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POSTED: 11:16 a.m. EST, Nov 20, 2009
CLEVELAND (AP) — A new combat-ready mural of Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James may be too much for city officials in Cleveland.
Design officials tabled a proposal Thursday by Nike to erect a 10-story tall mural of a bare-chested James. Over his left shoulder would be the words "Prepare for Combat," topped by the Nike trademark swoosh.
The city thinks the display should project a more positive tone and have a Cleveland reference.
The mural would replace one of James that's two years old and has become a landmark hanging across from Quicken Loans Arena. Promoters say James asked for a fresh look.
CLEVELAND (AP) — A new combat-ready mural of Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James may be too much for city officials in Cleveland.
Design officials tabled a proposal Thursday by Nike to erect a 10-story tall mural of a bare-chested James. Over his left shoulder would be the words "Prepare for Combat," topped by the Nike trademark swoosh.
The city thinks the display should project a more positive tone and have a Cleveland reference.
The mural would replace one of James that's two years old and has become a landmark hanging across from Quicken Loans Arena. Promoters say James asked for a fresh look.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 11:21 AM, 11/20/2009
sounds pretty dumb
Akron, OH
Posted 11:36 AM, 11/20/2009
Enough with the corporate hero worship.
N. Canton, Oh
Posted 11:44 AM, 11/20/2009
What if James leaves, then what??? I guess if Nike is paying for it...who cares, unless he leaves Cleveland and then they can take it with them....
Funtown, OH
Posted 11:51 AM, 11/20/2009
I think it's cool. I don't get the "have a Cleveland reference". Doesn't Lebron represent Cleveland? What kind of reference do they want?
Stow, OH
Posted 12:05 PM, 11/20/2009
The proposed mural strikes me as in bad taste. This is especially so during a time when there are people are dying in combat. Paralleling war and sport overstates the importance of what is nothing more than a game and understates the burdons of those in harm's way.
Posted 12:18 PM, 11/20/2009
I think the Cleveland reference they are looking for is on his jersey. A bare chested guy on the side of a building will be meaningless for most. Are they going with no jersey since he might be retiring '23'?
Akron, OH
Posted 12:24 PM, 11/20/2009
LeBron James is getting too big for his britches and his head is getting too big for his hat. He wants a new image on the wall . . . . what the hell . . . . . who does he think he is? . . . . . OPRAH WINFREY? . . . .I don't know which one of them has the bigger EGO. If someone besides NIKE or the Cavs wants him, let him go.
r m kraus
akron
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 12:33 PM, 11/20/2009
@R M kraus
Very well said, I couldnt agree with you more!!!
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 12:38 PM, 11/20/2009
LeBron who?
Posted 12:47 PM, 11/20/2009
The reality is that right now Lebron James is the only good national image Cleveland has. Other than that Cleveland is known for bad sports teams and record serial killers. So, I say what Lebron wants Lebron gets. Especially if it keeps him in the city. We have a history of letting great resources get away. Anyone remember John Rockefeller started in Cleveland?
Macedonia, Oh
Posted 12:49 PM, 11/20/2009
I think it should have an Akron reference. That's where he is from anyway.
UNIONTOWN, OH
Posted 01:00 PM, 11/20/2009
Bring the Championship to Cleveland, then you get the bare-chested mural. So now we do not need to worry about the mural this year!
hagerstown, md
Posted 01:24 PM, 11/20/2009
"Prepare for combat". Bullsh*t. That is a slap in the face to every service man and woman that has either served or is serving in combat. Games are not comabat. It's time Nike took a hike and if LeBron has signed off on "Ready for combat", then send him to Iraq or Afghanistan. Then we'll see if he really is ready for combat. And if that is the case, he can take the warrior Kellen Winslow Jr. with him. Keep buying those overpriced Nikes fools, LeBron gets his for free.
Uniontown, OH
Posted 01:26 PM, 11/20/2009
He should be on the side of the building making a zero with his hand. Because thats how many rings he will win. He's nothing but an over-glorified version of vince carter. Great Talent but no heart. All he cares about is how he looks on the court,doing that stupid A## chalk toss, and everytime Gibson shoots a 3 he put's up 3 fingers and starts walking down the court. Instead of going in for the rebound. I'll superstars like Tim Duncan, who win with class,shake opponents hands after a playoff series loss, and win championships.
akron, oh
Posted 01:39 PM, 11/20/2009
Listen, if James wants to do something good, he needs to MARRY the mother of his two boys!!!!
