If you were the following free agents...

[Real Deal]

Putting yourself in their shoes, thinking about your family, your career, and your fans...if you were the following free agents, where would you go this off-season? Explain your votes in the topic.

[Flash]

Putting yourself in their shoes, thinking about your family, your career, and your fans...if you were the following free agents, where would you go this off-season? Explain your votes in the topic.

 

1. LeBron: I'd pick the Clippers because in the NBA there's no bigger market than LA. I don't buy this whole "Mecca of Basketball" thing one bit and what better way to set up a LeBron/Kobe rivalry even though LA is Kobe's city. In terms of a career move this makes a ton of sense. LA like I said before is the biggest market in the NBA and he could bring the Clippers from nothing.

 

2. Wade: In terms of family his kids are in Chicago with their mom so that could be an issue but these athletes are used to being away from their kids for long periods of time. In terms of a career move he's in the best situation out of any of the 3 IMO. Bosh is likely to join one of these guys and if LeBron goes to LA or stays in Cleveland it's very possible that he comes to Miami. Not to mention he's got a great young player in Beasley. If Miami re-signs his best friends Q and Dorell I think it could be huge as well. Not to mention he's built a pretty great legacy here in Miami. As for the fan aspect. Dwyane OWNS Miami. No one even comes close, this is HIS city. Chicago will never be his city because he's always gonna have the expectations to be the next you know who.

 

3. Chris Bosh: I don't think family is an issue here as he's got to do whatever is best for himself. This needs to happen if he wants to further his career and win a ring sooner or later. Toronto hasn't been able to put the right pieces around him to make them better than a 5th seed. Why waste your time as a middle of the road Eastern Conference team when you ca team up with Wade and Beasley in Miami and become a potential contender for the next 5-7 years.

[Real Deal]

Yes...good post, Flash! That's what I want everyone to do!

 

LeBron James goes to the Nets. Now, this is sort of assuming they get John Wall. LeBron gets to team up with his buddy (Wall), hang out with Jay-Z, play in New York (Brooklyn), and team up with Wall, Harris, Lopez and Douglas-Roberts. That team contends instantly. He may be leaving Cleveland, but with Shaq and Ilgauskas getting old, and Jamison on that bubble as well, this season may be their last big push for a title.

 

Dwyane Wade goes to the Bulls. In fact, I actually believe this will happen more than any other scenario among the three free agents. Chicago is his hometown. They have Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and Joakim Noah. It's a chance for Wade to pair up with a point guard that will take the load off his shoulders facilitating, a backup guard that will help slow superstars in the backcourt, a defensive-minded big in Noah that provides some frontcourt security, and another scorer in Luol Deng that takes some attention away from Dwyane. Must I say more?

 

Chris Bosh goes to the Thunder, who are coming off a nine-game winning streak, losing to a Phoenix Suns team that would probably have been wiped off the court, if OKC was paying a big like Bosh. Pairing up with Durant, Green and a very impressive Westbrook (who is averaging something to the tune of 19/6/9 in the last 10-11 games), that team becomes title contenders instantly.

[AtTheDriveIn]

I voted for LeBron to stay with the Cavs because I simply can't picture him in another uniform. Marquee players like LeBron also lose some points in my book for not staying loyal to their teams; it's why I'm a big fan of Karl Malone, Stockton, Reggie Miller, Dirk, Kobe etc. LeBron really has no reason to leave either. His team is challenging for a championship and the Cavaliers organization basically lives to serve LeBron. They're also prepared to offer him major cash. Taking that into consideration, If I were LeBron, I wouldn't see a reason to leave.

 

I have to go, but I'll do the other two later.

[bigdog17k]

I don't see LeBron leaving Cleveland honestly. He's from Ohio, he has a ton of fans and a good situation there right now. The team is already built around him, and if he stays they are just going to continue doing that. I don't think he is dumb enough to chance it all and start over in a new city, with a new team when he is already this close to winning.

 

I also think Wade will stay in Miami, but it will be a tough decision for him. I think the Bulls are going to push very hard for him in the offseason, and having ties to that town are obviously going to affect him. I expect him to stay put though, I think he really trusts and feels comfortable with Riley in control; I think Miami will make some moves in the offseason too.

 

Bosh is the only player out of these 3 I see moving. And to where I'm not sure, I think Bosh is smart enough to go wherever he feels he can do the best, and has the best shot a competing for a title. Like Real Deal said he could be that missing piece to the Thunder. I expect the Bulls to be in the mix for him also, especially if Wade stays put.

Edited February 24, 2010 by bigdog17k

[Poe]

"Everybody's making so much hoopla about the whole thing and it probably won't even be that good. It's like a bad movie. You know what I mean? Everybody's, 'Oh, this is coming out, it's coming out.' And then it finally comes out and it's not what you thought it was."

 

-Chris Bosh

 

All three will be staying with their respective teams.

