Bernie Kosar reacts to LeBron James deserting Cleveland Fans

[samoth]

Bernie should have called Troy Aikman and had him set up a meeting with LeBron. After all, as an Akron native and Cowboys, Bulls and Yankees fan, maybe LeBron would have listened.

[CLEVELandMILIDH]

Formerly Stone said:

1. We don't know what the contracts were shaped like despite the what the Cleveland media says

2. LeBron will make up any difference via sponsorships,deals, and commercials.

LBJ said it himself, believe what you want..your wrong

[BUNSofSTEEL08]

@dawgpound3 said:

Why would you want us to suck, you need us to be good. Let's face it, you cannot go without the Browns.

dont really want your squad to suck ...just vs. The Steelers...lol. HOWEVER... a couple yrs of Success and Ya ... I will want your guys to suck. Because you all will be Unbearable. hmmmm.... perhaps that is how you feel about us.

[BUNSofSTEEL08]

@next2nothing said:

I hope we smash you guys twice this season.

Dream on Brother.

[BUNSofSTEEL08]

Formerly Stone said:

I find it comical that people really think an elite player leaving their town is a traitor but yet an elite player coming to their town is just fine (keep in mind that player left his previous town to come to your town).

The bottom line is that no matter where LeBron plays/lives his life will be the same/similar. He will make tens of millions, he will have a $20M home, he will have all his ho's and entourage, and he will own the town from an NBA perspective..........so whats the motivation to leave Cleveland?..................He wants to win it all and that won't happen in Cleveland.

Here is the Difference , LBJ is a Native ... i totally understand the Hurt felt by Cavs Fans. And LBJ was just totally Cold Blooded the way he went a bout it.

[BUNSofSTEEL08]

Formerly Stone said:

Good reply and I agree with a lot of it.

A couple points.....history is what says he couldn't win it all in Cleveland, that and an organization in turmoil after last season. History said the JORDAN Couldnt win in Chicage

There's no question LeBron is a major a$$hat.............so why all the tears over his departure? Come on Stoney he was thought of as Family by Many many Cavs fans Hometown Connection

There's also no question that Gilbert is as dumb as dirt.......no matter if 100% of every word he said is true he is flat out stupid for saying it and even stupider for the way he said it. What big name player will want to play under Gilbert after that? Gilbert sounds like a jilted teenager.......he bends over backwards to keep LeBron, makes a huge issue out of how hard they tried to keep him, and then when they lose him he comes out and tells the world what an a$$hat LeBron is. It's like the cute high school girl who dumps the guy......he begs and stalks her, makes an a$$ of himself and when she finally tells him to hit the road he tells everybody how big of a beeyocth she was. Gilbert Screwed up... No Doubt Shoulda kept that Crap to the Cavs Board room.

As far as the home town aspect...........it's non-existant.....this is a job.....it's a business.

[The Gipper]

Formerly Stone said:

I find it comical that people really think an elite player leaving their town is a traitor but yet an elite player coming to their town is just fine (keep in mind that player left his previous town to come to your town).

The bottom line is that no matter where LeBron plays/lives his life will be the same/similar. He will make tens of millions, he will have a $20M home, he will have all his ho's and entourage, and he will own the town from an NBA perspective..........so whats the motivation to leave Cleveland?..................He wants to win it all and that won't happen in Cleveland.

It didn't happen here because he just simply wasn't quite good enough apparently. They were certainly good enough in the regular season given they had the best record the last two seasons, and home court advantage throughout. The problem was he just didn't step up enough to take control and win and bring a title here....despite having the tools around him to do so Yep, that's right. He had plenty of the tools necessary to win a title. He just didn't bring it home, because, in reality, he really didn't like to being the leader on his team. He wasn't comfortable with the yoke around his neck, and he will actually be quite happy to defer to Duane Wade as the Alpha Dog on that team.

[The Gipper]

Formerly Stone said:

Good reply and I agree with a lot of it.

A couple points.....history is what says he couldn't win it all in Cleveland, that and an organization in turmoil after last season.

There's no question LeBron is a major a$$hat.............so why all the tears over his departure?

