After LeBron James held the summer of 2010 in his hands, as far as the sports world is concerned, another star was waiting for his moment. Buried in the shadow of LeBron once again, Carmelo Anthony wasn’t the only conceited star looking for an easy route to a ring. As tension began rising in the Denver front office, it became well known that the 3rd overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft wanted out, and out soon. Similar to the LeBron issue, Denver has the ability to offer Anthony more money than any other team in the league. But is it money that these stars want? Clearly no. After taking into account the amount these guys have already made in their seven years in the NBA, what’s the difference between $20 million/year and $16 million. Once you throw in two All-Star teammates and a larger market, the money is meaningless.

After Melo and LeBron were selected as two of the top three picks in the 2003 draft, one being compared to that of the ’83 class, the NBA’s next generation was born. At the time, it was expected that one of the big names that were taken in the first round would lead their team to a championship. Seven years later, it’s clear to see that the NBA landscape has changed drastically. In the days of Jordan, Magic, Bird and even Kobe Bryant, the biggest stars of the game have historically strived to defeat their greatest competition. For the Eastern Conference, the alignment of stars in Miami, Boston and potentially New York and Orlando, have produced powerful alliances that are similar to those of World War I.

Now we sit today, with another star waiting to leave his most loyal fanbase and the place that he has called home for his entire career. To many, the arrogance and egotistical display of greed has changed what people think about the NBA. Never before in any sport have players had such control over entire franchises than what’s going on in the association. After LeBron blatantly gave the entire state of Ohio the middle finger, it’s clear Carmelo has similar intentions. A great deal of speculation has been going around about a possible alliance in Madison Square Garden with Melo, Amare Stoudemire, who signed with the Knicks days before LeBron’s decision, and Chris Paul, who clearly wants out of New Orleans. Is this what’s right for the NBA? As small market teams struggle to retain high profile players, what’s happening in the NBA is similar to Major League Baseball. When the rich get richer, it only creates a disparity in the league, thus decreasing competition.

What I’d like to memo to the Nuggets organization is if Carmelo won’t accept the money now, he never will. Don’t let Anthony hold the future of your team in his hands when it’s clear he doesn’t care about his teammates and the success of the club. This is where arrogance and ego comes into play. With zero championship rings and one series win under his belt, Carmelo Anthony has literally accomplished nothing in the NBA other than averaging 24.7 ppg in his seven years in Denver. Proving that he is unable to carry the Nuggets anywhere in the postseason, even after having an above average supporting cast, Melo is steadily etching himself into the LeBron type of player. Rather than taking the blame on his shoulders, which big name stars are expected to do, the new crop of superstars are opting for the Miami route. Is this what’s right for the NBA? Tell me what you think.

-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/2009/11/13/lebron-plans-switch-from-23-to-6-in-honor-of-jordan/ http://www.behindtheboxscore.com/2009/11/13/lebron-plans-switch-from-23-to-6-in-honor-of-jordan/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:18:09 +0000 Zach Fleer http://www.behindtheboxscore.com/?p=1454

For the majority of LeBron James’ life, #23 has been a mainstay. Sporting the number his senior year of high school which resulted in numerous national televised games, a state and national title and earlier last month, a movie, the King or Akron Hammer as he has been dubbed all across America this week, is planning a change in his number to honor Michael Jordan. A week removed from a trip to New York which included a Yankee parade, draining a fadeaway j then landing in the lap of Jay-Z and numerous indications that James will be going to the city that never sleeps after this season, James is back in the headlines.

This time for good reason. In a time where professional athletes have been criticized for being disrespectful to their sports, James is the alter-ego. When asked about the matter, the King responded by saying, “If you see 23, you think about Michael Jordan,” James said, according to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. “You see game-winning shots, you think about Michael Jordan; you see guys fly through the air, you think about Michael Jordan; you see fly kicks, you think about Michael Jordan. He did so much, it has to be recognized, and not just by putting him in the Hall of Fame.” With numbers such as Jackie Robinson’s being retired in baseball, this seems fitting for the NBA. As their best player in the history of the league is not immortalized in the Hall of Fame, a move such as the one James is initiating makes perfect sense. For James, six is a number he is very familiar. Wearing the number in the Olympics, James helped lead the US team to the gold in the Beiging Olympics in 2008. It has also been noted that James wears the number in practice and has been doing for the past two seasons. Whether James is changing his notorious number for respect of Jordan or just to keep the summer of 2010 off his mind, either way the situation looks good for Cleveland, as the Cavs are hot, riding a three game win streak that included wins in Orlando and Miami.