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By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist
POSTED: 09:26 p.m. EDT, Jun 03, 2009
INDEPENDENCE: Dan Gilbert calmed some nerves at the start of his end-of-the-season news conference.
''LeBron James,'' he said, ''is at home resting comfortably.''
At least as comfortable as someone can be after five hours of surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday.
James had a tumor (growth) removed from his parotid gland, which is the largest of the salivary glands.
The tumor was benign, as is usually the case with parotid tumors.
But it and some of the area around the tumor must be removed, and because nerves and blood vessels are near the gland, the surgery is delicate and involved.
''He's known about this for several months, him and his family and several others,'' Gilbert said. ''It's something he didn't want out, for obvious reasons. Though it's a significant and somewhat serious procedure, fortunately it wasn't a life-threatening one and it was one that could be put off with the doctor's permission until the end of the season.''
Call this the week of pain, what with the surgery coming so close to the season-ending loss to the Orlando Magic.
It sets up the summer of angst.
Gilbert might have eased some health concerns fans might have had about the league's MVP, but soon Gilbert was asked what he could do to ease fans' nerves about James' long-term presence on the team.
''If you think you're nervous . . . '' Gilbert said.
For the record, he was joking.
''We feel very confident that this franchise, the direction it's going and the things we are doing, will make it the best place to play basketball for our current players, LeBron James, future players or anybody else,'' Gilbert said. ''And that's all we can do.''
He continued: ''We've only been doing this for four years, but I think there's been a lot of significant progress. One statistic that's worth throwing around is we're the only team in the entire NBA that's gotten out of the first round four years in a row. . . . Now what does that mean if you don't win a championship? Ultimately nothing.''
The Cavs will offer James a maximum contract in July that will include a four-year extension. James might take it, but the prevalent thinking is he will not and head toward free agency in the summer of 2010.
Does Gilbert expect James to sign in July?
''It takes two to make a contract,'' he said.
But soon after, he added: ''We feel pretty good about it.''
Fatalistic Cleveland fans — yes, they're out there — are convinced he will not re-sign. And surely that will cause much consternation.
Matt Edwards, a Bath resident and 1989 Firestone graduate, has set up a web site called www.juststay.net, which includes a petition, message board and a spot to buy T-shirts and other merchandise to let James know fans want him to stay. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Akron Children's Hospital Down Syndrome Program.
Edwards and his cohorts will be pleased to know that many national media types believe James will not find a team with the salary-cap room that offers him a better chance to win.
They also look at how much James enjoys playing near home, how he can go to St. Vincent-St. Mary games, how he can take the presentation of the MVP trophy to his high school and ask: How can he have this with another team?
James himself has said losing to Orlando does not affect his thinking on staying long-term with the Cavs, and that he feels ''great'' about the direction of the team.
''I've always expressed the simple fact that I love playing here,'' he said the day after the season ended.
Unlike last season, he made no cry for personnel changes.
He also made no criticism of anyone or anything.
''I feel great about the situation going on,'' he said. ''You want to continue to get better, that's all you can ask. We got better this season and I feel this team will be better next season.''
As a result, Gilbert was in day-long meetings with coach Mike Brown and General Manager Danny Ferry on Wednesday about ways to improve the team.
''We will win a championship for Cleveland, Ohio,'' Gilbert said. ''It's going to happen. We don't believe in any of this curse nonsense or any of that stuff, and we're going to work very hard beginning a couple days ago to make sure that's going to happen.''
Let the summer of angst officially begin.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
INDEPENDENCE: Dan Gilbert calmed some nerves at the start of his end-of-the-season news conference.
''LeBron James,'' he said, ''is at home resting comfortably.''
At least as comfortable as someone can be after five hours of surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday.
James had a tumor (growth) removed from his parotid gland, which is the largest of the salivary glands.
The tumor was benign, as is usually the case with parotid tumors.
But it and some of the area around the tumor must be removed, and because nerves and blood vessels are near the gland, the surgery is delicate and involved.
''He's known about this for several months, him and his family and several others,'' Gilbert said. ''It's something he didn't want out, for obvious reasons. Though it's a significant and somewhat serious procedure, fortunately it wasn't a life-threatening one and it was one that could be put off with the doctor's permission until the end of the season.''
Call this the week of pain, what with the surgery coming so close to the season-ending loss to the Orlando Magic.
It sets up the summer of angst.
