LeBum affiliation with Akron Basketball

[Zips fan]

I know that some people are very upset with Lebron and want nothing to do with him. What about the other side of the coin here? Does Lebron have a true friend in The University of Akron with the recent developments? His biggest fault, choosing to play somewhere other than Cleveland. Unless some horrible story comes out or he does something specifically negative to The University of Akron, I am still a Lebron fan. His positive contributions to the Akron area easily outweigh where he is playing for me.

[Zipmeister]

LeDrama's legacy in this area has now been sealed. Son of a bitch. He is the new Modell, the penultimate villain. Piece. Of. Dung. I truly wish him ill now, as do most sports fans in the area, as they should. So, I'm very interested to see what happens with his related affiliations in the area. Does the university BB team continue wearing the LeQuitter Nike uniforms? Is he still welcomed as a quasi deity when he and his posse come around?

As for me, it will not work in favor of the university, Dambrot and UA fans to continue their cozy relationship with LeChoke. I'm interested to hear the thoughts of other posters on the board.

WE ARE ALL QUITNESSES.

STZ

OK. so Labron's mom is a bitch. That's no reason to go off half-cocked STZ.

[Zip_ME87]

Those banners are only there for his skills camp held there earlier this week.

Spin, that is not true. Those banners were there during the "Meet the Team" event last year for Men's and Women's Basketball. I've also been told by members of the UA athletics staff that they use them and the connection with LeBron for recruiting. They only take them down during the actual basketball season.

I am in total agreement with others that UA, at a minimum, needs to tone down its connection with LeBron. He is damaged goods in NEO and can hurt UA as much, if not more, than he helps. And as far as his help, have you ever seen LeBron really "donate" to anything? His "donations" are always very public events that bring more attention to HIM than to insert charity/issue. It's always been about "Me" (It will be interesting to see if that changes where he has 2 others playing at or close to the same level.) When he was one of us, it was easy to be blinded to it. I've always felt that way about him, but realized that overall he was good for the "psyche" of the area. So, I went along with it. But, for anyone to think that UA won't be hurt by continuing to flaunt their LeBron relationship, you're totally blind to reality. UA cannot just walk away. They have a Nike contract. But, they do need to consider the issue and take appropriate steps to tone it down for awhile and see where it's going. If Tom Witrcill doesn't see this, then he is as pathetic a leader as some of this board's members have stated in the past. KD is too close to LeBron to make a reasonable judgment...I lay this totally on Tom Wistrcill.

[skip-zip]

I know that some people are very upset with Lebron and want nothing to do with him. What about the other side of the coin here? Does Lebron have a true friend in The University of Akron with the recent developments? His biggest fault, choosing to play somewhere other than Cleveland. Unless some horrible story comes out or he does something specifically negative to The University of Akron, I am still a Lebron fan. His positive contributions to the Akron area easily outweigh where he is playing for me.

Bingo!!

Those of you posting as if you are a part of this "everyone in NE Ohio hates LeBron" mentality are badly off the mark. Diehard Cavs fans...maybe so. But among Zips fans and others in the area, I'm not seeing it.

LeBron chose to give his services to another employer. It happens all the time. If you are a big Cavs fan, I feel your pain. You just lost your best player. I get it. But, do yourself a favor and stop trying to ease your pain by convincing yourself that everyone now hates this guy.

I'm really upset that some Zips fans and Akronites have allowed themselves to get consumed in the immature name-calling and bashing. I read that hundreds of cars passed LeBron's house honking their horn and yelling obscenities? What is this going to accomplish?? Come on folks!! Talk about negative publicity!!! This is our chance to separate ourselves from the "mistake on the lake". If we continue to do things like this, call LeBron names, and applaud the irrational and unprofessional comments of their owner, we will continue to be considered a part of that loser city. Is that what we want?

[Dr Z]

"He will always be an Akron native"

[Spin]

Nobody thinks everybody hates LeBron.

But if you're trying to boost the program's image, build the program, do you reallt want to be attached to someone so polarizing?

The program is hurting for attendance and media attention, do you want to put it on an island? Alienate some of the fans it has now?

