As a global sports icon, I think it's over for him. One thing that gets lost in the age of big money free agency is that when a player voluntarily changes teams AFTER having established themselves as a superstar with their former team their public image takes a dramatic hit. Even guys like Griffey; yes, he suffered a string of injuries, but I don't think it was ever going to be the same for him after he left Seattle, and when he hit #600 it barely registered.
This doesn't apply to guys like Brees, who didn't come into their own until after they moved on, or for guys like Tomlinson, who are playing out the string. But when players in their apparent prime change teams a lot of fans-- even casual fans-- lose any desire to root for them.
One thing I'm sure of-- I'd hate to be one of the guys holding on to his '03 Exquisite RC, because even if he goes on now to win six straight that card has hit its ceiling.
the irony in his decision to leave is that Wade and Bosh reportedly signed for less money than they should have received in order to allow the Heat to sign James. what that means is this------Cleveland sports teams repeatedly lose out because their smaller market won't allow them to pay the top players. now it appears that winning is more important than money and they still lose.
So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
I'm completely lost right now... I knew it was possible, but I can't think rationally... I have to unplug for a while and maybe check back in tomorrow.
I thought he was starting his own team called the LeBron James.
Remember these Chuck Norris Facts
1. When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing the Earth down 2. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, Chuck Norris can actually roundhouse kick you yesterday 3. There are no such things as lesbians, just women who have not yet met Chuck Norris
You see... they say Modell was worse because Modell took the franchise with him... but if you look at it, LeBron is also taking the franchise with him... without him, the franchise is cut in half... nobody will watch... nobody will come to games... nobody will care. Modell took a crappy team out of Cleveland... LeBron is taking away a championship contender. It's all bad...
Right now, Clevelanders are saying they will prevail... and be better for making it through this adversity. I'm simply not feeling that way TODAY. Maybe tomorrow... but I'm empty tonight. I just can't overcome this feeling tonight.
So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
Logically he should have stayed in Cleveland, he basically had it all there...I know Joe Paterno had ample opportunities to become a pro coach, and decided against it, and to sum up his interviews on the subject, he basically stated that why should he leave when he already has it all in Happy Valley.
Lebron may be searching for something he'll never find.
<< <i>Logically he should have stayed in Cleveland, he basically had it all there...I know Joe Paterno had ample opportunities to become a pro coach, and decided against it, and to sum up his interviews on the subject, he basically stated that why should he leave when he already has it all in Happy Valley.
Lebron may be searching for something he'll never find. >>
I couldn't have said it better myself. I guess it's that competitive drive and desire to win at any and all costs, and maybe I'm different, but I just don't understand it.
Will that championship taste as sweet knowing he had to piggyback with 2 other superstars and betray his hometown to get it??
Lebron may be searching for something he'll never find.
Wasn't that the ending from Planet of the Apes?
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
I think the owner of the Cavs should have taken a deep breath before writing that letter...he sounds bitter and petty...I mean, geez, the guy was a free agent so why shouldn't he go wherever he wants to spend his future...Does ownership show "loyalty" to players when they get injured or can no longer perform at the level their salary commands? A guy blows his knee out or sudden;y can't break a tackle and he gets thrown onto the scrap heap. Sports is a business. I wouldn't harbor any ill will towards any player who wants to decide where his career should lead (even if I may be disappointed).
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
I was just getting ready to post that article... I love it! There will be a rebirth in Cleveland... very soon. We will learn from our mistakes and be stronger in the end.
For the 2010-11 NBA season, Cleveland sweeps the season series with Miami; Cleveland makes the 8th playoff spot in the Eastern Conference on the last day of the regular season; Cleveland as a #8 seed plays Miami as a #1 seed in the first round of the playoffs and beats Miami 4-0, winning the series on Cleveland's home court in a blow out; and then Cleveland goes on to win the NBA title
If the above happened, Cleveland Fans may just decide to not be so upset over the departure of Le Bron.
<< <i>If the above happened, Cleveland Fans may just decide to not be so upset over the departure of Le Bron. >>
You're right... it would take something like that... which will never happen.
