LeBron James happy in Cleveland.....still

If somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand."

As a former amateur boxer and hardcore fight fan that just doesn’t make any sense to me….

It doesn’t matter if you get KTFO, you always stay and shake the guys hand and give him props and wish him well. It is a matter of proper etiquette.

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on May 31, 2009 6:14 PM CDT reply actions

You must not have much competive spirit

and most likely you are an amateur because you don’t have a will.

Baseball is God's sport! All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist

by E5 on May 31, 2009 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions

What an obtuse post… honestly….

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on May 31, 2009 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Come on, dude!

If you’ve every watched boxing or MMA you know they always shake hands afterward. It’s a competition, not someone taking your lunch money.

I still don’t have a problem with him walking off though. They didn’t come out when Boston got their rings in game one, and I didn’t have a problem with that either.

But saying dude doesn’t have a will is just wrong, and my guess is that you wouldn’t get near a ring with him.

by naveh on May 31, 2009 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions

this is the last thing I’ll say, since Lebron has been with the Cavaliers they have had post season appearances, and gone on to play for the championship…and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that eventually mr. james will win a championship. and for those of you who say he is a poor sport, be cool.In the ’90’s when MJ was winning his rings. they ran an article in the USA today…MJ said he knew they were going to win, because one of the opposing teams players helped him up and gave him a pat…he said he knew that that guy didn’t have the killer instinct. MJ said that during the playoffs, you have to have that killer instinct…you can be a nice guy during the regular season but play-off’s is a whole ‘nother ballgame. For instance in the Nuggets/Lakers series Carmelo fouled Kobe hard, then went over and asked if he was alright. I was livid, I was like dude don’t do that. walk away, twist the knife, killer instinct. Kobe didn’t even acknowledge Melo. you know why . Kobe got killer instinct. Melo doesn’t .and you see who showed up in game six to kill the Nuggets hopes. Lebron is a competitor and to him it isn’t about how you play the game it’s about winning…so stop complaining about his poor attitude and poor sportsmanship and his I’m entitled to win etc..etc…he didn’t curse anybody or treat anyone poorly. he just didn’t tell them lies about how good it felt that they won and he lost… just shut up about it already

by JAKEBOY on May 31, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions

But that is DURING the series, not AFTER you lost the series.

Kobe has a killer instinct and he congratulated the Boston Celtics after they won it all last year. He shook hands with everyone, hugged Doc Rivers, etc. That’s class.

Lebron James just walked out the court without congratulating anyone. That isn’t good sportsmanship whatsoever.

Honestly, I don’t care. I still love Lebron James but I think he would have showed a bit of class just shaking the hands of the other players.

by AlexC on Jun 1, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Now that’s just rude.

I become an expert simply by doing something.

by Brad D on Jun 1, 2009 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Unlike a lot of Cleveland fans, I don’t really blindly and automatically agree with everything LeBron does. With that said, I completely understand where he is coming from in this situation, but I don’t like that he did it. It kind of reminded me of the Pats after Superbowl XLII.

by Simmsinns on May 31, 2009 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Lebron made himself look like an idiot by saying that

I dont care who you are, how competitive you are, or how upset you are that you lost its sportsmanship 101 to always at least shake your competitors hand afterward. I dont care what he says, Lebron just showed how spoiled he is and how bad of a sport he is.

You may say im making a big deal about it but in my opinion it was inexcusable for the face of the NBA to do that and then basically say that being a good sport doesnt make sense.

by lj15 on May 31, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions

this is the last thing I’ll say, since Lebron has been with the Cavaliers they have had post season appearances, and gone on to play for the championship…and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that eventually mr. james will win a championship. and for those of you who say he is a poor sport, be cool.In the ’90’s when MJ was winning his rings. they ran an article in the USA today…MJ said he knew they were going to win, because one of the opposing teams players helped him up and gave him a pat…he said he knew that that guy didn’t have the killer instinct. MJ said that during the playoffs, you have to have that killer instinct…you can be a nice guy during the regular season but play-off’s is a whole ‘nother ballgame. For instance in the Nuggets/Lakers series Carmelo fouled Kobe hard, then went over and asked if he was alright. I was livid, I was like dude don’t do that. walk away, twist the knife, killer instinct. Kobe didn’t even acknowledge Melo. you know why . Kobe got killer instinct. Melo doesn’t .and you see who showed up in game six to kill the Nuggets hopes. Lebron is a competitor and to him it isn’t about how you play the game it’s about winning…so stop complaining about his poor attitude and poor sportsmanship and his I’m entitled to win etc..etc…he didn’t curse anybody or treat anyone poorly. he just didn’t tell them lies about how good it felt that they won and he lost… just shut up about it already

by JAKEBOY on May 31, 2009 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions

That's a relief!

