Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
I am the only guy who doesn't care at all which NBA team scores LeBron James? I mean this in the nicest possible way.
By accident, this week, trying to catch a World Cup update, I saw a quote from "King James" -- he wants to be a billionaire, all right, so he can provide not only for his kids but his grandkids. I thought, well, here is further evidence that nobody in America would do a thing for their great-grandkids, in reference to whom our great debt-reduction appeals are never made. But I also thought here is a sad fact about American life. A guy who works his way into fabulous, stupendous, almost superhuman success is ecstatic just to be able to provide financial security for two generations of family members -- with billions of dollars.
Here's the happy part: anywhere he goes, he's making those billions. I wish LeBron James the best. But the excitement surrounding his professional destiny seems to me ridiculous -- not only because there's no suspense as far as his future's concerned, but because -- ho ho! -- NBA basketball is terrible! Unwatchable! College basketball is so superior as to be virtually a different sport altogether! Not even LeBron can change this, ladies and gentlemen. He should take up soccer.
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May '10
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
As a Clevelander, I'll be more relieved than happy if he stays, just because this city is so down and out, but personally, if he goes (when he goes), I'll be over it after exactly one shrug. He had the chance to accomplish the last great achievement in sports, winning a championship for this town--his hometown--but instead he'll win several for some contrived all-star team. Yawn.
As for college basketball, I'm a little down on that as well, since now the kids don't stay long enough for teams to take on a personality. Gone are the days when, say, Ewing's Georgetown team battles Mullin's St. John's team for 4 years. Those were the days.
But there's still college football, sorta.....
May '10
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
Agreed entirely on the topic of the NBA, James!
As far as LeBron goes, I've heard enough about him from the ESPN affiliate on my clock radio these past few mornings to last forever. But then, I'm still salty over the 2001 Division III Ohio basketball championship... my friends, who would have beaten anyone else, instead had to face a "Division III" school whose roster featured (sophomore) LeBron James and some forever-tall exchange student from Africa!
May '10
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
I'd like it if the NBA borrowed a feature of European soccer -- send the worst teams down a league. I love the late rounds of the NBA playoffs, but until then, it always seems like even the best teams aren't trying hard very consistently. Prior to the All Star break I can't even watch anymore. Perhaps a change in incentives would improve matters.
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
Scott Reusser: As for college basketball, I'm a little down on that as well, since now the kids don't stay long enough for teams to take on a personality. Gone are the days when, say, Ewing's Georgetown team battles Mullin's St. John's team for 4 years. Those were the days.
But there's still college football, sorta.....
Nice burn, Scott. And I say this as a Dukie still scarred from the Maggette Experience. Remind me to tell a horrible story about Corey.
Anything would be an improvement. And I say this as a Dukie with roughly 500 alumni to root for on various thrilling teams (Grizzlies, Jazz, etc., etc...).
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
To answer your original question James, yes you are the only guy who doesn't care where Lebron James goes ;-)
Even the non-NBA fan has to admit the ordeal was sociologically fascinating. Hero worship. Pop culture Iconology. Provincial civic pride. Caring for a multi-millionaire in a recessed economy.
Politically speaking, Lebron's decision to go to the Heat may have been in some respect a confirmation that small government attracts business to a state: By going to Florida instead of New York, Lebron will save over $12 million in state and city income tax for every $100 million in salary. That's a real consideration for a guy who is thinking about the financial well being of his grand kids. Not mention Florida's superior probate laws.
And from a sports perspective - we've seen expensive, talent laden teams put to together to be a dynasty flop in the past. Any good coach will tell you bad team chemistry can quash talent. Will Lebron, Wade and Bosh have it?
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
Justified Right: Politically speaking, Lebron's decision to go to the Heat may have been in some respect a confirmation that small government attracts business to a state: By going to Florida instead of New York, Lebron will save over $12 million in state and city income tax for every $100 million in salary. That's a real consideration for a guy who is thinking about the financial well being of his grand kids. Not mention Florida's superior probate laws.
And from a sports perspective - we've seen expensive, talent laden teams put to together to be a dynasty flop in the past. Any good coach will tell you bad team chemistry can quash talent. Will Lebron, Wade and Bosh have it? · Jul 9 at 4:53am
Possibly, this is even better press for small government than for LBJ. (Maybe not.) I'm told LeBron has also actually put a fair amount of time and money into charitable work, too. Rod Dreher weighs in nonetheless with some "Dalrymplian befuddlement and spite."
