tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post4112562307691176137..comments2023-12-11T06:36:57.237-05:00Comments on Random Thoughts: Once more, with feelingBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210862608619471273noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post-31529901400151615082008-12-03T14:00:00.000-05:002008-12-03T14:00:00.000-05:00If I would've waited a bit, I would've put thisin ...If I would've waited a bit, I would've put <A HREF="http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2008/11/nba_insider_lebrons_been_a_tea.html" REL="nofollow">this</A><BR/>in there as well: <BR/><BR/>"Back when LeBron was a teenager - oh, those many years ago - he just loved to tease the shoe companies that were intently gunning for his services. It may not have been as high profile as this current chase over his next playing contract, but trust that the money and the business stakes were just as high. And yes, that one lasted for two years, too. <BR/><BR/>Before James' senior year at St. Vincent-St. Mary he played this same game. He couldn't play due to a broken wrist but still showed up in Teaneck, N.J., for adidas' signature ABCD Camp. He held a press conference for a large contingent of New York-area media wearing Nikes on his feet. The next day he and his entourage flew to Indianapolis for Nike's competing All-America Camp. He held another press conference while wearing . . . adidas. <BR/><BR/>During his senior season, with representatives from Nike and adidas in the crowd, he showed up to one game wearing Reebok. He smiled the whole way, shrugging and insisting he wasn't considering what shoe company he was going to sign with. He ended up getting the biggest first shoe-endorsement contract in the history of sports while leaving $100 million offers from Reebok and adidas on the table because Nike was who he felt most comfortable with. <BR/><BR/>As the Cavs were making their way around the country in James' first two seasons in the league, a popular question he got was where he would've gone to college had he not turned pro. At the time, the 19-year-old age rule was not in effect. James changed his answer and short lists numerous times, often depending on where he was in the country. <BR/><BR/>In Detroit, he'd say Michigan State. In Orlando, Fla., he'd say Florida. In Chicago, he'd list Illinois. In Charlotte, N.C., he'd talk North Carolina. Once after a game in the first week of the regular season he emerged from the locker room at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore., wearing an Oregon Ducks football jersey and hat. The Portland-area media lapped it up and photos and videos of him in the gear were everywhere in the area the next day, exciting that fan base. <BR/><BR/>Nowadays he always says Ohio State is his favorite. Maybe that's true, but it didn't become his standard answer until the Buckeyes started wearing jerseys and shoes with his personal logo on them two years ago when Greg Oden was a Buckeye."<BR/><BR/>and yes, this post was long.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17210862608619471273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post-84246164376265253222008-12-02T12:25:00.000-05:002008-12-02T12:25:00.000-05:00Dang. That's a looooong post. I think Ben just abo...Dang. That's a looooong post. I think Ben just about covered it all. Anything further is just regurgitation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10484377.post-73544742337689918922008-11-30T16:31:00.000-05:002008-11-30T16:31:00.000-05:00Yeah, I'm gonna have to let it go. I'm comforted ...Yeah, I'm gonna have to let it go. I'm comforted by the fact the only thing the Cavs can do is build the best possible team around LeBron. Like you've said If they do that and he leaves, so be it - and it won't hurt me that much if LeBron decides he's more concerned about his status than winning championships. If he goes to another team with a better supporting cast in 2010, then that's fine too - he deserves it.<BR/><BR/>The good thing is all the Cavs can do is continue to support him. That's it. They don't have to focus on anything else. That's not necessarily a bad thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com