LeBron James Letter: Newspaper Ad Thanks Akron, Not Cleveland:

Kay King

14 years ago

James hasn't mastered a basic rule - "Just shut up and play ball"

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TLTheLiberator

14 years ago

I don't see anything wrong with him publicly letting his hometown folks know how he feels about them after all the hoopla.

Akron is close enough to Cleveland that there is a good chance that the city may have been confused about his feelings.

This full page ad in the city's main newspaper sets the record straight.

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MikeAmbrosio

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

I don't see anything wrong with him publicly letting his hometown folks know how he feels about them after all the hoopla.

Akron is close enough to Cleveland that there is a good chance that the city may have been confused about his feelings.

This full page ad in the city's main newspaper sets the record straight.

Does it?

I didn't read the ad, but this quote:

"Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was not very happy about it and neither were the Cleveland fans, to say the least."

says (to me) that the only record he set straight was with himself, not with Cleveland.

Personally I don't begrudge him leaving Cleveland. It's his life and his choice. I just think he could have (and should have) handled everything much differently.

But, like Tim said,he'll probably have a lot of fun down there in Miami...

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TimPhelan

14 years ago

Yes, the one hour espn special was a big mistake. Well, we all make them though. He's still very young. I just think at that level he would have gotten better advice.

Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio

Personally I don't begrudge him leaving Cleveland. It's his life and his choice. I just think he could have (and should have) handled everything much differently.

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MikeAmbrosio

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TimPhelan

Yes, the one hour espn special was a big mistake. Well, we all make them though. He's still very young. I just think at that level he would have gotten better advice.

You're right about the advice thing. The one hour special I never thought was his idea. But at his young age, and the enormous ego

, saying NO probably never crossed his mind.

Also, I don't know if you have ever been down to Miami, but man, what a hot spot for partying! Especially if you're young.

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TLTheLiberator

14 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio

Does it?

I didn't read the ad, but this quote:

"Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was not very happy about it and neither were the Cleveland fans, to say the least."

says (to me) that the only record he set straight was with himself, not with Cleveland.

Personally I don't begrudge him leaving Cleveland. It's his life and his choice. I just think he could have (and should have) handled everything much differently.

But, like Tim said,he'll probably have a lot of fun down there in Miami...

Mike,

it sounds like you believe his hometown is Cleveland.

It's Akron Ohio and the full page ad was for the people of Akron not Cleveland.

TL

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MikeAmbrosio 14 years ago

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

Mike,

it sounds like you believe his hometown is Cleveland.

It's Akron Ohio and the full page ad was for the people of Akron not Cleveland.

TL

Actually, I didn't know exactly where he was from. My comment was just in response to that one statement. He set the record straight with his home town? Looks that way. Set it straight with Cleveland? Judging from the quote from the team owner, not really. He played in Cleveland, not Akron (THAT much I knew ) so I wasn't even sure why he put the ad in that paper. Seems to me he should have said those things to Cleveland and their fans, no?

So, unless I misunderstood your statement, that's what my comment was directed at.

Mike
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TimPhelan

14 years ago

Yeah, now he will never be able to be compared as an equal to Jordan, Magic or Bill Russell because he didn't lead his team to a Championship on his own. If Miami wins one with him, and that's a big if IMO, it won't be Lebron's team. It's Wade's team and he has already lead Miami to a Championship.

I do think James gave up in the playoffs also.

He hurt his brand big time. However, Miami is a fun place and I'm sure he will have a good time there.

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

NBA legends...

... Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley have all weighed in on James' decision, saying they would not have done what he did.

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JustinDupre

14 years ago

I'm sure he has good reason behind it. I think Cleveland fans deserve this newspaper ads thanking for their support. Nothing is like homee.. but sometimes you gotta make a tough decision for your own future. Can't wait to see the upcoming games.

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TLTheLiberator

14 years ago

IMHO...

I don't think the 1 hour special was a mistake.

That special generated $6 million in ad revenue, with chunks of that going to various charities, including $2.5 million to the Boys & Girls Club.

That's 2.5 mill.

Isn't that alone worth the hoopla surrounding this situation and serious sports fans going through the waiting, the speculation and that silly 1 hour special???

Just my opinion.

I also agree that he did hurt his brand - IMHO, meaning more people don't like him now but will it actually cost him any money in the long run????

And...

unless he wins 4 or more championships, he'll never be viewed as one of the games elite all time players.

TL

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TLTheLiberator

14 years ago

I don't think he owes the fans or city of Cleveland anything.

BTW Mike,

The NBA reprimanded and fined the owner of the Cleveland team for his rant.

Lebron was making sure the people of his hometown Akron, not Cleveland understood that he stands by all of his commitments to them.

He doesn't owe the people of Cleveland anything.

