“Maybe that’s not Tim Duncan, but a Tim Duncan clone, which is why it has no personality?”

…sort of implies the “original” Tim Duncan DID have a personality.

Which he did/does not.

Hopefully after the current season of American Idol (where they use it to send off some loser every week) ends tomorrow (?) we’ll be free of it.

“Here’s the max”.

“Okay, cool.”

Everything you read about him says he’s not into the big media crush, and the sparse amount of interviews and such with him supports it.

As for hanging out and stuff – like I said he was raised in the area. He likes it there. If he wants to go spend a weekend or even a night in NYC, go. He can certainly afford it.

I just don’t see him putting his ability to go to New York clubs or hang out with celebs over everything else. He’s been famous since he was 16 – I don’t think it’s a big deal to him.

Whatever the case, even after he signs this summer, I’m sure the first article from Skip Bayless will be about how if he’s not satisfied by game 3 of the season, he’ll be demanding a trade. This is going to be an ongoing thing, no matter what he says or does. If he wins it all, they’ll say he wants to leave for a new challenge or something.

2) I’m sure that Cleveland will bring this up quite a bit during negotiations. Where else could he go and have this chance? If they promise to do everything they can to increase his legacy(and why wouldn’t they), this will be a great bargaining chip

3) Sure he can get more money from Nike if he wants. I think the ceiling is higher in some of the larger markets though. He’s definately marketable wherever he goes, but it’s much easier to get press in a larger market.

4 & 5) I don’t think the NBA gives a shit where he’s at. Like you said, he has global marketability. I think it’s more about his ego. Does he want to be a big fish in a small pond, or a big fish in a large pond.

6) Yeah, he’s from the area. Yeah, he has friends and family there. What the hell does he do on his off days though? It’s not like he can go hang out with (insert random famous persons name here) in Cleveland though.

I think his best choice is to stay in Cleveland and establish a lasting legacy. I see lot’s of athletes that get caught up in the glitz and glamor of the big cities though, and I think that will weigh on his decision. Sure he’s playing in front of the big names when he’s in the playoffs, but that middle of the season game against the Bucks…who wouldn’t rather be playing in the garden?

1) If he wants to win, he stays in Cleveland, unless he wants to go sign for the minimum in San Antonio or something. I think we can all rule this out. The Cavs won 50, have a kickass owner, and a bright future.

2) If he wants a legacy all his own, he does it in Cleveland. He can become synonymous with the franchise, just like Jordan=Bulls for all-time. This is important and overlooked from a historical perspective. Kobe could win 3 more titles for the Lakers, and he’s still sharing history with a handful of other players.

3) The money increase in endorsements in negligible if he goes to a bigger market, despite what people will say. Ask Windhorst. Besides, does anyone think he couldn’t call Nike today and get whatever sort of raise he wanted?

4) This “the NBA wants him in NYC” is a dumb conspiracy to give people things to write – if this was the case, why didn’t they just rig the lottery in 03?

The NBA thrives if all of its franchises are thriving and profiting. The Knicks sell out and make a zillion dollars every single year, regardless of what the team does. Basketball was dying in Cleveland before LeBron – now the franchise value is way up, you’ve got another arena that will sell out every night, and kids in China are wearing Cleveland gear, which leads to…

5) David Stern thinks globally in terms of growth. Argentinian fans don’t care if LeBron is in NYC, Cleveland, or the middle of the Pacific Ocean, as long as he’s playing.

6) He’s from the area. Everyone wants to overlook it or assume it’s impossible, but he likes it there.

Discuss.