Posts Tagged ‘Lebron James’

In some stunning news, LeBron James revealed that he will join the Big 12 Athletic Conference and sidestep the Harlem Globetrotters, for now.  James has been debating what to do with his future and the Cavs don’t seem to be extending any olive branches.

I still feel as though LeBron will remain a Cavalier, but the firings of Mike Brown and Danny Ferry and the fact that management has declared that Tom Izzo got an interview without James’ permission indicate stupidity.

How can Mike Brown go from being the NBA Coach of The Year in 2009 to being in the unemployment line in 2010?  Sure, my Aunt Mary could probably coach that team and win 45 games, but why make a scapegoat out of a guy who obviously was put there to do what LeBron wanted?

Danny Ferry being dismissed makes some sense.  Building around LeBron James has been a huge failure for him and his last shot again produced nothing.  Mo Williams is decent, but other than that, Ferry has laid a goose egg.  Shaq is eligible for Social Security next year and Delonte West is a head case, to put it mildly.  LeBron needs a co-star, a Garnett, a Bosh, or a Wade, because he will remain the player that needs to be shut down for the opponent to have a chance at winning.

Granted, there are not that many guys who I would want to have the ball more than James late in a ballgame.  However, when teams collapse on him and he kicks the ball out to wide open players who can’t hit shots, there is a problem.

If Izzo comes, and LeBron stays, which seem to have to go hand-in-hand, this team needs a makeover from the top down.  The only player I might keep is J J Hickson. He has an upside and is still developing.  Every other current Cavs roster spot is either filled by someone who was once great, or by someone else who was supposed to be great. Nobody, other than James, that plays hoops in Cleveland is even close to great, not right now.

In a contest to see who could go broke first, Roger Waters has apparently won.  Tickets went on sale pretty much everywhere in the past five days for Waters tour of the US and they were a bit pricy.  Waters is touring without David Gilmour, who in my opinion was the voice of Pink Floyd.  To catch a “fleeting glimpse” of the Pink Floyd-like concert, expect to shell out a pretty penny.  The average seat is about $210.00 after Ticketmaster fees.  Waters who turns 67 this September is excited about the tour.  Unfortunately, I would rather see Ringo Starr do songs from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band for more than half the admission fee.

Here are some stories from other great sites…

*Babes Love Baseball takes a look at 40 year-old Ken Griffey Jr. and his fading abilities with Not now kids, grandpa is taking a nap.

*NESW Sports uncovers a big scam as they bust the morning show Yo-Yo Master who has been cheating with his Duncan for years.

*PSAMP has some visuals of “The Bus”, Jerome Bettis playing golf in the story titled Jerome Bettis is a fat golfer.

*Gunaxin does a neat piece on 13 hockey goalie masks that have played a role in pop culture.

*Real Fake Sports has the story of a pitcher who got into trouble for NOT throwing a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles.

*Pippenainteasy has a link to a website welcoming Lebron James to Chicago to play for the Bulls.

*Outside The Boxscore provides the story of how the Phillie Phanatic dressed up as Lady GaGa and got beat by an umpire.

The New York Knicks have reported record season ticket activity for next season based on the hype alone.  For the past couple of seasons, LeBron James has been in the rumor mill as going to New York when his contract expires at season’s end.

The good news for Knicks fans anticipating the big move is that you will get to see LeBron play in Madison Square Garden next season.  The bad news is that he will still be wearing a Cavs uniform and you paid too much for those couple of games.  The newly crowned MVP will stay put.

The Jets stepped it up in the offseason, doing Yankee-like things that New Yorkers have grown to expect.  Now the people want a basketball team to spend a fortune too.  You can afford LeBron, but he is home where he sits now.  It’s his backyard and his friends and family can drive less than an hour to watch.  All the hype about a number switch as of late has barely been mentioned in Knicks conversations, has anyone who did any of the junk photoshop stuff try to use the number six?

