LeBron doesn't owe the city of Cleveland anything.

Going to Miami was the worst thing he could have done. If, IF he wins a title, much less multiple titles it will always be because he went to Dwayne Wade's team. There isn't a worse sports town in the nation and while Cleveland isn't the greatest place on earth Miami isn't so great either. Those douchey bars at South Beach are going to get old really quick and then what do you have, just a bunch of retired jews, 90% humidity and bumper to bumper traffic on the US 1. I think Lebron wanted to stay in CLE but had been planning this with Wade for so long so instead of letting one brother down he kept it "real" and let down millions in Cleveland. He didn't owe Cleveland jack but he would have been better off staying there. He quit in those playoff games and when he couldn't get it done he stuck his tail between his legs and went to find help....something that his idol MJ would NEVER do.

Nat Turner wrote:

random a hole wrote:

It hurts to agree w/ Nobama.

Me too. It cuts like a knife.

It's the truth and I usually tell it.

Most of you idiots have no idea why people in Cleveland and Ohio are so upset about this: we understand his desire to win championships and live in a nicer city like Miami, and he doesn't have an obligation to play in Cleveland for the rest of his career. However, he does have an obligation to be truthful and respectful to Cleveland and Akron, the cities that have raised him and shown him love. Instead, he has kicked them in the nuts on national TV in front of the entire country.

He did this using the boys and girls club as a cover for his self-promotion, which is the most sickening thing in my opinion. He showed just how egotistical he is last night, referring to himself in the 3rd person at least 5 times.

All that aside, no one in this situation wins. Cleveland gets dissed in front of the whole country and is left to die a slow, agonizing death. And LeBron basically admitted his failure. He has failed in his quest to bring Cleveland a championship, which he promised. His reputation and "brand" has been greatly tarnished. But it was his "Decision" so he must live with the consequences. I don't feel sorry for him one bit.

Whats wrong with self-promotion? There is also nothing wrong with having a big ego. When you are an top athlete, you have to think you are great or no one else will. Some people keep it to themselves, some people like to tell others. Although Larry Bird was quiet, I'm sure in his mind he thought that no one on that court could stop him.

You people would have hated Ali.

Sorry Nobama, you are usually wrong but mostly correct on this one.

Pi*sed off as a fan, don't buy tickets.

So let me get this straight: you think it's ok to use the boys and girls club of America as a cover for self-promotion and kicking your hometown in the teeth?

Your right, self-promotion isn't bad. Self-promotion at the expense of others is bad.

And you also point to one reason Bird will be more respected than LeBron: it's good to think that you are the best, and it's bad to rub that fact into other people's faces.

If LeBron is as good as he thinks he is, he wouldn't need his buddies Wade and Bosh to cover for him. LeBron is now a failure. He will never live up to his potential, which was being the greatest basketball player ever. He had the talent to do it, but he didn't have the drive to work hard and accomplish it, which is sad.

Not Classy wrote:

So let me get this straight: you think it's ok to use the boys and girls club of America as a cover for self-promotion and kicking your hometown in the teeth?

Your right, self-promotion isn't bad. Self-promotion at the expense of others is bad.

And you also point to one reason Bird will be more respected than LeBron: it's good to think that you are the best, and it's bad to rub that fact into other people's faces.

If LeBron is as good as he thinks he is, he wouldn't need his buddies Wade and Bosh to cover for him. LeBron is now a failure. He will never live up to his potential, which was being the greatest basketball player ever. He had the talent to do it, but he didn't have the drive to work hard and accomplish it, which is sad.

First of all, its only your opinion he used the Boys and Girls Club as a cover. His responsibility is to look out for himself and his family, NOT THE CITY OF CLEVELAND. He choose to play in Miami, that doesn't mean he kicked his hometown in the mouth. I know you are pissed off right now, but do you really think he intended to "rub it in other people's faces"?

It is silly to think that because he left Cleveland, he will never live up to his potential. You sound like a wimpy little crybaby whose girlfriend just left him and you are telling her she will never be anything without you. GROW UP, GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON.

Shit...now I have to agree with you. What's this world coming to? Maybe LeBron is the "Chosen One" to create racial harmony. LOL!

Nat Turner wrote:

There is also nothing wrong with having a big ego. When you are an top athlete, you have to think you are great or no one else will.

When you are a top athlete, everyone already knows your the best you don't have to say a damn thing. James proclaimed himself King before he did a damn thing.

Nat Turner wrote:

You people would have hated Ali.

Please explain this further. Who EXACTLY are "you people"?