[BasX]

All three stay. I am very confident with this. People need to get through their head too that if they leave, it'll be S&T because they aren't going to lose 30 million especially with a new CBA coming up.

[Flash]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if they all stayed TBH. However, I firmly believe if any of them leave it'll be Bosh.

[Poe]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if they all stayed TBH. However, I firmly believe if any of them leave it'll be Bosh.

That would be pretty hypocritical of him... to say this upcoming FA is going to be like an over-hyped movie, then wind up leaving himself.

[fish7718]

1. LeBron: I'd pick the Clippers because in the NBA there's no bigger market than LA. I don't buy this whole "Mecca of Basketball" thing one bit and what better way to set up a LeBron/Kobe rivalry even though LA is Kobe's city. In terms of a career move this makes a ton of sense. LA like I said before is the biggest market in the NBA and he could bring the Clippers from nothing.

 

New York is the biggest market for any sport silly.

 

New York City population - 8,363,710

Los Angeles population - 3,833,995

 

and LA has to share it's fan base amongst 2 teams.

[Real Deal]

I don't think some of you are understanding the topic.

 

If you were these guys, what would YOU do?

 

Haha, if you need to delete your votes and reselect, you can.

[Flash]

New York is the biggest market for any sport silly.

 

New York City population - 8,363,710

Los Angeles population - 3,833,995

 

and LA has to share it's fan base amongst 2 teams.

 

I'm talking about in the NBA. You can have your population numbers but the fact remains that there's no bigger basketball town ATM than Los Angeles.

[BasX]

If I were all three, I'd still stay. Each are the faces of a city and can grow that in the years to come.

[Doc]

For any of those 3 I would try to go to the Nets. They have a solid young core and have enough money for some good role players.

 

Example; Lebron.

 

C - Lopez

PF - Yi

SF - Lebron

SG - Lee

PG - Harris.

 

They also said they did not want CDR which would be great trade bait. Also have a great chance for 1, 2, or 3 draft pick. So lets say they get number 1 and get Wall. They trade Harris for a PF like, Anthony Randolph and a few pieces. Then try to get some roleplayers in Steve Blake, Outlaw, Ridour, McGuire, Bogans, Miller, etc.

 

One scary team that has alot potential to be huge.

[Poe]

If you were these guys, what would YOU do?

My answer remains the same. I would stay.

[The Regime]

LeBron James goes to the Nets. As Brandon said they have the pieces already in place to become a championship contender all they need is a superstar. Even if the Nets don't get John Wall, I still think LeBron should go to the Nets, you still have a young team full of potential. LeBron automatically makes everyone better around him, so just think how easy things would get for Devin Harris (who plays better as a #2 option) and Brook Lopez who has done nothing but improve the last couple seasons. LeBron probably wouldn't be the only acquisition though, I'm positive he would persuade management to sign one more quality player.

 

Dwayne Wade goes to the Bulls. When I look at the Bulls I just see one thing that they lack from truly becoming a good team. They have one of the best pg's in the league in Rose, they have an emerging defensive force in Noah, they have reliability from Deng, but they lack a scorer. Alot of times this season they have seemed to go in a funk. Dwayne Wade will see that and sign with the Bulls. Plus Chicago has one the most die-hard fans in the NBA. Dwayne will do his best imitation of Jordan and help this franchise rebound.

 

Chris Bosh will go to the Knicks. New York is a basketball city, and they'll make sure that they get at least one superstar. With LeBron heading to New Jersey and Dwayne heading to Chicago, the Knicks will pursue the next big thing. The Knicks will make a coaching chance also to accompany this trade, changing from a "run-and-gun offense" to a more traditional NBA offense. David Lee along with Chris Bosh will pose a lot of matchup issues for teams, you add those two guys alongside with T-Mac (who I think still has some juice left in him as long as he doesn't get injured), and young emerging guys in Gallinari and Chandler your looking at a top 5 team in the East. This probably wont be the only move that the Knicks make though, I'm positive they'll also pursue another guy, maybe someone like Rudy Gay or Raymond Felton.

[SRT Spidey]

1. LeBron stays on the Cavs, they built a whole team around him now hes set up for multiple titles, if he bails on them i will never forgive him.

 

2. Wade to Chicago, playing in his hometown alongside Derrick Rose making a deadly backcourt, i would love to see that.

 

3. Bosh to New York, big market and he plays with Lee and McGrady and makes NY a legit playoff team. NY better hope and pray...

[Cleveland's Finest]

LeBron stays - If he wants to be the next MJ and win multiple rings, he should stay because going to New York or LAC means starting over. He's got a team built around him set for the next few years. I'm not leaving the state because I grew up here. This is all I know, and it's great marketing. Great management...they get all these good players for me.

