Will you watch?

[Gradysmanldy]

Are you still going to watch the rest of the offseason play out, watch what's left of the Cavaliers? Best case scenario? Even in LBJ's absence, the team made it close over the last 4 games in every contest...

[CP]

I will watch. If this goes down the way the media is saying it goes down (going with the Newsday LBJ-to-Miami story), if it kills basketball in Cleveland, LBJ and the media gets what they want. Honestly, if that's where he is going to go, give the asshole his S&T and get a large trade exception back for him, start moving contracts, and go to work.

[SDM]

Think everyone is jumping the gun a bit, but yeah, I'd watch.

I'd try and to do what I can to support the team. Problem is a good portion of fans now wouldn't give a crap.

[CP]

I tried to preface what I said with "if it goes down as LBJ-to-Miami" but Broussard was already on SportsCenter, after he tweeted that LeBron was going to Miami, that "all indications are that he's going to Miami" and that "Cleveland and Miami" are the front-runners.

EDIT: Adande was also on and was non-committal. Said he had a single source tell him LBJ to Miami was 90% done and others who said he was going to stay in CLE.

Also, @wallacesports: If LeBron is leaning to Miami, the Heat willing to catch him. But Heat "waiting on LeBron's decision" like everyone else.

[CharacterIV]

Luckily, I suppose, I have work tomorrow evening and won't be in a position to check interwebs, Twitter, what have you. So I won't be watching that.

As for the rest of it, if LeBron leaves, this is definitely going to cause at least a temporary hiatus in my sports fandom in general. Living outside the NE Ohio market now, and I don't feel like dropping cash on TV packages for an inferior product.

The Indians are never going to be competitive until baseball institutes some manner of new financial structure. The Browns have been mired in 10 years of unrepentant suckage that makes me wish the franchise never came back in the first place. I'm totally cold on them. Browns could win the Super Bowl this season, I don't even think I'd care very much. I resent the general dominance of the NFL over America's sports consciousness, particularly in NE Ohio, where we've had better teams largely dismissed in favor of a constantly rebuilding clunker.

As for the Cavs, once Bosh and LBJ both turn their noses up at more money for sandy beaches, the idea of getting any quality FA's is dead and gone. Gilbert's a stubborn, dedicated SOB, but even he I think might start angling for a re-location when he can't presell a single season ticket. Even if the franchise remains, it's probably at least 3-5 years until they can regain any kind of contention status, and that's assuming they strip down for draft picks (succeeding with all of them) and cap space (for free agents that won't sign here.) And by the time that 5 or so years rolls around, the Browns will be probably be in the middle of rebuilding after tearing down what they've got going now, and the Indians will be looking to trade Santana, LaPorta and the like before they leave in free agency. Just seems pointless.

/ledge.

[jb]

Tonite? I'll be glued by 8:55.

If he's gone? dfeinately done with the off season noise.

I like the Association, so I'll watch some.

I will be completely done with the Cavs. If there is no shot at winning a title, there is no point in following. I'll probably be a Bulls and Lake Show fan so they can beat Miami.

My passion for the NBA will be over.

I feel sorry for TMLP. Financial bloodbath. What's he gonna do, adjust everyone's APR up a percent? And the casino will forever be a bynch of folding chairs and portable slots in the old Higbees.

Go Browns!

[davemanddd]

you mean you actually want me to watch swerb's avatar come to fruition once again??? do you take me as a charlie brown glutton for punishment??? of course i am!!! i am a cleveland sports fan, which is why i will most definitely be watching tonite. i just wonder if it will be one of the most watched programs of all time??? i wouldn't be surprised. gawd, what a society we have become. go ahead, pull that football away one more time, lucy. i swear, i am such a masochist.

[mitch]

Not a chance in hell that I'll watch this immature jerk in his greatest "LOOK AT ME!!!!!" moment.

Screw 'em all.

[hornet84]

Even if he stays, I will have trouble watching. This whole "show" has left me numb. Seven years of this drama queen in baggy shorts is enough. Go to Miami Bron, Bron. I am done.

[diminishingskills]

To paraphrase something Cass said to me about the whole FA process, it would be like spending an hour watching a guy jerk off to himself in a mirror.

In other words, I won't be tuning in tonight.

