Anyone else getting sick of the backlash towards Miami?

[Bahku]

I said I don't feel sorry for them because of the backlash ... I said they hurt people by doing what they did ... I even said that I took exception to being called a "hater" and "jealous" because the backlash didn't bother me ... but I never said either of the things you say I did here.

Well, the businesses made a ton of money off LeBron and Bosh and we're supposed to feel sorry for those businesses because they're not making that money anymore? Maybe get a different business model then?

Did I say we're supposed to feel sorry for them? I said these people were hurt by their actions ... they were, as were others. Please, don't infer I'm saying things I'm not ... I love good, heated discussion, but not when it's based on things I didn't say. Thanks.

[Rondo_is_better]

I think the outrage at this is outrageous.

Lets, for example, look at Joe Johnson.  Dude took max money and crippled his own chances at ever winning a ring for extra money.

LBJ/Wade/Bosh all took less money for a shot at a ring..... isn't that like a noble thing to do in basketball???  I always thought so.  I still think so.

Had LBJ/Wade/Bosh all stayed home and took max contacts I would have been disgusted.

I like Lebron, Wade, and Bosh a lot more now then I did before.  They are actually sacrificing money for a chance to win.  Something that doesn't happen all that often.  Sure it happens to players as they get older and various other circumstances.  But never does it happen to players with youth in their prime.


Why are people mad at this? I read this whole thread and didn't see any valid reasons at all.

Ya'll a bit mad at how LBJ is a never ending hype machine?  Get over it, been that way for 7 years.  He gained my respect by taking less money and not wanting to be the man just wanting to get a ring.

Ya'll mad cause Bosh tweeted some dumb stuff?  Get over it... it's freaking twitter.... not a reason to around hating a guy who left money on the table for a chance at a ring.

So what are you mad at really?? That all of a sudden Boston's title chances have dwindled considerably?

Tough luck for us I guess, hate them though? No... I dont hate them, if anything I respect them all a little more for doing something we all said we would do if we were NBA players probably a million times.

I am a little tired of all the backlash they are getting.  It just shows you who is jealous and who just wants to be a hater.

So because some of us don't feel sorry for them, or aren't "sick of the back-lash", we're jealous and want to be haters?!? Sorry, but I take exception to that, (forgive me if I'm mis-interpreting).

Personally, I don't listen to much of the back-lash, because I've been through plenty of it as a Boston fan ... it comes with the territory, and teams who are our competition, aren't going to get my pity because they get it, too.

Saying that these guys are more worthy of our admiration just because they took a temporary cut in pay to become a "Super-Team", is a bit short-sighted, IMHO.

This will benefit them all, and not just in terms of winning ... their exposure and "Star" power will soar as a result, and endorsements and residual monetary benefits will go on for years.

They want to win, so they took a salary cut ... but that's no shining endorsement of their character, merely what they should be doing as competitors, (in the media's eyes), and what will benefit them even more in the long run, than if they had stayed autonomous.

If you want to make a comparison of character, just look at Paul ... he took a pay-cut primarily out of loyalty to his team and fans, not as part of a betrayal to his home-town fans for the sake of joining a "Super" team.

The fans of Toronto and Cleveland are bitter, and they have a right to be ... they gave their hearts and loyalty to guys who saw their personal gain as the ultimate consideration.

Sure, that's what this league is about nowadays, and Pierce's motivations weren't completely unselfish. But to feel sorry for Miami because they'er taking some guff for decisions that hurt a lot of people, well, I just can't go there.

It's also a misnomer to label people as "mad" just because they feel no sympathy for the Heat ... I'm not remotely mad, in fact, I started a whole thread about how I love all this hype, as it makes the Celtics an underdog.

I don't hate the Heat because they've become the big favorite in the East, I hate them because they're our competition, as I did before this happened, and now even more because LeBron is there, not because I'm jealous or afraid of their new "Super" team.

You and others feel sorry for them for the backlash, and that's your right, but please allow the rest of us the latitude to be indifferent about the whole thing, and not label us as "haters" and jealous, just because we don't feel bad for the new Super-heroes of the NBA.

