Yesterday there was an article that appeared on ESPN.com.  It showed a first-hand look at just how consumed with himself LeBron James is, and his new demeanor and attitude during a trip to Las Vegas.  The article was up for about an hour and then ESPN took it down, similar to the tab on Sportscenter entitled "LeBron in Las Vegas" that disappeared midway through the show  Many believe that the most pathetic manager in sports, Maverick Carter, was behind this.  This just shows how pathetic both LeBron and ESPN are.  The article was orignally written by Arash Markazi, and I'm publishing here in its entirity. 

Go check out my new blog: Cleveland Deserves Better

LeBron James leans against a waist-high stone wall with a 16-foot-tall Buddha hovering over him.

He’s at Tao, a bustling restaurant and nightclub inside the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas, and his arms are crossed as he listens to Lynn Meritt, senior director of Nike Basketball, and Charles Denson, president of Nike Brand.James is quiet, occasionally applying Chap Stick on his lips and nodding when he hears something he likes.

Five security guards are stationed around him, one at each corner of the table he’s about to sit at and another roving around with him, watching his every move. Anyone who takes two steps toward James is stopped and must have James’ approval to come closer.

The waiter bringing him his cup of green tea with a spoonful of honey and a dash of lemon juice makes the cut, as does the scantily clad brunette with a tattoo of a heart on her right shoulder.

She wants to take a picture with him. “I can’t right now,” says James. “Maybe later, upstairs, I’ll remember you’re the one with the tattoo.”

James will host a party later in the upstairs nightclub at Tao, but he is currently hosting a dinner for his friends and family in the downstairs restaurant. Wearing a gray striped shirt and gold crucifix around his neck, he bobs his head to music played by an amped-up saxophonist who weaves his way around the table like a one-man mariachi band.

I have somehow found myself at this exclusive table, seated beside Eddie Jackson, who is introduced to me as James’ father (though he actually began dating James’ mother, Gloria, after LeBron was born and the two are no longer together). Jackson, wearing a muscle shirt accentuating his large biceps, looks like a member of James’ four-man entourage, like one of his childhood friends.

James’ circle includes Randy Mims, seated to his right at the center of the table, Maverick Carter, seated at the head of the table, and Richard Paul, seated in front of James. The quartet makes up the initials behind LRMR Marketing, the management firm James founded almost four years ago with his buddies. Their offices in downtown Cleveland gained notoriety this month as the location teams flocked to for their meetings with James.

LeBron James partied at Tao last weekend, complete with a kings’ cake and an entourage to make heads of state jealous.

Seated to the right of James is Chris Paul, whose brother, C.J., is seated across from him. The New Orleans Hornets point guard has seen how James has positioned himself to win a championship by signing with the Miami Heat and joining forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and has reportedly considered a similar move himself.

The truth is, in James’ dream world, the duo he would love to play with for the next decade would be Wade and Paul, his two closest friends in the NBA. Paul has been like a brother to James since the two were in Las Vegas four years ago for USA Basketball training camp, when as a rookie he carried James’ and Wade’s bags to and from the team bus.

James and Paul are fairly quiet at the center of the table as they take in the scene around them. As family style plates of miso-glazed Chilean sea bass and crispy lobster and shrimp dumplings are brought to the table, James effortlessly picks up the food with his chopsticks and occasionally raises his cup of green tea to passersby as they raise their martinis and mojitos in his direction before being helped along by security guards.

When trays of dessert plates are brought over, James gets up, preferring to start his party upstairs instead of indulging in the giant fortune cookies and chocolate cake. A security guard comes over and puts plastic wristbands on our wrists and escorts us through the back of the restaurant, up a flight of stairs in the bowels of the hotel and through a back entrance into the club. About a dozen security guards, moving their flash lights, direct us to a roped off section on the dance floor of Tao next to a couple of apparently nude women in a bathtub full of water and rose petals.