And I suspect that regardless of what Bron decides, my interest in pro basketball will follow my interest in other pro sports down the tubes. Shit, the webcast of the Western States 100 had a lot more drama than anything the NBA has put out there recently. I've grown tired of ego-fed athletes and manufactured hype, and I can't imagine that I'm the only one.

[Triple-S]

Yes, even though I know my heart will be broken. I will watch this, and then drink afterwards/during/

Really has turned me off of the NBA though, and almost pro sports in general. Don't get me wrong, I will continue to support the Cavs and perhaps Gilbert will get us back on track in 3-4 years.

Pro Sports has really become a mixture of good and bad, I really sort of wish it was like the old days, where a pro athlete had to work as job in the off-season in order to continue playing for his team.

But, fuck LeBron for using this media to embarrass his hometown. And yes LeBron, when Cleveland gets made fun of, the rest of the area gets it as well, believe me, so Akron will also be mocked, and I guarantee you won't be able to show your face around town, so you had better hire a Mayflower truck and a real estate agent, douche.

[British_Pharaoh]

I'll watch until he announces the team of his choice (assuming I can find a stream unless they oddly put it on ESPN America)

[Cease]

I've got More than a Game on the DVR, and I haven't even been able to watch that yet... Tonight, I'll flip over from the Tribe game to see what the decision is, sure.

[British_Pharaoh]

It's likely I'll be quite plastered when I get back for the decision
I'm a sleepy drunk so the furniture is safe if I don't get the answer I want

[FUDU]

I will not watch, just not going to partake in the festivities of such an egotistical self centered event that offers no semblance of guaranteed vesting for a Cleveland fan.

As far as my interests if he leaves, I'll give Gilbert a season to put together an approach and I'll decide if I can get behind it. Won't have nearly the passion for the league in general and will not follow the game on the court at home as close for sure. Will probably tune in out of simple curiosity to see how things would go for LeBum with my feelings teetering on indifference to strong dislike.

If he stays my perspective on him is now altered, will I root for him to my hearts content, hell yeah, but simply for the sake of the city getting its ring.

[FUDU]

I'll watch until he announces the team of his choice (assuming I can find a stream unless they oddly put it on ESPN America)

LOL, they actually have ESPN America?

I always crack up when I see ESPN Deportes.

[British_Pharaoh]

Yeah but only games, PTI, 30 for 30 and ATH.

They don't really stream specials like tonight apart from the drafts

But we'll see

[Juannieboy]

Yup, I'll watch. My heart will be in my throat as I fear I'll be tuning in on one nasty head on car wreck.

PS. This is one sad fucking thread to read.

[WiscTribeFan]

I going to be watching the combined press conference from Mel Turpin and Paul Mokeski, both promising to come out of retirement if LeBron stays.

[Larvell Blanks]

I'll watch just like I sat there and watched Art make his speech in Baltimore all those years ago. It'll be a make or break moment in Cleveland sports, how could I not watch?

[peeker643]

I'll watch just like I sat there and watched Art make his speech in Baltimore all those years ago. It'll be a make or break moment in Cleveland sports, how could I not watch?

My sources say I will likely watch right up until the announcement is made. Then I will do what I usually do which is run here to discuss it with you humps.

If he stays my sources indicate I will point out what a dick he is and that the roster still needs repaired.

If he leaves my sources indicate I will point out what a dick he is and that the roster needs major repairs.

[e0y2e3]

Next year, after the LBJ era, my hoop times will probably be divided pretty equally between the Kings, Bucks and OKC (less than the other two) w/ the Cavs rolling a distant fourth in my priority spectrum, as they won't even have young long term talent to watch develop.

[e0y2e3]

Oh and Hnat, have you met Kevin Durant?

In this era of the "Look At Me" superstar, he is the absolute opposite. Kid cares about nothing but playing hoops and deserves the attention of all.

[fairvis]

I'll watch. I'll have beer ready for celebration or commiseration. Will probably scream like I did when Troy Smith threw that pass to Gonzo in 2005 @ Michigan if he stays. Will probably scream like when Anderson Russell missed that tackle in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl if he leaves. (I was told that people heard my gigantic "FUUUUUCK" 10 miles away).

[Hikohadon]

Watch the TV show? Of course. I want to see this circus, want to watch his (mis)calculations crash down upon him as he gets lambasted nationally, want to laugh as they cut to some woman in Akron crying (either from joy or grief).

