As Ohio State fans, we are unaccustomed to failure. We expect the best, and perhaps because we keep expectations so high, we frequently get the best. In one corner of Ohio though, expectations are all they've had for quite a while. The city of Cleveland has been dealt an incredible blow by the departure of LeBron James for the Miami Heat. I'm not sure we'll grasp the fullness of the impact this has on the city, the state at large, and perhaps even your favorite state university, for quite some time. First: nothing, short of Art Modell appearing on primetime TV in a "CLEVELAND SUCKS" t-shirt while farting on a picture of glory-days Jim Brown could have been more blatantly offensive to the good people of Cleveland, than Thursday night's televised "Decision" catastrophe. Upon hearing that LeBron's choice would be made on primetime television, I simply assumed that there was no way LeBron would devote an hour to himself without rewarding the fans of Cleveland - whose loyalty knows no bounds, as I will explain later - with a welcome, if a tad bombastic, selection of their team. Instead, we got an hour long ode to LeBron's greatness, with Stuart Scott and a bunch of other who-dat ESPN-types drinking his bath water. If LeBron was simply going to choose another team, this was far from the least painful way to do it. Hosting an hour-long special for such a move is just cruel. Cleveland, more than any other big sports town, did not deserve to have this happen. Ohio, as a state that loves its sports teams with a passion often unfairly derided by outsiders, did not deserve treatment like this from a favored son. The connection between LeBron and Ohio State is not a tenuous one: after all, who can forget the Buckeyes wearing LBJ-themed uniforms not so long ago? Or The Man Himself recording a message for The King's "appreciation day" in Akron? In a 2006 interview with the Daily Show's Jon Stewart on the Ohio State campus, James said that if he had to attend college prior to the NBA, he would have gone to Ohio State. Today, it seems far more likely that James would have suited for North Carolina, or Kansas, or UCLA, and left Ohio State in the lurch. I am usually not one to begrudge an athlete making a decision he feels is best for him. For years, I have felt an odd compunction to defend LeBron from his most ardent detractors. When he wore a Yankees hat to an Indian game, I insisted that it was his choice to root for whomever ever he wants to, and I'd still make the same argument today. When he revealed no connection to Cleveland sports teams whatsoever, I was wary, but again defended his right to not be "a Cleveland guy". Sure, I rued the fact that his teams of choice - the Bulls, the Cowboys, and Yankees - revealed him to be little more than a bandwagon-hopper, but I didn't actually care. It was his choice, and his choice of team has literally no effect on my well-being. I did occasionally find myself wondering if James really rooted for the Buckeyes or whoever the team-of-the-now was (USC, Texas, Alabama, etc.), but shrugged it off shortly thereafter. Did it really matter who he rooted for, after all? What likely kept me going these last few years was my stubborn belief that LeBron, while perhaps not a "Cleveland guy", was an "Ohio guy"; and this was an image James knowingly cultivated, as detailed above. Even if James didn't follow Cleveland sports with a passion, he seemed to "get it". While championships are a regularity at a place like Ohio State these days, Ohio's professional teams, and Cleveland teams in particular, have struggled to even match half of that success. LeBron, more or less, built his legend around "bring[ing] a championship to Cleveland" - something the city has not seen since 1964. In a 2006 interview with Chris Broussard of ESPN the Magazine, the man was quoted as saying:
I don't want to go ring-chasing, as I call it; you know, going to a team that's already pretty established and trying to win a ring with them. I want to stay with the Cavs and build a champion.
