Report: LeBron returns Dec 2

[TheKingOfMIA6]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5433607

[lefty]

Lebron is going to shit on his former teammates and fans (so basically the whole city of Cleveland)

[eyeh8u]

Lebron is going to shit on his former teammates and fans (so basically the whole city of Cleveland)

the best way to shit on them is not even play, just dont even show up, it would be awesome, they all get their posters and scortched jerseys ready, and he is a late game scratch, not even on the bench.

[lefty]

the best way to shit on them is not even play, just dont even show up, it would be awesome, they all get their posters and scortched jerseys ready, and he is a late game scratch, not even on the bench.
ROFL they would look stupid

[TheKingOfMIA6]

I bet its gonna be a blow out

[Kevin Durant 35]

Im watching that game for sure !!!

[Darrin]

No thank you. I am avoiding this game like the plague.


In Cleveland sporting goods stores, anti-James T-shirts have become popular, including one that says "We Are All Quitnesses." That's a bitter nod to a gigantic downtown mural -- since taken down -- that featured James with his arms outstretched after tossing powder into the air under the heading: "We Are All Witnesses."

And last week, a baseball fan wearing a Heat jersey with James' name on it was escorted out of a Cleveland Indians game after he was pelted with beer and peanuts by angry spectators.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5433205



December 16, 2001

Players: 'We feared for our lives'

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Standing near midfield, players and officials watched as enraged Browns fans rained beer bottles, cups and debris down on them.


Then the Jacksonville Jaguars ran -- scared.

"We feared for our lives," wide receiver Jimmy Smith said. "It was like dodging bullets."

Cleveland fans threw thousands of bottles on the field Sunday, hitting the Jaguars and Browns and forcing them to run for cover after officials overturned a last-minute call that helped Jacksonville win 15-10.

The game was stopped for about a half-hour with 48 seconds to play because of the violence, and it resumed only after NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue insisted.

Most of the bottles were plastic, but many were filled with beer, making them dangerous weapons. A few fans tried to run on the field but were quickly caught by security personnel.

"They were throwing stuff on our sideline, but they were throwing it on their side, too," Jaguars wide receiver Kennan McCardell said.

The Jaguars and Browns had to dodge flying objects as they sprinted to their locker rooms, and the officials were doused with beer and cups of ice as they ran for safety.

I was definitely looking over my shoulder for bottles flying," Browns quarterback Tim Couch said.

Players on both teams were hit by debris but nobody was seriously hurt. One fan was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and others were treated at a clinic the Browns run at the stadium on game day. Police made arrests but exact numbers were not immediately released.

The 2001 home season finale dissolved into another embarrassing chapter for Browns fans.

In 1995, they tore out rows of seats and started small fires in the last game at the old Cleveland Stadium just weeks after it was announced the team was moving to Baltimore.

"In '95 we had chairs coming out of the stands," said McCardell, who played for the Browns then. "I never thought I would see it again."

Browns president Carmen Policy refused to criticize the fans at the game Sunday, and owner Al Lerner went as far as to excuse the rowdiness.

"I don't think Cleveland will take a black eye from this," Policy said. "I like the fact that our fans care."

Lerner said: "I think everyone controlled themselves considering they spent 60 minutes out in cold weather. It wasn't pleasant. I wouldn't suggest anything like that. But it wasn't World War III."

Nearly 30 minutes after ordering players off the field, officials resumed play. Jacksonville's offense returned intact while the Browns sent three offensive players out with their defense since some players had already undressed.

Jacksonville's players re-entered and left the field through the Browns' tunnel to avoid being hit again.

"I'm disappointed," Browns coach Butch Davis said. "I know the fans were upset, but our guys were getting hit along with the Jaguars and the officials. It's an unfortunate situation."

The fans' ugly behavior came after the Browns had a first down at Jacksonville's 9-yard line taken away despite running a play before the officials reviewed the previous play. Under NFL rules, a challenge must be made before the next play takes place.

Couch had apparently completed a fourth-and-2 pass to wide receiver Quincy Morgan with 1:08 remaining, and the Browns, who were out of timeouts, quickly rushed to the line of scrimmage.

On first down, Couch spiked the ball with 48 seconds to go, and was headed to the sideline when the officials began to discuss Morgan's catch.

After several confusing minutes, referee Terry McAulay announced that the officials were reviewing the play. When McAulay finally emerged from the TV review monitor, he announced that Morgan did not catch the ball.