It's going to be a very ugly day when Miami plays in Cleveland. I hope Cleveland can overcome and act like it doesn't bother them, but we all know that will not happen.
I have finally been able to pull my head up and post....I am almost embarassed to admit just how hard I took his announcement. I havn't felt emotions like this in a VERY long time. Players come and go...games are won and lost....but this is very different for many of us in the Cleveland/Akron area. I am not sure I can think of a good historical comparison. To rip out our hearts on national t.v. will forever stick with me. To drag us along for months....to delay so that we can't have the opportunity to pick up other free agents really stings. I felt REALLY awful...my 9 and 8 year olds were practically in tears when he made the announcement. My son holding his Lebron bobblehead that I got him for his last Birthday...rubbing the doll's head for good luck prior to the announcement. It really felt like someone had died and we just heard the bad news. I felt awful until I heard the letter that Dan Gilbert wrote to the Cavs fans....strangely it was very cathartic for me......he said what so many of us Clevelanders want to say. Although he was a little overzealous and did not recognize what Lebron did do for the team and city, Gilbert was able to speak for us....and I thank him for that.
Man, picturing your kids and their disappointment really hits me in the heart... that has got to be tough, on top of everything else.
I'm a true believer of what doesn't kill me makes me stronger, and I really hope we as a Cleveland fan base can pick ourselves up, get that next new "girlfriend" and bring some new hope to this town. Dan Gilbert's letter really gives us a boost, and I really hope we see some actions from those words very soon. I want to be able to have Miami come to town and have us not care that LeBron is wearing a heat jersey, because we're better off now.
1 Daniel Gibson 14 Daniel Green 21 J.J. Hickson 11 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (FA) 4 Antawn Jamison 15 Jamario Moon 33 Shaquille O'Neal (FA) 18 Anthony Parker 44 Leon Powe 3 Sebastian Telfair 17 Anderson Varejao 13 Delonte West 31 Jawad Williams (FA) 2 Mo Williams
I am guessing that some of these FA guys wont be back.
Sean Pendergast summed up last night pretty well. I would link this but it's got some naughty words in it (that and it's pretty long). If you want to read the entire article, go to houstonpress.com and look for "Game Time"
------------------------
Ostensibly last night, a few charities got paid. LeBron needed that to happen so he could rationalize what the night was really all about -- sending a message to his new teammates, the rest of the league, to the sports viewing public: "Yeah, I know I don't have any rings, but you're all watching me right this very minute. I am the man, don't you forget it." And guess what? We all watched. And we all hate ourselves for it. And sadly, we'll watch again when the next free agent decides to carve out an hour of dead time in July to announce on ESPN where they're going and why we should care -- by signing with LeBron's marketing company yesterday, Chris Paul just moved to -500 for "next free agency infomercial," although admittedly I'd still pay $50 to watch Brian Scalabrine's.
Assessing the big picture, this sucks for Cleveland, but let's face it, the league has plenty of struggling, irrelevant teams -- that fraternity gets to welcome the Cavs back into the fold. I would imagine seeing the Clippers, Warriors, Kings, and Nets at the draft lottery next year will have sort of a "ten-year high school reunion" feel to it for whomever the Cavs send as their representative. "Hey man what have you been up to the last few years? I figured I might see you here after I heard you and LeBron broke up!"
At the risk of stepping over Cleveland's battered carcass (it sucks, but the show must go on), the NBA now has its villain. And that's a good thing. Privately, David Stern is thrilled. Other than in Miami, only the most diehard Wade or LeBron fans (Is there such thing as a diehard Bosh fan?) could possibly root for this unsavory alliance brought together by some sort of playground, pinky swear at the Beijing Olympics.
Anyone who respects competition and enjoys at least the facade that all of these guys should professionally hate each other, has to hate "LeDwyane Bosh". You just have to. "LeDwyane Bosh" represents short cuts, cliques, and trying to take the easy way to a title. Real fans should hate this, especially when LeDwyane wears it on their sleeve. Miraculously, I find myself now caring about the Eastern Conference, about Orlando, about Boston, hell even Atlanta. Atlanta people don't even care about Atlanta -- now I want them to beat the piss out of LeDwyane Bosh.
