Much has been made about LeBron James bumping Miami Heat coach Eric Spoelstra last night during the Heat’s 106-95 loss at Dallas.

The video is somewhat compelling, especially given James’ arm flourish at the end - which may have punctuated a deliberate non-verbal message. Or not.

While playing for Cleveland that year, James was also walking to the bench during a timeout when he appeared to initiate a shoulder-to-shoulder collision with then-Cavaliers Coach Mike Brown.

But in that case, there was an overheard angle to the video. An angle that appears to show James turning into Brown before the two collided. Read more…

Chris Douglas-Roberts of the Milwaukee Bucks provided us his reaction to Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams saying recently that after LeBron James departed for Miami, he considered retiring.

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports previously reported that the 27-year-old Williams said of the prospect of retirement, “I contemplated it. I really sat down and envisioned life after basketball. I really saw myself not playing.”

My reaction to Williams’ retirement threat, while not as oxygen-depriving as CDR’s, was similar to when a garden variety boxing champion makes the same claim.

Last Friday John Mayer played the Cleveland-area Blossom Music Center. For the encore, he hit the stage wearing a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey.

Mayer said while wearing the jersey, “Our last show of this tour (September 11 in Miami) I’m going to come out on stage wearing this in Miami.”

Cool! One small detail though. The show isn’t in Miami. Read more…

The LeBron James self-immolation parade continues this week as he’s back with more third person, revisionist wisdom in an interview with GQ magazine.

(Pinata endorsement part of the plan?)

Here’s some samples of the remarks James recently made to GQ writer J.R. Moehringer:

“It’s not far, but it is far. And Clevelanders, because they were the bigger-city kids when we were growing up, looked down on us.… So we didn’t actually like Cleveland. We hated Cleveland growing up. There’s a lot of people in Cleveland we still hate to this day.”

Despite those comments, James also curiously claimed to Moehringer that he’d consider one day returning to the Cavs:

“If there was an opportunity for me to return and those fans welcome me back, that’d be a great story.”

Somehow I think that story though won’t be authored by current Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. James, once again speaking in third person: Read more…

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?

Read more…

Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”

You can take it to the bank. Read more…

Statement just posted on the official website of the Cavaliers Thursday after LeBron James announced he was going to Miami:

 “We believe in this team, this organization, this community, and what we will do to compete at the highest level. We believe in the new coach and leader we have in Byron Scott, and the world class basketball organization and positive and strong culture we’ve established. Dan Gilbert and our ownership group are firmly committed to reaching our goals and succeeding on the court and in the community, at the highest level.” Read more…

First thing you saw on the front page of the Cavaliers official website after LeBron James announced he was leaving Cleveland? Delonte West:

Seems a curious choice, to feature a guy with so many off-court issues who the Cavs are reportedly trying to dump.

Or not.

Cavs fans though, weren’t as subtle.
Read more…

As Cleveland braces for Lebron James‘ decision today, the CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER reports that James has recently increased security at his Bath Township, Ohio, mansion outside Cleveland.

Bath Township Police Chief Michael McNeely said,  “He has hired our officers to work off-duty at his property,. There has always been an officer there, inside the gate. He has increased the number of officers working there in the past week.”

If James knew he was staying in Cleveland, why did he recently hire more cops to guard his estate?

The Plain Dealer also noted:

McNeeley said he has a plan in place in case hundreds of people show up that would include calling in aid from surrounding police departments. The Bath force has 20 officers.

“We’re hoping we won’t need it,” he said.

Based on comments from longtime Plain Dealer Cavaliers beat reporter Brian Windhorst, who is from Akron and has known James for 10 years, McNeely might. Read more…

Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw recently spent two days interviewing for the head coaching position of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Shaw guested on KSPN-AM’s “Mason and Ireland Show” today in Los Angeles and talked about the attitude of Cavs management during those those discussions as it pertained to LeBron James‘ future with the franchise.

KSPN’s Steve Mason to Shaw:

“It’s your sense that they’re (Cavaliers) not even entertaining the concept that LeBron won’t be there next year?”

Shaw:

“Exactly. I don’t blame them. As an organization, they (Cavs) made a conscious effort (during Shaw’s interview) to really focus on talking about what the team would be like with him there.

“I’m sure they have a backup plan (if James leaves) but it wasn’t something we discussed in the two days I was there.”

Byron Scott reportedly has since landed the gig over Shaw, with his close relationship to Chris Paul, who is advised by William Wesley (”World Wide Wes”), being cited as a possible reason Scott edged Shaw for the job. Read more…