LeBron James: The Day After
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Jul 9, 2010 7:49 AM CDT
in Cleveland Cavaliers in the News
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PrintThe sun did rise this morning and the world is still spinning. That is a relief, for awhile I didn't know what would happen. Kudos to Cavaliers fans in Clevleand/Akron for not going overboard and doing anything stupid last night. No need to go overboard, it is just a game after-all, LeBron proved it last night with his decision(despite a movie trying to claim otherwise.)
We are going to get on with the task of rebuilding the Cavaliers, but before that can happen I feel the need to address a few things, set the record straight if you will. Fans of other teams have been stopping by, which I welcome, but it is important that you give Cavaliers fans the room they need. We don't want your sympathy, but we don't need you tell us how to react, either.
Dan Gilbert's Response, While Over The Top, Completely Warranted - After sleeping on it for a couple of hours - I doubt many Cavs fans got much sleep - it is easy to see why some would believe Dan Gilbert's comments were 'sour grapes' or 'classless'. In truth, they were the heartfelt reaction of a man that has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to keep his super star happy. Gilbert was in a no win situation, and he knew it. Gilbert and James obviously had a superficial relationship, and with the shackles of trying to please LeBron released was able to express how he truly felt. Make no mistake, if you read between the lines, you see what Gilbert's real frustration with LeBron is - the lack of respect for the ownership of the Cavaliers, who treated LeBron and his people the way a superstar should be treated.
LeBron didn't even have the courtesy to inform the Cavaliers of his decision until AFTER he went on the air. It was classless and cowardly. Was Gilbert's response over the top? Perhaps, but we don't know the whole story and GIlbert simply showed the passion that us fans have. It is both refreshing and reassuring.
"The Cavs Didn't Put Any Good Players Around LeBron" - I have probably seen this sentiment, or one like it, the most. Please, if you are going to spew the bias of the mainstream media, do it somewhere else. The Cavaliers did everything in their power to surround LeBron with the players necessary to get over the top. Did every move work? No, but it wasn't for lack of trying. Every chance the Cavaliers had to improve the roster the Cavaliers explored it. Even last off-season, the Cavaliers tried to land Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza. They tried to acquire Amar'e Stoudemire. They did everything the other teams with cap space did not do. They tried to win NOW. Of course, they were mistaken about LeBron's motivations.
LeBron James Showed His True Colors - First, let me say that LeBron didn't 'owe' the fans. He has earned the right to decide where to play basketball. With that right, however, come consequences. There will be tough consequences that LeBron himself is well aware of. James once said during an interview that he shared "a special bond" with Cavaliers fans because he was like us. He lived through "The Drive" and "The Fumble" , "The Shot" and the 1997 World Series when Jose Mesa blew the save. He shared a special connection with Cleveland sports fans because of it. Clevelanders have heard this type of talk before from it's athletes - Jim Thome once said "you'll have to tear this jersey off of me' when asked about his loyalty to the Indians.
What LeBron James showed however, and where we were all mistaken, was just what LeBron James wants to be in the NBA. Alan Hahn of Newsday said it best. LeBron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh have turned the NBA into an AAU League. This isn't about the best opportunity to win - Chicago may have presented LeBron with that immediately - it was about three players wanting to prove to the NBA that it is the players that have the true power. It is the players that run the NBA. Throughout all of this, David Stern has been quiet. I don't expect that to last, and I expect the new CBA to address much of this.
"LeBron James Could Never Have Won In Cleveland" - I keep seeing this, and frankly I don't understand. The Cavaliers won 127 games over the past two seasons. They went to the Finals, to the Eastern Conference Finals, and deep into the playoffs 3 other seasons. They were on the cusp, they just didn't get over the top. Sure, there were times that LeBron teammates didn't make some plays. What about LeBron? HE was the MVP, yet it was LeBron that disappeared against Boston. With the Cavaliers up 2-1 against the Celtics, LeBron's demeanor changed, especially in Game 5. No one knows why, and no one on ESPN's crack staff of 'experts' asked LeBron about it last night. In fact, the only one to really ask LeBron about it, Brian Windhorst after Game 5, got a shocking answer from LeBron - "I feel bad for myself. I have spoiled the fans over the past seven years with my play." Those words carry a new meaning today, to be sure.