There's also no question that Gilbert is as dumb as dirt.......no matter if 100% of every word he said is true he is flat out stupid for saying it and even stupider for the way he said it. What big name player will want to play under Gilbert after that? Gilbert sounds like a jilted teenager.......he bends over backwards to keep LeBron, makes a huge issue out of how hard they tried to keep him, and then when they lose him he comes out and tells the world what an a$$hat LeBron is. It's like the cute high school girl who dumps the guy......he begs and stalks her, makes an a$$ of himself and when she finally tells him to hit the road he tells everybody how big of a beeyocth she was.

As far as the home town aspect...........it's non-existant.....this is a job.....it's a business.

A couple of points on your points: the organization wasn't in "turmoil". It simply made changes. Perhaps changes for the better in fact. Chris Grant may have been an improvement over Danny Ferry (that remains to be seen, but its by all means possible). Byron Scott is pretty univerally held in respect as a coach...moreso than Mike Brown was. And the only "turmoil" about the team had to do with the actions of LeBron. Everything was done by the team to placate him and try to satisfy HIM, so yea, there is some resentment about his "Betrayal".

As for Gilbert: he is now a folk hero amongst nearly all fans everywhere...and amongst many or most major league sports franchise owners.

As for the home town aspect.....we take pride in our home town, we have enthusiasm for our home town, we defend out home town just like we do our country. Maybe that is why you have so much trouble understanding us. Maybe you come from a place where they have no pride, enthusiasm or support for your areas. You can take a job, or you can shove a job. You can take a business, or you can shut it down. That doesn't change our loyalties.

[BUNSofSTEEL08]

Formerly Stone said:

Good reply and I agree with a lot of it.

A couple points.....history is what says he couldn't win it all in Cleveland, that and an organization in turmoil after last season.

There's no question LeBron is a major a$$hat.............so why all the tears over his departure?

There's also no question that Gilbert is as dumb as dirt.......no matter if 100% of every word he said is true he is flat out stupid for saying it and even stupider for the way he said it. What big name player will want to play under Gilbert after that? Gilbert sounds like a jilted teenager.......he bends over backwards to keep LeBron, makes a huge issue out of how hard they tried to keep him, and then when they lose him he comes out and tells the world what an a$$hat LeBron is. It's like the cute high school girl who dumps the guy......he begs and stalks her, makes an a$$ of himself and when she finally tells him to hit the road he tells everybody how big of a beeyocth she was.

As far as the home town aspect...........it's non-existant.....this is a job.....it's a business.

Come on , We Pittsburgh Fans have NO RIGHT to rip Cavs fans for this... We hated Barry Bonds forever when he left...and witha PASSION and LONG Before he was linked to ROIDS... Its BS to pick at these guys over the LBJ thing. Seriously , I follow the NBA Closely and this was a HARD PILL to swallow for Cavs fans. They KNOW LBJ is Elite ... they speak from anger and Hurt. And really its all understandable

[djdawg2010]

@the-gipper said:

A couple of points on your points: the organization wasn't in "turmoil". It simply made changes. Perhaps changes for the better in fact. Chris Grant may have been an improvement over Danny Ferry (that remains to be seen, but its by all means possible). Byron Scott is pretty univerally held in respect as a coach...moreso than Mike Brown was. And the only "turmoil" about the team had to do with the actions of LeBron. Everything was done by the team to placate him and try to satisfy HIM, so yea, there is some resentment about his "Betrayal".

As for Gilbert: he is now a folk hero amongst nearly all fans everywhere...and amongst many or most major league sports franchise owners.

As for the home town aspect.....we take pride in our home town, we have enthusiasm for our home town, we defend out home town just like we do our country. Maybe that is why you have so much trouble understanding us. Maybe you come from a place where they have no pride, enthusiasm or support for your areas. You can take a job, or you can shove a job. You can take a business, or you can shut it down. That doesn't change our loyalties

.

Couldn't have said this better myself Gipper! For better or worse, Cleveland, and NE Ohio is our home, and I'm sick of the constant bashing!

[djdawg2010]

FREAKofSTEEL08 said:

dont really want your squad to suck ...just vs. The Steelers...lol. HOWEVER... a couple yrs of Success and Ya ... I will want your guys to suck. Because you all will be Unbearable. hmmmm.... perhaps that is how you feel about us.

Boy ain't that the truth! Not all of you. We also hope that this rivalry will rev up again! It's good for our division, and it's good for the NFL!