Replays appeared to show that Morgan never had possession and was bobbling the ball as he fell to the ground.

Under the NFL's replay system, coaches can't challenge calls in the final two minutes of a half. Any questionable rulings are reviewed by replay officials, who must notify the game referee wearing a buzzer on his belt.

McAulay said he was notified by replay official Bill Reynolds, who said he was "absolutely, 100 percent" sure he buzzed McAulay before the next play began.

"At the point, we had a legal review," McAulay said.

Mike Pereira, the NFL's director of officiating, said the procedure used on the field was correct.

As Cleveland's bench erupted in protest, Browns fans in the "Dawg Pound" bleacher section closest to the play began hurling bottles and other objects.

The Jaguars moved away from their bench to avoid getting hit, and before the fans got rowdier, McAulay announced the game was over.

But while both teams were in the locker room, Tagliabue called game supervisor Dick McKenzie and ordered him to have the final 48 seconds played.

"I was on my way to the shower," Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell said. "The commissioner called and I had to get dressed and do what the boss says."

About 5,000 fans were still in the stadium to see Brunell take two snaps and run out the clock. The Jaguars were then escorted off the field, surrounded by Browns players, Cleveland police and security personnel.

This wasn't the first time Cleveland fans were out of control.

In 1974, the Cleveland Indians forfeited a game to the Texas Rangers when fans stormed the field on "10-Cent Beer Night."

The NFL has also seen its share of fan misbehavior.

In 1995, fans at a New York Giants game threw snow and iceballs at the San Diego Chargers. Fifteen people were hurt, 15 fans were arrested and 175 fans were ejected from Giants Stadium.

Mike Hollis kicked three field goals and Stacey Mack rushed for 115 yards for the Jaguars (5-8), who got a little revenge on the Browns (6-7) after losing to them earlier this season.

But the Jaguars would never have imagined they would have to get it while running for cover.

"That's why you always keep your helmet on on the road," Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin said. "That was bad. That is not football. Not like I know it."

Brunell went 20-for-35 for 202 yards, but couldn't focus on anything except the closing seconds.

"There's nothing to compare it to," he said. "I've never seen anything like it and I'll probably never see it again. You want to forget it, but it's a game you'll never forget."

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=211216005


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

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/08/dan-gilbert-letter-lebron_n_640318.html

[Darrin]

Classless Cleveland won't be getting any money from me, no matter how big the event.

[ABDENOUR POWER]

Classless Cleveland won't be getting any money from me, no matter how big the event.

Just want to point out the irony of you, a Pistons fan, ragging on "classless Cleveland" for these reasons after what happened with the Malice at the Palace. I see your point, but its pretty amusing.

[Darrin]

Just want to point out the irony of you, a Pistons fan, ragging on "classless Cleveland" for these reasons after what happened with the Malice at the Palace. I see your point, but its pretty amusing.

You forgot the coin thrown at Allen Iverson in the 2005 playoffs and the bomb scare at the Pacers' second trip to the Palace that delayed the start time until this side of 9:30PM.

I screamed and cried at my television early in the morning of November 20, 2004 (I was at work when the game was played). It changed my perspective on things like the the "Bad Boys" because the Pistons marketed their violence, and continue even today, while telling the fans it's all for them. I realized that I was lucky enough to cheer for a Championship team that didn't engage in that activity.

I didn't shed a tear when Grant Hill left. I didn't burn Ben Wallace's jersey. And while signs littered the landscape that Wallace left for the money (and wasn't about winning), and he was booed, he wasn't pelted with peanuts or coins or beer and there were plenty of Ben Wallace jersies in the stands even after he left.

Our owners don't condone these behaviors. They understand this was beyond what is acceptable. They didn't have to be told to fork over cash for stoking the flames that might fall on James.

[LoneStarState'sPride]

Completely agree with you Darrin, but this still must be posted, I'm sorry!

http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww37/eddietheaggie2010/acleveland.jpg

[SpursDynasty]

NBC's going to hype it up, ESPN's going to hype it up, the China station's going to hype it up, the Yugoslavia station's going to hype it up, everybody's going to hype it up...and it will be the most televised watched game in the history of all sports.

[Jacob1983]

The NBA is back on NBC? I thought it was on shitty ABC and ESPN.

[Darrin]

The NBA is back on NBC? I thought it was on shitty ABC and ESPN.

ABC and ESPN.

[Ashy Larry]

when does the schedule come out officially?


8.10.10