24/7 LeBron

[GP1]

I just hope nobody puts up a billboard around his house in Florida.

[GP1]

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse for him this news hits.

I'll say it again. LBJ has surrounded himself with a bunch of clowns. This question was a chance for him to admit that he made a bit of a fool of himself during LeDecision. Instead, he says there was a racial aspect to the negative view of LeDecision. Basically, he is saying there was nothing wrong with what he did and if you think he was a bit silly doing it, you are a racist. I don't see it that way.

Years ago, LBJ should have been schooled by a PR person as to how to handle race questions. His people should have had him prepared for it after LeDecision. Some professionals from Nike need to step in.

[Dave in Green]

That's a badly written story, and here's why.

The direct question was:

Do you think there's a role that race plays in this?

LeBron's direct answer was:

I think so at times. It's always, you know, a race factor.

Carter's direct answer was:

It definitely played a role in some of the stuff coming out of the media, things that were written, for sure.

The writer rightfully agrees that race does play some role in the thinking of some people in these types of situations. Anyone who argues against that point is fooling themselves.

The writer then concludes:

Which isn't to say there aren't some people relying on the basest stereotypes to fuel their hatred of LeBron James. But chalking it all up to that, instead anything he might have done to provoke censure, is just going to make him more hated. More proof that LeBron James just doesn't get it.

But by their own quoted words, neither LeBron nor Carter were "chalking it all up to that (race)." LeBron, Carter and the writer all stated that race played some role with some people.

The writer flat misrepresented what they said even though their direct quotes are there for all to see that they did not say what the writer said they did. There's nothing else they said in the rest of the interview to lead to the writer's conclusion, either, according to the full transcript:

Full Transcript

I by no means believe that LeBron and his entourage are saints. I agree with some of the criticisms about some of the things that they've done. But I disagree with twisting quotes to make it appear that someone intended to say something that is clearly not represented in their own words.

[GP1]

I by no means believe that LeBron and his entourage are saints. I agree with some of the criticisms about some of the things that they've done. But I disagree with twisting quotes to make it appear that someone intended to say something that is clearly not represented in their own words.

This is why LBJ needs to can his entourage. They are amateurs and he now needs professionals. LBJ is no longer in Cleveland where the media threw softballs and ESPN would have never asked a question that might trip up a player. LBJ didn't have to be as polished as say a Michael Jordan was in Chicago. Maimi is a different story and he has acted in a way where some in the media will be looking to knock him down. He needs to tighten up his interviewing skills. He should can his manager and let him move back in full time with his mommy.

[Buckzip]

Now LeDouchebag is throwing out the race card.....

Geez, each time I feel I can't lose more respect for this ass, he proves me wrong.

[akzipper]

Now LeDouchebag is throwing out the race card.....

Geez, each time I feel I can't lose more respect for this ass, he proves me wrong.

It's 2010 NO ONE cares about race any more. He makes it seem like everyone who hates him is a racist...really? So what were Cavs fans last year when we worshipped the ground you walk on.

Please Lebron, if you want to associate yourself with Akron and UA, could you please use some class. No one cares what race you are, we care that you are being a jacka** and have angered about 9/10 of the US by being that way.

Think about this one you "king":

Do people hate Art Modell because he's white?

[xu9697]

Now LeDouchebag is throwing out the race card.....

Do people hate Art Modell because he's white?

They hate Art b/c he is Jewish.

[Dave in Green]

One of my favorite sports columnists, Ray Ratto, gives the best perspective I've seen yet on the most recent remarks:

Ratto Column

[Dave in Green]

As much as I enjoy Ray Ratto's sports columns, J.A. Adande at ESPN absolutely nailed the big picture on this issue:

Adande Column

[MDZip]

BirdZip! BirdZip! Are you OK, man? Larry Bird rebuffed the Cavaliers before they hired Byron Scott.

[ZachTheZip]

In a surprising bit of news, LeBron actually reads his Twitter account, including all the "hate tweets". Usually celebrities pay someone to do that kind of stuff for them.

[Dave in Green]

Little rational thought to be found where LeBron is concerned

[ZachTheZip]

Little rational thought to be found where LeBron is concerned

The amount of hate nationally is strange. Maybe because he doesn't act like Jordan did, like a stone cold assassin. Maybe they see LeBron's potential not being filled because he goofs off too much and doesn't work hard and that makes them angry because they work hard every day and don't get anywhere close to what he has.

Of course, these kind of articles never mention Cleveland fans where you can find justification for the hate. They only address the national side of things.

[Dr Z]

LBJ regrets decision.

"If I had to go back on it, I probably would do it a little bit different," James said to reporters on Sunday in New Jersey before his Heat played the Nets. "But I'm happy with the decision I made. There's always going to be a misunderstanding. I don't know what I would [have done], but I definitely would have changed it."

[Dave in Green]

It's a cliche, I know, but if you made something like this up, no one would believe it. LeBron has now, without prompting, volunteered that he identifies with Randy Moss. GP1 was so right when he noted that LeBron desperately needs a professional communications specialist to advise him what to say and what not to say. I'm sure the thought never entered LeBron's mind that comparing his situation with that of Randy Moss is not going to do good things for his public image.

ESPN Link

[Dr Z]

It's a cliche, I know, but if you made something like this up, no one would believe it. LeBron has now, without prompting, volunteered that he identifies with Randy Moss.

