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Superstar makes encouraging comments on ESPN
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Friday, May 08, 2009
CLEVELAND: Cleveland fans holding their breath about the departure of LeBron James might finally be able to exhale.
The Cavaliers star and newly crowned NBA Most Valuable Player becomes a free agent after the 2010 season. Speculation has been rampant that he will bolt for New York, especially after a salary purge by the Knicks.
But worrywarts might take heart in the encouraging comment made by James on Sunday's edition of ESPN's Outside the Lines.
The network sent out an excerpt of James' interview with Mark Schwarz before Thursday night's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena. And James' statement was perhaps the strongest the Akron native has made in regard to his future here.
''I'm comfortable with being in Cleveland. I'm excited about it,'' James told Schwarz. ''I'm loving the direction we're [going] in and I'm loving the teammates I have and the organization. So if that's any indication of me leaving, then somebody must be looking out the wrong box.''
James was evasive when the subject came up at Monday's MVP ceremony at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
Horford, Williams out
Two Hawks starters — center Al Horford and forward Marvin Williams — were inactive for Game 2, and Hawks coach Mike Woodson called them ''day to day.'' Starting in their places were Zaza Pachulia and Maurice Evans, respectively.
On Tuesday, second-year center Horford aggravated a sprained ankle initially injured against Miami. Horford played over 25 minutes against the Cavs in Game 1, but did not score in the second half and pulled down only one of his eight rebounds.
''I thought he ran well in the first half, but obviously, as the game wore on, he obviously hurt it a little bit,'' Woodson said.
A University of Florida product who starred on the national-championship team that defeated Ohio State, Horford averaged 11.5 points and 9.3 rebounds in the regular season.
Williams reinjured his wrist in the first half Tuesday. Woodson said Williams had originally been slated to guard James before the series began. Williams averaged 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds during the season.
''We've just got to gauge it and see where we are when we go back for Saturday's game,'' Woodson said.
Pachulia, a six-year veteran, started 26 games in the regular season.
''He's [been] a big part of our team the past two years,'' Pachulia said of Horford. ''This is a bad thing that happened tonight, but we've been in this situation before. I have to try to fill his spot and do my role.''
As for the double-trouble with Williams also sidelined, Pachulia said: ''You're talking about two starters, two guys who are averaging more than double digits offensively, and defensively they've been guarding the key guys. It's kind of tough. Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game. Unfortunately, they came in the playoffs when we need everybody.''
Asked after the morning shootaround about the possible absence of Horford, Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said: ''It would be a big loss for them. He would probably start Zaza, they would extend their bigs' minutes, which can cost you in a long series.''
Cavs coach Mike Brown didn't share the same view, at least publicly.
''He's a very good young player, but for me, I don't care if he plays or doesn't play,'' Brown said of Horford. ''If you wish that Horford and Joe Johnson and Josh Smith and Mike Bibby and Mo Evans and Marvin Williams, if they were missing all those guys, I'd be like like, 'Yes, baby.' I'd be a little confident. But I wouldn't tell my players.''
Watch parties set
As the Cavs head to Atlanta, fan watch parties for Games 3 and 4 have been scheduled at area Boneyard restaurants, starting one hour before tipoff. Game 3 Saturday (8 p.m.) will have two locations — in Westlake (24940 Sperry Drive, 44145) and Broadview Heights (101 E. Royalton Road, 44147). The Game 4 party Monday (7 p.m.) will be in Mayfield Heights (5900 Mayfield Road, 44124).
The Cavalier Girls, the Scream Team, Moondog and Ahmaad will entertain and give away prizes.
Notebook
Beacon Journal Cavs beat writer George Thomas will conduct a chat on Ohio.com at 10:30 a.m. today. . . . After being held to 11 points in the series opener, the Hawks' Johnson arrived at the arena between 4:30 and 5 p.m. to shoot. ''I came over to get a feel for the rims, get the atmosphere. [In Game 1] I sat back and let it come to me too much instead of forcing the action,'' Johnson said. . . . NBA Commissioner David Stern said one of his goals for next season was to have foreign players' hometowns listed, not just their country. Pachulia, a native of Tbilisi in the republic of Georgia, was nonplussed. ''I've been here for six years and I haven't heard my city a lot of times,'' he said. ''I don't mind.'' . . . Mo Williams wasn't surprised that fellow Cavs guard Delonte West cut his hair short before Game 1. ''He used my barber,'' Williams said. ''He'd been asking me for like two months, 'Do you think I should?' I said, 'Don't do it.' ''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns
CLEVELAND: Cleveland fans holding their breath about the departure of LeBron James might finally be able to exhale.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 08:58 AM, 05/08/2009
He says that now, but things change. I just want us to close the deal this year, and maybe next, and then he can do whatever.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:18 AM, 05/08/2009
The CAVS can also pay him more than any other team since he signed originally with them. It took Jordan six years to win a championship as Bulls mamangement put the pieces in place. A move to New York is starting from scratch. Lebron will remain a Cavalier.
Willoughby, OH
Posted 09:21 AM, 05/08/2009
Let him make his own business deal, I will like him no matter where he is playing! GO CAVS!!!
Posted 09:49 AM, 05/08/2009
If he stays, he stays. If he goes, he goes! I won't lose any sleep either way. Geezzzz ...
Posted 11:02 AM, 05/08/2009
LeBron is better off playing on a winning team in a mid-market than he is with a losing team in a big one. Championship players get the big endorsement dollars.
Copley, OH
Posted 11:15 AM, 05/08/2009
Why would a winner wanna go to a has-been franchise like the Knick or the Nets.....LeBron's out for Championships......As long as the Cavs keep talent around him...He's staying put!
Mentor, OH
Posted 11:37 AM, 05/08/2009
I have yet to read one good reason for him to leave.
