tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9810450.post1711827815618050192..comments2023-10-30T08:55:29.773-04:00Comments on Erik Cassano's Weblog: Taunting us over LeBronPapa Casshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04647758309861590871noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9810450.post-7405498772681738062008-01-23T19:11:00.000-05:002008-01-23T19:11:00.000-05:00Henry:If you come back here and read this, I reali...Henry:<BR/><BR/>If you come back here and read this, I realize that there not everyone in the national media is a Boston-New York person. It just seems that way sometimes. Especially when every piece I read on "how to fix the Knicks" mentions that Wade, James and Bosh will all be free agents in 2010. It sure makes it seem like the rest of the league is a farm system for the big markets (i.e. the teams that "really" matter).<BR/><BR/>After years and years of watching Indians free agents leave for greener pastures and bigger markets, it's something I'm probably going to be sensitive to for the rest of my life.<BR/><BR/>I also realize that LeBron is not a lock to re-sign in Cleveland, just as Wade is not a lock to re-up with the Heat nor Bosh with the Raptors or Melo with the Nuggets. Those players would be foolish to tip their hands at this point, and maybe in LeBron's case, putting some heat on the Cavs fromt office to get better isn't such a bad thing.<BR/><BR/>It's not the uncertainty of LeBron's future that bugs me, or the fact that you and others are reporting on it -- if there is something to actually report. It's this feeling that the national media is focusing only how great it would be for the Knicks or Nets should they get him. Meanwhile, to lose him would severely damage professional basketball in Cleveland, maybe even kill it.<BR/><BR/>That's the only thing I ask of the national media. If there is a story there, report it. But from the perspective of a lifetime Clevelander and Cavs fan since childhood, it's difficult to watch the future of your team batted around and speculated over as the media (whether based on fact or not) panders to New Yorkers' desire to land a player the caliber of LeBron.<BR/><BR/>As a Blazers fan, I'm hoping you know where I'm coming from.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, great blog, and keep up the good work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9810450.post-18349430162694309712008-01-23T14:34:00.000-05:002008-01-23T14:34:00.000-05:00I understand why you are writing this. I get that ...I understand why you are writing this. I get that it must seem like some predictable East Coast bias. But let me tell you this: I grew up in Portland when it was one of the smallest of NBA markets, and that's still my team. I know ALL ABOUT East Coast big market bias. <BR/><BR/>I also know about meaningless NBA rumor-mongering. <BR/><BR/>I don't like either, and would happily have both disappear. <BR/><BR/>A lot of the most interesting conversations I and many other NBA writers have with NBA insiders are "on background" -- which means our sources are not giving us permission to say who our sources are. But let me tell you that the idea that LeBron James is no lock to re-sign in Cleveland does come from guesswork and regional bias. (I'd just as soon have him sign up for life in Ohio. I really liked visiting Cleveland in June. The weather was beautiful, the people were nice, and parking was a dream!) <BR/><BR/>That line of conversation comes from multiple factors, including people in the know talking on background to a whole host of NBA writers, including myself. We are hearing about tension there, and as far as I know, that's what is driving this line of conversation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9810450.post-47573907709949721232008-01-23T05:24:00.000-05:002008-01-23T05:24:00.000-05:00Great article papa cass!Great article papa cass!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07671422940389433204noreply@blogger.com