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Do IT this week: Layering
He hits on both old issues and business, says he's excited about Cavs' chances
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008
INDEPENDENCE: The NBA season started anew Monday as training camps kicked off for most of the 30 teams.
LeBron James, reporting for duty for his sixth season and quite excited about the Cavaliers' chances, felt he needed to use the annual media day to address a few old topics that never seem to go away.
First on the list was his future when his contract with the Cavs expires in two years. Especially after a summer when the two New York-area teams started making moves in earnest to clear cap space for that precious summer of 2010.
''Go on the Internet and look at every time I have been asked am I happy in Cleveland and see my response,'' James said to the large media gathering.
''I've never given any indication that I was leaving or didn't like being here. Every time I am asked the question — I love being here, I love playing in front of these fans, my family is here, I grew up 30 miles away — I never gave any indication that I did not like playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.''
Then on to hot button part two, an issue that seems to be equally as debate-worthy in Northeast Ohio: James' support of the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. James brought up this one on his own and he was equally serious in relating his feelings.
''Now, I'll say I like the Yankees and the Cowboys, but that has nothing to do with the Cavaliers,'' he said.
''It's not fun [to be questioned about it]. Am I not allowed to be a fan? When I grew up watching sports, the Cowboys were a team to love; Michael Jordan was [a player] to love. If I say I like Michael Jordan, is that a problem because I didn't say Mark Price?'' James asked. ''Is that a problem? Is it? That is who I grew up watching. These are the teams and the people that inspired me. Now I broke it down for you all.''
So he did. The sentiments were repeats of what James has been saying for years, though with a little more ire than usual.
Also, as usual, his professed enjoyment of playing for the Cavs came with unsaid loopholes, as any smart potential free agent would insert. And there were no apologies for his headgear choices or which sideline he stands on when going to Browns games.
There was, however, commentary about the actual business at hand. Among the highlights:
• On his leadership role with Team USA:
''The way I look at it is if you can go out and lead guys who are already established and won NBA championships and scoring titles and MVPs and Rookie of the Years, there is nothing else nobody can tell you. I mean, if I can go out and lead Kobe Bryant, then I should be able to go out and lead Daniel Gibson. I see our potential. I see how good we can be.''
• On not getting much rest over the summer:
''I wish I could have gotten more rest. But when I see what I traded rest for, I'll take it. To represent my country and win a gold medal, I can take a few hours of not sleeping.''
• On whether he felt the Cavs were close to a title after the way they played the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in the playoffs:
''If we don't win, I don't come away saying we gave Boston the best series in the playoffs. I never look at it that way. I'm the ultimate competitor. I can't say if we hadn't missed a shot in the last two minutes, we would've won [Game 7]. I can't look at it that way. We lost like everybody else lost. Some guys may look at it that way, but I don't.''
• On new teammate Mo Williams:
''He can allow me to play off him. I don't have to bring the ball up as much. You look at me in the summer time when I am playing with great point guards and I can just run the floor and it is easy for me. Now with Mo and Delonte [West] here, I can do that, which is what I do best.''
• On his outlook for this season:
''This is the best team we've had since I've been here, especially to start off the season. To see the talent from one through 14 on the roster, everyone can contribute. As an individual, I know I have improved five times since Game 7 of the Boston series. When you play all summer with 11 of the best players in the world, you have to get better.''
• On the moves the front office made in the offseason:
''They did a great job of going out and getting players that could help win a championship. There's really no excuse now. We have guys that can go out and dominate a game.''
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
INDEPENDENCE: The NBA season started anew Monday as training camps kicked off for most of the 30 teams.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 06:08 AM, 09/30/2008
They may win 50 games this year, but that is it.
Naples, FL
Posted 06:29 AM, 09/30/2008
The media outside of Cleveland will continue to pretend LeBron never made these statements, they will continue to believe no one in his right mind would not want to live in NY or LA. But have confidence Cavs fans, leBron isn't going anywhere except to an NBA Championship with the Cavs!
somewhere near you, US
Posted 09:23 AM, 09/30/2008
Who cares what he has to say. The sooner he goes to NY, the better. Good riddance and take your family with you.
Posted 09:39 AM, 09/30/2008
I heard that Santana of the Mets wants to pitch for the Indians. He says he hates the pollution and stench of New York, and the piranha press corps.
Santana and Lee pitching for the Tribe! Won't it be great?
Posted 01:08 PM, 09/30/2008
Anyone who wants to get rid of LBJ is an idiot. Okay LeBron may be dumb for vocalizing that he roots for sports teams NOT from Cleveland, but he's still our best chance at a championship since the Tribe in '97. Who knows if he'll stick around after 2010, but the Cavs are doing the right thing in trying to keep him happy and giving him more reasons to stay in the area (besides his family and a decade old fan base that started when he was a freshman at St. V).
