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I think he should stay put, but if he goes, I hope it's to NJ, along with another star like Bosh or something, that team would be sick. they'd go 75-7 in the regular season and then lose to Orlando in the playoffs.
Clippers fans march in LA streets for LeBron
A band of Los Angeles Clippers fans has taken to the streets outside Staples Center to show love for LeBron James.
At least 75 Clippers fans in red-and-blue gear waved signs and chanted slogans as they marched up and down Chick Hearn Court on Thursday night in the hours before Game 5 of the Western Conference finals between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns.
With signs displaying the No. 6, which will be James’ uniform number next year, the fans chanted “We want the King!” and “L-B-J!”
Although the Clippers are a longshot in the LeBron sweepstakes after 17 losing seasons in the last 18 years, they’re among a handful of NBA teams with a combination of salary cap room, a solid supporting cast and a major media market to entice James. The two-time league MVP is eligible for free agency July 1.
The march was organized through Facebook by Darrell Bailey, the self-proclaimed “Clipper Darrell” who taunts opposing teams with clever comments from the lower bowl at Staples Center. Wearing a suit with one blue leg and one red leg, Clipper Darrell marched in front of the pack, shouting through a megaphone.
“LeBron versus Kobe, four times a year!” Clipper Darrell yelled to cheers from his fellow fans.
Most Lakers fans streaming into Staples Center paid little attention to the march, although a few mumbled about disrespect from Los Angeles’ perpetual second-banana franchise.
Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin are expected to be back next season with the Clippers, who haven’t hired a coach after the midseason dismissal of Mike Dunleavy, the winningest coach in the franchise’s sorry history. Interim coach Kim Hughes is among the candidates for the full-time job, and is still working at the Clippers’ training complex in Playa Vista.
Last edited by duncan228; 05-27-2010 at 10:08 PM.
I think he should stay put, but if he goes, I hope it's to NJ, along with another star like Bosh or something, that team would be sick. they'd go 75-7 in the regular season and then lose to Orlando in the playoffs.
barring myself, everyone who has replied to this thread will be fined $1,000 USD by the NBA.
Akron planning day to honor LeBron James
LeBron James, Akron’s greatest export this side of rubber tires, is being honored with an event in his hometown.
The NBA’s two-time MVP will be recognized on June 19 at “LeBron Appreciation Day” in the University of Akron’s InfoCision Stadium. The celebration is aimed at convincing James to re-sign with the Cavaliers in July, when he is eligible to become a free agent.
Akron community and civic leaders, including Mayor Don Plusquellic, are scheduled to participate in the free event for James with a goal “to bring together as many people as possible to send a unified message of support to our hometown hero LeBron James.”
It is not yet known if James will attend.
The 25-year-old James will hold his annual bike-a-thon in Akron in August.
Jesus ing Christ, it's just basketball.
Updated.
LeBron mum on future at appearance in Cleveland
By Tom Withers
Fresh from a postseason vacation, LeBron James was back among Cleveland fans for the first time since the Cavaliers’ playoff flop.
The reunion was somewhat awkward.
James, whose impending free agency could change the course of several NBA franchises, was a guest judge at an amateur dunk contest that drew a large crowd because of the two-time MVP’s appearance, his first public outing since the Cavs lost in the second round to the Boston Celtics.
Wearing a blue “Witness” T-shirt and designer sunglasses, James had little interaction with fans after arriving in a four-car motorcade and being escorted by police and security personnel through the crowd to a basketball court set up on the banks of the Cuyahoga River.
Some in the crowd seemed uncertain how to act around James, perhaps fearing the wrong comment could drive him away for good.
James ducked under a tent and slid into a folding chair next to former NBA player Darryl Dawkins to judge the final round of dunks as fans and several star-stuck compe ors snapped photos with their cell phones of one of the world’s best players and Cleveland’s most revered pro athlete in generations.
As he sat at a table and held up scores, some Cleveland fans pleaded with him to re-sign with the Cavs.
“Don’t leave, LeBron!” one yelled.
“Please, please don’t go!” offered another.
James, who is eligible for free agency on July 1, smiled nervously as one of the dunkers missed several attempts and he politely applauded when the runner-up finally got a two-handed reverse down. After the event sponsored by Sprite, one of James’ corporate business partners, he posed for a group photo with all the dunkers and signed a giant check for the winner.
James did not speak with reporters as he excited and offered no hints about his future, adding more suspense to a story already spinning off rumors and guesses about his plans.
Maverick Carter, James’ manager and business partner, said “there’s nothing to say right now” when asked for details about James’ next move.
Before James arrived—about 45 minutes after promised—fans waited patiently on a grassy hill overlooking the hoop court. One of them, Audrey Staton, was convinced it would be one of her last chances to see James, who will be courted by the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and other teams.
