Monday, August 08, 2005

Truly depressing

Sigh.
Bill Simmons is the funniest and most readable columnist ESPN has in their arsenal, but I guess I have to add him to the legion of East Coast/West Coast media elitists who believe LeBron James can't possibly want to stay in Cleveland any longer that he has to, right?
Geez, the vultures come from all over, waiting for their favorite team, be it the Knicks, the Celtics, the Lakers, the Nets or whoever else to glean LeBron from the Cavs' rotting carcass. Simmons and others assume the notion of playing in Cleveland has got to be so repugnant to any millionaire professional athlete worth his weight in salt that they are all counting the days until they can cast off the shackles, especially when "real" cities like New York, Boston and Los Angeles are waiting.
I know LeBron isn't feeling the love in Cleveland now. I know last season ended badly. I know it's going to take a whole lot of winning in the coming years to convince LeBron that this is a place he wants to commit to long-term. But there's still time, and early returns show new general mananger Danny Ferry taking initiative, and new owner Dan Gilbert willing to spend money.
It's one thing if the Cavs can't get their act together. It's entirely another if you're assuming LeBron won't want to stay in Cleveland simply because it's Cleveland.
One is logical. The other is arrogant.
Did I mention the Cavs can offer LeBron the most money when and if he becomes a free agent? And that the Akron Beacon Journal reported some weeks ago that LeBron's Nike contract contains no escalator clause if he plays in a large market?
Some of LeBron's other endorsement deals do, but they are all small potatoes compared to his $90 million shoe contract.
Spare me the Boston-Los Angeles arrogance, Simmons. I find your stuff a little less funny today.

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