Shock and awe.
I couldn’t believe he did it. He strung his hometown along for two whole months, and ended by divorcing them on national TV. I swore he’d re-sign as a Cav as soon as I heard about “The Decision” (sidebar, to name it “The Decision” and give it a name that joins “The Drive,” “The Shot,” and “The Fumble” in Cleveland sports history was another mercilessly cruel touch to the evening). To see him go the other way was something I couldn’t even believe after I heard him say the words.
As for Miami, he gets to play with Wade, which on potential is the most lethal wing combo since Jordan & Pippen in their primes. No team can legitimately hold them both down every night. On top of that, he’s paired with a big man who shoots close to 80% from the free throw line. The pick-and-roll options between Wade/LeBron and Bosh are terrifying.
Of course, Miami’s obvious issue will be finding championship-caliber talent that is willing to sacrifice minutes, income and notoriety to play behind the new ‘Big 3.’ Mike Miller was a great pickup, and if they can grab a discount big man they’ll be in a great position to jockey with other free agents as to their superior position to win the title over the Lakers. And they need that position, because with Kobe & Phil, the Lakers have a lot of pull this offseason to load up with the veteran ring-seeking talent Miami has to have to defeat them.
My uneducated guesses? Their range in a top-heavy East is 48 wins minimum, 66 maximum I’d say. And not making the second round doesn’t seem likely, but I can’t say they’re a lock for the conference finals either.
He’s likely seen his last MVP trophy, scoring title, and maybe even compromised his automatic 1st-team All-NBA selection. Those numbers (especially in The Book of Basketball) are used to separate the greats from the greatest historically, and he’s given up that part of his legacy for good. His greatest accomplishments now will come in a totally different capacity, if at all: he is much more likely to average the triple double we’ve been anticipating for seven years; he will most definitely need to be a 1st-team all-defense player if the Heat will win any championships (guarding all-star wings for an entire season); and most importantly, every single year of his career from this moment forward, not winning a championship marks an epic failure on his part.
What was forgivable in years 1-7—LOSING—is unacceptable in years 8 and up. He can no longer blame Mo Williams and the rest of his non All-Star cast, whether the bench and role players suck or not. He left Cleveland in the ugliest way possible, and abandoned more than $25 million dollars, to go to Miami and collect rings while having fun with his best NBA buddies. Well TRUST that there will be no more sideline dancing. Miami is not privileged to have LeBron—they already had Wade, and they already have a ring. He’s now an uber-hyped, overqualified Ron Artest. Wade has the championship pedigree and swagger, and it’s up to LeBron to not screw it up.
The potential greatest player of our generation is now confined to the remote possibility of being outperformed by an psychiatric patient from Queensbridge (which I mean in the kindest possible way?). If he gets rings, he gets what he came for, and history will reward him and his legacy. But he will never be in the discussion as one of the greatest 2, 3, or 5 players in the NBA. His cap is now probably at 10.
And you know what? The way he’s wired, I think he’s ok with that.
Late Thursday night, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert issued the following statement on LeBron James' departure from the franchise.
Dear Cleveland, all of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers supporters wherever you may be tonight;
As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.
This was announced with a several-day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.
Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.
The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.
There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.
You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.
You have given so much and deserve so much more.
In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight: "I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA Championship before the self-titled former 'king' wins one."
You can take it to the bank.
If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.
Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.
Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.
This shocking act of disloyalty from our homegrown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow up to become.
But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.
The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.
Just watch.
Sleep well, Cleveland. Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day...
I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:
DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue...
Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers
"One of the biggest playoff wins in KNICKS history."
-- ESPN.com's John Hollinger
Washington (CNN) -- Salt, a staple in most food, could soon be regulated if the Institute of Medicine has its way.
In a new report, the institute, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences, is calling on the Food and Drug Administration to set national standards for salt added to processed foods and prepared meals in an effort to reduce Americans' consumption of sodium.
Salt consumption, long associated with increased risk of hypertension, heart disease and stroke, would be cut back gradually through a series of incremental reductions intended to help keep flavors consistent.
The new standards would set how much salt food manufacturers and restaurants could add to their products. The Institute of Medicine says that a ban on salt is not necessary but that regulation is, because decades of public education campaigns have failed to reduce Americans' intake.
| TEXAS A&M AGGIES | ||||||||||||
| STARTERS | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS |
| David Loubeau, F | 30 | 5-10 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| Khris Middleton, F | 23 | 1-6 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Bryan Davis, F | 31 | 8-17 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 7 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 17 |
| Dash Harris, G | 33 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2-4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Donald Sloan, G | 39 | 4-17 | 2-5 | 1-2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 11 |
| BENCH | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS |
| B.J. Holmes, G | 27 | 2-9 | 0-5 | 3-3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Ray Turner, F | 15 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 1-5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Naji Hibbert, G | 13 | 2-2 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Nathan Walkup, F | 14 | 0-3 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| TOTALS | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | |
| 23-65 | 5-17 | 10-17 | 12 | 40 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 14 | 13 | 61 | ||
| 35.4% | 29.4% | 58.8% | ||||||||||
| PURDUE BOILERMAKERS | ||||||||||||
| STARTERS | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS |
| JaJuan Johnson, C | 32 | 5-15 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 |
| Chris Kramer, G | 31 | 6-10 | 1-2 | 4-4 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 17 |
| Keaton Grant, G | 33 | 2-7 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Lewis Jackson, G | 27 | 1-5 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| E'Twaun Moore, G | 38 | 7-17 | 1-5 | 0-0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
| BENCH | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS |
| Kelsey Barlow, G | 16 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| D.J. Byrd, G | 19 | 4-5 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Ryne Smith, G | 13 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| John Hart, G | 3 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Patrick Bade, F | 13 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| TOTALS | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | |
| 26-63 | 6-17 | 5-6 | 3 | 30 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 63 | ||
| 41.3% | 35.3% | 83.3% | ||||||||||
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