He could have landed in any NBA city and done exactly the same things as he has done in Cleveland.

The Cavs will have a decent team.

Let's see if the people of Cleveland will still support the team or allow it to wither on the vine.

Come to think of it, I'm not so sure he hurt his brand.

Sure more people in this country don't like him because they see him as arrogant etc., but he did open up a world wide market for himself as he transcended basketball for a couple days of free world wide publicity and...

...generated lots of money for worthy charities to boot.

TL

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MikeAmbrosio

14 years ago

TL,

I can tell you're a Lebron fan

You're reading way too much in to my response...

I never said he OWED Cleveland ANYthing. I simply thought it was odd he would take out an ad in the city he grew up in and NOT one in Cleveland, considering he played there and has (had) a HUGE fan base. So did the writer of that article, apparently. Or else, why write it in the first place?

Nothing more, nothing less. You're arguing "right and wrong" - I'm not. I really don't care if it was right or wrong. Just commenting.

Also, unless you copied and pasted your thread subject, even you thought it was worth noting:

"LeBron James Letter: Newspaper Ad Thanks Akron, Not Cleveland:"

As for his one hour "special" - I don't think anyone was commenting on the money generated so much as his "brand damage". Not everything is about how much money something makes.

Long term? History shows that the general public has a very short memory. If he did any damage to his brand this year, it will all end at the opening tip off next season - especially in Miami.

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TLTheLiberator

14 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio

TL,

I can tell you're a Lebron fan

You're reading way too much in to my response...

I never said he OWED Cleveland ANYthing. I simply stated I thought it was odd he would take out an ad in the city he grew up in and NOT one in Cleveland, considering he played there and has (had) a HUGE fan base. So did the writer of that article, apparently. Or else, why write it in the first place?

Nothing more, nothing less. You're arguing "right and wrong" - I'm not. I really don't care if it was right or wrong. Just commenting.

As for his one hour "special" - I don't think anyone was commenting on the money generated so much as his "brand damage". Not everything is about how much money something makes.

Long term? History shows that the general public has a very short memory. If he did any damage to his brand this year, it will all end at the opening tip off next season - especially in Miami.

I'm not really a Lebron fan.

I'm a Lakers man.

Mike you said...

"Seems to me he should have said those things to Cleveland and their fans, no?"

That's what prompted me to say that IMHO, he doesn't owe the people of Cleveland anything.

The money I mentioned was generated for charity - at least 2.5 million for the Boy & Girls Clubs Of America.

As far as I'm concerned it trumps all the criticism generated.

Of course there's a great chance the ESPN special wasn't his idea - that's why he has a agent who's job it is to maximized Lebron's financial potenial etc.,

I'm not arguing right or wrong,

I really don't care if it was right or wrong either.

Just commenting.

TL

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MikeAmbrosio

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

I'm not really a Lebron fan.

I'm a Lakers man.

Ah right. I remember now

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

Mike you said...

"Seems to me he should have said those things to Cleveland and their fans, no?"

That's what prompted me to say that IMHO, he doesn't owe the people of Cleveland anything.

Ok. I guess I should have put a "too" at the end of that. I still don't think he "owed" Cleveland. But he didn't "owe" Akron either. So why speak to one community (where he grew up) and not the other (where he played and dazzled his adoring fans). My guess is there's more than meets the eye between Lebron and the team... Just a guess though.

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

The money I mentioned was generated for charity - at least 2.5 million for the Boy & Girls Clubs Of America.

As far as I'm concerned it trumps all the criticism generated.

I didn't mention the money because I didn't think it was originally part of the conversation...

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

Of course there's a great chance the ESPN special wasn't his idea - that's why he has a agent who's job it is to maximized Lebron's financial potenial etc.,

Oh I have no doubt it wasn't his idea (and said so in one of my posts). And aside from money raised, my opinion is that it was silly and self-inflating. But hey, we're all entitled ...

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

I'm not arguing right or wrong,

I really don't care if it was right or wrong either.

Just commenting.

TL

Well, I'm glad we got that cleared up.

Mike

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TLTheLiberator

14 years ago

I can't wait until he makes his first appearance in front of the Cleveland basketball fans as a member of the Heat.

It's going to be a hoot.

I wish I could be there.

I was at the Baltimore Colt - Denver Bronco came which was John Elways' first appearance in front of the Baltimore fans -...

... after he dissed them by proclaiming that he did not want to be drafted by Baltimore.

It was a crazy scene and many people mooned Elway from the crowd.

Folks were emotional beyond reason.

The Broncos had a very hard time hearing each other in their own huddle.

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MikeAmbrosio

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

I can't wait until he makes his first appearance in front of the Cleveland basketball fans as a member of the Heat.

It's going to be a hoot.

I wish I could be there.