Watch the Cavs next year? Of course.

Unlike many of you, it seems, I have been in loathe with the professional athlete for a long time. I'm not disenchanted in the slightest - this kind of fluffery has to be expected. Any betrayal/idiocy they can perpetrate is par for the course to me. I've never cared for LeBron James the person because I don't know LeBron James the person. You can't put faith in the athletes to do the "right thing", especially in this day and age. This situation is a fault of the system. Unlike the NFL, the NBA doesn't currently have any provisions in place for teams to prevent bullshit like this from happening. Hopefully, their next CBA will considerably disempower the athlete. Can't have the inmates running the asylum.

However, even after The Queen leaves (if he does), the Cavs will still remain. Hell, I'll actually be more apt to watch them now, since the Regular Season will again be something more than a useless preamble to the Playoffs and the Championship Run. Bring in all the kids and let's see what they can do.

[RIBrownsFan]

I'm not watching two seconds of the Prom Queen's circle jerk tonight. Hopefully the rumors are true, because who the hell wants to support this idiot at this point? He's made it abundantly clear during this whole ridiculous process that he could give two shits about Cleveland, and I would hope that Cleveland would start reciprocating.

As for the Cavs after the fact, of course. Gilbert has been the anti-Dolan these past few years, so why wouldn't people at least give him the benefit of the doubt? They're not winning any titles, but that's hardly new.

[jb]

Gilbert has been the anti-Dolan these past few years, so why wouldn't people at least give him the benefit of the doubt?

Because the most talented and highly sought after player in the game is leaving primarily because he doesn't believe that he can win here when he had every reason to stay. And in this day and age he's doing it for about $ 30 mil less AND word is per Windy that his sponsors are not happy about his decision to boot. Good luck selling shoes when you score 16 points a game.

Hard, cold, shitty truth: No one wants to play in Cleveland in the NBA and MLB. They wil s endentured ervent kids and they will always leave. We may as well acknowledge we are truely big league in but one of the three, an dthank God that the NFL has the wisdom of a) collective good as the driving philosophy and b ) a management structure that understand who is in charge. If they can ever stop the circle firing aquad meets keyston cops in Berea, there might be hope again in this town.

Till then, hope dies by 9:15 pm baring a miracal. If you think Dan Fucking Gilbert is going to build a winner, I'll show you a lead zeppelin in the stratosphere. Windy sounded very resigned to the news on TRBS at 11 today.

[swerb]

If he leaves, the Cavaliers franchise is dead. And that death is going to be sped up by Gilbert panicking and trying to appease the season ticket holders by foolishly attempting to keep the team in win now mode.

Bottom line, if LeBron won't stay here with 100 reasons to do so ... who the hell is going to come here? No one.

The Cavs would need a freakish run of off the charts draft prowess (like in OKC) to spin this thing around, and even that would take half a decade. Chances of that happening are next to nil.

I will always be a Cavaliers fan, but it sure is a hollow feeling knowing your team has 0% chance to win a title. I'll be watching a lot more hockey and CSU and OSU hoops.

[RIBrownsFan]

Because the most talented and highly sought after player in the game is leaving primarily because he doesn't believe that he can win here when he had every reason to stay. And in this day and age he's doing it for about $ 30 mil less AND word is per Windy that his sponsors are not happy about his decision to boot. Good luck selling shoes when you score 16 points a game.

Hard, cold, shitty truth: No one wants to play in Cleveland in the NBA and MLB. They wil s endentured ervent kids and they will always leave. We may as well acknowledge we are truely big league in but one of the three, an dthank God that the NFL has the wisdom of a) collective good as the driving philosophy and b ) a management structure that understand who is in charge. If they can ever stop the circle firing aquad meets keyston cops in Berea, there might be hope again in this town.

Till then, hope dies by 9:15 pm baring a miracal. If you think Dan Fucking Gilbert is going to build a winner, I'll show you a lead zeppelin in the stratosphere. Windy sounded very resigned to the news on TRBS at 11 today.

Of course he can build a winning team, he just can't build a championship one unless they luck out through the draft again and land another mega-star for a few years before he also bolts for greener pastures. It's not the end of the world if this self-absorbed asshole leaves.

Indiana was in the NBA finals in 2000. The Kings got hosed out of a finals appearance in 2002. Milwaukee has a good young team, and they're in an "outpost" that most of Weed Nation has no interest in playing in either.

