LeBron James is, statistically, by far the greatest player in Cleveland Cavaliers history - by any measure.
(Cavs Fans Now Have Own ‘Decision’ To Make)
But it goes without saying that Dan Gilbert probably won’t be hoisting his number into the rafters anytime soon, but is that really fair?
Were the Cavs better off never having James? Is it appropriate to gauge his contribution to the city based on a month’s worth of profound bad judgement?
Do Clevelanders really want to throw away memories of the good times James provided them by burying the number of the club’s greatest player? The call is really not about James, it’s about recognizing an era of Cleveland basketball history. To disown it would be to also disregard the people who supported the team then and now.
At the very least, by retiring James’ number the Cavaliers and the city would show the world that one man can’t keep the people of Cleveland down.
Don’t give James too much credit, Cleveland. Celebrate your investment in the team. A team that, thanks to James, had seven glorious seasons.
If it does happen I only make one humble request, Cleveland: Don’t invite Jim Gray.
8:15 pm on July 21st, 2010
Vince Carter was probably the best basketball player in the Toronto Raptors history, ask those fans if they want to retire his number. When you screw a city on the way out, it negates a lot of the good you did while you were there.
8:45 pm on July 21st, 2010
James number should not be retired. Although what Lebron did was legal, he tarnished his legacy with Cleveland the same way Pete Rose tarnished his legacy with baseball.
8:58 pm on July 21st, 2010
Man, people are so hurt. Greatest Cav ever in an old franchise, brought happiness to the city when he played, brought excitement, what else do you want? If you base it solely what he did for the team, why not retire it?
Because he decided not to tell the Cavs organization 2 weeks earlier that he wasn’t going to join the team? Please.
12:13 am on July 22nd, 2010
are we really comparing vince carter to lebron james? vince carter, whose claim to fame was sticking his elbow in a rim and lebron james who has won multiple mvp’s and took cleveland where it hadn’t been in it’s 30, 40-something year history?
just checking.
7:49 am on July 22nd, 2010
All this stuff is immaterial. Job market is terrible, umemployment has run out; who cares whether “23″ is retired or not.
How about the people who have lost their jobs (resigned or fired) because of a self-centered diva like ball player.
I know this is all for entertainment. People, lets put things into perspective.
8:08 am on July 22nd, 2010
It’s not about “guag[ing] his contribution to the city based on a month’s worth of bad judgment”; or whether they were better off “never having James”.
It’s not a balance, where you can say, well how many we-love-you-points does he get for the 6.9 seasons he gave us his all, and how many we-hate-you-points does he get for showcasing his rejection of Cleveland in front of an audience of millions.
It’s not like you can quantify the good someone does and the bad someone does and say, at the end of the day, he was a good guy or he was a bad guy.
If Michael Jordan had done the same thing, would we be surprised right now if the Bulls never retired number 23?
Come on. Don’t be ridiculous.
Additionally, as a Christian, I’d say that the thief who was crucified next to Jesus is a good example of making good with his last chance before leaving this world. So Jesus said, “Amen, today you will be with me in paradise.”
LeBron did the opposite: he made bad, as bad as he possibly could have, with his last chance before leaving northeast Ohio. So I say, “Amen, neither today nor any other day, will I support honoring your name in perpetuity in the city of Cleveland.”
That being said, we knew all along it was going to happen, didn’t we? He never said anything about loyalty to Cleveland.
He always said Akron.
And his tattoo says 330, not 216.
But does that mean that we, like ESPN and the big-market worshipping national media, give him a free pass for being honest and direct?
Hell no!
Because all along he knew that any other Akronite making those same comments about loyalty would have meant what all us other Akronites thought (or wanted to think) LeBron actually meant when he made those comments.
If my next door neighbor or anyone else had said such, I would have rightly assumed he was talking, not just about Akron, but about Cleveland as well.
9:30 am on July 22nd, 2010
Hey Monte,
I too realize the economy is iffy and millions are looking for work, but you’re on a sports site! This is the kind of stuff sports fans talk about. Are all sports fans supposed to genuflect because athletes get paid extremely well, while others are far less fortunate? If you want hard-hitting economics talk, there’s no shortage of sites where you can get it (www.track.com, for one), but again, this is sports site.
11:50 am on July 22nd, 2010
Do you see Shaquille O’Neal number retired in Orlando?
Kevin Garnett number in Minnesota? Then why should Cleveland fans retire his? Lebron lost that when he decided to make his “decison” live on TV.
1:37 pm on July 22nd, 2010
thunda39,
He didn’t take Cleveland anywhere they haven’t been before. They were in the Finals back in the early 90’s and were always a contending force up until the late 90’s early 2000’s pre-Lebron. You talk as if they are the Browns. Lebron can take his overrated ass to Miami and watch as their season falls apart year after year when one of their big 3 inevitably get hurt. When you spend 95% of your salary cap on 3 players that doesn’t exactly leave you room for a respectable backup plan.
2:59 pm on July 22nd, 2010
“thunda39,
He didn’t take Cleveland anywhere they haven’t been before. They were in the Finals back in the early 90’s and were always a contending force up until the late 90’s early 2000’s pre-Lebron. You talk as if they are the Browns. Lebron can take his overrated ass to Miami and watch as their season falls apart year after year when one of their big 3 inevitably get hurt. When you spend 95% of your salary cap on 3 players that doesn’t exactly leave you room for a respectable backup plan.”
‘90 Pistons
‘91-’93 Bulls
‘94 Knicks
‘95 Magic
Cleveland was never in the finals in the ’90s. Know your history before you go making a fool of yourself. ‘Bron was the absolute best thing that ever happened to that franchise. Yes. Better than Mark Price, Brad Daugherty and Ron Harper put together. Before ‘Bron they hadnt been relevant since Shawn Kemp and Ced Henderson led them to a first round exit. No offense to the rest of Ohio but bitter people like you deserve the kind of team you’re about to have.
4:06 pm on July 22nd, 2010
Why would they retire his number? For playing 7 years and having NOTHING to show for it. If you think playing for a franchise for 7 years and bringing 0 championships to that organization is worth retiring someone’s number then go ahead. The worst part is, for 6 of the 7 years, he couldn’t even get cleveland out of the lowly eastern conference much less win a championship.
If he ever won anything, this would be an entirely different conversation but the bottom line is, he played for 7 years and won nothing. Cleveland had 0 championships before he was there and they still don’t have any. Why would you retire his number?
4:25 pm on July 22nd, 2010
Make it 36% Yes. Got here too late to vote. LB was the best thing that ever happened to the Cavs. I didn’t like the way he left, and I had hoped that he would stay in Cleveland, but the guy IS Cavalier basketball. Man up and do the right thing by retiring this Cleveland Legend’s jersey!
5:00 pm on July 22nd, 2010
I voted yes but I have changed my mind. People in Cleveland are still standing on the ledge. Retiring his number will make them jump.
6:35 pm on July 22nd, 2010
Retire his number ? please, you probably want us to honor Art Modell too.
11:35 pm on July 22nd, 2010
not right now!but when the cavs franchise emerges from the post lebron era and all is for gotten,and if he retires and enters the nba hall of fame as a cav i would say yes
6:20 am on July 23rd, 2010
what a joke,,,,,,,,,lol 23 only one mj
6:54 am on July 23rd, 2010
I HAVE A QUESTION WHO WOULD WANT TO WARE THE NO. 23 ANYWAY
3:48 pm on July 23rd, 2010
They should retire no. 23 — as MICHAEL’ JORDAN’S number. After all, it is what LeBron said he wanted!
11:54 am on July 24th, 2010
Here’s how i see it. Players who get numbers retired either won championships with the team or played for the team for many years. LeBron did neither, so for that reason his number shouldn’t be retired
12:12 pm on July 24th, 2010
What person in their right mind in this country would turn down a better job offer. I know if I got a better job offer I would take it. As far as giving 2 weeks notice that would be a good thing to do, but how many of you lost your jobs without the company giving you 2 weeks notice. Works both ways. One famous person sang “That’s life”.
12:19 pm on July 24th, 2010
As far as retiring his number I wouldn’t do it. Stranger things have happened in sports, who knows someday he may return. No one can predict the future.