Showing pride in the local boy and giving Cleveland the finger is great, but does it make good business sense?

[Zip_ME87]

I know that some people are very upset with Lebron and want nothing to do with him. What about the other side of the coin here? Does Lebron have a true friend in The University of Akron with the recent developments? His biggest fault, choosing to play somewhere other than Cleveland. Unless some horrible story comes out or he does something specifically negative to The University of Akron, I am still a Lebron fan. His positive contributions to the Akron area easily outweigh where he is playing for me.

Bingo!!

Those of you posting as if you are a part of this "everyone in NE Ohio hates LeBron" mentality are badly off the mark. Diehard Cavs fans...maybe so. But among Zips fans and others in the area, I'm not seeing it.

LeBron chose to give his services to another employer. It happens all the time. If you are a big Cavs fan, I feel your pain. You just lost your best player. I get it. But, do yourself a favor and stop trying to ease your pain by convincing yourself that everyone now hates this guy.

I'm really upset that some Zips fans and Akronites have allowed themselves to get consumed in the immature name-calling and bashing. I read that hundreds of cars passed LeBron's house honking their horn and yelling obscenities? What is this going to accomplish?? Come on folks!! Talk about negative publicity!!! This is our chance to separate ourselves from the "mistake on the lake". If we continue to do things like this, call LeBron names, and applaud the irrational and unprofessional comments of their owner, we will continue to be considered a part of that loser city. Is that what we want?

A few considerations...

I'm sick of this Akron vs Cleveland thing. I'm and Ohioan...what's good for Ohio is good for me. I'm an American...what's good for the USA, is good for me.

Where does this Akron vs Cleveland mentality stop. "I'm from Stow, I don't care about Hartville. I'm from Akron; who cares about Barberton. I'm from Green; you suck because you're from Hudson." How about "I live on Market St.; you suck because you live on Main St." LOL!

It is also pathetic that anyone in Cleveland would state "This is the worse thing in my life", referring to LeBron leaving. Wow, if that's true, I want that guy's life. It has to be awesome to be him.

I totally agree about the name-calling; I can understand "LeBurn", "LeBum", "LeGone", etc. But, attacking his mom and actually driving past his house to shout obscenities is way beyond rational. The man had a right to leave. But, I also have a right to see his words as nothing more than a sham...never backed up by real actions. Everything LeBron does is about LeBron. You are naive to believe that any of it is about Akron. If any of it is about Akron, which part of Akron? Does that include Green? Stow? Hudson? Hartville? Barberton? Do residents of those cities really consider themselves part of Akron or want to be part of Akron? Sorry, Skip-Zip, but I just don't buy the Cleveland vs Akron thing. I'm a UA Almunus, not an Akronite. I happen to love Akron and Cleveland and Stow and Hartville, and Hudson, and... because I love NEO. I left NEO for 11 years because I had to for work. But, I always wanted to return. It took me 11 years to do so, but I made it back and there's nowhere else I want to be. I won't trash any part of it for another...I lived from the Dover-New Phila area to Westlake and places in between. It all matters to me.

LeBron is "LeGone". We, including me, need to get over it...and UA needs to tone it down for awhile. Most issues in this world are not one or the other...compromise; don't take it away from those who still believe and don't flaunt it in the faces of those who don't or never did. I believe that's the best UA can do right now.

[Zip Watcher]

Oh for God's sake ZW what is your problem?

My problem, as I stated in my post, is that you need to consider that kids read this forum, and choose your language carefully. I have NO issue with the topic you started .. it's perfectly relevant. I do have issue with vulgarity and off color language that may be inappropriate for some readers. That's it. You're old enough and creative enough to make your point and further your pertinent argument without resorting to some of your favorite terms.

Go Zips!

