OT - Lebron James

[elocomotive]

I must admit, after watching some of this reaction coverage, I'm not hating LeBron as much as I thought I would.

I told you all he's not a bad guy.

Agree on the ESPN. They really lost me this past year b/c their DC radio station NEVER talks about the Caps in a market with a pathetic basketball, baseball, and football team.

 

[naslundfan19]

I told you all he's not a bad guy.

Agree on the ESPN. They really lost me this past year b/c their DC radio station NEVER talks about the Caps in a market with a pathetic basketball, baseball, and football team.

There were other sports events that happened today. But LBJEN decided not to show them before I turned it off. That is pathetic.

 

[puckhead]

I'm just here to point out that Dwayne Wade is the biggest pussy in all of sports.

 

[IPostedWhat]

I think that one soccer player from Ghana might have him beat?

 

[naslundfan19]

I think that one soccer player from Ghana might have him beat?

I'd say the whole team

 

[HonusWagner66]

Cavaliers: Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert

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....

...Why don't you tell us how you really feel?

 

[elocomotive]

I just read that Dan Gilbert on Facebook. Since I have friends from Cleveland or you lived there, my home page is BLOWN UP with Lebron-related status messages right now. People are going nuts.

I thought that letter was really unprofessional and would make me less interested in signing with the Cavs if I'm a free agent NBA player.

James was a bargain price for the Cavs over 7 years, brought the franchise to great heights and the NBA Finals, created revenue for the owners, and nearly doubled the value of the franchise. That's no way to treat someone who has done all that for you.

 

[IPostedWhat]

 

[Destroydacre]

I just read that Dan Gilbert on Facebook. Since I have friends from Cleveland or you lived there, my home page is BLOWN UP with Lebron-related status messages right now. People are going nuts.

I thought that letter was really unprofessional and would make me less interested in signing with the Cavs if I'm a free agent NBA player.

James was a bargain price for the Cavs over 7 years, brought the franchise to great heights and the NBA Finals, created revenue for the owners, and nearly doubled the value of the franchise. That's no way to treat someone who has done all that for you.

He also said he'd bring a championship to Cleveland and wouldn't stop until he did it. Oops...

 

[Darkstone42]

Wait, what? LeBron was a free agent? When did that happen? And how did I hear nothing about it?

 

[naslundfan19]

Miami has its shooter. Mike Miller signs.

 

[evolver115]

can't really hate lebron for making this decision. everyone's gotta grow up and leave home at some point.

You make a good point, johnny. You can't hate LeBron for his decision. What you can hate him for is how the decision was delivered.

Never in my life have I seen a more sickening display of egotistical self-indulgence and narcissism. I felt like I was watching Vince mcMahon and the WWF promoting a Wrestlemania Cage Death Match.

Yes, it may be a business, but for God sakes, go about your business with some class.

What a Douche.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

didnt read this entire thread but i heard the cavs owner did a conference call and said Lebron quit on his team game 6 versus the celtics this year and that he quit in the playoffs last year too





yet he still wanted to sign Lebron for max money (lol)

 

[Dupster]

he's very mellow in this. all business. respect that. very literate as well. props LBJ

He may have read some ball books, but he doesn't really come across as educated and well-spoken at all. Well-mannered and soft tone, sure, but not exactly literate. Agree with the rest, though, he's a good guy. Aside from ripping the hearts out of Ohio on national tv, of course. Hehe.

 

[Darkstone42]

That one writer for Cleveland who was on SportsCenter this morning was pretty whiny. I didn't like him. I mean, I'm not saying LeBron was particularly classy about how he went about this, but it's just a sport, dude, and LeBron didn't personally owe him anything. He sounded like a jilted lover or something.

 

[beantownmaniac]

You make a good point, johnny. You can't hate LeBron for his decision. What you can hate him for is how the decision was delivered.

Never in my life have I seen a more sickening display of egotistical self-indulgence and narcissism. I felt like I was watching Vince mcMahon and the WWF promoting a Wrestlemania Cage Death Match.

Yes, it may be a business, but for God sakes, go about your business with some class.

What a Douche.

I agree with you 100% evolver. Lebron meant so much to Cleveland and its fans, and to treat them like this was truly pathetic. And any members here trying to change my mind, save it!

 

[dash]

Harsh words from the Cavs owner, that's for sure...

I thought that letter was really unprofessional and would make me less interested in signing with the Cavs if I'm a free agent NBA player.

James was a bargain price for the Cavs over 7 years, brought the franchise to great heights and the NBA Finals, created revenue for the owners, and nearly doubled the value of the franchise. That's no way to treat someone who has done all that for you.

I agree eloco, it does sting for the Cavs and their fans, but you have to think big picture and look towards the future of the franchise.

 

[evolver115]

I agree with you 100% evolver. Lebron meant so much to Cleveland and its fans, and to treat them like this was truly pathetic. And any members here trying to change my mind, save it!

It's just disrespectful and very unprofessional. Athletes these days are larger than life than ever before, I get that.... but this spectacle was truly one of a kind. I can't really ever remember a situation handled like this, before.

You can go back through numerous emotional press-conferences of the past, Gretz's presser after the trade to the Kings sticks out.... and there really is nothing to compare Bron-Bron's made-for-TV "The Decision", to.

Wouldn't it have been enough for James to gather up "his team" at location X, and deliver the news in a typical press conference??? Did we all really need to have a media dinosaur like Jim Gray preside over this??

Yea, it's a business. I'm not arguing over his decision to leave Cleveland for a greater shot at a title elsewhere. I'm just turned off by the method of delivering the news.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

It's just disrespectful and very unprofessional. Athletes these days are larger than life than ever before, I get that.... but this spectacle was truly one of a kind. I can't really ever remember a situation handled like this, before.

deep thought of the day from Bruce Arthur at The National Post

"We get the stars we deserve, it seems."

Read more: James makes ruthless play for Miami

 

[evolver115]

Here is another deep thought winner:


Eric Stangel, the head writer and executive producer for The Late Show with David Letterman, delivered an equally scathing review on Twitter: "I'm keeping my 2 yr old up to watch the LeBron James Special. I want her to see the exact moment our society hit rock bottom."

Sad, but true.

LeBron James'*circus on ESPN draws its fair share of critics - Richard Deitsch - SI.com