12:44 pm on July 24th, 2010
You have got to be kidding? We have had other great memories throughout the life of the Cavs. Maybe not as big as Lebron but a with a helluva lot more class. Have you checked in with what his peers think? Almost anyone of any notariety are saying he shouldn’t have done it. I’m sorry, if Lebron would have left like a man instead of a spoiled child, we could probably had that discussion. But, in light of “The Decision”. Cleveland fans found the right way to retire his number….BURN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12:48 pm on July 24th, 2010
Lebron did the right thing leaving anyone whome cant understand it is stupid.
Cavs got lebron by draft choice, so he was kinda forced to go to whatever sucky team had draft preferences on him. Now he has free agent choice so he can choose to go where he wants, huge difference.
Look at the cavs in the playoffs team wise. Take lebron out of the numbers for playoffs this season, add up what the rest of the entire team did for thier run. Next add up the lakers without kobe’s numbers look at what the rest of the team did ??
Now you will understand how crappy the cavs are reguardless of lebron or not. Put kobe on the cavs they would still be in the same boat sucky team, outside of whatever star player they have.
Looke at what lakers did last game to win, kobe dint shoot good at all, but see how the team still picked it up around an off star player to win anyways, cavs cant win if their star player has bad game, the lakers have a team to back up their other players when they have off days, to still be able to win. Cavs fans cant see that their to busy crying about personal issues that are not realistic about how a teams supposed to be successful. The manager of cavs calling lebron a quitter, haha 7 years of his life gone to help them and thats his reward. I would left long before that vs staying around those idiots. Cavs havent won anything in like 50+ years they try to blame lebron for leaving like hes a quitter and its all his fault /?? So the other 40+ years of sucky team is what reason? Lebron also? haha, get a clue they have more serious issues then a star player joining or leaving before they will ever win something. No good player is going to sit around forever, he wasted 7 years for them to fix the rest of the team, and they didnt, and why should he waste more years with a bad team thats not improving?? The cavs are under 50% team wise rank off all nba teams outside the star players on the teams. No way any good player would sit for years just to lose on bad team they cant fix. He wants to win eventually and 7 years of sucky team not ebing fixed broken promises to him, time to move on to a team that can get good team around its star players. No way kobe would win for the cavs if he went thier the team sucks to bad, the lakers team beyond the star player is why they win championships, 7 years of working that kinda team, with broken promises to fix it, its time to Move on to a team that will get a good team behind its star players, so they can win.
The lakers win becuase they do exactly that, not just kobe alone, game 7 of the last game proves it. watch a star player have bad game and still win a championship, see how a real team is suposed to play and back up their team when one is struggleing on court. Cavs cant even touch doing that kinda work behind lebron, which is why the cavs havent ever won anything in so many decades.
12:58 pm on July 24th, 2010
No! Obviously, he’s done with #23 and had planned all along leaving whatever happened in Cleveland in Cleveland, thus the number change to #6.
1:10 pm on July 24th, 2010
Heck no. did HE win a championship? no. was he consistent with champions and franchise players retired on other teams? no. this was not Gary Payton or Karl Malone heading for a ring in the last years of their career. he gave them two of the best years anyone has ever seen someone play but no ring and an awful taste in their mouth.
1:25 pm on July 24th, 2010
Lebron James struggled for seven seasons in Cleveland he did not want to end up like Pat Ewing and Chsrles Barkley ……etc as a player to get old and not have a ring who can blame him he didnt play basketball for cleveland he played in cleveland. It’s all about the ring.
1:25 pm on July 24th, 2010
Oh, please! The guy gave 7 years to a team that was a joke of the NBA before he arrived. I watched “The Decision,” and I believe that he was loyal to the team, since he did play his contract from start to finish, although he never had the teammates such as Scottie Pippen that he could rely on. Also, LBJ never demanded to be traded, like Ron Ron and other players did. LBJ simply wants a championship, and he needs to be on a team that can actually win one. I don’t think that either Kobe or MJ would have won a title with Cleveland. Maybe they should not have aired that whole show about LBJ’s decision. He’s a free agent for crying out loud, so he made a decision that would benefit him, since he didn’t see one that would benefit Cleveland!
2:02 pm on July 24th, 2010
Burn his jersey….M.J would’nt have won in c-town?? Are you retarded…i know he wouild have never quit like your boy LeBum who won NOTHING HERE
2:09 pm on July 24th, 2010
Hey CavsRlame….thanks for the short novel you a-hole….wait around to fix the team ??? You must be high…the Cavs did not make one move WITHOUT LeAhole’s permission….cannot wait until his thugs do the same thing in Cuba…errr… i mean Mexico errr …Miami…think it has already started with all of his lame recruiting efforts.
Mike Miller= Anthony parker
Zydrunas = Zydrunas
Haslem= Moon
You get the picture yet genius….geez
byu the way Carlos Boozer really screwed us just as bad or would have beaten Spurs in Finals that year…
2:30 pm on July 24th, 2010
LeBron James made a bold decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers in favor of the Miami Heat, and ever since, he has attracted immense hatred and disappointment from fans all around the league. In fact, even Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert posted an unprofessional letter expressing his frustration.
Now, Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest player of all time, decided to voice his opinion on the matter as well.
When asked to comment on James’ decision, he said:
“There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic, and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team. But that’s…things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”
While Jordan is one of my favorite athletes of all time, and in my opinion shouldn’t even be compared to the likes of Kobe Bryant or James, I will have to defend the “King” here.
Sure, I respect Jordan for making those remarks. However, LeBron made a wise decision.
First of all, I understand that Bird, Magic, and Jordan were rivals. Their respective teams, the Celtics, Lakers, and Bulls, competed in 16 of the 20 Finals in the 80′s and 90′s. There was no doubt that their teams were some of the most dominant of all time.
The key difference is that James, Wade, and Bosh aren’t rivals and never were. The Cavaliers, Heat, and Raptors never played each other in the playoffs and they have totaled only two Finals appearances over the past seven years in the league. The true rivals are teams like the Lakers, Bulls, and Celtics.
In my mind, the formidable trio is very similar to the Big Three in Boston with Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. Sure, the latter are older, less talented, and joined together in a different manner. Looking at the big picture though,both are sets of players who are in search of a championship.
From a professional basketball standpoint, I see nothing wrong with it.
I realize that James disheartened an entire city and left them in a current economic depression. LeBron should have handled the entire situation much differently. At the same time though, he did give his all to the team and city for seven years. After the team failed to win a championship, it was time to move on.
It was really unfortunate that as opposed to honoring his services, Cavaliers fans decided to unleash complete and utter emotional backlash. They followed their pathetic owner, and said that James “quit” in their playoff series against the Celtics this year, and that his decision will diminish his legacy.
First of all, why would the Cavaliers want to bring back a player who allegedly “quit.” If that were the case, I’d be glad to get rid of him. Of course, on most standards, I wouldn’t really consider 27 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in his final game “quitting.” The significant drop of production from players such as Mo Williams, and Antawn Jamison is questionable though.
To those that are going to point out LeBron’s poor shooting, realize that when he went 3-14, the Cavaliers lost by 32 points. Meanwhile, when Bryant went 6-24 in Game Seven of the Finals against the same opponent, they won by two.
Why is that? Could it possibly be because Bryant had a brilliant supporting cast to play alongside his superstar ability?
Why nobody is discussing how his five titles were won with a dominant big man such as either Shaquille O’ Neal or Pau Gasol is puzzling to me. Not to mention that Derek Fisher, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum aren’t half bad either.
Why is it that nobody is questioning how he demanded a trade when the Lakers were struggling? Was that not a sign of disloyalty?
As for NBA Legends such as Bird, Magic, or Jordan, each had their own great team, with the emphasis being on the key word “team.” The reason none of them had to leave to go play elsewhere is because their original teams were already great.
Magic had fellow Hall of Fame players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy.
Bird had his own version of the “Big Three” with Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish.
Jordan didn’t win a title until Pippen became an All-Star, and even had defensive stud Dennis Rodman come along later.
How can anyone compare LeBron’s lackluster supporting cast to those players’? Nobody has ever won a championship by themselves. It’s truly a team effort, which is why it’s unfair to criticize LeBron for not being “man enough” to do it “by himself.”
And it’s not as if he planned on leaving all along. It has been confirmed by multiple sources that LeBron did try to bring All-Star forward Bosh with him to Cleveland. Sadly, his efforts were to no avail as Bosh simply refused to play there.