The team can still be competitive and entertaining, and given all the bitching about how Cleveland has incompetent (Lerner) and cheap (Dolan) ownership, I'd rather give my money to Gilbert than the other two, though I regrettably do both.

[jb]

If he leaves, it is the death of the Cavaliers franchise is dead. And that death is going to be sped up by Gilbert panicking and trying to appease the season ticket holders by foolishly attempting to keep the team in win now mode.

Bottom line, if LeBron won't stay here with 100 reasons to do so ... who the hell is going to come here? No one.

The Cavs would need a freakish run of off the charts draft prowess (like in OKC) to spin this thing around, and even that would take half a decade. Chances of that happening are next to nil.

That's right bro. You get it. All this "what's next " talk is just wierd to me.

[Calis32]

If he leaves, it is the death of the Cavaliers franchise is dead. And that death is going to be sped up by Gilbert panicking and trying to appease the season ticket holders by foolishly attempting to keep the team in win now mode.

Bottom line, if LeBron won't stay here with 100 reasons to do so ... who the hell is going to come here? No one.

The Cavs would need a freakish run of off the charts draft prowess (like in OKC) to spin this thing around, and even that would take half a decade. Chances of that happening are next to nil.

I will always be a Cavaliers fan, but it sure is a hollow feeling knowing your team has 0% chance to win a title. I'll be watching a lot more hockey and CSU and OSU hoops.

I agree with you 99%. However, the Cavs have totally improved their roster from where they were three years ago through trades, not FA's. Free agents are always going to look for somewhere other than Cleveland. But trades don't allow for player rejection with very few exceptions.

[jb]

Because the most talented and highly sought after player in the game is leaving primarily because he doesn't believe that he can win here when he had every reason to stay. And in this day and age he's doing it for about $ 30 mil less AND word is per Windy that his sponsors are not happy about his decision to boot. Good luck selling shoes when you score 16 points a game.

Hard, cold, shitty truth: No one wants to play in Cleveland in the NBA and MLB. They wil s endentured ervent kids and they will always leave. We may as well acknowledge we are truely big league in but one of the three, an dthank God that the NFL has the wisdom of a) collective good as the driving philosophy and b ) a management structure that understand who is in charge. If they can ever stop the circle firing aquad meets keyston cops in Berea, there might be hope again in this town.

Till then, hope dies by 9:15 pm baring a miracal. If you think Dan Fucking Gilbert is going to build a winner, I'll show you a lead zeppelin in the stratosphere. Windy sounded very resigned to the news on TRBS at 11 today.

Of course he can build a winning team, he just can't build a championship one unless they luck out through the draft again and land another mega-star for a few years before he also bolts for greener pastures. It's not the end of the world if this self-absorbed asshole leaves.

Indiana was in the NBA finals in 2000. The Kings got hosed out of a finals appearance in 2002. Milwaukee has a good young team, and they're in an "outpost" that most of Weed Nation has no interest in playing in either.

The team can still be competitive and entertaining, and given all the bitching about how Cleveland has incompetent (Lerner) and cheap (Dolan) ownership, I'd rather give my money to Gilbert than the other two, though I regrettably do both.

Nope. Ancient history. Welcome to the New NBA.

I love Milwaukee. But they won't stay together long enough to get it done. But if I watch anyone it'll be a team like them. Fear the Deer!

[dmiles]

You almost have to be a big fan of the game to watch these other teams. While I thought was, I see myself not wasting any time on it at all.

And if I thought there was any chance at all to rebuild I'd love to see TMLP stick it to the Heat somehow by giving away a good player to a competitor. Problem is anyone we'd dump to wouldn't have any useful draft picks, not to mention....What on this roster is going to strengthen a competitor? Andy? JJ? Twan??

[RIBrownsFan]

Nope. Ancient history. Welcome to the New NBA.

I love Milwaukee. But they won't stay together long enough to get it done. But if I watch anyone it'll be a team like them. Fear the Deer!

Dude, the NBA has always favored the bigger market teams during the Stern era. The Lakers have been in half of the NBA Finals since 1980 for pete's sake.

And again, I have no expectation that the Bucks can win an NBA title. But they're fun to watch and competitive, and there's no reason given time that Gilbert can't put a comparable team on the floor.

