As James ponders his future, it's more than about the current roster. It's about ownership, coaching and the relentless desire to win.
Stan Van Gundy is among the NBA's old-school observers who doesn't believe LeBron James will be playing for anyone other than the Cavaliers this fall. As for Thursday's 60-minute TV event? "Look, the guy's a great player and wherever he goes, my bet would be Cleveland, that place will be excited. But an hour-long special?"CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my notebook while waiting for LeBron James to pick a team...
1. If LeBron James remains in Cleveland and wins a title, it will be a monumental event in this town's sports history. First ever for the Cavs, first of any major sports team since the 1964 Browns. If he goes to Chicago and wins one, then he's five behind Michael Jordan. In New York, it's always "what have you done for me lately." I don't buy James and Dwyane Wade together in Miami for one second.
2. When new Cavs coach Byron Scott talked about the special feeling of winning a title with his hometown Lakers, you could see his eyes grow wide, his emotions rise. It was a long time ago, but it's still fresh to Scott. As James ponders his future, it's more than about the current roster. It's about ownership, coaching and the relentless desire to win. Of all the teams contending for James, no one has a greater financial investment in winning a title than Dan Gilbert, especially with him opening a casino downtown and his other business interests.
3. With all the hype over free agency, there's a sense that most of the major players are changing teams. So far, only Chris Bosh probably left more money on the table -- unless the Heat pull a surprise and work a sign-and-trade with Toronto. Had Bosh approved a sign-and-trade between the Cavs and Toronto, he'd have received $30 million more than if he signs with Miami as a free agent.
4. Dwyane Wade? Stayed in Miami for the extra cash. Joe Johnson turned down the Knicks and others for $30 million more to stay in Atlanta. Also remaining with their current teams are Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Paul Pierce (Celtics), Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks), Rudy Gay (Memphis) and Channing Frye (Phoenix). All will receive more money to stay put than they could find on the open market.
5. What about Amare Stoudemire leaving the Suns for the Knicks? Because of his injury history, the Suns were not willing to offer a maximum contract. The Knicks came by with the most cash. The same with Carlos Boozer leaving Utah for Chicago. Cavs fans know Boozer is not about to go somewhere for less money. NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant was a year away from free agency. He quietly agreed for a five-year extension with Oklahoma City, keeping him under contract until 2016.
6. So what does this have to do with James? For all the talk that players have about wanting to win, when it's free agent time, nearly all follow the money. If he does re-sign with Cleveland, let's hope James gives the Cavs more than three years so they can do a better job of building around him long term -- as opposed to trading draft picks and salary cap space to win right now. But if he only wants a three-year deal, of course the Cavs sign him.
7. The ESPN special announcing his decision makes me feel about 188 years old. As do the cameras which followed Wade and Bosh as they made several stops across the country to meet with teams. Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy told Tania Ganguli of the Orlando Sentinel: "It takes 15 seconds to say I've decided to stay in Cleveland but we've got another 59 minutes and 45 seconds to, what? Promote LeBron James? As if we don't do that enough. Look, the guy's a great player and wherever he goes, my bet would be Cleveland, that place will be excited. But an hour-long special?"
8. More Van Gundy: "I've always thought LeBron is going back to Cleveland. I just think this free agent thing has been a masterful publicity opportunity for all of them. They've done a great job of creating more interest in this brand. If Wade just comes right out and says I'm going back to Miami, he can't get a film crew to follow him around to do that. Bosh had to make it look like he considered all these teams. ... If [LeBron] went anywhere but Cleveland I'd be shocked, but I'd be doubly shocked if he went to Miami. [Wade and James] both want to be the man."