That left him with no choice other than to leave, and for that he is not a coward. A coward would not risk tarnishing his name or put himself in a position where he may never be welcome in his hometown of Akron ever again.
James is a true competitor, as the only thing that mattered to him was the ultimate prize for any athlete: a championship.
Furthermore, James is not a “Robin in search of a Batman,” as some, including ESPN’s First Take analyst Skip Bayless, are calling him. A “Robin” wouldn’t have single-handedly led the Cavaliers to back-to-back league leading records in the regular season, and an NBA Finals appearance in 2007.
Instead, I would say LeBron is a “Batman in search of a Robin.” It just so happened that he had the opportunity to join “Superman” and “Spiderman” as well…something I guarantee few would pass
2:31 pm on July 24th, 2010
Definitely not worth retiring. Everyone keeps saying “he is only 25, his best is yet to come!” well if thats true then why would he have his number retired in Cleveland? He didnt win any championships, won the east only once in seven years and walked away in one of the most shameful ways a player could have…. its not about the decision he made, its the spectacle he made of it.
People keep wanting to let him off the hook for never having a good supporting cast… yet last season he played with 2 recent all stars (Jamison and Mo Williams). If you cant even take a team with 3 all stars to the finals then you dont deserve legendary status
2:42 pm on July 24th, 2010
please will everyone move on with this, everybody acts this is there uncle henry instead of lebron james…the man had every right to move on, would any of you stay at a job you were unhappy with, or stay at a job where everyone is punching in and getting paid, but you are the only one working..i it takes more than one man to win a game…every other team has there superstars, lebron is the real one, he carried that team on his back for 7 years..look at how bad they looked when lebron was sitting out resting for the play off, did not win one game..the city of cleveland and everyone else need to leave this young alone..there cash cow has left the building.
2:54 pm on July 24th, 2010
I would give the number to the next available player.
3:12 pm on July 24th, 2010
All Lebron did was honor a contract. Of course he had to play his best for the “TEAM”. The legacy he left is now tainted by the way he ended that contract, with disrespect of the fans of Cleveland, the team and management. Players who have their numbers retired do so by leaving the team in good stead. If his number is retired and hung from the rafters, it will only be a bitter reminder on the way he left.
3:14 pm on July 24th, 2010
he left the Cavs high and dry so let’s move on and forget he even palyed there.
3:27 pm on July 24th, 2010
Yes, his leaving is bad for Cleveland and could have been handled in a classier fashion, but LeBron did help the Cavs. No, 23 shoukd NOT be retired for him because even he made the case to retire it for Michael Jordan! I understand his leaving but am disappointed. Suck it up Cavs fans; we will go on.
3:29 pm on July 24th, 2010
All this lebron talk about him being the team. I tend to blame the coaching. The Cavs had decent enough players, they made the conference finals, NBA finals, won their division, what more do you want? The coach put too much responsibility on lebron, so they players simply got complacent because they knew they weren;t getting the ball. So when they they finally got the ball, it was lebron’s scraps. Let’s face it, he can play basketball, he’s a fantastic athlete, but he doesn’t have the skills, vision or intelligence yet to raise the performance of his teammates
4:10 pm on July 24th, 2010
Never….how can some one so be so arrogant to let his team know almost on TV he’s leaving…
He won nothing !!! Retire his number? what a joke !!!!
I’m not a Cleveland fan but am jumping on board quick……………….
4:15 pm on July 24th, 2010
Hell no it should not be retired. He was a king in Ohio and gave us all hope. He will eventually be a legend….possibly. But he promised everyone in Ohio many things including a championship. In the past, where you were drafted is where you stayed. You didnt need to go elsewhere to win a title. By him leaving shows he is a coward. They built a team around him and he gave us all hope. He showed all of us that it is no longer about basketball. It is an entertainment business and before his jersey becomes retired he should receive an emmy for his “Decision”. Greats like Kobe and MJ never left there cities.
4:30 pm on July 24th, 2010
Why wouldnt you retire my number? I gave Cleveland everything they wanted. They wanted some wins, they wanted to tell teams, Ha we beat you. Since the Browns have been a disappointment for a century, the Indians trade all their great players. I had to leave in order to get what i want. I took the hit for seven years, meaning i did not get what i wanted, my championship. i want that ring, that trophy. I may be from the 330 but im sick of that OH-IO. I want my damn championship and the recognition i deserve. Now im in a city that doesnt suck with two other studs in the league. Why not retire my jersey Cleveland. I was the best thing that happened to you, but all good things must come to an end.
4:43 pm on July 24th, 2010
NO …they should burn it everytime he comes to town just like he burnt the fans. Mark Price was the best ever. LaBumb remember ……after you fail with the Heat…..you will not get pitty from the North Coast…….you a glorified JERK that too many don’t really know the real you…remember I really know you and what a JERK you have always been….
5:19 pm on July 24th, 2010
Playing with the Heat is not going to get you a ring at all. They will play together for part of the season until some thing go wrong and that’s when the ego’s will set in and you know what that means.
5:23 pm on July 24th, 2010
Did he honor his contract? Yes. Did he play to the best of his ability? Yes (most of the time). Did he have the right to leave Cleveland? Yes. But to leave Cleveland with barely a moment’s notice before “The Decision”? Hell No! What he did was prevent Cleveland from taking part in the free agent market. By the time of “The Decision”, all of the quality free agents had been signed. The entire fiasco of The Decision was embarrassing. He is 25 but acting as if he is still 18. Retire his number? Yes…In the burn pit.
5:27 pm on July 24th, 2010
Does Lebron’s leaving Cleveland to go to Miami mean that he is a cross-dresser? Would that make him the “Queen”? Sometimes I think about things like this….LOL
6:40 pm on July 24th, 2010
No Championships were brought to Cleveland during the Lebron stay.
6:52 pm on July 24th, 2010
Suck it up Cav Fans..
7:00 pm on July 24th, 2010
I get it, Cleveland fans are angry because Lebron left, but he’s not the problem here, the organization is. Dan Gilbert had (7), that SEVEN years to build a team around the best player the have ever had and he blew it. Lebron took less money to be on a TEAM, that could win. Miami fans almost lost Wade, because he too wanted a better team, but at least the Heat built him a team 4 years ago that won it all.
Lebrons number will be retired someday, Cleveland fans unfortunately won’t get the chance to honor their greatest player.
7:03 pm on July 24th, 2010
Despite being “the greatest” player in Cleveland history, Lebron cared more for himself, his egotistical self, than he care for Cleveland. Everything he did, he did only for show. Even the donation to the Boys and Girls Club of the money he earned for his ESPN special where he stabbed Cleveland in the heart was only for show.
Lebron is dead to Cleveland. He is in hell, for all they care. He will be booed for the evil he did to Cleveland. He showed his true self on national TV. It isn’t pretty, it isn’t nice, it isn’t good. It was very very ugly.
Leaving Cleveland was 3 years in the making. That was why he took such a short extension. He wanted out of Cleveland long ago. He left his team in shambles. He quit on Cleveland as a result. Quitter.
He is just another self-centered thug. Goodbye and good riddance. No number retirement for you. Just give it to the newest rookie. There is no longer any pride in you, Lebron. Just disgust and spit.
7:09 pm on July 24th, 2010
Yes Lebron brought us alot of excitement in Cleveland through the years. Loved watching him. I don’t really think we can say he quit during the playoffs. He’s a competitor that got frustrated by not having enough help. But ususally that’s when a true star shines. He showed us that shine against Detroit in the year they went to the finals but that glimmer seemed to be lost these past few years.
He did honor his contract, BUT, by doing what he did was a cowardly move. Its not cowardly that he left, that took some serious balls, it was how it was handled. He knew he was going to be crucified for this so he kept it quiet the entire time and by doing so, he handcuffed the Cavs. He had no intentions of returning to Cleveland, so why not go out with some class. Sure he would have still taken a ton of crap, but he would have been looked at in a whole different way. People would have been willing to consider retiring his number at that point. No way in hell that happens now. I wish the man no ill will, but there is no way in hell I’ll ever enjoy watching him play again.
7:45 pm on July 24th, 2010
Not sure. How ’bout the fans all get together & publish the results live on AN Espn show ala Le Decision II….