James, now wearing sunglasses in the dark club, immediately stands up on the couch and folds his arms high on his chest and nods his head. He smiles as he looks at the dozens of people crowded on the dance floor. Noticing him, they stop dancing and snap pictures as the DJ screams out, “LeBron James in the building!” and plays LMFAO’s “I’m in Miami.”

Carter, LeBron’s childhood friend and manager, begins dancing around James like Puff Daddy in a Notorious B.I.G video. A giant red crown-shaped cake is brought over to James while go-go dancers dressed in skimpy red and black outfits raise four lettered placards that spell out, “KING.” Carter grabs a bottle of Grey Goose and pours a quarter of it on the floor and raises it up before passing it off.

James’ infamous one-hour special, “The Decision,” was reportedly the brainchild of Carter, a 28-year-old who has never managed anyone outside of his friend James. This three-day party marathon in Vegas (which James is being paid six figures to host) is also Carter’s idea.

Bottle after bottle of “Ace of Spades” champagne is delivered to the table by a waiter flying down from above the dance floor like some overgrown Peter Pan on a wire. One time he’s dressed like a King, another time as Indiana Jones and another in a replica of James’ No. 6 Miami Heat jersey.

James, who can hardly see the flying figure through his tinted glasses, almost gets kicked in the head on the waiter’s last trip down. He looks at the girls around him and says, “I wish they’d have one of these girls with no panties do that instead of the guy.”

Toward the end of the night, Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis walks past James’ party and looks at the scene up and down several times like a painting in a museum, soaking in the images of the go-go dancers, the “King” sign and the costumed man delivering bottles of champagne.

Davis shakes his head and walks on.

James dances on the couch and sings along with the music blaring from speakers all around him.

The more you hang around James, the more you realize he’s still a child wrapped in a 6-foot-8, 250-pound frame. The night after the party at Tao, he and his crew walk through the casino at the Wynn and Encore and he pretends to dribble a basketball as he walks past ringing slot machines and tourists who do double-takes. In a Nike T-shirt, jeans and sneakers, James’ pantomime seems unconscious. He stops every few feet to shoot a jump shot, his right hand extended above his head on the follow through. He weaves through a pack of a dozen friends and pretends to connect on a layup as he walks past a gift shop. He passes overhead casino signs and jumps up and slaps them, pretending to dunk. Columns covered with advertisements for lounge acts become stationary defenders, chumps to fake out before connecting on imaginary mid-range jump shots.

James probably goes through a practice’s worth of shots as we walk from the XS nightclub at Encore (James left his poolside table when he saw the club was practically empty), through Wynn and over the bridge to the Palazzo.

Soon after arriving at Lavo, a restaurant and nightclub at the Palazzo, a scene straight out of “West Side Story” breaks out when James and Lamar Odom, seated at a nearby table, engage in an impromptu dance-off to California Swag District’s “Teach Me How To Dougie.”

Odom, smoking a cigar, can’t quite keep up. James celebrates by crossing himself and taking a shot of Patron. Moments later, a handful of girls dressed as cheerleaders walk toward his table with someone dressed in James’ Heat uniform. Someone throws talcum powder in the air as James does before every game, while his new unofficial song, “I’m in Miami,” plays.

Odom casts a glance James’ way before looking in the opposite direction and raising his glass at a couple on the dance floor who point to their ring fingers and smile.

Back at his table, James and his crew sing every word to Rick Ross’ “Free Mason.” LeBron raps every line to former teammate Damon Jones (who played with him in Cleveland). Jones, puffing on a cigar, nods.

James rips out the lines:

“If I ever die, never let it be said I didn’t win/ Never, never say/ Never say legend didn’t go in/ I just wanna die on top of the world.”

While he looks at club-goers flashing the LA and Westside signs at him, James smiles and points to Jackson’s T-shirt, which reads, “Another Enemy,” and raises his glass of champagne.