Duplicity on such a grand scale is simply a rare thing for so talented an athlete. Ego, however, is not. In the end, if you're going to portray yourself as the consummate Ohioan for seven years, it is not unreasonable for your fans - who have bought into your "Witnesses" schtick and every ounce of hype wholeheartedly, with nary a peep of criticism - to expect you to follow through on your claims of loyalty.Then it all crashes down /And you break your crown / And you point your finger / But there's no one around 2007 finals sweep aside, it seemed pretty good to be the King in Cleveland. Last year was a bitter disappointment with the season ending at the hands of the Orlando Magic, but, as we always tell ourselves, the next year would be our year. It seemed like the Cavs had made the right offseason move, even if Shaq was ancient. Still, the dream season continued on its course until Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. LeBron's stats: 3/14 from the field, 15 points. He looked utterly listless and careless on the court. Some say he "quit". While I usually lampoon the 300-pound couch potato criticizing the millionaire athlete, I couldn't shake the thought that, for once, he was right. In prior years, Cavs fans could comfortably, and with a fair amount of accuracy, lay playoff woes at the hands of one non-LeBron problem or another - no solid No. 2 "Pippen" guy for LeBron, or no inside presence on defense - but this time around, the only pointing fingers floating around Quicken Loans Arena were pointed right at the King himself. This was his Purdue Harbor; only if that game were entirely Terrelle's fault and the offensive line shared none of the blame. This was the game that made people throw their hands up and ask: "are we sure this guy actually has it?", and for the first time, even the most diehard defenders had to wonder. Few, however, would say Terrelle ever "quit"; it simply seemed the kid was trying too hard. Is a dream a lie if it don't come true, or is it something worse? Now, I must confess: I am not a Cleveland sports fan. Browns games make me want to claw my eyes out (though I imagine many Cleveland partisans feel the same way). I'm not big into baseball, so infrequent Indians success hasn't even registered for me. But the Cavs are a different story. I've been watching the Cavs for a while now; even before LeBron. I won't call myself a "lifelong fan" and do a disservice to those who actually are. However, I frequently had Cavs games on in the background of my life as a kid, because I liked the sport of basketball and knew I "should" root for the home-state team. For a while, they were all sport was to me aside from the Buckeyes. Even so, there wasn't much to remember other than "Wrong Rim" Ricky Davis taking a shot at his own net to try and secure a triple double. It was one of the most pathetic things I had ever witnessed, and embodied the lows to which a desperate sports franchise can sink. Such desperation hasn't been seen around here since the latter days of the Cooper era, and even so, we had it made compared to a team as hopeless as the Cavs seemed to be. All this being said, however, I have always quietly admired the steadfast way in which Cleveland fans have continued to root for their teams despite little in the way of success. No other sports city has had to deal with The Fumble, The Drive, The Shot, The Sweep, and Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Seemingly no other fanbase has had to endure hardships of such awesome magnitude with such cruel frequency; tribulations in which championship dreams become undying city-wide nightmares in a matter of seconds, or over the course of one 48-minute NBA game. I hope that, if and when trying times come to Columbus, I can say the same of our fan base. But I digress. There is some (good?) news for Buckeyes everywhere: Terrelle Pryor is now unquestionably the biggest sports celebrity in the state, and it's not even close. With that newfound title comes even more expectations, piled upon already sky-high expectations. While I have confidence in the young man to surpass those expectations, I've seen what such expectations have done to another, similarly freakishly talented athlete. Remember: Lebron has even gone so far as to offer advice on managing expectations to Terrelle Pryor himself, but it's clearer now than ever that Terrelle's legacy must be entirely his own, and, barring a transfer to Penn State to play wide receiver, he'll never plumb the depths of cowardice that his former nickname-sake did on Thursday.
Speaking of which, I know we retired LiC after the Purdue game, but I'd like to take this last opportunity to shovel a few more clods onto its coffin. Feel free to offer new nicknames in the comments.
Comments
Slow clap....
For legone?
How 'bout Darth LeVader? The only thing I can compare it to was Anakin Skywalker killing Jedi padawans.
I could be wrong, but I believe he was referring to a new nickname for Pryor. So, to continue the star wars theme, HSiC - Han Solo in Cleats.
Because he was the real hero of the series.
+100
I understand the vexations of the fans. They're hurt and these are tough times. He did get CLEVE to "The Finals", once. That's gotta count for something, right? I mean, how many times did that happen before LeBron?
But, let's not spare Dan Gilbert what he deserves - all the blame. The buck stops at the top, where Dan Gilbert sits, in that organization.
LeBron leaving, is Dan Gilbert's failure. He lost in this game of business. And all his shameless, public whining and disparaging of LeBron says: "I played a bad game. I lost."
I cannot express my disgust for Labron enough. I understand he has the right to play whereever he wants, particularly because he was a free agent. However, the fact that he had to "ring chase" truely cheapens and future championships he may win. I think if I had three wishes, I would use the first 2 for truely selfish reasons, but the third would truely be that Lebron NEVER wins a championship. He will now forever go down in history as they greatest player to ever have to move to win a championship after not being able to get it done on HIS team.
V.i.C.
Villain in Cleets?