LMFAO……..
7:47 pm on July 24th, 2010
Anyone who says that James’ number shouldn’t be retired is just bitter and twisted, the facts are as goes, He took the cavs to places they aint never been and did in consistently and with every thing he had to give FACT: they are not the youngest team in the league and with him jamison shaq and big Z come on, really they were always going to struggle in the post season, he wants to win rings! and if he’s prepared to sacrifice money to do so who can blame him for teaming up with some of his best mates to create a super team. I’m sure James is fully aware of what is a stake with his reputation and legend, blah blah get over it ppl its his legacy to do with as he pleases and it appears RINGS are more important and happiness too, GOOD LUCK JAMES I WISH YOU THE BEST, coming up against my Magic…CP3 to Magic!
8:16 pm on July 24th, 2010
I do not expect Cleveland to retire Lebron jersey because the felt snub. Lebron does not need to worry ;his jersey will be retired as a Heat. We know what we are getting.the clevelanders know what they lost. I felt sorry
for you Lebron haters.When are you guys going to move on. He already made The decision ,Start thinking
about life without Lebron(20-62) season.Stop crying.
8:24 pm on July 24th, 2010
To the author: Would you put up a picture of your ex-wife who ran off with some other guy just because she cooked well?
You would? Man… you are really desperate.
Retiring a number is a high honor, an honor to bestow on someone who shows loyalty, as well as accomplishment and lack of selfishness. Did he win a championship? Did he stay loyal? Or did he stab a knife in the heart of the same fans who showed him immense loyalty?
8:28 pm on July 24th, 2010
Retire his number for what? His stats? If he had actually won anything for the team, it would be more of a discussion. Lebron is a freak of nature as far as athleticism goes but so far, all he has done was accumulate awesome stats. Doesnt really seem worthy of retirement by itself. At least not to me. I think Lebron ended any discussion of him being the best ever. If he ever wins anything in Miami, it will only be because of the two other superstars all playing together. To me, comparing James to Jordan or Bryant is silly. To much fame and money to young.
8:29 pm on July 24th, 2010
Why? He didn’t bring a championship…he quit in the playoffs…and the way he left was ridiculous. Let the Heat retire his number…unless he quits on them too.
8:58 pm on July 24th, 2010
No, I don’t think Lebron’s number should be retired. There is no set formula that says if a player’s numbers are x then his jersey is retired. So, its up to the organization to way the on court merits and as well as other factors like off court actions and decide if they feel the retirement of his jersey is merited. The game is also for the fans and if Cavs fans don’t think his jersey should be retired than I believe the ownership should respect that.
In this case his play was great, but he did not deliver championships and his stay was brief. Combine that with the poor judgement he showed in his actions leading up to the decision, and I think thats justification for not retiring the jersey.
And while I am posting I just need to follow up with the next thought that is bothering me a bit.
Everyone is dogging Lebron’s teammates. HIs teammates weren’t the greatest but they were not that bad either. If Lebron was on a level with his hype I think he would have led them to a championship or at least a few finals appearances. Cavs had the best record in the league two years in a row, but didn’t get it done in the playoffs. How many times did Jordan’s Bulls enter the playoffs with the best record and not bring home the hardware, not to mention get out of the East. Did it ever happen? It might have but I certainly don’t recall. I whole heartedly believe if you put Jordan ( say at an age between 23-31) on that team instead of Lebron they would have won at least one maybe two championships.
9:17 pm on July 24th, 2010
Are you people insane? Why would anyone retire his jersey? He hasn’t DONE anything. This guy is the greatest ever based on all these titles he’s gonna win, and this and that, and It’s getting SOOOOOOOO old! He played 7 - 8 years, and brought a big pile of NOTHING to the franchise. There is no merit to retiring his number.
Jesus….I can’t believe this is even up for debate. Shaq left LA with 9 years….and 3 titles. THAT is the kind of thing that get’s your jersey retired (although…frankly I hope he doesn’t get it).
Come on people, and use your heads. Quit listening to the hype and all the rest. The guy had a decent team, and sputtered around. He’s got that 18-straight point 4th quarter, or whatever and that’s about it. Who cares if you hate or love him…the guy doesn’t deserve it. Not even close.
9:53 pm on July 24th, 2010
lebron was a good player in clevland but hardly did anything that warrents his number being retired, maybe when he actually gets older out of his twentys we can have a discussion about raising his jersey, or maybe when he actually wins something for his team and not for himself.
10:14 pm on July 24th, 2010
Have you seen the other players’ numbers the cavs have retired? None of them aproach what Lebron did; back to back MVPs and taking a pretty talentless team to the best record in the NBA and a finals apperance.
10:41 pm on July 24th, 2010
No ring, no jersey. He had 7 great years but gave the Cavs nothing but entertainment and packed seats. He didn’t deliver on his promises of a championship. You retire star players who bring championships or star players who play careers out like Malone, Stockton, Reggie Miller.
LeBron doesn’t deserve it.
10:48 pm on July 24th, 2010
LeBomb is what he should be retired as no his jersey. He is a dis loyal unappricative brat. Retire his number. Teams do that for loyal service and producing a championship. He has done nither. The Cavs will do OK this year, and another player will come in the future.
11:05 pm on July 24th, 2010
That man[boy] was classless and for all the people on here jumping on his jock strap..If he ran into you and you have something he wanted he would walk all over you to get it…….He doesnt give a damn about you or anyone else its all about what he wants….I have so many stories about him that i have heard from people that he did dirty its not even funny….And you cant forgoet about all the stuff that has come out of the wood work lately either….The guy is a piece of crap….But keep on loving him cause that just makes his ego even bigger…..
11:08 pm on July 24th, 2010
SO MUCH HATE PPL, RETIRE THE NUMBER AND GET OVER IT HE DESERVES IT AND YOU ALL KNOW IT YOUR JUST LETTING YOUR EMOTIONS GET IN THE WAY LIKE OLD DAN GILBERT LMFAO, ITS A TRAVISTY IF THEY DONT, SIMILAR TO RODMAN BEING ROBBED AT THE HALL OF FAME. IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO HATE TRY CAVS MANAGEMENT, THEY DID A POOR JOB AT PUTING GOOD TALENT AROUND HIM, GRAMPA SHAQ, ANTAWN “IM ON MY LAST LEGS JAMISON” THE SMALL z TINY BOY Mo WILLIAMS, “DAVID IVE GOT A BIG GUN West..AND THE REST, THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE, LIKE PAT RILEY!! GO HARD OR GO BACK TO THE BEACH. just for the record I’m not a heat fan……..GET OVER IT PPL HE IS FREE TO DO WITH HIS LEGACY AS HE SEES FIT, IT SEEMS EVERYONE ELSE CARES MORE ABOUT IT THAN HE DOES, KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE! RINGS RINGS RINGS!!!!
12:13 am on July 25th, 2010
All you Cavs fans and the Cavs org SUCK!!! You deserve nothing!
12:29 am on July 25th, 2010
Grow up people…to have your jersey retired you need way more than 6 or 7 years and titles to go with it, sorry all you dingbats for thinking different……….
2:31 am on July 25th, 2010
When he retires, his jersey will be retired by the Cavs,
because he was the greatest player in Cavs history,
and at the least, if he continues to play like he has played
over the last seven years he will go down as one of
the top five or ten players ever to play basketball, maybe higher.
4:47 am on July 25th, 2010
Cleveland fans: the ones that call LJ a “Quitter” on top of the bad way of leaving. WHY DO YOU CARE IF SUPPOSEDLY HE QUIT IN THE PLAYOFFS? answer me please!!
Did any other players win a Championship, but yet have their jersey retired? Hypocrits
4:58 am on July 25th, 2010
If LJ is selfish, then so are the cleveland fans and owner. I’m midwest but knew not much about the Cavs program until LJ… maybe Mark Price? Did he win a Championship. LJ brought the spotlight to your town just by a chance of the lottery(appreciate that, truly). Played 7 yrs that other cities/teams recognized for all he did that no other player has or may never do. Oh and he can’t get a jersey retired? But yet you want to burn it? WHY, well because he didn’t leave the way you wanted him to?All the while knowing he honored his contract, never “demanded” a trade and is a FREE agent to decided whatever. Ok the “decision” not the best move, but a move nonetheless he able to make like other players. He’s in his prime and time to make a move to get a ring if he can’t get it there. Your really mad on the departure, on the fact he was the best hope of getting a ring there, and that your CASH COW is gone for the owner and mgmt that couldn’t seem to get the help to support him. Give up some money and they would’ve came to the rescue. But nope, you put it all on LJ to carry the load. He did his for 7yrs. But a nasty owner and fickle fans will carry this curse even moreso for a lifetime. Oh yeah LJ is a quitter why would you want him to return next season? Answer please!
