Read the opposing arguments from Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek.
Tomorrow is July 1, 2010. Yep, I have a calendar on my desk, so I am privy to this information. I also watch a lot of sports television, so I know how big of a sports day tomorrow supposedly is. If you don’t, where have you been?
Tomorrow starts a period of time that promises to change the landscape of the NBA. Almost on a daily basis we are hearing rumors about which team will get the top free agents and who is going with them. Almost all of these involve Lebron James in some way. LeBron James is perhaps the most heavily debated player in this Web site’s 13 month existence. That will continue today as we debate which team is positioned best to acquire his services. My article comes with a little bit of doubt, as Miami will possibly be able to sway LeBron with the Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh package. But, I still argue that Chicago is best positioned.
Obviously, to be able to go after James, a team has to not only be willing to spend the cash it would take to bring him and his headband to town, but a team also must have the necessary salary cap room. Chicago has that. It became to clear to all of us last week that the Bulls were clearing cap room to make a big splash in free agency by trading Kirk Hinrich to the Washington Wizards (though it can’t be announced until July 8). That trade gave the Bulls close to $30M to spend on free agents, which is almost enough to sign not only one, but two players to maximum contracts.
The team that LeBron would be coming to is loaded with young talent and ready to make a run at multiple championships. He knows this all too well as the Cavs played the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs this past season, and the Bulls actually played them tough. The current roster includes a young All-Star in Derrick Rose, and young solid players in Joakim Noah and Luol Deng (who is a six year veteran, but still only 26). This does not even include the second player that the Bulls could sign in addition to James. Possibilities include Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, and others. Can you imagine a starting lineup that included James, Bosh, Rose, and Noah? They would immediately elevate to the top of the Eastern Conference and would be a serious threat to dethrone the Lakers next season. At least on paper, that is.
Many experts have stated that LeBron would be interested in going to Chicago because of the Michael Jordan factor. James is on record as saying he idolizes Number 23, so much that he is actually going to give up his own jersey number to pay respect to the man he calls the greatest basketball player ever (and many of us agree). He has seen stories about Jordan and about how Chicago is a great sports town and how they embrace a winner. If James seeks out advice from M.J. and M.J. nudges him toward Chicago, then James would definitely take that into consideration.
The bottom line is that LeBron wants to win (Editor’s Note: Or be rich?), and he wants to surround himself with a winning team. Playing in Chicago with the young talent they already have in place in addition to another free agent prize would be the best possible winning situation for him. Chicago remains the front runner in the LeBron James sweepstakes.
The Getting LeBron James Debate? The Windy City Has the Upper Hand ……
I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog
…