The leverage is that Magic was then and Lebron is NOW.
Meaning that Lebron is currently the ONLY player in the league who has proven himslef talented enough that he can single handedly take a team to the Finals. Lebron is fully aware of this. Magic is fully aware of this. Signing Lebron was the Coup of a lifetime for Magic as President, and with thay coup HAS to come some sort of compromise. Magic can’t get out there and run the floor himself anymore.
Like another poster said, i believe its a mutually beneficial partnership. Magic got Lebron and instantly gained credibiltiy as the man who could bring La Back to glory. Lebron comes to LA and can continue building his legacy and multimedia empire. I feel like if Lebron felt VERY strongly about an issue, it wouldn’t be a matter of flexing and making it be so as it was in Cleveland. But i feel Magic would SERIOUSLY consider or take it to heart whatever the issue is.
Now on another note, i think one reason why Bron signed was because him and Magic think alike. Magic wants to win NOW and Bron wants to win NOW while he’s still at an elite level. Making moves like getting Tyson Chandler and signing Lance and Rondo were moves that Lebron probably agreed with without wven having to do much talking to Magic because they are on the same page. Even the little controversy with Walton possibly losing his job earlier and Magic coming out and saying “He’s jot getting fired this season” is something Bron was probably like “Ok he GETS it. We fire this muthafukka this season and all the bullshyt falls on ME”.
Magic makes moves that Lebron would already be in favor of. That in itself negates any need for any “power struggles”
Ok, I'm gonna comment on the bold first because that with you I ABSOLUTELY agree with and what I was trynna say earlier but you basically broke it down mad eloquently and I appreciate that.
Lebron is NOW and I definitely agree with that.... but going back to the leverage thing? Thats where I somewhat disagree, see I dont think Bron really had as much leverage as one may think. There are really only 2 places for Bron to realistically go and one place fukked that up the last 2-3 years in NY. The way Phil handled one of this best friends and the way Dolan let shyt happened all under his watch...... that shyt probably turned him off.
He definitely was leaving Cleveland, as he did what he promised and him and Gilbert dont mesh well. The MIA thing is kinda "been there done that"
He not about to play for any other smaller market team or leave the continental US.
I think Philly was something that was worth "entertaining" but was never as serious as some like to assume.
It was always gonna be LA, Bron knew it and I think Magic was smart enough to know it too....
From there it was just about having a conversation how things are gonna go under Magics vision. Like I said, I do think Magic will listen to Bron's consultations, but I think that's just a formality and something that everyone in Magic's positions will do for their stars. But I think Magic is smart enough know what to do thats right and I think ultimately Bron recognizes it as no matter how savvy he is or a student of the game he is. Magic isnt his equal he's his OG and its probably understood that Magic is doing whats in the best for everyone interest as he has a legacy and name thats at stake with this too. They probably are on the same page but this is Magics book.
I can see Magic having a convo like "Hey Bron, I recognize who you are and what you bring and I have the upmost respect...... but you gonna have to understand respectfully if you come here, this is how things is gonna be" type convo. A man to man convo, not talking down to him and being transparent and genuine.
Magic gets it and Bron would understand that Magic gets it and I think them 2 shooting the shyt would put him at ease vs the conversations with white people with less credibility and greed. Bron also knew with this opportunity he can get the playbook or blueprint to what Magic done and see if he can take that to the next level. shyt like that is worth signing to the Lakers alone for someone thats a vet and only got a few more years left in the league.
Martha
Man you are unreal. The first four games they were ballin’ actually. After they started performing poorly and missing everything then they were scrubs and rightfully so. Tbh Clarkson was actually a standout. He went from the best he ever player to decent and efficient, everyone else went to shyt. (Well until the playoffs)