The Cavs hold a 1-0 lead over Boston in their current quest to get “The King” a ring.  New York fans are Cleveland fans, for now.  When this supposed deal never takes place, LeBron will be booed from the Eastern end of the Bronx through Manhatten, and he will probably enjoy it.  Click your red Nike’s together three times and repeat after me… ‘There’s No Place Like Home.’

Poor Zydrunas Ilgauskas.  “Coach Of The Year” Mike Brown, aka LeBron’s ventriloquist puppet, showed poor common sense when he failed to put Big Z on the court against Dallas on Saturday.  Ilgauskas is set to break the franchise record for games played by a Cavalier.  LeBron spouted off about it saying that Brown should have gotten him into the game.  Brown, of course, is defending not playing Ilgauskas saying that Dallas was shorter and quicker and he needed to match ’em up that way.  When did Shaq start running a 4.5 40-yard dash?  Boo Mike Brown.  Boo.

Here are some stories from other great sites:

• Intentional Foul asks a good question…  What did we accomplish by exposing Tiger Woods?
• Not Qualified To Comment reports that Ron Artest was getting loaded at halftime when he played for the Chicago Bulls.
• PSAMP has the apology of Hines Ward to Ben Roethlisberger straight from Ward’s Facebook page.
• Fansided unveils their Everything Power Rankings segment which is set up like this post, a bunch of links to other great stories.  Think of it as SportsCenter without commercials.
• Globalsports Fraternity has been posting videos of chimps that they say run the BCS.  A new video was posted today, very entertaining stuff!
• A new blog, 7th Inning Stache, has a hilarious piece about what to expect when seeking Pete Rose for an autograph while in Las Vegas.
• Josh Q. Public notates the hot shooting of the Boston Celtics in the article, Celtics: Shooting The Lights Out.
• NESW Sports has a phenomenal video of Florida State’s Zebrie Sanders. There has to be drugs involved with this one…
• Detroit4Lyfe has the audio of the voicemail Tiger Woods left for his mistress. 
• MoonDog Sports dives into the recently made Notre Dame vacancy asking if Cincinnati Coach Brian Kelly is the right fit?
• Guyism takes a look at the eight most dysfunctional athletic relationships.
• Just Blog Baby, a Raiders blog, says that Raider Nation has had enough Al Davis and is now begging for Davis to hire a GM.

Youngstowners, mark Sunday, November 29 in your datebooks.  Extreme International Ice Racing is coming to The Covelli Centre.  The average ticket price is about $18.00 and from what I heard (and I am in no way into this sort of thing) it is a must-see event.  I plan on giving it a shot.  Usually when Eric Ryan and Ken Bigley hype something for Youngstown and I never heard of it, I try the unknown and usually leave satisfied.  The racing starts at 5:30, so be sure to grab a ticket and head downtown to see it.

Here are some stories from other great sites:

• In Game Now has information that Chad Ochocinco has sent the Ravens gift baskets which include deodorant so that they won’t sweat too much.
• Stacheketball says LeBron James really could have used some extra padding.
• Not Qualified To Comment is a Chicago blog.  Their story after the Cavs lost to the Bulls was that the Bulls began to discover their identity.  It is obvious that Cleveland is still searching for an identity of their own.
• Sports Rubbish informs you the reader that you can buy 5,000 leftover 2008 Beijing Olympic condoms.
• That NBA Lottery Pick says the ESPN trade machine has approved a trade involving Carlos Boozer for a can of tuna. 
• Babes Love Baseball points out Tim Lincecum won the Cy Young award, and he was probably stoned on weed all year.
• Sports Untapped tips their cap to the 2009 World Series Champion New York Yankees with their article titled right through the very heart of it.
• Fansided has a Wendy’s training video that ups your street creds up a couple of notches.
• Predominantly Orange lists 10 reasons why it is better to be a Broncos fan instead of a Steelers fan.
• Club Seat Sports say that dirty-tactic New Mexico State Soccer star Elizabeth Lambert is their kind of girl.