 

Dwayne Wade stays - No reason to leave. Won a ring with them, got Michael Beasley, and good financial situation to get a max contract. It is the city of Miami too. I'm in a good city and the team I'm on is built for the future with great management.

 

Chris Bosh - Gotta leave.....to Miami specifically and be part of a possibly dynasty with Beasley, Wade, and Chalmers for years to come. If I'm Bosh I'm tired of being underlooked and want to get some attention.

Edited February 24, 2010 by Cleveland's Finest

[Flash]

1. LeBron stays on the Cavs, they built a whole team around him now hes set up for multiple titles, if he bails on them i will never forgive him.

 

2. Wade to Chicago, playing in his hometown alongside Derrick Rose making a deadly backcourt, i would love to see that.

 

3. Bosh to New York, big market and he plays with Lee and McGrady and makes NY a legit playoff team. NY better hope and pray...

 

http://www.breakitdownblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/doing_it_wrong_skaters.jpg

[Phightins]

I do not really know for any of them, but...

 

If LeBron goes to the Nets, whether they are in Brooklyn or not he will essentially be playing in NY. East Rutherford (where they are now) and Newark (where they will be for the next 2 seasons before going to Brooklyn) are both literally directly outside of the city on the New Jersey side. So it's not like he won't be in the city. With that said, I have a hunch that LeBron stays in Cleveland...

Edited February 25, 2010 by Phightins

[Riot]

If I were them...

 

1. LeBron goes to the Nets. Unless he wins a ring with Cleveland this year, but if he didn't, I would pick the Nets. LeBron, Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, John Wall (probably), along with some other nice young players. That team will definitely be winning games year after year.

 

2. D-Wade goes to Chicago. He would probably feel really great about being able to play for his hometown team. Team up with Derrick Rose to make a really scary backcourt. Plus you have Joakim Noah and Luol Deng. Another nice young team.

 

3. Chris Bosh in OKC? Is that a possibility? Damn then by all means, that's where I'd choose to go. Kevin Durant is crazy, possibly the MVP of this season. Westbrook, Green, Harden, man.. add Bosh to that team and just like the other teams, they are contenders for years.

[His Greatness]

They should all just join forces and form a super-team. Easy answer.

[SRT Spidey]

http://www.breakitdownblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/doing_it_wrong_skaters.jpg

wtf...no i did it like every1 else.

[Jenneral]

I know most people can't see LeBron leaving Cleveland but I honestly think it's a move he's going to make. If Biz Z retires at the end of this year he'll officially be a one man show. If he leaves (I'm assuming he will) Cleveland could be one of the worst teams in the league.

 

I think Wade stays put. Much of this will be due to the below statement.

 

Bosh will be in Miami alongside Wade. It would be sick if all three could play together but I just don't see that happening. Wade and Bosh would certainly mesh well together and the two of them could certainly make any team an automatic contender.

[Check my Stats]

As LeBron I am staying with the Cavaliers. They have shown a legitimate commitment to win, it is where he is from, his family is there, and they have done everything that I could have asked for. His ego would love the spotlight of NY, but he is winning in Cleveland already so that isn't an issue, and the Cavs lack of talent (if you wanna say that lol), is not from a lack of trying, they are obviously active in trade talk, every name that comes up the Cavs seem to be interested/in talks. Not to mention the city worships him. If I am LeBron I am considering NY and NJ as well, but eventually opt to go with CLE. I am guessing LBJ re-signs a 3 year deal with Cleveland, he will still be like 27 when that deal is up which leaves him time to sign one more MEGA DEAL

 

With Bosh I am also gonna opt to stay in Toronto, the city worships him and are on their hands and knees begging him to stay. Being the man, main man, seems to be an important thing to Bosh, he is attached to Toronto and has built a home here. That extra 30 millions dollars don't hurt in light of a potential CBA dispute. The organization is committed to you and revamped the entire roster to appease you this past off-season, as long as management is committed to being a luxury tax team and to continue making moves to improve the roster, I see no reason why Bosh isn't staying. Other places to consider are NY, MIA and OKC, but ultimately being on a solid team, and being the 'man', outweighs the spotlight of NY and the upside of the OKC, let's not forget the Raptors are better than the Heat right now and close to OKC.

 

As Wade, I think he is heading to his hometown of Chicago, it all just makes sense right now, the chance to play at home alongside Rose, Hinrich, Deng, Noah, lot's of solid pieces, it just makes too much sense to me. It will be hard to leave a place called home for 7 years like Miami, but they would rather wait a year, and waste a year of my career to take a chance on the 2010 crapshoot. Chicago is already better than Miami this year and adding Wade surely puts them in the Boston/Orlando/Atlanta group doesn't it? It will be hard to leave Miami, but Chicago is just too tempting to pass up. It will come down to CHI/MIA though IMO.

 

All these guys are going to have a really hard time passing on that extra 30 million guaranteed dollars though, which is why I would not be surprised if all of them stay.