It's certainly a more appealing prospect than waiting for Shapiro to trade Carlos Santana to the Red Sox for a used gym bag and T passes.

[Hikohadon]

If he leaves, it is the death of the Cavaliers franchise is dead. And that death is going to be sped up by Gilbert panicking and trying to appease the season ticket holders by foolishly attempting to keep the team in win now mode.

Bottom line, if LeBron won't stay here with 100 reasons to do so ... who the hell is going to come here? No one.

The Cavs would need a freakish run of off the charts draft prowess (like in OKC) to spin this thing around, and even that would take half a decade. Chances of that happening are next to nil.

I will always be a Cavaliers fan, but it sure is a hollow feeling knowing your team has 0% chance to win a title. I'll be watching a lot more hockey and CSU and OSU hoops.

Somehow, the Cavaliers managed to stay in operation for over 30 years before LeBron James came to town.

They still have the same number of Championship Rings if he leaves as they did before he came.

This might be the end of some people's Cavs world, but it's not the end of the franchise.

And if it is, if this city abandons its team because The Queen left for fancier pastures, then Cleveland doesn't deserve to have an NBA team.

That way, we can prove to the rest of the country that we really are the second-rate loser city they think we are.

[RIBrownsFan]

And if it is, if this city abandons its team because The Queen left for fancier pastures, then Cleveland doesn't deserve to have an NBA team.

That way, we can prove to the rest of the country that we really are the second-rate loser city they think we are.

Exactly right. The Cavs have an owner who is trying to make money by putting a quality product on the field, which is what everyone claims they want the other two teams in town to do. And he did everything in his power to get this asshole to stay on top of it.

[jb]

If he leaves, it is the death of the Cavaliers franchise is dead. And that death is going to be sped up by Gilbert panicking and trying to appease the season ticket holders by foolishly attempting to keep the team in win now mode.

Bottom line, if LeBron won't stay here with 100 reasons to do so ... who the hell is going to come here? No one.

The Cavs would need a freakish run of off the charts draft prowess (like in OKC) to spin this thing around, and even that would take half a decade. Chances of that happening are next to nil.

I will always be a Cavaliers fan, but it sure is a hollow feeling knowing your team has 0% chance to win a title. I'll be watching a lot more hockey and CSU and OSU hoops.

Somehow, the Cavaliers managed to stay in operation for over 30 years before LeBron James came to town.

They still have the same number of Championship Rings if he leaves as they did before he came.

This might be the end of some people's Cavs world, but it's not the end of the franchise.

And if it is, if this city abandons its team because The Queen left for fancier pastures, then Cleveland doesn't deserve to have an NBA team.

That way, we can prove to the rest of the country that we really are the second-rate loser city they think we are.

Brave words. You make me wanna paint my face half blue. But I just don't see it.

[Hikohadon]

If he leaves, it is the death of the Cavaliers franchise is dead. And that death is going to be sped up by Gilbert panicking and trying to appease the season ticket holders by foolishly attempting to keep the team in win now mode.

Bottom line, if LeBron won't stay here with 100 reasons to do so ... who the hell is going to come here? No one.

The Cavs would need a freakish run of off the charts draft prowess (like in OKC) to spin this thing around, and even that would take half a decade. Chances of that happening are next to nil.

I will always be a Cavaliers fan, but it sure is a hollow feeling knowing your team has 0% chance to win a title. I'll be watching a lot more hockey and CSU and OSU hoops.

Somehow, the Cavaliers managed to stay in operation for over 30 years before LeBron James came to town.

They still have the same number of Championship Rings if he leaves as they did before he came.

This might be the end of some people's Cavs world, but it's not the end of the franchise.

And if it is, if this city abandons its team because The Queen left for fancier pastures, then Cleveland doesn't deserve to have an NBA team.

That way, we can prove to the rest of the country that we really are the second-rate loser city they think we are.

Brave words. You make me wanna paint my face half blue. But I just don't see it.

See what? The continued existence of the Cavaliers?

Don't worry, JB. It won't matter anyway. LeBron will re-sign with Cleveland tonight, I almost guarantee it.

All the misinformation, all the drama... this is just his way of pumping up the hype and glory for himself when he dramatically announces to the world that he is "Staying in Cleveland."

Cut to shots of Akron and Cleveland celebrating like they just won the World Cup.

