Cleveland Fans React To LeBron James Leaving Photos/Videos

[Jailblazers7]

The Bulls beating the Heat in the playoffs would be pretty awesome. Look at their team -- gotta love how Rose just goes out and does work and then carries himself with humility and Noah plays as hard as anyone in the league and he's so genuine and honest with the media.

It would be a sight to see and it would feel like a little sliver of justice found its way into this ****ed up situation.

And of course, the Cavs ending their season would be a powerful enough event for me to completely and wholeheartedly believe in karma.

[Quizno]

What did he do to provoke your ire? iirc they met in the final 4 2007, dont recall anything untoward hapenning, aside from florida beating the bruins but could be wrong.
not just 2007, but the gators beat the bruins in the NCAA championship game in 2006 as well. i just couldn't stand noah, he was talking so much trash and i just remember him jumping on a table and clamping his hands down doing that florida gator chomp thing. i just hated the guy. getting beat by the same team twice in the final four is terrible haha.

[Draz]

Is that punjabi kid PleezeBelive ? :roll:

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL hahaha :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

& poor grandmas =/

[RedBlackAttack]

The Bulls beating the Heat in the playoffs would be pretty awesome. Look at their team -- gotta love how Rose just goes out and does work and then carries himself with humility and Noah plays as hard as anyone in the league and he's so genuine and honest with the media.

It would be a sight to see and it would feel like a little sliver of justice found its way into this ****ed up situation.

And of course, the Cavs ending their season would be a powerful enough event for me to completely and wholeheartedly believe in karma.
Only conundrum for Cleveland fans is that Noah has been very harsh in his portrayal of our city over the past several months. That isn't to say that Cleveland wouldn't still be ecstatic if the Bulls ended their season, but it would also be a little bittersweet.

We can't win. :oldlol:

Go Browns.

[Black Joker]

Only conundrum for Cleveland fans is that Noah has been very harsh in his portrayal of our city over the past several months. That isn't to say that Cleveland wouldn't still be ecstatic if the Bulls ended their season, but it would also be a little bittersweet.

We can't win. :oldlol:

Go Browns.
woo Browns... we have Jake Delholme... :cry: :cry:

also RBA have you seen the statement issued by Jesse Jackson on the Gilbert letter. JJ needs to stfu

[RedBlackAttack]

woo Browns... we have Jake Delholme... :cry: :cry:

also RBA have you seen the statement issued by Jesse Jackson on the Gilbert letter. JJ needs to stfu
I saw it. Luckily, Jackson lost all credibility many moons ago.

[chungerball]

I saw it. Luckily, Jackson lost all credibility many moons ago.

It seems like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will jump to any situation that they can profit from or draw controversy. Jackson is trying too damn hard, and Martin Luther King would be pissed off at these idiots. They aren't doing anything but bittch.

[Meticode]

Has anything this divisive ever happened to ISH before?
Yes.

[SALFORD-RED]

Go Browns.

Well I know the prospects are bleak for the Cavs now, but it'd be great if the Browns could win the Superbowl out of nowhere and they could talk trash to LJ about winning a title for the city.

Seriously I think im going to be pulling for the Ohio teams over the next couple of seasons, you've deserved better and it would be great if one of your teams could deliver a title for the Buckeye state.

PS. Never liked Miami teams either, so will be an anti Heat fan for the foreseeable future.


not just 2007, but the gators beat the bruins in the NCAA championship game in 2006 as well. i just couldn't stand noah, he was talking so much trash and i just remember him jumping on a table and clamping his hands down doing that florida gator chomp thing. i just hated the guy. getting beat by the same team twice in the final four is terrible haha.

I see, I have only followed NCAA hoops since 2007 so did not know this.

[Meticode]

What was it?
Personal opinion.

[brooks_thompson]

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/bobs-boy/bb348_119.jpg

[Jailblazers7]

Only conundrum for Cleveland fans is that Noah has been very harsh in his portrayal of our city over the past several months. That isn't to say that Cleveland wouldn't still be ecstatic if the Bulls ended their season, but it would also be a little bittersweet.

We can't win. :oldlol:

Go Browns.

