Brian Windhorst has strong words during WKNR interview
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on May 12, 2010 10:10 AM CDT
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There might not be a media member out there that knows more about LeBron James and the Cavaliers than Brian Windhorst. One of Windy's first assignments back when he was at the Akron Beacon Journal was to cover a young, up-and-coming high school phenom named LeBron James. That connection has helped to propel Windhorst to bigger and better things, just like LeBron. Windy has written 2 books about James and now covers the Cavaliers for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He does frequent work for ESPN.com as well. In other words, when Windhorst talks about the Cavaliers I listen.
That's why when Windhorst was on ESPNCleveland's WKNR this morning talking about the Cavaliers lackluster performance last night, and LeBron's disappearing act, I listened intently. Windhorst, who knows the finer points of basketball as well, didn't mince words when describing LeBron and the Cavaliers.
When asked about LeBron's attitude and play, Windhorst explained -
"LeBron is a moody person. He is stuck in a bad mood, he is playing in a depressed state."
"Ultimately, LeBron is going out of this series with a whimper - it's something we've never seen before"
"LeBron is facing the first ligitimate tarnishing of his legacy. The only advantage he has is that its not over with."
Windhorst was even more direct when presented with the possibility that LeBron will bolt as a Free Agent after the season.
"If LeBron leaves the team, runs away from what happened, he's leaving himself to be permanently damaged, he'd be branded a quitter. If the Cavs lose this series and he leaves town, Lebron will be branded a quitter."
Seldom do you hear reporters, or fans for that matter, toss out the Q word.
Windhorst does say that LeBron's play has nothing to do with where he is playing next year. I agree with that. LeBron is not thinking about it right now, but there is something going on. As I said in my post-game, there is obviously something going on behind closed doors. Windhorst gave a sample of what it could be in his blog last night -
Let's start with coach Mike Brown, since that is where many of the fans have started. There are several players who are upset with him and how he's handled his rotations during the playoffs, sticking guys in and yanking them out of the lineups.
This came to a bit of a head after Game 4 in Boston, where Shaquille O'Neal was upset that he didn't come back into the game after leaving early in the fourth quarter.
He's also been moving around playing time for Zydrunas Ilgauskas and changing roles of bench players and even starters. During the playoffs, Anthony Parker has played as little as 19 minutes and as many as 42. O'Neal as few as 15 and as many as 28. The players haven't been fully comfortable with those role adjustments.
Ultimately it goes back to the fact that the Cavs didn't have a complete team until the first game of the playoffs. The return of O'Neal forced one odd man out and it destabilized the rotation. The pressure of the playoffs already causes enough back-and-forth and adjustments, but coming into the playoffs blind has taken Brown out of a comfort level and it has carried over to the players.
After nearly a month of it, tempers have flared. There were a number of angry players Sunday in Boston. They were displacing their frustration over the loss on the coach and not on the lacking effort they clearly put forth.
Also, Brown seems to be searching during games without any real plan of what to do. The players can sense this and it undermines him to a certain degree. Very rarely during the playoffs have the Cavs made in-game adjustments that have provided fruit. In between games with practices and film sessions, yes. But not within the game. When the Cavs look like they are going to lose in the first quarter, usually they have lost.
This is either because Brown isn't making proper adjustments or that the team is not executing those commands. Either way, it is a sign of trouble.
Trouble indeed. I said yesterday that Mike Brown could be in serious trouble if the Cavaliers lost this series. Not so much for losing, no, losing you can handle. It is the WAY the Cavaliers are getting beat, the way they are responding to adversity that has Brown, like his team, possibly on the brink.
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Pretty spot on assessment from Windhorst IMO. It’s sad for the fans of this team, honestly.
A fellow MAgic fan mentioned to me a what if senerio of Orlando landing LeBron. I wouldn’t want him.
Oh come on — you wouldn’t want LeBron? What a joke.
All you’ve done since you’ve been here is bash the Cavs and LeBron. Why are we letting this troll continue to post on this site? Haven’t we had enough of trolls like him who just come here to bash our team and start fights? This is getting really annoying.
by Buckeye Brad on May 12, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Being a fan of Not the Cavs, and being a troll here are two entirely different things. Check my post history.
