Anyone gonna watch the Lebronathon tonight?

Knucklehead

markmarc wrote: »

If winning a championship really was the most important thing to LeBron, he would have taken a page from John Elway's playbook. When Shanahan became head coach Elway restructured his contract over a dozen times delaying huge chunks of his salary until well after his retirement in order for the team to sign the players necessary to win a Superbowl. The result, he owns two rings.

LeBron, whose already worth hundreds of millions could have signed for the minimum, and opened up Cleveland's payroll to sign all the necessary players to bring a championship to to the good people of Ohio.

Didnt he already do that?

Demiurge

inspiredsports wrote: »

He certainly does want a ring, and has the basketball talent to deserve it, but as far as the loyalty part, it really was operating at a different level here.

Fans were as loyal here as I have ever been aware of. Lebron was too, for a long while. But with this move it is going to be hard for him to come back home when it's all over and done with.

I'm from the state that Brett Favre ultimately pissed all over to settle a grudge after the team stopped letting him jerk them around year after year. While the situations are clearly different, I understand FAN loyalty perfectly well. I wasn't saying Cleveland shouldn't be upset, because I would be.

If you're completely honest with yourself, deep down you can't fault him for choosing to put himself in the situation he has.

LeBron owns the blame just like his teammates and the rest of the organization for never being able to get it done in Cleveland.

Its unrealistic for people to expect LeBron to wait around for the team to make the right moves. He's free to create a better situation for himself and time will tell if he has.

inspiredsports

Knucklehead wrote: »

I think if he decides to retire in Ohio he has done enough for Cleveland and the state of Ohio that everything will be just fine, he played his butt off for the Cavs, hopefully fans can respect that.

You'd certainly think so, but there are already enough burning #23 jerseys on the ground now to make it look like high noon around here.

Knucklehead

From NBA.com:

The Cavaliers, a franchise that was in ruins before winning a lottery drawing and bringing James up Interstate 77 from his Akron home, have had the upper hand - until now. They were able to offer him more money - $30 million more - than any other team.

This wasn't about money, though.

Wade and Bosh both said they would take fewer dollars to make this happen. And that, combined with what Riley and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said to James on the recruiting tour, was enough to pull off the stunner.

Because they have overspent while trying to please James and win the first title by any of Cleveland's three pro sports teams since 1964, the Cavs are strapped with a few big contracts that have eaten up salary-cap space and prevented them from making roster moves to improve the team.

KrazyMofo24

Demiurge wrote: »

I don't understand how anyone outside of Cleveland (I get their emotion) can be upset with him.

Why would you hold him to a standard you would never hold yourself to? If you're a doctor are you obligated to practice medicine in the state you were born and went to medical school in? C'mon....

People can spout off about loyalty, but that's a two way street between teams and players that has long since been destroyed.

Whether or not he made the right decision won't be known until he wins a championship with Miami or retires.

I hope he does. It takes more guts to do what will make you happy even if it means it will disappoint others.

Please. There are plenty of fans who are still loyal to their team win or lose. Only two players in league history has left their team after winning the MVP.
Most stars do stick with their team if they are actually willing to do what's necessary to contend each year, and it's his home.

Sure there are a lot of bandwagon fans, and good players who leave their original team for more money, but there is still plenty of loyalty in sports.

He simply wants to try to build a dynasty and further market his brand.

Knucklehead

KrazyMofo24 wrote: »

Please. There are plenty of fans who are still loyal to their team win or lose. Only two players in league history has left their team after winning the MVP.
Most stars do stick with their team if they are actually willing to do what's necessary to contend each year, and it's his home.

Sure there are a lot of bandwagon fans, and good players who leave their original team for more money, but there is still plenty of loyalty in sports.

He simply wants to try to build a dynasty and further market his brand.

So I guess we will have to put Jordan in this lineup as well....

leroyjr1

It all comes down to what the Cleveland organization did to get Lebron help.

Nothing!!!!

KrazyMofo24

Knucklehead wrote: »

So I guess we will have to put Jordan in this lineup as well....

Jordan didn't leave his team empty handed to win a championship somewhere else.

KrazyMofo24

leroyjr1 wrote: »

It all comes down to what the Cleveland organization did to get Lebron help.

Nothing!!!!

I disagree. Even in the free agency they got Toronto to agree to a sign and trade for Bosh too. Although I'm sure Bosh preferred Miami to Cleveland.

Demiurge

KrazyMofo24 wrote: »

Please. There are plenty of fans who are still loyal to their team win or lose. Only two players in league history has left their team after winning the MVP.
Most stars do stick with their team if they are actually willing to do what's necessary to contend each year, and it's his home.

Sure there are a lot of bandwagon fans, and good players who leave their original team for more money, but there is still plenty of loyalty in sports.

He simply wants to try to build a dynasty and further market his brand.

