I just hope that Lebron is getting the proper advice. The article I posted on the previous page summed it up real well. However, I will add this - if he turns his back on Ohio and leaves, LBJ better be ready for the repurcusions. That's right... all that dirty laundry, all those short-comings, and all those "locker room secrets" are going to come pouring out once we decide to remove that bubble we have constructed around his life. We protected and sheltered him, we dared not offend/question him, and we pushed aside any possible criticism for seven+ years. He turns his back on us, a little quid-pro-quo will be in order.

 

I think the biggest repercussion would be that if he leaves now, he leaves a loser, because of his play.  That will be a huge stain on someone who is the self proclaimed King and wants to be considered the greatest at his sport ever.

^I guess that depends if you believe that Lebron really wants to be considered the greatest at his sport ever.  Some would argue that Lebron is more concerned about being a mogul and billionaire than being the best basketball player of all time.  I think if that's the case, he'll head to NY.  If he's concerned about his pride, he'll stay in Cleveland.  If he wants to win championships, he'll probably go to Chicago if he's ok with being in Michael Jordan's shaddow the rest of his career.  Honestly, I don't have a clue where he'll end up, and the way he quit on Cleveland, I don't really care.

Far be it from me to know what's in Lebron's head, but I would be surprised if he is worried about playing in Jordan's shadow anymore than Kobe was playing in the shadows of Magic, Kareem or West.

 

Lebron didn't play well in this playoffs, it's true. But he's still one of the best players in the league. You don't let someone like that go. As for Mike Brown... All this talk that "Well he took us as far as he could take us" reminds me of what Browns fans said of Marty Schottenheimer in late 1988, right before Modell fired him. "Marty took us as far he could take us." We had one more year of decent Browns football by leftover players from Martyball. The Browns stunk after that with just one good year in 1994. Turns out Marty took us as far as we would go. I realize that Mike Brown is a different person but I would rather have 50- to 60-win seasons and Cavs playoff appearances every year instead of the unknown.

 

All I'm saying is I hope you enjoyed the last couple of years, because there's no guarantees that level of success will return next year with a new coach....

Everyone in DC was sending this to each other today.  Another rumor, but would possibly explain Lebron seeming absent during those games. 

 

"One email making the rounds claimed that LeBron James' mom (PICTURES) and Cavs teammate Delonte West were involved in a scandalous affair that destroyed the team's ability to play together."

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/18/lebron-james-mom-delonte_n_579877.html

Yeah, that one has been around for a week or so.  Delonte is an easy target.  Horrible, vile rumor.  People can be real a$$holes.

Gloria James is still in the country? Her handlers have kept a tight lid on her these last few years....

Celtics won again last night, taking 2 from Orlando on their own home court no less.  Even though we all seem to be lamenting LeBron's poor play, perhaps not enough credit was given to Boston.  They have to be considered the front runners for the title playing the way that they are at the moment.

 

On a related note, New Jersey not landing the #1 overall pick was a huge blow to the chances of that team landing LeBron.

Celtics are on fire no doubt but those games should have been a lot  closer (including the cavs blow out of the celts). What blew my mind that they appeared to quit.

Everyone in DC was sending this to each other today. Another rumor, but would possibly explain Lebron seeming absent during those games.

 

"One email making the rounds claimed that LeBron James' mom (PICTURES) and Cavs teammate Delonte West were involved in a scandalous affair that destroyed the team's ability to play together."

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/18/lebron-james-mom-delonte_n_579877.html

 

This is starting to gain some traction though.

^No.  It is just a story that is tabloid material, so people are running with it.  However, Lebron and Delonte performed their pre-game ritual handshakes before games 5 and 6.  Would you slap 5 with someone who was banging your mom behind your back?

 

Far be it from me to know what's in Lebron's head, but I would be surprised if he is worried about playing in Jordan's shadow anymore than Kobe was playing in the shadows of Magic, Kareem or West.

 

I don't think it is a deal-breaker for Lebron, but LA does not have a statue of Magic or anybody else outside its arena inscribed with "The best there ever was. The best there ever will be."  Magic's shadow is nothing compared to Jordan's.

