American Sports Thread

[mc_grens]

Bill Simmon echoing my thoughts ontonights Le Bron decision almost exactly...

What should LeBron do? Pick Chicago. That's where the rings are. The fact that he didn't say to Bosh, "Come to Chicago with me, we'll play with Rose and Noah and win six titles together" was the single most disappointing outcome of the summer. That team would have been a true juggernaut with pieces that actually complemented each other, unlike this pickup-basketball situation that's brewing in Miami. Even with Boozer there in Bosh's place -- and I think he's a great fit for them, with or without LeBron -- it could still translate to multiple titles, because Rose could have been the best second banana since Kobe in 2001.

Just know that Kobe would have caught a whiff of those rings and gone to Chicago. Same with Jordan. Same with Magic and Bird. Chicago had the biggest competitive advantage of anyone: room for two max guys along with an under-23 franchise point guard and one of the only elite defender/rebounder big men in basketball. How can you care about winning and NOT go to Chicago?
I need to make that point a second time: How can you care about winning and NOT go to Chicago? Unless ...

[mannix]

was chatting with a new yorker yesterday, he wants lebron in the garden but reckons he could flop because ny media are savages and one poor game can start it all. Randy the baseball player with the yankees was his example. Reckon lebron will stay in cleveland myself.

[AZOffaly]

Randy Johnson? Randy Johnson was coming near the end anyway when he went to NY, and when a pitcher who's main pitch is a 99 mph fastball, and a brutal slider starts losing mph, then he just becomes another guy.

Johnson wouldn't be a great example. Mark Sanchez and Eli Manning would be better examples. LeBron James should be in his element.

I think that's a myth put out by the NY media themselves in this case, and the people of NY are picking up on it. Le Bron could only pick somewhere else because he's afraid of the media. Can't be because the Knicks are shite.

[Carmen Stateside]

One hour special tonight for Le Brons decision live on ESPN.  All sponsership and advertisement money going to the Boys and Girls club of America.
Early reports saying he is joining Miami, but interesting the boys and girls club he chose for the show tonight is fifteen minute drive from NY Knicks training facilities!

[mc_grens]

I think he's ripping the piss here. Not only the show tonight but in the last two days he's launched his own website and started z twitter account calling himself @KingJames.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm disappointed.

Unless he goes to Chicago :-D

[dec]

Lebron goes to the Miami Heat.

[Gabriel_Hurl]

He's just become one of the most hated men in America right now.

Classless isn't even the word for it - you have to feel sorry for Cavaliers fans

[Minder]

He's just become one of the most hated men in America right now.

Classless isn't even the word for it - you have to feel sorry for Cavaliers fans

Why do you say that Gab? I have only been half following this.

[mc_grens]

The single coldest act I've ever seen.

I don't think this Miami experiment is going to work anyway, but just to clarify- I hope to God the p***k never wins a title.

[mc_grens]

Minder, go to ESPN page 2 and read Bill Simmons' article " The Le Bronocalyse". Gives most of the background.

[RMDrive]

"I wanted to do what was best for LeBron James"

Leaving aside the annoying talking-about-myself-in-the-third-party thing, I think this sums the man up. Him and his "team" (i.e. the crowd of high-school ego-boosters that he keeps around him) personify the generation of crass self-centred sports people that exist today. LBJ doesn't want to win, he wants to be the centre of attention. What he really needs is for someone to put him on the naughty-step and ignore him till he starts behaving.

ABM for me.

[mc_grens]

"I wanted to do what was best for LeBron James"

Leaving aside the annoying talking-about-myself-in-the-third-party thing, I think this sums the man up. Him and his "team" (i.e. the crowd of high-school ego-boosters that he keeps around him) personify the generation of crass self-centred sports people that exist today. LBJ doesn't want to win, he wants to be the centre of attention. What he really needs is for someone to put him on the naughty-step and ignore him till he starts behaving.

ABM for me.

And as I said last night on here what was best for Le Bron James from a basketball and winning rings point of view was Chicago.

[mannix]

would you have stayed in cleveland? of course not, they are not going to be winning a title anytime soon with or without him.Miami is where the power is now and kobe bryant may not see another title for a while. I actually think lebron is an ok kind of fella, tough spot he was in and he only done what the rest of us would have done, unless he wanted  be an eternal bridesmaid and moral victory specialist, he has done the right thing to be a champion.
come on miami.

[Oraisteach]

Still seething.  Too angry to form even one lucid thought.

I despise not only what he did but the way he did it. 

Mannix, your throwaway comment about Cleveland is cheap. 

[GalwayBayBoy]

The owner of the Cavs isn't too happy anyway.

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....


Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers