^^ You said it! I think we should star singing a Cher parody....... Everybody sing.... " Do you believe in life after LeBorn.. LeBron...LeBorn"  His leaving will surely shoe his true colors. I do believe this failure involves both he and Brown. You would think that human pride itself would take over and the risk of being embarrassed..But no...  He can conveniently use the elbow as an excuse for his performance... Leave...and do well somewhere else.  Good riddance. No way a team should be centered around the interests and talents of one player, but that's the point...he is surrounded with those who are capable and no body steps up.

As a season ticket holder, I've been to every home playoff game except last night.  Why?  Because after game 2, I didn't want any part of this series, so I put them up for sale.  He didn't show up in game 2 either, until the 4th quarter when it was basially garbage time.  I wasn't willing to take the chance I was leaving the arena after another no-show for game 5.  I don't think there will be a game 7, but I don't plan on going to that either.  The Cavs should beat Boston.  I don't want to be a part of them giving a half-assed effort.

 

I also don't want to be a part of a team that seems to be the only group of people on the face of the planet who follow the NBA that realizes the Cavs can crush the Celtics by going small, pushing the ball up the floor, and controlling the tempo by wearing their old asses out.

 

God forbid they learn some lessons from that team that went 16-1 while Shaq and Z were out (including 2 wins against Boston) that went with LeBron, Jamison, JJ, Parker, and Mo with Delonte, Moon, Jawad, and Andy coming off the bench.  But that would require a competant head coach.

This actually could turn out very bad.  Could you imagine if that was it for him in Cleveland?  Just like that?  Remember draft night 2003 how excited everyone was for the future.  That seems like months ago...and here he may never wear wine and gold again in the Q...an he left for boos.  There is something going on that we do not know about.  I can almost guarantee that.  Its sad, i really just wish we could catch a break in this city.  I hate how the NY reporters came into town and ripped our city too.  Do these people have a soul?  We are human beings and all they do is verbally bash our city day in and day out.

Do these people have a soul? We are human beings and all they do is verbally bash our city day in and day out.

 

As unmeasurable as it is, he's done a lot for the national perception of the city.  No matter how bad things were during the past 7 years, well, at least the Cavs were good and at least we had Lebron.  No, New York (or seemingly the rest of the country for that matter) doesn't care about this city, and would love for us to go through even more misery.

I listened to the Brian Windhorst podcast on CLE.bomb and he basically laid it all on Lebron. He said that everybody (his sources) seems to have no clue what is going on with him. It's also obvious that all these writers that are crucifying Cleveland fans for getting on Lebron for a "bad game" haven't watched him very much before.

 

I hope that less than 48 hours gives LBJ the time to finish the soul searching that needs to be done before game 6. This has blown up in his face and he needs to play like a god in games 6 and 7 to keep this incident from permanantly tarnishing his legacy.

 

Go Cavs!..

dayum, ya'll are drama queens.  you're playing into all the media BS. aint no use in speculation till the season is over.  there are still 2 games left...

I predict the Cavs will show up for the first half of the game on Thursday, then Boston will make an adjustment in the locker room and it will end by the Cavs starting their summer vacation before Thursday is out.

 

Thanks for the memories LBJ. I hope you don't quit on your next team.

I would like to remind everyone that this is the same celtics team that gave up a 3-1 series lead against orlando, just one year ago. If we play thursday like we did last night then the series is over, but if that loss was embarrassing enough to light a spark under their ass's there is no reason why we cant win the series.

There is no good reason they can't win this series...

 

Following article pretty much sums up my feeling about LBJ. Time to grow up. Although I had no problems with the not shaking hands with Orlando last year.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-lebroncavs051210

I would like to remind everyone that this is the same celtics team that gave up a 3-1 series lead against orlando, just one year ago. If we play thursday like we did last night then the series is over, but if that loss was embarrassing enough to light a spark under their ass's there is no reason why we cant win the series.

 

They were only up 3-2.  It was 2-2 going back to Boston for game 5.  But yeah i see your point.  Its simple.  I am convinced and always will be convinced that if Lebron gives his very all, the cavs are siginificantly better than Boston.  If he doesnt try, boston rolls the cavs.  Its just a mystery and we dont know who will show up to play.

The Magic should have never been in that position with the Celtics last year.  Garnett wasn't even playing in that series.

I'm a casual basketball fan and really just started watching closely now in the playoffs.  Hard to believe the Cavs were the #1 seed in the NBA.  Of course you have to give credit to Boston, they are talented & playing hard & well coached, but the Cavs just seem so out of rhythm.  The other night they looked like they had never even played together before, like they just met outside the arena for the first time...  I think this series is over even if they get a win tonight...  no way the win 2 in a row.  Which is too bad because I like our chances against Orlando.

Mike Brown is a lunatic.  This guy puts freaking Daniel Gibson in the other night as though he is going to put up 5 3's like he did against Detroit.  Daniel Gibson has not played in like 3 months.  Total desperation move that shows he had no clue how to rotate, and got completely off sync on the Bench.

 

Only thing to get LeBron to stay is part ownership of the Casino.  Obviously he can't have any ownership of the team based on NBA rules, but the Casino may lure him in. 

I don't believe that is possible either with league rules on gambling.

How low does one go...how desperate does one appear to retain an athlete?  Over-addiction to this stuff and I have been one of them.  :drunk:

 

I want to be wrong, but the gut feeling knows better. They will not win tonight. I am also superstitious and find that if I do not watch..they seem to do better like when they whipped Boston. Maybe we should try this. It seems to work.

Screw it...if you're going down, might as well go down hard...

 

Cavs in 7.

^That's why my annual Brown's prediction is 16-0    :-)

 

We've got a legitimate shot tonight, but 2 in a row will be tough.

I don't believe that is possible either with league rules on gambling.

 

Why's that?  Owning a casino is quite different than gambling in a casino.  Besides, I doubt the league cares if players play blackjack.  I would guess that it's betting on sports (especially basketball) that they care about.

Strike early..and hard. Remove crowd from game and especially that irritating PA announcer. Then make adjustments FAST at any early sign of trouble like Mo Williams getting burned all the time. LeBron...please show you still have a pulse and find some other way to contribute if you're hurting.... If you're not....Now is not the time to demonstrate that you're tired of carrying the team. Such behavior is infantile and so disrespectful for the fans and innocent others who have supported you through thick and thin. You're the captain of the sinking ship. What better way/time than to show a  power surge and remind everyone about who this team is....win the next two games, for C-Sakes!

I don't believe that is possible either with league rules on gambling.

 

Why's that? Owning a casino is quite different than gambling in a casino. Besides, I doubt the league cares if players play blackjack. I would guess that it's betting on sports (especially basketball) that they care about.

 

i'm sure you are right, not sure what i was thinking when i wrote that.  that being said, I can't imagine the nba would ever allow such a thing it would essentially be the privitization of player payroll outside of the league.  In such a case there would be nothing to stop say James Dolan from offering LeBron James or any other player a piece of Cablevision for siging with the knicks.  It would make payroll contracts and the salary cap completely irrelevant.

^Owners are not allowed to supplement players' salaries from sources outside their player contracts.  It is strictly forbidden.

I have so much emotion into this game.  Let's go Cleveland!

 

Lebron, Mo, Jamison, and Varejao look good so far.  Attacking the hoop and hustle plays.

Halftime... we're behind by a bucket (thanks to a great dump down but blown bunny by Shaq), but I like our aggression.  I'm afraid, still, that Mike may fall in love with Shaq again.  We need more Andy, JJ and Z. 

And the countdown to the end begins.....

Lost.

I am as sad as I can ever remember(keeping this in some perspective).... I have said all I can say at this time.

Too many problems to name- and I hate to admit it, but something has definitely been up with the way Lebron has been playing.  Anyone else notice that EVERY TIME he got the ball during the first 3 quarters, he was bound to PASS instead of DRIVE to the basket?  WTF is up with that?  You've got the best squad you've ever had to BACK YOU UP... and you pass the ball away continuously?  People at the bar that I was at were saying by the beginning of the third quarter that Lebron was throwing the game.  To be serious- I would have to agree UNLESS his elbow is seriously shot.  But if it is- where are the pads that he's been wearing for the last couple of months? 

 

Too many problems.  Parker was inefficient.  Mo definitely gave it his all.  Shaq came to play.  Anderson was doing his job with drawing fouls and giving fouls when needed.  But Lebron?  Is that the type of performance of a person who WANTS to win?  Besides the two back to back 3 pointers in the fourth (almost too little, too late), WHERE WAS HE? 