What about the Heat? LeBron is going to be able to win immediately in Miami? This isn't a video game. Right now, the Heat's roster composes of James, Wade, Bosh, Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller. That is going to win a championship? I'd say the Heat, even after they round out the roster with veteran minimum contracts, are 2 years away from contending. Again, this wasn't about winning now, this was about power in the NBA, and LeBron playing ball with his boys.
"Loyalty" - James Throws His Former Teammates Under The Bus - LeBron has the word 'Loyalty' tattooed on his body. He has always talked about it being about team, yet last night he neither showed loyalty or was about team. LeBron threw his former Cleveland teammates under the bus, implying that they lacked the effort or talent to play beside him. LeBron was the leader of the Cavaliers, he was MVP.
It has become apparent that LeBron has no desire to be the focal point. He doesn't want the pressure of shouldering a team. Maybe we shouldn't be surprised. Since he was a small child, LeBron was surrounded with the best players, placed on super teams that were expected to win. So was D-Wade and Bosh. Even when LeBron went to High School, he went with many of the guys he grew up playing with. They went as a team, a unit, put together to do one thing, Win. That isn't how the NBA works, and it was a shock to LeBron. He didn't want to earn it, he wants to take the easy way - the way it has always been for him. It remains to be seen if it will lead to Championships.
~~~~~~
You can decide for yourself what to think about all this. Just do me a favor, if you are not a Cavs fan, keep your thoughts and opinion to yourself. You don't know, and regurgitating ESPN's nonsense is old and tired.
GO CAVS!
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A lot of people are not in the shoes of Dan Gilbert, and really should not be in a position to criticize him. First, Gilbert knows a lot more of what went on behind the scenes than any of us. Second, he probably just lost half the value of his franchise in a split second which might be unprecedented in sports history.
Nice summary of the hot topics surrounding the LeBron fiasco. The one that annoys me the most is when people say the Cavs didn’t surround LeBron with enough talent. Sure, he might not have been playing with the likes of Wade and Bosh, but the Cavs would not have had the best NBA record two seasons straight without a fair supporting cast. When push came to shove, LeBron was not a superstar this year against Boston, and he ultimately leaves Cleveland a failure.
Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.
Bottom line is that Kobe wins a title with the 2009-10 Cavaliers. So does Jordan, so does Magic, so does Bird, even Dwayne Wade. LeBron quit on his team in a way no superstar ever has before.
Completely...
disagree…nobody on the Cavs has hit a big shot besides Lebron in the playoffs in like…10 years lol
That’s completely untrue. Besides, LeBron’s 1-on-5 style wasn’t particularly conducive to players stepping up. Then when he decides he doesn’t feel like trying anymore, what’s left? A scumbag with a fake injury.
like 5 years ago…point is the way it seems now is that nobody on the team can hit big shots cept Lebron…since they’ve become real championship contenders it was him or nobody
hmmm, the best player on the team being the go to guy for the best shot, yeah that doesn’t make sense
lol just look at championship teams…for Jordan – Paxson and Kerr both hit championship clinching shots. For Kobe – Horry’s hit big buckets, Fisher’s hit big buckets including a bucket with .4 seconds left, heck Artest hit a game winner this year and so did Gasol. When Olajuwon won his 2, Mario Elie hit a game winner. Cleveland needed some role players who can hit shots when the game counts…
The logic of the NBA’s best record two years running not being enough talent is mind-boggling.
by APV on Jul 9, 2010 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions
this!
I can name 4 Lakers that got MAJOR playing time that wouldn’t see 1 minute on this last year Cavs team. Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown and an Andrew Bynum playing on 1 leg. These 4 guys all played a minimum of 20 minutes per game through out the playoffs. I’m just wondering which of these players would see 1 minute on the Cavs?
