LeBron tells it how it is

bbwchingy0007 · Sep 30, 2008

Akron Beacon Journal said:

The NBA season started anew Monday as training camps kicked off for most of the 30 teams.

LeBron James, reporting for duty for his sixth season and quite excited about the Cavaliers' chances, felt he needed to use the annual media day to address a few old topics that never seem to go away.

First on the list was his future when his contract with the Cavs expires in two years. Especially after a summer when the two New York-area teams started making moves in earnest to clear cap space for that precious summer of 2010.

''Go on the Internet and look at every time I have been asked am I happy in Cleveland and see my response,'' James said to the large media gathering.

''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.''

Then on to hot button part two, an issue that seems to be equally as debate-worthy in Northeast Ohio: James' support of the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. James brought up this one on his own and he was equally serious in relating his feelings.

''Now, I'll say I like the Yankees and the Cowboys, but that has nothing to do with the Cavaliers,'' he said.

''It's not fun [to be questioned about it]. Am I not allowed to be a fan? When I grew up watching sports, the Cowboys were a team to love; Michael Jordan was [a player] to love. If I say I like Michael Jordan, is that a problem because I didn't say Mark Price?'' James asked. ''Is that a problem? Is it? That is who I grew up watching. These are the teams and the people that inspired me. Now I broke it down for you all.''

So he did. The sentiments were repeats of what James has been saying for years, though with a little more ire than usual.

Also, as usual, his professed enjoyment of playing for the Cavs came with unsaid loopholes, as any smart potential free agent would insert. And there were no apologies for his headgear choices or which sideline he stands on when going to Browns games.

There was, however, commentary about the actual business at hand. Among the highlights:

• On his leadership role with Team USA:

''The way I look at it is if you can go out and lead guys who are already established and won NBA championships and scoring titles and MVPs and Rookie of the Years, there is nothing else nobody can tell you. I mean, if I can go out and lead Kobe Bryant, then I should be able to go out and lead Daniel Gibson. I see our potential. I see how good we can be.''

• On not getting much rest over the summer:

''I wish I could have gotten more rest. But when I see what I traded rest for, I'll take it. To represent my country and win a gold medal, I can take a few hours of not sleeping.''

• On whether he felt the Cavs were close to a title after the way they played the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in the playoffs:

''If we don't win, I don't come away saying we gave Boston the best series in the playoffs. I never look at it that way. I'm the ultimate competitor. I can't say if we hadn't missed a shot in the last two minutes, we would've won [Game 7]. I can't look at it that way. We lost like everybody else lost. Some guys may look at it that way, but I don't.''

• On new teammate Mo Williams:

''He can allow me to play off him. I don't have to bring the ball up as much. You look at me in the summer time when I am playing with great point guards and I can just run the floor and it is easy for me. Now with Mo and Delonte [West] here, I can do that, which is what I do best.''

• On his outlook for this season:

''This is the best team we've had since I've been here, especially to start off the season. To see the talent from one through 14 on the roster, everyone can contribute. As an individual, I know I have improved five times since Game 7 of the Boston series. When you play all summer with 11 of the best players in the world, you have to get better.''

• On the moves the front office made in the offseason:

''They did a great job of going out and getting players that could help win a championship. There's really no excuse now. We have guys that can go out and dominate a game.''
Click to expand...

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bbwchingy0007 · Sep 30, 2008

Take that Nets fans!

Shapecity · Oct 3, 2008

and Knicks fans!

Celtic Fan · Oct 3, 2008

yeah but don't read too much in to it though.

he could be smart enough no to piss off the Cavs fans when he's still 2 years away from free agency too

no sense in making you life a living hell for 2 years straight.

I am, of course, hoping he is sincere though

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LeBron tells it how it is

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LeBron tells it how it is

bbwchingy0007 BBW Member

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