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

"He will always be an Akron native"

A little perspective here. The idea that Akron is really a stand alone entity is silly. It is part of the larger Cleveland/Akron/Canton demo, and in fact if you look up the Nielson ratings, not to mention the general perception at large, Akron is considered to be very much a part of the larger "NE Ohio" cluster of cities, led by Cleveland. Get on I-77 or I-71 any morning or afternoon and they are loaded with commuters coming and going between the two areas. Most sports fans here are fans of the major league teams in Cleveland. I know I am. Also, based on how any of the cities in NE Ohio have done, economically, in the last 30 years, there isn't one of them that would likely stand on its own if it really were isolated from the others. Lastly, LeDrama has lived in Bath township for years, as has his mother. For those of you who don't know, many of those white collar commuters going and coming on I-77 to Cleveland every morning are Bath residents. Get as far as Richfield and residents there consider themselves no more affiliated with Akron than Cleveland.

LeBron is a native Akronite, yes. And let's be clear that my OP, while expressing my outrage at the way he screwed the team and the community, addressed the issue of the UA-LeDrama connection and whether it will be good for the university to continue the close connection. I think it will be bad for the university. For those of you who remember Modell moving the Browns, there were locals at that time who defended Modell to be sure. However, the prevalent feeling was one of ugly betrayal, just like with LeQuit at this point. Those feelings are very likely to intensify, and there will at some point be backlash against the university if it stays cozy with the guy. I also believe it very likely that with all of the bluster about his love for Akron, we are about to witness him become scarce here. He and his hangers-on will get a taste of life there and he'll decide that it's easier to be there than deal with people here crapping on him for what he did. It's not easy to pay the piper, bro.

[zipseuph]

I'm not saying he landed us anyone huge but you can't honestly tell me that there hasn't been a few guys with offers from other MAC teams weren't swayed by LBJ

[Dave in Green]

..... LeBron is "LeGone". We, including me, need to get over it...and UA needs to tone it down for awhile. Most issues in this world are not one or the other...compromise; don't take it away from those who still believe and don't flaunt it in the faces of those who don't or never did. I believe that's the best UA can do right now.

Good advice. UA can't afford to pick sides in this fight. It must serve as much of the greater community as it can, and not risk alienating any significant part of the community by rubbing their noses in something they find distasteful. A large number of people find any glorification of LeBron pretty distasteful right now, and others find it distatesful to dump on the hometown hero simply for switching teams.

[Zip_ME87]

"He will always be an Akron native"

A little perspective here. The idea that Akron is really a stand alone entity is silly. It is part of the larger Cleveland/Akron/Canton demo, and in fact if you look up the Nielson ratings, not to mention the general perception at large, Akron is considered to be very much a part of the larger "NE Ohio" cluster of cities, led by Cleveland. Get on I-77 or I-71 any morning or afternoon and they are loaded with commuters coming and going between the two areas. Most sports fans here are fans of the major league teams in Cleveland. I know I am. Also, based on how any of the cities in NE Ohio have done, economically, in the last 30 years, there isn't one of them that would likely stand on its own if it really were isolated from the others. Lastly, LeDrama has lived in Bath township for years, as has his mother. For those of you who don't know, many of those white collar commuters going and coming on I-77 to Cleveland every morning are Bath residents. Get as far as Richfield and residents there consider themselves no more affiliated with Akron than Cleveland.

LeBron is a native Akronite, yes. And let's be clear that my OP, while expressing my outrage at the way he screwed the team and the community, addressed the issue of the UA-LeDrama connection and whether it will be good for the university to continue the close connection. I think it will be bad for the university. For those of you who remember Modell moving the Browns, there were locals at that time who defended Modell to be sure. However, the prevalent feeling was one of ugly betrayal, just like with LeQuit at this point. Those feelings are very likely to intensify, and there will at some point be backlash against the university if it stays cozy with the guy. I also believe it very likely that with all of the bluster about his love for Akron, we are about to witness him become scarce here. He and his hangers-on will get a taste of life there and he'll decide that it's easier to be there than deal with people here crapping on him for what he did. It's not easy to pay the piper, bro.

I personally agree with you SeeTeeZip. In my opinion, UA will eventually have to cut the cord with LeBron. But, for now the best I think they can do is tone it down. They have Nike contracts and possibly other commitments. I don't work for UA and have few inside connections. I recommend sending your concerns to Tom Wistrcill in a carefully thought out e-mail with the proper use of "LeBron"'s name, as opposed to venting. I recommend others do the same, no matter on which side of this you stand. TW is not from here, and I don't believe he can fully comprehend this without input. I sent him a question through the "Ask the AD" feature on GoZips.com, and the response that I received was basically "Good question. I hadn't really considered it given the new-ness of the news." I suspect he hadn't considered the effect on UA whatsoever. In my response to his response, I referred to LeBron several times as "LeBum", which I realize now was a mistake. Fortunately, that was my only "angry" reference. I only asked that TW give this issue and UA Athletic's stance serious consideration.