5:55 am on July 25th, 2010
What r we nuts if u really look at it he and his boyz conned the whole NBA I just hope other Players do not start looking at their contracvts and start being free agents at the same time cause I think they just opened up a can of WORMS
7:18 am on July 25th, 2010
If you do not retire that number you will never have another player who would want to wear it. Your fans would always think of James when they see it so keep it and keep hating.
That man gave you seven years and that team would not give him one player that was good for 15 points a night. You can see James play and you can see that like very few player he is playing from the heart. And the owner said he quit I know he wish that he could have a whole team that quit the way James did.
I say the man is doing what he need to do and that is to get aways from Cleveland. There have been other top players in all sports in OHIO and they all left with nothing and James could have given them seven more years and would have left with nothing.
People need to open their eyes and see what the Lakers have done. The last play-off showed that if something didn’t happen they would have ruled the NBA for the next three to four years.
Art
8:40 am on July 25th, 2010
If the New Big 3’s are successful in Miami, LBJ’s number will be retired next to Wade’s and Bosh, so Cavs can keep their space for someone else that can fill it in,……………………, let’s say………………………………….., that is worth it,…………………………. in about 100 years.
8:49 am on July 25th, 2010
When an employee suddenly resigns from a company — that is he suddenly leaves the company to go work for another company. They don’t give his a farewell party. They don’t call him back just to give a retirement party for him when he reaches 65.
9:26 am on July 25th, 2010
Too many Lebron Haters out there. Lebron was the best thing that ever happened to Cleveland. Not only did he have the team competing each year but the moneyt hat the city made off of him was unbelievable. Back when Jordan was beating the hell out of Cleveland each year. They weren’t making money like they have been over the past 7 years. I like that the fact that an athlete finally made his own life choice and didn’t let the money dictate his future. Cleveland owners and fans are upset because they won’t be able to charge $5-$7 dollars during homes games for a beer at the local bars.
I applaud his decision and hope that more and more athletes do the same. Stop letting these Billionaires think they own you. He finished his contract with Cleveleand. Be happy he did that and never complained about it.
9:29 am on July 25th, 2010
The majority of the posts here do not make any sense what-so-ever. First, here’s a history lesson for you know-it-all’s that think you actually know the Cavs’ history.
First of all, the Cavs have made 1 NBA Finals appearance. Yes, 1. LeBron did lead the team to a place we have never been. Prior to that, we made it to 4 Conference Finals (’76, ‘92, ‘07, ‘09).
Next, the Cavaliers have only retired a total of 6 Jersey Numbers in franchise history.
Bingo Smith #7 (1970 - 1979)
Mark Price #25 (1986 - 1995)
Brad Daugherty #43 (1986 - 1994)
Larry Nance #22 (1987 - 1994)
Austin Carr #34 (1971 - 1980)
Nate Thurmond #42 (1975 - 1977)
Take a good look there, most of the players that made “cavs history” were part of our roster for 8-9 years which is an average career in the NBA for a “franchise player”. Nate thurmond’s was retired after 2 years, while Nance was 7 years.
Long story short, these guys had class and played with integrity and passion. They had rivalries that mattered and made watching the game feel personal and not like a Cirque De Solei show. LeBron leaving cleveland hurt the team obviously, but it also destroyed our economy. Many of our bars have lost business, as well as individuals that have lost jobs in the hotel/bar/marketing industry.
#23 Should never be raised to the ceiling in Quicken Loans Arena with “James” on the back. That jersey signifies what a greedy, pacified, egotistical and eccentric Diva truely is. The fool is now walking around Miami Beach with “LOYALTY” tattooed on his torso. Loyal to who/what? Loyal to his own greed?
9:30 am on July 25th, 2010
NO WAY !!!!
A company would be an IDIOT to give a farewell party to an employee who suddently resigns and leaves the company to work for the competitor. It would be a HUMONGOUS MORONIC act to call that employee for a retirement party when he reaches 65.
Although he might have made people aware that there is a CLEVELAND, OHIO LeBronze has NOT WON IT for the CAVs. Retire his (it is also no longer his number) number — NO WAY !!!.
9:43 am on July 25th, 2010
On a side note, and in regards to my previous post, people really need to stop saying the following:
“LeBron is NOT greedy! He took less money for a ring!”
This is absolutely FALSE.
There is no state income tax in Flordia, which in the end will result in LeBron making approximately $990,000 more per year than he would have made in Cleveland under a maximum contract. Again, LeBron should never be glorified by Cleveland fans when he turned his back on us vs the Celtics. The Drive? The Shot? The Fumble? How about “The Backstabbing” as our next catch-phrase.
10:28 am on July 25th, 2010
if the people in cleveland use what the good lord gave them. THEY should retire the kings number!! what he did for the city was something not seen in almost 20 years. he deserves it. cleveland fans can be the best or they can be idiots! any fan knew “no ring” in 7 years he’s be moving on! this cav’s fan is wishing him all the best & to gilbert 2 THUMBS DOWN.
11:14 am on July 25th, 2010
WILL ALL THIS HATERS THAT DONT APRECCIATED THE KING HOW MUCH HE HAS DONE FOR CLEVELAND AND THIS ITS THE WAY YA PAYING BACK BUNCH OF HATERS LOOSERS IM GLAD THAT HE ITS IN MIAMI IM A FAN OF HIM,NIT A TEAM HE WILL BE THE KING OF THE NBA AND MICHAEL JORDAN KNOWS THAT!!!!!THATS WHY HE MAKE ALL THOSE STUPID COMMENTS!!!!ANYWAY LETS GO LEBRON LETS GO MIAMI!!!!!!
11:55 am on July 25th, 2010
Lebron has moved on and so should Cleaveland. As far as retiring his jersey, that’s a joke. Let him win something first. He is a talented player but definitly not the smartest. Can’t wait till Boston, Lakers, and Magic whip on the Heat this up-coming season. He can not compete with Kobe… He wants to be Kobe….
12:01 pm on July 25th, 2010
How can he call himself a KING… His not on top of anything.. Kobe is the closet thing to a KING at this time and just maybe we can put Lebron a close second…. QUEEN..
Cleveland DO NOT RETIRE HIS JERSEY…PLEASE that would be a JOKE!!!
12:36 pm on July 25th, 2010
LJ’s legacy will be whatever he accomplishes in Miami, though it will be shared with Wade. If he wins there as expected, his number will be retired there as well. So for the Cavs to retire his number would look ridiculous. Better wait a few years before doing it if it is done at all. Too much hatred to hang that number now. Heck, if they pulled his jersey out of the gift shop, why hang it for all to see. Just a reminder of a bad ending, not good times. Rarely see a number retired for a “loser”. Good tries rarely count except for people like Ted Williams or Ernie Banks.
12:46 pm on July 25th, 2010
It is really simple.
James stepped on Cleveland’s face with “the Decision”
The Cavs will lose alot of their fans and public relations if they retire James number after “The Decision.”
12:49 pm on July 25th, 2010
Come on man….LeQuit should NEVER have Jordan’s number retired for the Cavs. I was there to QWITNESS ( I love that by the way) many of his great feats…however, what did he do in Cleveland….oh that’s right, leave!! Enough said.
12:56 pm on July 25th, 2010
Dan Gilbert was right !!!!
1:11 pm on July 25th, 2010
What did he do to warrant getting his number retired, he choked in the play offs
1:25 pm on July 25th, 2010
Is Modell in the Hall of Fame?? Is he?? I mean IS HE??
Why do you ask stupid question? Modell might get in posthumously, Or maybe not!
Why is it the We are throwing away the memories? Maybe he threw away the memories? He was told by some of his closets confidants, that the decision may be a bad idea, because Cleveland will freak. Sounded like good advice. no?
What was Mrs Wade’s response, F-um! They love me and when they get over it They’ll love me again.