Posted 01:23 PM, 09/30/2008
I HIGHLY doubt anyone in the Cavs organization pressed LeBron to make those statements. As much of a business man as everyone seems to think he is - I find LeBron to be very natural in interviews, on the court, and off the court. He actually seems like the most REGULAR 100 Million dollar man I have ever seen speak. He wasn't kidding - he being close to home. He's having his cake and eating it too.
Posted 01:52 PM, 09/30/2008
All of you who think Lebron will be resigned are whistling by the graveyard. He'l be gone quicker than you can blink your eyes. His desire is to be the most recognized, highest paid professional athlete in the entire sports world. He's not going to get that from Gilbert, or the kind of money it'll take to keep in Cleveland. New York and Los Angeles has made it very clear they are going to go after Lebron in a BIG way. Think of the markets he'll be in away from Cleveland. New York or Los Angeles. Where would you want to go for more money than the budgets of some countries.......Cleveland or NYC ??? Cleveland or LA ??? Let me think about that...........Are you kidding me ??? Like they say, "He be gone " !!!
Posted 06:25 PM, 09/30/2008
Lebron's sizeable ego has spun out of control mainly because Brown seems utterly terrified of disciplining or disagreeing with James at any time. Under Mike Brown this team will never win a championship. Basketball, sports, and life is about taking chances. It's about the dignity of risk. Well the Cavs don't take chances. We don't play half-court high pressure defense. We don't deny passing lanes, we don't get steals that lead to run-outs and easy lay-ups. News flash: The Cavs are not a great defensive team! But because they slow the tempo to a snail's pace, there are, in turn, less possessions and less points scored. The Cavs, as they are presently consituted, are built to play small and fast. Williams, West, Gibson, and Lebron should all play at the same time. Pressure the ball, play with intensity, go with a 4 out-1 in scheme and drive, kick, drive in a free-wheeling motion offense. But I know Mike Brown will take this talented team and pull the reins on the offense bog it down and run his patented 1-4 high flex offense, which is the stiffest and most conservative offense in the history of basketball. It bothers me because Terry Porter, who teams run-and-gun and play up-tempo basketball, was available as a coach, and we let him go to Phoenix.
somewhere near you, US
Posted 08:32 PM, 09/30/2008
Look in the mirror and repeat until you get it, "It is only a sports team, it is only a sports team"... I love how you "fans" get your panties in a bunch when someone speaks out against one of the biggest jokes of humanity - professional and college sports teams. Being a realist doesn't make me a hater or jealous. Try to get a life or at least a clue.
Posted 01:29 AM, 10/01/2008
so he roots for the yankees and cowboys. it coulda been worse - he could be a michigan fan!!!
Akron, OH
Posted 10:38 AM, 10/01/2008
Do you want him in Cleveland to play basketball or to be a fan for the other local teams? Get a grip people and let him be.
akron, oh
Posted 10:39 AM, 10/01/2008
i like lebron and all but really he led the usa team? c'mon. truth is they made him play the way Brown should and let the point bring the ball up. he does that i mean doesn't do that himself. and i agree with barry
Posted 10:44 AM, 10/01/2008
I don't see the media critisizing half of NE Ohio's football fans who wear Steelers jerseys and cheer against the Browns in Cleveland. Let the man be. This is no longer a region that supports it's home teams like Dallas, Pittsburgh or Green Bay does. It's whoever is winning. That's today's reality in Ohio
Posted 11:49 AM, 10/01/2008
We, the last time i checked live in a country where we can enjoy being fans of whom ever we wish,the last i knew LaBron was/is from that same country. Leave him alone.
Akron, oh
Posted 12:48 PM, 10/01/2008
I can't belive some of you people. regardless of the money, we have someone that came from ohio and happens to be representing himself very well. God forbid, he hasnt had any drama, or any incidents like the rest of the NBA league. Professional athletes are humans too! just like he said" he cant be a fan"? just like someone already said, he could be a michigan fan! There is nothing wrong with liking another team! In fact have of ohio doesnt like the brown's or bengals. I even know people that dont like the Cavs. More power to you Lebron! Do what makes you happy!
Posted 04:23 PM, 10/01/2008
Does anybody get upset that Braylon Edwards roots for Michigan when they play the Buckeyes? When Lebron is on the Indians and Browns payroll then it's a big problem, right now it's not.
Posted 10:17 PM, 10/01/2008
How can you be a real Cavs fan and "love" Jordan?
I'll be honest that I didn't get to enjoy watching Jordan too much because I was a Cavs fan. I respect him as one of the greatest players ever, but I didn't "love" him as a player.
Posted 02:18 PM, 10/05/2008
Who cares?