[The Gipper]

Formerly Stone said:

1. We don't know what the contracts were shaped like despite the what the Cleveland media says

2. LeBron will make up any difference via sponsorships,deals, and commercials.

1. He made up a BIG part of the difference in salaries when the sign and trade deal was worked out. That alone put about 30 more mil in his pocket. I guess he will need it because:

2. By all accounts he is likely to be a far less "marketable" "brand" than he was before. Now, all his marketing will have to be as one of the member of the Troika of Fools down in Miami. On his own his image is tarnished and diminished. Fewer sponsors will want him, or to pay him as much as he could have gotten on his own as the Big Man in Town.

They pay The Lone Ranger a hell of a lot more than they pay Tonto. They pay Batman a hell of a lot more than they pay Robin. LBJ has become Tonto or Robin.

I mean, he ain't Elvis anymore, he is just one of the Kingston Trio.

He ain't Gladys Knight, he's just one of The Pips.

He is now just one of The Triumvirate with Crassus and Pompey. He is no longer The Emperor Julius Caesar.

He is no longer Augustus Caesar, he is mere Octavian trying to rule alongside Lepidus and Mark Antony.

His status as The King is gone. He is now just one of the Three....Stooges? Blind Mice? Amigos? Musketeers (not as noble)

[The Gipper]

Formerly Stone said:

Maybe you hit on something Gip! You see Steeler fans are as proud and loyal as any fan in the world, the difference is we realize there is a universe of difference between pride in a country/nation and pride in a game conducted by a morally bankrupt organization. This is why the people of Pittsburgh are down right embarrassed by the buffoon sitting in the white house right now!

Actually, I don't think you guys have much in he way of pride AT ALL.

You just admitted you had no pride in your nation.

You apparently have no pride in your city.

If any of such characterics exist, it is only fair weathered pride. You basically just admitted that you cut and run when times get tough...be that with your sports team or your nation.

So, now we know what you are all about.

Nothing more need be said.

[SJ_Browns]

@the-gipper said:

It didn't happen here because he just simply wasn't quite good enough apparently. They were certainly good enough in the regular season given they had the best record the last two seasons, and home court advantage throughout. The problem was he just didn't step up enough to take control and win and bring a title here....despite having the tools around him to do so Yep, that's right. He had plenty of the tools necessary to win a title. He just didn't bring it home, because, in reality, he really didn't like to being the leader on his team. He wasn't comfortable with the yoke around his neck, and he will actually be quite happy to defer to Duane Wade as the Alpha Dog on that team.

great post, gipper. i can't remember if it was michael reghi, kenny roda or andre knott that said mo williams was heard in a timeout ripping lebron telling him to step the f*ck up and be a damn leader. this happened in the last game vs the celtics in the 2010 playoffs.

[The Gipper]

Formerly Stone said:

Dude.....you're a hoot! Do you speak a different language or just have trouble reading?

Perhaps. I don't speak your Neanderthal, if that's what you are asking.

Wakarimas-ka?

[rich4eagle]

@westside-steve said:

Really?

You mean if like the Taliban offered you more money than whatever you make here you'd take it?

Anyway he was a scumbag by all accounts around here in the Akron area and sure he has the right to do what's best for himself.

He was a asshole about ti and deserves whatever ill treatment he gets.

Why should the fans owe the arrogant prick respect?

WSS

seven years in the making and you got your come uptance...............nice........sometimes the blind see when darken awakens

[hoorta]

Formerly Stone said:

Good reply and I agree with a lot of it.

A couple points.....history is what says he couldn't win it all in Cleveland, that and an organization in turmoil after last season.

There's no question LeBron is a major a$$hat.............so why all the tears over his departure?

There's also no question that Gilbert is as dumb as dirt.......no matter if 100% of every word he said is true he is flat out stupid for saying it and even stupider for the way he said it. What big name player will want to play under Gilbert after that? Gilbert sounds like a jilted teenager.......he bends over backwards to keep LeBron, makes a huge issue out of how hard they tried to keep him, and then when they lose him he comes out and tells the world what an a$$hat LeBron is. It's like the cute high school girl who dumps the guy......he begs and stalks her, makes an a$$ of himself and when she finally tells him to hit the road he tells everybody how big of a beeyocth she was.

As far as the home town aspect...........it's non-existant.....this is a job.....it's a business.