 

We've got a bright future ahead of us.  We'll find out what that future is very, VERY soon.

16. Neat.

I prepared myself for this after Tuesday night's loss, so this is actually less devastating than it would have been had the season ended in game 7 against Orlando or L.A.

I'll just be curious to see if we'll finally get an explanation for the BS that has been this postseason.

Anybody see the new "Lost"?  It was awesome.  Yeah, definitely enjoy watching lost.

They stood around and whatched Rondo dribble with 45 secs left. I don't care if it is almost impossible to win. foul that little f'er! I realized as a Cleveland fans I can handle losses and disappointment  but the quitting really pisses me off.

 

I'll just be curious to see if we'll finally get an explanation for the BS that has been this postseason.

 

Lebron caught mono from making out with Beyonce when she was in town, but he doesn't want Jay Z to know so he made up the story about the elbow. That sounds as plausible as anything that you will hear publically.

Cleveland's curse?  Continuing to hang on to that racist Chief Wahoo as one of our team's mascots.  It's ridiculous and should embarass us all.  Until we man up and get rid of it and come into the 20th Century, we deserve every painful season's end we get.

Though it sucks, I was ready for this loss.  We've seen it happen time, and time again with our sports teams.  I'm part of the generation that hasn't seen a sports franchise in the city win a championship.  I'm sure I will- and with the Cavs nonetheless.  A few changes need to be made- starting with bringing PHIL JACKSON here, whose contract is up at the end of the season.

I watched the Cavs all season, but stopped watching them after Game 2 of the Boston series. They're too inconsistent and I'm not going to put my emotions into such wild rollercoaster rides anymore. I did it with the Indians in the mid-90s and the Browns since the 1970s. I learned from bitter experience that when a team doesn't appear to have the talent, heart and consistency of a champion (the Cavs did have the talent but that's all) I have to step back from them find something else to do with my time and emotional investments.

 

Fair-weather fan? Yes! After 30+ years of this, only a sick f$&k would volunteer to be so tortured.

Cleveland's curse? Continuing to hang on to that racist Chief Wahoo as one of our team's mascots. It's ridiculous and should embarass us all. Until we man up and get rid of it and come into the 20th Century, we deserve every painful season's end we get.

 

huh? I get what you are trying to say but I would say that would be a stretch. I don't think if the indians suddenly changed their name and adopted zippy the squirrel as their mascots the Browns would be magically better. It's a culture of losing problem and bad luck.

Ok, sure... I am disgusted, just as much as anyone else....but here is my silver lining in all this madness.....Like I said before..........the "civic pride gods" and maybe the sports ones too... will not let Cle. win a championship until it defines/identifies itself with something else, stops investing so much of its emotions around how well the sports teams are doing, stops looking for heroes in sports figures.....and works on all the other things that should make a city and its people great. Seriously folks..there ARE simple too many people here in this area who think that if we're not good in sports, then we're nothing. Just look at some Cle dot bomb comments....

 

Here's an interesting thought.....

 

If you could wave a magic wand and you had two choices... 1. Having a championship....the other, 2. Having Cleveland instantly become expanded in rail service from light rail to extended rail reaching the whole n.e. Ohio area.... and a monorail and/or maybe a streetcar service linking downtown and adjacent neighborhoods, and people riding it and suddenly becoming a more rail oriented population.... and known for the best rail transportation in the country.

 

 

Or how about a choice between Cleveland suddenly becoming a world renowned  role model in environmental recovery and stewardship that would have us recognized as one of the cleanest cities in North America...and erase the thought of any burning river joke in the minds of anyone in the nation...and if this suddenly attracted many 'green collar' jobs as a result.... Or a championship...

 

 

What would you take?  The answer should suggest where priorities are and if they solely focus on sports, than that is a big problem that limits the potential diversity in who we are... and all we can be.  The whole point is that in times like these, we need to look for other things or we're setting ourselves up for a lifetime of heartbreak.

All of these curses/gods/culture of losing hypotheses are ridiculous.  It's nothing more than an unfortunate coincidence that none of our sports teams have won anything in almost half a century.  We're not any more or less deserving than any other city.  No matter what we do, one day it will happen.  Go to sleep knowing that there's nothing you could have done to get the Cavs to win this year, and there's nothing you'll be able to do to get them to win next year.

