If Lebron does leave - has there ever been a bigger blow to a franchise?

[Dr. Jack]

I can't think of one. It would be devastating to that city.

Up until now what FA signing destroyed a franchise the way this would?

[Windy City Irish]

no

[bigsportsguy2006]

babe ruth?

[BLBisinnocent]

Len Bias....cost the Celtics 3-4 more championships......

LBJ leaving costs Cleveland 5-6 more failed playoff runs......

[THE Sports PROFIT]

Probably not to most readers on here:

but Gretzky leaving Edmonton. Not short term, because the cast was still there led by Messier and won a cup.......but since then all downhill and they can't sign free agents despite being a great hockey town, because, well it's Edmonton.

Last team leader Ryan Smyth left for Denver, Pronger wanted out and got his wish, Souray now wants out......team is in tough to acquire free agents in this day and age of player's wishes.

Edmonton used to be a recognized city and franchise to go to because of Gretzky and all the publicity, now it's a virtual hockey ghost town, everyone that made it what it was has left and it started with Gretzky going.

[THE Sports PROFIT]

Originally Posted by bigsportsguy2006

babe ruth?

Red Sox bounced back though.....80+ years later.

[Windy City Irish]

Originally Posted by BLBisinnocent

Len Bias....cost the Celtics 3-4 more championships......

[GFootsXtreme]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jack

I can't think of one. It would be devastating to that city.

Up until now what FA signing destroyed a franchise the way this would?

Shaq leaving Orlando.

There is no bigger blow to a franchise ever. He has won 4 championships elsewhere and for sure could have brought one or two to Orlando.

LBJ leaving though has got to be at least 2nd.

[ZoomVT]

Originally Posted by GFootsXtreme

Shaq leaving Orlando.

There is no bigger blow to a franchise ever. He has won 4 championships elsewhere and for sure could have brought one or two to Orlando.

LBJ leaving though has got to be at least 2nd.

i think this is the closest one. they were 1 good FA away from being a powerhouse with hardaway, hill, and shaq.

[Dr. Jack]

Yup Orlando was devastated for years until the year of Stan Van Gundy. Still think Cleveland could be worse

[BLBisinnocent]

Portland drafting Bowie instead of Jordan.....that was franchise devestating....

[tomek30]

I think Kobe for Vladimir exchange was more devastaing.

[GFootsXtreme]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jack

Yup Orlando was devastated for years until the year of Stan Van Gundy. Still think Cleveland could be worse

I think shaq leaving is probably on par with LBJ leaving we just don't know how many championships LBJ is going to get yet so it's hard to say

I do think Cleveland tried harder than Orlando to make it happen, Shaq leaving was more a choice that he wanted the L.A. scene, LBJ would have stayed in Cleveland if the situation was right imo

[rjb1816]

drafting ryan leaf lol

[Romanowski]

gretsky leaving edmonton is the best analogy, not only what it cost them in championships

but economically to the city