Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the American Idol tour failing to sell tickets, Bobbi Eden’s World Cup oral sex challenge, or Stumptown’s Guatemala Finca El Injerto, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
People are torn about LeBron James announcing his “big decision” on a one-hour television-special on ESPN. Some feel that it’s a brilliant move that takes advantage of modern media. Others feel that it’s a disgustingly egotistical move, despite the advertising proceeds going to charity. Should a player with seven years of NBA experience and zero championship rings be making that big a deal of himself?
Then there’s Kevin Durant, who gave James’ detractors another talking point by announcing his sizable contract extension with a simple Twitter post. Yeah, the situations are very different, but the contrast can’t be denied.
Personally, I think LeBron is making himself look like a knob; making a spectacle out of his employment decision seems callous when so many Americans can’t find jobs. How do you feel about ESPN’s LeBron James Free Agency Summer Spectacular? Is it sheer genius or a dick move?
thank god i just posted this a couple of mins ago. here is my previous post from yesterday's coffe talk.
I really hope LBJ cries/sobs/breaks down like Chris Brown during his press conference. I want him to feel like such a dick for holding the town of Cleveland hostage. It’s like idk if i’m going to come back to the team close to my hometown, i have to see what’s out there and make my decision on Monday. Monday comes and he’s like you know what i need to milk this even more, i’ll write a letter to ESPN and ask them if i can hold a press conference on Thursday about my decision to not come back to Cleveland. Oh and i’ll donate a portion of what ESPN pays me to the boys & girls club so no one will think i’m a dick.
@American Idol
Finally! I'm not a fan of this show at all. Hopefully low ticket sales will translate to lower ratings for next season then hopefully cancellation
@Bobbi Eden
I'm going to follow her right now! will i be able to sue for false advertisement if i don't get my pr0n star BJ.
@Guatemala's coffe
Wow, this has bourbon?? I'm intrigued. @rpad have you tried it already??
I hate lebron's personality, but I adore his skills. It'd be a shame if he goes to the nets or knicks. I wanted him to be a bull.
@rpad
Dragon Age 2 has ben announced, and it will be GLORIOUS
@tokz_21 Bourbon is a type of coffee bean. I'm actually drinking this fine Guatemalan coffee between typing.
http://www.stumptowncoffee.com/varietals/bourbon
@rbee90 I've been waiting on it since yesterday! I'm super psyched!!!
@rpad
Boooooo! will you please school me on coffee??? I read it and still feel dumb about coffee. I just get regular coffee from Dunkin' Donuts (I'm supporting your community Big Blak) 2 creams 2 sugars. How does this coffee dominate DD coffee?
I think it's a very egotistical dick move. Much for reason you gave in the intro, there are alot of people who can't find gainful employment, meanwhile the prick feels the need to draw out his decision on live tv about who is fixing to pay him upwards of 100 million to play basketball. It's not just him though, it's part of all pro sports. What really gets disgusting is when players try to appeal to fans that they are underpaid and not being respected by management. I really don't think even a veteran minimum paid player would have an issue playing for a PSL in addition to every other expense associated with going to a live game.
I really hope he flops for having an ego like this.
@rbee
nice AA reference there lol.
@tokz_21 I grew up in NY. I love DD coffee. That said, I love freshly roasted coffee. I usually buy from Intelligentsia or Stumptown. They work with small farmers and get some really interesting stuff. Most importantly, the coffee is freshly roasted. Stumptown roasts and ships the same day. Intelligentsia has an LA roaster, so I can get beans a day or two after they're roasted. The freshness makes such a huge, huge difference.
As for tastes, it depends what you like. My friend loves African coffees. I generally enjoy coffees from Central and South America. Different beans, different roasting styles, etc. change the taste.
Lastly, great coffee doesn't have to be expensive. I spend way less on coffee than someone that goes to Starbucks every day.
@rpad
I need it now. I miss playing decent console rpgs.
@tokz
I LOVE DUNKIN DONUTS!!!! Too bad I live in Southern California and have to go all the way to vegas to get a damn butternut donut.
@smartguy
what's AA? the thing i said about dragon age 2? lol, sorry man, i just got back here.
I tend to drink Southern Pecan and Bananas Foster coffee from a local coffeeshop chain here. I could be inclined to ship some your way Ray if you wanted to try either.
