The LeBron James Thread

[da ThRONe]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

I have no venom about the guy, he's just in need of a reality check. You can't make the world about you. Especially when you sell yourself as something entirely different. I tried to spell out how he could've made it easier. But he had painted himself into a corner. In hindsight, (which is always 20/20) he has been playing this out all along. The desire to not resign and test the FA waters, the comments at the end of this season, they all put the handwriting on the wall. But here's my big beef. He was always hoping the SuperTeam would come to be. And played poker with the Cavs future while watching it solidify. Be a man, have some honor and say I'm not really feeling a future in Cleveland. Then the Cavs could've prepared.

I do find it ironic that he brought up the relationship stuff on GMA this morning. Here's my take on it. He's no different than a guy who gets a great job, with a beautiful secretary. Then he goes home and tells the wife who's stood by him all these years, putting him through college whie she worked two jobs "I'm in love with someone else, I'm leaving you." So when the spurned spouse gets upset because her man said "for richer, for poorer, till death do us part" gets mad, is she wrong? I'm gonna throw in one more of those old, tired truisms. "You dance with who brung ya." I'm not saying that KG was wrong in what he said. I just don't think that LBJ should've looked at things that way. IMO, he's done more harm than good. Not just to his own self, but to the fans of Cleveland. The reason this is soooo huge is because he basically dogged the city on National TV, and made it abundantly clear who this is/was all about.... No hero, not even close....

This is nothing like leaving your wife. Sorry but your way off. The league is a business he did what was best for him.

Who could Cleveland sign that they didnt because LeBron made them wait?

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Fair enough.

I guess I just had lower expectations is all...lol...less distance to fall or something. I never saw Lebron in that light. I always saw him as a kid who got a whole lot very fast and was living out his childhood fantasies as they came.

Everything he did was like a kid mimicking his heroes, except he got to do it publicly. His powder show, #23, his manner of speech, everything. He just seemed more like a kid playing dress-up than a grown man carving his own way. This decision seems along the same lines. "Ooh...I get to play with my friends and try to win it all!!!" As I've said before, it just smacks of immaturity and for me, at least, wasn't terribly surprising (in terms of reasoning...I wasn't expecting him to sign with Miami or anything).

As for how he handled it, I agree...it was crude. I just also have a hard time vilifying him for it though, as this is (as you've said yourself) the society he's a part of. There's a hungry market for what he did and he ate it up. Immature and crude? Yes. Evil and maniacal? I don't think so.

anyway, thanks for explaining your take.

I like your take, too. And you do have to give me some latitude. I was a big LBJ freak. Defended him when he took the Hummer, the whole nine. I'm really more disappointed and crestfallen than anything. I do wish him health and wealth, but don't hope the new "little three/superteam" thing works. I don't want to see it where, every time a big FA class comes up, they turn into some glorified AAU/Rec Center ringer team.There have been two of them now, don't want to see a third. The NBA is bigger than them and it's parity makes for a better product than a few super teams. What always comes up in the Madden forums? Competition is good for gamers.....

[Illustrator76]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Besides the whole state of Ohio of course, its mostly us old folks(30+) who have a problem with the whole dog and pony show that this turned into.

His brand, legacy isn't going to take a hit with most kids(under 25), they don't care about the stuff like "be the best by beating the best", or "conducting yourself with class and integrity" they'll just continue to be dazzled by his superior physical gifts.

There are obviously exceptions on both sides of the age divide, but I think that there is a definitely a generational schism when it come to the reactions to what happen.

I tend to agree with that. I am 30+ and I hate the way things went down.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

This is nothing like leaving your wife. Sorry but your way off. The league is a business he did what was best for him.

Who could Cleveland sign that they didnt because of LeBron made them wait?

I view this whole thing from a whole different light. All of life is about relationships. Even business ones. KG's comments didn't sit well with me. That man made millions upon millions of dollars losing in Minn. I didn't begrudge him the move to Boston and the resulting ring, but he did diss the fans who loved him for a long time. It's mutual responsibility. You are in it with the fans, and vice-versa. Thick and thin, losing and winning. That's what sports used to be. Things have changed. That's why fans really don't support the unions or owners when labor probs happen. Billionaires vs. multi-millionaires. Hello? How about us, the fans who pay you all? Hello?