Screw, him, you and any of your readers who think he is perfectly within his rights to say F’ them, but we aren’t within our rights to say F’ U 2!
If that jersey ever sees another day in that Arena, other than being used to clean the toilets, that will be the last day I follow the Cavs. Of course that is dependent upon me not have kicked the WWF version of the NBA to the curb first.
Do you think if after MJ won 1 title in Chicago, he signed with the Knicks only to win four more. Where would MJ be on their list. Same with Bird, Same with Magic. They would not have a warm spot for them. LA maybe, cause they only go because its the place to be.
Drop dead with your telling us how to react. It is over! It is a forgone conclusion. It will not happen! We don’t take are F__ings Well!!
2:19 pm on July 25th, 2010
Let’s see…Cleveland had 6 jerseys retired, and none of these players won an Eastern Conference title and took the club to NBA Finals. Most of you Cleveland fans just hate the guy for his decision, because he was “classless.” Maybe it was a mistake to make a show out of LBJ’s decision, but LBJ gave Cleveland all he had with a cast (all except LBJ, that is) that would be struggling in Europe otherwise (that’s a guarantee, Dan Gilbert). So, the “Batman” decided to look for his Robin. MJ had them (Pippen and Rodman), Kobe has at least a couple, so why can’t LBJ have one?
And by the way, it was a nice move to get a guy who struggled at Badalona…that’s gonna guarantee an NBA championship!
2:51 pm on July 25th, 2010
First of all, let me give some of you idiots a run-down on LeBron. Some of us have went to his highschool games and have seen him play before his name really blew up on ESPN and national headlines in magazines and newspapers. We saw a humble hometown kid that made a promise to a city that he grew up just 20 miles outside of, and vowed to keep it, stay loyal and humble and never change.
Now you have someone referring to themselves in the third person, uses children as the smoke that he blows up peoples asses as a cover for his own greed, he quit on our team and fans in the playoffs and never won a championship - deservingly so.
He refers to his god-given gift as his “talents”, and hence with the points above - no one gives a F where he takes his “talents” now in the great city of Cleveland.
It’s no question that Cleveland has the best fans in sports, period. We stick by our teams, whether they win or lose, we stick to our values and our players so long as we’re not betrayed. We don’t ride the bandwagon and follow a player based on fame or wins.
LeBron is pathetic now, and has completely changed. Then again, who can blame him? He has that awesome rock-smoking role model that he consults with his “Decisions”.
Good job, Gloria James. You took your son to the drug capital of the U.S. but I’m sure it wasn’t a coincidence right?
LeBron went South. Gloria rode West!
3:18 pm on July 25th, 2010
No dont retire his number this guy is nothing but a quitter who always looks for the easy way.
3:49 pm on July 25th, 2010
almost doesn’t count, LBJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4:35 pm on July 25th, 2010
CLEVELAND, June 2nd -The Cleveland Cavaliers will make their first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history and will face the San Antonio …
For the guy who said they have been there before!!!!!
4:41 pm on July 25th, 2010
I think that Lebron James number 23 for the Cavs should be retired when LBJ retires from basketball.
At this point in time, I feel that most Cavs fans do not want to give LBJ the recognition that he craves so much. After LBJ took a big steamy dump on the people of NE Ohio and then one month later to even bring up the topic of retiring his Cavs number is wrong. People are still so angry about being strung along by LBJ. We are presently in a predicament with bad contracts and we did not have a chance to make a trade to get in to the draft or to do any kind of decent trades as LBJ strung us along. SORRY! BUT THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY FOR THIS IRRESPONSIBLE ACT. Everyone said LBJ has the right to play for anyone he wants. BUT, he did not have the right to make a spectacle of this event and dump on the city and state that he grew up in and showed him love. RETIRE HIS NUMBER AFTER HE RETIRES FROM THE NBA
6:58 pm on July 25th, 2010
Any decision to retire a number should be based soley on what the player accomplished on the court. Lebron hasn’t accomplished enough on the court yet to warrant that kind of honor. Now if he wins several titles with the Heat, then he may deserve to have that number retired. But until then, he’s just another All-Star who hasn’t won the big one.
I’m not a fan of teams lowering the standards for such an honor, just to get a jersey up in the rafter. It cheapens the tribute for those who truly deserve it.
12:18 am on July 26th, 2010
In hindsight Lebron gave us 5 years of extreme effort and 2 of regular season effort. This was planned for 3 years. All he had to do was be a man and say that after his 3 years he would look to play elsewhere. Give effort and not sabotage the organization with outragous demands and he would have gotten a different response to his decision. The organization could have been building towards life without Lebron but he wanted to leave the organization is the worst possible shape that he could.
2:31 am on July 26th, 2010
Why should his number be retired??? He was a great player in Clev. But aside from that, nothing came of it. He has the right to choose what he does with his life, he fulfilled his obligation to the Cavs and his contract, so let him go. However, his number does not deserve to be retired as Bird’s number, as Magic’s number, as Jordan’s number because he is no comparison to those 3 because they produced championships and if you think about it……….they made the other players around them better despite the talent level.
It is a team sport, Bird, Magic and Jordan played it that way and they found ways to make the team better. LeBron has a “IT’S ALL ABOUT ME” attitude just like Iverson (who was/is a great player) but like LeBron, how many championship rings did that bring???
8:43 am on July 26th, 2010
For those who blame the Economy and Job loss on Lebron, get over that. People should get up like the rest of us and get another job. You can’t blame that on one person.
11:35 am on July 26th, 2010
Its not so much of the fact that LeBron left Cleveland that hurt, but the fact that he joined Miami. It is understandable for him to want to go to a team with a supporting cast, but join arguably the 3rd best basketball player in the world to win a title. Jordan’s quote “I would have rather played against Magic and Larry than with them” sums it perfectly.
As far as retiring his number, can you imagine Quicken Loans Arena when they do try and do it? I cannot imagine anything but a swarm of boo’s coming from the crowd. Skip the ceremony, forget retiring his number, just let it go
1:40 pm on July 26th, 2010
It is not LeBron James’ job to save a city. That’s too much to ask of any one human being. When you do that then you are lifting him up with too much authority and tearing him down for not doing it. As a basketball player that should not be his weight to carry.
Every player that competes wants to win. He found a way that he thought it could be done. Something that had never been done before. the players took charge of their own winning. We do it everyday in pick-up games: pick the best guys that would keep us out on the court the longest (while winning).
The only thing I see different here is players, not management decided who they could win with. No one is complaining that the owner couldn’t get the best players (or coaches) in Cleveland. If that had happened then LeBron would still be there. Instead they got one player, worked him every season and put him with the weakest playoff squad in the playoffs, every time. Then you wonder why he left. That’s easy, he wants to win (like everyone else).
It’s not really complicated: Players want two things; to use their skills to win and to get paid for it. If you offer less than that or anything else then they don’t want to stay. Anything in addition to that is gravy, anything less and they will look for other options. When none are there (see Shaq) then they’ll take what they can get.
3:35 pm on July 26th, 2010
I have never read a greater collection of misguided comments in my life. Truth be told, James was Cleveland’s meal ticket. Some of you have said it all to clearly; jobs will be lost, the city needed him. That was never his responsibility nor should have been. The city of cleveland should spend more time on social programs and graduating their kids than worry about one person to keep them afloat. For those six years how much of that extra tax money was used to improve the future of the city? My guess is scant little. Now people are chirping and comparing lebron to jesus’s associates on the cross and some sort of lucifer. You continue to embarrass yourselves in a way that Lebron could never do. Focus on your city, your kids, and being decent human beings, and be glad you had the chance at all to have a pro sports team to begin with.
3:55 pm on July 26th, 2010
Cleveland fans are funny…. Most of already knew he had an ego and he was a jerk. CLE fans let him be it by praising and clapping when he did those stupid dances and fake camera sh1t. Your all just mad now cuz he will be doing that stupid crap somewhere else. Get a CLUE he has always been this way, you just didnt care cuz he was on your team. get over yourselves already.
He is the reason for the economy going down?..lol more like its a shit hole and thats why.