Lebron should stay in Cleveland and open the lebron James restuarant and store. The restuarant would be decorated in lebron stuff and the store would be huge and have lebron jerseys and apparal, pictures and posters, and a bunch of other random lebron stuff. It would be good for lebron and it would be somewhat of an attraction for the city. Unfortunatly this will probably never happen.

Lebron should stay in Cleveland and open the lebron James restuarant and store. The restuarant would be decorated in lebron stuff and the store would be huge and have lebron jerseys and apparal, pictures and posters, and a bunch of other random lebron stuff. It would be good for lebron and it would be somewhat of an attraction for the city. Unfortunatly this will probably never happen.

 

I know for a fact (I know people involved in the discussions) that when Buffett was here he had discussed the possibility of opening LeBron themed DQ's. Local management had an eye on setting them up with various Lebron paraphernalia, but also hiring people from economically challenged areas and using this as a springboard into DQ's management training programs.

 

Ultimately he decided to shelf the idea but it's something that may spring up again at some point.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/opinion/20bissinger.html?hp

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jeff_pearlman/05/18/lebron.ny/index.html

 

(gag, gag, vomit, vomit....)

 

So now LBJ has to move to New York to grow as a human being. Why not go play in London or Toyoko if being wordly is that important for being a coddled professional athlete. The SI article is especially demeaning.

 

I am trying to ignore these articles but I can't help myself...

Everyone needs to remember that THE story right now is where Lebron might go.  And if he does go to NYC, Chicago, wherever, THE story will be the fact that he left, quit, turned his back on Ohio, however you want to describe it.  The media is just running with whatever sells.

HTS I know but the New yorkers are especially annoying...

 

 

On the brightside I guess we are making progress if Cleveland is described as beige instead sh!t brown or dreary and grey....

HTS I know but the New yorkers are especially annoying...

 

 

On the brightside I guess we are making progress if Cleveland is described as beige instead sh!t brown or dreary and grey....

 

And compared to the flavor of strawberry!

HTS I know but the New yorkers are especially annoying...

 

 

On the brightside I guess we are making progress if Cleveland is described as beige instead sh!t brown or dreary and grey....

 

And compared to the flavor of strawberry!

 

Yes, we can be annoying lol, but there is a valid point made in the article:  In CLE, is James held in such esteem as to be free from criticism?  It sometimes seems that way. 

HTS I know but the New yorkers are especially annoying...

 

 

On the brightside I guess we are making progress if Cleveland is described as beige instead sh!t brown or dreary and grey....

 

And compared to the flavor of strawberry!

 

Yes, we can be annoying lol, but there is a valid point made in the article: In CLE, is James held in such esteem as to be free from criticism? It sometimes seems that way.

 

Well in NY he will be criticised for EVERYTHING.  He will be all over the NY tabloids - including his family.

HTS I know but the New yorkers are especially annoying...

 

 

On the brightside I guess we are making progress if Cleveland is described as beige instead sh!t brown or dreary and grey....

 

And compared to the flavor of strawberry!

 

Yes, we can be annoying lol, but there is a valid point made in the article:  In CLE, is James held in such esteem as to be free from criticism?  It sometimes seems that way. 

 

Well in NY he will be criticised for EVERYTHING.  He will be all over the NY tabloids - including his family.

 

Not if they don't make news..... but he definitely will be - as he should be in the Cleveland/Akron market. 

Everyone needs to remember that THE story right now is where Lebron might go. And if he does go to NYC, Chicago, wherever, THE story will be the fact that he left, quit, turned his back on Ohio, however you want to describe it. The media is just running with whatever sells.

 

And unfortunately in doing so they must kick Cleveland/Northeast Ohio to make their point about how much "better" these other places may be...

Jim Rome was blasting the makers of the "please stay Lebron" video (Mike Polk et al) on yesterday's show. You can imagine what the callers of the show had to say once he opened those floodgates. On MMS's afternoon show today I'm listening as they play some show from Chicago where they are putting together a care package for Cleveland to help cope with the loss of LeBron.

 

In some respects, I have to agree with EC. If we cared as much about high speed rail as we do basketball, I'd be typing this while scooting along at 100+ MPH on my way to punch a random Chicagoan in the nose.