I can’t tell you how good it feels to hear that. Good post. I think our best chance at an early contract extension this summer for James is if we make some noise either with a trade or free agent signing ect. Our draft spot obviously isn’t great.

I feel like we need to do it earlier then the major 2010 free agency, which is rather unfortunate. But, with James, who knows?

by Simmsinns on May 31, 2009 6:28 PM CDT reply actions

Hopefull

I think that the camaraderie this team formed this year will be tested in the off-season. the season and the first two rounds were too easy and I think they got a bit over confident. I feared Orlando from the start – and was praying Boston would win cause I think we match up better. But – to be the best you have to beat the best (trite but true) and they know now they are not as good as they thought. So what now? I don’t think you can sit tight with the team as it is. My view is the back court is fine. Mo and Delonte will get better / more confident with another year under their belts and if we can add someone to the front court who is an inside power scoring threat – then they will have that extra split second of time to set up their shots. Varajao is a role player – and fits a certain bill. Z gives you that mid range threat out of a big man that creates certain matchup problems for a number of teams – but is not an integral enough part of the offense – nor should he be. The problem is that neither Andy or Ben are a threat to score unless its under the basket off a double team. Anything beyond 3 feet – you don’t have to guard them and can cheat on harassing the guards. We need a scoring threat inside that gives you some solid D as well. Someone in the front court that hits mid-range and can create their own shot. I don’t know who that might be – haven’t researched the FA’s – but they also have to fit chemistry – so I think Artest is going to be out. But what about Boozer? I harbor no animosity to him after this earlier departure – I like the guy – if his health will be ok. Imaging him in the front court instead of Ben Wallace – who says he may retire. Andy will want more money than he is worth – let him go. Take that money – resign Joe Smith and then go after one or two. Guys I like for this team are Boozer, Villanueva, Al Harrington; Josh childress, Chris Anderson, Hakim Warrick. I think we will see more of our second year players too. If you could replace Wally, Ben and Andy with Anderson and Boozer or Harrington – would you do that?

by biased1 on May 31, 2009 7:23 PM CDT reply actions

If

the cavs dont win it all next year, then i see lebron leaving the cavs in 2010

unless they pick up chris bosh

by andrew33 on May 31, 2009 7:58 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah, not sure how I feel about the not shaking hands thing… that explanation is a little unsettling.

Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.

by Turkmenbashi on May 31, 2009 8:07 PM CDT reply actions

this is the last thing I’ll say, since Lebron has been with the Cavaliers they have had post season appearances, and gone on to play for the championship…and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that eventually mr. james will win a championship. and for those of you who say he is a poor sport, be cool.In the ’90’s when MJ was winning his rings. they ran an article in the USA today…MJ said he knew they were going to win, because one of the opposing teams players helped him up and gave him a pat…he said he knew that that guy didn’t have the killer instinct. MJ said that during the playoffs, you have to have that killer instinct…you can be a nice guy during the regular season but play-off’s is a whole ‘nother ballgame. For instance in the Nuggets/Lakers series Carmelo fouled Kobe hard, then went over and asked if he was alright. I was livid, I was like dude don’t do that. walk away, twist the knife, killer instinct. Kobe didn’t even acknowledge Melo. you know why . Kobe got killer instinct. Melo doesn’t .and you see who showed up in game six to kill the Nuggets hopes. Lebron is a competitor and to him it isn’t about how you play the game it’s about winning…so stop complaining about his poor attitude and poor sportsmanship and his I’m entitled to win etc..etc…he didn’t curse anybody or treat anyone poorly. he just didn’t tell them lies about how good it felt that they won and he lost… just shut up about it already

by JAKEBOY on May 31, 2009 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions

For being the last thing you’re going to say, you’ve said it quite often.

by Buckeye Brad on May 31, 2009 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions

I mentioned this in another thread, Turk but I read this morning in an article online (forget where) it mentioned that LeBron quietly slapped five with Dwight Howard near the end of last night’s game. It said LeBron had wrapped him up then they slapped hands before Dwight went to the free throw line. I think that was a nice sign of repsect and admiration by LeBron.

As far as not shaking hands after the game and leaving immediately, I can only imagine how upset he was at the end of the season and he probably wanted to leave the court as soon as possible. Do you see baseball players shake hands after the World Series or football players after the Super Bowl? I never do.

by Buckeye Brad on May 31, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions

AS I stated before, I would not shake hands at all what so ever...