Kids play with toy guns and are taught to disregard greetings from strangers at an early age.  Life is working backwards on Delonte West.  Real guns and a bipolar disorder are now things that stand in the way of a player coming off of his best season ever. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are having chemistry issues right now.  The team is competitive but already losers in three of their games.  The arrival of Shaq and Anthony Parker, the departure of Ben Wallace, the pressure on LeBron James to win a ring,  and of course the unpredictable behavior of Delonte West.

West is coming off of his best season as a pro basketball player.  However, one recalls him going off on a ref during a preseason game last season which forced the team to seek help for West.  West agreed to medical attention and was treated for the erratic behavior.  Officials are saying an emotional disturbance is what triggered Delonte’s latest run at bad behavior.

Last year, West had a problem with paranoia, always thinking that people were against him.  He was often late arriving on days of games and the Cavs were almost forced to hide the information from the media because of the diagnosis fearing West would become worse as a result of negative perception.

Riding a motorcycle is something that West is not allowed to do under his current contract.  Riding a motorcycle with a host of loaded weapons is probably not included in the contract limitations, but common sense would tell you that must be a bad thing.  West also faced marijuana possession charges in Maryland when the Cavs worked out a new contract.

Message to Danny Ferry and the gang:  It is nice that you guys bent over backwards to help Delonte overcome his personal issues.  A second chance is something every human deserves.  However, Mr. West is now on his fifth chance, this time the negative publicity is on him, and you can no longer shield his goofy behavior.  Check his guitar case next time he brings it to practice, what’s inside could kill you or someone else who does not deserve to die.

Message to Delonte West:  Hey bud, I know you are going through some tough times.  Anyone who makes more than a million dollars a year has my sympathy.  Do you think you might like to hunt?  My buddy here has some farm land you could scour and I got his ok on it.  Please start taking your meds and listening to the shrinks advice this time.  You are not only endangering yourself, but also the chances of a very good basketball team succeeding this season.  If it gets to be too much, walk away.  Take a break and get your act together.  Go find a guy under a bridge who will provide you with so many answers without you having to ask a single question.

It is still early enough in the young NBA season for Cleveland to decide what to do with Delonte West.  Ignoring the problems or shielding him is obviously not the answer anymore.

Two great players on one team.  Two accomplished athletes who love to compete, but love to win more.  Two guys with one goal, to bring an NBA Championship to Cleveland.  If last night was any indicator, two guys have their work cut out.  The Cavs started the game on a positive note.  They were finishing, Anthony Parker looked like the right peg for the vacant hole, and for a moment, I believed that the two men pictured would be able to carry the rest of the load.  Unfortunately, the Cavs fell into ‘predictable’ mode in the second half and played like they did against Orlando in last years postseason.  It’s one game, I won’t kick and scream yet, but changes must be made to the offense.  Boston 95, Cleveland 89. 

Here are some stories from other great sites:

• Not Qualified To Comment says there is a racism problem in the Chicago Cubs organization that has existed for years.
• Major League Jerk points out the inconsistencies that are plaguing the Chicago Bears.
• Josh Q. Public takes a further look at last nights Cavs vs Celtics matchup in the article titled Paul Pierce and the Celtics.
• Guyism says that Andre Agassi has fessed up on his use of controlled substances and has some pretty funny-looking pics of the tennis great.
• PSAMP thinks that Mike Tomlin, Head Coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is such a boss. The Mike Tomlin rap song by Freak Show.
• Chicago’s MMA is giving away a Joachim Hansen signed jersey.  Click on the link to find out how you can win.
• MoonDog Sports takes a look at Halloween costumes that just aren’t going to work.
• Style Points has the information of more Favre’s coming through the pipeline, as Brett has a nephew who is excelling as a high school quarterback.
• Outside The Boxscore has video of Terry Bradshaw’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel.
• Sports Untapped calls the Kansas City Chiefs disgruntled running back, Larry Johnson, the king of apologies.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The campaign was originally created to advise women to be alert for early detection of breast cancer so that it may be more easily treated.  When you see a woman driving a car with a pink ribbon, it may not mean she has had to battle the cancer, but rather is well aware of the risks of not getting checked.  This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the campaign.

