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Actually it may be humility in pro sports which has been lacking for quite some time. Players wanting to come together regardless of the pay cut to play for a common goal.

As far as the beer goes, that's pretty funny but in all fairness they were fortunate to have been a terrible team and get the first lottery pick and get Lebron's services for the 7 years they had him or they would still be battling for the number one pick every year. At least now they have money and a fanbase.

Thats right Cleveland should just be happy he was on their team. I think Cavs fans should just grow up and let it go. I myself didnt what to see LBJ leave, but guess what people he did its over know, spend the money that LeBron didnt take and bring in some good talent. If the Cavs fans and front office keep acting like little girls and crying about James leaving no one will what to play for a team like that. Man up Cleveland.

I get what your sayin but Cleveland should have known he was leaving before the decision even happened for one he never said anything about staying in Cleveland the entire time, also he did the press conference in a different state, and the biggest thing was James asked the Cavs front office to bring in a good player to help him win a championship, and what did they do they go out and get Shaq. then they rush the gun and sign Jamison. If the Cavs would have signed Amare like planned LeBron would still be there. James even said that he wanted Amare.

Maybe Cleveland should quit doing idiotic things like this and start searching for some good players and focus on basketball not hatred of a player... LeBron did what he wanted to and has the right to do so

MM125 wrote:Maybe Cleveland should quit doing idiotic things like this and start searching for some good players and focus on basketball not hatred of a player... LeBron did what he wanted to and has the right to do so

Good Post.

I liked Jordan's thoughts on this whole situation...

He said, "...I never thought of calling Magic or Bird and seeing if we should all get together on the same team and start winning championships. I wanted to win without them and I wanted to beat them, not to play on the same team. I am sure they felt the same way. But I guess today's players don't feel the same."

I did get a laugh out of the special beer brew.

I hope Cleveland makes smart work of their draft picks they got in compensation for LeBron and builds a solid team that will contend for titles. Its obivious that winning the lottery pick and having LeBron for 7 seasons did sellout games and create alot of money but was not the formula to win a title.

I wish Lebron would have went to the Bulls. That would have made a good rivalry between the Bulls and the Heat. But like LeBron said he wanted to go to a team where he could win a championship asap.

I'm not saying you are wrong LeBron should have let the Cavs front office know something and also he shouldve signed just like everyone else did. But the reason he didnt go to New York with Amare is the rest of the players on the team are no good. Also with David Lee out of The Big Apple now that makes the team even worse. I dont think he should have went to Miami becase like you said there are 3 power houses in the NBA that will win the next 10 NBA chapmionships ( LA, Boston, Mia). Like I said he should have went to the Bulls and at least then he could have kept some respect in the NBA. All I'm saying is that Cavs fans need to quit crying about LBJ and worry about what kind of team Cleveland will have on the hardwood next season.

The NBA has become a joke. Next year Carmello Anthony and Chris Paul will both become free agents. There has already been talk of them getting together, and going to New York to play with Amare Stoudamire. The NBA is slowly becoming a bunch of big market super teams i.e. LA, Miami, Chicago, Boston, and New York. There will no longer be any parity. I don't even know why the smaller market teams even show up to play. The system is not designed for them to win. David Stern and his goons(refs) have made sure of that.

Jordan's statement is 100% correct. It is precisely what anyone who is old enough to remember the old school NBA is thinking.

The Cavs had Amare in the bag had they signed him rather than a washed up Jamison. If they have assembled a solid squad, it remains in tact and they will certainly win 40 games next season, time will tell how good the team Gilbert put together actually was or was it just one guy carrying the load. They had the chance and didn't get the job done and as far as the facts go........ I would say by the way Gilbert has handled this situation that a very mature Lebron saw through that light years ago and was probably chomping at the bit to bolt. They could have tried harder to get a coach focused on team ball and didn't, they could have tried harder to make trades or get players via free agency and didn't. They were going to ride it out with only Lebron. Anyone believing that Lebron was going to deliver the championship single handed was in dream world and the sad part is that he came alot closer than most could have. Big Z? Shaq? Really? Jamison? West? Williams? C'mon!

By going to New York he would have shown more selfishness by trying to expand his marketability rather than trying to win because they surely aren't committed to winning anymore than the Cavs and who would want to play in the media frenzy that is New York City besides living in New York isn't very appealing to a sane person.

I don't rely on STO for unbiased sports news and anything ESPN branded is debatable, that is how they have become such the conversation piece is by being controversial and creating debate mixed in with some news and good sporting events.

Kobe held the Lakers hostage in the past costing them probably at least one more championship and THEN got himself arrested but is now a saint and in the running for GOAT in some people's eyes, lol.

