Sep

30

LBJ Responds To Rumors Of Leaving Cleveland

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The “Akron Beacon-Journal” reported Tuesday that Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star forward LeBron James told reporters Monday that off-season speculation about him bolting to either the Knicks or the Nets, in 2010 is just that; speculation. And according to LBJ it is based on absolutely nothing. James responded to reporters on Media Day which was held Monday at the “Q” in Cleveland. The Cavaliers superstar said that he has always stressed how content he is playing in Cleveland.

“Go on the Internet and look at every time I have been asked am I happy in Cleveland and see my response. I’ve never given any indication that I was leaving or didn’t like being here. Every time I am asked the question; I love being here, I love playing in front of these fans, my family is here, I grew up 30 miles away; I never gave any indication that I did not like playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.”

There has been constant chatter about James opting out of his contract in the Summer of 2010 almost since the season ended. Many of the scenarios have LBJ going to either the New York Knicks or the New Jersey Nets to take advantage of the added exposure that he would supposedly have in the NYC market (as if he could be even more omni-present than he already is.)

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net


Sep

30

Dan Gilbert Gets It!

Filed Under NBA Off The Court Issues, SDC COMMENTARY | Leave a Comment

I ended up playing “straight man” to Cleveland Cavaliers Team Owner Dan Gilbert very early in his tenure as owner of the team. It was at a press conference introducing new Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry, and new head coach Mike Brown.

Gilbert had bought the team during the middle of the previous season. He fired head coach Paul Silas with the team still in the playoff hunt in the NBA Eastern Conference. Cleveland ended up not making the post season. Shortly after the season ended, he would fire President of Basketball Operations Jim Paxson.

I asked Gilbert at that press conference, with he being a relatively new owner, and having a neophyte G.M. as well as a neophyte head coach how confident was he that Cleveland would have a successful season. The Cavaliers owner replied “I went to Michigan State, I’m not sure I know the meaning of the word neophyte.”

Dan Gilbert is an extremely intelligent man, of course he knew that neophyte means somebody who is a beginner or a novice. He got himself a laugh out of the response, and probably lightened the atmosphere of the event with his levity. And with the hirings he announced that day the Cavaliers have had a great run of prosperity. They have made the NBA Playoffs all three seasons since Ferry and Brown took the helm, including the team’s first appearance in the NBA Finals, in 2007. Last season they took the eventual NBA Champs the Boston Celtics to a seven game series. Neither Detroit who played them in the Eastern Conference Finals, or the Lakers who played them in the Finals got past six games against Boston.

The “Associated Press” reported Thursday night that Gilbert talked with reporters Thursday on the eve of NBA training camp. Of course as when anybody from the Cleveland Cavaliers organization are interviewed the subject quickly turns to the “Franchise” All-Star forward LeBron James. And as always happens at least one reporter will ask about LBJ leaving when he has an opt-out clause in his contract in the Summer of 2010.

The Cavaliers Team Owner will eternally have my respect for his response. Gilbert said to reporters “It’s kind of an insult to the city of Cleveland in my opinion; an insult to the Midwest. People in your profession are very bored on both sides of the country. There’s no basketball going on so they write this stuff. I think we’re one of the top organizations in the NBA. I think we’re going to compete for a championship in the next year or two and we’ll worry about that summer when it comes.”

It is just conjecture on my part, but I think that Gilbert was just being diplomatic when he put the blame on outside media. He realizes that it is basically a cottage industry in Cleveland predicting when that next big superstar is going to move on to greener pastures. Part of it is a deep seated feeling among fans from Cleveland that they don’t deserve to have the elite players. And if somehow they luck into one it’s just a matter of time before they move on.

Unfortunately part of it is also almost a Pavlovian response to the past. For over a decade they have seen their athletes abandon Cleveland. In 1995 the city actually lost an entire team as the “Real Browns” moved to Baltimore.

With all the great players that came up through the Cleveland Indians farm system since the early 1990’s the best always left. Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez, both almost locks to make it to Cooperstown, left years ago. This Summer the Tribe lost Cy Young winner CC Sabathia as he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for prospects. Sabathia Sunday pitched Milwaukee into the NLDS as he defeated the Cubs to put the Brewers in the post season.

