Congrats to Cleveland Supporters!!

**pronk** · 07-09-10, 11:46 AM

Well put Lyon.

**shari91** · 07-09-10, 11:50 AM

I have not had a favourite NBA team since I left North America as it's sometimes too hard to follow when I'm moving countries all the time. But the Cavs have now become my team and I'm going to hunt down a tiny little jersey for my son to wear on game days.

If there is any such thing as good karma in the world, Cleveland will be celebrating a championship long before that tosser ever does.

**Mac4Lyfe** · 07-09-10, 11:53 AM

Well put Lyon. Cleveland sports will recover. We're too resilient and the fans are too great to quit. Art Modell just came out recently and said that Cleveland fans were the best ever. Even he had to admit decades later that the city loves its sports.

People love to watch villains fail so now I can take satisfaction that he will once again choke down the stretch. Winning isn't in his genetic makeup.

**pronk** · 07-09-10, 12:04 PM

Originally posted by shari91

I have not had a favourite NBA team since I left North America as it's sometimes too hard to follow when I'm moving countries all the time. But the Cavs have now become my team and I'm going to hunt down a tiny little jersey for my son to wear on game days.

If there is any such thing as good karma in the world, Cleveland will be celebrating a championship long before that tosser ever does.

HOOAH!!!

Shari, get your son World B. Free cavs jersey.

**thebestthereis** · 07-09-10, 01:00 PM

buying a cleveland hat now.

**$Burm$** · 07-09-10, 01:09 PM

hahah...just became a huge cavs fan

**lyon804** · 07-09-10, 01:17 PM

It's gonna take some time for sure but if that owner has the same fire and desire he displayed last nite I think the organization will be in good shape in the future. It's all about putting the right people in place to make sound basketball decisions.

I am not a Clevelander, but I don't believe in BS like curses. It's all about getting it right and in the end the best teams usually win.. As evidenced by this years playoffs.

Let's face it.. There are only a handful of teams in the NBA that set there sights on winning a championship and there is no reason Cleveland can't be one of them. The owner has proven he is not cheap and will spend the money necessary to bring you people a winner. He needs to start buy hiring proven winners in the front office to make wise basketball decisions by making quality draft picks and developing those players and along the way add some FA's that know how to win.

It will take some time to get there but if you have the right people in place it can be done.

**BiffTFinancial** · 07-09-10, 01:25 PM

Originally posted by shari91

I have not had a favourite NBA team since I left North America as it's sometimes too hard to follow when I'm moving countries all the time. But the Cavs have now become my team and I'm going to hunt down a tiny little jersey for my son to wear on game days. If there is any such thing as good karma in the world, Cleveland will be celebrating a championship long before that tosser ever does.

shari, as a Cavs season ticket holder, i'd like to say a sincere 'thank you.' we'll take our smiles wherever we can find them today. you can avoid state income taxes, but karma will always find you, i say.