The fans of Cleveland and Toronto ... that's who I feel sorry for in the light of this whole thing. I can't imagine having the rug pulled out from underneath like that ... and I hope I never have to find out.

I need to give you TPs for about 3 weeks, Bahku.

Can I get TPs also? Or only if I post the same argument everyone else is posting but more long winded?

I can and will respect these players more for not doing it for the Money.  

You can say whatever you want but they took lesser contracts to get Wins and Rings.... how can you hate on that?

How can you spin that to something negative?

I don't see it... more players should do what they are doing.  Joe Johnson should have undoubtedly done what they did seeing as he has no chance of leading any team because he clearly isn't good enough.  Instead he crippled his team for years to come.

Why all the hate? I'm still not seeing it.

There is no "hating" going on. Please reread every post Bahku made. Take the time to actually comprehend what he is saying, rather than making assumptions about what you *think* he is saying.

[thirstyboots18]

I live in Florida, and my beef is not with Miami...my beef is with LeBron...I think he tampered and I think his game playing hurt a lot of teams.  I didn't like his treating the league like his own playground and teasing teams like a bad child teases a dog with a bone.  He deserves to be bitten, IMO.  He has come across as a dishonest, deceitful person.  It is not what he did as much as how he did it.  Any bad feelings about or toward LeBron were caused by LeBron, himself.  He said he came into the league a boy, and now he is a 25 year old man....really?  Excuse me!  A  real man does not treat people that way.  He has cast a black shadow on everyone around him:  was Riley involved?  Whether or not anything can be proven, Riley's integrity is being questioned.  I don't care if LeBron wins ten rings in a row (which I don't think he will) I would be heartbroken if he ever, ever played for the Celtics.  

[soap07]

I live in Florida, and my beef is not with Miami...my beef is with LeBron...I think he tampered and I think his game playing hurt a lot of teams.  I didn't like his treating the league like his own playground and teasing teams like a bad child teases a dog with a bone.  He deserves to be bitten, IMO.  He has come across as a dishonest, deceitful person.  It is not what he did as much as how he did it.  Any bad feelings about or toward LeBron were caused by LeBron, himself.  He said he came into the league a boy, and now he is a 25 year old man....really?  Excuse me!  A  real man does not treat people that way.  He has cast a black shadow on everyone around him:  was Riley involved?  Whether or not anything can be proven, Riley's integrity is being questioned.  I don't care if LeBron wins ten rings in a row (which I don't think he will) I would be heartbroken if he ever, ever played for the Celtics. 

Teasing teams? Noone was forced to pursue him in free agency. Teams did that of their own accord. Additionally, to give teams the courtesy of hearing their pitch is not teasing them. And I love the rhetoric of "A real man does not treat people that way." Hyperbolic overreaction. I understand the hate of LeBron. Some of it, however, goes overboard. A real man doesn't leave in free agency? A real man makes his decision when it's convenient for a fan base? What constitutes a real man?

[Chris]

8)But to feel sorry for Miami because they'er taking some guff for decisions that hurt a lot of people, well, I just can't go there.

Good lord. Who did LeBron and co. "hurt" with their decisions? People need to put this perspective.  

The fans of Toronto and Cleveland are bitter, and they have a right to be ... they gave their hearts and loyalty to guys who saw their personal gain as the ultimate consideration.

Towards the players though? Or management? Does anyone seriously think that if Cleveland/Toronto management did a better job putting a supporting cast around these players that the Miami trio would have formed?

So I guess I get the surgery here ... so be it. I think you may want to ask say, the fans in Toronto and Cleveland, the respective managements, former team-mates, businesses in those cities who benefit from local sports, friends and family members of the two players who live in those cities, etc., whether or not they have been "hurt" in any way by the decisions LeBron and CB made. Maybe they can put the proper "perspective" on it, since you seem to think I'm lacking it.

