LeBum affiliation with Akron Basketball

[ZippyforPresident]

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.

I wholeheartedly agree. It's about Akron basketball, not about the Cavaliers, or about free agency or anything of that nature. College basketball is a really great thing, and doesn't have to be about any of the business that goes along with professional sports whatsoever. In some way its more honest and genuine, well it's at least prima facie more honest and genuine anyway.

I have no doubt that Coach Dambrot and anyone else that has any meaningful place in the world of Akron basketball has one thing and one thing only in mind, and that's how to get the Zips to find a way to win another conference championship.

If LeBron wants to hold camps at UA or donate money to UA or allow Nike to give UA really cool looking uniforms and top of the line basketball shoes why should the school or the basketball program distance themselves from that? It is a well known fact that Coach Dambrot played a big part of LeBron James development as a basketball player. It's also a well known fact that Coach Dambrot is a hell of a basketball coach who is going to have his team prepared for anything they may face, on the court as well as in life. Coach Dambrot is a great coach and that is evidenced by the performances of his players both on and off the court, of which LeBron James happens to be just one.

How many people are honestly thinking about who is donating money to the Z fund or what brand of jersey the basketball team is wearing when the Zips take the floor? I think its great that LeBron wanted to do something for our basketball program. Something that he was capable of doing via his position with Nike.

Fact is, this whole fiasco takes place in the sports world. In a month no one will care about anything that happened the month prior, especially with football season on the horizon. The fair weather Cavaliers fans (aka James haters) will be gone (which is the majority of them anyway) and those same people will be crying for a new Browns head coach before the season even begins.

In the long run the issue is this: Does it hurt our program to be associated with the best basketball player on the planet?

My answer to that question: It sure as hell couldn't hurt. Nothing LeBron James has done has impacted our program negatively and whatever association he does have with UA really isn't the deciding factor for any college athelete, nor should it be. Lets face it, as Zips fans who are we to be so selective about who we get support from? I'm glad we get some extra attention from LeBron's basketball camps and Nike, that's awesome, why are people so quick to criticize? If it doesn't hinder the program, what's the problem?

And if UA being associated with LeBron pisses off "joe cleveland" who really cares? He doesn't even know CSU has a basketball team, let alone the Zips. I can think of no way (nor have I read one) that alienating LeBron James is good for Akron Basketball.

I've even heard derogatory comments about the city of Akron from the Cleveland news media during this whole ordeal, one from the "sports extra" guy on channel 19/43 about how, when they finally take down and rid themselves of the LeBron banner in Cleveland he's sure there's a place for it at a scrap heap in Akron. He really shouldn't do things like that, he might anger the Don .

But my point is, "joe cleveland" is the only demographic that is angry about LeBron leaving and "joe cleveland" for the most part knows nothing of UA or even CSU. "Joe Cleveland" watches the buckeyes and the browns and the cavs when lebron james played for them, or the indians when they were winners. If UA basketball makes it to the final four or even the sweet 16, "joe cleveland" will be sure to glob on. Until then, none of this really matters with respect to Akron Basketball.

Coach D works hard to put the best team on the floor every season, if LeBron wants to help that's awesome, if not, Coach D is going to work just as hard at putting the best Zips team on the floor that he possibly can.

PS. There's no need for the immature and juvenile name calling STZ. How old are you anyway? Some of that stuff is below the belt. Let's remember, this is a guy who not only grew up alongside some people on this board and some of their friends (and is from the hometown of many on here) but he's also someone's son and someone's father. Have a little class, after all, that is one major factor that separates us from Can't fans.

I know I've been just as guilty of these things as much as many others have, but I'll leave you with these thoughts, from a John Wooden book nonetheless; Why is it easier to criticize than to compliment? Why is it easier to give others blame than to give them credit? Why is it that so many who are quick to make suggestions find it so difficult to make decisions? Why does the person with the least to say usually take the longest to say it? And lastly, why is it so much easier to allow emotions rather than reason to control our decisions?

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

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.

I wholeheartedly agree. It's about Akron basketball, not about the Cavaliers, or about free agency or anything of that nature. College basketball is a really great thing, and doesn't have to be about any of the business that goes along with professional sports whatsoever. In some way its more honest and genuine, well it's at least prima facie more honest and genuine anyway.

I have no doubt that Coach Dambrot and anyone else that has any meaningful place in the world of Akron basketball has one thing and one thing only in mind, and that's how to get the Zips to find a way to win another conference championship.

If LeBron wants to hold camps at UA or donate money to UA or allow Nike to give UA really cool looking uniforms and top of the line basketball shoes why should the school or the basketball program distance themselves from that? It is a well known fact that Coach Dambrot played a big part of LeBron James development as a basketball player. It's also a well known fact that Coach Dambrot is a hell of a basketball coach who is going to have his team prepared for anything they may face, on the court as well as in life. Coach Dambrot is a great coach and that is evidenced by the performances of his players both on and off the court, of which LeBron James happens to be just one.

How many people are honestly thinking about who is donating money to the Z fund or what brand of jersey the basketball team is wearing when the Zips take the floor? I think its great that LeBron wanted to do something for our basketball program. Something that he was capable of doing via his position with Nike.

