Knicks · SI: LeBron to Cleveland (page 5)
nyk4ever wrote:http://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron-...Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.Remember when I was sitting up there at the Boys & Girls Club in 2010? I was thinking, This is really tough. I could feel it. I was leaving something I had spent a long time creating. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Miami, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better player and a better man. I learned from a franchise that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Miami as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.
I went to Miami because of D-Wade and CB. We made sacrifices to keep UD. I loved becoming a big bro to Rio. I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And that’s exactly what we did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those guys. I’ve talked to some of them and will talk to others. Nothing will ever change what we accomplished. We are brothers for life. I also want to thank Micky Arison and Pat Riley for giving me an amazing four years.
I’m doing this essay because I want an opportunity to explain myself uninterrupted. I don’t want anyone thinking: He and Erik Spoelstra didn’t get along. … He and Riles didn’t get along. … The Heat couldn’t put the right team together. That’s absolutely not true.
I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this, it’s time to get to work.
When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.
I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.
To make the move I needed the support of my wife and my mom, who can be very tough. The letter from Dan Gilbert, the booing of the Cleveland fans, the jerseys being burned -- seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?
I’m not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys. I think I can help Kyrie Irving become one of the best point guards in our league. I think I can help elevate Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. And I can’t wait to reunite with Anderson Varejao, one of my favorite teammates.
But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.
In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.
I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.
nice letter... mature words from lebron..
good for him and the fans in cleveland..
WaltLongmire wrote:sidsanders wrote:does gilbert apologize in public to lbj for the letter at the press conference if this is legit?Should make a public apology, IMO, after James' essay. Then a big hug in a photo op.
I think he did, he said how wrong he was for that if I am not mistaken..
tkf wrote:WaltLongmire wrote:sidsanders wrote:does gilbert apologize in public to lbj for the letter at the press conference if this is legit?Should make a public apology, IMO, after James' essay. Then a big hug in a photo op.
I think he did, he said how wrong he was for that if I am not mistaken..
was that only recently? they kept that old letter up on the cle site until like last week!!
sidsanders wrote:tkf wrote:WaltLongmire wrote:sidsanders wrote:does gilbert apologize in public to lbj for the letter at the press conference if this is legit?Should make a public apology, IMO, after James' essay. Then a big hug in a photo op.
I think he did, he said how wrong he was for that if I am not mistaken..
was that only recently? they kept that old letter up on the cle site until like last week!!
I think so... maybe I misread....
meloshouldgo wrote:martin wrote:nyk4ever wrote:i have to say, i kinda got goosebumps reading that essay by lebron. good for him for going home, i think it's great for the league and clearly its where lebron wants to be. great move and great way to put it out there.almost, if not entirely, makes up for departure and the crap that went with it.
I think it does more than that. It shows he is stepping up and taking accountability for the past. I really liked his interview after the game 4 lots to the Spurs as well. He dado he had to do more, did not point fingers at anyone at all. He is showing a high degree of maturity.This is amazing and really good to see
What did he do that he had to be held accountable for?
NardDogNation wrote:meloshouldgo wrote:martin wrote:nyk4ever wrote:i have to say, i kinda got goosebumps reading that essay by lebron. good for him for going home, i think it's great for the league and clearly its where lebron wants to be. great move and great way to put it out there.almost, if not entirely, makes up for departure and the crap that went with it.
I think it does more than that. It shows he is stepping up and taking accountability for the past. I really liked his interview after the game 4 lots to the Spurs as well. He dado he had to do more, did not point fingers at anyone at all. He is showing a high degree of maturity.This is amazing and really good to see
What did he do that he had to be held accountable for?
the decision??
mreinman wrote:NardDogNation wrote:meloshouldgo wrote:martin wrote:nyk4ever wrote:i have to say, i kinda got goosebumps reading that essay by lebron. good for him for going home, i think it's great for the league and clearly its where lebron wants to be. great move and great way to put it out there.almost, if not entirely, makes up for departure and the crap that went with it.
