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He expects questions for next two years but right now, he's content
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Friday, Mar 07, 2008
CHICAGO: The words were barely out of LeBron James' mouth Wednesday night before members of the most aggressive media corps in the world started pressing.
After James said the standing ovation he got following his 50-point performance at Madison Square Garden was a dream of his, he was asked if part of that included playing for the New York Knicks someday. It is a question James said he expects to get regularly over the next two years before his contract ends in 2010. Though he is just in the first year of a three-year, $43 million contract, there has already been speculation that he'll depart Cleveland in two years for either the Knicks or the New Jersey Nets, who will then be playing in Brooklyn and are co-owned by friend Jay-Z.
''Because of what goes on in New York and how bad it is and they are looking for a guy that can change things around,'' James said Thursday. ''And how close I am to Jay-Z, there are going to be questions about it every day. I will hear them for the next two seasons until I become a free agent.''
Without fail whenever he is asked about his long-term future, James does two things. He praises the Cavaliers organization and how they have treated him and then he leaves himself an out by saying he hasn't ''thought about it yet'' or ''at this point.'' But there is no hidden agenda. The whole reason James took a three-year deal with a fourth year option instead of a five-year deal was so that he would have options if he wanted.
That fuels the fire of those speculating about a future transaction but it is also the truth about how James feels, and right now that feeling with the Cavs is contentment.
''I am comfortable where I am and my family is a big part of what I do every day and being home is meaningful to me,'' James said. ''I'm happy where I am and we have a good chance to win a championship. I'm fine (playing in a small market), I perform when I get on those stages, whether I am in New York or L.A. or Chicago.''
In the locker room
• Ben Wallace made his return to the United Center on Thursday, a place where he faced adversity when fans turned on him after his disappointing season and a half with the Chicago Bulls. When Wallace was introduced he got lots of boos and a few scattered cheers from the sellout crowd, similar to how Larry Hughes was treated when he returned to Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday.
• Thursday's game was also special to Joe Smith, but not because he was returning to Chicago. Smith paid tribute to his late mother, Letha, on her birthday. On his shoes he wrote ''R.I.P. Mom, Happy Birthday.'' Letha Smith was extremely close to her son and moved with him to Oakland from Virginia when he was taken by the Golden State Warriors with the first overall pick in 1995.
• James said he was still in shock about the fan who was arrested when he ran across the court and spoke to him in the Cavs huddle in the final seconds Wednesday night.
''I know he thought about it, he had to think about it,'' James said. ''He knew something was going to happen, he had to think of something to say and get it off before (security guards) got him. He said everything he had to say.''
Privately, the Cavs were upset that the fan was able to get by several security guards who were out on the floor as he raced to the Cavs bench. It is likely the Garden's security measures will be reviewed.
• The Cavs' 17 3-pointers Wednesday set a franchise record, the previous record of 16 came against the Seattle SuperSonics in a double overtime game in 1996.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
CHICAGO: The words were barely out of LeBron James' mouth Wednesday night before members of the most aggressive media corps in the world started pressing.
Get the full article here.
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