{"id":1603,"date":"2014-07-16T11:37:34","date_gmt":"2014-07-16T15:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=1603"},"modified":"2014-07-16T11:37:34","modified_gmt":"2014-07-16T15:37:34","slug":"tuesday-teabag-july-15-2014-lebron-james","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=1603","title":{"rendered":"Tuesday Teabag, July 15, 2014 – LeBron James"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"I'm<\/a>

I’m all in…for one year.<\/p><\/div>\n

Welcome back friends to a brand new Teabag, where we honor none other than the King himself, LeBron James.<\/p>\n

Wait, what?\u00a0 LeBron just announced, in a well-written, well-thought out essay<\/a>, that he\u2019s returning to Cleveland, to bring a \u201ctrophy back to Northeast Ohio.\u201d\u00a0 The prodigal son is returning home, to lift up the collective spirits of Cleveland (sidenote:\u00a0 that\u2019s a lot of depressed souls), and deliver a championship to a championship-starved City.\u00a0 And he\u2019s going back for all the right reasons\u2026family, love for his hometown, role model for the kids.\u00a0 How big of him to set aside the fact that the entire City said good riddance to him 4 years ago, and Dan Gilbert (Cavs owner) wrote this letter<\/a>, calling LeBron\u2019s decision \u201cheartless and callous\u201d and an act of \u201ccowardly betrayal\u201d. \u00a0Seriously, read the whole letter…it’s crazy.<\/p>\n

\"Dan<\/a><\/p>\n

Yes, his decision to return to Cleveland has more feel good moments than the Hallmark Channel.\u00a0 So why then, are you giving LeBron a Teabag?\u00a0 All of Cleveland is smiling for the first time since the premiere of the Drew Carey Show.\u00a0 LeBron made his decision the right way, without the need of the Boys & Girls Club and nationally televised audience.\u00a0 Because, our bullshit-dar, much like our ability to shotgun beers, is impeccable, and it\u2019s running at high alert.\u00a0 The gullible, neive, desperate, clinging for life<\/span> loyal residents of Cleveland don\u2019t know it, but they\u2019ve just been played.<\/p>\n

Sure, some of what he said it probably true.\u00a0 He probably does love his hometown (note: if you were revered like a God in your hometown, wouldn\u2019t you?) and truly does want to bring a championship to Cleveland.\u00a0 But the story doesn\u2019t end there.\u00a0 No sir.\u00a0 Let\u2019s cut through the bullshit and get to the real reason why he went to Cleveland, and let\u2019s see how much love he really has for his hometown.<\/p>\n

Cleveland\u2019s better than Miami<\/strong><\/p>\n

Granted, this is probably the only time in the history of the world where that statement wasn\u2019t made sarcastically, but it\u2019s true.\u00a0 Cleveland\u2019s roster (thanks to 4 years of post-LeBron tanking) is front-loaded with young talent like Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters\u2026plus this year\u2019s first round pick Andrew Wiggans.\u00a0 Also, sharpshooter Mike Miller just jumped on the bandwagon, and rumor has it<\/a> that Kevin Love may soon join.\u00a0 All this sets up perfectly for LeBron.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t have to log 40+ minutes\/game.\u00a0 He can properly rest his body and be ready for the playoffs.\u00a0 He\u2019s still in the East\u2026the Cavs are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

In Miami, the Heat have quickly turned into Florida retirees.\u00a0 Ray Allen is 60 and D-Wade\u2019s knees are 80.\u00a0 LeBron would have a much heavier load to carry in Miami than with the Cavs.<\/p>\n

Bottom line: he has a better supporting cast in Cleveland, so it makes sense to go back.\u00a0 Do you honestly think LeBron would be back in Cleveland if Ramon Sessions and Alonzo Gee were still starters?\u00a0 Hell no.<\/p>\n

LeBron\u2019s Contract Details<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is what really got us in LeBron Teabag mode.\u00a0 He could have signed a 4 year max deal, worth $88 million.\u00a0 Instead, he signed a 2 year deal for $42 million.\u00a0 Why leave $46 million on the table?\u00a0 There are true business reasons<\/a>, including a higher cap and greater TV revenue starting in 2016.\u00a0 This give LeBron the ability to sign a max deal in 2016, for a lot more than the current $88 million max deal.\u00a0 However, for a guy that makes between $50 and $80 million a year in off-court endorsements, is he really that concerned about money?<\/p>\n

But his contract isn\u2019t really a two-year contract.\u00a0 It\u2019s really a one year contract<\/a>, with a player option for a second year.\u00a0 That\u2019s right, LeBron can opt-out after next season and become a free agent all over again.\u00a0 And if you don\u2019t think he\u2019ll leave Cleveland again…you\u2019re fooling yourself.<\/p>\n

His contract gives him the maximum flexibility.\u00a0 Things don\u2019t go well after year one?\u00a0 He can bail.\u00a0 No dramatic improvement in year 2?\u00a0 He can bail (and finally join Melo in NYC).\u00a0 If he really wanted to go all in, and show Cleveland he\u2019s fully committed, he signs the max deal (and somehow learns to live with $88 million), or at least a true, two-year contract.\u00a0 But a one year deal?\u00a0 That\u2019s not much love.<\/p>\n

Cleveland = Titletown, USA?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cLeBron and Johnny Football in the same City?!?\u201d exclaimed a Clevelander who, 4 years ago, burned his kid\u2019s LeBron jersey in the driveway.\u00a0 \u201cCleveland\u2019s the new Titletown, USA!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ok, let\u2019s knock this shit out right here.\u00a0 Cleveland will never, ever\u2026EVER, be confused with a winning City.\u00a0 It will always smell like stale beer and regret.\u00a0 This really doesn\u2019t have anything to do with LeBron, just wanted to clear the air before the Northeast Ohio Chamber of Commerce mail bombs us all, touting their clean water and diverse economy.\u00a0 In fact, don\u2019t be fooled by their propaganda and, as a reminder of what Cleveland\u2019s truly like, please watch our favorite Cleveland tourist videos.<\/p>\n