^Agreed.  One city has to the be the unluckiest sports city in the US.  Just happens to be Cleveland :(

All of these curses/gods/culture of losing hypotheses are ridiculous. It's nothing more than an unfortunate coincidence that none of our sports teams have won anything in almost half a century. We're not any more or less deserving than any other city. No matter what we do, one day it will happen. Go to sleep knowing that there's nothing you could have done to get the Cavs to win this year, and there's nothing you'll be able to do to get them to win next year.

 

good post

All of these curses/gods/culture of losing hypotheses are ridiculous. It's nothing more than an unfortunate coincidence that none of our sports teams have won anything in almost half a century. We're not any more or less deserving than any other city. No matter what we do, one day it will happen. Go to sleep knowing that there's nothing you could have done to get the Cavs to win this year, and there's nothing you'll be able to do to get them to win next year.

 

good post

 

At the end of the day, it's just a game.  It's entertainment.  Granted they didn't win the Grand Nationals but they have had the best record in the NBA for the past two years and have consistantly wone for the past 4 or five years.

You just wonder...when will it stop?  If he leaves next month...that will sting.  Bcak stabbed by one of our own.  I agree with the poster about bringing a better culture to the city.  Can our forum start a political party in this town?  We need a shot in the butt...im tired of all of the pity and sympathy and people saying athletes dont want to be here.  I want to run for mayor. This needs to be fixed.

All of these curses/gods/culture of losing hypotheses are ridiculous. It's nothing more than an unfortunate coincidence that none of our sports teams have won anything in almost half a century. We're not any more or less deserving than any other city. No matter what we do, one day it will happen. Go to sleep knowing that there's nothing you could have done to get the Cavs to win this year, and there's nothing you'll be able to do to get them to win next year.

 

Good post, with one definite caveat/rant I need to get off my chest:

 

If you are one of those Cavs "fans" that was at Game 5 and was *booing* LeBron when he got the ball, there *is* something you could have done to increase Cleveland's chances of winning championships in the future: You could have STFU rather than booed the guy who happens to be the best basketball player alive and also happens to be free of his contract this summer.  Seriously, are you *trying* to drive him away from Cleveland?!

All of these curses/gods/culture of losing hypotheses are ridiculous.  It's nothing more than an unfortunate coincidence that none of our sports teams have won anything in almost half a century.  We're not any more or less deserving than any other city.  No matter what we do, one day it will happen.  Go to sleep knowing that there's nothing you could have done to get the Cavs to win this year, and there's nothing you'll be able to do to get them to win next year.

 

 

 

Good post, with one definite caveat/rant I need to get off my chest:

 

If you are one of those Cavs "fans" that was at Game 5 and was *booing* LeBron when he got the ball, there *is* something you could have done to increase Cleveland's chances of winning championships in the future: You could have STFU rather than booed the guy who happens to be the best basketball player alive and also happens to be free of his contract this summer.  Seriously, are you *trying* to drive him away from Cleveland?!

 

I didnt boo him, but i watched his effort with and without the ball...and it was about 30%.  If you paid good money to see your team and your star doesnt give it all...should we clap?  Just because he is Lebron doesnt mean he can quit whenever he wants.  If he played this series with as much heart as he did in either of the last three years...the cavs cruise.  He had it in him in game 3...there is no reason it wasnt there in this one.  If he was injured...i understand, but you still have to give 100% if you are on the floor.

I don't know that the booing was directed solely at LeBron. The booing was an expression of frustration of a fan base that was seeing the city's best chance of a championship in the last 50 years slip through their fingers, and not because of the other team outplaying them (which they did, BTW, let's give it up for Boston who played a masterful series), but because the Cavs, their coach, and most importantly, the best player on the floor, completely phoned it in.

 

And I don't care what his numbers were last night, they gave up. First quarter notwithstanding, I didn't see a team that wanted to win last night. I saw a team that had already made peace with its destiny. The last few minutes of the game were sickening to me.

 

And I know LeBron got a lot of flack last year for storming off the court after losing to the Magic, but that I at least understood. He was mad. He gave his all, and they still lost. Seeing him walk off last night with what I can only describe as a casual sense of ambivalence made me more upset. I know we don't know how bad his elbow is hurt, I know we don't know what's going on in his head. But I do know what I saw in how he played, and that effected how everyone else played.