This whole Lebron free agency talk has gotten out of hand.  I'm a huge Cavs/NBA fan, but let's put this in perspective. It's just basketball...it really isn't that important. I'm getting tired of everybody dumping on the region. It's getting really old. If I see one more piece telling me how great "X"city is and how bad Cleveland is, I'm going to scream. ESPN has had an anti-Cleveland agenda since the Cavs drafted Lebron. I have yet to see a "Kevin Durant to a big market" story. Why is that? Kevin Durant is arguably the third best payer in the league playing in a market half the size of Cleveland and not one pundit has suggested he should leave for the "bright lights." Call me sensitive...but there has been a lot nasty things said about the city/region.

^If Lebron played in OKC, it would be the same story.  It is because it is Lebron.  The global icon right here in Cleveland.  Regardless how he feels now, this is the way he always wanted it to happen.  Playoffs are ongoing and he is still the lead story on Sportscenter whenever he wants to be.    It's selfish, but smart at the same time.  I'll bet he is having his "team" plant seeds here and there which will keep everyone guessing until mid-July.  Take the report from Ric Bucher yesterday that he had two different, yet very reliable sources, tell him the exact opposite - one said Lebron was 100% gone - and the other "emphatically" claimed Lebron was going nowhere.   

 

It's gonna be the Summer of Lebron whether we like it or not.

oy! The Summer of LeBron! I can't handle it..on to the Indians, uh wait Wood gave up 27 runs in the 9th last night...OK how about the Browns....Did anybody read that in the Browns OTA the QBs were accurate and the recievers..gasp... actually caught the ball.

 

"LeBron James, screwing with your hopes, dreams and emotions only a little less than your psycho ex-girlfriend who was nailing your friend behind your back after she told you she wanted to marry you and have your kids."

 

 

Jim Rome was blasting the makers of the "please stay Lebron" video (Mike Polk et al) on yesterday's show. You can imagine what the callers of the show had to say once he opened those floodgates.

 

Which is too bad because on Friday last week Rome was sticking up for the city when his listeners wanted to rag on Cleveland as losers. He said the Cleveland fans were the real victims because all we did was kiss his ass for 7 years,

dupe...

Jim Rome was blasting the makers of the "please stay Lebron" video (Mike Polk et al) on yesterday's show. You can imagine what the callers of the show had to say once he opened those floodgates.

 

Which is too bad because on Friday last week Rome was sticking up for the city when his listeners wanted to rag on Cleveland as losers. He said the Cleveland fans were the real victims because all we did was kiss his ass for 7 years,

 

I was glad he stood up for us, but I wish he wouldn't have read that email at the beginning of the show.

Jim Rome was blasting the makers of the "please stay Lebron" video (Mike Polk et al) on yesterday's show. You can imagine what the callers of the show had to say once he opened those floodgates.

 

Which is too bad because on Friday last week Rome was sticking up for the city when his listeners wanted to rag on Cleveland as losers. He said the Cleveland fans were the real victims because all we did was kiss his ass for 7 years,

 

I was glad he stood up for us, but I wish he wouldn't have read that email at the beginning of the show.

 

Rome is a pretty strong advocate for Cleveland (at least based on his limited experiences here). He's done a bunch of tour stops here, and even this week, while bashing the video, he qualified the bashing as reflective of the participants / makers, not of Cleveland as a whole.

 

The callers, on the other hand, were not so kind. But the opinion of a caller on a sports talk show is not one that keeps me up at night, unless I'm up late at night listening to a sports talk show.

The callers on the Jim Rome show bash on every city.  It is kind of the show's theme.  Americans talking smack to Canadians.  Canadians talking smack to Americans.  The coasts talking smack to each other.  Individual cities ragging on each other.  Nobody should take offense.

 

And yes, Rome is big Cleveland supporter and always has nothing but nice things to say about the City.  Of course, we are one of his bigger and most consistent markets, so it would not be in his interest to bash us.

 

The makers of the video deserve what they get.  You could not have found a more quircky group of Clevelanders if you tried - Carl Monday, the Norton furniture guy, Tom Mizmy, Avery Friedmen, the various radio personalities, Big Dawg, Big Chuck, etc.  I certainly hope that "cheesy" was what they were going for.

 

Me, I prefer the billboard erected by the forumers at Realcavsfans.com - "Born Here, Raised Here, Plays Here, Stays Here."  Subtle but strong message.