And then of course was the colossal blunder by former Cavaliers Team Owner Gordon Gund and Jim Paxson that allowed Carlos Boozer to become an unrestricted free agent. Boozer has gotten a bad rap for years in Cleveland, but it was Paxson’s error that allowed Boozer to leave. Boozer’s hero growing up was Karl Malone. When he had the chance to play for the Mailman’s old team and old coach, it was like a dream come true. When a veteran General Manager counts on some body’s alleged promise, than they are best naive.

I did not approve at the time, and to this day I still think that Gilbert was wrong at firing Paul Silas when he did. However Gilbert, Ferry, and Brown have given life to a franchise that was on life support before LBJ came to town. I agree with his assessment of his team with the addition of Mo Williams and signing restricted free agent guard Delonte West, they are now one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference. Reigning NBA Champs the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland in my mind are now the three best teams in the Conference. I believe that Detroit by staying pat has allowed other teams to pass them by.

Gilbert has done every thing that a good team owner has to do, since hiring his management team. He has spent the money that he has needed to put the Cavaliers in the upper tier of NBA franchises. He realizes maybe better than anyone, how much his team, and the city of Cleveland needs to retain LeBron James. I am not a betting man. However, if I were I would not bet against Dan Gilbert.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Sep

29

Gordon Expected To Sign Qualifying Offer With Bulls

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After a Summer of uncertainty, it appears that restricted free agent guard Ben Gordon will end up playing for the Chicago Bulls in the upcoming season. The “Chicago Tribune” reported that Gordon has apparently changed his mind and will sign a one year qualifying offer by Chicago. Gordon had said in August that he would not sign the offer, and thought his days as a member of the Bulls were over. There were reports earlier this month that Gordon was talking with CSKA Moscow about playing overseas. If Gordon does sign the qualifying offer by Wednesday which is the NBA deadline, he would become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the season.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Sep

29

Heat G.M. Pfund Resigns; Riley To Assume Duties

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The “Associated Press” reported Monday that long time Miami Heat General Manager Randy Pfund has resigned his position with the organization. The team issued a statement that he was going on to pursue “other business opportunities” without getting any more specific. The Heat will not hire another G.M. as Team President Pat Riley will take on most of Pfund’s responsibilities. Riley resigned as head coach of the Heat at the end of last season, but retained his position as Team President. Pfund spent 13 years with the Heat, and was the General Manager for the team when they won the NBA Finals in 2006.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Sep

29

Howard Admits To The Error Of His Ways

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Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard has courted the bright lights of controversy since last Spring. Monday he publicly admitted to pulling some foolish stunts over the last few months and apologized according to the “Associated Press“. Howard realizes he has offended lots of folks over the last few months. Monday was his first step in trying to get back in the good graces of the Association, NBA fans, and Americans in general.

You may remember back in April Howard decided to tell the planet via a Dallas radio show that he partakes in marijuana in the off-season. Howard was being interviewed on the “Michael Irvin Show” on the ESPN affiliate in Dallas. Howard said that the media and the fans were aware that many players partake in smoking marijuana, and that he himself enjoys it in the off-season.

When asked what Mavericks coach Avery Johnson (who was dismissed after the season) and Team Owner Mark Cuban felt about his honesty in admitting to smoking, he said that they trusted him enough as a person to allow him to make his own decisions. Not only is the possession and use of marijuana against the law in Texas, and the USA, it is also a violation of the Association Drug rules.

Howard next made headlines at the end of July. The Mavericks forward was arrested after engaging in some drag racing. He was clocked doing 94 mph in a 55 mph, Howard was charged with speeding, careless and reckless driving, and a speed competition. Police reported seeing a black Lexus racing against a silver Volkswagen.

The incident was eerily reminiscent of the tragic accident that claimed the life of Charlotte Hornets player Bobby Phills. Phills was racing against teammate David Wesley when he lost control of his vehicle, and crashed into another car. Phills was killed in the incident, in January of 2000.