+1
+1000000
I sucks that Lebron left, sure. But it was his absolute right. No problems there other than disappointment. However, the way he did it bothers me tremendously. To have an hour-long infomercial that rips at the heart of the fans of your old team was flat wrong. while he did not owe it to the fans or the cavs to stay, he owed it to them to tell them beforehand and to do it in a better way than he did. To make your organization wait until you announce it on a TV special was terrible and unprofessional. He
Had he told the cavs first and held a press conference to announce his decision, I would not feel the way I do about him now. I totally wish him no success going forward
it will be interesting to see what this does to OSU recruiting. I gotta imagine it doesnt hurt when we bring in recruits to the USC, Texas home games to see Lebron roaming the sideline. I'm sure those days are over
I never thought I would ever root for Kobe and the Lakers, the Celtics, the Magic, the Nuggets, or any other halfway decent NBA team. But this season I am going to do just that. I will root for anyone who has enough talent to keep LeBron from ever winning a ring. He is a spineless prick.
Oops, forgot the Bulls in there. They are developing a small arsenal as well.
During his recruiting process they asked Pryor to describe himself in one word and he said, "juggernaut." The Juggernaut or JiC, although ViC does sound pretty B.A.
Move on people. All the name calling and whatnot makes you look like desperate ex-lovers. When your significant other leaves you, make sure the next time you see her your with a badder chick and ignore her completely. :)
Cavs fans shouldn't even boo when he comes to the Gund (oops I mean Quicken Loans Arena, yuck) they should treat him like the 12th man and barely make a sound. Either that or break out into laughter. That will get him more than name calling.
Co-SIGN!
How is it Gilbert's fault? Everything James wanted, Gilbert brought to the team.
This is a great article. The Heat will be another 60 regular season win team, who can't win in the playoffs. It takes a deep bench to make a playoff run. Not to mention, who is going to stop the Celtics big men underneath or Dwight Howard?
Not a cavs fan, but I think everyone should boycott the game when miami comes to town. A completely empty arena is a bigger statement than heckling or boos imo. Even if its for just the first quarter.
I think the plan is to put up 120 plus a game. Shaq is probably on the way to miami as we speak. I don't have a problem with him leaving. They should have kept Boozer in the first place and they would have a couple rings.
There'll be 30-35 other games with that exact crowd makeup. May as well go get some catharsis and yell inappropriate things when given the chance.
When Kobe drops 60 on the Heat next year, all will be right with the world
By going after Izzo? An unproven coach at the NBA level? Pitino couldn't do it. Calipari couldn't do it. Hell it took Larry Brown nearly 20 years to get his ring.
While Chicago flirted with Phil Jackson and eventually got a career NBA guy in Tom Thibodeau and Miami will bring Pat Riley ... Cleveland talked about Izzo? Not that the man's a bad coach -- He's one of the best in college. But this is the NBA. Add in the fact that Gilbert WENT to MSU and this thing smacks of nepotism. And when Cleveland couldn't get Izzo they got ... Byron Scott.
A lot of this is Gilbert's fault and his stupid letter comes off as weak. In my opinion -- as a non-Cavs fan and a person that doesn't like Cleveland sports at all -- this comes off as sour grapes.
LeBron, in no way, is innocent here. His one-hour love-in with the four letter was disgusting and his attitude during this whole thing has been comically childish. But Gilbert's been just as awful. He did nothing to keep LeBron what with his chest pounding and his "I helped LeBron and gave him everything he wanted." He didn't. He gave LBJ options A B and C. LeBron, sometimes, wanted D. Gilbert said he had to pick A, B or C.
LeBron worked with Eric Snow and Mo Williams. You're not going to win crap with those guys. He brought in a busted-ass Shaq. When Jordan wanted help (not only did he have another top-50 player of all-time in Pippen) the Bulls helped with guys like Grant, and later on, Rodman.
When Kobe realized he couldn't win without Shaq the Lakers got Gasol. Magic had Worthy and Kareem. Bird had the Chief and McHale. Pierce got Allen and Garnett. LeBron got Mo Williams, Delonte West and an ancient Shaq.
If Gilbert really wanted to win a title. He could have done something. You can't win a title in the NBA with one superstar -- you need AT LEAST two. LeBron got the Cavs to the finals with a bunch of scrubs.