If this circus has evidenced anything, it's that LeBron's ego is way too big to go to Miami and be Wade's bitch.

And if his conduct has evidenced anything, it's that winning is NOT the most important thing to The Queen. Image is. Love is. Devotion is.

If he goes anywhere else, the pressure on him to win a Championship right away would be enormous. Here, well, a Championship would be nice, but he'll still be a Hero for just staying, regardless.

Besides, he knows perfectly well that the way he's handled this would pretty much be putting a bounty on his and his family/friends' heads if he announces he's going elsewhere. If he were leaving, he wouldn't be doing it in this fashion.

So stop feeling sorry for yourselves, NEO (even though that's what we're best at). We'll get LeBron back tonight for several more years of playoff disappointment.

[diminishingskills]

Brave words. You make me wanna paint my face half blue. But I just don't see it.

Jim, you never disappoint. Nobody can find a mountain higher than Everest, or a floor lower than Death Valley, the way you can.

If LeBron leaves, it will suck. Of course there will be a short-term (next couple of seasons) hit. But I have yet to see anything that kept the sun from rising the next morning. If Bron goes, I expect the attitude of Gilbert/Grant/Scott to be "that sucks ... now time to get back to work". Gilbert did not get where he is today by giving up. Nor has anybody else who ever did anything worthwhile, for that matter.

The Cavs drew during the Price/Daugherty/Nance years. They drew during the Miracle of Richfield. They drew during the Age of LeBron. And they'll draw again after LeBron leaves (whether that is tonight or years from now), as long as they put a winner on the court.

Breathe, man. This too shall pass.

[Gradysmanldy]

If he leaves, it is the death of the Cavaliers franchise is dead. And that death is going to be sped up by Gilbert panicking and trying to appease the season ticket holders by foolishly attempting to keep the team in win now mode.

Bottom line, if LeBron won't stay here with 100 reasons to do so ... who the hell is going to come here? No one.

The Cavs would need a freakish run of off the charts draft prowess (like in OKC) to spin this thing around, and even that would take half a decade. Chances of that happening are next to nil.

I will always be a Cavaliers fan, but it sure is a hollow feeling knowing your team has 0% chance to win a title. I'll be watching a lot more hockey and CSU and OSU hoops.

Somehow, the Cavaliers managed to stay in operation for over 30 years before LeBron James came to town.

They still have the same number of Championship Rings if he leaves as they did before he came.

This might be the end of some people's Cavs world, but it's not the end of the franchise.

And if it is, if this city abandons its team because The Queen left for fancier pastures, then Cleveland doesn't deserve to have an NBA team.

That way, we can prove to the rest of the country that we really are the second-rate loser city they think we are.

Brave words. You make me wanna paint my face half blue. But I just don't see it.

See what? The continued existence of the Cavaliers?

Don't worry, JB. It won't matter anyway. LeBron will re-sign with Cleveland tonight, I almost guarantee it.

All the misinformation, all the drama... this is just his way of pumping up the hype and glory for himself when he dramatically announces to the world that he is "Staying in Cleveland."

Cut to shots of Akron and Cleveland celebrating like they just won the World Cup.

If this circus has evidenced anything, it's that LeBron's ego is way too big to go to Miami and be Wade's bitch.

And if his conduct has evidenced anything, it's that winning is NOT the most important thing to The Queen. Image is. Love is. Devotion is.

If he goes anywhere else, the pressure on him to win a Championship right away would be enormous. Here, well, a Championship would be nice, but he'll still be a Hero for just staying, regardless.

Besides, he knows perfectly well that the way he's handled this would pretty much be putting a bounty on his and his family/friends' heads if he announces he's going elsewhere. If he were leaving, he wouldn't be doing it in this fashion.

So stop feeling sorry for yourselves, NEO (even though that's what we're best at). We'll get LeBron back tonight for several more years of playoff disappointment.

Goddamn Hiko, wish I could get behind that sentiment. Ive heard that from other conspiracy theorists, too. I just have to go with Ey, there's no way they stage that level of "he gone" on ESPN unless he is, in fact, gone. He's even managed to knock Windy off his keel, and that's terribly hard to do.

[jb]

edit no message

[Hikohadon]

Goddamn Hiko, wish I could get behind that sentiment. Ive heard that from other conspiracy theorists, too. I just have to go with Ey, there's no way they stage that level of "he gone" on ESPN unless he is, in fact, gone. He's even managed to knock Windy off his keel, and that's terribly hard to do.