The correct answer is NONE. The Cavs had a steller team 2 years running. They didn’t have the top heavy talent like the Lakers with Kobe/Pau/Lamar, but they had high level talent throughout the top 10 players. Massive depth at almost every single position.
And the evidence is the best that can be found —best record in the NBA 2 years straight! Wade is comparable if not better than Lebron. How many times did he have the best record in the NBA or even the 5th, 7th, 10th best? That is the difference between the supporting cast of Lebron and Wade last year. Lebron’s team was a championship quality team with the right superstar.
No doubt in my mind that the Cavs would have won last year with Kobe switched in with Lebron. Michael switched in with Lebron? Well then, we’re talking about a 6-peet.
Magic fan here...
And I did read the point “non cavs fans, keep opinions quiet”, but I saw my team lose our franchise player too about a decade ago. Just wanted to stop by and say I do feel for the die hard cavs fans here. Very hard thing to come to terms with, and a lot of respect goes out to you guys who stay true to your team. Wish you well guys.
Bleeding Blue Black and Silver for 20 of my 23 years.
Thanks dude. Another dark day in Cleveland sports history. We will survive it.
I'm Polish...what's your excuse?
It was harsh..
And I meant it more for people coming in and telling us we didn’t deserve LeBron, or that he couldn’t win in Cleveland…Thanks for stopping by…
FTS
SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers Blogger
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Jul 9, 2010 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions
From Windhorst’s column on ESPN
In every trade Gilbert made, he took on more money than he sent out, his payroll spiraling into the luxury tax and then more deeply into the tax. Each, whether it was for Ben Wallace or Mo Williams or Shaquille O’Neal or Antawn Jamison, came only as James signed off. Yet when it was time to sign free agents, James would not commit to the future.
It left the team being forced to improve mostly through trades, deals they often made with the short term in mind that required them to give up future assets in the form of draft picks and prospects. Largely it worked, as the Cavs became one of the league’s most successful teams.
Gilbert hired one of James’ friends and paid him more than some assistant coaches to hang out with the team so James would be comfortable. Gilbert allowed members of James’ management team to fly on the team jet. He spent $25 million to construct a practice facility that was located 20 minutes closer to James’ home than the old one. He rebuilt the locker room. He hired a masseur to travel on the road because James likes massages.
Could you post a link??
FTS
SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers Blogger
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Jul 9, 2010 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions
This
Proves that LeBron was/is a ungrateful narcissistic prick. Gilbert and Windhorst need to let the world know it.
I'm Polish...what's your excuse?
ok, now what? we got $9-13 million to spend and trades to make. i expect something to be done today by the Cavs.
I root for Cleveland and anyone playing the Miami Heat
My last post I promise.
I’m an intruder, albeit a friendly one, and I will abide to your moderators request although I fear the trolls will ignore it.
But your question is a general basketball one and I can provide a bit of the answer.
One thing that can be done is to examine the players with restricted free agent status. Many of these players are on teams with limited cap space. Their current team has the option to match any offer sheet signed by the player. The way it works is that a team makes an offer with a “frontloaded” amount that would force the player’s club into the luxury tax in the first year. Much of the time the team has no choice but to let said player go.
Right now the Bobcats have Tyrus Thomas in just such a situation. The Cats want to keep him and have the option of matching any offer, but the club is very close to the new luxury tax amount. If Cleveland were to offer Thomas a contract with a big first year Charlotte couldn’t possibly match it.
It’s not the most respectable way to rebuild a team, but it does happen to be the best way to go about it when you have money to spend and nobody in the open market worth spending it on.
Be well Cleveland. You deserved better and I meant it when I said that the Cavs just became my #2 favorite team in the NBA.
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 9, 2010 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Other teams fans..
are welcome here. I encourage any thoughts on what the Cavs should do next…
Thank You…
FTS
SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers Blogger
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Jul 9, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Thank you John.