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
Rod Dreher describes him:
"...man-child LeBron James, who is extraordinarily gifted at throwing balls through elevated circles,..."
Wow. Showering with contempt for sport.
If there were a House Committee on un-American activity, I'd have to report Dreher's blog ;-)
I have to agree with him though on the overstatement by many about the effect this will have on the continued existence of the City of Cleveland!
May '10
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
I would like to see a wrap-up to this line from our resident sports writer putting this all into context? You up for sharing your thoughts on the King James spec-debacle Ursula?
May '10
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
No doubt. In fact this stuff defines Cleveland. The Drive. The Fumble. The Shot. The Blown Save. The Whatever-this-is. Kind of fun, actually. The existence of Cleveland as we know it would only be threatened if something went right in this town.
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
Trace, you are a good man to assume that I could possibly provide a "wrap-up." Here are my initial thoughts:
1) James (P. not LeBron) is 100% correct: NBA is unwatchable. When I actually had time to watch TV, college hoops was my thing. The "I've made it!" moment in my career was snaring a press pass to the Big East Tournament, mid-90s. Iverson, Kittles, God Shammgod, El Amin ... these are names that fire me up. Oh, and I once kissed Eric Montross (okay, it was his sleeve) as he walked by me in mob on Franklin Street a day or so after winning the 1993 NCAA championship. (Sorry Dukies.) See why it's good I never had Twitter?
(more below) ...
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
2) If you are at all interested in the larger meaning of sports as well as having a good laugh, always read the NY Post's Phil Mushnick. Here's his first few lines today:
3) If I was a professional basketball player, I'd want to play for Pat Riley, too.
4) As a native New Yorker, I held out some hope that LeBron's dinner with Beyonce and JayZ (http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/06/28/2010-06-28_lebron_james.html) would lure him to the Nets or the Knicks. But, as Justified Right pointed out, the tax situation in NY is nightmarish.
May '10
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
The NBA is the perfect sport for Democrats. Teams 21 games out of first place vie for playoff spots.
Even LeBron's greed is regulated. He was a free agent but was limited to which team he could sign with due to the salary cap.
May '10
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
1) The NBA is unwaatchable until playoff time. For once, I agree entirely with Conor. The NBA needs to fix its playoff system so fewer teams get in and there is some penalty for finishing last as often as the Clippers do.
2) Miami will not win a championship this year or next. Maybe not after that. Though they have three of the best players in the league, perhaps three of the top ten, there is still only one basketball. The egos that built the situation in Miami will not suddenly deflate so they can share equal and much lesser billing every night. Also, you need 12 guys to play ball, not three. Miami had better hope it can find a bunch of bargains because it won't be able to afford much now.
3) David Stern is one mid-court rant away from becoming Vince McMahon. What he's allowed the NBA to become is shameful.
4) We may have seen the death of national sports reporting last night on ESPN.
May '10
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
Ursula Hennessey:
As a native New Yorker, I held out some hope that LeBron's dinner with Beyonce and JayZ (http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/06/28/2010-06-28_lebron_james.html) would lure him to the Nets or the Knicks.
That would have been a great test for LeBron and a way to cement his legacy as a great player. He had a chance to walk into the biggest sports market in America and turn around a woeful franchise. Imagine how his star would have risen had he accomplished that.
May '10
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
Ever notice that certain teams get into the postseason, look at their road jerseys, see the word "Cleveland" written across it and fold like a cheap lawn chair?
On the other hand, Cleveland is not defined by the hard luck of its sports teams. It is defined by the corruption of being a one-party, once highly unionized town. In 1920 it was the 5th largest city in the country, now its market size is 18th and only if you count people all the way down to Canton, two counties away.
May '10
Re: Viva LeBron James! Down With the NBA!
Anything would be an improvement. And I say this as a Dukie with roughly 500 alumni to root for on various thrilling teams (Grizzlies, Jazz, etc., etc...). · Jul 9 at 12:51am
@ Conor - Couldn't agree more. I'd even be willing to go a step further and permanently contract the league.
@ James - A Dukie? You have my warmest, friendliest, genuine and most heartfelt ... condolences.