But then again as someone eluded too, I am not the face of the NBA and do not have millions of little kids looking up to me, I have a 2 year old daughter and I think for the sake of the Kids LeBron should have played the nice part and AFTER the series is over give the obligatory hand shake, Kids grow up and regardless of what they are shown they eventually make their own choices, I just think with someone of the influence that James has with the Kids he should just play the nice part and Set at least a Median example for our youth to follow.

But hey I would not talk to Dwight for about 2 months and would have flipped on my team mates in Public, So I am not gonna make a big fuss about someone hating loosing as much as I used too…

Some people swear they down as can be
Turns out those same Homies Sit down to pee

by I blocked Patrick Chewing on May 31, 2009 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh whatEVER

I’m so sick of this “for the sake of the kids” crap. He’s an adult and this is his job. He didn’t feel like he wanted to be fake or play for the cameras, so he headed for the locker room to get away from the complete annoyance that is Magic Fans. If you had a bad day at work and that culminated in everyone cheering for all the people who had GREAT days, wouldn’t you just feel like heading to your car? And wouldn’t it be AWESOME if people criticized you for doing so and called you a bad person because you didn’t sit around telling everyone else how wonderful they were?

I mean seriously … give the guy a freaking BREAK. (Not you, specifically, Patrick – I dug the rest of what you were saying) I just think that we take too much of this “they are role models” crap too far — no, they aren’t. They are sports professionals. Our childrens’ role models are their parents, their teachers, the adults they come into contact with everyday. If they are modeling their lives after people they see on TV, then we are doing a really screwed up job PARENTING them.

by Lebron MVP on May 31, 2009 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Kids want LeBron Shoes....

Who has to buy them?

oh and Drop the “Teachers are Role Models Blah blah”

He markets all of his crap to kids he should set an example.

I can not believe I am arguing this, I got suspended from all soccer for 2 years when I was 14 for spitting in a refs face for calling a goal back on Offsides that was not offsides..

Anyway I digress, Those Kids buy his crap, he owes them not to act like a turd.

the low 5 he gave him I thought was perfect, and if he was boobie Gibson would have been just fine to walk away but not LeBron…

I honestly think its cool to see he is not a Robot to “Nike Rules of Conduct when out in Public”

I would have cursed D12 and told him to meet me 2o to go 1 v 1

Some people swear they down as can be
Turns out those same Homies Sit down to pee

by I blocked Patrick Chewing on May 31, 2009 11:57 PM CDT up reply actions

This isn't a disagreement since we're arguing slightly different points

The reason why LeBron makes so much money is because basketball is marketed very heavily. He’s not an impossibly awesome construction worker who gets paid millions a year because he can dig tunnels through mountains by himself—basketball provides no tangible value outside of entertaining the audience.

Part of that entertainment is being good at basketball, but another part is being a reasonable role model. This isn’t for children—if you ask Nike who is more marketable—Michael Vick pre-dog or Michael Vick post-dog, I’m sure the pre-dog Vick is much more marketable despite similar talent levels. People like “good” people. The NBA knows this, which is why you see all those “NBA Cares” and “basketball isn’t just a game” commercials. I think they spend more money on the commercials than actually doing the community service.

Of course handshaking is not the equivalent of dog fighting. However it’s reasonable to conclude that for someone like LeBron, who wants to be the first billionaire athlete, being a good role model in general—having discipline, playing with a lot of effort, acting reasonably nicely, showing good sportsmanship, is definitely part of his job.

by dokein on Jun 1, 2009 3:12 AM CDT up reply actions

obviously you dont have kids man....

i am sure everyone understands LBJ was upset…Who wouldnt be….HE seems the sort that will get over it but still….magic and bird used to shake after it was over and those series were by far rougher than this one…sometimes even fist fights broke-out…..MJ saying a guy is weak during the middle of a series…ok maybe a little head game there…during the game or in the middle of a close series i think you stay tough and dont act like gentleman jim…but after…when its all over????a lttle class goes a long way….imo cavs fans should be calling for mike browns head but thats a different topic!!!

by jfryb on Jun 1, 2009 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions

I have kids and I could not care less who shakes hands with whom.

I become an expert simply by doing something.

by Brad D on Jun 1, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, really, what the heck does having kids have to do with this? Do you really think kids care if LeBron shakes hands with his opponents after the game? LeBron has always, always handled himself well and with class, to the media and his opponents. He’s never been in trouble with the law. Why is everybody making a bid deal about this?