No offense was taken, but I did want to respect your request and regular fans need time to deal with everything.
Since I am a brand new Cavs fan (I was dead serious about that) I may become a semi-regular presence here but I’ll most likely just lurk awhile until I’m more familiar with the club. I don’t believe in running my mouth in ignorance. While I know my Bobcats inside and out, I’ve only known the Cavs as opponents prior to now. Your owner has made me a fan because his passion is something I admire.
I’ll be back once I feel I can offer knowledgable comments about the squad and the future.
I’ve often wondered why the Cavs could never seem to take that last small step to a title. I’ll leave with one sincere question:
All bitterness aside, was it really Lebron that made the title so elusive or was it a combination of factors such as coaching, disappointing draft pick results, etc.?
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 9, 2010 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
It was certainly a combination of factors, although disappointing draft picks didn’t have anything to do with it because we never had a high pick after Lebron (and JJ and Boobie panned out pretty well). The initial signings of Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones and Larry Hughes put us in a hole that we spent years trying to dig out of. In the end, we assembled a pretty good team that some superstars might have lead to a title.
Ultimately, Lebron wasn’t good enough to lead this team to a title, and the team wasn’t good enough to carry him.
Enough Blame to Go all Around
Lets pretend it is time for the 2011 NBA draft. The Cavs get the #1 overall pick ( I know impossible, but we are pretending here). What would Mr. Gilbert do after he takes the next LeBron? Would he hire a coach that has proven success in the play-offs. Would he draft or trade for high talent players to compliment his new superstar. Would he hire a GM that set a plan in place from day 1 to insure success? Would he coddle his superstar? Did he do these things after he drafted LeBron?
I didn’t expect LeBron to leave Cleveland. I thought that management and LeBron were working hand in hand to move the team forward. It is pretty obvious now that this wasn’t the case. When LeBron signed a short contract extension he put the Cavs on Notice. Things had to get better or he wouldn’t re-up. We will never know the inner workings of the last three years. But we do know that the relationship wasn’t what we thought it was. Danny Ferry didn’t get it done. Coach Brown didn’t get it done. That part is on Gilbert. LeBron didn’t get it done. That part is on LeBron.
But we knew his contract was expiring and it has expired. The future is still better than some other teams and there is no reason not to move forward from this point. I woke up this morning, took an asprin for my hangover, and am waiting for the news as to which free agent we are hiring.
Go Cavs
"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?"
Joe Kapp
James once said during an interview that he shared “a special bond” with Cavaliers fans because he was like us. He lived through “The Drive” and “The Fumble” , “The Shot” and the 1997 World Series when Jose Mesa blew the save. He shared a special connection with Cleveland sports fans because of it.
Except that during that time that Cleveland teams were undergoing all that heartbreak he was rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankees and Chicago Bulls.
"Facebook is bad news. It and Jason Donald both crush dreams." - JRontherim
I feel sorry for you guys...
I’m from Indy and I could only IMAGINE how I’d feel if Peyton was from Indy and left…
But I will say that although the Cavs TRIED to put better pieces around Lebron they were completely unable to. They tried to get Artest, Ariza, Amare, and apparently they tried to get Bosh in a sign and trade. But nobody wanted to go there. I understand why he would feel that he would never get enough help in CLE.
Why would any free agent commit to Cleveland when there was no guarantee that LBJ himself would be here after 2010? In a way, LBJ sabotaged his team’s efforts to get players by his own actions. And it also must be said that James pretty much signed off on every move made by the team to improve.
"Facebook is bad news. It and Jason Donald both crush dreams." - JRontherim
by woodsmeister on Jul 11, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
There is only one question
That I would like answered and it won’t be answered until the Cavs and Heat play the first time this coming season
Will the players who are left-the ones who don’t get traded, etc., you know…the players he proclaimed his undying loyalty to-be willing to put LeBron on the floor with a hard foul?…
This is when you have to hope Shaq re-signs with the Cavs to lay LeBron low with a few good hard clean fouls..He doesn’t affect the 12 M available and could make more in CLE than anywhere…AND he could be had for around 7M..if the offers I’m reading about are correct…Plus he is still a better than average player..just because of his size
Of course there are now reports that Shaq might go to SA or MIA…I don’t see the MIA thing but then I thought LeBron was staying in CLE..