@Rbee
Arkham Asylum lol. The Joker uses the word GLORIOUS to describe his trap. Guess I'm a geek for even trying to connect that .
@smartguy
ohhhhhhhhhh! haha, i remember that! But when i used the word it was more of a reference from the movie OLD SCHOOL, where Will Ferrel got beaten up by Jeremy Piven, and whispered to Luke Wilson: " I see Blue! He looks GLORIOUS!" lol. Love that movie.
I learn something new on this site. Rpad has got me interested in actually tasting new kinds of coffee. Rbee has informed me that there are no DD in SoCal. I was wondering why there wasn't any around in the hotel i stayed at last year but i ate at Dennys so i was happy. And Smartguy ruined a part of AA that i haven't gotten to yet.
@smartguy Thanks for the offer, but I'm not a fan of flavored coffees.
@Rpad
It's cool. I don't put anything in my coffee, so when I want something besides the NOLA usual Community Coffee with Chickory I often opt to go for something quite different. I hate milk, and refuse to put sugar or anything else in a cup of coffee.
@tokz
the beginning lol? "You fell for my trap Gloriously!"
@smartguy
yup! I got the game but i haven't had time to play it, lol.
@smartguy To use a famous Airplane quote, "I take it black, like my men." Actually, that's not true. I put a teaspoon of honey in my coffee.
@Ray
What about the men part? lol.
@Big Blak
Run!!!! Rpad has a thing for you!
@smartguy I actually like coffee from Southeast Asia too…just like my women. Ha!
It is both genius and egotistical all in one but mostly a dick move for all the reasons stated above.
@ Tokz
I don't get it
@ OLD SCHOOL
YOUR MY BOY BLUE……YOUR MY BOY!
@ tOKZ
Oh em gee!!!! I see.
@ Rpad
I'm flattered, but your barking up the wrong tree lol.
@Ray
Gotcha lol
Love Bill Simmons' column on the LeBronathon. Here's a great quote on Wade/Bosh teaming up in Miami:
"You know, because any time you can play in a city with such rich basketball tradition, you have to do it. It's hard not to get inspired during the national anthem when you see Rony Seikaly's number in the rafters."
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=s…
Barnum and bailey's no ring circus featuring Lebron James
its gonna be awesome to see him play in miami though
Hey, do you think my new gravatar image will help the situation?
Let's hope so. Cross your fingers… including all you haters.
-M
I've reached the magical point where (much like Brett Favre and Manny Ramirez) every time I hear LeBron's name, I hate him a little more.
UGH. I can't help but watch this dumb ass ESPN program.
@Ray: Don't encourage it.
Don't do it, Mr. Padilla! Don't give into the dark side.
But if you are going to watch it anyway, could you let me know if he's comming to Miami?
-M
P.S.- Anybody want to go to a Heat game next season? I got a few tickets.
Lebron's joining Iceman in Miami. I think it's a good special so far. It's a well deserved special due to the circumstances, and an interesting perspective.
@Iceman
I would love to visit Miami one day. If it happens, I'll let you know. Gratz btw. I guess you can look forward to maybe snagging Chris Paul in 2012.
@Ray
Please don't watch that!
My announcement is here!!! Thank you for waiting everyone. LeBron will bw going to Miami! What a dick! He just crushed the hopes of millions of cavaliers fans with this ego feeding special.
I wouldn't say it was an ego feeding special by any means. No other big name in the NBA has ever been a free agent like this, also a very highly paid player at that. The move that he made today can have a big impact on how other big name players negotiate and change teams later on down the road.
I've been to Cleveland and I've been to Miami…
I certainly would have made the same choice.
@bsukenyan I think you need to study your NBA history.
@BSU
That was all ego. You realize that Lebron asked ESPN for that right?
@smartguy The idea was allegedly from Ari Emanuel, superagent. He's a pretty interesting guy from an interesting family (his brother is Rahm Emanuel). Ari Gold from Entourage is based on him.
@Ray
What other big name players have been free agents in a similar position as Lebron is right now? I know I'm not too bright on NBA history, but ESPN themselves were saying earlier that there were only about two other players who could be compared to this situation. Especially considering he is so young and so well paid. The amount of money he is worth on the court is astronomical in comparison to a lot of other players his age. Also, about him not having a ring yet because that has been brought up a lot lately- get him a good enough team that doesn't choke in the playoffs and he would have had a ring already. The Cavs had had the talent, otherwise they would not have been ranked so highly in the regular season for the past couple of years and he would not have been named MVP two years straight. In the playoffs Lebron could hold it together much better than his teammates ever could.