Also, Paul said a long time ago that he would take a cut in pay in order to retire as a Celtic ... if that has nothing to do with team loyalty, it certainly comes a lot closer than what Bosh and 'Bron have done. You honestly think the fans or the city or the Celtics organization had no bearing on his decision? Come on! And how do you figure he made more money in the long run by opting out?!?

(Back atcha, RIB & L20).

So, are you saying that Lebron and Bosh owed it to the cities of Cleveland and Toronto to stay in situations that they did not think were the best for their careers and lifestyles?

I mean, you are probably right that a lot of people were "hurt" by this.  But that is part of life.  It is completely unfair to expect Lebron or Bosh to make decisions that would not be good for them (in their minds anyways), just because it may hurt other peoples feelings, or because businesses have been profitting off them, and now, the gravy train will be gone.

Yes, I have a huge problem with the way Lebron handled this, but ultimately, I don't think anyone should be angry at him for the actual decision though.

Uhh ... please point out where I said I was angry with LeBron, and also where I said he and Bosh owed it to their cities to stay in their situations. (?) I didn't.

I said I don't feel sorry for them because of the backlash ... I said they hurt people by doing what they did ... I even said that I took exception to being called a "hater" and "jealous" because the backlash didn't bother me ... but I never said either of the things you say I did here.

Because someone makes a decision that they feel is best for their life, doesn't mean I have to like it, or even agree with it. That's not fair, maybe, but it's also "life" ... and my right to opinion.

Thank you for clarifying.  That is why I asked.

[jr_3421]

Lol all this backlash is funny to me. Even at Carmelo's wedding!

James was greeted by a round of loud boos from angry New Yorkers outside the wedding in Cipriani 42nd Street when he arrived with his girlfriend Savannah Brinson

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-booed-outside-Carmelo-Anthony-wedding-071010?GT1=39002

[guava_wrench]

Lol all this backlash is funny to me. Even at Carmelo's wedding!

James was greeted by a round of loud boos from angry New Yorkers outside the wedding in Cipriani 42nd Street when he arrived with his girlfriend Savannah Brinson

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-booed-outside-Carmelo-Anthony-wedding-071010?GT1=39002

Lebron deserves it for his dumb program and for stringing teams along. He should have done a simple press conference like Wade and Bosh did.

I hope people continue to boo him on the streets of NY and Clev. If a player wants to play up their celebrity like how Lebron did, they need to be prepared to face the consequences.

[vinnie]

So what is the NBA going to do when the next great triumvirate gets together and decides where they are going to play in a couple of years and how much each of them will make? For example, while a long shot, say the Paul/Melo/Amar'e thing happens in New York? Or something else happens somewhere else? What will the league be like when there are three or four superteams and everyone else plays for the scraps? What will the league be like when the small market teams have even less chance to compete? Honestly, the league needs to do something about this situation before it happens two or three more times.

[indeedproceed]

I said I don't feel sorry for them because of the backlash ... I said they hurt people by doing what they did ... I even said that I took exception to being called a "hater" and "jealous" because the backlash didn't bother me ... but I never said either of the things you say I did here.

Well, the businesses made a ton of money off LeBron and Bosh and we're supposed to feel sorry for those businesses because they're not making that money anymore? Maybe get a different business model then?

Did I say we're supposed to feel sorry for them? I said these people were hurt by their actions ... they were, as were others. Please, don't infer I'm saying things I'm not ... I love good, heated discussion, but not when it's based on things I didn't say. Thanks.

I'm still a little cloudy here. I'm going to make up a long winded metaphor to show my misunderstanding, because Im sure Im getting things crossed here.

I don't know how you get LeBron or Bosh being responsible for hurting anyone.

If Im driving home my car-pool from work on the highway (of life...whoa...just think about that) and every day me and my 4 colleagues stop to eat, and I decide where. Lets say I pull into a reststop and have to choose between McDonalds, Roy Rogers and Burger King.

Lets say I always eat at Burger King..so often that the cashier knows my name and what I and my buddies order. From now on though, I want to sit down with a spicy chicken sandwich from Roy Rogers. I don't like the service Burger King has been providing, they haven't been giving me the sandwich I think I deserve, and Roy Rogers just looks way better.