Which is exactly the way he wants it, so that his Reality show can have the surprise ending that he's been orchestrating all along.

Right now, he's sitting in a room, watching the endless TV coverage, and giggling to himself as he munches on a fig newton. Tee hee hee!

[Spin]

Gilbert has been the anti-Dolan these past few years, so why wouldn't people at least give him the benefit of the doubt?

Because the most talented and highly sought after player in the game is leaving primarily because he doesn't believe that he can win here when he had every reason to stay. If you think Dan Fucking Gilbert is going to build a winner, I'll show you a lead zeppelin in the stratosphere. Windy sounded very resigned to the news on TRBS at 11 today.

How could he build a winner here? Nobody was going to sign here, with LeBron's planned FA in 3 years. He handcuffed the team because he wouldn't sign long term. They couldn't get any free agents.

All they could do was improve through trades. And you can't build chemistry with constant trading.

[jb]

Brave words. You make me wanna paint my face half blue. But I just don't see it.

Jim, you never disappoint. Nobody can find a mountain higher than Everest, or a floor lower than Death Valley, the way you can.

If LeBron leaves, it will suck. Of course there will be a short-term (next couple of seasons) hit. But I have yet to see anything that kept the sun from rising the next morning. If Bron goes, I expect the attitude of Gilbert/Grant/Scott to be "that sucks ... now time to get back to work". Gilbert did not get where he is today by giving up. Nor has anybody else who ever did anything worthwhile, for that matter.

The Cavs drew during the Price/Daugherty/Nance years. They drew during the Miracle of Richfield. They drew during the Age of LeBron. And they'll draw again after LeBron leaves (whether that is tonight or years from now), as long as they put a winner on the court.

Breathe, man. This too shall pass.

I hear you John. And not that I can't claim guilty as charged. I just think it is different now and this region has taken too many body blows economically to support all big 3 anymore. Very different world demographically since softballs rained from the Terminal Tower. The NBA has always been a distant third in our collective affections in NEO, and I don't know if another nadir can be supported. I do agree TMLP is the X Factor.

[Hikohadon]

Besides, he knows perfectly well that the way he's handled this would pretty much be putting a bounty on his and his family/friends' heads if he announces he's going elsewhere. If he were leaving, he wouldn't be doing it in this fashion.

nahh.

he's too far gone if you listen to Windy.

here's what sticks with me on all of this; this alleged quote (paraphrase).

"What happens if I am 31 years old, have bad knees, and no title to show for it?"

When we make our biggest decisions in life based on our deepest fears and not aspiration and hope, we fail before we even commence.

I ain't listening to Windy, b/c if your aim is to sew misinformation, the purveyor of said misinformation should be heralded cautiously.

For all I know, Windy's actively helping.

Regardless, I find it impossible to believe that James and his Team don't know exactly how NEO will treat them should they bail (especially in this fashion).

[jb]

Gilbert has been the anti-Dolan these past few years, so why wouldn't people at least give him the benefit of the doubt?

Because the most talented and highly sought after player in the game is leaving primarily because he doesn't believe that he can win here when he had every reason to stay. If you think Dan Fucking Gilbert is going to build a winner, I'll show you a lead zeppelin in the stratosphere. Windy sounded very resigned to the news on TRBS at 11 today.

How could he build a winner here? Nobody was going to sign here, with LeBron's planned FA in 3 years. He handcuffed the team because he wouldn't sign long term. They couldn't get any free agents.

All they could do was improve through trades. And you can't build chemistry with constant trading.

Hey, you can't take my own take plus 13 months and turn it against me.

No one wants to play here. TMLP's resources are fixing to tank lik ethe South Florida housing market in 2008. Unless the casino shit is a big redistribution to prop up the Cavs, I'm not seeing TMLP having the resources - nor the vision, acumen, & patience to tank and rebuild from the bottom - to build a winner.

[jb]

Besides, he knows perfectly well that the way he's handled this would pretty much be putting a bounty on his and his family/friends' heads if he announces he's going elsewhere. If he were leaving, he wouldn't be doing it in this fashion.

nahh.

he's too far gone if you listen to Windy.

here's what sticks with me on all of this; this alleged quote (paraphrase).