@Smartguy
I know he asked ESPN for all of that. I don't call that ego, that's called knowing how to make money off of what you know will be an event that many people will want to know about and see happen live. He wants to be more than just a basketball player, he wants to be more like the Diddy of basketball. This was just another chance to capitalize on that by making more money from something that was going to happen with to without the cameras there. If you could wouldn't you make money from having people watch you make a decision that was going to be made anyways? I would in a heartbeat.
@bsukenyan I don't know what you mean by "similar position". Kobe Bryant was a free agent in 2004. Shaquille O'Neal was a free agent in 1996. Those are just two recent examples of players that are as good and arguably better than James that didn't make enormous deals out of their free agency.
I don't think you understand the ESPN program either. As I noted in the article, the proceeds went to charity. He didn't make money off of this. Furthermore, the event worsened his reputation as a player and a celebrity. He's being butchered in his home state, he looks weak for not being able to carry his own supporting cast, and he looks like a dick for making a huge deal out of his job situation in a horrible economy.
Besides, if he wanted to be the P.Diddy of basketball then he should have signed with New York.
I love that Cavs' owner Dan Gilbert is going off.
http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_…
@Ray
Kobe and Lebron are about equally talented in my opinion. I have seen them both play in many games, and many games against each other. I just fail to see how Kobe Bryant is so much better than Lebron. The difference between the two is the rest of the team that is backing each player. Lebron has not had the consistent support that Kobe has had in the playoffs. When Lebron has had the support from his team members, such as games played in the regular season, they were ranked #1 in the NBA. This is an instance where the team makes a huge difference. Also, you said the Kobe was a free agent in 2004…he was also fresh off of facing his assault charges. That is not the greatest situation to be in if you are trying to promote yourself as a free agent. No wonder people weren't talking about him being a free agent when he is accused of rape, guilty or innocent doesn't matter…it's a bad look.
I would agree that both of the players you mentioned were just as good as Lebron at the time. Also, I was mistaken about the where the money was going. I was thinking that only some of the money was being donated to charity, not the entire sum. To clarify though, what specifically was being donated? The money that he was most likely paid for the appearance on ESPN (yes this does happen, despite this not being ESPN's idea) or the money from all of his advertisement spots that played during commercials that likely reached a much higher number of people than an average night of viewership for ESPN? I don't believe for a second that he did not make a penny on all of this. I've met some of the people who do advertising and media planning for the large networks, the behind the scenes money is sickening.
In addition, he might not have many fans left in Ohio, but I guarantee he is not hurting for people to like him or pay him. No matter what many of us think about all of this, he will still have plenty of fans wherever he goes.
@bsukenyan Brief reply since I'm on the Droid X. You're only looking at their talent. Their attitudes are dramatically different. Kobe has the nasty competitive streak that Jordan and Russell had. He'd knife you over a game of checkers. Look how determined he was to win a ring without Shaq. Contrast that to James who is running for help.
I despise Kobe, but admit that he's a great player with a dare-to-be-great attitude.
@Ray
Fair enough. I do still hold that talent wise they are practically even. Kobe was determined to win a ring without Shaq though because everyone said he couldn't do it. I think that's a pretty big driving force, just like Lebron's desire to win a ring with the Cavs was. Then he realized that he really needed to have a good team behind him that would not choke.
I understand why he originally wanted a ring with the Cavs, Ohio people are very loyal to their teams (OSU and the Cavs) because that is all that they have. I will say that I do not like 99% of all fans of Ohio teams, they are usually horrible fans that make you hate the game/sport. But I digress, Lebron is going where he thinks will give him a better shot at getting a ting which is very similar to a ring except that I misspelled it the first time around, which is what he has wanted all along more than anything else. Kobe had the team around him to assist him in getting his rings, Lebron clearly did not.
My fiance did make an excellent point to me earlier though, what Lebron really should have done is convinced the Cavs to sign Wade and Bosh because he probably had enough influence in Cleveland to make that happen. Overall that probably would have made a lot of things go much smoother, but he chose a different path. I still think he made a good decision and it is one I am excited to see flourish.
Lebron update
We all know that hes now a officially a member of the Miami Heat…but what number will he wear?