Nat Turner wrote:

First of all, its only your opinion he used the Boys and Girls Club as a cover. His responsibility is to look out for himself and his family, NOT THE CITY OF CLEVELAND. He choose to play in Miami, that doesn't mean he kicked his hometown in the mouth.

"I got a goal, and it's a huge goal, and that's to bring an NBA championship here to Cleveland," James said. "And I won't stop until I get it." -direct quote from LeBron

Lebron said that this time last year. How would you feel if your hometown hero PROMISED to raise his city to new heights by winning a national championship and then jumps ship.

runfastpleasenow wrote:

Lebron James did what was best for his personal business.

He thought he did what was best for his personal business, but he was wrong. I think the people he surrounded himself are complete retards. He lost a lot of fans last night. It's not just that he left Cleveland, it's that he gave up on immortality. He went to Dwayne Wade's team! He gave up and said I need a superstar. He will never be compared to Jordan or even Kobe ever again. Imagine Jordan joining Isiah Thomas in Detroit or Larry Bird in Boston in 1990 so that he could win titles. Never....hell, Kobe wanted his own team so badly, that he didn't want Shaq on the team. Those guys are competitors.

If he went to New York or Chicago and didn't have a one hour special, people would understand that he wanted to build his own team in a big city. If he spent the entire press conference thanking Cleveland for what they did for him instead of thanking himself for what he did for Cleveland, he would have more respect from the fans. If he didn't refer to himself in the third person 5 or more times, people wouldn't think he's a narcissist. This press conference was a big time shit on the city of Cleveland and his legacy as one of the greatest ever. Unfortunately, he and his high school buddies couldn't see this coming.

I would have thought Lebron was stupid if he stayed in Cleveland.....Gilbert and the rest of the Cavs brass has repeatedly proven their to incompetent to surround James with a team that has a chance for longevity success.

Just look at all the stupid decisions they have made over the course of Lebron's 7 year tenure their.

One day Gilbert loves Lebron and the next he is spouting off at the mouth like Lebron is the worst human being on this planet. LMAO, why would ANYONE want to play for Cleveland any longer then they had to with that type of Ownership???

Because the rape totally destroyed Kobe's brand/image and rape is not as bad as a 1 hour special.

Lebron acted like a moron in the way he handled his move. It's his choice to go to a new team, but when you completely give up in your last games, and then hold a huge tv event to stick it to your old fans, don't be surprised when they turn on you.

Miami is now Lebron's team.....Not Wade's anymore.

And yes he will still be compared to the greats such as Jordan, Kobe, etc.

It is funny how so many people have memory problems, when Kobe was accused of Rape, the backlash was horrible....a majority of people were talking about how his image was forever ruined, hmmmm wow that lasted for a long time, yep all the way up until he started winning rings again.

This too shall pass

P.S. Claiming yourself King James is smart publicity, it is catchy like Air Jordan was, and it helps him build his brand! It clearly caught on, so obviously it wasnt a bad move!!!

I am so tired of people saying he had nothing around him... They had the best record in the NBA back-to-back years. The whole team, Lebron included, couldn't get it done in the playoffs. I would also like to add that Lebron hand picked certain guys to join that team, Shaq, Mo williams, and Jamison were guys he wanted. He spoke publicly about it. The fact that the Cavs buried themselves in cap money to try to win for him now, killed them now.

I would also like to add that Michael Jordan was always surrounded by crap. He played with two very good players. Rodman, who did nothing offensively, and Pippen, who honestly was not that great... Look at what he did after Jordan left. Jordan made everyone around him better. Lebron, was not capable of that. The other guys on Jordan's teams were no better than the guys Lebron was surrounded by.

I have no problem with him leaving... Its a business, but he could have treated that city a little better. I am from the Columbus area but I know that Cleveland clings to their sports heroes, and they helped build him up to what he is. I simple thank you to the city of Cleveland would have been nice.

Dave the Dude wrote:

Nat Turner wrote:

You people would have hated Ali.

Please explain this further. Who EXACTLY are "you people"?

The people who are whinning about LeBron being a self-promoting ego-maniac. What was Ali?

Someone else mentioned that LeBron missed out on immortality. Who the hell told you he wants to be immortal, he just wants to win a championship.

exactly. if LeBron was so concerned about the future, he should have asked the Cavs to cut cap room for future free agents like Riley did in Miami instead of throwing money around to guys like Shaq, Williams, and Jamison for potential short term success. He wanted Dan Gilbert to make those moves and Gilbert stupidly did it for him.