"What happens if I am 31 years old, have bad knees, and no title to show for it?"

When we make our biggest decisions in life based on our deepest fears and not aspiration and hope, we fail before we even commence.

I ain't listening to Windy, b/c if your aim is to sew misinformation, the purveyor of said misinformation should be heralded cautiously.

For all I know, Windy's actively helping.

Regardless, I find it impossible to believe that James and his Team don't know exactly how NEO will treat them should they bail (especially in this fashion).

The Manchurian Free Agent?

C'mon Hiko. I don't think Bron is the one playing with peeps onthis forum.

[Hikohadon]

Besides, he knows perfectly well that the way he's handled this would pretty much be putting a bounty on his and his family/friends' heads if he announces he's going elsewhere. If he were leaving, he wouldn't be doing it in this fashion.

nahh.

he's too far gone if you listen to Windy.

here's what sticks with me on all of this; this alleged quote (paraphrase).

"What happens if I am 31 years old, have bad knees, and no title to show for it?"

When we make our biggest decisions in life based on our deepest fears and not aspiration and hope, we fail before we even commence.

I ain't listening to Windy, b/c if your aim is to sew misinformation, the purveyor of said misinformation should be heralded cautiously.

For all I know, Windy's actively helping.

Regardless, I find it impossible to believe that James and his Team don't know exactly how NEO will treat them should they bail (especially in this fashion).

The Manchurian Free Agent?

C'mon Hiko. I don't think Bron is the one playing with peeps onthis forum.

That's why Mr. Winky is there.

But I do believe the part that LeBron knows perfectly well that he will be the Antichrist in these here parts should things go down the way the media thinks it will.

[JCoz]

Besides, he knows perfectly well that the way he's handled this would pretty much be putting a bounty on his and his family/friends' heads if he announces he's going elsewhere. If he were leaving, he wouldn't be doing it in this fashion.

nahh.

he's too far gone if you listen to Windy.

here's what sticks with me on all of this; this alleged quote (paraphrase).

"What happens if I am 31 years old, have bad knees, and no title to show for it?"

When we make our biggest decisions in life based on our deepest fears and not aspiration and hope, we fail before we even commence.

I ain't listening to Windy, b/c if your aim is to sew misinformation, the purveyor of said misinformation should be heralded cautiously.

For all I know, Windy's actively helping.

Regardless, I find it impossible to believe that James and his Team don't know exactly how NEO will treat them should they bail (especially in this fashion).

I think you are underestimating the sheer ego of the James gang.

As has been said, he doesn't even live on the same planet as you or I. Don't try to apply your silly reason or logic to his understanding of the situation as you perceive it.

To put it terms of "getting it"....if this was the OSU/UM rivalry he's playing the part of Cooper.

[diminishingskills]

I hear you John. And not that I can't claim guilty as charged. I just think it is different now and this region has taken too many body blows economically to support all big 3 anymore. Very different world demographically since softballs rained from the Terminal Tower. The NBA has always been a distant third in our collective affections in NEO, and I don't know if another nadir can be supported. I do agree TMLP is the X Factor.

I'm not trying to take your passion away from you. Makes you fun to read, for sure. If Bron announces he's staying, Ralphie on Christmas morning five seconds after opening the Red Ryder BB gun will have nothing on you.

Don't want to threadjack, so maybe sit on this until sometime after the decision (excuse me, The Decision), but ... really, is the world THAT different? Cleveland's industrial economy was in the crapper then, and it is today. And I'm not convinced that our region as a whole is worse. You've got huge (and growing) healthcare and legal markets here, but that story never seems to play as well as the grainy, black-and-white images of rusting smokestacks.

If anything, I think we're seeing good old democracy for two of our three sports teams. In most markets, if you put out a good product, people will come to your door ... if you don't, they won't. And that's as it should be. The Indians not drawing isn't a symptom of the region being unable to support a third sports team ... it's a symptom of them sucking shit, and being perceived as a blundering team that will continue to suck shit, and playing in a sport that is organized to keep all but the top few sucking shit. The Cavs have drawn very well when they've put winning teams on the court. They haven't when they haven't. Blah blah blah "Occam's Razor" blah blah blah.

As for the Browns ... well, that gets into a whole 'nother realm of the fan psyche.

That's enough for now ... like I said, we can put this on ice till a time when it doesn't have a fairly major story pushing it out of the way.