Signing LeBron James does not guarantee a dynasty

[WearShades]

LeBron James is the best basketball player on the planet and would make us into the best team in the east right now and in the foreseeable future, especially if another star joins him in coming to Chicago. So why with LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and company on the Bulls roster aren't we a dynasty?

Well, we could be, but that's no guarantee. I'm not arguing the talent whatsoever, nor am I arguing that these players wouldn't win a championship or championships. What I think is being ignored is how easy it would be for LeBron James to skip town after his contract runs out.

Think it's crazy? Certainly those in Cleveland would have felt James would never leave prior to the playoffs. And if we do hit the jackpot this July with free agency and then lose LeBron three or four years later, we're left as a really good but not great team; not a dynasty team.

There are other considerations as well. Let's say a team like Orlando picks up Chris Paul. Doesn't have to be this offseason as is being rumored, just at some point in the next few years. That team would compare well enough in talent to our hypothetical super-Bulls team that we'd have serious trouble winning multiple championships. And if we only win one or worse, none, then perhaps James does the free agency dance again down the line. That's just one scenario where there's another super-team. Certainly there are more plausible combinations, any of which would make it significantly more difficult for our cavalcade of talent to acquire more rings.

For clarification, I don't believe I think less of the talents of LeBron, or any of the other perspective free agents as the majority of you, however I believe LeBron's willingness to pack up the farm and move on from Chicago is being overlooked. Given that his presence will be required for more than three or four years to have a true dynasty, I think that's quite a large oversight.

[Bullsman24]

i think if he wins a championship in these first 4 years, he's here for sure. and i think that will happen. plus we are young, unlike cleveland and have a ridiculous situation. i don't think another team being very good will push him out because that team will still exist wherever they go.

[WearShades]

bullsman24 wrote:

i think if he wins a championship in these first 4 years, he's here for sure. and i think that will happen. plus we are young, unlike cleveland and have a ridiculous situation. i don't think another team being very good will push him out because that team will still exist wherever they go.

We are young and I completely buy into the argument for LeBron coming to Chicago in 2010. However, four years down the road it'll be a whole new NBA. There could easily be a team that looks like we do right now, perhaps even better, that has the cap space to bring in LeBron. I don't see LeBron being a guy who has a problem going from place to place so long as the attention and success come with him. A championship in four years is good, but more is expected of LeBron than just one title.

[pinkizdead]

hey, if lebron leaves, we still have rose, joahkim, and bosh. : -)

[WearShades]

pinkizdead wrote:

hey, if lebron leaves, we still have rose, joahkim, and bosh. : -)

That's a good team, but not so good you know you're in the finals from the start.

[houheffna]

No one player alone guarantees a dynasty. There has never been a player that good...

[WearShades]

houheffna wrote:

No one player alone guarantees a dynasty. There has never been a player that good...

Given, however the point I was trying to make was there's no guarantee James sticks around long enough for a dynasty.

[houheffna]

If he is winning...in Chicago, he won't leave. If they bring him in, and don't win...they don't deserve to keep him...I won't feel bad at all.

[WearShades]

houheffna wrote:

If he is winning...in Chicago, he won't leave. If they bring him in, and don't win...they don't deserve to keep him...I won't feel bad at all.

Define winning. Is winning only one championship in the next four years enough for LeBron? These aren't normal expectations we're dealing with.

[TheStig]

It might not guarantee a dynasty but it is the single best move in the nba to get you there.