Fact is, this whole fiasco takes place in the sports world. In a month no one will care about anything that happened the month prior, especially with football season on the horizon. The fair weather Cavaliers fans (aka James haters) will be gone (which is the majority of them anyway) and those same people will be crying for a new Browns head coach before the season even begins.

In the long run the issue is this: Does it hurt our program to be associated with the best basketball player on the planet?

My answer to that question: It sure as hell couldn't hurt. Nothing LeBron James has done has impacted our program negatively and whatever association he does have with UA really isn't the deciding factor for any college athelete, nor should it be. Lets face it, as Zips fans who are we to be so selective about who we get support from? I'm glad we get some extra attention from LeBron's basketball camps and Nike, that's awesome, why are people so quick to criticize? If it doesn't hinder the program, what's the problem?

And if UA being associated with LeBron pisses off "joe cleveland" who really cares? He doesn't even know CSU has a basketball team, let alone the Zips. I can think of no way (nor have I read one) that alienating LeBron James is good for Akron Basketball.

I've even heard derogatory comments about the city of Akron from the Cleveland news media during this whole ordeal, one from the "sports extra" guy on channel 19/43 about how, when they finally take down and rid themselves of the LeBron banner in Cleveland he's sure there's a place for it at a scrap heap in Akron. He really shouldn't do things like that, he might anger the Don .

But my point is, "joe cleveland" is the only demographic that is angry about LeBron leaving and "joe cleveland" for the most part knows nothing of UA or even CSU. "Joe Cleveland" watches the buckeyes and the browns and the cavs when lebron james played for them, or the indians when they were winners. If UA basketball makes it to the final four or even the sweet 16, "joe cleveland" will be sure to glob on. Until then, none of this really matters with respect to Akron Basketball.

Coach D works hard to put the best team on the floor every season, if LeBron wants to help that's awesome, if not, Coach D is going to work just as hard at putting the best Zips team on the floor that he possibly can.

PS. There's no need for the immature and juvenile name calling STZ. How old are you anyway? Some of that stuff is below the belt. Let's remember, this is a guy who not only grew up alongside some people on this board and some of their friends (and is from the hometown of many on here) but he's also someone's son and someone's father. Have a little class, after all, that is one major factor that separates us from Can't fans.

I know I've been just as guilty of these things as much as many others have, but I'll leave you with these thoughts, from a John Wooden book nonetheless; Why is it easier to criticize than to compliment? Why is it easier to give others blame than to give them credit? Why is it that so many who are quick to make suggestions find it so difficult to make decisions? Why does the person with the least to say usually take the longest to say it? And lastly, why is it so much easier to allow emotions rather than reason to control our decisions?

Valid points Zippy, but I can't be the only one, or can even be in the minority, in saying that I'm a Cavs fan. One of the things that makes this a great area is the access we have to major league teams. I love my Browns, Indians and Cavs and you'll not hear me saying that I love only UA sports. I'd bet that I'm in the majority of posters here on that. The reason that I believe that it is bad for UA to maintain relations with LeBaby is that it is becoming clearer by the minute that he planned to depart for a long while. Which is fine. His prerogative. However, the execution of his departure was carried out in a way that utterly maximized the damage to that franchise and to NE Ohio fans. For his own aggrandizement that kid put up the gigantic middle finger to all of us, and did it well after the Cavs had any chance to make hay in the free agent market. Nothing good will come from this, and the resentment and anger felt by fans and the media will tarnish not only his legacy, or what's left of it, but will tar any of those with whom he is closely connected. UA needs to minimize its exposure to LeQuit (and let there be no doubt, your super guy role model absolutely quit in the Boson series) before its programs suffer backlash.

[skip-zip]

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.

Sure. Lets just forget about using every little advantage we might have to recruit kids. Especially when it involves a connection to a celebrity, or in this case, a two time NBA MVP. We don't need to do that. We're Akron. Kids are dying to play here for a lot of other different reasons.

[Dr Z]

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

Big deal, if they are found guilty they'll get a slap on the wrist just like coach Belichick did for cheating. Trust me, it won't make it any better. Except it, and move on, that's the only thing that will make you less angry.

[ZachTheZip]

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...late=columnists

"I have a confession. Until recently I had never heard of Akron, the home city of the basketball superstar LeBron James.

How the existence of Ohio’s fifth-largest city passed me by is a mystery, but I suspect the nickname situation did not help. It has dozens, none of them very good.

Rubber City, anyone? How about Tire City? Surely you have heard of The Crossroads of the Deaf? The City of Invention?

Not exactly The Big Apple are they?

Still, you know what they say: from little Akrons mighty blokes grow – and no bloke is currently mightier than LeBron James, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and proud son of Akron. So proud that he has its telephone dialing code, 330, tattooed on his arm."

So there. Thanks to LeBron, we've just tapped into the coveted Abu Dhabi recruiting hotbed.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

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

Big deal, if they are found guilty they'll get a slap on the wrist just like coach Belichick did for cheating. Trust me, it won't make it any better. Except it, and move on, that's the only thing that will make you less angry.

