http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/columns/story?page=oconnor/lebron-james/100402

Look at them, they're DESPERATE.

This article is hilarious to me. I've never seen a media push like this for one player. New York is selling out to get LeBron and it's embarrassing for them IMO. And I'm not talking about the Knicks, the whole damn city! So far this is probably the most desperate piece I've seen and that is saying something.

Hmmm....well what about this article. New shoe deal with Nike...
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Cha-ching-LeBron-re-signs-with-Nike?urn=nba,231581

Exactly what we've been saying for years, he's his own market at this point.

The facts about his first contract are out there somewhere, I believe those big market incentives were part of the first contract but it only applied to his rookie year. That makes total sense to me, when he signed with Nike originally, he hadn't been drafted yet. So it makes sense to think that originally his brand would have spread faster if it all started in NYC. But it's not doing anything for him now, not monetarily anyways.

I don't mind New York..

However, I HATE the "Holier than thou" attitudes their media and people have developed against the rest of the country.

Seriously..

To say "Cleveland is good enough for LeBron, but not good enough when compared to New York"?

I don't know, I just don't get into bashing other cities because I like one over the other. I mean, Windy wrote a GREAT piece that is now posted on Espnnewyork.com in response to that one. His makes 100% more sense and explains just about EVERY little detail regarding this situation.

Which is why Brian Windhorst is so great.

"I don't tease; I've never teased New York," James said. " For me to say, 'I'm not going to be a Knick, I'm going to be a Cav' or 'I'm going to be a Knick, I'm not going to be a Cav,' I'm not going to do that. I did the three-year contract for a reason. I'm going to leave my options open."

That's from that Windy article.

And personally, I think that says A LOT about the kind of guy he is. He's right, he never has. The funny thing is, there are people that would read that and say that's bullshit. It's unreal how people read so far into everything he says.

The media has become a complete joke when it comes to this topic.

The media tries to build up the Knicks like they are the Yankees of baseketball. The legendary franchises in the NBA are the Celtics and Lakers. The Knicks aren't even in the discussion.

Cleveland < New York < LeBron

He gets standing ovations wherever he goes. He genuinely does not need any of the teams more than they need him. I don't see LeBron giving up on his teammates, team, fans and city just to go to a team that can't pay him what the Cavs can. Remember, this is the guy who surrounds himself with people he has trusted since his childhood. It's hard to imagine he would not show similar loyalty to Cleveland considering they really are the best option.

The Knicks have reached the playoffs once in the last 10 years and that was LeBron's rookie year!

Knicks have 2 titles in the 70's and 2 conference titles in the 90's.

That's far from a major franchise.

Before you guys get too emotional... you do realize this article comes from "ESPN New York" right? Look at the top of the page. It's an article put out by one of the regional ESPNs pleading with Lebron to come to the Knicks.

This guy is doing the same thing you, and other Cavs fans are doing at other websites. He is making his case for his team. What's so terrible about it?

Its not regional when its on the NBA's front page of ESPN.

NYK are desperate, we as Cleveland fans have nothing to worry about. Let them focus on July 1st while we are focusing on an NBA title.

devil1197 wrote: Its not regional when its on the NBA's front page of ESPN.

NYK are desperate, we as Cleveland fans have nothing to worry about. Let them focus on July 1st while we are focusing on an NBA title.

I just know I see a big ESPN New York.com on the front page too. When I see that, that is a hint for me that all objectivity is out the window.

For a fanbase that has nothing to worry about, you guys are always very interested to see where ESPN has him going next. It doesn't matter to me where he plays, I don't get into the NBA that much. I just like reading the group therapy sessions that all Cavalier related threads have become

Hell yeah they're desperate to have him; just as desperate as Cavs fans to keep him. But they don't have much to worry about, so it's not a brutal reality. But if word came out he was on his way out, people would be desperate to keep him. I honestly don't know why you guys get so worked up over this NY stuff. I'm not saying it ruins your day. But each time, somebody creates a topic about it and talks shit on it. Him going to NY is a joke at this point, don't you guys get tired over talking about how stupid it is. Nothing to see here... move on.

We are not worried at all.

We find it hilarious that NYK is so desperate to get LeBron. When ESPN has it on their main NBA page it throws that ESPN NY out the door.

Why be worried for if you are a Cavs fan? We have the best team in the NBA with the majority returning outside possibly Shaq/Z retiring. We can pay LeBron 30 million more than any team. We have an owner who is not afraid to spend money and is willing to do anything necessary for LeBron. We have a cast of young guys around LeBron including Williams x2, West, Gibson, JJ, AV, Powe etc.

ESPN.com has LeBron in a Knicks Uniform with a number 6 jersey.

^^^^Talk about tampering!!!??? WTF??? This is a crock of shit if you ask me, but freakin hilarious at the same time.

Ehh, their just desperate and this is what happens when you don't have anything to talk about with your current team.

I don't get worked up at all, I'm convinced he's going to stay in Cleveland and have been for awhile. And I've always said that I won't be THAT upset if he leaves.

Just pointing out how desperate the media is getting. It's not just the fans, that's not what we're talking about. There have been many media heads that have no connect to the Knicks or LeBron say he should go to NY. Now you have a reporter that brings Messier and Reggie Jackson, etc., into the discussion like they're relevant at all? The MEDIA is desperate because the media is surely going to make more money off LeBron in NYC. The media is all about markets, they need the big market--LeBron doesn't. I'm not worked up or losing any sleep over this, I'm simply pointing out how incredibly ridiculous this whole situation is. If I were a fan of the Knicks, I'd be embarassed at the way that this has all been handled. The desparation is almost mind blowing.

Spend a few minutes reading the comments of NY fans. There's a little different perspective for you. Having lived there for close to five years, there is an overall sense of entitlement the fans feel, bordering (hell...way past) arrogance.

ytownfootball wrote: Spend a few minutes reading the comments of NY fans. There's a little different perspective for you. Having lived there for close to five years, there is an overall sense of entitlement the fans feel, bordering (hell...way past) arrogance.

That's the general attitude New Yorkers have about everything.

Trust me, I went to school with a bunch of kids from New York.

Everything is the best there, the world revolves around New York. If you're worth anything you should be in New York.

I know there is nothing to be be worried about, I already said that. Just wondering if people get bored going around in circles. Of course he isn't going to NY and the hype around it is exactly that-- hype. But do we need to make a thread about every single little NY thing each time? Has it not already been discussed? To each their own. You're not hurting anybody so it's not a big deal. I just don't think the NY talk warrants a thread each time because it's a joke of an idea.

jpake1 wrote: I know there is nothing to be be worried about, I already said that. Just wondering if people get bored going around in circles. Of course he isn't going to NY and the hype around it is exactly that-- hype. But do we need to make a thread about every single little NY thing each time? Has it not already been discussed? To each their own. You're not hurting anybody so it's not a big deal. I just don't think the NY talk warrants a thread each time because it's a joke of an idea.

My thoughts exactly. I don't think he'll play for the Knicks either. But I just don't understand why Cavs fans get in such a tizzy every time it is mentioned. Who cares? Are they that naive that they think "Joe Nobody" who writes for ESPNewYork has any sort of influence on where Lebron plays next year?

lol

Classic thread. I think "Devil" takes the cake in this one for once. SQ looked smart compared to him in this thread