“He’s going,” Staton said, keeping one eye on her 7-year-old son, Aaron, playing nearby. “We can’t keep him in Cleveland because we’re a dying city. There isn’t enough hoopla for him here right now. He’s young and he wants the excitement.”
Dawkins, who jumped from high school to the NBA decades before James did it, believes Cleveland’s All-Star should follow his heart.
“He should go where he thinks he’ll be happy,” said one of the most powerful dunkers in league history. “Make the right decision for your family and get as much money as you can. If he leaves Cleveland, basketball as we know it here is going to go down. They have to do what they can to keep here. I would like to see him stay in Cleveland, but he has to do what is right for him.”
As James and his entourage made their way back to their vehicles, he offered one handshake and yelled “Hey, homey!” at a young fan screaming his name. James and his girlfriend, Savannah Brinson, then climbed into a Range Rover.
But before they left, one fan got the superstar’s attention.
Walking up the hill alongside James’ SUV, Greg Poulin of Sagamore Hills delivered a message on the minds of Cavaliers fans everywhere.
“Stay in Cleveland, my man,” Poulin told James, who nodded his head in acknowledgment.
Later as he and his wife, Katie, tried to soothe their crying son, Max, before their trip home, Poulin said it was important for him to reach out to James.
“I just wanted to say what I had to say to him, which was, ‘Stay in Cleveland, don’t leave’,” said Poulin, wearing a wine-colored Cavs shirt. “I don’t think he knows what he’s going to do yet, but I think he’s going to stay. The King can’t leave his people.”
Last edited by duncan228; 05-29-2010 at 09:32 PM.
This guy is feeding off of this .. it's pathetic and the epitome of narcissism.
all of this hype for a kid who has never won a damn thing and has none nothing but choke when it counts. amazing.
He loves to have people beg for him, i hope he never wins a championship.
Cavs: The Blog
Students from Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Ins ute 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 compe ive with NYC, Chicago, and everywhere else.
Billboard.
http://filer.case.edu/exy26/fullSign.jpg
With the kids that painted it.
http://filer.case.edu/exy26/signWithArtists.jpg
http://filer.case.edu/exy26/signWithBabyPowder.jpg
Iron Chef ready to serve LeBron
By Tom Withers
One of the Cavaliers’ most famous fans is hoping the way to LeBron James’ heart is through his stomach.
Cleveland native Michael Symon, one of Food Network’s Iron Chefs, has offered to go to James’ house once a month and cook a meal for the MVP’s family and friends if he re-signs as a free agent with the Cavaliers. Symon posted a letter to James on his Facebook page.
Symon thanked James for all he has done for the city and urged him to follow his heart when making his decision. Symon also pointed out that some legendary athletes—Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Jim Brown, Bill Russell and Michael Jordan — created their legacies primarily with one team.
Symon said he knows “firsthand” that James is a “class act” and he hopes James stays in Cleveland “so I can watch you finish what you started which is something not many people get to do.”
Last season, Symon teamed with the Cavs and opened two eating spots in Quicken Loans Arena.
what. the. .
http://www.nycgo.com/cmonlebron
C'mon Lebron? CMON LEBRON??!!
in New Yorkers jacking our .
I agree. NY just has no shame.
Bulls fans to Lebron: Come to Chicago
Bulls fans are taking their sales pitch to LeBron James to another level—like 30 feet off the ground.
The group behind the Web site SendLeBrontoChicago.com has paid for a billboard in downtown Chicago pleading with “King James” to leave Cleveland for the Windy City.
It reads “Chicago Wants LeBron Unfinished Business,” with the Chicago skyline in the background and “LeBron” in Bulls red. In one corner are six trophies, one for each championship the Bulls won with Michael Jordan leading the way. A seventh trophy—hint, hint—is in another corner.
James is the top prize in a star-studded free agent bonanza that starts next month and the Bulls have enough salary cap room to offer a maximum contract.
SendLeBrontoChicago.com says on its website it may put up a second billboard in James’ hometown of Akron, Ohio.
Who the cares where he goes!!!!
Obama: ‘Wonderful’ story if LeBron stays in Ohio
The president is on the record again about LeBron James— and this time, the people of Cleveland may be happier about it.
President Barack Obama told CNN on Thursday that it would be a terrific story if the basketball superstar stayed with the Cleveland Cavaliers instead of switching teams as a free agent.
Said Obama: “That’s a town that has had some tough times.” The president said it would be a wonderful statement to Cleveland if James said: “I’m going to make a commitment to this city.”
The president stuck to his point that James needs to find a winning situation with a good team and coach.