Gilbert's wrong. LeBron's wrong. They're both asses. But Gilbert should be getting more blame.
Miami will win the NBA title 4 out of the next 5 years.
In the end, getting to play with two (if not more) guys that are better than any of my teammates in Cleveland ever were was just too good to pass up. Winning is fun, and I'll be doing a lot of it.
I will still feel bad about how it ended, and wish that the same could've happened in Cleveland, but Dan Gilbert didn't want to shell out the cash for other marquee players.
Hope you like your burning jersey..also, say goodbye to your banner. WE HATE YOU.
To all you Cavs fans that have been burning those $200 Lebron jerseys....
Do you know how much that stuff will be worth in 30 years after Lebron plays 10+ years with Miami and wins 5+ championships and your everyone completely forgets that he even played for Cleveland? Think Brett Favre playing for Atlanta or Jerome Bettis playing for St. Louis.
"Wait dad.....you are telling me Lebron James actually played for Cleveland?"
"Yes, son. I used to have his old jersey but I turned into a sissy pants baby the day after he left and I burned it all. They are selling for $10,000 on eBay right now...Your dad is a tool, son."
Everyone needs to get off that train...Boozer screwed the Cavs over. They had a verbal agreement and he walked.
Yeah...Gilbert didn't spend any money....Shaq, Mo, Jamison...
I was thinking of wearing mine (plus shoes) for a mud run!
Grant Hill...Grant Hill...Grant Hill...
This will do zero to Buckeye recruiting. I doubt LeBron was down to Columbus all that often. It's not like OSU was USC or Miami with hoards of celebrities hanging around. It's pretty much all former Buckeyes (not saying that's not impressive...). Most recruits talk about Tressel and the coaches and winnning championships after visiting OSU it seems.
Um yea. Favre played 2 games with the Falcons, and Bettis played 3 years with the Rams. LeBron played 7 years in Cleveland which was twice as long as Shaq in Orlando. Pretty sure people will remember. Especially after the show he pulled Thursday night. No one will let him forget that. Clevelanders or otherwise...
Well said!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
You just sound like a sore Cavs fan breh. Being a Cavs fan, before the LeBron draft lottery, you wouldve told me that I would have the privilege to see him play in my and his hometown for 7 years, and take us to places we never have been, I wouldve taken it. So get over it. Shit happens.
LOL
Lebron is stupid.
Id like to see who miami gets that is going to shut down Dwight Howard in a 7 game series. Cant win 4 titles if you aren't the best team in the state. =)
They might be able to shoot the lights out and score 125 every night in the regular season, but a 7 game series is way different. The Lakers in 2003-04 are my example. Kobe, Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Shaq. I know only 2 of those guys were spring chickens, but they looked like the Dream Team all year, and they couldn't take care of Chauncey, Big Ben and the Piss-ants.
I am not a fan of the NBA; haven't been since Magic and Bird retired. Today's game is all about individuals...fundamental team baskestball no longer exists in the pros. If a team's superstar has a good game they win, if not they lose.
I have been a lifelong fan of the Browns and the Tribe and I'm an old fuck. I think that qualifies me to say that James gave the biggest 'fuck you' of all time to the City of Cleveland and fans of their teams. He knew all along that he wasn't going to resign with the Cavs. So why the dragout extravenganza????because it's all about him. He just had to piss on the corpse of Cleveland and their fans because of his ego.
The Terrellinator.
Beantroy -- beanie wells + troy smith
Agreed. I care only slightly that he left - superstars go where they can make money and win rings. It sucks, but it's a cutthroat business.
But I was sure when he decided to hold a one-hour TV special that he was coming back. No one could spend an hour on national TV shitting all over their home town fan base.
Congrats, Lebron, I think you may have won one title - that of the biggest sports villain in the country.
as a laker fan it kills me to think about that year but everyone forgets how great malone was playing and then got hurt in the clinching game of the western conference finals... if he plays its a different series
I'd like to second HSiC. And hereby refer to Pryor passing to Posey as simply TD.
So Athens has turned into quite the funhouse lately - two UGA football players were just arrested - one for drinking and driving and one for underage possession. 2nd string WR and 3rd string RB. While OSU has the once a decade grey goose and AK-toting player, these sorts of things are becoming a regular occurrence for the South Eastern Convicts. No reports of red women's underwear involved, however.