And then there's Kobe Bryant. It's ironic that the very quality for which we rapped Kobe for years is all of a sudden the reason I've done a 180 on him the last few days -- he's always had such a burning desire to be "The Man", he would step over anyone to get there. It's that hubris that made Kobe push for Shaq to get shipped out of Los Angeles. This made Kobe the villain.
But what we didn't realize is that the polar opposite of Kobe -- guys with alpha dog talent having to contrive ways to actually collaborate because they just can't do it themselves -- is way more offensive than Kobe's desire to do it all by himself. At least with Kobe, there's a fight about him that ultimately you realize pisses you off because, above all else, he wins a lot of those fights. With LeBron and Bosh (and to a lesser extent, Wade), there's a feeling that if they watched The Karate Kid they would root for the Kobra Kai when they outnumbered Daniel five to one.
"Championships are championships". LeBron said it last night. The journey doesn't matter to LeBron. "Just give me my rings already." In short, Kobe has unwittingly found himself as the biggest fan favorite repping anyone who's had to fight for anything by merely sitting back, doing nothing, and letting Lebron be LeBron. Kobe's "selfish" is the new "admirable."
So yeah, I now live in a world where I love Kobe Bryant, and I hate myself. If LeBron is in Miami to do the impossible, he's off to a pretty good start.
So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
Comments
This doesn't apply to guys like Brees, who didn't come into their own until after they moved on, or for guys like Tomlinson, who are playing out the string. But when players in their apparent prime change teams a lot of fans-- even casual fans-- lose any desire to root for them.
One thing I'm sure of-- I'd hate to be one of the guys holding on to his '03 Exquisite RC, because even if he goes on now to win six straight that card has hit its ceiling.
Remember these Chuck Norris Facts
1. When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing the Earth down
2. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, Chuck Norris can actually roundhouse kick you yesterday
3. There are no such things as lesbians, just women who have not yet met Chuck Norris
Lebron may be searching for something he'll never find.
<< <i>Logically he should have stayed in Cleveland, he basically had it all there...I know Joe Paterno had ample opportunities to become a pro coach, and decided against it, and to sum up his interviews on the subject, he basically stated that why should he leave when he already has it all in Happy Valley.
Lebron may be searching for something he'll never find. >>
I couldn't have said it better myself. I guess it's that competitive drive and desire to win at any and all costs, and maybe I'm different, but I just don't understand it.
Will that championship taste as sweet knowing he had to piggyback with 2 other superstars and betray his hometown to get it??
Wasn't that the ending from Planet of the Apes?
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
I'll toss out for consideration the following:
For the 2010-11 NBA season, Cleveland sweeps the season series with Miami; Cleveland makes the 8th playoff spot in the Eastern Conference on the last day of the regular season; Cleveland as a #8 seed plays Miami as a #1 seed in the first round of the playoffs and beats Miami 4-0, winning the series on Cleveland's home court in a blow out; and then Cleveland goes on to win the NBA title
If the above happened, Cleveland Fans may just decide to not be so upset over the departure of Le Bron.
sideshow bob?
looking for low grade t205's psa 1-2
<< <i>If the above happened, Cleveland Fans may just decide to not be so upset over the departure of Le Bron. >>
You're right... it would take something like that... which will never happen.
It's going to be a very ugly day when Miami plays in Cleveland. I hope Cleveland can overcome and act like it doesn't bother them, but we all know that will not happen.
View Vintage Football Cards For Sale
I'm a true believer of what doesn't kill me makes me stronger, and I really hope we as a Cleveland fan base can pick ourselves up, get that next new "girlfriend" and bring some new hope to this town. Dan Gilbert's letter really gives us a boost, and I really hope we see some actions from those words very soon. I want to be able to have Miami come to town and have us not care that LeBron is wearing a heat jersey, because we're better off now.