I am serious. The man is an amzing player, at times looking like a top 5 all time. But I am a firm believer in basketball being a team sport, with 5 guys working towards dominating their match ups. Look at the Gators when they won back to back NCs. Look at the Celtics 2 years ago. Hell, look at the Magic this year, this post season.
I’m not here to troll.
by gatorboi352 on May 12, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
But I am a firm believer in basketball being a team sport
Right, and that’s why you root for a guy who shamelessly whines about not being MVP. Makes sense.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 12, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
All I’ve seen you do the past few days is bash the Cavs with stupid comments.
by Buckeye Brad on May 12, 2010 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
But, I should add, I could be confusing you with someone else, and if so then I apologize.
by Buckeye Brad on May 12, 2010 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Having said that. to come here and say that you wouldn’t want LeBron on your team is just ridiculous, and that comment can’t be taken seriously. He’s the best player in the NBA, and it’s not really close, so to say you wouldn’t want him is just being hardheaded or ignorant. It’s not like LeBron is a bad teammate or anything — in fact, he’s a great teammate. A couple bad playoff games dosn’t change that. How would having LeBron on your team make your team worse? That makes no sense.
by Buckeye Brad on May 12, 2010 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Wow.
I’m checking you guys out to see if Cleveland fans are in as much of a panic as Sportcenter and so many major columnists seem to be. Game 5 was ridiculous, but I have my own opinions on the blame game.
So far I like what I read, but when I get to the comments here… wow. uhhh… so this guy is a troll because he doesn’t want Lebron on the Magic? Wow, last i checked a troll is someone who just comes to start fights with the regulars. Having a different opinion is entirely different. We tend to call that an argument, or debate.
And guess what… the Magic do NOT need a Lebron James or Kobe Bryant or Dwyane Wade. They have enough guys filling other roles to be just fine. So what?!
"you're the Rod Thorn in my Chris Bosh side."
by Chris Child's Fist on May 13, 2010 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I’ll step in and say he has contributed som decent stuff and not generally been a troll, but this is certainly trolling.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 12, 2010 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
" I said yesterday that Mike Brown could be in serious trouble if the Cavaliers lost this series."
Brown is fired if they lose this series.
by gatorboi352 on May 12, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Ha, that brightened up my day. thanks for the laugh!
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 12, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
With Lebron, Orlando could win 8 consecutive titles
If you gave Lebron a team with that kind of three point shooting and interior defensive/rebounding presence, it wouldn’t be fair to the other teams. Unless maybe Lebron had some sort of elbow injury.
by oblivionspocket on May 12, 2010 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions
that kind of three point shooting
you mean worse than he has with this year’s Cavs?
interior defensive/rebounding presence,
any other baseless assumptions you want to throw out here?
You are reading my signature.
by rolub on May 12, 2010 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Winner
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 12, 2010 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Is it possible
It may be the case(starting with a hedge.) that these numbers wouldn’t be as good without Lebron’s playmaking. Even though his own 3 point% is actually dragging down the team’s average a bit, he makes a lot of assists and his general offensive presence creates a fair number of open shots along the perimeter. According to 82 games, Lebron assisted 194 of the Cavs 602 made three pointers. Obviously, without Lebron, some of those assists still would have been made, but how many of them?
http://www.82games.com/0910/09CLE11.HTM
Lebron also grabs a fair number of rebounds with a defensive rebounding % of 16.7. He hardly leads the team in rebounding, but it has to help a lot to have a SF who rebounds so many shots. Still, the Cavs have a number of fairly good rebounders. Varejao is a pretty good rebounder with a defensive rebounding percentage of 18.5%. Hickson also is good with a dreb% of 17.5. Shaq has a 21.2 dreb%, but how much longer will he be a Cav? You could ask the same question of Ilgauskas, who is also an ok rebounder.