Am I hurting Burger King there?

I think LeBron basically did the same thing. The thing I really disagree with though, is that instead of choosing where he wanted to eat and not making a big deal out of it, he called ahead to the rest stop, and told all the restaurants that they all had a chance to get him to eat there. Heck, even Mrs Fields cookies thought they had a shot.

So everyone did a song and dance and got their hopes up and told all their employees that if they get this one tool box to eat at their joint, that they could get extra shifts and new aprons. Then, when LeBron got to the reststop, he had all the restaurants line up, and then while the rest of the travelers looked on in vapid curiosity, LeBron selected one, and left everyone else without even so much as a thank-you.

I don't think LeBron could be blamed with "hurting" anyone by leaving. I think how he left was classless, but I don't think actually leaving can be blamed with hurting anyone. Heck, even if half of Cleveland lost their jobs because of the lack of money coming in after James left, he still couldn't be blamed. It was not his responsibility as a person or a professional to stay there.

I just think he did owe it to Cleveland to leave them with some dignity in the process.

[indeedproceed]

So what is the NBA going to do when the next great triumvirate gets together and decides where they are going to play in a couple of years and how much each of them will make? For example, while a long shot, say the Paul/Melo/Amar'e thing happens in New York? Or something else happens somewhere else? What will the league be like when there are three or four superteams and everyone else plays for the scraps? What will the league be like when the small market teams have even less chance to compete? Honestly, the league needs to do something about this situation before it happens two or three more times.

I think the CBA will take care of it. THe CBA will stop this kind of player collusion, and it will stop being able to trade an expiring contract which is prearranged to be waved, then have the player join his original team.

[FallGuy]

So what is the NBA going to do when the next great triumvirate gets together and decides where they are going to play in a couple of years and how much each of them will make? For example, while a long shot, say the Paul/Melo/Amar'e thing happens in New York? Or something else happens somewhere else? What will the league be like when there are three or four superteams and everyone else plays for the scraps? What will the league be like when the small market teams have even less chance to compete? Honestly, the league needs to do something about this situation before it happens two or three more times.

I think the CBA will take care of it. THe CBA will stop this kind of player collusion, and it will stop being able to trade an expiring contract which is prearranged to be waved, then have the player join his original team.

There's nothing the league can do to prevent friends from playing together or having conversations about those kinds of things. For star players, this is going to be the new normal.

[indeedproceed]

So what is the NBA going to do when the next great triumvirate gets together and decides where they are going to play in a couple of years and how much each of them will make? For example, while a long shot, say the Paul/Melo/Amar'e thing happens in New York? Or something else happens somewhere else? What will the league be like when there are three or four superteams and everyone else plays for the scraps? What will the league be like when the small market teams have even less chance to compete? Honestly, the league needs to do something about this situation before it happens two or three more times.

I think the CBA will take care of it. THe CBA will stop this kind of player collusion, and it will stop being able to trade an expiring contract which is prearranged to be waved, then have the player join his original team.

There's nothing the league can do to prevent friends from playing together or having conversations about those kinds of things. For star players, this is going to be the new normal.

The NBA can however ensure that teams do not have cap room in any given year for more than 2 max players.

AKA: no more than 24 million or so cap room can be used in any 1 given season.

That'll make it a little harder at least.

[FallGuy]

So what is the NBA going to do when the next great triumvirate gets together and decides where they are going to play in a couple of years and how much each of them will make? For example, while a long shot, say the Paul/Melo/Amar'e thing happens in New York? Or something else happens somewhere else? What will the league be like when there are three or four superteams and everyone else plays for the scraps? What will the league be like when the small market teams have even less chance to compete? Honestly, the league needs to do something about this situation before it happens two or three more times.

I think the CBA will take care of it. THe CBA will stop this kind of player collusion, and it will stop being able to trade an expiring contract which is prearranged to be waved, then have the player join his original team.

