Lebron- keep your mouth shut about 2010

by CELTSFANATIC on Nov 27, 2008 9:59 AM EST

I can't call him a lame duck player because he gives everything he has every night. But what I can call Lebron James two days after his press conference in NY is an idiot. I cannot understand why Lebron is talking about 2010. Doesn’t the Cavs management cringe every time he opens his mouth about 2010? I do! Maybe it's because I am from Massachusetts and we have been blessed with the "team concept". Not that Lebron isn't a team player but when he makes comments, and frequently, about free agency in 2010 I get disgusted.

What do you think Kevin Garnett would say if the media asked him what his plans were for free agency in the next couple of years? He would say, "right now I am focused on the Philadelphia coming in the night after Thanksgiving!" Period. What would Bill Belichick say if someone asked him about what Matt Cassel might do after this season? Or better yet, what would Matt Cassel say if asked? We know it would not be the same as Lebron's answer. Now I understand that Lebron James will be the most sought after free agent in the league but if he is not intelligent enough to understand that it tweaks people when he addresses it the way he does then shame on him. If I was a Cleveland player I would be totally disgusted and if I was in management I would call him in and tell him to cool out the free agency talk. I mean its TWO years away!

You would think by listening to him that he is in the offseason ready to sign somewhere right now. If I were Cleveland I would trade him now and get something for him even though it won't be the same value. My reasoning for this is simple. You know he is not going to re-sign with Cleveland so why not get some solid talent for him right now. You wouldn't have to keep listening to Lebron praise the NY fans for showing him respect. Hey Lebron, how about showing your team and your fans some respect and either keep quiet, or say the right things. Even if Lebron came out today and said that he is no longer going to talk about free agency the damage is still done. No, it will not take away how he plays the game, and his effort will still be 100%, but still, you can't be happy if you are a Cleveland fan, player, or coach. To quote my favorite non-Celtic player of all time, Sir Charles Barkley. "Lebron James should shut the hell up!" Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Be respectful and keep it clean. Thanks.

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This is what happens...

…When the League treats a young fella like he’s some sort of Messiah.

by Amager Celtic Fan on Nov 27, 2008 11:52 AM EST reply actions

Yep, couldn't have said it better

The league is still trying to find the next Jordan in terms of marketing, continually forgetting the restoration of the league occurred in the 80’s because of how Larry and Magic helped make their TEAMS better, not their own individual play. I guess even last year’s Celtics, the quintessential TEAM was too boring, and defensive oriented for the league to market. There is a reason the Lakers were everyone’s pick, even though the Celtics finished with 9 more wins.(hint: it wasn’t their team play but because of the guy who won the lifetime achievement award they use to call the MVP).

by KJ33 on Nov 29, 2008 1:52 AM EST up reply actions

Let the kid have some fun, he has too much money to care be worrying about tiptoeing around the inevitable, I say good on him for not being a phony butt kissing dork like most of the top tier athletes in sports. People are too used to guys saying the right thing all the time, he’s not hurting anyone.

As long as he plays his rear end off and carries them to the ECF’s year after year he’s doing his job, armchair quarterbacks like us aren’t the ones missing out on the 10’s of millions dollars he’d be missing out on if he chose not maximize his marketability. Not sure about you guys, but keeping local fans happy over a minor issue isn’t worth sacrificing 10’s of millions of dollars to me, especially not after what he’s already done for Cleveland. Ideally, sure, realistically, no way.

by davemonsterband on Nov 28, 2008 7:16 AM EST reply actions

gotta disagree

I do think Lebron is disrespecting his fans and team by talking about free agency 2 years from now. I’m OK with people saying how they feel, but for a man who has been quoted as wanting to be a “global icon”, you should be a class act, worry about winning and doing your job, then worry about free agency when it comes. He’s not sacrificing 10’s of millions of dollars, he’s getting max money no matter what and max money is max money (unless he goes overseas, which I find improbable).

by action781 on Nov 28, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

How is he sacrificing 10s of millions by not talking about it??

There will be plenty of time for a full courtship when the time comes, but that time is not now. Even the notion that Cleveland or whomever “needs to get LeBron some help” in order for “him” to be able to win, is not a team approach at all. As long as LeBron continues to be bigger than any team he is a part of, he is going to struggle to help said TEAM win anything.

by KJ33 on Nov 29, 2008 1:46 AM EST up reply actions

Not salary, but the bigger the hype machine the more financial opportunities he’ll have available to him, I understand what you’re saying and why people are against it but he wants an empire, that only happens from hype and the media.

by davemonsterband on Nov 29, 2008 1:42 AM EST reply actions

Meh

Too big of a deal is being made of this by everyone. I will say that Stern should step in and caution players and the media that asking about ‘potential’ free agency 2 years from now benefits no one.

by LuckyNumber07 on Nov 30, 2008 5:00 AM EST reply actions