OT-Lebron James returns to Cleveland
I just heard a report on TV that Lebron is returning to Cleveland. He made a statement to Sports Illustrated.
There are plenty of UM fans in the Cleveland area, and many people in Cleveland are also pulling for a comeback in Detroit economically as well because we both know what if feels like to be crapped on by the national press. His letter about returning home to an area where things need to be earned applies equally to Detroit and northern Ohio. This is very good news for downtown Cleveland and the bars, restaurants and hotels, to say nothing of the fortunes of the basketball team.
I can't stand speculation and refuse to engage in it. By the way, John Harbaugh sold his home in Baltimore, which probably mean he's getting ready to be our coach in 2015....
There really isn't. Pretty much all of the LeBron hte is stupid and totally unjustified,
He is, by all accounts, a good person.
He's a family man who married his high school sweetheart and has several children with her.
All of his teammates love him.
Despite being the best basketball player on the planet for almost decade, he has never been the highest paid player on his team.
He has done something everyone wishes and hopes their favorite athletes would do, in today's day and age. He sacrificed a great deal of money to put the team first and built a championship team in Miami.
He is extremely charitable in his personal life.
As far as I can tell, the only reasons to him him are, The Decision, which he has apologized for and now has come back to Cleveland. I understand why Cleveland fns were so butthurt about it, but the rest of the world needs to get over it. There is also a singular anecdote from someone's brother's sister's uncles cousin's aunt that he doesn't tip particularly well, which turned out to be complete bullshit.
The other reason to hate him is "ESPN," which isn't a reason to hate him at all.
I'm one to agree that the hate toward Lebron is excessive, but a guy can still be disliked for a variety of reasons and still not make him a monster. Yes, he married his HS girlfriend, but lots of people get married, and just because he potentially found his life partner earlier in age than others isn't some character bonus, unless you believe "timing" is something he can control. He didn't take "that" much less in Miami, and he took basically the max salary possible as a FA at the time. Yes he could have demanded a bit more in a sign-and-trade, but to my knowledge he still signed for near-max money. And the fact he is charitable, while commendable, is true for many NBA players - most of them just don't talk about it.
People dislike Lebron because for all his greatness he still doesn't live up to their ideals - he has struggled in the playoffs more times than they (think) other stars have, he can appear aloof and mercenary especially before he left Miami, and the Decision really drove people mad.
People are stupid, and you also didn't really provide any reasons to hate him.
He hasn't lived up to other people's ideals? He's already one of the 10 greatest players of all time and he still has yet to turn 30. In 11 seasons his list of accomplishments stacks up with just about anyone else in NBA history. He's won 4 MVPs, made 10 All NBA Teams (8 1st - 2 2nd), 10 All Star Teams (2 MVPs), 6 All Defense Teams (5 1st - 1 2nd), 2 Olympic Gold Medals, has appeared in 5 NBA Finals and has won 2 championships with 2 Finals MVPs. He has put up offensive efficiency numbers as a whole that are only comparable to Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. He already has more win shares than Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Aloof? He's one of the most personable people in the legue and widely acknowledged as one of the NBA's best temmates.
As I said, people are stupid.
So all of those metrics is supposed to make me like him....no thank you. I couldn't care if he found a vaccine for HIV and cleared gridlock in congress.
Professor X being a dummy and failing to comprehend a simple point? Color me not shocked at all what so ever.
No one is saying you have to like him. Just recognize most of the hate he gets is ridiculous. It's not based in anything LeBron has actually done to deserve all of the vitriol that gets thrown his way.
I got your point the entire time. Thanks for the insults BTW (typical mgoblog immaturity). I have HUGE problem with people telling me what I SHOULD believe or not. I will look at the data and metrics myself and come to my own conclusion. The Fox News'ing and ESPN'ing of America is a major problem in our society. Too few in our country use the 6lb muscle between their ears.
Immaturity. Is that why you've been sent to Bolivia a number of times for being one of the most toxic members of the board? Your complete and utter lack of self awareness never ceases to amaze.
"Typical MGoBlog immaturity."
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/dave-brandon-appreciation-thread#comment-2579367
I know, right?
He provided several reasons - they're just irrational and illogical reasons.
...but if you're looking for rational reasons for hate, you'll be looking a long time. Hate is by its nature irrational.
Looking for logically supportable reasons for hate is like searching for pixies under your sink.
I guess I HAVE to like Lebron because YOU said so. So that settles that issue.
Yeah. That's exactly what I said. Dummy.
I know, but that is the tone of your message to anyone criticising dear ol Lebron.
the move actually makes me hate him less as well, but hate ESPN and our mass media culture more.
The only tone exists inside your head.
right... I guess I will take you at your word Sir Knight of the Internet...
Hey, look. Professor X not understanding something again! What a shocker.
My "benighted knight" quote is based off of something Brian Cook said when he banned Chitownblue and a number of posters.
I don't actually fancy myself a knight of the internet, but I can understand how someone of your...capacity...would fail to understand sarcsm.
Cute new signture, BTW. Not at all embarrassing for you...
Cavs need to go back to orange and blue uniforms.
I'm sure Cleveland fans won't be insufferable and smug about their previous "hatred" of Lebron and point out how they "definitely" weren't the negative ones when he left.
I don't see how Cleveland is appreciably better than Miami save for Wiggins possible being a major improvement defensively. But it is still a team that is going to rely on Lebron to carry them offensively most nights, and I don't see them winning the championship without a couple of major pieces.
It's even better when you're a fan of the team, I can assure you. Go Cavs
Lebron knows exactly what he is doing. I was thinking somewhat similarly to what Bill Simmons just wrote. Lebron made a calculated move back to Cleveland because he knows Cleveland is better set up for more championships now than Miami (as currently constructed). When you add Lebron to Cleveland's roster, they become a totally different team.
Lebron is the smartest and best player in basketball right now, but he is also the most image-conscious. The letter was well played.
I'm the biggest Jordan fan there is, and Lebron will never be better than Jordan. However, I also respect his talent, and he is on track to be a top five or six player of all time. You sound like you need to chill out. It's just basketball.
Now all of the Cavs fans who were LBJ haters are suddenly going to pretend that they didn't troll the LBJ pieces with hateful epithets the last four years.
What's even funnier is that we couldn't care less. I spent all weekend watching sportscenter repeats, and watching old Cavs games on ESPN Classic.
I hated his guts, but it's cool, I love him now. That letter was all I needed.
I had my LeBron cavs jersey on all weekend and it felt great, we are instantly a 50 win team, GO CAVS.