ESPN said it best... Art Modell 2.0
What has ESPN ever said best?
Delonte In Cleats
Just wait, this gem is coming.
(To Mark May)
"You're fired."
AKA Banging Lebron's Mother In Cleats
Lebron might be headed South but his mom is riding West.
First of all, I do not *literally* hate LeBron James. Nor would I wish any harm to him or his new team. And, from a purely logical perspective, I respect his decision to leave...
That said, as a sports fan, LeBron and the Heat are now my least favorite team. I will BOO loudly when he returns, and cheer for everyone from Rose and Howard to KG and Kobe to beat his ass in the playoffs. Why? Because that will bring me satisfaction as a sports fan. This is the way of sports, and to say that Cleveland fans are "stupid" for cheering against the man who turned his back on their team is to deny the true feelings of joy and pain that we Buckeyes feel during every win and loss.
Of course I have greater goals in life than watching a sports team to which I have little real connection. But, I'd be lying if I said sports are not a big part of my life outside of work and family, as would most of you I'd assume... so lets cut Cleveland fans some slack; they have the right to for, or against, anyone they damn-well please, so long as they don't cross the line by making personal threats or physically endangering others.
LeBum, Scottie James, Quitness, Three Miami-Egos
LeBum, Scottie James, Quitness, Three Miami-Egos
+1
Yeah I agree with that. Something about those Pistons that year that makes me think the result would've been the same though. Stupid Detroit ruining everything!
What's that? Henderson and James to Miami? I missed it cause I was getting my hair did. Oh no he didn't!
That WOULD be the best. They should auction off sitting in the room when Mark May gets fired for Jimmy V week. F playing golf with John Buccigross, I wanna see this asshole get canned in person.
Now there's some fund-raising.
Those are all gold. Copyright them.
I agree with Joe Scarlet on Gilbert. I hold him more responsible than Indians owners, because there is a salary cap in the NBA. You can go over it, but it will cost you big bucks. 1 dollar penalty for every dollar over the cap. The largest difference is about 30-40 million more between the biggest spender and the least-nothing like what the Yankees spend to say a Pittsburgh with about 160 mil more.
Buss spends the most and takes the biggest hit out of his pocket. He doesn't have the ATM spitting out millions a day called the YES channel as the Steinbrenners do.
But the value of the Cavs was 222 before Lebron, and before the "decision', even in the bad economy was lingering around 350 million.
That's not to bright a management move from Gilberts perspective. I'm sure they'd be lucky to be worth 200 mil today. That tells you what kind of talent is left. Kobe , Pierce, heck even Melo and Howard are surrounded with more talent than these 3 guys were at their teams.
Maybe Gilbert did know of Lebron, Wade, and Bosh's deal back in 2006. Either way, if you had a choice, where would you group up? With Ohio's waether and State Tax? Certainly not a foreign country like Canada where Bosh is from.
You can't compete with the weather, clubs, beach, limelight, and most importantly NO STATE TAX of Florida.
He still pays taxes in every state/ city he plays in, so it's cut in half.
Nice!
exactly
There's no doubt Gilbert has been acting crazy since James left.
Keep the anti-government poltiics out of this, Joey. Besides, Florida more than makes up for its lack of income tax with higher property taxes. No one would argue that the cost of living in Cleveland is more than the cost of living in Miami.
This situation has got me so sick, I can't even pull for USA basketball until those three retire. I am disgusted to admit that, but I can't justify it.
Any body came up with any clever ideas to do with their jerseys, etc? I think instead of a mud run, I will mail it to him. He needs it more than I do.
haha Chris Bosh is from texas
I'm sorry but lebron is a snake...reportedly meeting derek fisher at the airport n askin him to join the heat...I'm all about trying to make ur team the best it can be but cmon man, u couldn't do that in cleveland? I'm not a cavs fan (biggest buckeye fan in the northeast however) so it doesn't directly impact me but when he has to do that becuz he knows they need more talent around them then the scrubs they should be able to sign, all signs point to him knowing he can't win shit without other people...even with bosh n wade with him...what happened to being able to have pat riley as ur 5th man lebron? (Like he said at the heat pep rally the other night)
The shit that kills me is everyone claiming "karma"; the Browns went to Baltimore, won a Super Bowl, and our Browns (Giants fan, but I pull for them) suck. Where's the karma there?