He is close to home and his buddies here. Has his new home here. Cavs can offer the biggest contract. He likes his teammates here. He has enough talent around him to win for the next couple years at least. Team should be able to add talent because several big contracts are leaving and some players are signed below market. Owner is willing to spend the max.
Why would he leave?
Posted 11:37 AM, 05/08/2009
Who cares, lets worry about game 3
Posted 12:34 PM, 05/08/2009
All I know is I love this young man. I hope he stay's. I hope he ends up as Coach of the Cavs someday.
Lots of players have left Cleveland over the years, whether it's Price, ehlo, thome, manny(ha).
If he does I wish him the best, but I hope he stays !
Go Cavs !!
Akron, OH
Posted 12:52 PM, 05/08/2009
Oh, this could be Plusquellic if someone would just send the evidence. You're SOOOOOOO close. If someone would just get the courage to tip off the FBI, this whole saga would end.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/05/cuyahoga_county_corruption_inv.html
Akron, OH
Posted 12:59 PM, 05/08/2009
....Whoops, wrong story.
Regarding LeBron, I think he'll re-sign. He'll be 25 when he re-signs. He can still go to NY or some other city in the 2nd half of his career, after he brings MULTIPLE championships to Cleveland.
akron, Oh
Posted 02:02 PM, 05/08/2009
I love this guy as a decent young and citizen but @RICK= "why would leave" one reason could be because of the Hatred and Racism surrouonding him and evey other African-American in this area. The city of Cleveland and the state of Ohio do not deserve him. He can make more money in a larger market such as NY and LA. God bless you Mr. Lebron James in whatever direction you decide to go. Do what's best for you.
akron, oh
Posted 02:26 PM, 05/08/2009
I think he is planning on staying. He is a smart business man as well as a gifted athlete. He is not going to commit to staying until he gets the best contract possible. And Cleveland will offer him more to stay with the possibility of losing him otherwise.
I am proud of LeBron and what he has achieved. He is a fine young man and I am proud that he is from Akron.
Posted 02:55 PM, 05/08/2009
niteowl, thanks for the ignorant and baseless thoughts you just contributed.
Racism exists in every town and city in America and around the world. There is no more or less racism in Cleveland than there is in New York City. And I'm quite certain that a young, good looking, rich, popular and powerful man has very little to worry about in the race relations department.
For ever one person who doesn't like him because of color, there are 3,000 who love him because he is a great ambassador for the community, a great athlete and an upstanding citizen.
Seriously man, get a clue.
Posted 03:44 PM, 05/08/2009
I think he's staying. But the truth is, if Lebron goes to New York the Knicks become contenders, and the Cavs become a lottery team again. Any team out there becomes a contender by bringing in Lebron.
kent, oh
Posted 03:48 PM, 05/08/2009
There is no advantage to The King going to a "big market team". Like Mike, LeBron is so big that the market comes to him; there's no need for LeBron to chase endorsements-hello. This sophisticated, wise beyond his years young man is quite obviously savvy enough to see this. He will reign from wherever he chooses. He will get the $ and the fame regardless. What does he want most of all? Rings. Where does he have the greatest opportunity to get them? Here. Case Closed. Long Live The King!
Lefty Lemmingville, Oh
Posted 06:24 PM, 05/08/2009
Yep, niteowl, there's NO racism in New York. ZIP in Los angeles.
Paradise, Oh
Posted 07:03 PM, 05/08/2009
Lebron is one fine young man, no doubt about it. It is remarkable the way he carries himself at such a young age. He makes us all proud. What else can you say? He's a great kid! (I only called him kid because I'm old enough to be his gramp.)
Youngstown, OH
Posted 11:36 PM, 05/08/2009
Lebron is a class act! It is great to see him out there acting professional and bringing pride to Ohio sports (which is badly needed).
@ niteowl
Seriously? Trying to start a race war with this story too? I haven't met a single person that said "Lebron is really good, if only he was white".
Posted 01:01 AM, 05/09/2009
Even if he leaves ($$$), the Cavs have built a strong team around a superstar. Not everyone can fill his shoes, but someone can.
Remeber, in the NBA you only need to be better than 12 teams to just make the playoffs. The Bobcats were almost playoff contenders this year.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 08:58 AM, 05/09/2009
Jim Thome said he was staying too with the Indians until the money presented to him was so large that Philadelphia Phillies made him an offer he couldn't refuse. The same goes for LeBron. NY will open up the vaults to get him in NYC playing for the Knicks.
kent, oh
Posted 03:42 PM, 05/09/2009
The salary rules are set up so that the Cavs can give LBJ more $$$ than any other team. Additionally, the Cavs are the ONLY team that will be able to sign LeBron AND another superstar. So....more money to stay in Cleveland, plus RINGS. Case Closed. Long Live The King.
Walnut Creek, Oh
Posted 04:27 PM, 05/09/2009
Ramon,,,I couldn't have said it any better. Why would Lebron, who will hopefully have 2 championships by the end of the 09-10 season, want to go and start over?? But if he does, at least we had the best with him.
Akron, Oh
Posted 04:27 AM, 05/10/2009
If Lebron leaves the leaking urinal (ABJ) won't have anything to put on the front page.
Chicago, IL
Posted 10:54 AM, 05/11/2009
Quit hating on LeBron... He's the man in the NBA and you all know it! Get $!
Chicago, IL
Posted 10:55 AM, 05/11/2009
John-
You couldn't have said it better!
Chicago, IL
Posted 10:56 AM, 05/11/2009
John-
You couldn't have said it better.
da hood (west akron), oh
Posted 12:49 PM, 05/11/2009
Who cares if he stays or goes ?????
da hood (west akron), oh
Posted 12:49 PM, 05/11/2009
There are more important issues in life .....