I will give you that he should have just announced it but the story leaked from the Cavs camp that he was going to South Beach first so I think Gilbert new sooner than he let on but once again chooses to use this as an opportunity to create publicity. The Cavs had potential to still be competitive and had lots of money to spend, even if it were next year (Carmelo) but Gilbert ruined all of that talk really quick. Lebron stole some wins but the tragedy is Gilbert who has hurt their reputation as a team for as long as he remains!

The reffing is horrible!

gahs4ever wrote:Rebels on 3: If you are going to be critical of an organization or give a free pass to a narcissistic, egocentric player, you should know a little more about what really went down.

But before I criticize you, I will first ask the question....when the Cavaliers were adding Shaq and Jamison, exactly who else was available to bring in? While it will never be proven, there was no doubt collusion between these three so-called superstars going back to 2006 and when they played together on Team USA. Kinda coincidental that all three just happened to opt for three year contracts in 2007 so that they would all be free agents before the next collective bargaining agreement and they would all come out together.

Not so coincidental was all of the clubs scurrying around the last two years trying to make cap room for the anticipated free agents.

As to what James promised and what he owed Cleveland, he promised to bring a championship to a city who hasnt seen once in 46 years. As for Amar'e, if James really wanted him so much, the jerk would have joined him in New York. I didnt hear anyone complaining about the Cavs organization when they were winning 120+ games the last two regular seasons. And the biggest meltdown wearing a Cavs uniform in the playoffs wasnt Shaq or Jamison.

And again MM125 didnt read or pay attention. No one is saying the jerk didnt have a right to go where he wanted. It was the way he left Cleveland hanging right up until his announcement and after all other superstar freee agents had been gobbled up that he left Cleveland holding the bag. Draft over, best free agents signed, and finally they find out the jerk is going south. He didnt even have the decency to return calls from the Cavs owner notifying him of his intentions.

You think Cleveland is the only ones to notice this and are "crying?" Are you even paying attention? Didnt you watch the ESPYS? and look above to see Jordan's take on this.

The NBA is basically (with a few exceptions) a Harlem Globetrotter league with Boston and LA the Globetrotters and the rest of the league playing the Washington Generals.

Very good post. The reason James didnt tell Cleveland, is because he wants them to be as crippled as possible. He does not want Cleveland to prosper. If Cleveland continues to win and he doesnt win a title, he looks even worse.
James is a great athlete, but he is not in the top 5 of the greatest basketball players in the NBA right now. If the Heat dont win in the next two years, he looks horrible.

IMO the Cavs will not make the playoffs.

85inside wrote:

gahs4ever wrote:Rebels on 3: If you are going to be critical of an organization or give a free pass to a narcissistic, egocentric player, you should know a little more about what really went down.

But before I criticize you, I will first ask the question....when the Cavaliers were adding Shaq and Jamison, exactly who else was available to bring in? While it will never be proven, there was no doubt collusion between these three so-called superstars going back to 2006 and when they played together on Team USA. Kinda coincidental that all three just happened to opt for three year contracts in 2007 so that they would all be free agents before the next collective bargaining agreement and they would all come out together.

Not so coincidental was all of the clubs scurrying around the last two years trying to make cap room for the anticipated free agents.

As to what James promised and what he owed Cleveland, he promised to bring a championship to a city who hasnt seen once in 46 years. As for Amar'e, if James really wanted him so much, the jerk would have joined him in New York. I didnt hear anyone complaining about the Cavs organization when they were winning 120+ games the last two regular seasons. And the biggest meltdown wearing a Cavs uniform in the playoffs wasnt Shaq or Jamison.

And again MM125 didnt read or pay attention. No one is saying the jerk didnt have a right to go where he wanted. It was the way he left Cleveland hanging right up until his announcement and after all other superstar freee agents had been gobbled up that he left Cleveland holding the bag. Draft over, best free agents signed, and finally they find out the jerk is going south. He didnt even have the decency to return calls from the Cavs owner notifying him of his intentions.

You think Cleveland is the only ones to notice this and are "crying?" Are you even paying attention? Didnt you watch the ESPYS? and look above to see Jordan's take on this.

The NBA is basically (with a few exceptions) a Harlem Globetrotter league with Boston and LA the Globetrotters and the rest of the league playing the Washington Generals.

Very good post. The reason James didnt tell Cleveland, is because he wants them to be as crippled as possible. He does not want Cleveland to prosper. If Cleveland continues to win and he doesnt win a title, he looks even worse.
James is a great athlete, but he is not in the top 5 of the greatest basketball players in the NBA right now. If the Heat dont win in the next two years, he looks horrible.

