Lebron’s free-agency hype already in high gear
Mike Brown knew where the conversation was headed.
So that’s why he said he was in a rush, preferring to conduct the conversation as he walked the concourse at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, site of the NBA Summer League.
This way, Brown could avoid speaking on the subject for too long. He was in town scouting his team’s young talent as he prepares for his second stint as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Even though he is on cusp on a new beginning, Brown can’t help but avoid the past. With teams focusing on the future, the hottest topic of the 10-day event was the same from the summer of 2009.
Where is LeBron James going to choose to play next?
Brown, who coached James from 2005-10, chuckled when asked how he would advise Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra in handling the upcoming 11month circus before James becomes a free agent next July.
“I have no advice for Spoelstra,” Brown said, with a laugh.
“He’s won two championships. I should be calling him for advice. He’s a great coach. They’ve got a great chance to win a third one. They’ve got a great team, and they’ve done a terrific job of putting the team together.”
Despite James winning consecutive championships and most valuable player of the year awards, the talk remains on his next move.
You don’t hear any discussions about the Heat possibly becoming the first team to three-peat since the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002, no one is talking about James perhaps ending his career in Miami.
Instead, there is only speculation of James playing everywhere from Dallas to Los Angeles to New York to even returning to Cleveland. This should all sound familiar. James endured a similar struggle during the 2009-10 season, his first experience as a free agent.
The chatter lasted the entire second half of the season, setting up an offseason that linked James with the Knicks, Mavericks, Bulls and Brooklyn Nets.
The whirlwind ended with James choosing the Heat, a decision that was aired on national television.
“In general, the beauty of our league is that all this stuff is drama,” said one Western Conference general manager, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
“With every player, there’s a drama involved. A lot of it is not necessarily true but some of it is. Everyone loves to speculate about everything, and I think that’s what makes it fun.”
The summer of 2010 was the first time James experienced such courtships, considering he never went through the recruiting process in college.
It’s why he said he is more than ready for the frenzy, even though he has no interest in feeding it.
He has stayed out of the public eye with the exception of an appearance at the ESPYs in Los Angles earlier this month.
James is currently in China as part of a Nike tour. Once he returns, the focus becomes the LeBron James Foundation for his annual work with “Wheels for Education” in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
He then will wed long-time girlfriend Savannah Brinson in September before beginning preparation for training camp and the 2013 season.
“What I’m prepared for right now is to come back a better player and try to defend our crown,” James said in his final interview with local media in late June.
“That’s my only thing, is to put on that Miami Heat uniform every single night and play at the highest level I can and be the leader of this team ... and try to go for a three-peat. I’m not too much worried about free agency or any of that next summer.”
The speculation began early as last fall when a story appeared on ESPN.com saying the Lakers would pursue James in 2014. Those rumors have since only gained steamed as the season approaches.
One Eastern Conference general manager called the speculation “foolish,” but also said teams have to start preparing for free agency “three years in advance.”
“The way that free agency is happening right now, there’s always going to be speculation,” said the general manger, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
“What’s going to happen is you’re always going to have some teams and they’re going to try to put themselves in position [for James]. If they can strike it, they’re going to make sure they have the money and ability to do that.”
(Sun Sentinel/MCT)