[Quickzips]

I still think this topic has only been started, and has continued to this point as just another outlet for people to complain about LeBron and his decisions and I don't think that is the purpose of this forum, nor do I agree with the manner it has gone about.

In an attempt to actually discuss something that is at least relevant to Zips basketball, I will say this. I don't think now is the time nor the place to be making a decision about the future of the LeBron/UA connection. Emotions are too high right now, the wounds too fresh. Classes aren't in session right now, none of our athletic teams are playing and media attention to College Athletics in general is at its lowest point of the year. It isn't going to harm us in any way to sit back, take a few weeks to let things calm down and then sit down and weigh the pros and cons of our connection to LeBron and decide what to do. I don't personally know what that decision will be or should be, but I know that the people who make that decision are not going to sit down today and have a big meeting calling LeBron every name in the book, insulting his family and deciding based on pure emotion. I am sure that Proenza, Wistricil, Dambrot and Company will sit down in the coming weeks and have a rational discussion about this. There is more that goes into it then, "LeBron is such a bad guy, we need to cut ties with him."

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

I still think this topic has only been started, and has continued to this point as just another outlet for people to complain about LeBron and his decisions and I don't think that is the purpose of this forum, nor do I agree with the manner it has gone about.

In an attempt to actually discuss something that is at least relevant to Zips basketball, I will say this. I don't think now is the time nor the place to be making a decision about the future of the LeBron/UA connection. Emotions are too high right now, the wounds too fresh. Classes aren't in session right now, none of our athletic teams are playing and media attention to College Athletics in general is at its lowest point of the year. It isn't going to harm us in any way to sit back, take a few weeks to let things calm down and then sit down and weigh the pros and cons of our connection to LeBron and decide what to do. I don't personally know what that decision will be or should be, but I know that the people who make that decision are not going to sit down today and have a big meeting calling LeBron every name in the book, insulting his family and deciding based on pure emotion. I am sure that Proenza, Wistricil, Dambrot and Company will sit down in the coming weeks and have a rational discussion about this. There is more that goes into it then, "LeBron is such a bad guy, we need to cut ties with him."

No, I'm pretty sure Tom will refer to him as LeQuit in the meetings you describe. Unrelated, but do you suppose another topic for the meetings will be the team shop situation and the fact that after all of this time there still isn't a good way to buy team apparel?

[zip37]

I pick up the PD and ABJ & read about an American making a choice to move on, I'm getting sick of it-- after all we still live in a semi-free country. It's not like Jody, KD, and Caleb left at the same instant.

[tbozeglav]

I think some perspective is needed in this topic.

Yes, right now a lot of Clevelanders and Akronites are upset over LeBron's departure and would like to see every sign of his existence torn down. Realistically that won't happen, but trying to minimize his presence here is what the area needs. However, in more direct regard to this topic, the University doesn't need to minimize the presence of LeBron's support of the school because to Americans in general, he's still regarded as one of the elite players in the league. What we all need to realize is how long it'll be before basketball season starts. There's about 4 months' time between now and the start of basketball season, at which point I firmly believe most people will have moved on with their lives. If basketball season started tomorrow, then I could understand the desire to remove his logos from our arena, but the fact remains that nobody of any significant number will be in that gym until late November/early December. By then, people will have accepted the reality of his departure and pushed the unwanted memory of him away, making his presence in our arena through his logos and images insignificant.

[zippyman23]

I'm not saying he landed us anyone huge but you can't honestly tell me that there hasn't been a few guys with offers from other MAC teams weren't swayed by LBJ

Yes, I can honestly say that Lebron has NOT helped us land any recruits. He has never recruited any one, to say that a kid decides to attend the University of Akron because Lebron grew up in Akron is complete stretch and nowhere close to reality. Kids choose Akron over other MAC schools because we have been one of the top teams in the MAC.