I agree with LBJ, the sports media takes stuff way out of context all the time to make a story for Joe sports dummy. I also agree with Moss. I never understoond making players address the dolts in the media after a game. The players emotions are too high to answer reporters dumb questions. I think the players union should get together and write six answers that you can use on any question asked. Then the player can pick one of the six and repeat it to the media. Every player has to learn those six answers, then those fake press conferences can stop. I understand it in the old days when the newspaper was the main source of information, but now every sports fan turns on sportcenter to see the highlights of the game anyway. Every coach gives cliche answers and the media tries to harass them into getting mad and lashing out. I've always hated those BS press conferences, that's why I liked Belichick in Cleveland, because the media cronies couldn't get to him. As for LeBron, he is reaping what he sowed. In this case I really can't feel sorry for him. Speaking of the King of Akron, I went to the Cavs/Pacers game last night....BORING. That's probably my last Cavs game for a while, I think the Zips will provide more entertainment for me this year.

[Dave in Green]

LeBron/Randy Moss good; media bad?

[Blue & Gold]

Speaking of the King of Akron, I went to the Cavs/Pacers game last night....BORING. That's probably my last Cavs game for a while, I think the Zips will provide more entertainment for me this year.

BINGO!!!

[GP1]

I went to the Cavs/Pacers game last night....BORING. That's probably my last Cavs game for a while

I think that sports fans across America say something similar to this after attending an NBA game. Most teams really aren't very entertaining.

I live 15 miles from where the Charlotte Bobcats play. I couldn't name a single player on their team and I've seen them in passing on TV a couple of time this year. Living in SC gives me a different cable company than the folks one mile from my house who live in Charlotte so I don't get the Bobcats games...speaking of poor marketing. Even if I did get their games, I probably wouldn't watch. They only get 5,000 per game at best and I could probably get free tickets from my wife's company. I have no desire to go.

Charlotte has an AHL team called the Charlotte Checkers. The AHL is like AAA baseball. There are guys who have played in the NHL on Charlotte's team. AHL hockey is more entertaining than the NBA and they draw just as good as the Bobcats. The games are well played and fast moving....That's good entertainment.

[ZachTheZip]

Cavs put a ban on having a sense of humor for the Heat game.

They should have just banned being able to attend. have the Quicken Loans buy all the seats, and let them play in front of an empty arena.

[Dr Z]

Cavs put a ban on having a sense of humor for the Heat game.

Good move. I went to a game (probably my last) this year and saw two occasions where some dopey father dressed his little kid up in anti LBJ gear. Hatred can get ignorant. On the opposite side of the coin, the last time I attended a Clowns game, I saw a dude with a COUCH jersey, with the "C" covered up. I thought that was funny, not hateful. Not everybody in Cleveland has to fill bottles with urine and whip them at refs heads.

[ZippyforPresident]

Cavs put a ban on having a sense of humor for the Heat game.

They should have just banned being able to attend. have the Quicken Loans buy all the seats, and let them play in front of an empty arena.

I think that this response is both an appropriate and necessary one. I agree with Dr Z's statement that "hatred' (dislike in sports anyway, as true, real life hatred is never justified) can get too ugly. I don't think anyone needs to be reminded of the guy wearing Miami Heat gear at the Indians game this summer. Even worse, I actually saw a car with some dumb 20 something white "kid" with a LeBron jersey dragging from the back of his trunk just after LeBron decided to go to Miami. That made me absolutely sick. I think this goes far beyond just having a rival in professional sports. I think there are some idiots out there, like this guy, that actually took LeBron's decision personally. Heck, I'd rather be a Duke fan in the middle of a bunch of North Carolina students, sure I know I'd take it from them but I doubt I would feel any sort of threat of physical violence. But with just plain disgusting statements, such as the one that kid made with that jersey hanging from his car, it is very apparent that there are some people out there who don't seem to understand that basketball is just a game, especially at the professional level where personnel is shifted, traded, and changed virtually all season for the sake of the all mighty dollar.

The NBA NEEDED to make absolutely sure that cleveland takes every measure of caution when the Heat come to the Q arena. Most people are reasonable, but unfortunately it only takes one to ruin everything for everyone, both fans and players.

[ZachTheZip]

It's time.

[tbozeglav]

Close friend of mine posted this on his Facebook wall:

"LeBron, stop the bullsh**; if you truly loved Cleveland fans you would not have left."

Stupidly amazing what goes on in the collective brain of LeBron/Carter

[Blue & Gold]

330 > 216

Here's a tweet from Dru Joice on last night's beat down:

"it ain't nothin but drunk people in the stands tryna entertain themselves with erroneous cheers #sad"

Here's a couple from Willie:

"Understand!! He could go for easy 50 tonight... Nall... Nall... But I a SAY... NALL... He aint gon do tht... You happy NOW Cleveland!!! Lol"

"SWENSONS won B!TCH#S, KINGJAMES won B!TCH#S, #AKRON is the SH!T B!TCH#S!!"

"ya boy bout to have the Q quiet as hell tonight haha < Mouse in the House Lol"

And from Romeo:

"I wish I cud b sittin at tha Cavs game w/ [Willie]... I'm sure I'd b dying laughing>wouldve been nice"