Cleveland could've decided not to make some roster moves or decide to stop chasing band-aids for the Cavs, if he had been anywhere near genuine in this whole deal. You belieive this is an all of the sudden deal, I don't share that after seeing the interview. It was a long-term plan. I will grant this. The Cavs management was naive and should've made contingency plans. All the eggs in one basket can make for a big messy omelet......

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

RicBucher

I'm getting tweets about how LBJ will make up salary shortfall in endorsements. Endorsing what? Southwest Airlines doesn't pay *that* well.

lmao. good stuff from ric lol

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Wonder what color the LBJ gear will be now. I'm sure that StV/StM's doesn't really want anything to do with him representing them anymore.....

[Moses Shuttlesworth]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

I wonder what the % of fans attending AA arena next season are Cuban

[snepp]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Besides the whole state of Ohio of course, its mostly us old folks(30+) who have a problem with the whole dog and pony show that this turned into.

His brand, legacy isn't going to take a hit with most kids(under 25), they don't care about the stuff like "be the best by beating the best", or "conducting yourself with class and integrity" they'll just continue to be dazzled by his superior physical gifts.

There are obviously exceptions on both sides of the age divide, but I think that there is a definitely a generational schism when it come to the reactions to what happen.

This sums up my thoughts rather well.

[jmood88]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

I wonder what the % of fans attending AA arena next season are Cuban

Why? Are there a lot of Cuban Lebron fans or something?

[JBH3]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

This sums up my thoughts rather well.

I agree w/ that as well.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Just a little addition to the older fan thing, with a Midwestern flavor to it. In our fair state and throughout the region it's about community. Browns fans view the team as theirs. That is why Modell was so hated with the move. Communities view their HS's as sacred. Heck, even gangsta's make sure they "represent." The older crowd still holds this very sacred.LBJ seemed to have that same view, then acted shocked at the backlash when he was disloyal to the community. Packer, Steelers, Pirates, Reds, Indians, Colts, etc... fans are very loyal and very passionate about their teams. It's not just for show, it's culture. We don't preach chasing the wind, but staying at home.

As much as some are shocked at the outrage, I'm shocked that LBJ was that naive to think that there wouldn't be some serious heartbreak and repercussions from this. A person form the big city or either coast, sure you don't get us. But we do. And he should have. We have always been this way, and he was born into it. And, lastly, we don't view him as bigger than us. The team, the state, the culture is bigger than one player. I'm not mad at him, just look at it as he left everything behind for a flawed dream. He had eternal love and acceptance, right here at home. Even without rings. He wanted more. Hope he finds it....

[Eman5805]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

I'm glad it happened to Cleveland first. Now, my Hornets had better make sure we hold onto Darren Collison cuz we do not want to be left holding our *expletive deleted* should CP3 decide to jump ship, head on up to New York or whatever with Melo(though personally, if Melo goes anywhere, he should come to New Orleans with CP3).

But we can't do what the Cavs did. Bog themselves down like LeBron's such a great person he's gonna stick it out. He took the easier route...and the Cavs are paying for it.

I don't want my Hornets to suffer the same fate.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Lebron gave the cavs 7 great damn years!

He gave them 7 good years.

No you aren't, the point is that Amar'e made it known that he didn't want to go to Cleveland.

That is 100% inaccurate

There were 3 rumours if I remember correctly about that Amar'e trade:

1. Suns didn't like what they were getting in return for Amar'e
2. Cavs didn't want to part with JJ Hickson.
3. LBJ said no to the trade because he liked JJ Hickson.

and this: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...mirecavs021310

#1 is the only one I've ever seen by anyone credible. The Suns backed out at the last second because they didn't feel like they were getting enough.

Hickson was in the deal, the Suns rejected it. So let's please let that myth die.

*Exits in a poof of smoke before LeRobin fans get angry*

[jmood88]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

That is 100% inaccurate

Thought I read that somewhere but oh well.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: LeBron James Signs With Miami Heat

Thought I read that somewhere but oh well.

Bob Finnan reported it and Amar'e's agent said it was not true at all.