- 8 hours ago
Nick Wilson, afternoon show host at 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, joins Willard and Dibs to break down the odds that LeBron James returns to the Cavaliers in free agency this summer instead of joining Steph Curry and the Warriors.
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00:00I mean, Cleveland, this is for you.
00:04What would he say this time?
00:07Cleveland, just in case you didn't notice last time,
00:09you thought I'd come back and do it again.
00:11Cleveland, this is for me.
00:14Not for you.
00:15Not a bad idea.
00:16I mean.
00:17Cleveland, this is number two?
00:19Yes.
00:20Like, I'm just, we're workshopping it.
00:23Yeah.
00:24You know what I mean?
00:24It's awkward.
00:25Yeah, it is.
00:27Maybe we should get somebody to help us.
00:29Willard and Dibbs, 95-7 the game.
00:31Let's go live to Cleveland and talk to our friend Nick Wilson,
00:35sister station, 92.3 the fan,
00:39and get a sense of what the thought process is there,
00:43kind of ground zero, the current favorite, if you will,
00:47and LeBron's hometown.
00:49Joining us here on the River Islands guest line.
00:50Hey, Nick, what's going on this afternoon?
00:53Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen, great to join you.
00:55By the way, it's got to be I'm taking my talents back to Cleveland
01:00because we are on the 16th anniversary of the original decision,
01:05so we could play a little decision 2.0 or 3.1, whatever the hell it is now,
01:11a little revisionist history.
01:12We could if there was a TV show scheduled for tonight, which there's not.
01:17So, Nick, like, that's my, one of the questions we've been dealing with on the show today
01:21is trying to get a little hypothetical or creative in our own minds
01:27to answer the question of why is this taking so long?
01:32So, from the Cleveland perspective, what is your answer to that?
01:38So, I think with LeBron, I think people always oversimplify things
01:43and make it about one thing.
01:45I don't think this is just about one thing.
01:48But if I could make it about the number one thing,
01:51I think LeBron, since the Lakers traded for Luka,
01:56has felt massively disrespected by the way the Lakers treated him,
02:02by the way maybe the NBA, even like the NBA media,
02:05kind of moved him to a sidecar role,
02:08as if he was like Vince Carter with the Hawks circa, you know, age 42.
02:14And I think this is LeBron reminding everyone that he is the face of the NBA.
02:21And I think LeBron wants to feel the love.
02:23I don't think he's felt the love by the way he's been covered in the last 18 months
02:29or the way he's been treated around the NBA, certainly by the Lakers.
02:32And I think after the last 18 months,
02:35maybe LeBron wants to have his, wants to be sniffed a little bit, if you will.
02:41Well, yeah.
02:41And I do think that Cleveland would check that box.
02:44I mean, he's from there and then he went back and won there and all the rest of it.
02:48I wonder what the Cleveland Cavaliers would have to do roster-wise
02:52to actually make this palatable and accommodating for LeBron.
02:56I think that's a, so I think that's been one of the big talking points here.
03:01I don't know that LeBron's at that point where he's moving pieces around the chessboard,
03:08the way he did certainly when he came to Cleveland,
03:11back at, came back to Cleveland,
03:12or certainly when he went to Miami or even like the recruiting pitches he was doing in LA.
03:16I think he's, I think he's open to hear what teams would do if they got him,
03:22but I don't think he's mandating it.
03:24Now, that being said, I think Harden is an immediate conversation
03:29because I think he will resign,
03:31but I think he becomes somebody that could be shopped at next year's deadline
03:34to try and add a maybe better piece, a better fitting piece with LeBron.
03:39And I think the other question becomes Jared Allen.
03:42Because Jared Allen's probably the most expendable of the other, you know,
03:47four guys which start in a lineup with LeBron.
03:50And if you could get another wing, like a three and D player,
03:55more of like a traditional three that can shoot 38% from three
04:01and provide good assistance on defense,
04:03I think that might be something that is appealing to LeBron.
04:06But again, I don't think LeBron is dictating everything
04:10the way he certainly has in every other big free agency decision he's ever made.
04:14Nick Wilson in Cleveland with us.
