Comments on: Options For The Pipe (LJ) Dream

By: Gil Meriken

Gil Meriken — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:23:45 +0000

Like Howard Beck at the NYT tweeted: “Dear Cavs fans: Mentioning LeBron’s free agency is not the same as predicting he will leave, or rooting for him to leave. That is all.”

By: Roland Lazenby

Roland Lazenby — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:51:28 +0000

Aqzi,
One other thing I overlooked in my answer to your question. This type of article does not sell Jerry West books. There are no instructions on this page about buying books. Yes, if you click on one of the covers you can go to amazon, but that’s not even mentioned in the process.
If anything, this type of article hurts book sales. I’ve received strong reviews for my Jerry West book. That, frankly, is what sells books, not my blog.
This is an independent blog, not affiliated with any other media. It is not an advertising vehicle. Like any other such blog, it is here merely to afford me the opportunity for self expression. If you feel manipulated, I encourage you to do what all other consumers do in such circumstances. Vote with your feet and don’t come back.
On the other hand, if you find my writing reflects my fiercely independent nature, then feel free to stick around.
Either way, I sincerely hope nobody’s twisting your arm.

All the best,

By: Roland Lazenby

Roland Lazenby — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:41:21 +0000

Aqzi,
I have no idea what number of hits my pages draw. I don’t get paid by the hit. In fact, if you’ve noticed there are no ads on my page. I don’t get paid for blogging at all here at lakernoise. I write about it because I am intrigued by it, because LeBron is exploring it.
A few years back, I intervied T-Mac while he was in China on a shoe promotion trip. A few weeks later, a man managing a billion dollar shoe investment fund paid me $300 to interview me for one hour. He wanted to ask me what I knew about the shoe business. He phoned me from Mumbai, India, where he was studying Indian basketball leagues. He was trying to figure out how many shoes would be selling worldwide in 2012. He didn’t learn much from me, but I learned a lot from him.
In the past, people could wait until an event happened and then report about it. But in this rapidly evolving age, and probably always, the truly valuable information is that which can help us anticipate what happens next. So that we can adjust. As I tell my students at Virginia Tech, we have to begin reporting about tomorrow. It’s hard to see perfectly into the future, but we have to try.
A few weeks back I was interviewing one of my regular sources on another subject when he started telling me about his visiting with an agent who was feeling out the Lakers situation for LeBron. The source went to some length to detail his discussion. I found it fascinating and still do. That’s all. Where LeBron goes or doesn’t go is going to have a major impact on the future of the league. The powers that be in the NBA are quite concerned and consumed with it. Teams are dumping rosters in hopes of courting him at the dance. Where does he really want to go?
The Lakers are high on his list. How realistic are they? Developments, and only developments, will reveal that.

All the best,

By: god doc

god doc — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:18:54 +0000

Why would anyone assume that Kobe would still be on the team? If LaBron comes in (in exchange for Bynum, Artest and Farmar, e.g.) no way is Buss going to pay two max salaries. Kobe doesn’t get re-signed.

If I were Kobe, I’d sign that extension before the end of the season.

By: Aqzi

Aqzi — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:51:03 +0000

Roland–
While I admire your courage in writing an article so quickly after facing such criticism for a similar one, the criticism still stands. What is the point of writing about something that has such a small chance of happening? If this were a piece on how the Lakers would fit with LeBron, that would be different. Unfortunately, it seems like a wrap-around article devoting little time to each aspect regarding the scenario.
I think you would agree that the article is primarily about LeBron wanting to be a Laker.
Well, here is the evidence:
•The Lakers are the best NBA team in Los Angeles
•LeBron likes the California lifestyle and would love to be here if he leaves Cleveland
•LeBron would not have to be in a fishbowl lifestyle
•LeBron would face less pressure in Los Angeles.

I just don’t understand the purpose of writing about an event that is so unlikely (yet intriguing and sure to get you page hits)…apart from generating publicity for a recently released book whose front cover appears on the same webpage as the article.

By: Bbfan88

Bbfan88 — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:21:22 +0000

Man imagine if the lakers did have lebron that would he one helluva team obviously though if the collision occurs between la and cle this summer than if lebron jumps ship it’ll look really bad as if he joined a team and he really didn’t contribute to a ring it’s almost like a cheaply earned ring he should sign a short three year deal with the cabs and than see what the options are maybe the teams like knicks nets and others will have gotten better

By: Hiserlgdeh jjbfdtfycuvtsts

Hiserlgdeh jjbfdtfycuvtsts — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:22:20 +0000

Lebron isn’t goin to LA.In fact,he probably ain’t goin anywhere. He’s stayin with the Cavs. I mean seriously, the Cavs are probably the pick to win it all,and even if they don’t, look at the past three seasons:2007:finals.2008:lost in Semis to eventual Finals champs.2009:Lost in ECF.2010:probably Finals

By: Hiserlgdeh jjbfdtfycuvtsts

Hiserlgdeh jjbfdtfycuvtsts — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:20:35 +0000

Lebron isn’t goin to LA. He’s stayin with the Cavs. I mean seriously, the Cavs are probably the pick to win it all,and even if they don’t, look at the past three seasons:2007:finals.2008:lost in Semis to eventual Finals champs.2009:Lost in ECF.2010:probably Finals