Gilbert possibly was over the top that may hurt the Cavs down the road- but if it's just a business- then a player should have no problem playing for Gengis Kahn, assuming he's paying him more money.

Speaking of the business aspect- how many people would leave a job for another city that paid them less money, and there was a 10 story high poster outside his current office that said, "We love you, keep doing a great job here"? It's not about "business" anymore Stone- it's purely about EGO, and the events of the last few weeks prove beyond a doubt LeBron's is out of control. He's badly mistaken if he thinks the measure of the GREATEST EVER is measured by the number of Championship rings he has. In fact by his defection, he's likely blown the notion of ever getting serious consideration in that respect. The only way he does is if he wins- say- 10 championships (BTW, he still wouldn't pass Bill Russell, who has 11), and passes Kareem in the scoring department. When the going gets tough- LeBron bolts. Jordan didn't- Bird didn't. And LeBron's hurt his "brand". Nike's POed at him, and go read the papers from NYC to LA- they have universally blasted his lack of class in the way he handled his exit. The NYC fans booed him the second he stepped out of his limo when he showed up Saturday in the Big Apple for Carmello Anthony's wedding- and he ain't seen nothing yet. Just wait until he shows back up at the Q- they won't be able to sell beer in the lower arena.

[Spunkonmyback DPOY]

Formerly Stone said:

I find it comical that people really think an elite player leaving their town is a traitor but yet an elite player coming to their town is just fine (keep in mind that player left his previous town to come to your town).

The bottom line is that no matter where LeBron plays/lives his life will be the same/similar. He will make tens of millions, he will have a $20M home, he will have all his ho's and entourage, and he will own the town from an NBA perspective..........so whats the motivation to leave Cleveland?..................He wants to win it all and that won't happen in Cleveland.

Exaclty. If the Cavs brought in Bosh and Wade no one here would be saying LeBron's accomplishments mean less becuase he is playing with good players for the first time in 7 years. Why his LeBron being criticized (more accurately crucified) becuase he is following his childhood dream of an NBA title. If he was in it for money, for what other people wanted and a place where his ego would likely never be overshadowed by team success then he would have stayed in cleveland. He has been in the league 7 years and it was up to him to win the Cavs a championship. Basketball is a team sport and LeBron understands that.

[Mark O]

It's not about leaving the Cavs with me...he was free agent and he had earned that right to go where ever he chose. In my opinion, there was no need to #1, stick up the ass of Cleveland on national TV with that assinine show and announcement and #2 trying to sell people on the fact that he made that decision that morning. This was coming since the 2008 Olympics and they all had been planning it since then and we should've seen it.

[hoorta]

Sivlerback DPOY said:

Exaclty. If the Cavs brought in Bosh and Wade no one here would be saying LeBron's accomplishments mean less becuase he is playing with good players for the first time in 7 years. Why his LeBron being criticized (more accurately crucified) because he is following his childhood dream of an NBA title. If he was in it for money, for what other people wanted and a place where his ego would likely never be overshadowed by team success then he would have stayed in cleveland. He has been in the league 7 years and it was up to him to win the Cavs a championship. Basketball is a team sport and LeBron understands that.

Team sport OK- Shaq- first ballot HOF. Jamison- Allstar. Mo Williams- Allstar. Andy Varajao- in running for 6th man award. Z former Allstar. JJ Hixon up and coming power forward. I'm tired of this s**t that LeBron didn't have enough talent to win- they had the best regular season record in the NBA two years running, they beat the crap out of the '10 Champion Lakers twice, don't give me this BS the Cavs didn't give LeBron enough talent- unless the guy is so insecure he can't win unless he's surrounded by not one but two potential HOFers.

Tell ya what- if Wade had been playing for the Bulls (hometown: Chicago) and Bosh for the Mavericks (hometown: Dallas) both lesser talents than LeBron BTW there would have been an equal stink in those respective cities if either had bolted to win a championship elsewhere. IMHO, Wade would have gotten serious flack in South Beach if he had decided to return home to Chicago. How'd you Steelerites like it if Big Ben said at the end of his contract, "hey, I'm from Ohio, and I think I have a better chance to win another Super Bowl with the Browns?

Bosh is just a paid mercenary now, as is LeQuit- he's no longer the hometown hero. "The Savior" the "Chosen One", has made his choice and I chose to call him a traitor to his hometown.