Based on the emails we’re getting, some find it awkward that we haven’t commented on the “LeBron James hasn’t verbally committed to his extension yet” non-story.
This especially after Simmons’s attempt to induce hysteria in his 40 Most Untradable article, which was excellent, as that annual piece always is.
Here goes – it’s a non-issue. We could go into all the reasons why, but it’s a waste of time, and all the “insiders” making bold predictions are playing a big game of telephone. Ric Bucher knows of a “knowledgable source”, which is probably the Simmons article, and the Simmons source is probably a Bucher Sportcenter piece. Get it?
In the meantime, LeBron gets a bunch of free pub by simply not saying anything, and Clevelanders spend a week freaking out and embarrassing the city. The only way we’d be worried about him leaving is if the Cavs were still hovering as a below average team or if there was a franchise in Hong Kong.
Speaking of extensions, Paul Pierce is in deep discussion with the Celtics about one. But he hasn’t agreed to it yet! Everyone panic!!
Anyway, Amare Stoudemire, who didn’t sign his extension until October (without fanfare) last season, suited up for the Suns summer league team last night.
Seattle writer does a rundown of which cities may be in line to steal the Sonics.
A Michael Jordan look-alike is suing MJ and Nike because they’ve damaged his life by making Jordan too famous. The amount – $800M+. Good luck with that one, buddy.
A reporter’s frustration trying to interview the Orlando Magic mascot. He insists on staying in character, which means no talking.
Speaking of the Magic, JJ Redick is sitting out the summer league because of his back.
If you missed out on the younger Knicks players taking shots at Larry Brown, it’s well worth the read. Probably deserved its own post, simply because LB “steals people joy”.
Ron Artest scored 12 in the summer league for the Kings last night.
We’re actually kind of enjoying watching this LeBron frenzy build. For example, insane Lakers fans are stating as fact that LeBron hasn’t said anything yet because he wants to play with Andrew Bynum.
And then there’s the fake reports that there’s a Cavs press conference today, at which Danny Ferry will announce they’re shopping LeBron. Yes, that’s exactly how it would work.
By Tuesday, Stephen A with be reporting that LeBron has sent his boys to go burn down Dan Gilbert’s house.
Of course, Wednesday, after he signs, it’ll be all “Um…well…insiders are now saying he’s, um…demanding a trade – he, uh – he was unhappy with the suit Mike Brown wore to the press conference.”
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The fact that you’re even commenting before the 12th is proving how strong you feel about LeBron signing that extension.
He’d look nice in Laker gold and purple…or in Chicago, busting out the old 23, red and black.
The thing about the “NBA wants him in a bigger market” conspiracies is this -
The Lakers, Knicks, and Bulls sell out and make huge money every year, regardless of their record. The Cavs were on the verge of extinction, but now are one of the biggest road and apparel draws in the NBA. One of their weakest franchises has become one of their most high-profile ones. Is there not tremendous value there?
The league has set up the system to encourage players to stay.
The real money is globally, anyway, and I really don’t think anyone in China cares whether LeBron plays in NYC or Cleveland or anywhere else.
As for LeBron’s silence, at this point I wouldn’t say anything either. Look at how much attention he’s getting, plus the press conference becomes that much more fun for him.
I was thinking about it and this is why I would put Lebron at the top of Bill Simmons’ “You can tell I love hoops, but I don’t know any more about it than the 5′4 guy reading sports articles next to you and yet I have a sports column” column:
Lebron might be the single most exciting player to watch ever. I like wade, but he doesn’t do anything jaw dropping. Don’t give me the he can hang in the air and hit crazy layups, hell, i’ve done that. He can hit jumpers and free throws in clutch situations (most of the time). pfftt. wanker.