Finally, Carter tells James it’s time to leave the club and they do, LeBron pretending to cross-over tables and shoot over slot machines all the way back to his room.

Daniel Gibson composed this letter to Cavaliers fans following the departure of LeBron James.  I think we can all learn a little something from the Boobie G school of writing.  Hopefully we will get to see a lot more of him this season?

What Up World,  This Message is Directly for the fans of Cleveland from your adopted son, The one and only Boobie G. As you know i was born and raised in Houston, TX. Never once stayed outside the state for more than two weeks and the time I did, that was for basketball. But after two years of college at the University of Texas I decided to make the jump.

You can just imagine how fast my mind was racing going to a city so many miles out of my comfort zone not knowing one single person. But I thank God it was Cleveland! Because From day one the city embraced me and made me feel like I was home. My Second HOME. And as time went on I began to see why we connected.

Cleveland is a never die city, city of loyalty, hard-workers, passion, desire, and toughness. A lot of the same characteristics I have in me and that inspired me. So I made a promise to myself that every day I stepped foot on that basketball court I would show the world what Cleveland was all about. Leaving everything i had on the court. So no matter what obstacle was placed in front of me, I would bust right through it. No matter how high, I would get over it. Or how wide I would get around it. N I hope I did that and will continue to do that. I said that to say, I know right now emotions are high, and people are confused about the way things went down. But I'm here to say DO NOT FORGET THAT WE STILL HERE. and WE GONE GRIND!!!!

The Cavaliers haven't went anywhere, just lost a piece. Everything in life happens for a reason, Some which we dont understand and never will. Somethings we cant control, But the thing we can control is our passion and our love for city of Cleveland and state of OHIO. And that every single night we take that we floor We Will represent. Blood SweAT and Tears. We will go hard. Just like you.

From the bottom to the top, this organization is committed to winning and we wont stop now..... Cant stop now. I LOVE you. We Love YOU. And together We gone make it HAppen. O H I O. Hang in there. 

As for me on another note, I'm in LA working on my game so that i may be a key part of this movement next season. The family is doing great. MY wife to be is in the studio every day and night trying to create the best album of her career. Cutting no corners putting her heart in it like never before. With so much new emotion to show the world. My son Daniel Jr. is 4 months now. Everyday he gets bigger. We took him to the doctor yesterday to get two shots. And lil man did not shed a tear. even laughed a little bit. Tough lil dude, something like his daddy LOL.

The rest of the fam is back home in Houston working with the DGib Hoops Foundation-Shooting for Success. Helping mainly inner city youth to meet new friends, become more discipline, athletically and academically so that one day they may qualify for scholarships and go on to college and be whatever they want to be. Following a living example. ME... Well thats enough for today, yall stay tuned for my next post and remember if you believe, you can achieve. ANYTHING

Cleveland Stand up

1LUV,

BooBie

I feel some sort of obligation to finish this Top 20 countdown I started, even though two of my then-Top 5 are now members of the Miami Heat. Regardless, we’ve arrived at #7 Dajuan Wagner, one of the greatest Cavaliers of all-time.

Dajuan was born in New Jersey in 1983, a great state to be born in if you ask me. His father was Milt Wagner, a former Louisville and NBA stud player. Dajuan was a high school standout; The numbers he put up on a nightly basis were legendary. His senior year, he averaged 42.5 points per game, and scored 3,462 points in high school which is a New Jersey prep school record.

The thing he will likely always be remembered for was when he went Wilt-Chamberlain-status and dropped 100 points in a game. There were some in the media who criticized him as well as his coach for even allowing this to happen, but Dajuan was capable of such a game. He played in the McDonald’s All-American Game and dropped 25 points.

Similar to Derrick Rose, he was recruited to the University of Memphis but played only one year for the Tigers. After drawing comparisons to Allen Iverson, he entered the 2002 NBA Draft and was expected to go early in the 1st round. That assumption was fulfilled when the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him 6th overall. His rookie season was pretty impressive, he scored 13.4 points a game and was a force to be reckoned with offensively. That was his best season in a Cavaliers uniform, and perhaps his only that was memorable. 

