“The Cavaliers’ coaching search will likely be long and have plenty of twists and turns especially with much nationwide scrutiny as it relates to the future of LeBron James. There will likely be plenty of information and even some misinformation, and retaining perspective on the process will have value for fans.” [Brian Windhorst on the Cavs Coach Search]
“I see Michael Jordan is not there, Scottie Pippen is not there … You know, these guys are not a part,” Wade told the Tribune. “Things like that. So that is probably one of the biggest things for me, because I am a very loyal person.” [The Loyal Dwyane Wade from Chris Broussard's Article]
Short Story: Was talking to my friend Wes today and he says “Dude, my fiancee is FROM California, and is a sports fan and she doesn’t even know what city the Clippers play in.” With that in mind…[Clippers Fans Hold LeBron Parade]
Anyone reminded of Rajon Rondo’s two airballed floaters that lead to PJ Brown’s game 7 putsbacks? “Airballs often create offensive rebounds. You see it all the time.” [Brian Windhorst's Twitter]
Students from Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Art painted a billboard with a message to LeBron: You are “the heart of it all” in Ohio. Choose Loyalty. The billboard is located on the campus of Case Western Reserve University (Euclid Rd.) next to Thwing, the student union. It is most easily seen from Bellflower Rd. looking south, very close to the Severance Concert Hall. The hope is that this comes across to LeBron somehow, and he remembers the loyal fans in Cleveland when he makes his decision this summer. The artists encourage Clevelanders to make more noise about LeBron staying in Cleveland to stay competitive with NYC, Chicago, and everywhere else.
So LeBron enjoyed a concert in Cleveland. I’d like to show off the chip on my shoulder and make some comment about how the coastal elites probably can’t even believe that concerts go on in Cleveland, or that LeBron would even attend a concert in Cleveland. I’ll just post the link as proof that it happened.
Am I the only one who feels a lot better now that the Celtics are in the finals ?
yup i hate the celtics so much i would rather orlando come back from 3 down!! x
Geez, the Z picture scared me! I thought he retired or something!
Who’s ready for another Boston/LA finals? Yuck. So much for parity.
I’m sad that we won’t see any more Dragic/Vujacic battles until next season.
I’m probably begging to be flamed here…I love watching the Cavs and have been to a bunch of games and have never seen LeBron not deliver some great play that made it worth going.
However, am I the only one finding that the whole “LeBron please stay” obsession a tad humiliating? Yes, I’d like LeBron to stay. But between the musical medleys, the billboards, the murals, etc., it really makes it look like there’s nothing else happening in Cleveland. It plays right into the image everyone gets enraged about when people mention the “Cleveland Tourism Videos.”
I like watching the Cavs. If LeBron leaves, I’ll still root for the Cavs. I think Dan Gilbert will keep the franchise moving with or without LeBron. So, if LeBron wants to leave, thanks and good luck! We’ll figure something out.
(sneaks back on soapbox)
From a team point of view, I’d also like the franchise bigger than a single player. I don’t think this stuff would fly with the Spurs or the Rockets, the two franchises I think are the best run. They’d make their contract offer and plan for contingencies for both cases.
Finally, I hope the city sticks with the Cavs if LeBron leaves. I can almost see the game recap now:
“On a cold windy night in December, the Cleveland Cavs pulled out a close win over the Orlando Magic 98-93. Antawn Jamison led with 23 points and 7 rebounds. J.J. Hickson also played a big role, putting up 15 points and 9 rebounds.
In the locker room, Jamison said “This season’s been about the team, and someone stepping up every game. We’ve had a few more challenges, maybe haven’t made Sportscenter as often, but this is the toughest team I’ve been on. We play hard every game.”
Despite being 13-9, the average attendance has been an empty 16,500 people a game. Many of the season tickets were bought before LeBron left, and were empty for the game. The players seem to have noticed as well. Responding to a question, Jamison said “We love the fans, and anyone who says they don’t feed off the crowd is lying. If we keep playing hard, they’ll be back. Cleveland is a basketball town.”
…”
I hope that Cleveland is a basketball town, and not just a LeBron town, and definitely not a punchline.
(gets off soapbox for real this time)
I pretty much agree with everything you’ve said Cavs fan. The only difference is I’m 100% confident the attendence falls through the floor. Cleveland is not a basketball town. Not even close. This entire state, despite having some of the best high school basketball in the country, isn’t a basketball state. Basketball is 3rd in almost every part of this state. Football dominates everywhere here, by a wide, wide margin and quicken loans will go back to being an empty place for a while.
The real frightening thing is thinking about Dan Gilbert. If LeBron goes, and fans stop going, does he just totally unload any talent on the team and stop spending money into oblivion? Who knows, but I know if I were him I would. Why through money down a rat hole with no real light at the end of the tunnel for quite some time.
Over two million people live in NE ohio, so there is plenty going on. the song and billboards and stuff might seem humiliating but if so, no one has more to be embarrassed about than New York City. They’ve completely morgaged another decade of basketball on the idea that lebron would rather play for a high profile loser organization than a midmarket organization run very well. That should be humiliating imo. As far as Gilbert he owns the cavs to assuage his ego not to make money