-how to play the game the right way

-how to play fair, with rules

-how to interact with others and be a helping hand towards a greater cause

-how to grow as a person

-how to deal with the situation your forced with

-how to make your teammates that much better

-and lastly, MOST importantly, when to be loyal to your team and your hometown, the team that watched you grow up from a young phenom to a freak of nature athletically on the court.

I’m not a Cavs fan. But I feel like he ripped the hearts out of all Cleveland sports fans.

I feel for the city because every time I talk to a Cleveland fan about sports, it’s almost painful no matter what. They don’t get hopeful anymore. And they have every right to feel that way. They are like the girl that gets her heart broken every time she “falls in love”. Well this city has fallen in love enough. LeBron was the perfect guy for the town. He’s been around here all his life, and they let his problems go. Yankees hat? “Eh, who cares, just bring us a title, King.” Cowboys gear? “No biggie, just win it when it matters in June, ‘Bron.” I’m not from Cleveland, but boy I sure feel the pain. I don’t even like Cleveland sports teams but I’m hurt. Because I watched him grow up from a strong freshman that came into the state tournament with a team that was ready. LeBron, you didn’t show weakness and try to sprint to the locker room when you got pummeled physically by Cincinnati Roger Bacon your junior year. Your teammate did though. But I don’t get you LeBron. How can you hurt your city like that? The town you grew up in, lived in. But hey, the Browns and Indians we’re never good enough for you anyways. Now, your saying the Cavs aren’t either. Go ahead and be the guy that breaks the girl’s heart for no reason. Just remember, they won’t call the day after looking to be just friends.

Last but certainly not least, here is Zach with his definition for “Sports are…”

Sports are about a city that has gone through all sorts of depression, whether it be economic or sports related, get a breath of fresh air from the home grown. Watching that potential grow to great proportions, it seemed that the city of Cleveland was on the way to reversing the “curse” that they so desperately hold. Behind the dominance of LeBron James, the Cavaliers had to many, the best team chemistry in the NBA. But in reality, this was the complete opposite. When one person on a successful team gets all the attention and credit, it seems that that ship will finally sink, and this is what happened in Cleveland. LeBron, who is revered as the ultimate team player by many, is the direct descendent of selfishness. For seven years, the “ooh” and “ahh” we’re what kept bringing fans to the Quicken Loans Arena. LeBron did some things on the court, that have never been done by any other player to wear a Cavaliers jersey. The Hollywood type antics, from the pregame dance routines, to the chalk throwing before tip-off, everything about LeBron was a show. But this is not what team players do. In sports, talent is crucial, but when it comes down to it, team chemistry is what breeds champions. To attain success in a team sport, every single member on a team must be on the same page, and each player must work together to achieve the ultimate goal. We have seen this accomplished the previous two seasons from the Los Angeles Lakers. Each game, a new teammate stepped up. Whether it was Ron Artest, Derek Fisher or Pau Gasol, the crucial moments were shared with the entire team. For Cleveland, this was not the case. When the Cavaliers would be the topic of discussion, it was always, “LeBron and the Cavaliers,” not just the team, but LeBron first. And LeBron First was the motto for seven disappointing seasons in Cleveland. When Larry Hughes wasn’t the right fit for the “King,” what was the end result? When Mike Brown couldn’t bow down to James, where did he go? When Danny Ferry couldn’t assemble a team where LeBron didn’t have to take responsibility for the early playoff exits, what happened to him? Each one of these men were run out of town due to the inability of the “Chosen One,” to win when it mattered most. For LeBron, he has always been known to make his teammates better. But where was this improved production in the playoffs? It remains to be seen, because on a team, equal distribution of success needs to be evident, and for Cleveland this wasn’t true. Every accomplishment from 2003-10 will fall on the shoulders of LeBron. Last time I checked, there are five players on the court at one time, but to LeBron, there’s one and one only. And in sports, divas don’t win championships, ask Terrell Owens how his selfishness has added to his trophy case. For Cleveland this only adds to the sad story of sports in the city. At one point in 2007, it seemed that the city was finally going to reverse the curse. The Cavs had reached the NBA Finals, the Indians were a 90 win ball club behind CC Sabathia and the Browns we’re winning again. But piece by piece, this illumination faded. From the departure of back to back Cy Young winners, and the complete disassembeling of a football team, Cleveland fans still in their minds, had LeBron and the Cavaliers. But when a phantom elbow injury was the reason for the Cavaliers departure, it was evident that LeBron didn’t want to belong in Cleveland. It was clear to see the way he walked off the court at the Boston Garden, that LeBron knew in his mind that he would not be returning, because the 60 win team he had wasn’t good enough for his egotistical mentality. And after being the most talked about figure in sports for the past two months, LeBron aggravated the nagging injury that comes with Cleveland sports, by severing the pain of the people althroughout Ohio. Needing a way to create the stage for himself, LeBron had the sports world in his hands. “The Decision,” which will live in infamy for Cleveland fans for as long as they live, is the epitome of LeBron James and what his legacy will become. Offering no remorse for his former teammates and his own hometown, LeBron made himself into the selfish man that we are becoming to annoit him as. To athletes, winning is what counts, and I respect LeBron’s decision to win, but after what he did to the place that he called home, I don’t think I can respect the man.

