James deal could come down to Reinsdorf, Gilbert
The final day of the LeBron James recruiting presentations might be the only one that really matters.
The Bulls and Cavaliers will be the last two teams to visit with James today at IMG headquarters in downtown Cleveland. After early indications the Cavs would be given the final meeting, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported the order will actually be switched, with the Bulls making the ultimate pitch, beginning around 1:30 p.m.
With the future of two franchises and the landscape of the Eastern Conference at stake, this story will take an unusual twist. Instead of athletes settling the outcome on a playing field, the main combatants in this battle are the two owners.
Both sides have plenty to offer and figure to make solid presentations.
The outcome might come down to whether Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf can sell James on a championship future or Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert can connect with James' Ohio roots.
Reinsdorf, 74, has been at this a long time, buying the White Sox in 1981 and the Bulls four years later. He's won six NBA championships, but no one would argue those were anything but the direct result of having Michael Jordan on his team.
Gilbert, 48, is a Michigan State graduate and suburban Detroit resident. He made his fortune by creating Quicken Loans, an online mortgage specialist.
Gilbert is younger and probably more charismatic, considering he's a frequent guest on CNBC.
But one person familiar with the Bulls organization believes Reinsdorf might be the team's secret weapon.
When it's time to close a deal inside the boardroom, Reinsdorf excels. He became successful through real estate transactions in Chicago.
Even though he's often accused of being reluctant to spend money, Reinsdorf stepped up to help players when he didn't need to.
One example is the multimillion dollar payout to guard Jay Williams after a motorcycle accident essentially ended his career. The Bulls orchestrated a sign-and-trade deal for Scottie Pippen in 1999 to help maximize his earnings, then gave him a $10 million parting gift by re-signing him in 2003.
Saturday's sales pitches shouldn't be hard to figure out.
The Bulls are pushing the chance to win championships right away. They have a competitive team in place and the cap room to add two significant free agents.
Their goal was to get a commitment from another free agent before visiting with James and it appears they might have a chance to pair him with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh or Carlos Boozer.
Cleveland's case is frequently argued by the Ohio media.
Gilbert and the Cavaliers have done everything they can to help James win a championship, the story goes. While other teams were clearing cap room, the Cavs pushed for a title by adding players to James' supporting cast.
The problem is, those moves didn't work. Despite winning 66 and 61 games the past two years, the Cavaliers suffered early knockouts in the playoffs.
The Bulls will argue that James can't win a title without a competent sidekick.
Jordan had Pippen. Kobe Bryant won with a younger Shaquille O'Neal, then with Pau Gasol. Tim Duncan had Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
The Bulls can offer James a chance to play with Derrick Rose, an all-star in his second NBA season, and whoever fills that second free agent slot. The Cavs are 0-for-3 in sidekick attempts, trying Larry Hughes, Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison.
If James leaves, Cleveland sports fans figure to get over the disappointment someday. But Gilbert has more at stake than anyone involved. Without James, the value of the franchise he owns will plummet.
This is one time when the clock is ticking and the bosses should be feeling the pressure.