 

We've seen this team twice now get challenged in the postseason (the only time they seem to be truly challenged) and come up short. If your best player is going to just give up, then is he your best player? I'll probably feel different in a few days, but right now I'd be ok with LeBron leaving. He's proven himself to be the best regular season player, but this last week has said a lot to me about his character.

 

I'm upset right now. I may change my mind in a week and regret I said this. But I don't think I will.

I have given LeBron a lot of slack for his antics over the years but I am with AJ, I am OK if he leaves. The constant holding the fans hostage with free agency is mostly his creation helped out with national media. Combine that with his play during the last three games, and I have had enough. He's a tremendous talent and could easily be the best ever, but what we saw this series character wise is the exact opposite of MJ playing with the flu. It's obvious that winning a championship is his second or third priority right now. Who knows maybe he made up his mind that he wasn't going to do it alone so why bother I'll go to another team. I don't know, all that I saw was that LBJ and the team saw the Celtics were a better team and quit.

 

MJ probably spent last night watching the game giggling and pissing his pants knowing that his legacy his secure for the apparent future. I will gladly welcome LBJ back next year especially if he decides he is the greatest NBA player ever first and an international mogul second, but if he bolts, so be it.

 

Also anybody getting on Danny Ferry for the supporting cast please remember that Ferry did not pull the trigger on any of those trades without LBJ's approval.

 

Now Mike Brown.... sorry you are nice guy and good coach but I doubt you will ever be a great coach. You had too many players to pick from and too many line ups that were good but not great. Take a year off. Enjoy your family....

I have given LeBron a lot of slack for his antics over the years but I am with AJ, I am OK if he leaves. The constant holding the fans hostage with free agency is mostly his creation helped out with national media. Combine that with his play during the last three games, and I have had enough. He's a tremendous talent and could easily be the best ever, but what we saw this series character wise is the exact opposite of MJ playing with the flu. It's obvious that winning a championship is his second or third priority right now. Who knows maybe he made up his mind that he wasn't going to do it alone so why bother I'll go to another team. I don't know, all that I saw was that LBJ and the team saw the Celtics were a better team and quit.

 

MJ probably spent last night watching the game giggling and pissing his pants knowing that his legacy his secure for the apparent future. I will gladly welcome LBJ back next year especially if he decides he is the greatest NBA player ever first and an international mogul second, but if he bolts, so be it.

 

Also anybody getting on Danny Ferry for the supporting cast please remember that Ferry did not pull the trigger on any of those trades without LBJ's approval.

 

Now Mike Brown.... sorry you are nice guy and good coach but I doubt you will ever be a great coach. You had too many players to pick from and too many line ups that were good but not great. Take a year off. Enjoy your family....

 

While i agree that Lebron has character issues and treats us poor here...if he leaves...the cavs will be gone in about 10 years.  The indians may follow.  The browns will never go anywhere, but we cant grab top notch athletes.  Lebron was a rare, rare specimen because he was locally grown.  If he leaves, that franchise will plummet.  I wish Lebron had the class and loyalty of Michael Symon.

The question really is will Gilbert cut his loses if the Cavs lose LeBron? No casino. No luxury tax team. Just some mediocre basketball team that could easily get lured away from the city.

The question really is will Gilbert cut his loses if the Cavs lose LeBron? No casino. No luxury tax team. Just some mediocre basketball team that could easily get lured away from the city.

The Cavs were one of the worst teams in professional sports for decades and managed to stay in town.  I would think with a relatively new arena and new ownership that will have a major investment in the city it would be unlikely the Cavs would leave.  As far as booing LeBron?  I had part of my bachelor party at the game on Tuesday.  My friends spent nearly $600 dollars for eight seats in one of the cheap sections.  With a chance to deliver the city it's first championship in 50 YEARS, LeBron played like he thought the Celtics were the 1950 Syracuse Nationals before the shot clock.  It wasn't an injury, he simply didn't put in the effort.  To paraphrase Windhorst, it's never been true to say that the Cavs lost because of LeBron.  Until this series.  Game after game.  He has become unlikable.  He owes my friends $600 for the tickets and about $250 in pain-killing lap dances at Bugsy's. BOOOOOOOOOO