04:16And Nick, I'm giving you a little extra juice
04:17because you're in a town where they have had LeBron on the team before.
04:22So I'm thinking you kind of know how he works and what makes him tick.
04:26We were told all season if there was going to be a new destination,
04:31West Coast, golf, good weather, near to family,
04:35these things all mattered to him.
04:38So do they just not matter to him from that perspective?
04:42Does Cleveland make sense?
04:45I listen from any of those perspectives.
04:47Cleveland does not make sense.
04:48You might not know what the weather here is.
04:51It's like 80 degrees now, but talk to me in about four months
04:54when LeBron's getting ready to play basketball.
04:56But here's where, listen, I think the number one thing
04:59that I've always found to be true with LeBron
05:01is LeBron understands the narrative, right?
05:06He understands the story.
05:07And LeBron likes a good story.
05:10And so I think what Cleveland offers him,
05:13the best version of, is the uningewed story.
05:17It's where he began his career.
05:19Honestly, it's a team that needs exactly what LeBron is,
05:23a guy that can lead a team and a guy that is a big wing.
05:27And I think it's the place LeBron has always felt the most love
05:32and just natural love.
05:33And I think those are things that complete his story.
05:37I think winning a championship is another way to complete a story,
05:43but it becomes a zero-sum game in Philly.
05:45It becomes a zero-sum game in Minnesota, Miami, or Golden State.
05:50Whereas in Cleveland, I think there is going to be
05:53just a general amount of goodwill
05:55because he's finishing the story where it began.
05:58So I think that's the edge that Cleveland has.
06:02And the fact that I think LeBron knows,
06:04if LeBron comes out and has the Cavs
06:06in the Eastern Conference Finals again this year,
06:08but ultimately they're just too big,
06:10they're just not good enough to get over the hump.
06:13If he does that, most Cavs fans are going to say,
06:16that was so much fun to see LeBron back in that position again.
06:20Anywhere else, there's going to start being the whispers
06:24about Jordan with the Wizards, no matter how ridiculous that is.
06:27So would you say that the fan sentiment is more pro-bring-back-LeBron
06:32and not even really thinking about the success,
06:34but more for the nostalgic part?
06:37Oh, 100%. Yeah.
06:39And it's funny, like, there is a vocal 10% of people
06:43that don't want LeBron back.
06:45And I'll be honest with you, they're haters.
06:48It's about his politics, or it's about, you know,
06:51some misguided notion of,
06:53oh, he's held the Cavs hostage before.
06:55None of the reasons to not bring LeBron back are any good.
06:59They're all just dumbass haters who think that way.
07:02So 90% of people want LeBron back.
07:06And I, guys, I'm surprised.
07:07I was very frustrated this year with Donovan and the Cavs in the postseason
07:12because it felt like once they got,
07:15it was like the Spurs version of getting to the Eastern Conference Finals.
07:21Like, once the Spurs got to the Finals and got past OKC,
07:25that team thought they won the damn Finals.
07:28The Cavs, the same thing happened once they got over the second-round hump
07:31and got to the Eastern Conference Finals.
07:33I got swept.
07:34I got embarrassed.
07:35And so the reason why I bring that up is I was ready to trade Donovan
07:42because I just think, like, this team is capped with him.
07:45And the second I started thinking last week that LeBron really could come home
07:50for a final run, I stopped caring about the expectations.
07:54I just started thinking about how grateful I would be who, you know,
07:58I was a junior in high school when he was drafted by the Cavs.
08:02I now do afternoon drive in my hometown.
08:05And I've been on air in my hometown since I was 30 years old as a host.
08:09Now I get to go ahead and see him go off and maybe end his career here.
08:15And it was all good vibes.
08:17Like, I literally said to my wife when we were talking about it,
08:20because I've gotten a couple texts, oh, LeBron's coming home.
08:23Everybody gets those.
08:24It doesn't mean he is.
08:24We'll see.
08:25But I got a couple texts about it, and I just instantly was happy.
08:29I was just happy.
08:31And I was like, I don't give a rat's ass what they do because I just want to
08:35see him here, and I just want to watch that guy finish his story in Cleveland.