I think it does more than that. It shows he is stepping up and taking accountability for the past. I really liked his interview after the game 4 lots to the Spurs as well. He dado he had to do more, did not point fingers at anyone at all. He is showing a high degree of maturity.This is amazing and really good to see
What did he do that he had to be held accountable for?
the decision??
Let's review: He was a ballyhooed free agent. He used the hype surrounding it to broadcast his "decision" in real time. The money he received from it, he donated in its entirety to the Boys and Girls club. Exactly what did he do that was in poor taste or could even be misconstrued as questionable?
NardDogNation wrote:mreinman wrote:NardDogNation wrote:meloshouldgo wrote:martin wrote:nyk4ever wrote:i have to say, i kinda got goosebumps reading that essay by lebron. good for him for going home, i think it's great for the league and clearly its where lebron wants to be. great move and great way to put it out there.almost, if not entirely, makes up for departure and the crap that went with it.
I think it does more than that. It shows he is stepping up and taking accountability for the past. I really liked his interview after the game 4 lots to the Spurs as well. He dado he had to do more, did not point fingers at anyone at all. He is showing a high degree of maturity.This is amazing and really good to see
What did he do that he had to be held accountable for?
the decision??
Let's review: He was a ballyhooed free agent. He used the hype surrounding it to broadcast his "decision" in real time. The money he received from it, he donated in its entirety to the Boys and Girls club. Exactly what did he do that was in poor taste or could even be misconstrued as questionable?
Not sure if you are being sarcastic but he himself along with everyone else believes that it was a beyond horrible DECISION
mreinman wrote:NardDogNation wrote:mreinman wrote:NardDogNation wrote:meloshouldgo wrote:martin wrote:nyk4ever wrote:i have to say, i kinda got goosebumps reading that essay by lebron. good for him for going home, i think it's great for the league and clearly its where lebron wants to be. great move and great way to put it out there.almost, if not entirely, makes up for departure and the crap that went with it.
I think it does more than that. It shows he is stepping up and taking accountability for the past. I really liked his interview after the game 4 lots to the Spurs as well. He dado he had to do more, did not point fingers at anyone at all. He is showing a high degree of maturity.This is amazing and really good to see
What did he do that he had to be held accountable for?
the decision??
Let's review: He was a ballyhooed free agent. He used the hype surrounding it to broadcast his "decision" in real time. The money he received from it, he donated in its entirety to the Boys and Girls club. Exactly what did he do that was in poor taste or could even be misconstrued as questionable?
Not sure if you are being sarcastic but he himself along with everyone else believes that it was a beyond horrible DECISION
People were just butthurt that he didn't go to their team, as was I. It was a "horrible" decision in his eyes because it hurt his bottom line (money) more than anything else. A Q-report directly after the fall out had him among the most hated sports figures in the world, which makes it more difficult to earn endorsement dollars. Defending himself would only reinforce the image of him being an adversary, which is why it makes sense that he wouldn't do so. LeBron's a smart boy and realizes you tell people what they want to hear, not the truth, in that kind of arena.
Can you actually articulate what he did wrong or could be construed as being indecent?
newyorknewyork wrote:Would Melo be interested in going to Cleveland to team up with Lebron? Melo for Wiggins???
I sure hope so!
newyorknewyork wrote:Would Melo be interested in going to Cleveland to team up with Lebron? Melo for Wiggins???
That's the dream!
smackeddog wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:Would Melo be interested in going to Cleveland to team up with Lebron? Melo for Wiggins???That's the dream!
Win win for all parties involved. Cleveland with Lebron is a better destination then Chi.
newyorknewyork wrote:smackeddog wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:Would Melo be interested in going to Cleveland to team up with Lebron? Melo for Wiggins???That's the dream!
Win win for all parties involved. Cleveland with Lebron is a better destination then Chi.
Cleveland has already refused to send Wiggins across for Love. But Melo may have more leverage if Lebron really wants him.
meloshouldgo wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:smackeddog wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:Would Melo be interested in going to Cleveland to team up with Lebron? Melo for Wiggins???That's the dream!
