A source told Chris Broussard of ESPN.com that the King, in recruiting Trevor Ariza, told Ariza he would be in Cleveland beyond next season:
“Trevor asked LeBron if he would be in Cleveland after next season,” the source said. “And LeBron said, ‘I’ll be there. Of course, I’ll be there.’”
I’m not going to remove the LeBroptimism meter until I hear it from the horse’s mouth, but maybe I’ll lower it soon after I’ve had time to ruminate. Ariza would evidently have been more convinced if LeBron had put his money where his mouth is (which technically he can’t do for another 10 days, but he can at least publicly pronounce his intention to stay):
“He thought it was just a recruiting tool,” the source said. “LeBron definitely said it, but until he signs the contract it doesn’t mean much.”
Hopefully for LeBron, the dregs of Cleveland won’t mean as much to other free agents as it did to Ariza, who spurned the Cavs for the Rockets, despite LeBron’s alleged promise.
Also, there was always an overwhelming possibility that LeBron would not be a Knick. The 2010 plan is still the right plan.
What else did he expect him to say. Lebum knew regardless of what he said it would be all over ESPN before the night was out.
On another note. Why are we not looking at matt barnes instead of grant hill
Honestly, I could see this swinging the other way. Lebron said this and still couldnt get ariza to come to to Clevland. No FA have wanted to come to Clevland. I bet lebron is starting to see the appeal of a city where people want to live. ie see Kidd considering NY even for less money and a non championship team bc its freaking NYC!