Q: What is the Lebrometer?
A: The Lebrometer is a service that monitors past and present events to ascertain whether they make Lebron James more or less likely to agree to a long-term contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the summer of 2006.
Q: If Lebron does not re-sign with the Cavs this year, what happens?
A: If he does not re-sign by October 31, then he is ineligible to agree to a contract extension until he reaches free agency in 2008.
Q: Lebron has indicated that he is inclined to re-sign with the Cavs. Why not just assume that is the truth?
A: Let us be perfectly clear: there is no reason not to trust Lebron James. But – things happen. Check the recent sports history of Cleveland and see what you think. Certainly, Cleveland has seen many superstars (mostly Indians) leave town in recent years, often after said players indicated a wish to stay forever. Whether or not one believes in a “Cleveland curse,” the region and its fans have suffered through a major sports championship dating back to 1964, the longest for any city with at least three “major league” sports teams. So when the Cavs, surprisingly, are able to acquire the greatest athlete to suit up in Cleveland since Jim Brown, and when he is also a local boy, it would be unnatural not to be a bit cynical about the potential for this to collapse into the greatest Cleveland sports disaster yet.
Q: Who are the prime candidates to lure Lebron away from the Cavs?
A: Teams in the major media markets are the leading candidates. The Nets have perhaps the best chance, with a new arena in Brooklyn and deep-pocketed Bruce Ratner now running the show along with Lebron’s friend Jay-Z. Their salary cap situation could be fine-tuned if need be to make such a move. The Knicks’ cap situation is terrible and will probably be unfixable this decade, let alone in two years. The Bulls have to be considered a contender given Lebron’s admitted fascination with Michael Jordan and a cap situation that should be at least somewhat flexible. The Lakers would be unbeatable with Lebron and Kobe Bryant, but Kobe hasn’t exactly built a track record of coexistence with fellow superstars. The Clippers could put themselves on the NBA map by luring Lebron to their side of the Staples Center, but such a move by a megastar to that franchise would be utterly unprecedented.
Q: Is this site in any way affiliated with Lebron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers or the NBA?
A: Absolutely not!
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