I am convinced God doesn't like Ohio very much, and Pat Riley sold his soul to the devil.
Goodness. Cavs have had the one of the highest payrolls for the last couple of years.
Like saying, "Ohio State hasn't had good defenses under Tressel".
"King" LeSquantch may be a multi-millionaire, but I believe he is still a little child between his ears.
The man is narcisstic, arrogant, and conceited, and those are his good qualities.
So full of himself, he declares himself "KING!" Yes, King LeSquantch pulled a "Rich Rod" on Cleveland and the rest of Ohio, IMO.
King James, Queen Shenikwa, Prince. I'm sick of these arrogant celebrities.
yes "Hmmmm". You're so used to losing that when a somewhat gifted player actually plays for your team, your self-esteem is so low that you actually convince yourself that, well, "it's better to have loved and lost, than to have never taken it in the rear end, at all."
Pathetic. Bend over and grab your ankles, "Mr. Hmmmm."
LeSquanch certainly is no Michael Jordan. Or Magic Johnson. Or even Larry Bird.
pay doesn't always equal talent does it.
I dont understand this. Granted the hour long special was pompous as hell, I didnt see his behavior on it as childish by any means. And isnt this what people ask of there star athletes? Put winning above there own legacies, take less money for the good of the team. Now it was the your team but he had an opportuinity to win championships which clearly is the goal of everyone and he sacrificed being the star and it being his team to win so I dont see why the hate. Outside of it being that he's from ohio and left the cavs. I mean Wilt chamberlain left his team to join jerry west's to win a championship. Does that make him any less of a player?
Excerpt from the "Ohio Stadium, The 6th-Largest Stadium in the World" post:
"Ohio Stadium is the home of the Buckeyes American Football team at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio."
"Buckeyes American Football team." I like it.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer posted an article that suggests that James, Wade and Bosh had been planning this for sometime...perhaps even years.
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/...
What I found most interesting in the article is the mention of Bosh's 'slip of the tongue' during an interview where he mentions that they have been talking about playing together for months. Bosh quickly tried to correct himself but the cat was already out of the bag.
While I am not an attorney, I would be curious to know if a possible law suit could be in the future for James, Wade and Bosh as they could collectively be in violation of collusion against the other NBA franchises by banding together to plot out their future. In essence the only team(s) with a chance to sign all 3 would be a team who cleared enough salary cap to make it happen.
Potentially included in the law suit could be CAA (which is the agency that all 3 players are represented by), Pat Riley and the Miami Heat.
Wikipedia defines collusion as follows: [An agreement, sometimes illegal and therefore secretive, which occurs between two or more persons to limit open competition by deceiving, misleading, or defrauding others of their legal rights, or to obtain an objective forbidden by law typically by defrauding or gaining an unfair advantage. It is an agreement among firms to divide the market, set prices, or limit production. It can involve "wage fixing, kickbacks, or misrepresenting the independence of the relationship between the colluding parties." In legal terms, all acts affected by collusion are considered void.]
If NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell were in charge of the NBA, he would take this issue head-on, as it could jeopardize the leverage the league has when it comes to dealing with future bargaining agreements.
David Stern however, will want any potential legal matters to go away as soon as possible and I would expect him to do nothing (no surprise there) and simply place it into the NBA closet of secrets right next to the skeleton of former NBA game day gambler / referee...Tim Donaghy.
Good point Chief. I wonder how the fans would have liked it if Gilbert would have spent like the New York Yankees and raised ticket prices to $500 a peice, face value, nose bleed section.
Some people making comments in this thread, while entitled to their opinion, have frankly no idea what the fuck they are talking about, I'll leave it at that
I agree with most of this. However, they did have the best record in the league the last couple of years. It took Jordan roughly 7-8 years before he won. LeBron had something going here and they were 1 or 2 players away from getting them. I Think he stuck around they would have been able to bring someone else in. Maybe someone like Chris Paul. I often think what would have happened if Boozer wouldn't have left after LeBron's rookie year.
The comment was Gilbert didn't want to spend on another superstar. That is blatantly false. He would've spent money on anyone.