[ksu sucks]

I walked through the JAR today. Every inch of the place is covered in LJ23 logos (how will that work when he switches to #6, I wonder?). There are huge banners of him hanging from the rafters. The U did not take these things down after the announcement like Cleveland did with the gigantic poster downtown (they might ahve taken it down as a safety thing, people throwing things at it and attempting to set it on fire), and I even saw some coaches taking some out-of-town women's sports recruits on a tour of it.

I think it would be unwise to completely renounce our connection to LeBron in a fit of childish rage. I do think we should keep it subdued for a while until we see how things play out. If he ignores us and starts giving all his support to FIU or USF or some other school or if he continues to insult the area well into the future, we quietly break our ties and move on. But if he keeps sending good things our way, we reap the benefit of it and wait until things calm down in a few years before again displaying our connection proudly.

And if you don't think the camps in the JAR benefit Akron because we don't directly get those recruits, then you have no idea how recruiting works. It's all about connections and networking, and this gives Dambrot the opportunity to talk to top recruiters and coaches from across the country and get a read on things and maybe a tip on a solid prospect or two that might not have been on our regional radar. I'm pretty certain that's how he heard about Alex Abreu.

That's a great post, Zach. I think you pretty much nailed it. And as Quickzips said, it's probably best to let this simmer a little while before any decisions are made.

To the hardcore Akronites: you guys are some troopers. I'm not from Akron, but I can imagine how annoying it is playing second fiddle to Cleveland. In the end, I suppose the one thing Akron will always have over Cleveland is a powerful public university. CWRU is a very prestigious school but UA can do much more for the Akron community due in part to it's size and (of course) division 1 athletics.

[GP1]

I think some perspective is needed in this topic.

Yes, right now a lot of Clevelanders and Akronites are upset over LeBron's departure and would like to see every sign of his existence torn down. Realistically that won't happen, but trying to minimize his presence here is what the area needs. However, in more direct regard to this topic, the University doesn't need to minimize the presence of LeBron's support of the school because to Americans in general, he's still regarded as one of the elite players in the league. What we all need to realize is how long it'll be before basketball season starts. There's about 4 months' time between now and the start of basketball season, at which point I firmly believe most people will have moved on with their lives. If basketball season started tomorrow, then I could understand the desire to remove his logos from our arena, but the fact remains that nobody of any significant number will be in that gym until late November/early December. By then, people will have accepted the reality of his departure and pushed the unwanted memory of him away, making his presence in our arena through his logos and images insignificant.

UofA needs to move away from him asap. NEOhio is stuck in the idea that a "savior" is needed to do anything (please watch the video I posted on another thread). Our basketball team does not need a savior. The MBB program can win with or without LBJ, in Adidas or Nike.

There is another idea floated on this board that they need LBJ for a new arena. First of all, they don't need a new arena, they WANT a new arena. The one they have now is fine. Just make the darn seats more comfortable. If they only way to get the arena is through that egomaniac, then we are screwed. There are many ways to get a new arena, let's explore other options.

The backlash against LBJ isn't going away any time soon. I live out of state and everyone I talk to about it is disgusted by the guy. I can only imagine how bad it is in NE Ohio. We live in a time where the real unemployment rate is in excess of 15%. Nobody wants to watch obnoxious "look at me" displays the likes of which we say Thursday and Friday. Let's face it, the Friday show could be at best described as a WWE event.

LBJ leaving Cleveland might actually be the best thing to ever happen to the region. Now everyone can look around and focus on real solutions to problems and not wait for the next "savior" to come along. More Hall of Fames, sports arenas, bars, star personalities, convention centers, etc are not solutions. LBJ leaving is not a problem. The idea that Cleveland/NE Ohio needed him IS a problem.