Tune in tomorrow on ESPN at 9 to find out what number lebron chooses and his reasons and feelings about this decision
@BSU
I think you are sympathizing too much here with this. Most players use twitter or let a team issue a press conference or press release about a signing. I can't recall any player that got a 1 hour special about where they were going aside from a pro sport draft. I think this whole damn thing was ridiculous. Once again, he has to realize that doing something like this was pretty disrespectful of the franchise and fanbase that has supported him since he entered the NBA. I don't care how you want to spin it, that was ego.
Dude, seriously you think Kobe and Lebron are equally talented? They're not that close. Bryant is clutch when it counts and has produced his whole career. He also has 5 championships. It doesn't take a whole team in basketball, it can be done with just 2 guys and one bench player. The Spurs won a lot of rings that way. Kobe is the best since Jordan. Hands down. He might surpass Jordan or tie him, but Lebron is nowhere near that echelon. I don't think he ever will because he doesn't seem to have the character to do it.
No I would not have a televised special about where I've been so painstakingly hemming and hawing about where I will play basketball for 100 million dollars. That is a slap in the face to every damn fan who watches the game. I have too much respect for others to do that. For instance, I make considerably more than quite a few of my friends…I damn sure do not have conversations about which loaded vehicle I'm going to buy, or what $200 pair of shoes will be best, or should I upgrade to 3DTV because I just want to blow the money. You can't do that. Especially with 10% unemployment.
They have Olympic gold together. There is a lot o talent in the world but the best of the best play in the NBA. I think LJ effed up big time. Now the whole league, fans included, are going to be more determined to make sure he/they don't get a championship. Basketball is as much a game of will as it is a game of physicality and if you have enough people buying into one goal/idea that creates an underdog, and we all know that they don't always come through. If the Heat don't win the title this up coming season they will be labeled as failures by the sports world because they already have a create-a-team roster with DW, CB, and LJ.
@Big Blak
I'm waiting for someone to bring out the goons on their team (like that coach in college did) just to foul the heck out of all 3. It's going to be a rough season for them all. They've had this plan since the Olympics and just played with NBA fans, media, and teams. I knew Wade was never coming to Chicago after bashing them and their "lack" of loyalty to past players then all of sudden he's meeting with them. It was all a show. I'm glad it's over now. NFL training camps start in 2 weeks!
This may only interest me but his tax liability in Florida is substantially less than the other teams that wanted him. 100 million over 5 years in NY would be about 12.3 million. Ohio has state income tax as well.
@ Tokz
Its crazy the amount of attention they have gotten, I don't even know who else made moves other than Staudamier (not sure that is spelled right) on the Knicks and Jermain Oneill to the Celts.
I cant wait for the NFL to start!
Video Game Condoms!!!!!
http://gamercrave.com/video-game-condoms-as-if-yo…
@Ray
We need an article. I so want to link this to my FB but I'd prefer if it led people to your site rather than some other game site
Wow
Awesome!!!
I WANT THE SUPER MARIO LAND OF LOVE ONES!
@ LeBron
Ok… in case nobody noticed, I've been fairly vigilant in avoiding the whole topic. However, this cracked me up:
http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_…
Bare in mind that this is an open letter written by the owner of an NBA team. Professionalism has officially gone out of the window in Cleveland.
My opinion:
The city is destined to have crappy sports teams.
@ Slicky
I feel sorry for the dude who uses those and the girl DOESN'T laugh her way out of his life.
@ N8R
Its all about faith and that region has faith that they will never get any titles in any sport. He ripped LJ a new one, but if anyone can get away with a tirade like that is should be an owner. After all LJ was a huge investment for that man and his partners and it all went poof,but thats the game they are in.
@ Big Blak
See, I would think a more professional statement would be more like "It is what it is, we're moving on with the best of intentions. Good luck to Lebron and his family". Instead of "I'm so butt-hurt, i have to type in all caps. Screw you Lebron, I hope you fail."
But… maybe I'm missing something here.
@ N8R
I agree with you it was highly unprofessional but it makes for some good interwebz/water bubbler (not that kind of bubbler) talk.
@ Big Blak
Either way, the WAH-mbulance in Cleveland is clocking overtime… and I think it's hysterical.
I really didn't think that I would find amusement in anything about this story (since I'm not a basketball fan and all), but I have to thank Mr. Gilbert for changing my perspective.