But he did not gently nudge James toward the Chicago Bulls, Obama’s hometown team, as the president did in an interview last month.
When's the Dallas area activities?
LeBron James Will Go on a Massive Free Agency Tour
SportingNews
Certain bands have such devoted followings that their fans will follow them from city to city for an entire summer. The point is to live in the music and experience the love of shared interests and devotion. The point isn’t to listen to the Grateful Dead, or Phish, or another band where heavy amounts of narcotics are involved, but simply to be part of a community.
So far, NBA fans have never been able to follow a player or team around the country and watch a show full of thrilling moments, unchecked egotism, and pyrotechnics. (Yes, I know that road trips exist, but work with me here.)
Thankfully, LeBron James is about to change all that. According to FanHouse’s Sam Amick, the King of Hoops plans to turn his free agent visits into a tour the likes of which we’ve only experienced with musicians:
James, according to the source, is in discussions with Nike to create a new shoe for every visit along his free agent path starting July 1. The shoes would have the date of the visit printed, with James already having scripted his itinerary for the Free Agency Tour 2010.
The source insists that he’ll head for New York first to visit with the Knicks, and then spend time with the Nets. Chicago will be next, with the Bulls hoping he wants to follow in the footsteps of Michael Jordan and become the Windy City’s beloved star. Depending on the level of sustained public interest and the discussions with the teams in the respective cities, James will decide at that point whether to continue on to Miami and possibly Los Angeles to see the Clippers.
That final stop would be Hollywood style in every way, with James simply putting on a show intended to create buzz in yet another big city and maintain the mystery of where he will go. And for what it’s worth, the source expects James to return to the Cavaliers by the time the circus comes to an end.
I can see it now: LeBron disembarks at JFK Airport in New York to see an adoring crowd rivaled only by the Beatles’ first trip to America. Then he performs his own version of Eminem’s "Forever" complete with lyrical changes to reflect his love of the Big Apple. Then rinse, lather, and repeat for each city on the tour.
According to Nike, they will not create shoes for each visit, but this is ridiculous nonetheless.
My favorite part of this report is probably that James will decide if he’ll continue to Miami and Los Angeles based on "the level of sustained public interest." Presumably, that means he could continue the tour even if he’s already made a decision, turning both destinations into opportunities for ego-stroking rather than any meaningful talks. In that case, will those teams even want him there? Or will they simply want to bask in the glow of his presence?
Not to get too dramatic, but if LeBron turns this tour into a major publicity event, I could see public sentiment shift wildly against him. By all indications, this seems like a terrible idea, one based on egotism rather than any clear perception of what the public wants.
Whatever the case, I wish LeBron luck. But something tells me his management team has misunderstood the public’s demand. Free agent visits should be small studio sessions with other musicians, not giant arena shows.
LeBron will stay with the Cavs. Book it.
Knicks Assemble 'Committee of Friends of the Knicks' to Woo LeBron
By Tom Ziller
I can hear the pitch now.
"We don't have many good players or a high draft pick. We haven't won much in the past decade. Our huge media contingent is impossibly prying and will turn on you after one quarter of bad play. We can only offer less money for fewer years than your current team. In terms of talent, there are probably three or four better options available for you.
"But we have Donald Trump!"
The New York Post reports that the Knicks have created a committee of celebrity fans to help entice LeBron James to sign with the team this July. Trump is a charter member (of course!), and TV/film stars Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, e Lee, Whoopi "Eddie" Goldberg and Charlie Rose are either on board or will be asked to toss their name in.
The Knicks actually confirmed the committee has been created, and the quote from a Knicks spokesman explaining their raison d'etre is itself a hilarious commentary on the state of NBA free agency.
"We are in the process of assembling a committee of friends of the Knicks who are many of the city's most successful winners and leaders [and] who have thrived in the world's greatest city," spokesman Barry Watkins told The Post.
When describing the city's most successful winners, it's key here that the Knicks don't mention one current Knick. I mean, the logic here -- Chris Rock has built an incredible comedy career, and he lives in NYC, therefore you should live in NYC to reach your full potential -- is maddeningly vapid. I mean, you expect vapid when it's LeBron James, master of the universe, being courted. But still, this is silly. Never mind that LeBron -- the two-time reigning MVP -- is closer to the top of his field than any of the celebs are.
(I'm just upset because this make our organized crime recruitment drive look more prescient than creative.)
Updated.
Akron throwing party for LeBron James
By Tom Withers
LeBron James’ hometown is throwing him a big party. Nobody knows if it’s a farewell bash yet—or if he’s even coming.
James’ contributions to Akron will be celebrated on Saturday at “LeBron Appreciation Day,” an event organized by community leaders to show the local superstar how much he is loved as he approaches NBA free agency on July 1.