The most exciting play in sports is when Lebron steals the ball on the defensive side, and you go, how and why is a man that huge running faster than an olympic sprinter on fire and crack in the opposite direction with the ball. HOLY CRAP, obviously the world must be ending! No time to waste. Quick, Lebron, jump 12 feet through the air and cram it through the hoop! CRAMMM ITTTT!!!! Awesome. Ok, on the next play, the world is just kinda in trouble, just make everybody look silly and then no look a pass to Z. He’ll probably make it.
I like LBJ, it’s just that noone of his stature has spurned their team to go and play for another team. Typically NBA superstars stay with their teams (except Shaq who pretty much has demanded to be traded everywhere). It would just be funny to know that this team could possibly be running a starting 5, one day, that consists of Daniel Gibson, Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, Anderson Varejao, and Zydrunas. Now THAT’s an exciting team right there.
BONEY24 is just jealous of lebron bec. detroit is a fluke and now that they dont have big ben he keeps on hangin in here and saying lebron is out, he wants the cavs to lose lebron like detroit lost wallace, thats there mistake, the pistons will suck big time next season they will go down – by the cavs of course sorry to tell you boney24 but lebron will be a cavalier! they will be the best and exciting team unlike your detroit “FLUKE” pistons! owned by d-wade of course! ha!
Detroit is a fluke? 5 consecutive years of 50+ wins is hardly a fluke.
I don’t necessarily want to see LBJ leave Cleveland, in none of my posts did I say that. It’s just fun to see all of Cleveland collectively holding their breath to make sure that their savior is going to re-sign.
I know LBJ will be a Cavalier next year, and then the next year too…it’s the year after that I would worry about if I were you.
I’d rather be owned by D-Wade than be sitting on the couch at home watching it on tv.
ya ur saying u dont hate lebron but ur calling him a “travelling lebron show” so just dont mind me calling “DETROIT PISTONS A FLUKE” coz they are. Why? bec. they were so cocky in the playoffs but in time they cant deliver. they were so sure that they will win the championship too bad. What would 64 wins do win they didnt win the most priced the championship.
No I called the Cavs the Travelling LeBron show. Because, as most Cavs fans will admit, all you have is LeBron.
I think most teams would have liked to been in Detroit’s position in the playoffs. After a 64 win season, you had home court throughout the playoffs and into the finals, you basically lose the effectiveness of Sheed after Game 3 of the Cavs series yet you still made the Eastern Conference Finals.
I’d be cocky too if I played for a team that had the best record in the league, coming off of back to back finals appearances.
We’ll see how the season plays out next season. I hope all the hot air everyone is blowing about how Big Ben will cause Detroit to suck doesn’t cause them to jump back on the bandwagon when it doesn’t happen.
ya thats right wll just see next season. wonder why big ben signed with the bulls and im pretty sure that the money was not that big factor, what pissed him off?, i hope nazr can deliver next season for the pistons. yes thats there mistake their cockiness they were so relax that they had a beating in cleveland. hope last season will be a humblng exprnce for them and put them in plce
Hey Cav,
As for Lakers fans, they’re the most out of touch with reality of all the fans in the NBA. If you ever read the comments over at the LA Times’ Laker Blog, it becomes readily apparent.
For example, they seem to think that they have 12 tradeable pieces on their team rather than the 3 they actually have (Kobe, LO, Bynum). Here’s a sampling from a recent comments thread of suggested trades by crazy-ass Lakers fans:
Kwame for McDyess straight up
Mihm for McDyess straight up
Chris Mihm and Aaron McKie for Tyson Chandler
Mihm for Chris Duhon
Lamar Odom and a salary throw-in for Kevin Garnett
Are these people pathologically insane or just all in middle school?
Here’s the post: http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2006/07/we_could_probab.html#comments
Oh oh! lebron just signed the extension!!
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2513416
me feels happy now!
i mean accepted!
Was there ever doubt? So that ends that little non-story.. now, back to more urgent news: Pape Sow underwent neck surgery, will the Raps be able to overcome the loss of his presense??
Todd I agree on Laker fans – they’re absolutely delusional.
That Odom + salary for KG is classic.
And congrats on retaining your boy, bro.
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