NBA Offseason Roundtable Part 1
Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) and Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra react on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the 2014 NBA Finals at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
WHAT UNIFORM WILL LEBRON JAMES BE WEARING IN OCTOBER?
MS — Earlier this season, I almost believed that it was a forgone conclusion that LeBron James was going to re-sign with the Miami Heat. Now, not so much. I still believe that he’ll be on the Heat next season, but the Clippers are lurking. They’re probably Pat Riley‘s biggest concern.
GM — LeBron James will most likely be on the Miami Heat; he said he had his mind made up before the finals.
RW — LeBron James has been to four consecutive NBA Finals with the Miami Heat, winning two of them. He played with the best supporting cast that he ever had. He plays his games in the city of Miami. Pat Riley has been a stable force at the head of basketball operations. Why would he leave all of that?
JA — In a perfect world, the Sacramento Kings, you know, so we’ll have the King of Kings, but realistically, he’ll be in Miami. Don’t let this year’s Finals fool you. LeBron James is where he needs to be. He’s the best player in the game and he’s got two rings on his fingers, to go along with four consecutive Finals appearances (and five total if you remember 2007). The guy’s proven himself time and time again. Now it’s time for Miami to prove themselves. A core of Michael Beasley, Greg Oden, and Mario Chalmers isn’t going to get the job done. Chris Bosh’s and Dwyane Wade’s decisions will weigh heavily on both James and the front office, but Pat Riley’s shown in the past–hello, the Big 3!!–that he’s willing and able to go big. They’ll need to revamp this roster in some way to continue to play championship basketball. Bottom line, LeBron James is at the center of the reconstruction and ultimately will continue to don the Red, Black, and White.
DA — In the continuing saga of James’ NBA tenure, he will remain in Miami and play out the rest of his days relatively free of drama. His family will be growing and his wife has established a local business. He’s rebuilt his global popularity and, despite his postseason problems, he’s still in a good position to compete for more championships. There’s no need to uproot all of this and, basically, start from scratch. The Heat will, as Pat Riley put it, “re-tool, not rebuild” and the Big 3 will all take less money and add the necessary pieces to keep winning the East and possibly another championship. Or two.
BO — The Miami Heat uniform. I don’t see LeBron leaving this offseason, especially after the whole Donald Sterling situation. Realistically, I could have seen LeBron signing with the Clippers this offseason. Miami is still at the top of the Eastern Conference, but for how long can they stay there? If Carmelo ends up in Chicago, that’s a direct threat to the throne, and Lebron can see that. Plus, the Clippers have Chris Paul and Blake Griffin to help carry the load out West, and LeBron would get the Dwyane Wade-style pampering with the Clippers, instead of having to carry the team on his back again. Still, I think he stays in Miami.
AL — The Heat. Pat Riley called them out, but Pat Riley also brought them in, so I imagine the rest of the team is going to get blowed up real good. I imagine the Big Three are all returning, but another big piece and I think Wade moves to the 6th man.