Overall, the Cavs’ PFs and Cs produce 2 rebounds more than their opponents a game (yeah, I wish it were pace adjusted too, but it doesn’t matter because both teams averaged 91 possessions a game). The magic’s PFs and Cs produce 3.3 more rebounds than their opponents. So, using this measure, the Magic do have better PF and C rebounding than the Cavs (mainly better C rebounding, they’re PF rebounding is worse than the Cavs’). Cav’s SFs (James logs so many minutes that Cav’s SFs practically means Lebron, right?) out rebound their opponents by 0.6 more rebounds per game than the Magic SFs. However, to be completely fair, even discounting SFs net production, the Cavs produce .3 more net rebounds per game then the Magic. If you exchange SF production (not exactly kosher), the Magic would grab .3 more net rebounds per game than the Cavs. Doesn’t sound like a big difference, so you’re right about the team rebounding being basically even. I meant to say that Magic big men were better rebounders than Cav big men, and that’s true, but the essence of your rebounding rebuttal is more correct than my initial statement because rebounding is a team effort.
http://www.82games.com/0910/0910ORL5.HTM
http://www.82games.com/0910/0910CLE5.HTM
I also meant to say that the Magic have better interior defense than the Cavs, especially better help defense. This is hard to measure. Both teams block about the same percentage of their opponents’ shots (0.4% difference in favor of Orlando). One fact does favor my initial impression though. Magic opponents have a .507 efg% on close shots. Cav opponents have a .533 efg% on close shots. However, that only contributes a 0.8 points per game difference. To put that in context, the Cavs average a 6.5 point margin of victory and the Magic average a 7.5 point margin of victory. With victory margins like that, .8 points per game probably isn’t that big of a deal, but it probably would mean a few more wins.
http://www.82games.com/0910/0910ORL3.HTM
http://www.82games.com/0910/0910CLE3.HTM
So, I agree. I overstated the difference between the Magic and the Cavs. The defensive rebounding is pretty much a wash. The Cavs have a better 3pt%, but the Magic shot 239 more threes in same number of possessions with only a 0.6% worse percentage. So, I maintain that they’re a better 3pt shooting team, but not that much better. Still, without Lebron the difference might grow because the Cavs would lose many of Jame’s 194 3pt assists. The magic also have better interior defense, and that part of my initial claim stands.
One slight problem I have with your argument is that you don’t consider how James’ presence might be affecting the numbers. The question isn’t, “which team is better now?”, instead, it’s, “which team would be better with Lebron?” In the end, I think Orlando+James would be a slightly better team than this year’s Cavs. And, because this year’s Cavs are already title contenders, that slight improvement might be enough to turn Orlando into a Juggernaut.
I’m also sort of sorry to speculate on how another team’s player would do on a different team. I’m a wolves fan, and it always used to annoy me when people would speculate about Garnett trades. I hope I didn’t offend you too badly.
by oblivionspocket on May 13, 2010 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions
The series ain't over yet
There’s still one (possibly 2) games left to play and a solid game 6 outing will quiet the criticism. That said, James’ overall demeanor and approach to the playoffs (and the game) leave a lot to be desired. Yes, his talent is great (that goes without question) but his ever present quest to expand his branding/image to the point where it has become priority one is what’s wrong (in my own humble opinion). Win some rings, then the rest will surely come. Just ask MJ, Kobe, etc.
Your “humble opinion” sounds like a shameless regurgitation of Adrian Wojnarowski’s “I hate Lebron, but I love Kobe” post on Yahoo! And while said post-uncharacteristically-had some truth to it, character assassination and speculation are NEVER a good substitute for facts
by cavslandrocks on May 13, 2010 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions
There’s still one (possibly 2) games left to play and a solid game 6 outing will quiet the criticism.
True first part, not so true second part. He has given the national haters enough ammo to last years.
not if he wins a ring
Believe me, there will be ZERO criticism if LBJ wins a ring. If Lebron wins a ring, he’s back to being the King. Uh, this time it’ll actually be REAL and not media hype to boot!
I am going to throw out something that has been chirping in me
I think that somehow this centers with Shaq. I know, bash me all you want, I just get the vibe from this guy like he is a Terrel Owens type, divides locker rooms and has people pick sides. Why exactly did the Heat trade him after winning a championship? Only to go and get a less effective Oneal? Please, for the Shaq loyalists, let’s not hear the name calling, this is a valid concern I have and I could be TOTALLY wrong. It is a gut feeling and those don’t generally mean anything, but I look before the playoffs, and the Cavs were playing some good ball. Also remember that before the trade, there were legitimate concerns of chemistry rifts with two super large egos on the team. I am just throwing it out there, if you don’t like it, just throw it right back.