...and what did Cleveland do to help LeBron? Did they try to bring in a guy like D-Wade? He could have signed there for nothing, too.

Teams get rid of players like a chick with the clap when they think they can get something better and players will go where they think they have the best opportunity to win the big game. It doesn't mean either always make the right moves, its just human nature. That's how it works.

Fans, of course there is loyalty...I didn't say otherwise, though. Of course they're upset.

Knucklehead

KrazyMofo24 wrote: »

Jordan didn't leave his team empty handed to win a championship somewhere else.

True...I guess he felt like he did everything he could for that organization, 7 years is a long time to wait for a team to build something around you. I like LeBron, he's good for the NBA, I wish him well. If I lived in Ohio I guess I would be pretty pissed too, but not at a player.

cnoat

Going to Miami only says he can't do it with HIS SKILL.What a shame.

Demiurge

KrazyMofo24 wrote: »

I disagree. Even in the free agency they got Toronto to agree to a sign and trade for Bosh too. Although I'm sure Bosh preferred Miami to Cleveland.

Bosh refused to play in Cleveland, actually.

Demiurge

cnoat wrote: »

Going to Miami only says he can't do it with HIS SKILL.What a shame.

What NBA player single handedly ever won an NBA championship? Not even Jordan.

Knucklehead

cnoat wrote: »

Going to Miami only says he can't do it with HIS SKILL.What a shame.

PLEASE....basketball is a TEAM sport.

Knucklehead

demiurge wrote: »

what nba player single handedly ever won an nba championship? Not even jordan.

+1,000,000

KrazyMofo24

Demiurge wrote: »

...and what did Cleveland do to help LeBron? Did they try to bring in a guy like D-Wade? He could have signed there for nothing, too.

Teams get rid of players like a chick with the clap when they think they can get something better and players will go where they think they have the best opportunity to win the big game. It doesn't mean either always make the right moves, its just human nature. That's how it works.

Fans, of course there is loyalty...I didn't say otherwise, though. Of course they're upset.

They would have been able to get Bosh. I think Lebron would have gotten him to come along. They weren't able to get another star like Gasol in LA, but they did build a good supporting cast around him. I mean they still had plenty of chances with Lebron and possibly adding Bosh.

Wade was never leaving Miami.

cnoat

Jordan didn't sign with a stacked team.Lebron is bigger than Kobe,You didn't see him leave even after shack.Like I said what a shame.

inspiredsports

leroyjr1 wrote: »

It all comes down to what the Cleveland organization did to get Lebron help.

Nothing!!!!

It wasn't so much "nothing" as it was a long series of inneffective "somethings".

Demiurge

KrazyMofo24 wrote: »

Wade was never leaving Miami.

Since LeBron is obligated to play for Cleveland, why wasn't D-Wade obligated to play for Chicago?

Demiurge

Wow...this guys seems bitter...but determined!

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers

Part of me hopes they pull it off! Imagine that story line... :eek:

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

leroyjr1

KrazyMofo24 wrote: »

Jordan didn't leave his team empty handed to win a championship somewhere else.

And Jordan had help, didn't he?????

leroyjr1

Didn't see anyone crying when Boston did it....

Knucklehead

cnoat wrote: »

Jordan didn't sign with a stacked team.Lebron is bigger than Kobe,You didn't see him leave even after shack.Like I said what a shame.

But they did bring in intelligent choices for Jordan to play with....LeBron is bigger than Kobe...what the hell does that mean? If Shaq didnt leave Kobe was gone, guaranteed. Your right , it is a shame, that Cleveland front office wasnt smarter over the last 7 years.

Demiurge

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Didn't see anyone crying when Boston did it....

I cried when Ray Allen left.

Knucklehead

Demiurge wrote: »

Wow...this guys seems bitter...but determined!



Part of me hopes they pull it off! Imagine that story line... :eek:

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

As I was reading that, I was expecting it to be a Cavs fan rather than an owner...WTF?

Demiurge

Knucklehead wrote: »

As I was reading that, I was expecting it to be a Cavs fan rather than an owner...WTF?

Yeah, he's a hell of a dumb ****, isn't he? He'll be a genius if he wins one before LeBron, it'll be a wash if neither do, but he'll be an utter LAUGHING STOCK if LeBron gets a ring and Cleveland is skunked for another 46 years.

cnoat

Your right.Front office should have done more.I just thought Lebron was better than this.Like I said earlier Chicago would of been good.Even New York with Stoudimier.To me IMO to build somethig around his talent would have been special.

leroyjr1

Demiurge wrote: »

I cried when Ray Allen left.

Well, the Bucks are a different story. They tend to let good players go and they keep and over pay the scrubs.:)

GoBigBlue

I've already gone to my PS3 and NBA 2k10 and sent LBJ and Bosh to Miami. It's almost not fair.