Howard did not win himself any fans when he played the fool at a flag football game that took place in July as a charitable event put on by Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson. A video of the event surfaced recently on YouTube. On the video Howard is captured on a cell phone saying “‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ is going on. I don’t celebrate this (expletive). I’m black.”

If you could seperate your emotions from the video as you watched it, you could clearly see Howard was just joking with his fellas. He deepened his voice and tried to come off as the angry militant young black man. But unfortunately for Howard we now live in 2008, a time that the technology has basically taken away private moments. Especially when someone is recording it on a cellphone. As Mavericks Team Owner Mark Cuban told Howard, cell phones are not an athlete’s friend.

The “joke” backfired, big time as immediately Howard’s patriotism was called into question. It was not a thing that you say in this politically charged era that we live in that is going to win you friends and influence people. For a public figure to say that was purely stupid, even if it was a joke.

Howard told reporters on Monday that he took full responsibility for his actions. He read a prepared statement before taking questions from the media. The former Wake Forest player said “I’d like to say that I’m truly and really am sorry for everything that’s happened in the last five months. This is not the way I carry myself, not how I want to be portrayed. I’m sorry to everybody I’ve offended. I’m upset with myself and the way I’ve acted.”

Howard did say that he was joking when he made the comments. He said “It was me joking around. Guys were out there making fun and I decided to get along in it. I wasn’t using my head. I guess the valuable lesson I did learn is that words really do hurt. You’re held accountable for what you say.”

Especially when you are one of a select few Josh that has the privilege of playing in the NBA. You know all too well that there are lots of “haters” out there. And by your actions the last few months you have given them plenty of ammunition.

Ironically, Howard’s childhood was just the opposite of the man on the video. He told reporters “That’s not me. I went to military school. I have friends that served in the military. I know how it is to wake up and salute the flag. The national anthem every game, I have my hand over my heart.”

The press conference Howard held Monday was just the beginning of the healing process. He realizes he has lots to do to try to repair his damaged reputation. He wants to prove to the fans of the Association he is not that militant they saw on their computers. Howard told reporters “I’ll try to win them back (the fans.) Whatever it takes me to do that, I’ll do it!”

Josh you dug yourself into a canyon over the last few months. However maybe the lessons that you have learned and will learn on the way to rehabilitating your rep, may do you some good in the long term. They say that what ever does not kill you makes you stronger. Hopefully that is the way it will turn out for you.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Sep

29

Walsh Reveals He Had Surgery To Remove Cancer On His Tongue

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The “New York Post” has reported that New York Knicks Team President Donnie Walsh revealed that he had surgery this Summer to remove a cancerous section of his tongue. Walsh told the paper that he had the surgery in June, and that the procedure was successful. Walsh said “My doctor says he got it all. Luckily, it was caught quickly before it could spread.”

Walsh said the cancer was discovered while he was having a physical after being hired by New York as the new Team President in April. Walsh was the long time President of the Indiana Pacers, before moving on to the Knicks. The 67 year old Team President told the paper that his tongue still feels numb and he feels like he has “marbles in his mouth.” 

Walsh who had smoked for 50 years before the cancer was discovered (he has since quit) was prepared for the worst as he dealt with the diagnosis. He said “If they have to cut my tongue out I’m going to leave New York without telling anybody, fly home to Indianapolis, go straight to my backyard and never come off the property again.” Thankfully that was not the case.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

Sep

28

White Chocolate Hangs It Up; Jason Williams Calls It A Career

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The player known as “White Chocolate” early in his NBA career, has decided to retire. The “Los Angeles Times” has reported that Los Angeles Clippers point guard Jason Williams announced he is ending his ten year career in the Association. Williams who played last season for the Miami Heat signed on with the Clippers as a free agent this Summer. Williams was part of the 2006 Miami Heat team that won the NBA Championship. The veteran who will turn 33 in November was taken in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. Williams also played with the Memphis Grizzlies during his time in the Association. He had career averages of 11.4 points, 6.3 assists, and 2.4 rebounds, per game.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net

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