I think this is a very legitimate concern. Since the preseason when it was announced that Shaq was coming to Cleveland I already doubted whether he could fit into the Cavs’ system. I thought it was a valiant effort by Cavs management to bring in someone that could give them something they haven’t had in the past (a huge post presence), Shaq is well past his prime. Just look what he did to Phoenix.
I’d agree with you, except for the FOUR championships Shaq has won next to other superstars. This is irrelevant.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 12, 2010 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
You are bypasing my point
In everyone of those teams, Shaq was combustible and alienated the other superstar, even Wade, who will not speak ill of Shaq, but you never ever see him be overly friendly either. The blog states that Lebron is moody and it is showing, and I pointed out a trend with Shaq to get under the skin of teams, coaches, and fellow superstars, and that is irrelevant?
So Wade has never said anything ill of Shaq, yet you suspect that Shaq “alienated” him. And the Shaq/Kobe relationship had nothing to do with Kobe’s primadona attitude, right? Yep, all Shaq.
What you’re saying has no factual basis, bottom line.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 12, 2010 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
You really just can't help yourself
Shaq not getting along with teammates is documented. He attacked Riley once he left the Heat, he attacked Phil Jackson when he left the Lakers, with him the Suns didn’t make the playoffs, one year removed they go to the WCF, the Heat trade him for nothing just to get rid of him even though they won a championship with him and he was three years younger than now, but yes I am the one that is ignoring facts. Oh and the Cavs were playing well until Shaq came back, another pretty good fact.
Dude really you should be talked to by a moderator, you don’t offer anything to a conversation except negativity. If the post doesn’t reflect your mental image of how things are, then the poster must be an idiot. Please just don’t respond to any of my posts, you are not welcome. I said in my original post that I was most likely wrong, but it seemed possible, but again you choose to act like you are the end all be all of knowledge, and immediately declare my logic as not yours, thereby incorrect. Get over yourself.
You make no sense
Riley and Jackson weren’t his teammates.
by Hardcore Legend on May 12, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
How so
His former coaches, he had problems with, and now it seems like the team is angry with Woodson (for good reason I might add), but I am just wondering if it is exacerbated by Shaq, with his history of not getting along with coaches. How does that not make sense? I mean really I don’t understand, I can see if you don’t agree, but I wonder how you don’t think there may be a correlation?
Woodson?
Who are you talking about. Mike Brown is the coach of the Cavs, Mike Woodson is the coach of the Hawks. I don’t really care if the Cavs are upset with Mike Woodson.
by Hardcore Legend on May 12, 2010 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Iwas pointing out documented
occurences of Shaq not getting along with teamamtes and coaches on his team, which might somehow go along with the strange funk that has taken over James and or his teammates. I didn’t say that this is what is going on, I am just wondering allowed if Shaq has again done something to disrupt team chemistry. He may well not have, but something is definitely going on from the look of the team’s disinterest in 3 of the last 4 games. I am just speculating guys, try not to take it personally.
Dude really you should be talked to by a moderator, you don’t offer anything to a conversation except negativity. If the post doesn’t reflect your mental image of how things are, then the poster must be an idiot.
have you read anything else I’ve contributed to this site? I never said you were an idiot. I just think you’re overreacting a bit to a devastating loss last night, which is understandable. My point is that your worries about Shaq are mostly based on unsubstantiated hearsay.
Let’s say we use the “gut” method anyway. What evidence do you have that Shaq is the problem here? Every seems to get along well with him and he’s generally been very enthusiastic. I think you’re putting together pieces of a puzzle that doesn’t exist, is all.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 12, 2010 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
that maybe
And I can accept that as a reply. But why is what I say irrelevant? Why does what I say have no factual basis? When I listed many facts supporting the “possibility”, and advised that I was reaching. I may be a little sensitive, I just got out of surgery and then watched a crappy basketball game, but it seems like replies are more based on putting down the poster or the posted and not coming up with your own ideas that support or disagree. Again, yesterday’s hardships may be making me a bit sensitive, for that I am sorry, but I am searching for what is going wrong with this team, and I don’t buy into the talk that this is all on Lebron. I think there is more to it is all. I love basketball, and what I saw is not that.
