I don't think LeBron would leave, but I would imagine he would have a ton of endorsements in Europe and still a ton in the states if he left for a few years. Can't see it really happening but who knows.
I don't know whether Lebron would leave but eventually the NBA will lose a really big name to Europe.
NBA Tidbit Lakers Sign Guard The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Dwayne Mitchell. The terms of the deal were not released. Mitchell is a 6'5, 220 pound Guard out of Lousiana Lafayette and played last season for Iowa Energy of the NBDL.(Link)
I know its not huge news but we have some Lakers fans here so I posted it. That's really the only news right now.
I wonder why they aren't going after big men. They certainly aren't stacked at the position and it could be a problem if Bynum or Mihm go down. I'm not sure who they could go after right now unless they swing a trade. If I was them, I would re-start the talks of Tyrus Thomas from the Bulls. They could use him.
If it's all about money, he should. He'd make more. In 2007, James earned $25M in endorsement income. His NBA salary for 2010 will be $15.8M. Assuming James' endorsements remain as is, and that's a pretty reasonable assumption, he'll make about $9M more in Europe before getting so much as a dime in European endorsements. Oh, but that's not all. In Europe, it is customary for teams to pay taxes and other living expenses for their players. For James, that's probably worth a good $20M, without accounting for things like tax sheltered investments and what not. In short, if money is the only factor here and Olympiakos is really willing to offer a $50M per year contract, there's absolutely no reason for James to turn them down. He would make far more there than he would here.
Monday Afternoon Headlines Cavaliers Tried To Sign-And-Trade For Deng/ Talking Trade? The Cleveland Cavaliers attempted to work out a sign-and-trade deal for Bulls Loul Deng. The Bulls later decided to keep Deng, giving him a 6 year deal worth $71 million. The Cavaliers have also shown interest in Kirk Hinrich and Nuggets Guard J.R. Smith. The team is expected to go after J.R. Smith and is possibly talking trade with Denver.(Link) Magic Lose Arroyo The Orlando Magic have lost free-agent PG Carlos Arroyo to Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli league. The terms of his deal are not known. The Magic expressed interest in re-signing Arroyo last week. The team is in search of a third PG behind Anthony Johnson and Jameer Nelson. (Link) Shaq Pushing Suns To Sign Former Heat The Pheonix Suns are still trying to lure second round pick Goran Dragic from overseas. While they attempt to do that, they are still looking for PG's at the veterans minimum. The team has expressed interest in several guards such as Shaun Livingston, Mike Wilks, Sam Cassell and Damon Stoudamire. Superstar Center Shaq O'Neal is pushing the Suns to sign former Heat PG Jason Williams. (Link) Agent of Pistons Hamilton Accused Of Stealing Detroit Pistons Guard Richard Hamilton believes that he has been ripped off by his agent, Josh Nochimson. Nochimson reportedly has been stealing $500,000 dollars from Hamilton. Nochimson was Loul Deng's agent up until the player signed a new deal this off-season with the Bulls. (Link) Kobe Would Play In Russia? Lakers Guard Kobe Bryant admits that Russia is very tempting. So tempting that he would be willing to go play there but for the right price. When asked what he considered to be the 'right price', Bryant said "40 million per year". This move is doubtful according to Sports Express Daily but is worth keeping an eye on. This surfaces after reports came out that Olympiakos could go after superstar LeBron James by paying him $40 to $50 milliion a year.(Link)
Sure, when he's 45. He's a self-proclaimed Laker for life so I highly doubt he plays elsewhere much less another country while he's still in his prime. There's a lot more than just money that drives him and the real stars of the NBA. It's also why I don't think LeBron will play in Greece either.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-celtics-piercehandcuffed&prov=ap&type=lgns Must've been because he said he was the NBA's best player.
plus its tax free so if he signed for 50 mill, he would get all 50 mill of it not like here...plus i'm sure he would bring in some nice endorsments
Thunder Looking To Move Players? The OKC Thunder are considering trading PG Luke Ridnour, Chris Wilcox and Donyell Marshall. Marshall and Wilcox have expiring deals. They could be dealt on the trade deadline to a contender. (Link)
I could definitely be interested in Marshall and Wilcox. Marshall more likely. A PF who can hit the 3, can rebound and block some shots? Sounds like a fit in the tri.