Paradise, Oh
Posted 01:46 PM, 11/20/2009
If they would erect a ten story tall, bare chested mural of Scarlett Johansson on that wall, old Noodles would peddle a bicycle to Cleveburgh to cop a look at it.
Green, OH
Posted 01:50 PM, 11/20/2009
Nike probably wants the new, bare-chested image just in case LeBron gives up #23 and convinces others in the NBA to do the same.
Or maybe it is partially subsidized by the area tattoo businesses?
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 02:32 PM, 11/20/2009
Jason12
You are the greatest!
Hartville, OH
Posted 02:35 PM, 11/20/2009
lets put a photo of the entire team. I seen one of TV one night that had the players standing different directions with their arms folded posing for the camera. It was a hot photo
akron, oh
Posted 03:53 PM, 11/20/2009
Some of you people wouldn't know a great ballplayer/man, if he bit you on the a55. LeBron is a product of our BEST SCHOOL! He is a nice kid, and cares about Akron. You people don't understand his approach to marketing himself. I've explained it so many times, I'm tired.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:54 PM, 11/20/2009
Put his picture on the side of a car wash.
That's where he'd be workin if it wasn't for b-ball
akron, oh
Posted 04:13 PM, 11/20/2009
@stleo
A product of our best school? His classmates often joke about how the guy never did any school work and missed a lot of days. The only reason the guy ever graduated was b/c of pressure from the athletic director. If this is the product, I'm not impressed!
akron, oh
Posted 04:15 PM, 11/20/2009
@maryAnn
Wishfull thinking! That would be a first. I think he'll probably be focussing on the next tattoo.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:33 PM, 11/20/2009
I hope he leaves.
new york, ny
Posted 06:48 PM, 11/20/2009
Me too majykman775 and I hope he travels this direction!!
Posted 08:12 PM, 11/20/2009
Jason, Jason, Jason. Akron? Now that`s funny!
akron, oh
Posted 08:46 PM, 11/20/2009
and tell me that he has sat though all of that stupid looking tattoo's Good for Cleveland--after June he's gone.. and don't mention that he's from akron who would want to claim that piece of ....
why would anyone (in their right mind) want to "worship" that any how? what
akron, oh
Posted 12:07 AM, 11/21/2009
@mom of2
You have no idea how many people agree with you!!!!!!!!!
akron, oh
Posted 08:49 AM, 11/21/2009
thank you "knight rider 30" I was going to agree with you first comment about being a product of the best school--if this is what StVStm has to offer, boy are we all in deep trouble!! I have heard many others say the same, that he skipped school, would tell teachers or staff memeber what they can do to themself (gee--wonder will he gets that from) and that he even bought new cars for the team .(hint--who paid for insurance, taxes and plates for the hummer when momma is on welfare?)
akron, oh
Posted 11:02 AM, 11/21/2009
@mom of2
Yeah a real role model isn't he? It's a shame the educated people behind the scenes play these thugs up to be somethin great. The minute he started calling himself "King James" like some refernece to the bible I lost all respect. And as for his mother, people have no idea. Gloria is well known for cruising Arlington St at 3am going from one crack house to the next in her Hummer. I've seen it myself.
new york, ny
Posted 12:02 PM, 11/21/2009
LeBron, Come on up to NY and bring Mom along with you. Your leaving will allow those above to be able to complain about three losing teams instead of just the two they currently have. It's obvious complaining is their main objective. We will appreciate you for your abilities and welcome the attention and financial gains that you will bring. But most of all, we (Nicks) desperately need some help! And you know there is nothing like playing in MSG!!
akron, oh
Posted 10:41 PM, 11/21/2009
Yep take mom along. She'd love NYC...drug houses everywhere!!!!!!! Whats funny is nobody cares if Labron leaves. We never watch thugball. If I want to see a good game I'll go to my local high school.