Here are some stories from other great sites:

• Josh Q. Public takes a look at Sidney Crosby’s performance from Friday night in which he did some things in a game that he had not done yet.
• Sharapova’s Thigh presents the weekly fantasy football updates that you need to know.  So far, the Thigh has won me two games I would have lost this season with on-point advice.
• Fansided posts some videos of the Top-10 college football mascots that can’t be trusted.
• My Sports Rumors lays out the picks for NFL games in Week 7. 
• The Cage Doctors take a look at some MMA fighters who are too pretty to be MMA fighters.  Gina Carano is on the list.
• Sports Rubbish finds the unruly Phillies fans at it again as they try to set a guy in a tree on fire with roman candles.
• Detroit4Lyfe has Jim Carrey giving the Detroit Pistons some tips for their defensive woes.  The Pistons have been giving up 113 points per game.
• Style Points has the story on Michael Vick recently being spotted in a South Philadelphia CVS store buying dog food.
• Fanhouse weighs in on the feud between ESPN and Deadspin where rocks are seemingly being tossed in both directions.
• Gunaxin reveals the 7 rules that every sports movie lives by.
• Predominantly Orange lists the ten best things to do when your team is on a bye week.
• Major League Jerk posted LeBron James saying the one person he would most like to dunk over is George W. Bush.
• No Guts, No Glory lists Lane Kiffin’s foolproof steps for wowing recruits.
• Guyism unveils the newest weird name in college sports – Just-in’love Smith of the Siena Saints Basketball Program.
• NESW Sports has video of LeBron James swatting Rajon Rondo in a recent preseason basketball game.
• Not Qualified To Comment lists reasons why the Bengals’ Cedric Benson is making excuses before the Cincinnati vs Chicago game this weekend where Benson will face his old mates.
• Babes Love Baseball says that Nick Swisher better get it going soon as he is currently muired in an 0-11 slump.

Now that the Indians have removed Eric Wedge from managerial duties, the search is on.  It has been widely assumed that nobody currently managing at a different level within the Indians system will be promoted.  This leaves a couple of hard choices for management.  I figured I would add my two cents (in case the great Mark Shapiro googles his name and hits this article) to post choices which would merit strong consideration.  Without hesitation, here are my top candidates to manage the Cleveland Indians:

#1. Reuben Kincaid

For all of my younger readers who have no idea, Reuben Kincaid managed The Partridge Family.  He propelled the Partridge’s to the top of the charts in the 1970’s.  He even has experience keeping eyesore Danny Partridge (Danny Bonaduce) in line.  If you hire Kincaid, you also gain a bench coach in Shirley Jones.  The only drawback on the Kincaid proposal would be having to suffer through “I Think I Love You” instead of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” for the 7th-inning stretch.

#2. Captain Lou Albano

Why not bring in Captain Lou Albano?  He has managed champions throughout his career.  If he can keep The Wild Samoans and George “The Animal” Steele under control, why would he struggle with Kerry Wood or Travis Hafner?  Pro wrestling and baseball are about neck-in-neck on the steroid abuse charts, it would be a magical fit.  The Indians may have to allow facial rubber banding, but what a small price to pay for someone with such a brilliant track record.

#3. Pete Rose

The legalization of casino gambling is a hot topic in the State of Ohio these days.  Some argue that they hate seeing the tax dollars earned go to surrounding states that Ohioans are frequenting.  By bringing in Pete Rose, you would have a win-win situation regardless of what happens to the proposed gaming legislation.  Someone has to bet on the Indians, why not Pete?  The bookies are dying for a fish to start betting consistently on the Tribe.  Yeah he may concede every third game by chewing up his bullpen to win some money but people know he would be firing on his own team causing a contagious reaction to betting on Cleveland to win.