I was at the Baltimore Colt - Denver Bronco came which was John Elways' first appearance in front of the Baltimore fans -...

... after he dissed them by proclaiming that he did not want to be drafted by Baltimore.

It was a crazy scene and many people mooned Elway from the crowd.

Folks were emotional beyond reason.

The Broncos had a very hard time hearing each other in their own huddle.

LOL - You know, I may just have to watch that myself. I bet this will be a nationally televised game too.

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Kurt

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

I can't wait until he makes his first appearance in front of the Cleveland basketball fans as a member of the Heat.

It's going to be a hoot.

I wish I could be there.

I was at the Baltimore Colt - Denver Bronco came which was John Elways' first appearance in front of the Baltimore fans -...

... after he dissed them by proclaiming that he did not want to be drafted by Baltimore.

It was a crazy scene and many people mooned Elway from the crowd.

Folks were emotional beyond reason.

The Broncos had a very hard time hearing each other in their own huddle.

And Elway lead the Broncos back from a 19-0 deficit to win 21-19, his first career NFL comeback...You forgot that part.

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TLTheLiberator

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Kurt

And Elway lead the Broncos back from a 19-0 deficit to win 21-19, his first career NFL comeback...You forgot that part.

I was at a pre-season game when all this happened.

A female cousin and a friend had tickets and I was the driver to the game.

We were joined by Rick Upchurches' former wife in the stands as it was she who provided the tickets to her nice - my cousin's friend.

She tried to make me root for the Broncos but I explained that I've been a lifelong Colt fan and pleaded with her to let it go.

She was very pretty and I enjoyed her company at the game.

The Broncos did come back in that game also but Elway was not in the game at that time.

It was a severe case of adding injury to insult for Colts fans and it only amplified the pain of Colt fans. ( yours truly included )

Funny how I don't remember the regular season game comeback you mentioned above.

But it happened.

Can we chalk it up to the very selective memory of a lifelong Colts fan?

All The Best!!

TL

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Kurt

14 years ago

Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator

I was at a pre-season game when all this happened.

A female cousin and a friend had tickets and I was the driver to the game.

We were joined by Rick Upchurches' former wife in the stands as it was she who provided the tickets to her nice - my cousin's friend.

She tried to make me root for the Broncos but I explained that I've been a lifelong Colt fan and pleaded with her to let it go.

She was very pretty and I enjoyed her company at the game.

The Broncos did come back in that game also but Elway was not in the game at that time.

It was a severe case of adding injury to insult for Colts fans and it only amplified the pain of Colt fans. ( yours truly included )

Funny how I don't remember the regular season game comeback you mentioned above.

But it happened.

Can we chalk it up to the very selective memory of a lifelong Colts fan?

All The Best!!

TL

A little trivia...Upchurch had a girl friend that went to Denver University (a very good law school) named Condolezza Rice. Remember she's a big football fan and talked about wanting to be the first woman commissioner of the NFL? They are still friends.

I've actually liked the Colts for a very long time. They trained in Golden Colorado for a year or two and I went up there as a kid and saw Johnny U and Bubba Smith, my favorite player at the time (along with Floyd Little).

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TLTheLiberator

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Kurt

A little trivia...Upchurch had a girl friend that went to Denver University (a very good law school) named Condolezza Rice. Remember she's a big football fan and talked about wanting to be the first woman commissioner of the NFL? They are still friends.

I've actually liked the Colts for a very long time. They trained in Golden Colorado for a year or two and I went up there as a kid and saw Johnny U and Bubba Smith, my favorite player at the time (along with Floyd Little).

Condi says she learned to love football watching the NFL watching with her dad and she also used to hang out with Gene Washington.

Johnny U. was my role model as a QB but I wore #12 instead of #19.

( I didn't have the nerve )

I never had the pleasure of seeing him in person and read a biography of him a couple years ago.

It was a good read with lots of funny stories.

And who can forget...

"Kill Bubba Kill!"

I was 11 or 12 when the Colts lost to the Jets in Super Bowl 3 and devastated by the loss to the upstarts.

I have since forgiven Joe Willie and don't mind watching him gloat on the NFL channel with his "we did it" remark.

TL

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mattlaclear

14 years ago

Given the fact I have lived my entire life 3 miles from the campus of Michigan State I smiled from ear to ear when Lebron stuck it to the Cavs. That's what they get for trying to steal Izzo from us. We all know here in EL that one day Izzo will retire and leave us but the thought of him going to an Ohio team was just too God awful much.

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TLTheLiberator

14 years ago

Kurt,

I was very happy for Elway when he won his first Super Bowl Title.

My spine tingled ( and still does to this day whenever I hear it )...

... when the Denver owner exclaimed...

"this one's for John!"

TL

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LeBron James Letter: Newspaper Ad Thanks Akron, Not Cleveland:

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