His career could have been much more special had Dajuan not been hampered by health problems and nagging injuries. In the 2004-05 season, he only appeared in 11 games and scored a career low 4 points per game. Not exactly what you come to expect from the guy who scored 25 times that in a single game. He was hospitalized for ulcerative colitis.. ouch.

The Cavs chose not to exercise his contract option for the 05-06 season, and Dajuan was a man without a team. It was reported that his colitis condition was not treatable with medication, and after speaking with a New York medical expert he underwent an operation to remove his entire colon.

He attempted a comeback in September of 2006 when he signed a two year deal with the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately, just two months later the Warriors bought out his contract and he was out of the league again.

In 2007 he decided to “take his talents to Poland,” and Dajuan inked a one-year deal with Polish team Prokom. I feel for Dajuan, and wish his injuries hadn’t derailed his NBA career. He was honestly a great player to watch play the game. His ability to shoot the rock as well as drive through the paint made him a Cavalier favorite. One of the things that I’ll always remember was how he covered the ball like a running back when he drove, and then whipped it out last second to finish an impossible layup.  For a smaller guy, he sure could throw down a nasty dunk when he felt like it.  Dajuan Wagner was a Cavalier great, and had things turned out differently, he could still be a franchise player. Dajuan Wagner is Underrated

                       

Editors note: This article originally appeared as a guest post I did for Cleveland's Hope. I discussed the ultimate impact of LeBron's decision and what it means for the franchise as well as the city.

“I’m taking my talents to South Beach.” One statement will never have as big of an impact on any city ever again, guaranteed. Those 7 words pierced through the hearts of Clevelanders as LeBron announced on ESPN that he would be playing for the Miami Heat next year, essentially abandoning the city he put on the map. Most in Cleveland were optimistic that LeBron would stay, but he decided to play with Wade and Bosh instead.

Regardless of whether you agreed with his decision, or the manner in which he decided.. LeBron is gone. What does this mean for the franchise? What impact will it have on the city? 

LeBron’s decision to leave Cleveland has already had an enormous impact on the city. By now, you’ve seen the burning jerseys and the local outrage over his decision. You smiled when you read Dan Gilbert’s letter to fans, proclaiming LeBron a coward and a traitor. But it still hasn’t sunk in. Arguably the world’s best basketball player is gone, and with him goes championship aspirations. No longer will Austin Carr chime in, “and the King THROWS the hammer down.”

Although Dan Gilbert has vowed that the Cavaliers will win a championship before LeBron does, there is virtually no chance that statement holds true. LeBron, Bosh, and Wade on the same team. That’s 3 starters from the All-Star team. Bring on Zydrunas and Mike Miller, a few other role players, and Miami is instantly the favorite in the East. You can pretty much give them the best record in the regular season, and see them in the NBA Finals.

It was hard to lure free agents to Cleveland when we had LeBron. How much harder will it be now that he’s gone? I doubt any elite players will want to come here to play; LeBron is a tough act to follow. The Cavaliers are left with Mo Williams, Jamison, Hickson, and Varejao. Oh yeah, and Christian Eyenga. He might be our best hope. Now granted there is some talent in those 5, but there is one thing missing; star power. The Cavaliers were on national television frequently, only because of LeBron. You can kiss those days goodbye, along with the nightly appearances on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Countdown. No more jaw-dropping “Akron Hammer” throw-downs. Next year, we will be lucky to get one game on ESPN - when LeBron returns to Cleveland.

The city has seen its hopes of a championship vanish with LeBron’s “decision.” The Indians are not going to win a World Series anytime soon. The Dolans simply cannot afford to keep our best players, so they trade them away. The Browns have always been the lovable losers, and making the playoffs alone would be considered a miracle. It’s been 8 years since we made the playoffs, and I don’t see it happening soon. Jake Delhomme will not be leading us to the Promised Land. 

