two of the league's superstars joined forces to dominate the world?
(courtesy of http://www.yougblackstudents.com/)
That’s right I said it. The League Minimum! I’m sick of hearing how much he wants to be like Kobe and Jordan, and how he wants to continue to be a role model for kids etc, etc, etc. Lebron needs to realize that the contract he will sign will reach the League’s maximum and financially put whatever team he is on in a bind. If he wants a championship so bad, do it now. Take the league minimum and let whatever team you are on take the money they would have spent on you and get the likes of Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki , Joe Johnson, Joe Smith, T.J. Ford (Player Option), Rudy Gay (Restricted), Nate Robinson, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, or Kobe Bryant (Player Option) just to name a few. I wouldn’t be saying this if Lebron wasn’t making any money on the side, but Nike alone would take care of his homeboys, his mother, his girl friend, his kid, and anyone else I’m forgetting. Start building your legacy now Lebron, while your young. You hold in your hands the ability to be the first player ever to do this, and actually show that playing the game and winning is more important than money. You could be the key player of a dynasty never seen before. You can finally get out of the Kobe and Jordan limelight!
But on to the subject of Lebron going to the Lakers. Assuming that Kobe stays in Los Angeles (which is more than likely) I see it as an instant dynasty. The Lakers would dominate not only because they have the two best players in the game, but because these guys will drive each other to no ends to guarantee a championship. We’ve all heard the story about how Kobe’s work ethic hit Lebron like a sack full of money. Kobe inspired Lebron to work harder and to develop every aspect of his game. Kobe is a freak (and the BEST all around player in the NBA) so these two together would be ridiculous. Just think of the starting line up. Derek Fisher (who is a free agent himself) at point guard, Kobe at shooting guard, Lebron at small forward, Pau Gasol at power forward, and Andrew Bynum at center (this is a “Three-Peat” type starting line-up). I don’t see on paper any team that would beat this. Now if my fantasy world came true, and Lebron took the league minimum, that means the Lakers most likely would have enough money to sign someone like Dwayne Wade as well. So again I will say “Why wouldn’t you (Lebron) take the league minimum and win yourself some championships?” I really think this will make you worth so much more, and (if this is even possible) make you more popular globally as well as here at home.
(coutesy of http://www.lowposts.com/)
Jonah: This is my chance to really get in there and play Devil's Advocate. My argument is this: LeBron certainly should take a large pay cut in an attempt to grow the best team possible (whether that be in Cleveland, L.A. or wherever), and he wouldn't even have to take the league minimum to make it work. However, because Kobe and LeBron do push each other so much, I don't think we would ever see the day when LeBron would take a pay cut to go to a Lakers team where Kobe is still making bank. If LeBron is going to seriously consider taking a pay cut to go to L.A., Kobe is going to have to be onboard and agree to do the same. These two are so competitive, I don't see any world where LeBron would agree to cut his own pay to go play for "Kobe's team." They have the opportunity to turn today's Lakers into yesterday's Bulls. The major barrier here is ego. When Chicago had Scottie and Jordan, everyone knew Jordan was the superstar and Scottie was the spectacular sidekick who would have been the star anywhere else. I think Kobe and LeBron are both too good and have much to large of egos to ever play Scottie to the other's Michael. In addition, I think it would be terribly difficult to find enough shots for both of them. Because the two play such similar games, someone would have to see limited touches. It would be a different case if one were a big man, but L.A. would still need to have a scoring big man with Kobe and LeBron if they wanted to compete (Pau Gasol is an option, but again, he takes away touches). Combinations of stars have worked in teh past, but there is generally a pairing of different talents. The Celtics were successful with a shooter, a penetrator and a big man. The Lakers were successful with Kobe and a big man. The Bulls were successful with Jordan and role players. I think LeBron would be better served to stay in Cleveland (his home town), take a pay cut, and convince the Cavs to pick up Chris Bosh and some role players (namely outside shooters who can make defenses pay for collapsing on LeBron when he penetrates). That's not to say that he won't end up in L.A. or that the Lakers wouldn't be great if he did, because I think they could have some real success. I just think it would be asking for drama in a town full of it. Not to mention what it would do for the game. Basketball needs two stars facing off against each other, not pairing up to dominate the world. But hey, what do I know? I'm just another stupid Iowa fan. So what do you think?
0 comments:
Post a Comment