@ N8R
The WAH-mbulance, were do you come up with this stuff, its pure platinum!
@ Big Blak
Years and years of practice at being a smartass.
@ Neighter
Lol, then that means your son is gonna be off the hook you dirty hippy!
@N8R
Him leaving is a 48 million economic impact per season. I'd be a bit upset as well.
@smartguy I'm surprised that people here are discounting this aspect of it. It's one thing to talk about the misery of Ohio sports, but it's another to talk about Ohio's economy, which is worse than most. Here's a player from a local town that means more to his NBA franchise than any other player in the league, symbolically and financially. He breaks the hearts of millions of fans and costs his home state millions of dollars. Best of all, he does it on television.
@ Ray
Yea that's how I felt about it when I saw it on tv this morning, I wasn't giving them my Nielsen number last night lol.
@Ray
Exactly.
@N8R
It is more than just the city that will be destined for bad teams, it is the entire state except for OSU, and they get paid so they might as well be professional.
@Smartguy
The example that I was trying to make about getting paid to make a decision is not meant for making purchases. Basketball is a job for him, so in your instance it would be like getting paid to have people watch you decide where you would like to work.
@bsukenyan As much as I enjoy smartguy's virtual company, I don't think leaving his company has the same financial and social implications as LeBron leaving the Cavs. That said, if he televised it, I would think he's being a knob too.
i would watch a paid special of Rpad deciding where to work!
(no not really i would probably justin.tv or ustream)
@ Smartguy
True… I'm just saying he could have played the role of a business man better.
@Ray
It is a profession, Lebron's simply happens to be given more social precedence in comparison to what would be considered a more average person's profession. Financial implications, no not on the same level. But part of the financial implications are only there because we all as sports fans and viewers have over the years felt that their professions are worth the high paychecks.
Honestly I didn't know who this guy was until this article, I didn't read it until today and only then because someone at work asked me what I thought about it and I had no clue what they were talking about. I still don't know why its such a big deal though. I don't watch sports or the news so this is all new to me.
@N8R
Arguably so yeah. I do think an owner with passion is a good thing though. Rooney has a passion for winning as well as genuine love of the sport. Maybe this is what the Cavs owner needed to push him. We'll see.
@bsukenyan You're missing the point of the social impact. Following your smartguy example, it would be like smartguy being the #1 employee in a company that's a huge deal in the town he grew up in. The town has had a dreadful history in his business for 50 years and the company was the best hope it had for succeeding, if smartguy stayed.
Whew!
Sorry it took me so long to respond. I had to clean up all the ejaculate that was everywhere. If anybody wants to go to a Heat game next season, just let me know.
-M
@Ray
Business is business. If in that scenario Smartguy felt like it would be a better move to go to a different company in a different city, then that is well within his rights. No not everyone is going to like that or accept it, I do understand that. But it does not change that fact that it is his decision he makes about his future.
Thats a lot of pressure on smartguy! He deserves to have a special too!
@iceman
Like those 3 men huh? Lol
@Ray
I think BSU is fixated on the purported business side of it. The other ramifications do not seem negative. It's a hard thing to explain.
@Iceman
I would take you up on that offer if I had a way of getting down there.
@Tokz
Indeed lol
At 7:45 CST I will announce whether or not I will tank ICC for a friend's guild or my own. Stay tuned!
@smartguy
sweet! i look forward to reading said post later!
@Tokz
I might watch his special too. lol.
@Smartguy
I just don't think he did anything wrong that would be worthy of all the criticism he is getting.
@BSU
Would you have a 1 hour television special detailing how awesome you are and about halfway through it tell your fiance to take a hike? That is pretty much what he did. Classless.
@bsukenyan You really think "business is business". The man just ruined his life and his mother's life in his hometown. He subtracted from the economy of his home state. If it was just business, he'd be able to live peacefully in Akron. That's pretty much impossible now unless he builds a fortress and hires a small security army.
@Smartguy
I would leave my fiance out of business like that. I can understand the comparison you are making though, and I feel like personal matters and business matters should be separate in this fashion (unless it is for the pure exploitation of business in the case of dating shows, which I still do not like at all, lol).