#4.  Sir George Martin

This guy was able to make Beatles albums without the Beatles around each other.  He and his son then remix everything 40 years later and are making a killing in Vegas on the “improved” product.  Why don’t the Indians owners take a chance on Sir George Martin coming in to ‘remix’ the Indians?  Teach Grady Sizemore how to throw a curve, show Kelly Shoppach how to be the cutoff man on a single to right, work with Jensen Lewis on stealing second.  Remix things.  Could it be worse than it was most of this past season?

#5. LeBron James

This may be the most realistic choice on the menu.  Think about it.  He is now wearing #6 because he wanted to change things up.  He won a gold medal wearing #6, he is now #6 for the Cavs.  Braylon Edwards punches his little buddy and ends up in New York.  LeBron was instrumental, intentional or not,  in getting Braylon sent away.  It is probably a blessing for Cavs fans that Edwards is a jet.  The only bad scenario would be if LeBron went to New York after the season ended, he may order the Jets to ship Edwards back to Cleveland. 

The Indians can use that kind of stroke.  If you don’t think James has more power in Cleveland than anyone else than you are naive.  He pretty much dictates what the Cavs do, he is now dictating what the Browns do.  Hell, give him all of the keys to the city, let him say what the Indians should do too. 

What a horrible year Cleveland Sports fans have had to endure.  The Cavs could have done better.  The Indians started and are ending the season with disgraceful heartless performances.  The Browns are lucky if they win six games this season.  When will it end?  Doesn’t matter what team or season, the result for over 50 years has been disappointment. 

I applaud Cleveland fans for hanging in there and staying true to the teams they root for.  However, after attending a recent Indians game with about 25% of the stands at Progressive Field full, I have to wonder when fans will get disgusted enough to either switch teams or just put Cleveland sports as a whole on the back burner.  Again, there are diehards, but Chicago has tasted victory with the Bears, Detroit with the Pistons, Boston with the Patriots and Red Sox, etc… 

Let me start my story with the team that provides the greatest chance of winning something soon – the Cavs.  With the recent addition of Shaq and departure of Ben Wallace one of two things can happen.  1)  Everything will click, no one will be injured, and the Cavs will make a strong showing for an NBA Championship.  OR.. 2) Shaq will only play about half the year putting LeBron James back into the ‘I have to do it all myself’  mode, or worse yet, James could get injured.  I still argue that he isn’t going anywhere at the end of the season, but watch how that debate rages through the entire season and playoffs and becomes a bigger issue than the Cavs actually winning.

Move to baseball.  Eric Wedge should have been fired on Memorial Day or shortly after.  Wedge’s admitted pal and BFF Mark Shapiro stuck his neck out for Wedge to at least be given the end of the season to present his capabilities as a manager.  He has failed to do so.  Shapiro traded Cliff Lee to Philadelphia this season, even though he had another year on his contract, for pitching prospects like Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 9.64 ERA).  Last year CC Sabathia was pushed away instead of being offered a new contract and he didn’t do too bad in Milwaukee.  Both guys (Shapiro and Wedge) need to go and a true rebuilding process needs to take place, otherwise expect more Pirate-like boneheaded moves followed up by the financial weeping of a money-hungry front office. 

Question: Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson?   Answer: Neither.   Browns fans are truly some of the most loyal people who follow sports.  The defense looked rather good in the first half against Minnesota in the opener.  In the second half, they looked dismal.  There is no consistency on this team.  They will jump up and win a few games, they always manage to do that much.  The problem at quarterback is not the individuals who play that position.  Quinn OR Anderson will be running for their lives as the line is still weak.  When they do have time, who do they throw to?  Braylon ‘drop ’em’ Edwards?  Josh ‘Wildcat’ Cribbs?  They need help at receiver bad.  Cribbs running the Wildcat Offense on Minnesota’s two-yard line was comical, for two plays.  Drew Brees would struggle with this team.

Sorry Cleveland fans.  Mad respect for the loyalty to these three franchises, but if the Cavs don’t do it this year it’s gonna be awhile longer in any sport.

Please comment if you think I am right or wrong, I am anxious to hear what others think about this.