A smart move on James part.. you can call him a jerk, you can hate him but he knew he was leaving and if you have a chance to take a team down a notch why not... and if James wasn't returning calls to the Cavs wouldn't you catch the jist he doesn't wanna be there it kinda gives you the green light to look beyond his years he has been with you and move on... James has moved on and left and he is making this his past and he is keeping that way... why can't everyone else

Jordan comments are just a way to put himself higher up on his pedestal he puts himself on yeah he is the best... but you guys are criticizing James for leaving a team out in the dry and being a jerk... Jordan was arrogant and a jerk... comments to A.I. bring back any memories...

The NBA is a business and you have to do what you can to get ahead of the competition and what James did wasn't illegal... it was one of the best moves he joins up with a great team and leaves a playoff team in the dirt... it's like 2 birds with 1 stone.

Why are we still talking about this? It's old news. And besides........................
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ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LeBron is a physical freak. Athletic,strong,and as fast a package as no professional athlete as ever been. But he is not and never will be MJ. Jordan was an assassin.In his prime he would cut ya,gut ya,and then eat ya. He lived for that,plus he was so good.The only player I have ever seen in games who was the best lead guard,the best wing scorer and finisher,and also the best post player and defender in the games that he played. Unreal. Tiger was like that. Better than everyone at every thing in his game and just stomped them.Ali was like this(when he was serious).These type of athletes are different from James.

The General wrote:LeBron is a physical freak. Athletic,strong,and as fast a package as no professional athlete as ever been. But he is not and never will be MJ. Jordan was an assassin.In his prime he would cut ya,gut ya,and then eat ya. He lived for that,plus he was so good.The only player I have ever seen in games who was the best lead guard,the best wing scorer and finisher,and also the best post player and defender in the games that he played. Unreal. Tiger was like that. Better than everyone at every thing in his game and just stomped them.Ali was like this(when he was serious).These type of athletes are different from James.

Great post. I believe Tiger is tanking. As soon as his divorce is final, he will be back on top.

I can see why all these Cavs fan are up set cause they just went from having the best reg. season team the past two years. And now they are going to be luck to win 25 games, which puts them back in the same spot as they where 7 years ago. Cavs fan you where going to be upset no matter how LBJ make his "decision".

Great post general!

Beyond James and Wade, who was left to go after as a cornerstone guy to lead a team to a championship? Like already stated Amare isn't that guy and IMO neither is Bosh but they were probably the best 2 available other than guys who are aging and probably not interested in switching teams anyway (Allen, Pierce). So Cleveland had one option, sign Lebron and get him help or become losers again. Had they built a real team around him they would still have guys in place. Many think they were a great TEAM. The pieces are still there that count so time will tell if they really had a team or just a great player. They lossed Boozer a few years ago and made no effort to get him back this time nor did they attempt to get Amare when he was a given to come if they could work out a deal mid-season.

I didn't really ever hear Lebron say he would not leave Cleveland even when this all started last summer. He has always said all options were open so dishonest I would not consider him to be.

Gilbert is the individual responsible for creating a loser if they become one. He could have easily built when he had Lebron but he didn't try and now won't be able to lure people to Cleveland to play for him. Another loser GM for Cleveland to go along with alot of front office problems in the past and disappointments on the field of play.

Cleveland needs to just suck it up and have a bad team for this next season and save there cap money.

Boozer left under the same conditions except his was monetary gain moreso than any other reasons. The Cavs didn't want to match or better the other offers to keep him.

Surely nobody believes that these players decided in 2006 or 2007 that they would sign and play for the same team in the summer of 2010. Had one of them owned an NBA team that may be a suitable answer. From the sounds of what the only people that really know say, (LJ, DW, and CB) they discussed it but didn't think it would be possible. Nobody thought it to be possible in today's game that guys would sacrifice money and individuality to gain a team goal but it happened.

The ratings have been dropping across the board for all pro sports but imo it has more to do with the amount of coverage offered rather than the play. Of course the leagues are expanding causing less interest because of talent being spread a little thinner, hopefully this will start a trend to get groups of good players together and maybe playing with a bigger initiative than getting richer. The NBA has been top heavy for decades and maybe always will be that way but tradition brings fans and fans bring money which allows expendetures. The NBA isn't MLB and teams have to come in under a cap. Some teams are better at spending money than others and some are better at selling their team to players.

The Lakers and Celts are on top and their fans expect to be on top, hence the fact that guys like Magic and Ricky P didn't last long in coaching those teams. They make changes to become winners when status quo isn't working. That probably won't change anytime soon.