Also, has anyone ever seen baseball players shake hands after losing the World Series? I haven’t. Why don’t people make a big deal about that if it’s so important?

by Buckeye Brad on Jun 1, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions

It’s not important at all. Frankly, it’s an outdated and absurd tradition. At any level, from high school to the NBA, the last loss of the season is devastating. Why expect someone to cheerfully shake hands with the guys that just eliminated him?

I become an expert simply by doing something.

by Brad D on Jun 1, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

well

that’s funny…lebron didnt feel like it? he felt like being fake and acting for the cameras when they were doing that stupid pregame routine before they met a superior orlando team

by M4 on Jun 1, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions

for the sake of the kids

Right, i grew up playing sports in every season, and I’ll say this: I saw more fights break out in the “high-five” line after the game than in the game itself. There were many times I would have rather not gone through it because I was ready to slug, or get slugged. I’m not saying what he did was right, or wrong. Maybe he saved himself a real embarrassment of sucker punching someone on the other team. Really, this is only an issue because the media have nothing else to talk about until Thursday night. Zzzzzzz…..

by sether1 on Jun 2, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions

What was he thinking?

Why did he choose to wear a NY hat for the interview, that’s just going to stir up the Knicks speculation even more.

by EliteF22 on May 31, 2009 8:25 PM CDT reply actions

No it won’t, he’s always been a fan of the Yankees (which I hate, of course, but it is what it is) and I don’t see what that has to do with playing for the Knicks.

by Buckeye Brad on May 31, 2009 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions

sportsmanship

I am a Laker Fan, and I would have loved to see my favorite team win a hard-fought series against Lebron and the Cavs, but that may have to wait until next year…

I am truly disappointed that Lebron, as a leader of his team, and the role-model for millions of little kids learning basketball… did not shake his opponents hands.

I do not agree that he was so devastated, or that he was just too intense a competitor and could not bring himself to congratulate the winner.

Based on his actions he was disrespecting the Magic. In this series, the Magic beat the Cavs… and they deserve to be given their props. That is what sportsmanship means. His actions showed that he thought the Magic did not deserve to win this series. But anyone can tell you that the Magic brought their A Game when it mattered!

From the time the game starts to the end of the match, you can be in competitive mode, no friends, no mercy… “killer instinct” and everything!! But after the game, it is only right to accept defeat (nobody can win everytime) and accept that on this day, the other team was simply better.

Being an NBA Fan, and an avid player in my younger days, I have experienced to be on both sides of this… the ultimate victory and the agony of defeat. but after the match I would always go to the other team and say… Congratulations… or some other greeting that conveyed we respected them as competitors.

I am sure that Lebron did not mean to be disrespectful of the Magic, but those are the evidence that his actions revealed.

Good luck in the future years… Mr. James!!

by gatch on May 31, 2009 9:04 PM CDT reply actions

From the time the game starts to the end of the match, you can be in competitive mode, no friends, no mercy… "killer instinct" and everything!! But after the game, it is only right to accept defeat

honestly, i’ve never understood the expectation that athletes compete at the absolute highest level for 48 minutes (in a basketball context), up to and including hatred for their opponents and a desire to destroy the team in the wrong color, and then as soon as the horn sounds it’s supposed to be a handshake/hug extravaganza.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 1, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions

It’s absurd. The handshake after the game needs to begin and end in Little League.

I become an expert simply by doing something.

by Brad D on Jun 1, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Win with class. Lose with class.

by darylglen on May 31, 2009 10:35 PM CDT reply actions

I think Lebron, when it’s all said and done, could possibly be the greatest to ever play the game. But I lost a lot of respect for him last night. And while I know he doesn’t care whether or not I lost respect for him, I’m sure I’m not the only one.

by darylglen on May 31, 2009 10:37 PM CDT reply actions

losing respect for him as a result of that single, non-basketball-related incident is clearly and overreaction.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 1, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, this is getting really, really old. If the Cavs beat the Magic and Dwight Howard walked off the court without shaking anyone’s hand I wouldn’t have cared in the least bit. This is just something for sports talk radio hosts to talk about and for fans who already don’t like LeBron or are jealous of him to whine about. If you “lose respect” for him because of this then you haven’t been paying attention to him for his entire career.

by Buckeye Brad on Jun 1, 2009 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Shaking Hands

Having played softball as a kid and being made to line up after a game – win or lose – and do the whole “good game, good game, good game” bs and smack, not shake, the other team-members’ hands, I can tell you there is absolutely NO feeling involved in it – for either side. For the losers, it’s a stupid, idiotic ritual you have to go through before you are FINALLY allowed to pack up your crap and GO. For the winners, it’s a stupid, idiotic ritual you have to go through before you are FINALLY allowed to SCREAM “WE WON!” and do a cheer — I guess because that means you’ve shown “respect” at that point. It’s mindless, it’s dumb, and – believe me – it means jack to the KIDS.