@Ray
I think there is a lot of bitterness right now in that area for the same reason a lot of people in Ohio act the way they do. There is nothing in Ohio, and the people there who stay know that, but they still act with hostility towards anyone who actually gets out. I lived in Ohio for 10 years, and the majority of the people there are like that. I understand and fully expect the bitterness, but I think the people who actually will hold a grudge for a long time are definitely the minority by a long shot. The part about subtracting from the economy does suck, yeah anytime there is a financial drain on the economy (especially when it is already in this condition) is a bad thing. But there cannot be all positives in business, someone has to take a hit somewhere along the line. Is it unfortunate that it had to happen to a team that pretty much doesn't have a good history, yeah. But life is not fair by any means. Maybe that seems harsh to some people, but good things do not always happen to good people in tangible ways. Plenty of things in life are not great, but you cannot just complain about how unfair or wrong things are, you just have to pick up the pieces and move on.
@bsu
that's the whole point though. it wasn't strictly a business decision. see now?
@bsukenyan Sure, but his words and actions are incongruous. Before he announced his move, he spoke a lot about "loyalty" and how "he will always love Akron". Leaving his home state and fans that have been following him since high school goes against his words.
He has spoken about wanting to be a billionaire athlete and a global icon similar to Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. Going to Miami lowers his chances for both.
Ultimately, I don't care that he moved. I just think it was an amazingly poor career choice to televise the whole thing. He has taken a hit as an athlete and celebrity. The damage done to his reputation can be recovered, but it will never be what it once was.
As a sports fan, I think he looks like a pansy. Here's a great quote from Sports Illustrated:
"James does not have the heart of a champion. He does not have the competitive fire of Jordan, the bull-headed determination of Kobe Bryant, the quiet self-confidence of Tim Duncan, the willful defiance of Isiah or the winning-is-everything hunger of Magic Johnson."
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/mic…
Here a great quote from Bill Simmons:
"It's one thing to leave. I get it. You're 25. You don't know any better. You're tired of carrying mediocre teams. You want help. You want the luxury of not having to play a remarkable game every single night for eight straight months. You want to live in South Beach. You want to play with your buddies. I get it. I get it. But turning that decision into a one-hour special, pretending that it hadn't been decided weeks ago, using a charity as your cover-up and ramming a pitchfork in Cleveland's back like you were at the end of a Friday the 13th movie and Cleveland was Jason … there just had to be a better way."
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=s…
@Ray: I actually sent that exact exact quote to a friend of mine earlier today as we were BS'ing about this over AIM. That whole article is great. I particularly liked the one reader comment about how this the first time in history one man has destroyed a city all by himself and that even the Enola Gay had a full flight crew.
@Nightshade386 If the buzz is still going, Monday's column will be about LeBron's heel turn being scripted by Vince McMahon.
This reminds me of when Hogan legged drop the Macho Man and turned heel to join the NWO. The ring was filled with trash that the fans threw in the ring.
@RRODisHere Exactly. That's the perfect analogy (well, not quite perfect) and one used by one of Simmons' readers.
@Ray: The difference is I LIKE the heels in pro wrestling.
I saw a newspaper from da souf beech errea that said a new king is in town, it had LJ front and center with DW in the background over his right shoulder and CB over his left shoulder. How the eff is he front and center with no ring!? Yea I get that they are ecstatic in South Beach but damn DW is a champion! It should of just had LJ on it.
@ Nightshade
-"this the first time in history one man has destroyed a city all by himself and that even the Enola Gay had a full flight crew."-
I disagree with that reader. See Nero and Old Lady Leary's cow.
@Big Blak I agree, especially with the way LBJ has hinted at playing. He has hinted that he's going to be more of a passer than he was at Cleveland. Some people are saying that he'll be more Magic than Michael. That's BS. Magic could play all five positions and could completely control a game without scoring much. LBJ is a better scorer than Magic, but doesn't have Earvin's all-around game.
@N8R: The joy of being a sports fan is that you can be unabashedly prone to hyperbole. No need to ruin it for that guy. It was a funny remark.
@Smartguy
I guess I can see where you are coming from a little bit with that. However, the people who are going to be bitter about all of this would probably have been bitter no matter what.
@Ray
I don't think it was a poor career decision for him. Maybe not the best possible decision he could have made, but not the worst either. The best decision probably would have been for him to get other people to come to the Cavs, but that didn't happen so I think this was probably the next best choice. I would agree with that quote from Sports Illustrated, but he doesn't need those things- he has the desire to be on top, which is what I think he can accomplish and has accomplished. Each of those people mentioned have their own unique qualities. Lebron's doesn't match one of theirs, so what? He should be his own person and have a different aspect to add to that list.
