Because he only has to beat 1 or 2 legit teams to win a title coming from the east. Out west you have Houston, Golden State, SA, so you have at least 3-4 worthy contenders.
Whatever it is, I hope Lebron is cutting you all monthly checks for the amount of time he spends living in your heads.
Not if the Spurs lose Kawhi and the Rockets lose CP3 and OKC loses Paul George. The Lebron being in better shape should mean he wants them with less rest so playing them in the conference finals would be a better chance to catch them fatigued with less time to recover. Lebron instantly makes the team he joins on that side the #2 team as he isn't going to join a team without at least 1 other star. The conferences toughness may switch soon. Boston, Toronto and Philly may no longer be cake walks well except Toronto for any team Lebron is on. Lol. He just owns them in a way he shouldn't.
I lean toward siding with Ostrich on Lebron. No trouble off the court and other than the whining (which is the norm in the NBA) I love his game. It does kinda get old that whatever team he ends up on he becomes their coach and GM as well but it's clearly a players league (much different than college hoops).
Great post.
Clearly you don’t watch much nba basketball if you think he’s the biggest whiner.
Anyone in their right mind would rather have the #2 team be in the conference opposite the #1 team. It's not even close. Add to that the East has been far worse than the West for a decade or more.
It can change quickly now that the clippers blew their team up, OKC is probably going to lose George and Westbrook can't do it himself. Kawhi may leave the Spurs and Ginobli and Parker are old. and Meanwhile Toronto, Boston and Philly will be improving and be tougher. Bottom line is Lebron can join a team on either side and that team will still be considered 2nd to Golden State until someone dethrones them. The Lakers are probably in the best position to get multiple free agent stars Lebron would want to be able to give him a shot to take them down.
So if 5 different things all happen then the conference advantage might switch soon...yeah I’ll take my chances staying in the east. If the spurs lose kawhi he just stays west with LA so you don’t really have much going on here...anyone who knows anything knows the east is an easier path.
After eight straight finals, he is looking beyond basketball and what better mentor can he have other than Magic Johnson? This last four years in the league is setting up the next twenty-five of his life.
Agreed however one of his advisers should have maybe mentioned the tax rate in Cali. Sure he has generational money; but I am still not in favor of giving up 50% of my income to anyone. Oh well it will be fun to watch. If he got frustrated with his team mates and coach in Cleveland; I can't imagine his frustration with his team mates in LA. Throw in the big baller input and it will be the best soap opera in TV.
If Kawhi does sit out in protest, would you spend a fortune on Kwahi even though he hasn't played bball in almost 2 years? I wouldn't
Paying a 10% more in taxes when you've increased your income potential by 20-30% (if not far more considering post career opportunities he can start on now) isn't a bad deal - esp when you consider the enhanced lifestyle in LA vs CLE.
He's a remarkable talent with one fewer year of wear on his tires. I'd pay him what the market commanded provided he checked out well with team doctors.
I am not saying he will be poor but the cost of living is 10% higher, the tax rate at just the local level is 3% higher and the income tax rate is roughly 10% higher. Throw in the difference in cost of private schools, housing etc and the amount of money you will spend for someone who makes what LJ makes is significant. He will be fine but when you add that up over the years he will be giving away a bunch of money.
Yea and making a bunch more than he would have in CLE and not having to deal with that weather.