4:08 pm on July 26th, 2010
I keep hearing people say that he didn’t bring any championships to CLE, well in that case, there shouldn’t be ANY retired Cavaliers jerseys, because no one has ever brought the Cavs an NBA championship. CLE has only played in ONE finals and guess who led them there; Lebron. LBJ doesn’t owe CLE anything. He played where he was drafted, even signed an extension, tried to recruit players to come there, and brought so much business and attention there. Before that, the most famous CLE bball memory was Jordan shooting over Ehlo. How’s that for memories?
Bottom line, it’s okay to be disappointed, but to demonize this man because he wants to pursue his happiness is utterly ridiculous. Some people don’t want to live at home their entire lives, and it sounds to me like the CLE fans want to use him until he’s past his prime and then allow him to go play somewhere else. You guys have to be the most selfish fans I have ever seen. You criticize LBJ for doing what you expect other players to do; that is play to win first and go for the money secondly. I would love to see someone from my hometown go out into the world and succeed, even if it means they have to leave home to do it; he’s not even from CLE anyway, which makes all this loyalty talk even more crazy to me. Shaq left ORL, nobody was crying, TMac left ORL, nobody was crying, if the team around LBJ is so good, then you should have nothing to worry about, so man up and understand that nobody wants to play on a team in a city that’s cold and rainy all the time, that can’t attract superstar players until they’re old and washed up, and incapable of contributing to a championship.
And I’m not dissing CLE, that’s just the reality of the situation. He gave you guys 7 great years, how much is enough. Some of the comments really make Clevelanders look like bloodsuckers, and I know you are better people than that.
By the way, Kevin Garnett will have his number retired in MINN.
4:38 pm on July 26th, 2010
when it is all said and done, and everybody says what they have to say, the fact still remains. A KING leads he doesn’t follow. If James was the KING he claimed to be D-Wade and Bosh would be in Cleveland right now joining the KING’S team. I think we should call D-wade GOVERNOR WADE at least he got a county named after him.
5:08 pm on July 26th, 2010
Number 23 should be retired in Cleveland. The same way that Miami retired the number - with Jordan’s name on the jersey.
7:19 pm on July 26th, 2010
yes they should at the end of the day with out him they it wouldn’t even been a cleveland team to talk about and everybody in cleveland should suck a dick for doing the stuff they did……
10:04 pm on July 26th, 2010
Absolutely, NO-NO-NO! Great players who don’t deliver championships but nonetheless have their numbers retired are a unique breed of athlete that is unfortunately disappearing today. They consistantly and continuously THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREERS are class acts that diplay leadership,perservance in the face of adversity or defeat,unselfishness and LOYALITY to teamates,fans and franchise-communities that embrace them. Their character compells them to ALWAYS BE A CONTENDER w/ or w/o a RING…their legecy is the HEART OF A CHAMPION…. ie REGGIE MILLER (who in his prime had not nearly the physical gifts and talents the ABDICATED king james). I only pray that the youthful Lebron will mature to such- the heart of the matter is a matter of the HEART.
10:06 pm on July 26th, 2010
Absolutely, NO-NO-NO! Great players who don’t deliver championships but nonetheless have their numbers retired are a unique breed of athlete that is unfortunately disappearing today. They consistantly and continuously THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREERS are class acts that diplay leadership,perservance in the face of adversity or defeat,unselfishness and LOYALITY to teamates,fans and franchise-communities that embrace them. Their character compells them to ALWAYS BE A CONTENDER w/ or w/o a RING…their legecy is the HEART OF A CHAMPION…. ie REGGIE MILLER (who in his prime had not nearly the physical gifts and talents of the ABDICATED king james). I only pray that the youthful Lebron will mature to such- the heart of the matter is a matter of the HEART.
11:28 pm on July 26th, 2010
THIS POST SAYS IT ALL….TRUTH IN WORDS!
And I was and still am a Cleavland Fan, Lakers Fan, Miami Fan, Atlanta Fan but the truth is the truth, Lebron owed nobody anything, he honored his contract, tried to bring Bosh to C town(so he could stay as well), but couldnt turn down the opportunity to join a MEGA team…and MJ, Magic, Bird, Barkely, none of them would have either…they may lie and say so…but It would be a lie!
LeBron James made a bold decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers in favor of the Miami Heat, and ever since, he has attracted immense hatred and disappointment from fans all around the league. In fact, even Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert posted an unprofessional letter expressing his frustration.
Now, Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest player of all time, decided to voice his opinion on the matter as well.
When asked to comment on James’ decision, he said:
“There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic, and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team. But that’s…things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”
While Jordan is one of my favorite athletes of all time, and in my opinion shouldn’t even be compared to the likes of Kobe Bryant or James, I will have to defend the “King” here.
Sure, I respect Jordan for making those remarks. However, LeBron made a wise decision.
First of all, I understand that Bird, Magic, and Jordan were rivals. Their respective teams, the Celtics, Lakers, and Bulls, competed in 16 of the 20 Finals in the 80′s and 90′s. There was no doubt that their teams were some of the most dominant of all time.
The key difference is that James, Wade, and Bosh aren’t rivals and never were. The Cavaliers, Heat, and Raptors never played each other in the playoffs and they have totaled only two Finals appearances over the past seven years in the league. The true rivals are teams like the Lakers, Bulls, and Celtics.
In my mind, the formidable trio is very similar to the Big Three in Boston with Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. Sure, the latter are older, less talented, and joined together in a different manner. Looking at the big picture though,both are sets of players who are in search of a championship.
From a professional basketball standpoint, I see nothing wrong with it.
I realize that James disheartened an entire city and left them in a current economic depression. LeBron should have handled the entire situation much differently. At the same time though, he did give his all to the team and city for seven years. After the team failed to win a championship, it was time to move on.
It was really unfortunate that as opposed to honoring his services, Cavaliers fans decided to unleash complete and utter emotional backlash. They followed their pathetic owner, and said that James “quit” in their playoff series against the Celtics this year, and that his decision will diminish his legacy.
First of all, why would the Cavaliers want to bring back a player who allegedly “quit.” If that were the case, I’d be glad to get rid of him. Of course, on most standards, I wouldn’t really consider 27 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in his final game “quitting.” The significant drop of production from players such as Mo Williams, and Antawn Jamison is questionable though.
To those that are going to point out LeBron’s poor shooting, realize that when he went 3-14, the Cavaliers lost by 32 points. Meanwhile, when Bryant went 6-24 in Game Seven of the Finals against the same opponent, they won by two.
Why is that? Could it possibly be because Bryant had a brilliant supporting cast to play alongside his superstar ability?
Why nobody is discussing how his five titles were won with a dominant big man such as either Shaquille O’ Neal or Pau Gasol is puzzling to me. Not to mention that Derek Fisher, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum aren’t half bad either.
Why is it that nobody is questioning how he demanded a trade when the Lakers were struggling? Was that not a sign of disloyalty?
As for NBA Legends such as Bird, Magic, or Jordan, each had their own great team, with the emphasis being on the key word “team.” The reason none of them had to leave to go play elsewhere is because their original teams were already great.
Magic had fellow Hall of Fame players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy.
Bird had his own version of the “Big Three” with Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish.
Jordan didn’t win a title until Pippen became an All-Star, and even had defensive stud Dennis Rodman come along later.
How can anyone compare LeBron’s lackluster supporting cast to those players’? Nobody has ever won a championship by themselves. It’s truly a team effort, which is why it’s unfair to criticize LeBron for not being “man enough” to do it “by himself.”
And it’s not as if he planned on leaving all along. It has been confirmed by multiple sources that LeBron did try to bring All-Star forward Bosh with him to Cleveland. Sadly, his efforts were to no avail as Bosh simply refused to play there.
That left him with no choice other than to leave, and for that he is not a coward. A coward would not risk tarnishing his name or put himself in a position where he may never be welcome in his hometown of Akron ever again.
James is a true competitor, as the only thing that mattered to him was the ultimate prize for any athlete: a championship.
Furthermore, James is not a “Robin in search of a Batman,” as some, including ESPN’s First Take analyst Skip Bayless, are calling him. A “Robin” wouldn’t have single-handedly led the Cavaliers to back-to-back league leading records in the regular season, and an NBA Finals appearance in 2007.
Instead, I would say LeBron is a “Batman in search of a Robin.” It just so happened that he had the opportunity to join “Superman” and “Spiderman” as well…something I guarantee few would pass
Ridiculous!