That's true. :oldlol:

I think he would definitely agree that Cleveland sucks now.

I'm still kind of flip flopping on my emotions towards his decision at this point. There are some Cleveland fans in my area and I have an idea of what he means to the city and the state but at the same time I respect his personal decision to follow what he wants to do. He made the decision to play in a fantastic city, with two of his great friends, and gave himself a great chance of winning. I thought what Lebotard said about the Ricky Williams situation opened my eyes a bit. Sports fans are selfish. Fans want Lebron to sacrifice what he thinks is best for him to make them happy and to appease their view of his legacy.

One thing I totally agree that he ****ed up was the whole hour long special thing. One thing that I haven't seen mentioned is that he probably had this special set up with ESPN way ahead of time, probably before he even had a clue what he would officially do. ESPN wouldn't miss this kind of opportunity and neither would Lebron. Still, it just showed his self-centered attitude and egotistical behavior. Even if he stayed in Cleveland, he should have just held a normal press conference or issued a statement through his agent. I didn't even watch it because I didn't want to participate in such a gross display of narcissism (although I am pretty narcissistic in my everyday life lol. I'm just not as public about it).

It was just an entirely mishandled situation by him. I'm not going to blame his lack of a father figure and such because he is a grown 25 year old man who, at this point, is an extremely media savy sports figure.

[Splitz77]

"Well I got some Heat for your ass" hahahaha :oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

[RedBlackAttack]

Has anything this divisive ever happened to ISH before?
I don't think it is all that divisive. Just about everyone I've talked to on here and in real life sees LeBron's handling of this whole thing as a PR nightmare and a giant f#ck up (not to mention a 'f#ck you' to Cleveland).

There isn't much debating that the way in which this thing played out was akin to that of a totally out-of-control freight train and Cleveland was unwittingly and unknowingly standing on the tracks.

LeBron went from one of the most popular athletes in the world to, a couple of months later, being the most hated. That isn't just in Cleveland. One can only handle so much narcissism before they say, "Ew... I can't root for this guy."

What James did was pretty much destroy the nice guy, hometown hero image that had been carefully crafted since his senior year in high school. The comparison to Hogan turning heel and joining the nWo in the most public, embarrassingly callous way possible was right on the money.

The only divisive thing that I see is what potential damage this has done to his legacy and whether or not joining forces with another Top 3 player was the right move for a ringless player in his prime.

There does seem to be legitimately two schools of thought on that.

But, as to 'The Decision,' the circus that has been the last two months, and how LeBron handled this whole thing? Not much of a debate there. It was a massive botch... Unprecedented, in my view.

I can't remember an athlete that has gone from so revered to so hated so quickly. Maybe Tiger Woods... But I never cared that he banged a bunch of pr0nstars.

This backlash is sports-related and it will be difficult, if not impossible, for LeBron to ever get back to where he was three months ago in the eyes of the vast majority of the general public.



Read THIS (http://nymag.com/daily/sports/2010/07/lebron_react_never_has_being_a.html) article on NYMag.com. It pretty much sums up how I am feeling about sports in general at the moment. It addresses our little spat yesterday almost as if the writer heard/read our conversation.

I am so disillusioned with the whole f#cking thing, I'm sick to my stomach... And this is days later.

[Skywalker]

This backlash is sports-related and it will be difficult, if not impossible, for LeBron to ever get back to where he was three months ago in the eyes of the vast majority of Cleveland

fixed

[Jailblazers7]

I'm not going to lie -- I actually enjoy Lebron shedding his squeeky clean savior image. Everyone knew it wasn't the real Lebron and the whole act seemed so fake and construed to be the entire time. I'm sure his PR team will attempt to make ammends for this at some point in the future but at least we got to see the undeniable true him and not some PR designed media showing to further cultivate his perfect image.

[RedBlackAttack]

fixed
Really? Because I can point you toward nationally respected columnists from around the country that have absolutely railed LeBron, Gilbert-style, in the wake of that debacle.

Read the article I cited above. That isn't a Cleveland POV.

[RedBlackAttack]

Well I know the prospects are bleak for the Cavs now, but it'd be great if the Browns could win the Superbowl out of nowhere and they could talk trash to LJ about winning a title for the city.