I think you’re being a little sensitive, but I never meant to insult you personally. My point is that whatever Shaq’s influence has been on the team — and I don’t believe it is negative based on the evidence you gave — is irrelevant to why we played so poorly. That’s nothing of a knock against you, it’s just a disagreement.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 12, 2010 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions
?
Looks to me like Shaq is the only Cavs player stepping up. He’s improved his point totals and even his free-throw percentage over the past few games. I know we can’t see what goes on when the camera is off, but he seems to have gotten along well with other players, earned respect, and I don’t see how he is the cause of any of the teams’s struggles.
by JasonGK on May 12, 2010 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
this is definitely true
I’m not sure if Shaq is causing any issues with regards to the Cavs, but Shaq has caused problems everywhere. Shaq is media savvy enough to have placed the blame on Kobe with the whole shaq vs kobe thing, but the reality is that it was 100% Shaq’s fault. Kobe was PISSED because Shaq came into the 2004 season overweight, out of shape and out of conditioning. He then got surgury in the middle of the basketball season one year instead of doing it over the offseason. Say what you will about Kobe, you cannot deny that he is a hard worker and puts winning above it all. This was the reason why Kobe and Shaq had their huge fight. Kobe wanted to win, worked hard to win, was in the gym hour after hour, while Shaq provided a horrible display of work ethic to the other team members every other day.
This just in
TV Executives found holding Lebron’s family hostage. Forces Lebron to lose game 5 to boost ratings.
“It appears that with the other 2nd round teams all sweeping their respective opponents, the executives lost all self control and decided to force two highly anticipated games in the lone remaining series.”
Apparently Cav fans can rest assured that Lebron’s family have been safely rescued and are out of harm’s way.
Says Lebron:
“I can’t tell you how bad it hurt to miss those shots on purpose (in game 5), I just can’t wait to go out there and show the Celtics what happens when I am allowed to play, you can go ahead and pencil in wins for us in game 6 and 7, cause I am gonna remind all the doubters who the real King is.”
Ha, let’s hope something like this is really the case. Well, minus the kidnapping.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 12, 2010 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Windhorst hit the nail on the head
the team has no gameplan. They don’t know what they want to do on offense, they don’t know what they want to do on defense. They don’t know who is going to be on the floor at any given time. Hell, Delonte couldn’t sniff the floor in the second half.
They played ZERO defense last night as the Celtics were just running layup drills on them. They had absolutely no pride and above all Lebron had no desire to win. He was just going through the motions and trying to act as if none of it was bothering him. That’s garbage. He has such great respect for his idol, but Micheal would have NEVER let last night happen nor would he have just stood there and watched his teammates give no effort. He’d have grabbed someone in a timeout, got up in their face and told them either get their act together or go sit at the end of the bench for the rest of the playoffs.
That game last night was utterly disgusting. I don’t know if Lebron is hurt, disinterested or what but I hope the fact that the fanbase that so rabidly pleads for him to stay on a nightly basis was boisterously booing his sorry performance resonates with him. He was proving every person that ever said he couldn’t shoot, couldn’t lead, couldn’t close or couldn’t win a big game right. His image is being tarnished indeed.
by Hardcore Legend on May 12, 2010 11:22 AM CDT reply actions
Couple Things
First, if Lebron went to Orlando they would surely win the Championship and you would have to be an idiot to say you wouldn’t want him. I don’t know why he wouldn’t say, “Hey I don’t need to have a big giant contract I just want to win, so make it work here in Orlando”, cause lets face it teams are building now and there only getting better. Jordan did if for Pippen and we all know how that worked out.
