No GM to speak of?
What happened to the guy who talked Kyrie Irving into re-signing that large contract anyway. Oh yes, David Griffin is no longer around. I can’t blame Kyrie for being upset about that. While LeBron refuses to go to bat for anyone, Irving made Griffin’s job a lot easier by re-signing so quickly and giving him a centerpiece to build around.
While LeBron has never publicly gone to bat for Griffin, it is not crazy to think that this lack of GM has upset Irving. Not to mention, Irving flat out said he wanted to play with Jimmy Butler. A deal that Griffin was working hard to get done. Had James stepped up, went to Gilbert and asked him to re-sign Griffin, he would still be here and Jimmy Butler as well. LeBron didn’t, and now Butler didn’t come, Griffin is gone and Irving will soon be too. Same goes with Chauncey Billups.
William naismith
July 22, 2017 at 12:48 am
You have nothing but negative pessimistic statements about James as if you have some personal animosity towards the guy. He has been very conscious of the duration of contracts and being noncommital not only with the Cavaliers but Miami Heat as well. He helped bring Jeff Green and worked to entice jamal crawford yet management was recalcitrant.
James is very well documented as he is a tireless worker true to his profession marvelously conditioned yet his uncertainty or apprehension of a long term contractual committment is one of his traits that is part of what motivates and drives him to greatness. Signing a long term deal may cause him to become complacent and lacksidasicalinstead of new challenges he seeks to keep him sharp efficient and motivated to succeed.
Jeff
July 24, 2017 at 9:29 am
You also forget that LeBron’s the reason that this team is in salary cap hell. They shelled out above-market prices to keep guys who were also his clients to keep him happy.
Facts can be a heck of a thing. Crawford didn’t sign here because of “management.” Crawford went elsewhere because he could get more than he could get here, period, because this team is strapped for cash.
Cavs management needs to sit both players down individually, starting with LeBron – if he won’t commit long-term, then they need to go public with that news, then sit down with Kyrie, explain that there’s one more year of this stupid childish drama to endure, and they’ll build around him.
Joe
July 22, 2017 at 5:48 am
Lebron can’t be traded he has a no trade clause in his contract
George Thayer
July 22, 2017 at 2:59 pm
Joe, Melo can’t be traded as he has a no trade clause in his contract. See how that works?
btw to William, I’d say this article is very good as it sheds light on issues that no others are talking about. I don’t know the author, but I at least read the article and make a determination that there’s at least the possibility this is true. He does state facts about Kyrie that most if not all the talking heads have missed so far.
To your point, James has been the best player on the planet, works extremely hard to be in great condition, but the thing about why he does it so he doesn’t get lazy is strange at best.