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By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 09:58 p.m. EST, Jan 13, 2009
MEMPHIS, TENN.: When it comes to the imbroglio that surrounds the Memphis Grizzles' signing of Darius Miles, there's little doubt where LeBron James stands.
The Portland Trail Blazers threatened to sue any NBA team that signed Miles, who formerly played for the Cavaliers. When the Trail Blazers released Miles, he needed to play in two games for the Trail Blazers to be on the hook for the $18 million remaining on his contract.
After releasing Miles, the Trail Blazers sent a league-wide e-mail threatening to sue any team that signed Miles and forced them to pay up on his contract.
''The way they came out and handled that situation was completely wrong,'' James said. ''There was definitely a way they could handle it better. D-Miles is a good guy.
''You have to pull for somebody like that after a situation like that. He gets some more games and he's going to get what he deserves.''
Miles had a shot earlier this season with the Boston Celtics but they released him.
Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni said that team management had no hesitation in signing Miles and would only say that he's never seen or heard anything like what the Trail Blazers attempted.
Miles said that he didn't allow the incident to bother him.
''It was shocking, the first in history,'' Miles said. ''I called my agent to make sure everything was all right and it was all right. I'm not worried about any of that stuff. It doesn't bother me. It doesn't affect me at all as far as what they do.''
Wright is right
Call it a dream scenario for forward Lorenzen Wright.
Playing in his hometown of Memphis on Tuesday, Wright got the call to replace Ben Wallace, who is suffering from intestinal flu.
James said the Cavs expected Wright to be able to fill Wallace's shoes.
''We just want him to play hard and give us some interior aggression that Andy [Anderson Varejao] brings, that [Ben] brings and that Z brings,'' James said. ''I know he's looking forward to the challenge.''
This is the type of situation for which the Cavs signed Wright, a 13-year veteran. He's averaged a point and an assist per game this season.
History lessons
While in Memphis, the Cavs toured the National Civil Rights Museum at the motel where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
Wright said that it's a powerful experience.
James, who has visited the museum three times now, agreed.
''Some of those events happened less than 40 years ago. It's crazy to see that,'' James said. ''To go to the Civil Rights Museum was once again an unbelievable experience and there's going to be a time when I go again because I'm going to have to take my kids.''
A little Mayo
James and Grizzlies rookie and two-time Ohio Mr. Basketball O.J. Mayo have a relationship dating back to when Mayo was in ninth grade.
James has been impressed by Mayo's performance. He is averaging 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and three assists per game.
''He's not a rookie, I'll tell you that,'' James said. ''He's a really good talent. All he's going to do is continue to get better. Some guys are born for the NBA and college basketball sometimes doesn't showcase what you have.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas.
MEMPHIS, TENN.: When it comes to the imbroglio that surrounds the Memphis Grizzles' signing of Darius Miles, there's little doubt where LeBron James stands.
The Portland Trail Blazers threatened to sue any NBA team that signed Miles, who formerly played for the Cavaliers. When the Trail Blazers released Miles, he needed to play in two games for the Trail Blazers to be on the hook for the $18 million remaining on his contract.
After releasing Miles, the Trail Blazers sent a league-wide e-mail threatening to sue any team that signed Miles and forced them to pay up on his contract.
''The way they came out and handled that situation was completely wrong,'' James said. ''There was definitely a way they could handle it better. D-Miles is a good guy.
''You have to pull for somebody like that after a situation like that. He gets some more games and he's going to get what he deserves.''
Miles had a shot earlier this season with the Boston Celtics but they released him.
Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni said that team management had no hesitation in signing Miles and would only say that he's never seen or heard anything like what the Trail Blazers attempted.
Miles said that he didn't allow the incident to bother him.
''It was shocking, the first in history,'' Miles said. ''I called my agent to make sure everything was all right and it was all right. I'm not worried about any of that stuff. It doesn't bother me. It doesn't affect me at all as far as what they do.''
Wright is right
Call it a dream scenario for forward Lorenzen Wright.
Playing in his hometown of Memphis on Tuesday, Wright got the call to replace Ben Wallace, who is suffering from intestinal flu.
James said the Cavs expected Wright to be able to fill Wallace's shoes.
