LeBron to the Heat?

[Dave Gray]

I saw somewhere the other day where someone was hypothesizing about LeBron joining D-Wade in Miami.  I thought it was probably just the normal BS of homers hoping to get another superstar -- in other words, it's going on in every NBA city.  However, today on PTI, Kornheiser also mentioned it as a scenario he could see playing out.  Does anyone know if this is based on anything at all?  Why is Miami even in the mix, if this is, indeed, true?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I don't believe it for one bit.  Next year, I expect to see either Lebron and either Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosch in Knicks uniforms.

[Fau Teixeira]

not a chance the knicks sign anyone of any importance .. they have no appeal .. they're the clippers of the east coast

[Sunstroke]

It's based on Miami being the only team in play that has the reasonable room to do two max contracts, plus the appeal of the S FL market and Dwyane and LeBron's friendship.

Like any rumor, I'm skeptical, but wouldn't that be supremely cool to see?

[Dave Gray]

Like any rumor, I'm skeptical, but wouldn't that be supremely cool to see?

I'm a HEAT fan, but absolutely yes.  I think the closest thing would've been Jordan/Pippen, except this would be more Jordan/Jordan.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

not a chance the knicks sign anyone of any importance .. they have no appeal .. they're the clippers of the east coast

No appeal eh?  Playing basketball in a big media market where you can get a bunch of lucrative endorsements has no appeal?? 

Not too long ago this team was contending for a title. 

[Sunstroke]

I agree...New York just can't look too good to any player interested in winning at this point. As far as the "lucrative endorsements" go, this is the 21st century we're living in, and you can do that sort of thing from "anywhere."

Factor in the whole "New York is evil and will taint your soul" argument, and the Knicks biggest stars the next few seasons are likely to be David Lee and Wilson Chandler.

[Dave Gray]

Not too long ago this team was contending for a title. 

When was that?

[Fau Teixeira]

No appeal eh?  Playing basketball in a big media market where you can get a bunch of lucrative endorsements has no appeal?? 

Not too long ago this team was contending for a title. 

Name one endorsement that they can get in new york that they can't get in miami .. or in south dakota ? ..
nike ? gatorade ? T Mobile ? With global media, the internet and marketing today there are no major endorsements anybody is giving up. He'd be passing up the opportunity to endorse broadway camera on 46th street .. give me a break .. the new york arguments for bringing in free agents are a joke .. that team is a joke .. they're the bottom feeders of the NBA and have been for a long time. They have no relevance to the sport. The owner is a joke, their front office is horrible. They might as well fold the team and demolish the pit they call an arena. Horrible city, horrible team, horrible fans. The clippers of the east.

[Dave Gray]

There are some teams where it's harder to become a global Superstar.  New York definitely helps in that respect, as opposed to Portland or Minnesota.   However, I think that Miami is one of the cities that can help, there.  It's not quite a NY, Chicago, or Boston, but it's got a uniqueness about it that's appealing.

Talk about endorsements, though -- can you imagine the kind of publicity and endorsements Lebron and Wade would see if they played on the same court?  It would be crazy.  Think how much coverage Shaq and Kobe got both during and even after they played together.

I would respect Lebron for staying in Cleveland, since I appreciate team loyalty and I think that guys who manage to stay their whole career in one place are all the more special.  But, if he has to leave, I think that Miami is a great market for him.

NY lacks the ownership and it's not like you have all that much to work with in NY as it is.

The best thing going for NY in terms of landing Lebron is that he just likes the city.

[Phishfan]

Not too long ago this team was contending for a title. 

Proof point that time and age are relative.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

When was that?

Thoughout the 90's and the earlier part of this decade. 

[Dave Gray]

That was almost 10 years ago, in a league that lets in half of their teams into the playoffs.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

That was almost 10 years ago, in a league that lets in half of their teams into the playoffs.

Still, in order to win, the Knicks need to get back to that philosophy..... DEFENSE FIRST.  They need to build their team around a Patrick Ewing-like center and strong rebounders.  As long as Mike D'Antoni is the coach, that will never happen.  He'll win some games and put some asses in the seats but he'll never win a title with the type of team he runs.

[NADS]

Say what you want about endorsements anywhere, but I agree with Fau.  Miami is Miami but New York is New Yawk!  It's the greatest fucking place on earth from what I hear.  I don't recall seeing LeBron at a Marlins game.  Also, I've said this before and I'll surely say it again, Kornheiser is a shithead.