The impact of LeBron’s decision also will hurt the city’s economy. As a result of LeBron leaving, an ESPN report estimated are that Cleveland will lose $20 to $40 million dollars per year. LeBron’s presence meant business for local restaurants, hotels, and bars. Although Cleveland has always been faithful to its sports, it will be hard watching the Cavaliers and knowing something is missing. Never again will this city have a superstar that brings the amount of attention that LeBron did, and his decision pushes us far away from sporting relevance. Maybe we won’t lose 65 games like we did in 2002, but we certainly won’t win 65 either.

Dan Gilbert will do his best to put together a contender, but don’t expect his efforts to translate into a championship level team anytime in the near future. Maybe I’m just being pessimistic, but deep inside I realize the impact that LeBron’s decision will have on Cleveland sports. Where are Ricky Davis and Darius Miles when you need them?

                       

Jesse Jackson is in the news again, and this time he's taking shots at Dan Gilbert.  In what might be described as one of the most ignorant public statements of his career, (that's saying a lot) Jesse Jackson likens Dan Gilbert to a slaveowner.  Really? 

“His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality,” Jackson said in a statement released Sunday. “Gilbert sees LeBron as a runaway slave.  He speaks as the owner of LeBron, not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers."

“Gilbert's accusations endanger LeBron,” Jackson wrote. “His jersey is being burned in effigy, and he is being projected as a betrayer by the owner. ... LeBron is not a child, nor is he bound to play on Gilbert’s plantation and be demeaned.”

Only in America.  Jesse Jackson has a history of making outlandish statements to get his name in the news.  This is the same guy that accused a police officer of a "hate crime" when he shot a man who attempted to run him over with his vehicle. 

Dan Gilbert's letter to the fans might have been innappropriate coming from an owner, but it was in no shape or form, racist.  In fact, it's the Reverrand Jesse Jackson who is racist.  Gilbert is white and LeBron is black, we get it.  That's not what this about.  Dan was upset with the way LeBron hyped up his "Decision" to leave Cleveland, and thus disrespecting the city in an unnecessary manner. 

By playing the race card and calling Gilbert a slaveowner, Jackson diminishes his credibility even further.. if that's possible at this point.  He manipulated this situation to get his name in the news, and by broaching the slavery issue he is simply pointing out his own insecurities and deep-rooted racism. 

It wasn't about the fact that LeBron left, it was the way in which he did it.  Kevin Durant resigned with the Oklahoma City Thunder in a much more mature fashion.  I think Cavaliers fans would have been more accepting of LeBron's decision to leave if he hadn't created a media spectacle around it.

Jesse, slavery is no longer a part of our society.  The Civil War was fought, the North won.  You are obviously ignorant and don't realize that your pathetic statements do more harm than good.  Telling the American public that Dan Gilbert has the mentality of a slave-owner is downright slanderous, if not hilarious.  The "Reverend" Jesse Jackson represents everything that is wrong with American Society.   

So.. last night didn't go so well.  LeBron goes on National Television, and announces he will be leaving Cleveland to team up with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade.  What a way to leave the city that has given you unconditional support. 

Thanks for screwing us big-time LeBron.  Not only do you leave, but you're so self-centered that you decide to hold the city hostage. 

Now, we have no chance of landing any respectable free agents.  Chicago already signed Boozer, and New York got Amare.  By keeping your decision to yourself, you have handcuffed the Cavaliers organization and put us in a very bad situation.  Time after time, you put yourself above all else.

LeBron knows the history of Cleveland.  The "Drive", the "Catch", the "Jose Mesa", and now the "Decision."  We thought you might be better than that.  I hope you fail miserably in Miami, and as Dan Gilbert put it, "take the Cleveland curse down south with you."

