Full story (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4825853)


Snippets:

Did the Cleveland Cavaliers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=cle) tank the 2002-03 season to ensure a better shot at drafting LeBron James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1966)? Former Cavs coach John Lucas (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2866), who was fired during that season, said he believes that's the case, according to a published report.

"They trade all our guys away and we go real young, and the goal was to get LeBron and also to sell the team,'' Lucas told AOL FanHouse. "I didn't have a chance. ... You can't fault the Cavaliers for wanting to get LeBron. It was hard to get free agents to come there.''

The Cavaliers finished the 2002-03 season with a 17-65 record, tied with the Denver Nuggets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=den) for the worst record in the NBA. Cleveland won the NBA's draft lottery and selected James with the No. 1 pick. Lucas was fired midway through that season.



"Andre [Miller] was really coming into his own and we trade him [to the Clippers] for Darius Miles (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=550), who had a bad knee, and Harold Jamison (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=386), who [was waived],'' Lucas told AOL Fanhouse. "We traded Lamond Murray (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=586), who averaged [a team-best 16.6] points, [to the Raptors] for Yogi Stewart, who was on the [injured] list. We traded Wesley Person (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=655) for the 49th pick, which was Matt Barnes (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1765) ... So I couldn't win.''

Gla, you should point to this in your tanking vs playoffs argument.

It's an exception but I can't argue that tanking for Lebron (or Mello or Bosh or Wade as it turned out) was the better choice there.

Did they call Yogi Stewart "Yogurt" as a nickname?

Gund > Lucas


Lucas was fired after the Cavaliers started 8-34. Gund pointed out to AOL Fanhouse that if the team was truly trying to lose games, then why would it fire Lucas?

They trade all our guys away and we go real young, and the goal was to get LeBron
It's no different than what the Nets are doing to get Wall.

They would field a roster of NBDL talent if they could.

If you put out less skilled players that play hard, you'll still lose, it just won't be as obvious that you aren't trying to win.

New York radio personalities seem to think the Nets will win 50 games next season if they get John Wall. There is an assumption that they will bring in two top level Free Agents. Joe Johnson was mentioned which I felt was funny because he just said NJ wasn't appealing because they suck.

Unless they royally fuck it up, the Nets should look like a completely different organization next year.

which is why i don't understand how it is almost assumed that they will be a great team in the next two seasons.

Maybe not great, but I would think they could build a playoff team with what they'll have available. The coach they get will matter too (Woodson, Karl, etc)