Gilbert might have eased some health concerns fans might have had about the league's MVP, but soon Gilbert was asked what he could do to ease fans' nerves about James' long-term presence on the team.
''If you think you're nervous . . . '' Gilbert said.
For the record, he was joking.
''We feel very confident that this franchise, the direction it's going and the things we are doing, will make it the best place to play basketball for our current players, LeBron James, future players or anybody else,'' Gilbert said. ''And that's all we can do.''
He continued: ''We've only been doing this for four years, but I think there's been a lot of significant progress. One statistic that's worth throwing around is we're the only team in the entire NBA that's gotten out of the first round four years in a row. . . . Now what does that mean if you don't win a championship? Ultimately nothing.''
The Cavs will offer James a maximum contract in July that will include a four-year extension. James might take it, but the prevalent thinking is he will not and head toward free agency in the summer of 2010.
Does Gilbert expect James to sign in July?
''It takes two to make a contract,'' he said.
But soon after, he added: ''We feel pretty good about it.''
Fatalistic Cleveland fans — yes, they're out there — are convinced he will not re-sign. And surely that will cause much consternation.
Matt Edwards, a Bath resident and 1989 Firestone graduate, has set up a web site called www.juststay.net, which includes a petition, message board and a spot to buy T-shirts and other merchandise to let James know fans want him to stay. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Akron Children's Hospital Down Syndrome Program.
Edwards and his cohorts will be pleased to know that many national media types believe James will not find a team with the salary-cap room that offers him a better chance to win.
They also look at how much James enjoys playing near home, how he can go to St. Vincent-St. Mary games, how he can take the presentation of the MVP trophy to his high school and ask: How can he have this with another team?
James himself has said losing to Orlando does not affect his thinking on staying long-term with the Cavs, and that he feels ''great'' about the direction of the team.
''I've always expressed the simple fact that I love playing here,'' he said the day after the season ended.
Unlike last season, he made no cry for personnel changes.
He also made no criticism of anyone or anything.
''I feel great about the situation going on,'' he said. ''You want to continue to get better, that's all you can ask. We got better this season and I feel this team will be better next season.''
As a result, Gilbert was in day-long meetings with coach Mike Brown and General Manager Danny Ferry on Wednesday about ways to improve the team.
''We will win a championship for Cleveland, Ohio,'' Gilbert said. ''It's going to happen. We don't believe in any of this curse nonsense or any of that stuff, and we're going to work very hard beginning a couple days ago to make sure that's going to happen.''
Let the summer of angst officially begin.
Patrick McManamon can be reached at pmcmanamon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohio.com/mcmanamon/. Follow Pat on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/patmcmanamon.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 10:05 PM, 06/03/2009
yawn........ another season and no trophy... we'll get it next year. it's like the sign hanging at your local pub "Free Beer Tomorrow". LOL
Posted 10:14 PM, 06/03/2009
Huh? Free Beer Tomorrow?
Where???
Walnut Creek, Oh
Posted 11:02 PM, 06/03/2009
DID somebody say FREE BEER????? WHERE IS THIS? I need a drink ,...or 2,...or 3..or 4. I am confident that Gilbert will do what he has to do to get Cleveland a championship. Hopefully it wont be like the Marlins.. Throw money at it for one year, get a championship, and the team dismantles. We need a dynasty. Get rid of our 'good' players,..(ie ..Sasha. Wally, Z, and Wallace, which he mite retire anyway.) We are stuck with Z. We need some superstar players to join Lebron. Miami has proven that one star player on the team, won't get it done. Just like LA. They are going to get beat by the Magic. But don't forget. The Magic will be back next year, and Howard will be a year older.
Always In Akron, OH
Posted 05:31 AM, 06/04/2009
Let us not get all worked up about the Cavaliers not winning a title.
The Indians are only 7 games out.
Training camp opens in about 6 weeks and The Browns are going to takes buses to all away games to build team unity and morale.
It's all good!
Posted 06:33 AM, 06/04/2009
Trade LeBron to the Clippers for 10 1st round draft picks. He'll have his precious "Big Market Team" then.
He's not staying folks, treat him like C.C.
cleveland, oh
Posted 07:25 AM, 06/04/2009
Well I was released from the hospital maybe I should have stayed a few more days to see if they could cure this jealousy I have for not being in the NBA Finals. Maybe if I practice a lot more I to will be a real NBA Superstar like Dwight Howard and Kobe.