Every time he tried to lure a big name, they'd ask "Will LeBron be here", LeBron wouldn't commit, and the deal would fall through.
gee can you name me this super star,
enters the league scoring nearly 30+ a night and his team goes 38-44, and 30-52 and 40-42 his first 3 years, in his 4th year they make it past the 1st rd of the playoffs only to lose in 5 games in the 2nd rd
in his 5th year they finally make a conference finals and lose again, then in his 6th year, thats right conference finals loss again
in these last 2 years he is already playing with Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant. In the last one he also has Phil Jackson as his HC
that's right Michael Jordan played 7 years before he even won a division or conference title
the fact that LeBron, surrounded primarily by a cast of 3rd tier clowns made it to a championship round and to a conference finals shows me more about how good he was.
Gilbert had nothing to do with saving the Cavs,,that's right saving the Cavs, who were playing to half filled arenas prior to Lebron's arrival, Gilbert swooped in a few years later and like many business men who know nothin about winning in sports tried to milk to cash cow by spending on the cheap for everything else,,,Williams, Jamison, and too far gone Shaq, Verajo (sp),,that's a joke, their a 20 win team without LeBron, Unlike the Bulls who after Jordan left still won 55 games the next year finished 2nd in their division and made it to the 2nd rd of the playoffs losing 4-3 to the Knicks,,anyone think the Cavs will do that next year???
Follow Gilberts logic, (this guy is a quitter, siting specifics but I am still willing to pay him multi millions to be the core of our franchise),,hogwash, Gilbert may not be a great owner but they only way you can buy that arguement is that he either 1) knew it wasn't true or 2) didn't care because he knew he could market LeBron anyway and still make his millions,,,
Gilbert is pissed becasue he lost his cash cow and now has to build the team from scratch,,,dont be surprised if he doesn't sell in the next 2-3 years and "quit" on the Cavs as well
ConspiracyTheoryGuy...who knows your "theory" could gain some steam.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/...
He def took the low road in the situation, and did come off as sour grapes.
Me, I'm done. I think I'll skip the NBA and USA/ Olympic basketball for a while. I did learn one lesson though: stick with Air Force 1's...I will never get an individual's kicks again!
It is what it is, I just hope the Cavs don't pull a 73 Mets and bring him back for his last year or two a la Willie Mays (I know, different situation, but you catch my drift).
Amazing thing about this thread, there haven't been ANY SEC/ Heat/ Cane trolls on it.
i didn't like gilbert's letter. the cavs probably should have traded james in his last year along with a bunch of other guys. they could have maybe picked up 2 players for lebron (im not saying all star caliber..but they would have had their choices for guys who can play well). now it seems they are stuck and recovering from disappointment/anger/shock. i vouched for keeping james, west (off the bench), varejao, hickson (off the bench), gibson (off the bench), and some other guys like jawad williams....but i said hell no to ilgauskas, mo, szczerbiak, and pavlovic after they got beat by orlando. i was hoping they would pick up stoudemire that off-season as well as some bigger guards (and i felt the parker trade was good....moon was bleh) and a center that could shoot relatively well. the shaq deal was meh (orlando got a better deal with carter). if you compare the celtics to the cavs it is a team full of scorers versus a team in what seems like specialists with a highlight reel guy. besides the obvious that the celtics proved they were the better team with future hall of famers, their team chemistry worked. the cavs, although they had some firepower, just didn't have the right pieces to match the other powerful teams. it's better that james is gone in my opinion, but at the same time the cavs missed an opportunity to trade (but who knows if they would have botched the trade? the gm.....yeah, he's off somewhere yucking it up in margaritaville).
"so lets cut Cleveland fans some slack; they have the right to for, or against, anyone they damn-well please"
And the rest of us have the right to say what whinny fucking crybabies we think Cleveland fans are, all we "damn-well please."
What ones rights are here isn't the issue.
I could see that. I just quesiton if Gilbert would have been willing to go after a Paul.
You would be correct, except he rebounds, block shots, and passes better than all of them except Magic. Also, all 3 of the dudes had tremendous talent when they won their rings (Hall of Famers in each case). Please tell me who on the Cavaliers team is a Hall of Famer or one in the making with the Cavs (a pedestrian Shaq who only logsin 18 mins and 40games/year is excluded). Sounds like more sour grapes. Get over it folks.
Agree with you about telling Cavs first and holding press conference (looking at how Gilbert reacted, maybe that WAS a good move). Disagree with you on the hour long special. Why? The media created that hype over 2 years ago. Sports radio has been speculating the move since last decade where he was going. The special just gave back what the media hyped up.