I guess what I’m hoping for is one of those “hold your breath” moments when it’s unclear whether a player will peel himself off the floor or have to be peeled…
I’m NOT suggesting that anyone intentionally try to hurt LeBron, just treat him like the every day shmuck he turned out to be.
Having seen the man at handshake distance a few times and seeing how he interacted with kids and adults, It’s still really difficult for me to get my head around his completely classless sideshow act on Thursday night
I'm sorry, but i can't believe what i'm reading!
The author of this blog wrote:
"
“The Cavs Didn’t Put Any Good Players Around LeBron” – I have probably seen this sentiment, or one like it, the most. Please, if you are going to spew the bias of the mainstream media, do it somewhere else. The Cavaliers did everything in their power to surround LeBron with the players necessary to get over the top. Did every move work? No, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Every chance the Cavaliers had to improve the roster the Cavaliers explored it. Even last off-season, the Cavaliers tried to land Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza. They tried to acquire Amar’e Stoudemire. They did everything the other teams with cap space did not do. They tried to win NOW. Of course, they were mistaken about LeBron’s motivations."
Last year (the 66 win season) i was on here arguing over and over with the people on this message board and this very same author. I attempted to tell you that it was a SHAME and a ready made excuse for Lebron that he didn’t have a great supporting cast. The Cavs had the best record in the NBA for 2 years running. As Wade saw in Miami, just one great player cannot turn your team into the having the best record in the NBA. It requires an entire TEAM. Yet Cav fans were saying that Lebron was not at fault for losing, that it was his supporting cast that sucked.
This very same author argued the exact opposite point that he is making now! I say the Cavs have an excellent supporting cast. Even without Lebron next year, this team will wing 50 games and make it to the 2nd round. A super star should take a team like this and win a title. The fact that Lebron did not shows us how he is truly lacking.
His game is not like Kobe’s. Kobe’s game makes his teammates better. Pau Gasol never going to even an all star game, never winning a playoff game, and now all of a sudden everyone thinks the guy is the best or one of the best big men in the game. How did this happen? Did Gasol become so much better, or is it because Kobe is on his team? Ditto with the worst starting player in the NBA, Derek Fisher. And all the rest.
Lebron doesn’t have Kobe’s diverse skill set. He cannot create space for his supporting cast, and instead does the opposite. With Lebron, every team attempts to clog the lanes and this makes it worse for the players that play on his team. With Kobe, every throws double teams at him even when he is away from the basket. This creates space and opportunity for his teammates.
The fact is that Lebron’s playoff career has been an utter disappointment. He can’t lead a team by himself or he was too scared to try, and that’s why he went to the HEat. The pressure was just too much for the poor lad to bear. Unfortunately, it has taken a top 10 all time position away from Lebron. If you’re going to be considered in the same breath and Michael, Magic, Kobe, etc., then you got to take a team like Lebron had and win rings with it. Perhaps he can’t win 5 like Kobe, but at least 1, 2 or 3. He didn’t. He chose the coward’s way out and this will damage his long term status.
I know the post said for non Cavs fans to keep their opinions quiet [Suns fan]
But even with that, I can’t help but feel bad for how this all played out. I thought it was a dick move to have this entire week dedicated to where he would go, and then on national TV saying that he wanted to go somewhere he would win a Championship [he might not even be able to do that if the 3 superstars wind up taking up too much money]. I feel like he abandoned a city that would do whatever it takes to help him and the team win a ring if he would stay there. And it is just a huge stain on his image.
He should have just done some little 10 minute press conference where he said what team he was going to, and then just walk away.
Best of luck to you guys.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
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