LeBron would be 'grateful' if Cavs retired jersey

[Finkelskyhook]

The messiah probably thinks he's the Jackie Robinson of the NBA. 

The NBA should retire his number post-haste.

[fairweatherfan]

Maybe they could retire it out of spite.

I like the idea of the Cavs reserving #23 exclusively for D-Leaguers and guys on 10-day contracts.  That'd be a pretty funny gesture I think.

[JSD]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=6271350


This is hilarious.  I mean he only ruined a franchise and turned his back on them in spectacular fashion.

It would be really nice if America would name a state after Benedict Arnold too. 


This guy needs to be evaluated.

You're not serious are you?
The guy ruined the franchise? Turned his back on them?

How bout he gave them 7 years at 150% and the best supporting cast they could get him was Mo williams.
Only reason the city has had anything to cheer about in the last 7 years.

Can't see how he has done anything wrong here. Another bandwagon lebron bashing.

that's pretty much what I was thinking.  Dan Gilbert ruined that franchise with his bone headed trades and signings (and that ridiculous letter).  Gund ruined the franchise when he tried to pull a fast one with the CBA and let Boozer out of his contract.

Your targeting the wrong Dan (or Danny) here.

[SamuelAdams]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=6271350

You're not serious are you?
The guy ruined the franchise? Turned his back on them?

How bout he gave them 7 years at 150% and the best supporting cast they could get him was Mo williams.
Only reason the city has had anything to cheer about in the last 7 years.

Can't see how he has done anything wrong here. Another bandwagon lebron bashing.

No need to bash the poster to make your point mate.   We are all on the same team here. 

[slamtheking]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=6271350


This is hilarious.  I mean he only ruined a franchise and turned his back on them in spectacular fashion.

It would be really nice if America would name a state after Benedict Arnold too. 


This guy needs to be evaluated.

You don't think LeBron gave the right answer there?

Most likely, a reporter asked him the question, he didn't bring it up.

Reporter:  "LeBron, do you think the Cavs will retire your jersey?"

LeBron:  "That's something I don't know and something I can't control. Anytime you get a jersey retired anywhere it is a tribute. I have my jersey in my high school and when that happened it was unbelievable. If that happens here, I'll be grateful."

Really, what do you want him to say in that situation?   What would a better answer to that question have been?  Sounds like he gave a great answer to me.

I think a better answer would be "that would be a nice gesture but I'm undeserving of that honor after I toyed with the fanbase this past offseason.  Besides, I'll be spending the bulk of my career in South Beach so that would be the more appropriate place to retire my jersey--if I'm part of a championship team that is."

I think that would be better

[soap07]

I think a better answer would be "that would be a nice gesture but I'm undeserving of that honor after I toyed with the fanbase this past offseason.  Besides, I'll be spending the bulk of my career in South Beach so that would be the more appropriate place to retire my jersey--if I'm part of a championship team that is."

My guess is that you'd find something wrong with that statement too.

[RebusRankin]

Best player in franchise history, they'll retire it eventually.

[barefacedmonk]

Best player in franchise history, they'll retire it eventually.

I agree with this.

[slamtheking]

I think a better answer would be "that would be a nice gesture but I'm undeserving of that honor after I toyed with the fanbase this past offseason.  Besides, I'll be spending the bulk of my career in South Beach so that would be the more appropriate place to retire my jersey--if I'm part of a championship team that is."

My guess is that you'd find something wrong with that statement too.

and you'd have guessed incorrectly. 
a) I wrote it so why would I find something wrong with it 
b) I can't stand Lebron primarily because of his lack of humility and his complete buy-in to the hype machine that promotes him.  A statement showing some humility in the face of a undeserved (IMO) honor and an acknowledgement of his poorly handled 'South Beach' fiasco would go a long ways towards regaining some respect.

As a player, I think he's the best there is right now but I absolutely cannot stand him as a person.  I have little doubt that the personal flaws I dislike intensely about him are most likely due to his handlers try to present him and tell him what to do and how to do it.

[Eja117]

Best player in franchise history, they'll retire it eventually.

Benedict Arnold was one of the best generals in American history.

Case in point.

I am a Celtics fan. I'm a Celtics fan because I grew up in the New England area. I'm not Lebron. I don't wear a Yankees hat or a Cowboys hat.

Now I'm imagining the Celtics offering me a max contract and local area legendhood forever. And I keep them waiting and on edge all summer. Then I hold an hour long special to let them know they don't mean squat to me. 

Then a reporter asks an absurd question and I take it seriously?

This is why I'm not Lebron.  I'm not Benedict Arnold and he is.  I have some loyalty on some level. He has loyalty to himself and money. 

You don't retire Benedict Arnold's accomplishments. You vilify him, which is what they did and in a sports way he deserves it.

If the Cleveland area can't hate Bron who can they hate?

[Celtics18]

Best player in franchise history, they'll retire it eventually.

I agree with this.

I don't actually think they will.  That city is too hurt by Lebron James.  I can't think of a comparable situation off the top of my head.

[Finkelskyhook]

Best player in franchise history, they'll retire it eventually.

I agree with this.

I don't actually think they will.  That city is too hurt by Lebron James.  I can't think of a comparable situation off the top of my head.

That's because there isn't one.

You could make a case for players like Carter, McGrady, and Iverson who tanked for trades....But only Iverson was as close to as iconic a figure as the messiah for his team.

[Army_of_One_Nation]

There's no reason for the Cavs to give him and his posse privileges and there is no reason for the Cavs to retire his jersey. It's just like asking the Celtic's to retire Walker's number 8.

[Finkelskyhook]

There's no reason for the Cavs to give him and his posse privileges and there is no reason for the Cavs to retire his jersey. It's just like asking the Celtic's to retire Walker's number 8.

Maybe in terms of time in service the two compare...But in no other way.  Antoine was under contract and was traded. He didn't hold his franchise hostage.   Antoine would get fan appreciation if he came to the Gahden today if he suited up for us, anybody else, or nobody at all.  He wouldn't need police protection to come back to Boston.  (Which also speaks to the civility of Cleveland fans)  Because Antoine didn't jack around the franchise who embraced him.

[soap07]

There's no reason for the Cavs to give him and his posse privileges and there is no reason for the Cavs to retire his jersey. It's just like asking the Celtic's to retire Walker's number 8.

Maybe in terms of time in service the two compare...But in no other way.  Antoine was under contract and was traded. He didn't hold his franchise hostage.   Antoine would get fan appreciation if he came to the Gahden today if he suited up for us, anybody else, or nobody at all.  He wouldn't need police protection to come back to Boston.  (Which also speaks to the civility of Cleveland fans)  Because Antoine didn't jack around the franchise who embraced him.

Also, LeBron was in shape. So there's that.