I’m seriously baffled that it meant so much to all of you that you’re HORRIFIED that LeBron didn’t stick around for it. But, he’s no longer doing the bidding of his mom and the “adults” on the team — he earns a paycheck to do his job and if he doesn’t feel like sticking around to say, “Great job kicking our butts up and down the court — and thanks for that foul to the eye in the 1st quarter; that rocked!” then, well, he doesn’t have to do that. It’s the beauty of being an adult.

He still has every bit of my respect. I sure as hell couldn’t go out and do what he does, and I know very few of the people criticizing him could either.

by Lebron MVP on May 31, 2009 10:45 PM CDT reply actions

Just because I can’t score 40+ points a game in the playoffs (and still lose) doesn’t mean that I can’t be critical of a sore loser. I’ve played organized sports before. High school, AAU, and one year of college ball before blowing out my knee. I’ve lost my fair share of big games on the highest level of my leagues against bitter, bitter rivals. And as much as I hated it, I shook the other team’s hand after tough losses.

By not shaking hands after the Magic beat his team, Lebron just brings more focus on to himself. And that’s what a sore loser does.

If I were you Cavs fans, I would be worried about him not doing that instead of him defending it. Looks like he is pissed at more than just losing. Looks like he doesn’t see much of a future in Cleveland, and knew that if he didn’t win it all this year, he may have to look elsewhere to go get a ring. Cavs better bring him help, and they better have a quick response this offseason to do just that, or he’s gone.

by darylglen on Jun 1, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Looks like he is pissed at more than just losing. Looks like he doesn’t see much of a future in Cleveland

this is a ridiculous and fabricated inference.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 1, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

By not shaking hands after the Magic beat his team, Lebron just brings more focus on to himself.

No, he doesn’t. It’s the media and LeBron-hating fans making a big deal about this. If you think LeBron did this to get more attention then you’re just looking for things to complain about.

Looks like he doesn’t see much of a future in Cleveland

This is completely ridiculous and only shows that you’re looking for things to argue about. Are you even listening to the words that come out of his mouth or are you just making up stuff that you think he thinks?

by Buckeye Brad on Jun 1, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Making up stuff that I think he thinks is……..having an opinion.

And, I think it’s fair to say that he is displeased with his current situation.

He left his team after the game as well. True, I have no idea what went on behind closed doors, but leaving his teammates to talk to the media pretty much sums it up to me.

But heck…..there I go again……having an opinion.

I’m not trying to argue, I’m just stating an opinion that die hard Cavs fans maybe sometimes DON’T want to think about.

And, did you ever stop to think that the reason he skipped out on the media was because of what he might say to them when the first, “Are you going to stay in Cleveland” question was posed?
What if the reason he skipped out was because he was so mad he would have said something like, " No, I’m not going to stay in Cleveland unless I get some help. I’m just a big fish in a small pond here".

You see, as a Magic fan, I’ve heard that before. Even when I didn’t want to think it could happen.

I’m just saying.

by darylglen on Jun 2, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Woah… you played softball? Impressive…

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Jun 1, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I love how some of you Cavs homers are trying to justify Lebron’s classless act. Had it been the other way around, and Dwight not shaking hands’s after losing, you would have a whole article about it. People to this day still talk about how the Pistons walked off the court without shaking the Bulls’ hands back in ‘91 after they lost. You don’t have to hug the guy, you don’t have to even mean it when you give them their congrats, but be above the petty stuff. I mean honestly, it’s just a game.

by pjlawrence81 on May 31, 2009 10:48 PM CDT reply actions

i’ll say again, the pistons thing was completely different. literally, not even comparable to what LeBron did or did not do.

and, news flash, you’re on a cavs blog. if you expect us to take out LeBron for something as meaningless as this, well, you are kidding yourself.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 1, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

I like LeBron’s explanation for his actions but, frankly, I think it’s ridiculous he felt compelled to explain. LeBron owes us nothing, whether he feels like shaking hands or not is absolutely none of our concern.

I become an expert simply by doing something.

by Brad D on May 31, 2009 11:40 PM CDT reply actions