Ok guys, I was thinking about this last night as I was reading about the Shaq to Cleveland trade. The trade was made to give the Cavs a chance to win now, as in this coming season, with both Shaq and LeBron. Not knowing if LeBron will stay with the Cavs next season, the Cavs must do anything they can to win while they have LeBron and to also entice LeBron to stay.
I started to wonder what would ultimately be better for the Cavs fans, to win the 2010 title, then lose LeBron and Shaq and be relegated to NBA mediocrity, or to be able to resign LeBron and keep the the Cavs as a money-making, title-contending franchise for the next 12 seasons.
So, think about it guys...the kneejerk reaction is to take the title, no matter what. But I want you guys to put yourselves into the position of a Cavaliers fan (one actually living in Cleveland!). Take into consideration the sports history of the city and how much LeBron means to it and the Cavs franchise. Is having LeBron in a Cavs uniform for the next decade-plus worth more than an NBA title next season but then "NBA Siberia" from then on?
Once you've answered the question, I'd love to hear your thoughts on your answer.
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If I'm a Cavs fan, and you told me I could either win a title and lose Lebron or keep Lebron but never win a title, I'd say that I'd rather win the title.
That said, if I'm the Cavs organization, you choose Lebron every time, since the amount of money they make off Lebron's star power is worth substantially more than the extra money they'd get short term with a title victory.
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Posts: 6805 | Location: Tilling the fields on the global plantation | Registered: December 17, 2006
If there is no certainty of winning a championship with Lebron does that mean I have a chance to win one in 12 years with him??
If so I would vote to keep Lebron.
If in 12 years it is a guarantee that I will win no title with him then I would choose the one championship and just hope against all hope that somehow the team becomes competitive again.
If the mediocrity is limited to the same 12 seasons I'd say take the title.
But if it's one title and then guaranteed futility for the rest of the team's existence I'd probably lean more towards LeBron. But I'd have to think about it and I might still take the title.
Being a fan of the Florida Marlins, I have a bit of experience with this kind of situation. The World Series in '97 was well worth the awfulness that followed it. It sucked to see that team broken apart, but I'll always have fond memories of that year and watching my favorite baseball team win a title.
The '03 title was a little different because it came out of nowhere and it took a couple of years to dismantle that team, but the feeling is pretty much the same. After your team wins a title, there is a period of at least a few years before you can even think about being frustrated with them.
If I'm a Cleveland fan, after suffering through everything they've suffered through (including that very same '97 World Series), I'd much prefer winning a title now and taking my chances with what might happen after that. You'll always have that one season to look back on.
Ask a Cubs fan what it feels like to root for a team that is often in contention but never really gets over the hump. They'd sell their souls for a championship.
I'd keep Lebron and enjoy being competitive and at least contending for 12 years.
Having been a Magic fan through the dark ages, I wouldn't wish that kind of team on anyone, championship or not. I can't imagine a fan that would be willing to have a championship at the cost of having a good, competitive team for many years.
As DoM said, the revenue for the team wouldn't hurt either.
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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Former A-10 standouts and Associated Press National Players of the Year Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's and Xavier's David West have been named to the NBA All-Star team and will square off Feb. 15 in Phoenix, Ariz. It marks Nelson's first All-Star selection, while West earns his second straight honor.
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Originally posted by HighClassTrash: I can't imagine a fan that would be willing to have a championship at the cost of having a good, competitive team for many years.
If you're the kind of fan that gets enjoyment out of following the team regardless of how much they win, you're going to take the championship.
Personally, I'm going to enjoy watching my team regardless of how much they win. So I'd rather have the title.
What if we changed the hypothetical a little bit and it was a choice between one championship followed by an eternity of mediocrity or a guarantee of constantly being in contention but a championship is impossible?
Originally posted by HighClassTrash: I can't imagine a fan that would be willing to have a championship at the cost of having a good, competitive team for many years.
If you're the kind of fan that gets enjoyment out of following the team regardless of how much they win, you're going to take the championship.
Personally, I'm going to enjoy watching my team regardless of how much they win. So I'd rather have the title.
What if we changed the hypothetical a little bit and it was a choice between one championship followed by an eternity of mediocrity or a guarantee of constantly being in contention but a championship is impossible?
That's tough, too, because then you're constantly harrassed by the what ifs. Being that close to a championship with no chance of winning is so much worse than having no chance of even getting that far.
I guess it's a hard thing to describe. For me to see my team constantly lose is horrible, but I feel equally as horrible watching my team get to the edge but never cross over.
In the instance, I'd rather win the championship and take years of blah ball than to be forced to the brink only to be disappointed every year.
Posts: 912 | Location: Eating Cutestory's stew with Carl Weathers | Registered: December 14, 2006
Originally posted by bhnole: I don't there is anyway Lebron leaves if he wins a title, so this was a tough choice.
That was exactly what I said. This was the only play Ferry had, if they don't win the title you get nothing and he walks to NJ or NY which will have nice young pieces to put around him. If you do win the title you get to keep him, I don't think he leaves.
If I had to choose between them I would take the title, 2nd place does nothing for me. Business wise that is the worst idea but fan wise you stay with the team and follow them through the "dark ages" in the hope that they finally win the title.
I don't wish this on the true Cav's fans, I still remember how much it sucked when The Big Crisco left us and I would hate to see anyone go through that. Unfortunatley Ferry should have made this move at the deadline and taken the shot this year giving him a year to come up with plan B in case it didn't work. Now he has a terrible defender and a 1 time shot at a title which doesn't even look like a certainty.
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Well, I am a Cavs fan, and I would rather have LeBron for 12 years. The Poll didnt say if you kept LeBron you WOULDN'T win a title. So I think I will take my chances that LeBron on any team for 12 years, has a pretty darn good shot at a title. I honestly don't think LeBron will leave one way or another. All these LBJ to NY articles don't really worry me because, they are all written by NY Times writers. They can't write about their team, so why not keep riding the LeBron in 2010 train.
Good thread.
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well hypothetically, considering I am now a Cavs fan who lives in Cleveland where teams never win anything and the most exciting thing that ever happens is the lake catching on fire I'd have to choose a title next year..
I'm pretty that's worth it to them.
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