Seriously I think im going to be pulling for the Ohio teams over the next couple of seasons, you've deserved better and it would be great if one of your teams could deliver a title for the Buckeye state.

PS. Never liked Miami teams either, so will be an anti Heat fan for the foreseeable future.

Cleveland's most beloved sports figure from this point forward:

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/1672/joshcribbs.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw_VP_Ehi4E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6TqOOIafXA&feature=related

He may not be the audacious, absurd talent like LBJ was, but he represents the city's blue-collar mentality much more than 'The King' ever could. There is a strong, growing movement for the LBJ 'Witness' poster in downtown to be replaced with Josh Cribbs.

With Holmgren taking things over and the fact that he has won everywhere he has ever gone, there is a lot of hope... Maybe not for this year, but down the road.

[knobs]

damn fellas, get over the hour long special. it would've been an enormously douchey move even if he had decided to stick it out in cleveland. who f*cking cares. he didn't string anybody along, he waiting for a few weeks after the season had ended to come to a decision / make his announcement.

EVERY ATHLETE DOES THAT

it sure as sh*t wasn't any sort of enormous tidal wave of a pr botch. it was just self inflated and narcissistic and assholish - characteristics we already knew lebron exhibited anyway.

here's the point: he decided to move onto another team

had he done it any other way, he'd still be on that other team. for gods sake, get over it.

that means you rba - give me a break man. you have some right to be upset for all the city invested into the man and his talent, but at the end of the day, he was a free agent and clearly valued winning (or having the appearance of a winner - not important) over all else. so he chose that path. somewhat of a d*ck move, but far from unprecedented.

the conspiracy theories are bs.

[Jailblazers7]

damn fellas, get over the hour long special. it would've been an enormously douchey move even if he had decided to stick it out in cleveland. who f*cking cares. he didn't string anybody along, he waiting for a few weeks after the season had ended to come to a decision / make his announcement.

EVERY ATHLETE DOES THAT

it sure as sh*t wasn't any sort of enormous tidal wave of a pr botch. it was just self inflated and narcissistic and assholish - characteristics we already knew lebron exhibited anyway.

here's the point: he decided to move onto another team

had he done it any other way, he'd still be on that other team. for gods sake, get over it.

that means you rba - give me a break man. you have some right to be upset for all the city invested into the man and his talent, but at the end of the day, he was a free agent and clearly valued winning (or having the appearance of a winner - not important) over all else. so he chose that path. somewhat of a d*ck move, but far from unprecedented.

the conspiracy theories are bs.

I said earlier that it was unnecessary wether or not he chose Cleveland. And I have to disagree that it wasn't an enormous PR botch. He brought on a lot more negative attention upon himself because of it. Many national sportswriter (and I agree with their points) have defended his right to leave but have agreed that this special was the wrong way to go about it. Holding a normal press conference or just issuing a statement would have been a much better move in the media and would have avoid some of the vehement hatred.

[knobs]

it was a botch, although i've got half a mind to believe that's more because of lbj's boring monotonous scripted personality than the idea itself. had arenas or iverson or shaq done something like this - it might very well have been more well received. those guys might have been able to play to the crowd and make lighter of the situation. or maybe it had no chance of working and even the most marketable star would've f*cked it up.

i just said it wasn't an end of the world botch that destroys both his credibility and legacy. it was just a stupid thing to do. nobody wants to hear lebron talk, he's annoying and inarticulate. they want to watch him play basketball.

[Jailblazers7]

it was a botch, although i've got half a mind to believe that's more because of lbj's boring monotonous scripted personality than the idea itself. had arenas or iverson or shaq done something like this - it might very well have been more well received. or maybe it would've been.

i just said it wasn't an end of the world botch that destroys both his credibility and legacy. it was just a stupid thing to do. nobody wants to hear lebron talk, he's annoying and inarticulate. they want to watch him play basketball.

