LeBron James: The Atlanta Hawks' Starting Guard/Small Forward Next Year
by Max D on Nov 9, 2009 7:18 PM EST
24 comments
After this 82 game season (82 games of practice for the Knicks), Free Agency 2010 officially begins. For us here at Hawksville, we hope* that Joe Johnson will once again wear #2 for us next year. However, if that doesn't happen, the Hawks could snag a disgruntled LeBron James from Cleveland. The salary numbers are almost similar, and if LeBron came to town, the Hawks would definitely become one of the best teams in the East, if not in the NBA. If you look at the starting lineup for the Cavs on Opening Night** against the Wizards: Drew Gooden was the starting PF, Larry Hughes the starting 2 guard, Big Z the C, LBJ the SF and Eric Snow the pg. Now while all these people are decently good players, I don't personally think that the make up of that Cavs team should have made to the Finals.
In Atlanta, LBJ would have a totally different scene. Mike Bibby would be the starting point guard, and he would be able to feed LeBron on the break, and can also knock down what seem like 4 pointers regularly. LBJ could shift to the 2 guard for a big line up, or Marvin, Mo , or Jamal could step up and fill the void vacated by Johnson. The possibilities with a hyper-athletic combo of J-Smoove, Big Al, and LBJ, would make SportsCenter a one team show. This would also pack Phillips Arena regularly and would truly merit the term the Highlight Factory.
Another reason to consider this swap is the fact that Joe Johnson is old (Not old in people years, but in NBA mileage years) If we could see inside Joe, he would probably be 65+ years old. LeBron, on the other hand, has played a lot of minutes, but his odometer is far lower than that of Johnson.
Basically, Cleveland realizes that they are in trouble if they don't make LeBron happy, so they are trying to do everything in their power to keep him. LeBron also realizes that no matter how much he likes NY, he will NEVER win a championship there. He will also have to re-embrace the one man show badge. The Brooklyn New Jersey Nets are also a team that is highly unstable, and wouldn't have much to offer LBJ. ATL on the other hand has a developed team that can only get better with his addition.
However, this addition may prove to be a double edged sword. Many people will argue that we already have a team in place, there is no reason to mess it up. To that I say, the Hawks may be able to win a title in a few years, but as presently constructed, they will not win a title. The question is is LBJ for ATL, and is ATL for LBJ? The world may never know.
*With the exception of Hoopinion
**The same Cavs team that went to the NBA FInals
A FanPost expresses the opinion of the community member who wrote it and not that of the blog management.
1 recs |
24 comments
Email
Print
Comments
hawks cannot get lebron
because of salary cap implications. you can only go over the cap to sign your own player (Bird rights). So Joe is the only big name free agent we can get outside of a highly unlikely sign and trade.
by hawksdawgs on Nov 10, 2009 8:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sign and trade...
Joe Jo and Marvin for Lebron.
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 10, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
NO!
Heck no! LBJ is good but not for the hawks. On top of that. i would rather be going against him. But like hawkdawgs said, it cant happen. Even if it could. he doesnt give a good vibe coming to atlanta. Especially since smoove may be him in a year or two
by Hawksgirl on Nov 10, 2009 11:18 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
I'd rather have Chris Paul to push the ball up the floor...
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
by NaGaNole on Nov 10, 2009 1:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Best Post Ever.
I appreciate any opportunity to think about Lebron playing on this team. I’d totally dump JJ for Lebron. Why wouldn’t he consider it if we could work a sign and trade? Would it not be enticing to be on the most exciting team ever? Oh my god, Josh Smith and Lebron; they’d literally have a dunk contest every time we play the Grizzlles. They’d literally pay the refs to judge it.
Lebron could completely take over the Atlanta market. Atlanta has some great legends, but Lebron could become synonymous with Atlanta, completely take it over. / LeBoner.
by Buzzsaw on Nov 10, 2009 9:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's not gonna happen...
but the idea of a Lebron for JJ and Marvin sign and trade, creating a lineup of
Bibby—Crawford—James—Smith—Horford, bring Chilldress back from Europe and add him to Teague and Zaza off the bench, that’s a helluva 8 man rotation to build around.
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 11, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nah
Still dont like it. good argument but i still dont like the idea of him being here
by Hawksgirl on Nov 11, 2009 9:26 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
It doesn’t seem like it could happen due to salary cap considerations and I’m skeptical Lebron would even be interested in Atlanta (what do the Hawks offer him that he can’t get from re-signing with Cleveland?), but why wouldn’t you want one of the top 2 players in the League if you could get him?
by redwards95 on Nov 11, 2009 10:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
atlanta has two things cleveland doesn't...
a great young pair at PF and C with Smith and Horford. Cleveland has no one that good, and that young.
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 11, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
just to add...
for someone wanting multiple titles, that trio would be a good start.
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 11, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Im skeptical because of smoove mainly and him coming would only be the result of jj leaving. I dont want to think about that until the time comes when he has to choose. Lebron is definently a beast but his attitude worries me. I dont know if he would mesh with everyone on the team.
by Hawksgirl on Nov 11, 2009 10:55 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
This is impossible
There’s no way to acquire LeBron James.
by Bronn on Nov 12, 2009 11:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
We could offer Joe, Josh, and Horford and still not get LeBron
by coachkcastellon on Nov 17, 2009 12:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah right
he wouldn’t be it then
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
by maxxj3 on Nov 18, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
he wouldn't be worth it i mean
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
by maxxj3 on Nov 18, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
or offer nothing...
he’s a free agent and can walk wherever he wants. A max contract is a great thing, but let’s not be foolish. His basketball contract won’t be his biggest income on the year anyway, so who gives a damn. It’s not like he won’t be well paid before his career is over, and possibly a billionaire counting endorsments. if he wants to win, he can walk anywhere, and thus force the Cavs to a sign and trade should he say “screw you, I’m outta here”
by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 19, 2009 7:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think any salary capped league has to find the balance of star players and quality depth....
If this we’re MLB, we could throw money at whoever, ala the Yankees, but we need balance. Lebron will never have a great cast (for more than a year anyway, and that’s taking chances on aging vets and rookies) because he commands too much $$$…
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
by NaGaNole on Nov 13, 2009 10:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
oh yeah like he's gonna want to play for us
he’s probably gonna go to New York or Miami or extend his contract for Cleveland we don’t have the money for him all that is unfortunately New York or LA or Boston it’s like that at all sports especially baseball
by southman on Nov 13, 2009 2:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
um...
if we’re willing to spend enough to get Lebron, wouldn’t we just spend less and keep JJ?
by axhfan on Dec 1, 2009 7:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
"Many people will argue that we already have a team in place"
And I am among them. Anybody here old enough to remember the excellent and winning team that migrated here from St Louis? It included wonderful stars including Lou Hudson, Zelmo Beatty, Bill Bridges, Walt Hazzard and Joe Caldwell and it won division championships both in St Louis and in Atlanta.
But then Pete Maravich was drafted. He could dribble. He could shoot. He could pass. But he made the team less about teamwork and more about individual showmanship. The Hawks slid out of first place and into mediocrity.
I think that we should stick with what we have. The Hawks have beaten fine teams this year and will only get better. I’m not so sure that Lebron, great player that he is, would improve the team.
by striped shirt on Dec 4, 2009 7:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Peachtree Hoops
Related FanShots on Peachtree Hoops
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