08:38And I think a lot of people, any of those complicated kind of thoughts about,
08:44well, if you get LeBron, you've got to win a championship.
08:46The second we really started thinking about it, it's like, no,
08:49you've got to be LeBron.
08:50You've got to be the global icon that comes home again and finishes his story here.
08:56And anything beyond that, unless, again, it's like a 20-win season,
09:00but anything beyond that is just crazy.
09:02Nick Wilson in Cleveland is with us here on Willard & Tibbs 95.7 The Game.
09:07Nick, you were talking earlier about LeBron wanting to be pursued a little bit.
09:11And earlier on the show, we were kind of playing around with this idea in terms of a landing spot
09:18and the rosters that are currently in place and the highly paid guys.
09:23So, for instance, would Jalen Brown and Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid want LeBron as a teammate?
09:29Would Giannis, would Steph and Dre?
09:31We know the answer here.
09:33What about in Cleveland?
09:34Does Donovan Mitchell, fresh off of a big extension and used to being the big dog,
09:40does he want LeBron on the team?
09:43So, I'm glad you asked this question because it made me chuckle when Shams the other day,
09:51after talking about the Donovan extension, said, you know,
09:55Donovan would certainly welcome LeBron here, which is just the funniest way to put that.
10:01Like, I think Donovan would welcome LeBron here in which he would say,
10:06Hey, LeBron, can I still keep my locker or do you want that too?
10:10Like, I do think, though, I think what's interesting about the Donovan-LeBron thing
10:15is Donovan's never been shy about talking about how LeBron was his guy growing up.
10:20He's got the picture in the LeBron jersey.
10:23I think Donovan would certainly welcome LeBron to Cleveland.
10:27I also don't think he wants to go court him.
10:31And I don't know why there's a line or a divide there,
10:34but it sure seems like Donovan's camp wants everyone to know,
10:40well, yeah, he's not going to put up a fight if LeBron wants to come home,
10:43but it doesn't seem like, you know, Donovan's picking up the phone every day
10:47and saying, hey, LeBron, why don't you come over here and let's win a championship?
10:50And I think that's a very interesting way that it's being portrayed
10:54because if I was Donovan and I was salivating at the chances of winning a championship,
10:59I would be calling LeBron every day like a jealous ex-girlfriend trying to get back with my,
11:05you know, but I know I say girlfriend because I'm a guy, but you know what I mean.
11:08I feel like a jealous ex-girlfriend.
11:09No, Nick, you're not going to get canceled.
11:11You're all right.
11:12You're safe out here, especially.
11:13It's funny you say that because LeBron James is reportedly,
11:17according to Shalms and sources, hanging out with Draymond Green,
11:20and I'd imagine he is pitching LeBron nonstop.
11:23Do you think if he doesn't go back to Cleveland,
11:26is it viable that LeBron James would come out here to Golden State?
11:30Yeah, I mean, I think until you hear that Golden State is off the table,
11:35it's got to be considered on the table.
11:37I mean, LeBron and Steph together would be beautiful basketball.
11:41And I think, you know, if LeBron wants to choose happiness,
11:45staying on the West Coast near to his family and playing with two of his friends
11:49makes a lot of sense.
11:51And, you know, for me, it's the one place that I kind of want to hit him
11:55with the double deuces over.
11:56Like, anywhere LeBron goes, I'm going to root for LeBron
12:00because I want his store to end with an NBA title.
12:03But if he goes to Golden State, he would be a little bit like Luke Skywalker,
12:07like 90% of the way through those first three movies,
12:10being like, my friend Gary's on the dark side,
12:13and I just kind of want to, like, I just want to do the force with him.
12:16So I'm just going to finish up on the dark side.
12:19But don't worry, I got a lot of fun times on the light side.
12:23I haven't forgotten it.
12:25Yeah, but wouldn't it feel like Luke and Darth on rocking chairs?
12:29You know, like, hasn't the teeth kind of been taken out of all of that, Nick?
12:35No, sir.
12:36Okay.
12:38That's a fair answer.
12:40With respect to my friends in the Bay Area,
12:43y'all cheap asses bought Kevin Durant and bought two titles
12:46in the midst of a great rivalry.
12:48Wow.