''We just want him to play hard and give us some interior aggression that Andy [Anderson Varejao] brings, that [Ben] brings and that Z brings,'' James said. ''I know he's looking forward to the challenge.''
This is the type of situation for which the Cavs signed Wright, a 13-year veteran. He's averaged a point and an assist per game this season.
History lessons
While in Memphis, the Cavs toured the National Civil Rights Museum at the motel where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
Wright said that it's a powerful experience.
James, who has visited the museum three times now, agreed.
''Some of those events happened less than 40 years ago. It's crazy to see that,'' James said. ''To go to the Civil Rights Museum was once again an unbelievable experience and there's going to be a time when I go again because I'm going to have to take my kids.''
A little Mayo
James and Grizzlies rookie and two-time Ohio Mr. Basketball O.J. Mayo have a relationship dating back to when Mayo was in ninth grade.
James has been impressed by Mayo's performance. He is averaging 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and three assists per game.
''He's not a rookie, I'll tell you that,'' James said. ''He's a really good talent. All he's going to do is continue to get better. Some guys are born for the NBA and college basketball sometimes doesn't showcase what you have.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 10:13 PM, 01/13/2009
Portland handled this situation as poorly as they could. If they left things alone then Miles would have been an afterthought. The warning to other clubs caused a scene and an impending signing. He was obviously done, why draw attention to it and cost yourself $. Just plain dumb. Miles might be a good guy, but his days in the NBA came and went. Best of luck to him and his family.
Albany, OR
Posted 11:45 PM, 01/13/2009
[Quote]When the Trail Blazers released Miles, he needed to play in two games for the Trail Blazers to be on the hook for the $18 million remaining on his contract. After releasing Miles, the Trail Blazers sent a league-wide e-mail threatening to sue any team that signed Miles and forced them to pay up on his contract.[/Quote]
At least do a little research... After the Blazers released Miles--based on the opinion from a NBA-appointed doctor that Miles' injury was career-ending--Miles needed to play in 10 games for the Blazers to carry the $18m on their cap. He played in six preseason games for Boston and another two regular season games for Memphis. The Blazers sent the e-mail to the league last week, about nine months after releasing Miles. Whether for nefarious reasons or not, Miles is healthy enough to fill a roster spot and play 5-10 minutes a game. The Blazers only mistake was threatening other teams with a lawsuit. They should sue the NBA or its appointed doctor for costing them $18 million in cap space plus luxury tax penalties. And who cares what LeBron thinks about it? D-Miles is not a good guy... changing into street clothes at halftime of a 2006 game vs. the Clippers because he didn't want to play anymore... 10 day suspension for violating the NBAs anti-drug policy... suspended for insubordination after fighting with former coach Maurice Cheeks... yeah, he's just misunderstood.
Posted 11:25 AM, 01/14/2009
Miles is what he is. One of those one-dimensional scorers who started out in the league on a bad team, picked up bad habits, and let his ego lead him into some very bad decisions.
Fortunately for me, most of the choices that I made in my twenties are not held up to continupus public scrutiny.
We need to remember that a lot of these guys have been idolized since grade school, never subjected to much discipline or responsibility, and hence, don't develop self-discipline until things start to go south for them (if then).
That said, to threaten the rest of the NBA with a lawsuit if they dare to play Miles is both absurd and arrogant. It's the Portland club that ought to be sued by Miles and the NBA for the threat.
San Antonio, TX
Posted 11:22 AM, 01/15/2009
Isn't what Portland did to Miles a form of "black lising." I am surprised the Blazers actually put it in print by way of a league wide e-mail. Just how idiotic is that? If any one has a good law suite it would be Miles.
San Antonio Bill
Posted 12:34 PM, 01/15/2009
I agree with Blazers Fan---why would you ask Lebron about this--will you be going to him on his opinions of national security? These seems like a management issue--so a better source if they wanted to be quoted would be team or league management. It seems as if what the Trail Blazers did was tacky--so some management input would put some perspective to it. I don't know what this player is like--but saying someone is a good guy--and what else should he say--is like saying someone is nice--lots of murderers and crooks--someone think they are nice--and probably have been and are about certai things. If his posting is correct it also gave the research that the BJ story lacked.