<< <i>so who is left in cleveland >>
Cavaliers 2010-2011 Roster:
1 Daniel Gibson
14 Daniel Green
21 J.J. Hickson
11 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (FA)
4 Antawn Jamison
15 Jamario Moon
33 Shaquille O'Neal (FA)
18 Anthony Parker
44 Leon Powe
3 Sebastian Telfair
17 Anderson Varejao
13 Delonte West
31 Jawad Williams (FA)
2 Mo Williams
I am guessing that some of these FA guys wont be back.
<< <i>Lebron may be searching for something he'll never find.
Wasn't that the ending from Planet of the Apes? >>
I think the ending from The Wizard of Oz might be more fitting - Lebron may find out the hard way that "There's no place like home."
------------------------
Ostensibly last night, a few charities got paid. LeBron needed that to happen so he could rationalize what the night was really all about -- sending a message to his new teammates, the rest of the league, to the sports viewing public: "Yeah, I know I don't have any rings, but you're all watching me right this very minute. I am the man, don't you forget it." And guess what? We all watched. And we all hate ourselves for it. And sadly, we'll watch again when the next free agent decides to carve out an hour of dead time in July to announce on ESPN where they're going and why we should care -- by signing with LeBron's marketing company yesterday, Chris Paul just moved to -500 for "next free agency infomercial," although admittedly I'd still pay $50 to watch Brian Scalabrine's.
Assessing the big picture, this sucks for Cleveland, but let's face it, the league has plenty of struggling, irrelevant teams -- that fraternity gets to welcome the Cavs back into the fold. I would imagine seeing the Clippers, Warriors, Kings, and Nets at the draft lottery next year will have sort of a "ten-year high school reunion" feel to it for whomever the Cavs send as their representative. "Hey man what have you been up to the last few years? I figured I might see you here after I heard you and LeBron broke up!"
At the risk of stepping over Cleveland's battered carcass (it sucks, but the show must go on), the NBA now has its villain. And that's a good thing. Privately, David Stern is thrilled. Other than in Miami, only the most diehard Wade or LeBron fans (Is there such thing as a diehard Bosh fan?) could possibly root for this unsavory alliance brought together by some sort of playground, pinky swear at the Beijing Olympics.
Anyone who respects competition and enjoys at least the facade that all of these guys should professionally hate each other, has to hate "LeDwyane Bosh". You just have to. "LeDwyane Bosh" represents short cuts, cliques, and trying to take the easy way to a title. Real fans should hate this, especially when LeDwyane wears it on their sleeve. Miraculously, I find myself now caring about the Eastern Conference, about Orlando, about Boston, hell even Atlanta. Atlanta people don't even care about Atlanta -- now I want them to beat the piss out of LeDwyane Bosh.
And then there's Kobe Bryant. It's ironic that the very quality for which we rapped Kobe for years is all of a sudden the reason I've done a 180 on him the last few days -- he's always had such a burning desire to be "The Man", he would step over anyone to get there. It's that hubris that made Kobe push for Shaq to get shipped out of Los Angeles. This made Kobe the villain.
But what we didn't realize is that the polar opposite of Kobe -- guys with alpha dog talent having to contrive ways to actually collaborate because they just can't do it themselves -- is way more offensive than Kobe's desire to do it all by himself. At least with Kobe, there's a fight about him that ultimately you realize pisses you off because, above all else, he wins a lot of those fights. With LeBron and Bosh (and to a lesser extent, Wade), there's a feeling that if they watched The Karate Kid they would root for the Kobra Kai when they outnumbered Daniel five to one.
"Championships are championships". LeBron said it last night. The journey doesn't matter to LeBron. "Just give me my rings already." In short, Kobe has unwittingly found himself as the biggest fan favorite repping anyone who's had to fight for anything by merely sitting back, doing nothing, and letting Lebron be LeBron. Kobe's "selfish" is the new "admirable."
So yeah, I now live in a world where I love Kobe Bryant, and I hate myself. If LeBron is in Miami to do the impossible, he's off to a pretty good start.