Win win for all parties involved. Cleveland with Lebron is a better destination then Chi.
Cleveland has already refused to send Wiggins across for Love. But Melo may have more leverage if Lebron really wants him.
Yea good point, it would all come down to Lebron.
meloshouldgo wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:smackeddog wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:Would Melo be interested in going to Cleveland to team up with Lebron? Melo for Wiggins???That's the dream!
Win win for all parties involved. Cleveland with Lebron is a better destination then Chi.
Cleveland has already refused to send Wiggins across for Love. But Melo may have more leverage if Lebron really wants him.
I think that was just them bargaining- the thing that makes me think Wiggins and Bennett are up for grabs is because Melo didn't refer to them in his letter. Very odd he wouldn't mention Wiggins.
NardDogNation wrote:mreinman wrote:NardDogNation wrote:meloshouldgo wrote:martin wrote:nyk4ever wrote:i have to say, i kinda got goosebumps reading that essay by lebron. good for him for going home, i think it's great for the league and clearly its where lebron wants to be. great move and great way to put it out there.almost, if not entirely, makes up for departure and the crap that went with it.
I think it does more than that. It shows he is stepping up and taking accountability for the past. I really liked his interview after the game 4 lots to the Spurs as well. He dado he had to do more, did not point fingers at anyone at all. He is showing a high degree of maturity.This is amazing and really good to see
What did he do that he had to be held accountable for?
the decision??
Let's review: He was a ballyhooed free agent. He used the hype surrounding it to broadcast his "decision" in real time. The money he received from it, he donated in its entirety to the Boys and Girls club. Exactly what did he do that was in poor taste or could even be misconstrued as questionable?
He acted like conceited jerk and he himself has said he is sorry for what he did. He also stepped up during the playoffs and showed leadership by taking the blame for the Heat being dismantled. It doesn't matter if he did something wrong or not, that's what accountability is. When you are the face of franchise you don't ;eave by making a joke of your fans or when your team takes nose dive you don't point fingers at others.
meloshouldgo wrote:NardDogNation wrote:mreinman wrote:NardDogNation wrote:meloshouldgo wrote:martin wrote:nyk4ever wrote:i have to say, i kinda got goosebumps reading that essay by lebron. good for him for going home, i think it's great for the league and clearly its where lebron wants to be. great move and great way to put it out there.almost, if not entirely, makes up for departure and the crap that went with it.
I think it does more than that. It shows he is stepping up and taking accountability for the past. I really liked his interview after the game 4 lots to the Spurs as well. He dado he had to do more, did not point fingers at anyone at all. He is showing a high degree of maturity.This is amazing and really good to see
What did he do that he had to be held accountable for?
the decision??
Let's review: He was a ballyhooed free agent. He used the hype surrounding it to broadcast his "decision" in real time. The money he received from it, he donated in its entirety to the Boys and Girls club. Exactly what did he do that was in poor taste or could even be misconstrued as questionable?
He acted like conceited jerk and he himself has said he is sorry for what he did. He also stepped up during the playoffs and showed leadership by taking the blame for the Heat being dismantled. It doesn't matter if he did something wrong or not, that's what accountability is. When you are the face of franchise you don't ;eave by making a joke of your fans or when your team takes nose dive you don't point fingers at others.
So LeBron was demanding you and the media to pay attention to him and his decision? I'm pretty sure you all did that under your own volition.
How is it that he made a joke of Cavs fans? Because he didn't re-sign with a joke franchise that failed to surround him with competent talent for 7 years? Because he had the foresight to leave that team for a franchise that had the ability to help him in that regard?
NardDogNation wrote:meloshouldgo wrote:NardDogNation wrote:mreinman wrote:NardDogNation wrote:meloshouldgo wrote:martin wrote:nyk4ever wrote:i have to say, i kinda got goosebumps reading that essay by lebron. good for him for going home, i think it's great for the league and clearly its where lebron wants to be. great move and great way to put it out there.almost, if not entirely, makes up for departure and the crap that went with it.