**N.O.S.** · 07-12-10, 04:05 PM

The Draft is Dead, And the Miami Heat Killed It

I hope Stern will read this

Page not found | AFRO American Newspapers

http://www.afro.com/sections/sports/story.htm?storyid=1854

As journalists across the country continue to cook up how the effects of LeBron James’ "decision" will sizzle for years to come, you can add another item to the grill: building through the draft.
In covering the nonstop circus that was the John Wall draft sweepstakes, one of the points that new Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis mentioned repeatedly to reporters was that he wanted to build through the draft. Mind you, this was weeks ago before Miami’s new empire was erected so Leonsis’ idea seemed noble and refreshing at the time.
Weeks later and Leonsis’ strategy seems as outdated as analog TV.
Building through the draft is the "ideal way" of doing things in most professional sports. It's cheaper, easier to manage and most leagues sway rules in teams' favor that allow them better flexibility to retain drafted players.
But the downfalls of building through the draft are and can be plentiful. Draftees bust more than they boom which makes drafting for most teams a slow and patient process. Developing talent is an area most teams routinely struggle with and fitting players into schemes and mixing them with coaches can take years to master.
Drafting is all about patience and potential but in today’s NBA, patience and potential will get you fired. Ask any ex-coach associated with the league.
Now, consider what the Miami Heat just did in acquiring James, Chris Bosh and retaining Dwyane Wade. That power-packed trio now makes them instant title talkers, capable of laying a few 30-point slap fests on rebuilding teams (brace yourself Washington) blocking their path to excellence. Miami’s roster for next season could feature Wade as the only player that the organization can proudly say it drafted. Although that’s not a bad brag in most opinions.
Critics will surely lambaste the Heat for constructing this new “Super Team” but Miami hasn’t done anything but follow the NBA’s trending protocol. They’re taking pages from the books of the Lakers, Celtics and Pistons—who account for seven titles this decade—on how to build championship rosters through sophisticated trades and free agency. Although the Heat’s 2006 title team was fueled by Wade, it was headlined by Shaquille O’Neal, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Lakers in 2004.
Before the 2010 summer of LeBron, it was the 1996 summer of Shaq that saw the Hall of Fame center ink a groundbreaking seven-year deal with Los Angeles. The Lakers also made a draft day trade that same offseason, acquiring Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets and laying the championship foundation down of three straight titles in just a matter of weeks.
Aside from the San Antonio Spurs—who have won four titles since 1999 headlined mostly by drafted players—the consensus of teams have come to realization that dollars, not the draft, is the best route to go in the championship chase.
If Leonsis' preference holds, it's going to take Washington at least three years to field a team formidable enough to even compete with Miami’s overnight powerhouse. And that's banking on Wall living up to the expectations because if he doesn't, you’ll more than likely be asking another ex-head coach about the virtues of building through the draft.

**SRBI** · 07-12-10, 04:12 PM

Wishful thinking. We'll see.

**Mac4Lyfe** · 07-12-10, 08:54 PM

Originally posted by shari91

If there is any such thing as good karma in the world, Cleveland will be celebrating a championship long before that tosser ever does.

Until you do right by me Lebron... Everything you touch, everything you think about is going to fail...

Dan Gilbert put the roots on LBJ

**brandon m** · 07-12-10, 08:57 PM

Once you get out of the top 4 teams in the east, you start getting to 500 ball will get you a 6 seed and a couple games under will get you an 8 seed. So if they can play something close to 500 they may make the playoffs or at least be in the running.

**brooks85** · 07-12-10, 09:30 PM

step 2: Cavs leave cleveland
step 3: Browns leave(hello LA)

It honestly amazes me how many people do not realize how fortunate cleveland was to land lebron. They were deplorable before he came, and if they were not so bad, they would not have even got him and that is not all the cards that had to fall in place. Cavs were so lucky to get this freak of nature, now that he is gone and worth so much, cavs got great draft picks. This guy put the cavs on the map from day 1 before he even stepped on the court. I wonder what gilbert has to say about all the money lebron added to his bankroll? What about all the money he made that shitty city of cleveland?

The gravy train doesnt last forever.

**brooks85** · 07-12-10, 09:34 PM

well i guess it doesnt amaze me that much. Lebron is the new tiger, so of course, the medias side will be the popular opinion.

**PlatinumBerg** · 07-12-10, 09:41 PM

too much reading.....

**pronk** · 07-12-10, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by brooks85

Cavs forever.

Everything this guy just wrote here except Cavs forever, is bullshit.

**brooks85** · 07-12-10, 10:17 PM

so how many points will lebron score on first trip back to cleveland?

O/U 30(hint, take the over)

**Snowball** · 07-12-10, 10:19 PM

i agree with all you said..

I've been to Cleveland, went in New Years Day 1994 to see Patriots play the Browns, at the old
"Mistake by the Lake".. Rock hall wasn't there yet. I liked the place. Real working class.

LeBron Mania turned Cleveland into a bunch of sissies. It was pathetic to see them grovel.

Now they can get their character back.. it's all for the best.. James belongs in South Beach..
with their fair-weathered fans.