12:48No, I have not forgotten that.
12:50Yeah, and much like Luke, LeBron in this case,
12:54the dark side got over on him a handful of times.
12:57So eventually you got Darth because Draymond got kicked out.
13:01But, I mean, the Empire are pretty strong.
13:03Am I right?
13:05I get it.
13:07I get the Empire.
13:07It's got a good taste.
13:08But it's still the Empire, my friends.
13:10Yeah.
13:11No, you're not alone on that take.
13:13You're not alone on that take.
13:14I just feel like if they were all still at the height of their powers, maybe.
13:19But their lightsabers are getting kind of short, Nick.
13:24Are you saying the lightsabers are going a little limp?
13:26They're getting a little short.
13:28Yeah, they were in the pool.
13:29Okay.
13:30Yeah.
13:32You know what, Nick?
13:35Maybe we should – I think we've exhausted the Star Wars thing.
13:38So, anyway, but that was really fun.
13:40And bottom line, you think he's in Cleveland next year or no?
13:45Yeah, I think right now I'm like 60% that he's here.
13:49And about 39% to the negative is me being a Cleveland sports fan
13:54and being in my feelings and not wanting to get confidence.
13:56So, I just think it makes the most sense.
13:59And I do think LeBron wants to feel the love at the end of his career.
14:03And Cleveland's going to be that.
14:04And I still think the Cavs have a chance to win with him.
14:07So, I think there are basketball reasons and happiness reasons
14:11to come home and finish the story.
14:13Yep, that's fair.
14:13That's fair.
14:14Hey, Nick, really appreciate your time today.
14:16Thank you so much.
14:18Guys, appreciate your good luck, except with LeBron.
14:21Okay.
14:21Good luck in all the sports stuff, except with LeBron's future.
14:25You know what you just did, Nick?
14:27Because we just had someone on in Philly earlier today,
14:30and I kind of like, sheepishly, I was like, good luck.
14:34And he responded by saying, bad luck.
14:36And we were like, that's the difference between San Francisco and Philly.
14:39And then you landed kind of right in between.
14:42You're like, good luck, but not with this.
14:44Yep.
14:45Yep.
14:45Hope the Niners are good.
14:47Certainly, I hope you guys get over miles.
14:49Like, hope the Giants continue whatever the Giants are doing.
14:54Or not.
14:56They don't have an NHL team yet, but get one of those and let them be good.
15:01And honestly, the Warriors can still be good, just not with LeBron.
15:04Okay.
15:05All right.
15:05Fair enough.
15:06We do have a hockey team, Nick.
15:08Yeah.
15:08They're very young, up-and-coming, and exciting.
15:10But it's all good.
15:12What's it called?
15:13The San Jose Sharks.
15:15That's San Jose.
15:17You guys encompass the entire Bay Area?
15:19Yeah.
15:19What do you think our radio station is like not there?
15:23Like only other parts of the Bay Area?
15:25Yeah.
15:27I think it's not San Francisco, maybe a little bit of Oakland.
15:30But San Jose, I mean, okay.
15:32I give it to you.
15:33I believe you.
15:33I got no reason to not believe you.
15:35I just, San Jose feels a little bit of a reach for me, but that's okay.
15:39And you talked about having a hockey team.
15:41You're claiming the Blue Jackets.
15:43Is that right?
15:44No, no, no, no.
15:45I actually, so before Columbus got a team, my uncle was a Chicago fan, so I got the Hawks.
15:53The Blackhawks.
15:53Gotcha.
15:53That's my team.
15:54I go there.
15:55My little brother loves them.
15:56So we go a couple times a year, and I watch them be really bad at hockey right now.
16:00Okay.
16:00All right.
16:01There it is.
16:01And quietly, it is seven times further from Cleveland than San Jose is from us, but there's
16:06that.
16:07Look at that.
16:08He did geography the hell out of me.
16:10That's right.
16:10Yeah.
16:10He's got a computer over there, Nick.
16:13But anyway, thank you very much.
16:14That was fun, Nick.
16:17Anytime, guys.
16:18And thank you for serving my medicine.
16:19God bless you, San Jose.
16:21All right.
16:21There it is.
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