Yay! Lebron is staying, how do I know? Because Jim Brown just said he is going to leave...

 

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2010/05/lebron_james_will_leave_says_f.html

Ummmm... Love ya Jim, but you are way off base here.  Lebron put the pressure on himself.  The national media put the pressure on him.  Cleveland is just happy to have him.  A championship would be great, but that will not make us love him or hate him.

 

Maybe Jim is trying to suggest that he should go to a different market where the public scrutiny and pressure would put less weight on Lebron's shoulders?  You know... a place like NYC (no championship since '73) or the Bulls (live up to Jordan's legacy)  :?

 

Lebron deserves some criticism for his play in the Boston series.  He is getting it.  Not just from the locals though.  Everyone is on him for it, especially the national media.

 

We have always handled Lebron with white cotton gloves around these parts.  I don't get where Jim Brown's statement is coming from.

Jim Rome was blasting the makers of the "please stay Lebron" video (Mike Polk et al) on yesterday's show. You can imagine what the callers of the show had to say once he opened those floodgates.

 

Which is too bad because on Friday last week Rome was sticking up for the city when his listeners wanted to rag on Cleveland as losers. He said the Cleveland fans were the real victims because all we did was kiss his ass for 7 years,

 

I was glad he stood up for us, but I wish he wouldn't have read that email at the beginning of the show.

 

Rome is a pretty strong advocate for Cleveland (at least based on his limited experiences here). He's done a bunch of tour stops here, and even this week, while bashing the video, he qualified the bashing as reflective of the participants / makers, not of Cleveland as a whole.

 

The callers, on the other hand, were not so kind. But the opinion of a caller on a sports talk show is not one that keeps me up at night, unless I'm up late at night listening to a sports talk show.

 

When I was younger I used to listen to his show more frequently (late 1990s) and I do remember that Cleveland was always considered one of his favorite/best tour stops. 

Ummmm... Love ya Jim, but you are way off base here. Lebron put the pressure on himself. The national media put the pressure on him. Cleveland is just happy to have him. A championship would be great, but that will not make us love him or hate him.

 

Maybe Jim is trying to suggest that he should go to a different market where the public scrutiny and pressure would put less weight on Lebron's shoulders? You know... a place like NYC (no championship since '73) or the Bulls (live up to Jordan's legacy)   :?

 

Lebron deserves some criticism for his play in the Boston series. He is getting it. Not just from the locals though. Everyone is on him for it, especially the national media.

 

We have always handled Lebron with white cotton gloves around these parts. I don't get where Jim Brown's statement is coming from.

 

Exactly.  For all of the pressure that we've put on him to win a title, in the past when he hasn't come through, we've still very supportive of him.  He's not going to get that leeway in New York.

 

I think the biggest reason why things may have changed a bit for us fans after this recent loss is that: A) We're still trying to understand what happened to him that lead him to play so dispassionately in games five and six, and B) We're preparing ourselves for the fact that he may leave.

Jim Brown, love his legendary status and what he brought to the Browns in his day, is Totally off his rocker (literally); so let's not get sidetracked debating him...

 

Actually, it's not about media or fan scrutiny that will move LeBron; it's which team is best poised to win a championship, period.  Whether Peter Vecsey or Mike Lupica rips him as a Knick or a Net is irrelevant to him because, in these days of internet, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc, etc, the sting of a Jim Rome comment, or Rick Bucher or John Hollinger or Scott Van Pelt or Jalen Rose or, Tim Legler or ... etc, etc, has the same impact as does some local wag like Terry Pluto or Brian Windhorst (who's the best beat writer in the NBA)... 

 

Forget all this NYC driven crap about how much of a big city LeBron wants... After the season, or during a long break, LeBron gets on a private jet and is anywhere in the country or world, for that matter...

 

Quite frankly, Chicago looks like it has the pieces... But really, the fact is, had Cleveland had the right coach, we could; should be playing now.  We had Boston reeling after Game 3 and, basically, but for poor personnel moves and an inability to inspire, Mike Brown let Boston up off the canvas and, well... forget Game 5 (which we may never have an answer as to why LeBron played the way he did), what about Game 4?  If we take care of biz in Game 4, which we should have because, again, we demoralized Boston and they were ready for the knockout punch, Game 5 becomes irrelevant. 