YOUR 2008/2009 MVC (most valuable choker)
Letravel James
Check this out
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=477816803
cleveland, oh
Posted 07:29 AM, 06/04/2009
Well I was released from the hospital maybe I should have stayed a few more days to see if they could cure this jealousy I have for not being in the NBA Finals. Maybe if I practice a lot more I to will be a real NBA Superstar like Dwight Howard and Kobe.
YOUR 2008/2009 MVC (most valuable choker)
Letravel James
Check this out
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=477816803
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:51 AM, 06/04/2009
At least Dan Gilbert puts his wallet where his mouth is to win a championship, unlike Cheapskates Dolan and Lerner who do nothing to win a championship excpet not spend money.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:17 AM, 06/04/2009
Wow “Letravel”, you seem to put an enormous amount of time into not being funny whatsoever. Even going as far as creating your own myspace page. The one thing I did find very comical about your post was the fact that you weren't smart enough to know that it would show up eventually after you hit submit. Im guessing here, but I bet as you were sitting there giggling like a schoolgirl and your ridiculous post didn't show up the minute you clicked the little button ,panic set in. Panic and fear that the viewing audience wouldn't see the self admiring masterpiece born of your doing. And seriously, Letravel? Thats the best you could come up with? Shouldn't it at the very least rhyme if you are trying to reference someone in a comedic fashion? Perhaps LeGone or even LeWalk-On would symbolize traveling and help you in your quest and desire to be “the funny guy”
Personally, I love Lebron and the Cavs. Remember folks, Michael Jordan entered the NBA in 1984-85 and the Bulls didn't win a championship until 1991. I wonder if Jordan or Kobe ever traveled?
Uniontown, OH
Posted 08:27 AM, 06/04/2009
I think Letravel is hilarious and he does travel just about everytime he touches the ball.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:34 AM, 06/04/2009
I think you should be stripped of your title.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:40 AM, 06/04/2009
Kareem had Oscar Robertson. I thought about that when I heard about LeBoob shooting past the Big O on the way to the showers.
Before Oscar came on board, Kareem & the Bucks were a one-trick pony show like the Cavs. James and the dwarfs need a modern-day Big O in the supporting cast.
Sorry, Grumpster. This guy is more like Jacobs. Spends to get us so far, but not the full trip. Always one tank short.
wadsworth, OH
Posted 09:15 AM, 06/04/2009
@ Different Tony Z
Pay attention it's cc not c.c.
Lorain, oh
Posted 10:12 AM, 06/04/2009
Lakers will not get beat by Magic, Phil Jackson will figure out a way to stop them, and Orlando will not have an answer for Kobe.
Phil will make adjustments, unlike our coach against Orlando. They also have mobile centers who can atleast give Dwight a push or two.
Posted 10:56 AM, 06/04/2009
Yeah, this is the Lakers year. Kobe knows how to get his teammates going.
Snydertown, OH
Posted 11:44 AM, 06/04/2009
It's very interesting. I mean, I love the Browns more than my luggage just because football is my sport. But I think Lebron has the best chance at being a winner in this losing region before the other teams even come close. The Browns have only been back now for what 10 seasons and how many coaches?? I sure hope Dan Gilbert gets SOMEONE to help out. Or maybe even more than just one body.
Posted 12:26 PM, 06/04/2009
Shut yo face Wadstucky. j/k my bad.
akron, oh
Posted 10:40 PM, 06/04/2009
yea yea--heard it all before Even Labsaby said he would get cleveland a championship. HA. it will be a cold day in He// before cleveland wins any post season champaionship. Here's to you--with my glass of CHOKE--the official drink of the Cavs.
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 03:05 PM, 06/05/2009
Gilbert tell the NBA to fine every Magic player $25,000 that was sitting on the bench the other night with their harrassing comments. Do you call that sportmanlike conduct? I sure don't
Posted 04:32 PM, 06/05/2009
Harassing comments? Grow up and quit whining.
akron, oh
Posted 09:42 AM, 06/09/2009
Kobe has not been the X-factor for the lakers these past games. he putting up his normal superstar numbers, just like LeBron did. Its the big men like gasol & Odom. The last 10 yrs or so many of the NBA champions have had somewhat of a 3 man superstar team. Cavs have not had it yet. Think about it. (BOS, LAL, DET, SA, MIA)