And if you really, really look at Cleveland’s team their not that good, LeBron makes them play better, but their not that good. Can you imagine if LeBron switched teams with Kobe at the beginning of the year what would happen?!! First they would have broken the Bulls record of most wins in a regular season and second they would easily win the Championship – LeBron with that team and Phil Jackson it would be over! You have to put yourself in LeBron position he’s one guy away from winning a championship – and Ariza or maybe even a DWade would be nice. Cause it really is frustrating to watch, last year if he was guarding Turkoglu then Rashard Lewis hit a big shot and if he was guarding Lewis then Turkoglu hit a big shot. Same thing this year he guarded Pierce the first 4 games and he was 16-50 47 points (that’s pathetic), now he guards Rondo game 5 a little more and he didn’t do anything, and Pierce scored almost half of what he has scored all series and shot 50% yesterday. What is LeBron supposed to do? I guess EVERYTHING!
Real Quick
Can you imagine what type of pressure he has to know that if he has one off game they’ll lose by 30. Kobe scored 12 against OKC and they still won. You have to give LeBron the benefit of the doubt!
“If LeBron leaves the team, runs away from what happened, he’s leaving himself to be permanently damaged, he’d be branded a quitter. If the Cavs lose this series and he leaves town, Lebron will be branded a quitter.”
Totally agree with this.
I have never thought he would leave for a number of reasons but mostly this. Being a quitter. How could he start the re-birth of Cleveland basketball and then just leave because he could’nt win a championship with out help? That’s not what Jordan did. To quit now would be counter-intuitive to ever being considered a winner if he goes elsewhere.
I would love for him to man-up before game six and say," I m staying."
I'm Polish...what's your excuse?
Much as we’d all love that… keep dreaming.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 12, 2010 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
CAVS
I am really tired of everyone blaming Mike Brown for poor coaching. What other coach has won back to back 60+ wins in a season. Also, Lebron James cannot be the savior. There are 4 other players on the court with him. Shaq was the only one who played to his potential. WHERE IN THE HELL IS THE REAL MO WILLIAMS? He has not been seen in an of the post season games. CAVS — GET IT TOGETHER. YOU NEED TO BECOME THE FIERCE TEAM THAT YOU WERE PRIOR TO POSTSEASON. You owe to the City of Cleveland, your fanbase, and most particularly yourselves. Front Office: Do not change coaches!!!
by Still a Cavs Fan on May 12, 2010 3:12 PM CDT reply actions
Del Harris
…and how many rings does he have?
Del won 56 games in 1996/97 and 61 in 97/98
98/99 was the strike season
It is all coaching - that is the only problem the Cavs have
I do not mean to be a trolling lurker – but I see exactly the same issue with this years Cavs as I saw in the 1997/1998 Lakers (I confess I am a Laker Fan) – Del Harris was the coach of the Lakers and his two Kobe/Shaq teams won over 60 games both those years, but could not win in the playoffs – some of that was simply the Utah Jazz being a good team – but Del could not figurea way to beat Utah – Phil Jackson was brought in and let everyone know he thought they could be championship caliber within three years – We honest Laker fans were aghast when they won it all in Phil’s first year as coach for they were pretty much the same team – the big difference was Phil can coach the playoffs – he MAKES adjustments – I have no doubt that if Phil was the Cavs coach today – they would look like the 2001 Lakers who lost only one playoff game on their way to the championship…. As to the breakdown between Shaq and Kobe – much is documented – but I place a great deal of the blame on Shaq – Kobe can be one hell of an asshole – but he wants to win more than anything – and his summer physical regimen is legendary… unfortunately so was Shaq’s for all the wrong reasons…. he would come in overweight and take offense when called on it…. also the whole bit about waiting until the regular season for surgery so he could rehab on the “teams” time as opposed to his personal time…. An unmotivated Shaq is a nightmare… I think he is motivated now – I do not think he is the problem with the Cavs as I see he wants to burnish his legacy – not tarnish it…. Again…. Kobe is an asshole…. but he is OUR asshole….
The SupaStar has outgrown the coach!
The SupaStar has outgrown the coach! And whats more, his possee is following him like he’s the Pied Piper of Cleveland! Yeah, there are two games left but this series is for all intents and purpose over. We’ve all been led down the primrose path which is unfortunate. Did you hear his comments after the game? 3 bad games in 7yrs? We’ve all been spoiled by his game? Give ;me a break. Cleveland fan deserves better and better not stand for that !