**pronk** · 07-12-10, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by brooks85

so how many points will lebron score on first trip back to cleveland?

O/U 30(hint, take the over)

If Good Lord goes easy on him, I'll say this bozo may even score 12 talents.

**sneak-a-peak** · 07-12-10, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by brooks85

step 2: Cavs leave cleveland
step 3: Browns leave(hello LA)

It honestly amazes me how many people do not realize how fortunate cleveland was to land lebron. They were deplorable before he came, and if they were not so bad, they would not have even got him and that is not all the cards that had to fall in place. Cavs were so lucky to get this freak of nature, now that he is gone and worth so much, cavs got great draft picks. This guy put the cavs on the map from day 1 before he even stepped on the court. I wonder what gilbert has to say about all the money lebron added to his bankroll? What about all the money he made that shitty city of cleveland?

The gravy train doesnt last forever.

Gilbert actually lost 200-250 million in franchise worth so Lebrat actually took a lot out of his pocket!

Good stuff Lyon and thanks to those who will rally with us Cavs fans!!!

It will be even more sweeter now if we can pull one off!!!

**mtneer1212** · 07-12-10, 11:30 PM

I agree -- and I will be rooting for Dan Gilbert

**Mac4Lyfe** · 07-12-10, 11:30 PM

Originally posted by brooks85

step 2: Cavs leave cleveland
step 3: Browns leave(hello LA)

It honestly amazes me how many people do not realize how fortunate cleveland was to land lebron. They were deplorable before he came, and if they were not so bad, they would not have even got him and that is not all the cards that had to fall in place. Cavs were so lucky to get this freak of nature, now that he is gone and worth so much, cavs got great draft picks. This guy put the cavs on the map from day 1 before he even stepped on the court. I wonder what gilbert has to say about all the money lebron added to his bankroll? What about all the money he made that shitty city of cleveland?

It amazes me how wrong and stupid your comments are and you have a computer to "get right". First off, if Cleveland didn't get the first pick in the draft they might have been able to get Carmelo or Wade instead of the turncoat. Hindsight, we would have been better off getting Wade, because we would have already won a title and Lebron would be sucking his dick in Cleveland right about now. It's obvious that Lebron never had the killer instinct to win a title and is more of a follower. The Cav's should have taken someone else in retrospect.

As far as Lebron making money for Cleveland, get the hell out of here with that false shit. Gilbert lost money with Lebron so please stop...

NBA playoff run necessary for Cleveland Cavaliers to make money this season

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/04/nba_playoff_run_necessary_for.html

Two league sources familiar with the Cavs' finances said the team has a chance to make money this season if it advances to the Eastern Conference finals. That is despite a payroll that will exceed $100 million, including luxury taxes.

**brooks85** · 07-12-10, 11:30 PM

so Gilbert franchise was worth more or less before lebron?

**Mac4Lyfe** · 07-12-10, 11:31 PM

Your probably also a misinformed minion who thinks Lebron took less money when he left...

**brooks85** · 07-12-10, 11:31 PM

Originally posted by Mac4Lyfe

It amazes me how wrong and stupid your comments are and you have a computer to "get right". First off, if Cleveland didn't get the first pick in the draft they might have been able to get Carmelo or Wade instead of the turncoat. Hindsight, we would have been better off getting Wade, because we would have already won a title and Lebron would be sucking his dick in Cleveland right about now. It's obvious that Lebron never had the killer instinct to win a title and is more of a follower. The Cav's should have taken someone else in retrospect.

As far as Lebron making money for Cleveland, get the hell out of here with that false shit. Gilbert lost money with Lebron so please stop...

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index....ssary_for.html

its funny you say how stupid I am and then you got talking in hindsight haha, stick with the facts, you wont look so foolish

Cavs before Lebron were nothing, your misguided, bias views, will never change that.

Cavs were worth 258 million before lebron, then it was worth 476milwith lebron and Gilbert jumped in at 375mil. Mac run along now.