You are right, good Dr. I will except it. I will. I will not, however, accept it.

[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.

Sure. Lets just forget about using every little advantage we might have to recruit kids. Especially when it involves a connection to a celebrity, or in this case, a two time NBA MVP. We don't need to do that. We're Akron. Kids are dying to play here for a lot of other different reasons.

We already have an advantage. It's called winning.

[Dave in Green]

There are really only 3 options available to define the recruiting value of any LeBron connection to Zips basketball, no matter how weak or how strong LeBron's personal commitment may be:

1) It has some kind of positive effect, ranging from barely measurable to strong.

2) It has absolutely no effect at all.

3) It has some kind of negative effect, ranging from barely measurable to strong.

Option 2 is actually the least likely, because LeBron's image is so strong with the general public that it almost certainly must have some kind effect on most aspiring young basketball players. They might like him or they might hate him, but it's highly unlikely that the majority of them are not somehow influenced in some way by him.

Option 3 is less likely than option 1. There is always a small number of people who go against the grain, whatever the grain might be. So if the biggest name in basketball is connected with Zips basketball in even the slighest way, a few players are going to take it as a negative and say that they don't want anything to do with anything remotely related to LeBron.

By process of elimination, that leaves option 1 as the most likely, with the big question being where on the positive scale of barely measurable to strong. Even if it's barely measurable, why would anyone want to give up any recruiting edge, no matter how tiny?

If anyone has a logical process that leads to a different conclusion, I'd be interested in hearing the rationale.

[skip-zip]

There are really only 3 options available to define the recruiting value of any LeBron connection to Zips basketball, no matter how weak or how strong LeBron's personal commitment may be:

1) It has some kind of positive effect, ranging from barely measurable to strong.

2) It has absolutely no effect at all.

3) It has some kind of negative effect, ranging from barely measurable to strong.

Option 2 is actually the least likely, because LeBron's image is so strong with the general public that it almost certainly must have some kind effect on most aspiring young basketball players. They might like him or they might hate him, but it's highly unlikely that the majority of them are not somehow influenced in some way by him.

Option 3 is less likely than option 1. There is always a small number of people who go against the grain, whatever the grain might be. So if the biggest name in basketball is connected with Zips basketball in even the slighest way, a few players are going to take it as a negative and say that they don't want anything to do with anything remotely related to LeBron.

By process of elimination, that leaves option 1 as the most likely, with the big question being where on the positive scale of barely measurable to strong. Even if it's barely measurable, why would anyone want to give up any recruiting edge, no matter how tiny?

If anyone has a logical process that leads to a different conclusion, I'd be interested in hearing the rationale.

It would be foolish to think otherwise. When you are Akron, you have to use EVERYTHING you have.

[johnnyzip84]

I've purposely avoided any comment on this entire story until I felt I had waited long enough to prevent emotions from dominating my thoughts. Admittedly, I would only consider myself a casual Cavs fan and an even more casual NBA fan in general. But like many, LeBron had drawn me in over the last seven years, assisted by the Akron connection and, of course, his relationship with Dru and Rome. My youngest had particularly become fond of LeBron, the player, after following his exploits right from the days at St V/M. It's pretty clear that most fans would have accepted his decision to leave without too much trouble had he handled it in a more reasonable and thoughtful manner. We may never exactly why he chose to do it the way he did, but I believe the naivety of youth is a big factor. He's definitely young enough that he may realize, in time, that his methods were a big mistake. However, I don't see it as a reason for UA or the city to cut ties with him. I really don't see much impact on UA athletics one way or the other, but I simply feel it's better for UA from a PR position to stay out of it.

On a side note, I may be crazy for thinking this, but am I the only one who has thought about how Gilbert's letter (much of it perhaps justified) might affect a potential LeBron swan song in Cleveland at the end of his career? Sure it seems absurd now, but who knows how long LBJ will play and who knows how long Gilbert will own the team? I'm sure most would say "never gonna happen" based on the methods LeBron chose to reveal his "decision" and the subsequent reaction of fans throughout the area. But as they say forever is a very long time.

[GP1]

1) It has some kind of positive effect, ranging from barely measurable to strong.

If anyone has a logical process that leads to a different conclusion, I'd be interested in hearing the rationale.

It ranges from barely measurable to barely measurable to barely measureable to we dont want a kid who thinks about LBJ and not winning.

[BirdZip]

I think the effect of an association with LeBron is different depending on what you're considering the effect ON.

An association with LeBron would have a positive effect on recruiting. Most people outside of NEO aren't seething right now. In fact, with LeBron in Florida, let's use it to tap into that market. May Coach I is kind of happy right now.

As association with LeBron could have a negative effect on attendance. I don't imagine it would have much of an effect, but, at least short term, it wouldn't help.

Oh, and my contributions to the LeBron name calling:

LeBronedict

TaLeBron

[Dr Z]

Oh, and my contributions to the LeBron name calling:

Only creative name calling I have seen so far: LYIN' KING

Bottom of the shirt reads:

"I got a goal, and that's to bring an NBA championship to Cleveland, and I won't stop until I get it"