Truth is, I can only think of a handful of coaches that could emjpy success with LeBron and his talented entourage…… Phil in LA, Pat Reily, Popavich, maybe even Doc Rivers……….. Truth is Mke Brown doesn’t have control of this team and hasn’t for a long time. It’s astonishing to me that Danny Ferry didn’t see this breakdown coming and get us a coach that can deal with His Majesty!
This team doesn’t respond to Mike Brown and never will. That’s unfortunate because Mike is a decent coach and a great person. This debacle has got to end and thank goodness Dan Gilbert has finally weighed in. Cleveland fan has suffered long enough!
last year at around this time...
…the Cavs had just finished steamrolling through the first 2 rounds, winning 8 in a row, all in a very convincing manner. Orlando was down 3-2 against the Celtics and there were signs of breakdown in the Magic locker room (e.g. Howard publicly criticizing van Gundy’s coaching). Then Orlando wins 2 in a row against Boston and catches the Cavs completely off guard.
If the Cavs can come through this series a winner, let’s hope that that which did not kill them makes them stronger and arms them to get revenge on the Magic.
He needs a coach to help him get past this
LeBron has a mental awakening to overcome, really bad one too. he needs a coach to help him get past this. He needs a P Jackson or P Riley type and their band of coaches to help him understand that he needs single minded purpose to win the ring.
The NBA ring is one of the most valued and respected prizes in professional sports. You cannot achieve it without great sacarfice, sweat and PAIN!!!. We all have seen grown men crying to get it and they have cried openly after achieving it!! You Must learn to close out the world and devolt your basketball life for it. you must be willing to “Bear any burden” to achieve it. In the end YOU must have a champions soul. And if you call yourself a king and have the lack of insight say on national tv that “I’ve only had three(3) bad games in my career” then you are missing the boat. and by the way one of those 3 bad games was a game 5 in your house with a series tied at 2 games.
Excuse me mister, but you are not willing to travel that very difficult road; then you should not wear the 23. He would have NEVER lost that game in his house.
It is at this point a matter of “WILL”.
“If LeBron leaves the team, runs away from what happened, he’s leaving himself to be permanently damaged, he’d be branded a quitter. If the Cavs lose this series and he leaves town, Lebron will be branded a quitter.
Hmmmm Orlando goes 60-22 in the 1995–96 season and got swept by the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. What did Shaquille “the quitter” O’Neal do? Went to LA and won 3 straight NBA titles and a 4th with the Heat. So i really doubt Lebron will have any permanent damage to his image if he leaves. Seems like just someone bitter they might not be able to keep him in Cleveland.
I agree. If he leaves, people in Cleveland might never forgive him but if he wins elsewhere, the rest of the world will forget about what happened here. I still have hope that they’ll pull through and win it this year and that he’ll stay but if he leaves, his reputation will be built on what happens for the rest of his career.
by abdulgoldstein on May 12, 2010 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Have to also agree. Manny Ramirez was loved in much the same way as LeBron is, dumped Cleveland and moved to Boston, won there, and I have yet to hear anyone say ’Manny’s life would be perfect if he just didn’t have to carry around the weight of quitting on the Indians’. It is an unfortunate fact of life that only under the microscope of a particular city and fan base is a player projected to have ‘guilt’ when he abandons them…for all the rest of the country and in other fan bases, it is not even a blip on the radar. Windhorst is a good columnist, but I think he is projecting Cleveland-love-or-hate into LeBron’s future, and if he leaves, only here would it be mentioned much at all that he was a ‘quitter’, and if he won elsewhere, I don’t see him losing too much sleep over poor old Cleveland.
by AncientMariner on May 13, 2010 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions
You could also look at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar forcing a trade from a team he lead to a 342-150 record and a league championship because Midwest did not fit his cultural needs. “Live in Milwaukee? No, I guess you could say I exist in Milwaukee,” Abdul-Jabbar said in a early magazine interview. “I am a soldier hired for service and I will perform that service well. Basketball has given me a good life, but this town has nothing to do with my roots. There’s no common ground.” GM Wayne Embry claims to have tried every course of persuasion with Jabbar, including offering to fire anybody in the front office. But it was a cultural issue with Abdul-Jabbar, a need to be back in a big city. No one really talks about his Milwaukee days and No one in Milwaukee is really bitter about it.
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