I think it does more than that. It shows he is stepping up and taking accountability for the past. I really liked his interview after the game 4 lots to the Spurs as well. He dado he had to do more, did not point fingers at anyone at all. He is showing a high degree of maturity.This is amazing and really good to see
What did he do that he had to be held accountable for?
the decision??
Let's review: He was a ballyhooed free agent. He used the hype surrounding it to broadcast his "decision" in real time. The money he received from it, he donated in its entirety to the Boys and Girls club. Exactly what did he do that was in poor taste or could even be misconstrued as questionable?
He acted like conceited jerk and he himself has said he is sorry for what he did. He also stepped up during the playoffs and showed leadership by taking the blame for the Heat being dismantled. It doesn't matter if he did something wrong or not, that's what accountability is. When you are the face of franchise you don't ;eave by making a joke of your fans or when your team takes nose dive you don't point fingers at others.
So LeBron was demanding you and the media to pay attention to him and his decision? I'm pretty sure you all did that under your own volition.
How is it that he made a joke of Cavs fans? Because he didn't re-sign with a joke franchise that failed to surround him with competent talent for 7 years? Because he had the foresight to leave that team for a franchise that had the ability to help him in that regard?
It doesn't matter what the franchise does, you get paid to play and if you have any professionalism at all you shut up and play. Then if it doesn't work out you leave. You don't go on national TV to make a mockery out of it. Lebron himself thinks it was the wrong thing to do. Whether you agree with him or not is up to you. Let's move on shall we?
meloshouldgo wrote:NardDogNation wrote:meloshouldgo wrote:NardDogNation wrote:mreinman wrote:NardDogNation wrote:meloshouldgo wrote:martin wrote:nyk4ever wrote:i have to say, i kinda got goosebumps reading that essay by lebron. good for him for going home, i think it's great for the league and clearly its where lebron wants to be. great move and great way to put it out there.almost, if not entirely, makes up for departure and the crap that went with it.
I think it does more than that. It shows he is stepping up and taking accountability for the past. I really liked his interview after the game 4 lots to the Spurs as well. He dado he had to do more, did not point fingers at anyone at all. He is showing a high degree of maturity.This is amazing and really good to see
What did he do that he had to be held accountable for?
the decision??
Let's review: He was a ballyhooed free agent. He used the hype surrounding it to broadcast his "decision" in real time. The money he received from it, he donated in its entirety to the Boys and Girls club. Exactly what did he do that was in poor taste or could even be misconstrued as questionable?
He acted like conceited jerk and he himself has said he is sorry for what he did. He also stepped up during the playoffs and showed leadership by taking the blame for the Heat being dismantled. It doesn't matter if he did something wrong or not, that's what accountability is. When you are the face of franchise you don't ;eave by making a joke of your fans or when your team takes nose dive you don't point fingers at others.
So LeBron was demanding you and the media to pay attention to him and his decision? I'm pretty sure you all did that under your own volition.
How is it that he made a joke of Cavs fans? Because he didn't re-sign with a joke franchise that failed to surround him with competent talent for 7 years? Because he had the foresight to leave that team for a franchise that had the ability to help him in that regard?
It doesn't matter what the franchise does, you get paid to play and if you have any professionalism at all you shut up and play. Then if it doesn't work out you leave. You don't go on national TV to make a mockery out of it. Lebron himself thinks it was the wrong thing to do. Whether you agree with him or not is up to you. Let's move on shall we?
So it doesn't matter whether your franchise sucks or not? Pretty sure it does because that's why LeBron left in the first place. And he certainly wouldn't be the first HOFer to leave under those circumstances (see Vince Carter, Charles Barkley, Chris Bosh, Wilt Chamberlain, etc.). LeBron did the best he could, with the bare minimum. He averaged a quasi-triple double even when he was allegedly dogging it in the playoffs his last year there. Not sure how much more professionalism you need besides that.
I don't see how him going on television to announce his decision, like plenty of other athletes have done, is making a "mockery" of the situation but to each his own. He'll be the apologist for it all the same because he's not an idiot and has sneakers to sell to frivolous fans. Whatever the case, I'm fine with moving on.