Organizers said James is aware of the event, but don’t know if he’ll attend.
A message seeking comment about a possible appearance by James was left with his publicist.
The three-hour rally will be held at InfoCision Stadium on the University of Akron’s campus, across from Rhodes Arena, where James played as a high school star and where he accepted his second straight MVP award last month.
The city’s free celebration for James will feature family friendly activities, sky divers, bands and a LeBron look-a-like contest. The award-winning do entary “More Than A Game,” which chronicles James’ rise to fame and his bond with four childhood friends, will be shown.
James will be presented with the first annual Akron Hometown Hero Award to honor “the dynamic and positive impact he has had on the Akron community.” James has held a charity bike-a-thon in his hometown for several years and has donated time and money to help other children’s programs.
All the LeBron-related hoopla comes less than two weeks before James becomes a free agent. The 25-year-old recently said that Cleveland has “an edge” to re-sign him, but James is expected to entertain offers from several teams including Chicago, New York and New Jersey.
James has kept a relatively low profile since the Cavs were knocked out of the playoffs by Boston. He did a sit-down interview with Larry King and made an appearance at a Cleveland event, but has mostly stayed out of the limelight in the weeks leading up to free agency.
Last edited by duncan228; 06-17-2010 at 04:53 PM.
Updated.
LeBron makes dramatic appearance at Akron rally
By Tom Withers
LeBron James turned his big bash into a surprise party.
With thousands of hometown fans already gone or leaving “LeBron Appreciation Day” on Saturday, James stunned everyone by walking through a side gate into nearly empty InfoCision Stadium on the University of Akron’s campus— after the event officially ended.
As fans screamed and pushed to get closer to the two-time NBA MVP, James, who lives a short drive from the school, made his way down to the playing field. James was then presented with a gorgeous crystal trophy, which had to be pulled out of a box after being packed away.
“Akron is my home, it’s my life,” James told the crowd after accepting the city’s first Hometown Hero Award. “Everything I do is for this city. I’m going to continue to do great things. I love every last one of you all. Akron is home.”
James was then escorted through a door to the football team’s locker room and waved to fans before disappearing almost as quickly as he arrived.
Before James’ shocking entrance, nearly 4,000 fans celebrated all things LeBron.
They came to honor the local kid, who has put Akron on the map but who will soon decide if he wants to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers or sign with another team. James has remained noncommittal about his future, and is not expected to address his plans before free agency begins on July 1.
The 25-year-old did not commit to organizers that he would be at the event, which was sponsored by local businesses and the city. He did not address free agency during his 10-minute stay, his second public appearance since his season ended with a second-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics.
James and his agent, Leon Rose, recently met with Cavs officials and have been in communication with the team throughout the offseason.
While making plans to attempt to re-sign James, the team is also in the midst of a coaching search. Earlier this week, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo turned down an offer to coach Cleveland, saying one of the reasons was the uncertainty about James’ future.
The Cavs have had contact with other candidates and hope to interview former New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott.
For a while, the closest thing to a James sighting was Danny Hopkins, a 27-year-old from Akron who won a LeBron-look-alike contest.
“People always come up to me and say, ‘Hey you look like LeBron,” Hopkins said. “I can’t help it.”
During the one-hour ceremony, fans listened to proclamations from city leaders and watched a video message from Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, a former Cavs ballboy who revealed that he keeps a LeBron James bobblehead on his office desk in Columbus.
“Everyone in the state of Ohio wants you to be a Cavalier forever,” Tressel said. “We have great things we can do down the road and we can’t do them without you.”
Hundreds of fans waited on a line snaking around the stadium before the gates opened at 10 a.m. Once inside, they received free T-shirts commemorating the event and watched “More Than A Game,” a do entary about James and four childhood friends on the stadium’s scoreboard.
Several fans sported James’ No. 23 jersey and there were signs pleading with him to re-sign with the Cavs, who can offer James more money than any other team on a maximum contract.
Ken Metz brought a home-made flag with the word “Hope” spray painted on it.
“There’s no way he can leave,” Metz, a 19-year-old from Parma, Ohio, said as he surveyed the crowd. “It’s all here for him. He built his empire here.”
For some in the crowd, the thought of saying goodbye to James is hard to fathom.
“We have watched him grow up,” said Krista Stakleff, who came with her brother, Brandon. “You just feel like he is family. You don’t want to see him go.”
Last edited by duncan228; 06-19-2010 at 08:05 PM.
Like James will really play for Donald Sterling
He's going to stay in Cleveland. Bosh will go to NYC maybe with Johnson. Wade is staying in Miami and Amare might join him. Cuban better be trying to trade Damps contract for the best player available.
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