Kind of bored so thought I'd name a couple prospects for next years draft. I still have to introduce myself to some of the other ones so like I said, I'll just name a couple. Demar DeRozan, SG/SF, Freshmen, USC DeRozan is 6'6, 207 pounds and is very athletic. He is very explosive and can shoot from anywhere on the court. He has great vision for a guy who plays on the wing and can split/weave through the defense. Some say he can't create his own shot but I disagree. He can also handle the ball very well. Kobe Bryant recently stated that O.J. Mayo was the 'total package'. DeRozan fits in that description as well. Good defender that can get up there and cause trouble for shooters. He is also a good character despite being raised in Compton. He may come out next year and if he did, I'd look for him to be picked anywhere from 1 to 5. One note is that he values education a lot so he could stay an extra year in USC. I doubt he does but its a possibility. Notable Comparisons: Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I-ywLk3860 Ricky Rubio, PG, International Spanish PG whose only 17 but has tremendous talent. Very creative with the ball that has drawn him comparisons to legend Pistol Pete Maravich. He has a good shot but inconsistent. Very instinctive player as well as intelligent. Lacks lateral quickness. His defense needs some improvement. His potential is enormous. Expect him to be one of the top picks in next years draft. Notable Comparisons: Steve Nash, Pete Maravich http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqLGzkhRHN8
I watch that video and I see Jason Williams not Steve Nash or Maravich. Hes neither as quick a release as Maravich or as precise a passer and Nash.
Right but you have to remember half the shots he was shooting in that video I could do and have done. And Im not that good at basketball. The stuff I saw...just not impressed. At least half those shots should have been rejected. EDIT: By the way if you go back and look at videos of Sebastian Telfair at 17 he was a hell of a lot more impressive imo.... Demar Derozen on the other hand is someone I think I might like to see how he does in college but could be a very good pro prospect. Certainly athletic enough, but I want to see how he fares at the next level of competition and if his jumper develops.
That video might not have been the best. You could be right here, I'm not saying you aren't. I'm just pointing out that he's a very intelligent ball player that is creative with the ball like Nash. Boom or bust type of player imo. Has enormous potential though. Has a lot of potential but laterally, isn't that quick and may not have an NBA body. It seems to be the same question with every player overseas, can they handle the beating at this level? The same question is continually brought up with Gallinari. Telfair was impressive as hell like you said. We'll see how Rubio fairs in the NBA. He still has to develop more. Yeah, I like him a lot.
The thing is he looks like a shrimp. When i saw vids of Lebron or Kobe in HS they looked like men among boys. Even Gallinari was the same size as players much older then him. Rubio looks 17. Hes slow too. Slow and short is not a good combo. I can assure of that. And actually the 2nd video I watch...he does look like a slower Jason Williams.
Short? He's 6'4. Yeah, he does lack quickness. That's what I was saying about players overseas not having the body to hold up in the NBA (weighs 180). We'll have to see how he ends up. You may be right though, that he ends up like J-Will. Guess that's the bust factor.
Boik, I probably should have pointed this out earlier in our conversation. Where it says "Notable Comparisons", I didn't do those comparisons myself. I put the "notable" so it would say that others have compared him to Nash and Maravich. Others as in other draft sites. On the DeRozan one, I think he is similar to Vince Carter (early days) more than the others. I still think that Rubio could be similar to Nash though, after hes done developing. You may not believe me lol but its true.
Well my god your recording a song at least pronounce ASK right my god. Axe yourself. See any normal person would be do I look like Josh Scobee?
Ive been waiting for the right time to bust on Josh Scobee. Thank god you posted that video with R. kelly with his Ebonics.
Lol I can tell. Way to sidetrack the NBA thread BK. God, you can't do anything without screwing something up.
Its your own fault. If you found a video that didn't have Ebonic Kelly I wouldn't have sidetracked the thread.
I use to but it died for since the Draft came and gone, no moves made by the Wolves. I lurk every so often.