I don't think his legacy is destroyed and I've never trusted his credibility so that wasn't effected either from my point of view. The thing about the other guys you listed is -- none of them had the clean "savior" image that Lebron worked so hard to shape and cultivate over his career. He had made himself out to be a loyal guy over his career and the one hour specticle just totally shattered that. It was just a bad move. Him leaving Cleveland for Miami would have sent shockwaves regardless but he is viewed much more negatively for doing it on a premeditated national stage.

[knobs]

i can probably agree with some of that, although i don't know how sold the world was on lebron being mr. cleveland. not with rumours of him springing to the east coast having spread for the last three years.

but i really just don't think that stuff is much worth discussing. then we're just arguing over the degree to which dear rba and his fellow buckeyes are overreacting. the main point is - they're overreacting. lol

[RedBlackAttack]

that means you rba - give me a break man. you have some right to be upset for all the city invested into the man and his talent, but at the end of the day, he was a free agent and clearly valued winning (or having the appearance of a winner - not important) over all else. so he chose that path. somewhat of a d*ck move, but far from unprecedented.

the conspiracy theories are bs.
Which conspiracy theories are you referencing? And, I reserve the right to despise LeBron. Now that it is beginning to set in, I can be a bit more rational about it, but this is something that Cleveland will likely never suddenly 'get over.'

You know I love ya, but you aren't from here... You don't understand. Going out of his way the way that he did was just completely unnecessary. Our city has been a part of more sports disasters than I would care to list, but this just vaulted right to the top.

And, again... Not just that he left, but how it all went down.

[pete's montreux]

I'm not a fan of Cleveland, but I think he f*cked with the entire collective sports world by pulling that insanely bullshit stunt. I respected him as a player before and never liked him, and now I just hate his guts.

[Jailblazers7]

I think the reason I identify with both sides so much is because I'm very close to the situation in Ohio (Pittsburgh is very close and many support the Cavs because they are the nearest NBA team) while I am also seperated from it (because I don't live in Ohio and I am a 76ers fan). I see both sides of it and I'm unsure where I lie regarding the situation. Only time will tell how I actually feel about it, but I will probably end up forgiving him because I'm not a Cavs fan.

[RedBlackAttack]

FYI: I'm done talking about this whole thing. I've let my feelings be known and my venting is now over. There is no sense in rehashing the same sh!t over and over. The dust has settled and initial outrage has subsided.

I don't want to give the impression that this LeBronomania is still dominating my thoughts... It isn't. I'm done with it.

[dab0yech0]

I was really hoping for Lebron to sign with the Knicks. The Amare/Lebron vs Bosh/Wade matchup would've been epic. Not only that but it would revive the rivalry in the 90s from the Knicks and the Heat. I remember the NBA on NBC every single time the Heat and Knicks met in the playoffs there was a fight. Those were the days..

[mlh1981]

Been on vacation and wasn't online for a week to read ANY of the reaction on here. I can only imagine what it's been. Absolutely devastating, though I will continue to stick by them, as they are my team. I just wish that if his intent was to leave, that he has done so early on in the free agency process, which would have given the Cavs a chance at some free agents. I just hate the way he went about it, on TV. Put a serious dent on my vacation. :mad:

I kinda want to post more of my thoughts on this, and maybe I will just leave those for the Cavs forum, as I'm sure it's been beat to death in the main one. I doubt I have anything new or original to say that hasn't already been said a thousand times by now.

[RedBlackAttack]

I know I said I wouldn't comment on this any longer... And I won't.

Just passing along information...

The LeBron James sign on the city border in Akron has been taken down and replaced.

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/8229/phpjiknybpm.jpg

[RedBlackAttack]

But...isn't it still his home? I mean, if you go to Bill Clinton's home town it still says "Home of Bill Clinton" even though he doesn't live there anymore. Actually, I think that's the case more often than not.
I'm pretty sure it was intended as a message to James... Actually, I'm positive that is what it is.

[Jailblazers7]

Lebron should put up a new hometown sign in Miami as a comeback. Like a huge billboard or something. :oldlol:

[Foster5k]

I don't want to give the impression that this LeBronomania is still dominating my thoughts... It isn't. I'm done with it.
And the saga continues.

:D :D :D :D :D

[zoom17]

And the saga continues.

:D :D :D :D :D

:lol