Patrick McManamon: Don't curse the gods yet, LeBron to Greece r...

[Ed Haas]

Mike wrote:

<quoted text>
Trus me Ed Haas, Twinsburg is no peach of a place to live. You dont know LeBron as we do. He is a way better guy than people like you give him credit for. LeBron really doesnt have to worry about cash. He must worry about what is better for his athletic legend. If Management puts together a dominate supporting cast worthy of a dynasty, LeBron will go nowhere. Ed, I wish you would ****.

What in bloody h-e-ll are you talking about? YOU don't know Lebron. I went to every home game he had his senior year, and paid well for some of those game tickets. I've been following him since my friend (who was in his class) mentioned that this "kid" could out "ball" everyone in the area. Lebron cares about his "legend" as you state, but he cares more about becoming one of the first black billionares than his supposed legend. That's a fact. Playing in Greece for a ton of money will get him closer to that even more important goal. I'm not saying he WILL go to Greece, I'm merely saying it would not surprise me to see him go if they offer him some crazy amount. It could happen.

[San Antone Bill]

Ed Haas wrote:

<quoted text>
Actually, we get plenty of entertainment out of those billions we Americans spend on sports. I get excited and enjoy watching sports, and that to me is worth my cable bill alone. I buy a jersey to help represent my favorite players etc. I don't see anything wrong with this. They make millions because it's a BUSINESS, and people are willing to pay for the product this BUSINESS provides. Between that reason, and the possible life threatening injuries the players are at risk for, I think they DESERVE the money if people are willing to pay. Start looking at sports as a BUSINESS of ENTERTAINMENT and you won't think so ridiculously about the money being spent.

You are correct it is a free society here in the USA. I don't begrudge you any entertainment howver, what about the the folks who voted no on their recent school levies.

Hmm,cable, going to an ocassional game buying a jersey. Yep,that is probably more than the cost of the two hundred dollar a year school levy. Lots of people are saying no to the kids but still support those greedy sports heroes.

Everything they do raises the cost of goods sold in the sports paraphanelia market. What $150-200 for sneakers. Yeah for LeBron and all the othert sports legends or figures. Just one pair of shoes would pay some ones tax levy. I bet there are thousands if not millions sold annualy. Now that's entertainment.

Now when one of those sports heroes doesn't think a fifteen million dollar contract is enough he or she will move on to another city. The sad part is we all collectively pay for the endorsements Lakers get or Celtics get. Every thing they all endorse drives the cost up. But that's cool. Just say no to the kids and say yes to LeBron,or any of the sports biggies.

I zam not singling you out here just the idea in general and all of us in particular. Me included.

[CuddyTheFlash]

ABJ BREAKING NEWS wrote:

From now on the ABJ will be known as "THE LeBRON JAMES TIMES."

From now on? I've calling this sorry excuse for a paper the "LeBron Journal" ever since they started chronicling his every waking moment around his junior year of high school. It was really nice reading the daily articles of LeBron getting dressed by himself and eating all his veggies before Momma would let him play with his little friends.

[Dutchie]

About the NBA going global:

I'm guessing none of y'all really understand european formats. Every country has its own, national league. And next to this national league, the best teams of these leagues play in european tournaments such as the euroleague (there is also ULEB etc). The Euroleague can not be compared to the NBA in the way that teams playing in the Euroleague must adhere the wishes of the Euroleague. They can say NO and play ULEB or none of these league's. NBA teams can't say NO to David Stern. And thus, every national league would have to say yes to an NBA coming to Europe, and then still the Euroleague would have to adhere. They probably won't! Why would they give their positions away to the NBA (David Stern)? They've got no reason. You bet ur as*** that the Euroleague will much sooner become a true competitor for the NBA, then a viable partner....!!

[James Clark]

If I was LeBron James I would take it. Its way more money than he will see in the NBA. Its only 2 years, he can come back and play in the NBA after that anyway or stay and get filthy rich. He said he wants to be the first billion dollar athlete, thats the road to take if he was me.

[Brian Brennan]

BMK wrote:

To the editor of the Akron Beacon Journal: I beg you, please fire Pat, the worst sportswriter I have ever read, and offer his job to someone who can actually think and write clearly. You might want to consider someone who is less pretentious and more insightful. If you refuse to fire him, at least do for him what any good friend would do -- explain to him gently that he is not witty, and the harder he tries to be, the worse his writing becomes.

Why so harsh?

[Brian Brennan]

Ed Haas wrote:

<quoted text>
Actually, we get plenty of entertainment out of those billions we Americans spend on sports. I get excited and enjoy watching sports, and that to me is worth my cable bill alone. I buy a jersey to help represent my favorite players etc. I don't see anything wrong with this. They make millions because it's a BUSINESS, and people are willing to pay for the product this BUSINESS provides. Between that reason, and the possible life threatening injuries the players are at risk for, I think they DESERVE the money if people are willing to pay. Start looking at sports as a BUSINESS of ENTERTAINMENT and you won't think so ridiculously about the money being spent.

Excellent points, Ed. And when you factor in what the owner makes off a player like Lebron you could actually make the argument that in the grand scheme of things he is underpaid. Players are an easy target when the real villian usually is the owner.

[alan t]

San Antone Bill wrote:

<quoted text>
You got to be kidding me!! All Pro atheletes are drastically over paid for what they provide to the community. To give these people more money is a slap in the face to every hard working person. There is nothing wrong with making money or winning but it seems it is all done at the FANS expense.
Wether we like it or not we are still paying for Jordan and his high salary and high noteriaty. The cost of his Tee-shirts is rediculous. Getting your face on a box of wheaties just drives up the cost. Sneakers,caps,jackets,Logo Tee shirts are all way out of wack in pricing. It still cost what maybe four dollars to make in China.
There is absolutely no value to the community. Even the manufacturing of sports paraphanelia is lost to Americans. In fact most sports teams get tax breaks. So we the fan pay their salary,pay for a stadium to watch them and pay through the nose for there sneakers etc...
So what is the community get out of it. Okay bragging rights. There can only be one and we still pay for all the other teams. Who don't even give us a warm fuzzy.
This whole thing is nuts. Fans should unite and stop participating in going,buying and watching sports until the reality of paying Billions for nothing is stopped. We get nothing in return for our collective billions of dollars spent in the name of sports and intertainment.

Sorry, but this is a really, really stupid post. Precisely what does Will Ferrell, or whoever, "provide to the community?" But that doesn't stop the studios from paying him $20 million per movie, nor stop you from spending $10 to buy a ticket to see him in the movie.

Stop comparing yourself and everyday Joes to professional athletes. Who, in truth, are professional entertainers. They're not there for the community, they're there to entertain. That's why the NBA's marketing arm is literally called "NBA Entertainment." Seriously, man, get off your nonsensical soapbox, it's not the first time you've posted it.

[foolish James]

James is a kid. He and his entourage talk too much when they need to keep quiet and do not speak up when they need to be quiet. James needs to take that baby powder clap before a game and spank his behind with it.

He needs to learn PR.(public relations)He still needs to get a mid-range jumper! He is just a big athlete, not a 'player!'

The chosen one is not necessarily the right one.

[foolish James]

I do not blame him if he takes the money. He just needs to keep quiet about it. He needs to calm the people down.

[foolish James correction]

James is a kid. He and his entourage talk too much when they need to keep quiet and do not speak up when they need to address the situation. James needs to take that baby powder clap before a game and spank his behind with it.