**crazymilkman** · 07-12-10, 11:34 PM

Cavs before Lebron were nothing, you misguided, bias views, will never change that. (so true )

**Mac4Lyfe** · 07-12-10, 11:35 PM

Originally posted by brooks85

so Gilbert franchise was worth more or less before lebron?

WTF does that matter...

If you own a car and get some rims, the car is perceived to be worth more because the rims are shiny. A year later you lose the rims, your back to having a car with no rims. Lebron came and left and any value he had went with him.

Quit that stupid shit...

**brooks85** · 07-12-10, 11:39 PM

lol can you do math mac or just did not read what I added?

cavs were worth 258 million before lebron, then it was worth 476milwith lebron and Gilbert jumped in at 375mil.

**Mac4Lyfe** · 07-12-10, 11:39 PM

Originally posted by brooks85

its funny you say how stupid I am and then you got talking in hindsight haha, stick with the facts, you wont look so foolish

Cavs before Lebron were nothing, your misguided, bias views, will never change that.

I'm not saying that you are stupid and let me retract because I don't want you to think I'm bashing you. I said your comment is stupid and very false. Read the link I posted.

Also you must be very young if you think the Cav's were nothing before Lebron. I'd challenge you to research the Cav's and the city of Cleveland. Like I said before, if the Cav's didn't get Lebron, they could have gotten another superstar that year. Of course we can't go back but we now know that Lebron was more talk than action.

**Mac4Lyfe** · 07-12-10, 11:42 PM

Originally posted by brooks85

lol can you do math mac or just did not read what I added?

cavs were worth 258 million before lebron, then it was worth 476milwith lebron and Gilbert jumped in at 375mil.

So now how much is the Car (Cav's) worth now that rims (Lebron) are off???

**zogdog** · 07-12-10, 11:45 PM

This is a dumb thread... LeBron is going to win at least 5 championships with the Heat. That team will win the East easily next year and take LA to the wire. All they need is a center and it seems that there are plenty of players willing to take less money to play there now. I really think they will get Illguaskas. Add a backup hustle center who's a good rebounder and defender and there are few teams who can beat them once, much less 4 out of 7.

**brooks85** · 07-12-10, 11:47 PM

ha like talking to a rock. Ill try to explain. First you need to understand a car is not the same as a multimillion dollar company.

If I drive around bugatti veyron is it going to increase the value of my city? NO

Gilbert made money of lebron, if does not take a genius to figure this out. Just because lebron left, and now the franchise value will go down, does not mean Gilbert and the city of Cleveland did not ride the gravy train for 7 years. And thats not counting the tax loop holes Gilbert jumps through, like every other franchise owner.

**Mac4Lyfe** · 07-12-10, 11:51 PM

Originally posted by brooks85

lol can you do math mac or just did not read what I added?

cavs were worth 258 million before lebron, then it was worth 476milwith lebron and Gilbert jumped in at 375mil.

http://www.zimbio.com/Dan+Gilbert/ar...th+1+1+Billion

Dan Gilbert is the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he's worth about $1.1 billion, according to celebritynetworth.com. But, that was before his team lost their star player, LeBron James, to the Miami Heat. Now, it's estimated that he lost about 50% of his franchise worth as soon as the big announcement dropped yesterday, bringing down Gilbert's net worth some.

Do the math...
You said Cav's worth $476 million with Lebron. He just lost 50% when he left... = $238 million

He bought the Cav's for $375 million. That's a loss of $137 Million, not to mention losing money during the season, building a $25 million practice facility (Lebron requested) close to Lebron's house, etc...

Is the picture getting clearer? Would you just write an email letter or string his lying ass up by his toes?

**brooks85** · 07-12-10, 11:55 PM

what you apparently dont realize is that is the worth of the company you fool. There was not 476mil dollars sitting in a room, then lebron left, and now there is only 238 left in the room. If you actually think Gilbert lost money, I could use for my taxes. Gilberts life will go on just fine, if he suffers anything, it will because of his letter not because lebron left.