 

All that to say (yeah, I know it's a lot), the tools are HERE for LeBron to win it.  These guys know LeBron and, with the right coach, young guys like JJ Hickson and even Danny Green and Jawad Wms may finally get the nurturing/patience they need to, like Rajon Rondo, take it to the next level in the playoffs...

^ Well stated. We really do need a coaching change. On another note, I just think it looks really hokie how it will likely be Boston and L.A. again in the finals.

People analyzing and talking about the LeBron story are all contradicting each other.  Jim Brown says that Cleveland fans are putting too much pressure on him, while Buzz Bissinger (who knows LeBron and wrote a book about him) says that Cleveland has been too soft on James and he'd benefit from going to a place like New York where he'd be pressed to raise his game to another level.  Damned if we do...

Now comes word that coach Mike Brown has been fired by the Cavs.  The source was Rick Bucher (sp?) at ESPN The Magazine.

Can't say we didn't see that coming...

 

Phil Jackson?

^Highly doubt it.  We are in a bit of a pickle because any 'elite' coach we want to hire is going to want to know whether James is staying.  PhilJax ain't coming.  Neither is Coach K.

 

A more realistic possibility that I could get behind is Byron Scott. 

Lebron is in the perfect position to, yet again, select his coach.  Let's be honest, if the Cavs hire a coach Lebron doesn't like his chances of staying are reduced dramatically.  The Cavs are going to sit down with Lebron and select someone that he approves of out of fear that he'll leave if they don't get his approval of any hire.

 

Not a good situation, because Lebron needs to be coached but he probably won't "approve" someone that will actively coach him.  A damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

fratello!

Bill Lambier!  Seriously

What if he suggests someone he knows will be bad....then this person gets hired, and LeBron leaves anyway? What a double cross that would be!

 

How about World B. Free!

What if he suggests someone he knows will be bad....then this person gets hired, and LeBron leaves anyway? What a double cross that would be!

 

How about World B. Free!

 

Awesome. If we're spit balling anyone, how about Master P? He's done everything else.

 

I cannot tolerate any team that has Bill Lambier on their staff in any capacity. I would have to, upon such action, immediately return to being a full time Nets fan.

I would have to, upon such action, immediately return to being a full time Nets fan.

 

Nets?  WTF?  Banished form CLE! :)

Lenny Wilkens, Tom Izzo?  The Cavs are not going to get a current NBA coach with jewelry, so they may need to think outside of the box a bit...

I would have to, upon such action, immediately return to being a full time Nets fan.

 

Nets?  WTF?  Banished form CLE! :)

 

Second!  Thor, you are banished!

N-E-T-S! Nets Nets Nets!

Letter from M. Simon to LBJ:

 

Dear LeBron, I first off would like to thank you for what you have done for the fine city of Cleveland. You have created a energy downtown that has not been seen in years and have allowed businesses to thrive beyond their wildest dreams. I know the decisions you have to make in the upcoming weeks will be difficult and I hope you follow your heart. I truly believe regardless of where you go championships will follow because you are just that damn good and that each city will embrace you (although not as much as Ctown..lol). As a fan of all sports I truly believe the greatest legends have built their status with one team (Emmit, Troy, Jeter, Magic, Bird, Brown, Russell..etc)...hell even MJ will only be remembered as a Bull. Regardless of what you decide I will always be a fan mainly because I know firsthand what a class act you are and would never fault someone who feels they are doing the best thing for their career and family. That being said I hope you choose to stay in Ctown with the Cavs so I can watch you finish what you started which is something not many people get to do. Best of luck, MS

 

PS...I've never really been one to beg or bribe but if you do choose to stay I'll come over once a month to cook up a Iron Chef style dinner for your family and friends!!

 

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?not...omments&ref=mf

 

Also, Larry King interviewed LBJ at his home in Bath this morning but the interview will not air until Friday).  According to Windhorst though, these comments were made -

 

LeBron to Larry King: "(Cleveland) does have an edge."

 

More LeBron to King: "This city, these fans...have given me a lot in these 7 years. And...for me, it's comfortable."

 

http://twitter.com/pdcavsinsider

 

 

ah great scoop. see? see? thats a sign! thats a siiiggnn!!!!