12:38 am on July 27th, 2010
Is LeBron good? Yes. Is he a legend? No. To be legendary, he needed to bring memories of greatness as “the man” who brought a championship. I have no issue with him leaving Cleveland. But he should have gone to a team that will build around him so that he can still be “the man.” LeBron gave up his legacy when he joined Dwayne Wade’s team. He went from the “King” to the “Queen.” He has a great chance to win a championship now, but it will not be known as his championship.
1:55 am on July 27th, 2010
LeBron got paid millions to play basketball in CLE and he did just that. He’s a transcendant talent, and his God-given gifts alone made the Cavaliers competitive. Thats not enough, and has never been. Jerseys get retired when players do more than just their job…guys who go beyond their talents.
LeBron played poorly down the stretch of several playoff games with turnovers and missed FT’s, and flat out quit during the Celtics series. He also refused to use his influence to help improve the roster (which he has now done with gusto in MIA), mentally divorced himself from the team as far back as 08, tied up the franchises options by drawing out “The Decision” in which went out of his way to humiliate a city that never held him accountable for his failings as a player and as a person.
Why on God’s green Earth would we hold up this character as a legend…just because he was born with ridiculous athletic gifts and we were lucky enough to watch his growing pains up close?
2:50 am on July 27th, 2010
Retire his shirt - NO… he didnt win them no finals…
BUT, to say hes a sell out… then am afraid ur a bit of a fool. Im glad he went, even though the NBA is still not a big thing here in England… this news made headlines.. like any job, you have the right to go where you want. we have so many soccer players who before their contracts up start moaning about wanting to leave the club…
Did James do that, i dont think he did… free to do whatever you want… Miami will be the Real Madrid of the NBA… but did Real win last year… NOPE
so stop gettin ur knickers in a twist and jus chill out…
Goto LOVE the game
3:02 am on July 27th, 2010
Why would anyone be surprised if Cleveland didn’t retire LeBron’s jersey? Retired numbers are for great players who the fans are proud of and who represent their team. LeBron might have the numbers and the awards from when he was a Cav, but he burned his bridges on the way out of town. One good public humiliation of a city on the way to join another team is likely to shut the door on his legacy as a Cav. Teams don’t retire the jerseys of those who don’t want to be associated with them, and burning the team on the way out of town in the prime of your career is a good way to create some hard feelings. And Cleveland fans are particularly good at remembering painful sports events…
4:56 am on July 27th, 2010
LaDouche bag pulled one of the most tasteless acts of betrayal in all of sports. I hope the Cavs aren’t dumb enough to retire that POS’s #. Maybe if he would have acted like a man instead of a punk bitch that he is. I feel sorry for anyone thats a fan of this loser cuz that makes them a loser by association.
PS Im not a scorn Cavs fan or a rapist fan BTW. I never liked that arrogant clown LaDouche fuck before and I like him even less now.
8:29 am on July 27th, 2010
To all who has stated negative things on this issue, please grow up. This is a business and no one has ever thought about the team either trading him or asking him to take a pay cut. In the time that the team had him they never made any effort to bring in any players to help him out. Shaq was brought in as a stunt not as a helper.
Please learn to look deep before you leap, it is all about money when your job is getting ready to fire you or close up shop do they tell you ahead of time, the answer is NO!!
Let Lebron make his money the best way he feels and you continue to make your money the way you know how. If you feel what he did was distasteful then do not purchase his product. Stop crying about what he did, and focuses your concerns on your own household.
11:43 am on July 27th, 2010
If Lebron is so “over-rated” why are you all so hurt? He made the best decision for HIM. Get over it. We lambaste athletes for going after the money all the time. He goes after the championship and gets burned in effigy?
Let’s be honest, the Cavs were as good as they were going to get last year. If Lebron had signed another long-term contract, he would basically be stuck with spending the rest of his playing prime on and “also-ran” team that will NOT get over the hump.
11:46 am on July 27th, 2010
If this is how stars are treated when they come to and leave Cleveland…..who in their right mind will want to come and play there?
1:17 pm on July 27th, 2010
they are complete asses! Thats what happens black athletes. After they use you up, they grow you away as if you didn’t do anything for them. He carried that team and made that city billions of dollars and because he decided that he needed to make a decision that was best for him and his family, all his contributions to that fake city have gone out the window. They can make you money but they are not good enough to honor. Good example to show kids.
4:19 pm on July 27th, 2010
Judas was a good apostle, he just made one bad decision at the end. Should they have really left ‘The Book of Judas’ out of the Bible??? …especially after he hung himself out of regret for his bad decision. LameBron hasn’t shown much regret for his bad decision… Maybe after he owns up the Cavs should consider it, but until then HELL NO.
5:31 pm on July 27th, 2010
Dallas has a similar issue with Mark Aguire. He was the first “star” and the best player of the early Mavs. He left the team amidst trade requests and dissing the coach.
I think they retired Brad Davis’ jersey just to spite him. Retiring numbers is as much about respecting the person as it is respecting the person’s game.
5:39 pm on July 27th, 2010
When someone leaves a job without giving notice, that’s called “walking out”, and that’s what James did to the city of Cleveland! You don’t retire someone’s nameplate when they do that - don’t retire the number. No one will wear it again, unless forced to, but raising a jersey is just an insult to the fans. Blista compares the decision of LeBron with the decisions of Judas. Judas had remorse for his decision - LeBron is just a spoiled brat! All the remaining Cleveland players have been “respectful”. Don’t think they are going to miss his antics in the locker room, on the bus, on the plane. Not saying LeBron should hang himself, but I hope when Cleveland and Miami play that the Cleveland players, figuratively, hang LeBron! But LeBron probably won’t play in the game against the Cavs, just like he wouldn’t play in the Lakers games early in his career against Kobe. LeBron’s Mom is not “the great influence” on LeBron she used to be. His behavior, both in nationally rejecting his “hometown” on ESPN and his “decision”, reminds me of a spoiled 15 year old! Come, on, Gloria! Your little boy still needs you to teach him - how to keep a promise and something called “ethics”.
11:14 pm on July 27th, 2010
Wah, Wah Wah, Wah, Wah.
What is everyone acting like spoiled little shitt$ and crying about? He owed them nothing more than what he signed his contract for. YES, He should have told them before, BUUUUT, HE DID’NT. It’s happened before, just becasue they were nothing before him does’nt mean they can’t be just as good now.
JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKING! Good luck with the goood ol BROWNIES!
>>>>TO RISE
Give me a break, do you want a tissue also? He fulfilled his contract. He is the greatest cav to play the game, which isnt saying much anyway. And I’m pretty sure the other cavs are in fact going to miss him! We will see next year I guess. Yes, retire his number and don’t stoop to the level he went to by not letting them know. His stats stand alone.
12:23 am on July 28th, 2010
Man some of you people are f***ing retarded. LaDouche bag didn’t have to do the Cavs fans and franchise like that. The were all so good to him. To go on national TV like that? Really you people are shit heads if you really believe its ok for a professional to act like that.
6:28 am on July 28th, 2010
All you people are some retards, he did what he had to do for himself. He didnt owe anyone, nor did he disrespected anyone. Plain and simple if you were in his position, which your not you would’ve done the same thing.
7:53 am on July 28th, 2010
Well James number should not be retired. He was changing it anyways. Also 7 years is not enough time to retire a jersey escpecially since he could not bring them a championship. Eventhough he is a good player (not a great one), he has proven himself not to be a very professional person, or a man of character. Retiring a Jersey is more than putting fans in the seats a winning a few games.
8:57 am on July 28th, 2010
doing that would be very juvenile on behalf of Cleveland.. he increased their win %, crowd turn out and international exposure. that would be very ungrateful.
10:08 am on July 28th, 2010
Two comments, Lebron intentionally submarined any chance for cleveland to replace him. #2 it is good he finally realized that he was not all that and in order to win that championship he had to grab on to the shirt tails of D Wade. I think if he had finished what he started in Cleveland he would be remembered longer than if he wins ten championships with a stacked deck!
11:14 am on July 28th, 2010
Yeah he increased there win %, but then took it all away without even a heads up so they can try to replace him. It would not be juvenile at all if they did not retire his jersey. Retirement usually represents lifetime acheivement, something he will not obtain with Cleveland. Yes LB realized he is not the go to guy, But D-Wade is.