There's nothing the league can do to prevent friends from playing together or having conversations about those kinds of things. For star players, this is going to be the new normal.

The NBA can however ensure that teams do not have cap room in any given year for more than 2 max players.

AKA: no more than 24 million or so cap room can be used in any 1 given season.

That'll make it a little harder at least.

Don't like that idea. If teams want to take a huge gamble, they should be able to do so. Most of the time it will fail, anyway.

[indeedproceed]

So what is the NBA going to do when the next great triumvirate gets together and decides where they are going to play in a couple of years and how much each of them will make? For example, while a long shot, say the Paul/Melo/Amar'e thing happens in New York? Or something else happens somewhere else? What will the league be like when there are three or four superteams and everyone else plays for the scraps? What will the league be like when the small market teams have even less chance to compete? Honestly, the league needs to do something about this situation before it happens two or three more times.

I think the CBA will take care of it. THe CBA will stop this kind of player collusion, and it will stop being able to trade an expiring contract which is prearranged to be waved, then have the player join his original team.

There's nothing the league can do to prevent friends from playing together or having conversations about those kinds of things. For star players, this is going to be the new normal.

The NBA can however ensure that teams do not have cap room in any given year for more than 2 max players.

AKA: no more than 24 million or so cap room can be used in any 1 given season.

That'll make it a little harder at least.

Don't like that idea. If teams want to take a huge gamble, they should be able to do so. Most of the time it will fail, anyway.

Well right, but one time it will succeed. I don't like the idea of whatever team can sell its self better being the team that has all the best players. If I liked that I'd be a Calipari fan.

[Redz]

I said I don't feel sorry for them because of the backlash ... I said they hurt people by doing what they did ... I even said that I took exception to being called a "hater" and "jealous" because the backlash didn't bother me ... but I never said either of the things you say I did here.

Well, the businesses made a ton of money off LeBron and Bosh and we're supposed to feel sorry for those businesses because they're not making that money anymore? Maybe get a different business model then?

Did I say we're supposed to feel sorry for them? I said these people were hurt by their actions ... they were, as were others. Please, don't infer I'm saying things I'm not ... I love good, heated discussion, but not when it's based on things I didn't say. Thanks.

I'm still a little cloudy here. I'm going to make up a long winded metaphor to show my misunderstanding, because Im sure Im getting things crossed here.

I don't know how you get LeBron or Bosh being responsible for hurting anyone.

If Im driving home my car-pool from work on the highway (of life...whoa...just think about that) and every day me and my 4 colleagues stop to eat, and I decide where. Lets say I pull into a reststop and have to choose between McDonalds, Roy Rogers and Burger King.

Lets say I always eat at Burger King..so often that the cashier knows my name and what I and my buddies order. From now on though, I want to sit down with a spicy chicken sandwich from Roy Rogers. I don't like the service Burger King has been providing, they haven't been giving me the sandwich I think I deserve, and Roy Rogers just looks way better.

Am I hurting Burger King there?

I think LeBron basically did the same thing. The thing I really disagree with though, is that instead of choosing where he wanted to eat and not making a big deal out of it, he called ahead to the rest stop, and told all the restaurants that they all had a chance to get him to eat there. Heck, even Mrs Fields cookies thought they had a shot.

So everyone did a song and dance and got their hopes up and told all their employees that if they get this one tool box to eat at their joint, that they could get extra shifts and new aprons. Then, when LeBron got to the reststop, he had all the restaurants line up, and then while the rest of the travelers looked on in vapid curiosity, LeBron selected one, and left everyone else without even so much as a thank-you.

I don't think LeBron could be blamed with "hurting" anyone by leaving. I think how he left was classless, but I don't think actually leaving can be blamed with hurting anyone. Heck, even if half of Cleveland lost their jobs because of the lack of money coming in after James left, he still couldn't be blamed. It was not his responsibility as a person or a professional to stay there.

I just think he did owe it to Cleveland to leave them with some dignity in the process.

I'm Roy Rogers and I approve of this metaphor