LeBron, you may be tired and down in this picture. But multiply that by about 500,000 , and you will find that many people that feel just the same now. Your a heck of an athlete, but don’t let the door hit you on the way out bud.

]]> http://www.behindtheboxscore.com/2010/07/09/sports-are/feed/ 0 http://www.behindtheboxscore.com/2009/12/11/cribbs-browns-send-steelers-home-with-a-loss/ http://www.behindtheboxscore.com/2009/12/11/cribbs-browns-send-steelers-home-with-a-loss/#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:12:38 +0000 Zach Fleer http://www.behindtheboxscore.com/?p=1483

On a day where Brady Quinn’s alma mater entered a new era with Brian Kelly, the trend of losing in Cleveland froze just as the weather suggested. With wind chills reaching -15 degrees, the 1-11 Cleveland Browns virtually ended any playoff reservations the defending Super Bowl champs were hoping to make.

Led surprisngly by a stout defensive assault, Rob Ryan’s bunch got pressure all night on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who continued to struggle, completing 18 passes for 201 yards, but failed to get the ball into the endzone. The Browns, on the otherhand were far from a Mistake by the Lake on Thursday night, gashing the usually tough Pittsburgh run game for 171 rushing yards and a touchdown, the first by any Browns running back in over six games. Using the wildcat extensively with five tool hybrid wideout Josh Cribbs, the Kent State alum bruised the Steelers for 191 all purpose yards and a key rush on third down which saw Cribbs break mulitple tackles for a 16 yard gain and kept the ball in the Browns’ possession.

Coming off a 30-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers last week, hopes were high for Eric Mangini’s club and the usually ill fated Cleveland fan base was sent home with a victory behind the performance of a defense that was filled with no names who have been given their chance this season. A key example is Marcus Benard, a 24 year old Jackson State grad who coming into the game had three tackles in his NFL career. Blowing past the right side of the Pittsburgh offensive line, Benard collected two sacks and lived up to his nickname, “King Kong Benard.” Also important in the constant pressure put on Roethlisberger was Corey Williams, the constantly criticized six year vet who also had two sacks and five total tackles. Along with Benard and Williams, Brian Schaefering, David Bowens, Hank Poteat and Kaluka Maiava collected sacks, who?

This has been the story all year long for this Browns team. With a roster full of fill in’s and add on’s, this group has proven to Mangini that they can play and with 11 draft picks in the next upcoming NFL Draft, the future looks bright in Cleveland. If this rag tag group of players can send the defending champs home with a loss and end their playoff hopes, imagine what this team can do when given a doze of talent.

Aside from Cribbs, Chris Jennings took a load of the carries tonight, running the ball 20 times for 73 yards and a 15 yard scamper late in the second quarter. When it seemed the wheels were reading to fall off late in the game, the defense once again stepped up for the Browns and made sure the reeling Steelers would go back to Pittsburgh with an unprecedented fifth straight loss and an invitation to the golf course this January.

How does it feel Pittsburgh?