@bsukenyan How was that not a poor decision? He ruined his stature and marketability on a professional level. He ruined life for him and his mother in his hometown on a personal level.
As for getting people to come to the Cavs, that wasn't possible. The team does not have the salary cap flexibility to sign two major players, let alone three. That shouldn't even be metnioned as a possibility.
@ BSU
Only time will tell if he can add a different aspect, but if he would of just went to the Heat like all the other free agents went to their new teams, we wold not be having this conversation right now.
@BSU
I'm sure all those people who enjoyed the revenue boosts of sold out Cav games will disagree. As will the fans who bought those season tickets. In the end though, it is what it is.
I disagree with you that acting like a child and ego freak is interpreted as desire to be on top. You are right, Lebron should be his own guy…which he is being…but to be one of the greatest, you need to share some of the characteristics of them.
I'm outta here til 7:45. Later.
LJ made a huge deal about his choice now the world gets to make a huge deal about his approach.
What other all-time great athletes have bolted to other franchises in order to win? The only guy I can think of off the top of my head is A-Rod. As amazingly talented as he is, his reputation has taken a hit for not being a winner on his own terms. People view him as talented but soft, with Derek Jeter being the real winner on the team.
What other all-time great athletes have sunk a fanbase as thoroughly as LeBron? I think he's tops in that category. As a wrestling fan, the heel turn was amazingly thorough.
@Ray
Weak argument that Shaq did that to Orlando. Though I could be mistaken about those circumstances.
@smartguy That wasn't an argument. That was a question. Shaq did it twice. A-Rod also comes to mind.
@Ray
My communication fails lol. I meant my Shaq example might be weak. Not sure if he ruined that franchise.
Wow, I'm really enjoying the comments on this thread, guys.
I respectfully remove myself from the discussion since I may be somewhat biased at this point.
-M
@ Nightshade
Sports fan, schmorts fan.
He should know that if he's gonna comment on the internet with something that's not 100% accurate, that someone is gonna call him on it.
@ Ray
What about Wade Boggs?
@smartguy You're right about Shaq not ruining the franchise. It's not like he grew up in Orlando. That part of LeBron leaving is tough to match. It's hard to think of homegrown athletes — that grew up in the town AND in the franchise — that mean so much.
Just picked up EDF 2017, The Orange Box, and Split/Second, I'm not ballin' the former two are used and traded in UFC 2010, I just couldn't get into it and I really wanted to. I really enjoyed the demo for Split/Second and I keep hearing about TF2 and I never finished Portal. Only thing that sucks is that I have a dentist appointment bright and early tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to that at all, so I can't even stay up late and enjoy my new toys……or can I….?
of course you can. do it.
"i ve always been a heat fan"
get used to hearing that
There was a discussion on the local sports talk radio out here about "who's else is as hated in their old cites as LeBron is in Cleveland." The only good examples anyone else could come up with were owners who moved teams. Jim Irsay, Bud Adams, Peter Karmanos, Art Modell….etc. Players weren't really even a part of the discussion.
@Nightshade386 Isiah Thomas grew up in Chicago. He was hated there during the Pistons/Bulls battles in the late '80s and early '90s. Now he's hated by most sports fans. *joke* Zeke will always be my fifth-favorite Piston in the Bad Boys era.
@Big Blak
TF2 is awesome…let me know when you play that sometime and we can team up and take some people out. TF2 and Portal are worth buying TOB just by themselves, I can't really even get in to Half-Life 2.
@ Thundercracker;
I've always been a Heat fan.
Seriously.
@ Bsukenyan;
If you get TF2 on Steam (PC), I'll be happy to join you. That game is much better with friends. I usually like to run around like a chicken with its balls cut off as a medic or pyro (sometimes as an engineer or solder if I'm feeling particularly bold).
-M
@iceman
you dont count, im talking about people outside of florida
@thundercracker I support the Heat's coach because he's Filipino-American, but I doubt he'll have the job after the all-star break. Any bets?
he'll keep the job as long as he's winning, i really dont see pat riley coming back this year
Pat Riley is an ego maniac. I think he'll come back if he think he can't keep his ego in check.
@ Mr. Padilla;
Erik is Filipino? Really? He looks Cuban to me. Then again…
-M