[zipseuph]

I'm not saying he landed us anyone huge but you can't honestly tell me that there hasn't been a few guys with offers from other MAC teams weren't swayed by LBJ

Yes, I can honestly say that Lebron has NOT helped us land any recruits. He has never recruited any one, to say that a kid decides to attend the University of Akron because Lebron grew up in Akron is complete stretch and nowhere close to reality. Kids choose Akron over other MAC schools because we have been one of the top teams in the MAC.

and getting LBJ's gear a chance to meet the guy have him come to your games and play under one of his coaches wouldn't help at all? I'm not saying it was a huge swing but I could see it being the final little push for a kid on the fence

[zippyman23]

I'm not saying he landed us anyone huge but you can't honestly tell me that there hasn't been a few guys with offers from other MAC teams weren't swayed by LBJ

Yes, I can honestly say that Lebron has NOT helped us land any recruits. He has never recruited any one, to say that a kid decides to attend the University of Akron because Lebron grew up in Akron is complete stretch and nowhere close to reality. Kids choose Akron over other MAC schools because we have been one of the top teams in the MAC.

and getting LBJ's gear a chance to meet the guy have him come to your games and play under one of his coaches wouldn't help at all? I'm not saying it was a huge swing but I could see it being the final little push for a kid on the fence

College decisions don't come down to such minute details. They just don't. Lebron showing up, which he rarely did, KD, or the gear we wear are minute details. Other schools get Nike gear, so you'd be talking about two schools that are so close that an "LBJ23" patch is what makes the difference? Even at that, based on how long we have been wearing his gear, the only possible recruits that could have been potentially influenced do to his gear our the incoming freshman/recruits for this coming year.

[GP1]

I'm not saying he landed us anyone huge but you can't honestly tell me that there hasn't been a few guys with offers from other MAC teams weren't swayed by LBJ

Yes, I can honestly say that Lebron has NOT helped us land any recruits. He has never recruited any one, to say that a kid decides to attend the University of Akron because Lebron grew up in Akron is complete stretch and nowhere close to reality. Kids choose Akron over other MAC schools because we have been one of the top teams in the MAC.

and getting LBJ's gear a chance to meet the guy have him come to your games and play under one of his coaches wouldn't help at all? I'm not saying it was a huge swing but I could see it being the final little push for a kid on the fence

I want kids to come to UofA because they want to help the program carry on a winning tradition, not to wear LBJ stuff.

[Zip_ME87]

I pick up the PD and ABJ & read about an American making a choice to move on, I'm getting sick of it-- after all we still live in a semi-free country. It's not like Jody, KD, and Caleb left at the same instant.

That may be true, but recognize that "tampering" is against NBA rules. It sure looks like tampering brought Wade, Bosh, James, and Pat Riley together after their Olympics together. However, like all other NBA rules, the "tampering" rule apparently does not apply to "elite" players and coaches. Seems that NBA rules off the court are as big a SHAM as they are on the court.

[RootforRoo44]

I pick up the PD and ABJ & read about an American making a choice to move on, I'm getting sick of it-- after all we still live in a semi-free country. It's not like Jody, KD, and Caleb left at the same instant.

That may be true, but recognize that "tampering" is against NBA rules. It sure looks like tampering brought Wade, Bosh, James, and Pat Riley together after their Olympics together. However, like all other NBA rules, the "tampering" rule apparently does not apply to "elite" players and coaches. Seems that NBA rules off the court are as big a SHAM as they are on the court.

Well the Cavs and Raptors would be stupid to push for a tampering investigation considering they both just signed and traded their guys, wouldn't that look like a little odd?

Good news is, Mark Cuban has already said he will push for an investigation if Cleveland/Toronto dont.

[Zip_ME87]

I pick up the PD and ABJ & read about an American making a choice to move on, I'm getting sick of it-- after all we still live in a semi-free country. It's not like Jody, KD, and Caleb left at the same instant.

That may be true, but recognize that "tampering" is against NBA rules. It sure looks like tampering brought Wade, Bosh, James, and Pat Riley together after their Olympics together. However, like all other NBA rules, the "tampering" rule apparently does not apply to "elite" players and coaches. Seems that NBA rules off the court are as big a SHAM as they are on the court.

Well the Cavs and Raptors would be stupid to push for a tampering investigation considering they both just signed and traded their guys, wouldn't that look like a little odd?

Yes, it sure would RootforRoo. I thought the same thing...everyone takes the easy way out.