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Having a cold one and watching Jordan Speith try not to have repeat of his Masters meltdown and give away another major that he had by the throat with a few holes to go got me to thinking about the Lebrons doing the same thing this coming season.
So what happened in the 'land this past few months ?
After getting beat pretty good by the Warriors maybe Dan Gilbert looked at the premium payroll he was bankrolling and didn't see the premium return on that investment. They are what.. about 70 - 80M into the tax on top of the 140M of salary. 210-220M per year. They don't have any room to move. It is what it is right now. So maybe Gilbert raised his white flag as an owner.
If he believes that Einstein couldn't unwind this position then it makes sense to let his GM go and simply wait it out for a year or two. Call him what you want (moron/asshole/lunatic) but very few of those types build a 6 billion dollar business empire cuz they are lucky.
So the owner has signaled, as is his prerogative, that he is sitting it out for a while. With the treasury closed can't think that any serious reinforcements are coming in.
Lebron is rumored to be on the move next year. Of course he will deny it on a stack of bibles or canadian tire catalouges but regardless of what he says the watch is on with all its attendant distractions in every city they play in. Its going to take its toll on the team and on Lebron.
In what was mostly an academic discussion amongst the CBS/ESPN types of Anthony or Paul George coming in and Kevin Love being the guy who was being tossed out of the lifeboat to make this wet dream happen all it served was to put Love back on notice that he is seen as a 5th wheel and an expendable one at that on the Lebron express. He is a pro but he is human. Will it affect his game this year. Maybe.. but I do think that it won't help it.
And now Uncle Drew wants out as well. I hope they grant him his wish. Hope he goes to the Knicks or Nets or Atlanta. He doesn't have a no trade clause so he is going where Gilbert and his Value Village front office staff can get the best deal they can for him . Why wouldn't they trade him ? Gilbert can cut payroll and start to gain younger cheaper players. Remember that Kyrie before Lebron led his team to several consecutive 30 win seasons. He doesn't make anyone around him better. Get what you can for him when his value is at its highest.
Maybe this all blows over and the Cavs run roughshod over the East again
or
Maybe Irving goes for futures, Love mails it in and Lebron can't make the current cast step up again. Cleveland will still be good with Lebron and an ambivalent Love .. but surely not great anymore.
The window in the East has opened up a little wider than it was a month ago.
So what happened in the 'land this past few months ?
After getting beat pretty good by the Warriors maybe Dan Gilbert looked at the premium payroll he was bankrolling and didn't see the premium return on that investment. They are what.. about 70 - 80M into the tax on top of the 140M of salary. 210-220M per year. They don't have any room to move. It is what it is right now. So maybe Gilbert raised his white flag as an owner.
If he believes that Einstein couldn't unwind this position then it makes sense to let his GM go and simply wait it out for a year or two. Call him what you want (moron/asshole/lunatic) but very few of those types build a 6 billion dollar business empire cuz they are lucky.
So the owner has signaled, as is his prerogative, that he is sitting it out for a while. With the treasury closed can't think that any serious reinforcements are coming in.
Lebron is rumored to be on the move next year. Of course he will deny it on a stack of bibles or canadian tire catalouges but regardless of what he says the watch is on with all its attendant distractions in every city they play in. Its going to take its toll on the team and on Lebron.
In what was mostly an academic discussion amongst the CBS/ESPN types of Anthony or Paul George coming in and Kevin Love being the guy who was being tossed out of the lifeboat to make this wet dream happen all it served was to put Love back on notice that he is seen as a 5th wheel and an expendable one at that on the Lebron express. He is a pro but he is human. Will it affect his game this year. Maybe.. but I do think that it won't help it.
And now Uncle Drew wants out as well. I hope they grant him his wish. Hope he goes to the Knicks or Nets or Atlanta. He doesn't have a no trade clause so he is going where Gilbert and his Value Village front office staff can get the best deal they can for him . Why wouldn't they trade him ? Gilbert can cut payroll and start to gain younger cheaper players. Remember that Kyrie before Lebron led his team to several consecutive 30 win seasons. He doesn't make anyone around him better. Get what you can for him when his value is at its highest.
Maybe this all blows over and the Cavs run roughshod over the East again
or
Maybe Irving goes for futures, Love mails it in and Lebron can't make the current cast step up again. Cleveland will still be good with Lebron and an ambivalent Love .. but surely not great anymore.
The window in the East has opened up a little wider than it was a month ago.
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