Ultimately, you leave Cleveland a disgrace and a failure.  You failed to win a championship, something you vowed to do.  When you did make the Finals and were matched up against the Spurs, you embarrassed the city by getting swept.  The last two years, you turned the sidelines into your personal dance floor and had the best record in the regular season.  But, when it came time to show up in the playoffs, you failed again.  Your performances in Game 2 and Game 4 were atrocious.  You honestly gave up. 

Kobe has to be smiling in this whole situation.  LeBron hasn't even won a ring, and just created one of the biggest media circuses of all-time for a crushing "Decision" to leave Cleveland.  This mis-management by "Team LeBron" will have negative repercussions throughout the rest of his ill-fated career.  Team LeBron is a joke.  The "LeBron Brand" takes a big hit here, as he now has to join forces with Wade and Bosh to win a championship.  He can't do it on his own, and will never be considered to be on Jordan's level.  Kobe is better anyways.

LeBron needs to go to Miami because he's not welcome here anymore.  He needs Dwyane Wade because on his own, he fails.  Skip Bayless has always been right when he said, "LeBron does not have the clutch gene."  He never did.  The unreal amount of attention he has received since high school has never quite been justified.  Sure, he might be the best "athlete" in the Association, but he is certainly not the best "basketball player."  Kobe won one with Shaq, and then without him.  LeBron couldn't win a championship in Cleveland with the Diesel.

The Miami Heat will undoubtedly be fun to watch this year, but they might not be as good as everyone expects.  3 players don't win a championship.  As of right now their roster consists of Mario Chalmers, Mike Miller who just signed, and a bunch of no-name draft picks.  The Celtics had the Big 3, but they also had Rondo.. and Perkins.. and Glen Davis.  Miami definitely has the flash with the new Big 3, but they don't have substance.  Miami will find out soon enough, just how short LeBron can come up when it matters. 

I hate Chris Bosh.  Seriously, hate is an understatement.  I'm not one to wish harm upon another, but either LeBron, Bosh, or Wade is going to go down with an injury this season.  Dan Gilbert's letter to the fans was priceless.  More to come on that later.  The Cavs owner seems more motivated than ever to bring a title to Cleveland.  As for LeBron, good riddance.  This city deserves better than an egotistical, maniacal, self-centered, underachieving "King" who quits and leaves when he fails under great expectations.  In my eyes, he's done this city more injustice than Art Modell ever did.  Am I upset?  Absolutely.  Should we be surprised?  Not really.  One thing is for certain; LeBron James was never underrated

Cavs fan reacts to The Decision

Reports are surfacing that LeBron has already made up his mind, and will announce tonight that he will join Wade and Bosh with the Miami Heat.  We will find out tonight, when he LeBron announces on national television his ultimate decision.

I'm still not buying into any of this speculation.  How many times has ESPN and Chris Broussard flip-flopped on where they think LeBron will go?  ESPN has latched on to this story for months, maybe even years, and has done nothing but enable Team LeBron.  Only LeBron and Maverick Carter know his "Decision", and thus no one should be reporting anything until we watch LeBron's television spectacle in approximately 6 hours tonight.

If he does leave, I blame everything on Chris Bosh.  Had Chris Bosh, (who looks like an Avatar) agreed to join LeBron in Cleveland, the Cavaliers would be smiling right about now as they knew that LeBron would return.  The lure of Bosh and Wade in Miami is a tough choice, but so is playing with Amare Stoudemire in New York.  It seems as if the Cavaliers are not the favorite anymore, but I still think we have a chance.

LeBron will be announcing his decision in Connecticut, and some have speculated that this means he will sign with the Knicks.  He does have a love affair with Madison Square Garden, but that doesn't mean he will sign with them.  Mike Dantoni isn't exactly the coach who gives LeBron the best shot to win a championship. 

I still think that the Cavaliers signing Byron Scott will have an immense impact on LeBron's decision.  LeBron's best friend Chris Paul has been reported to be urging LeBron to stay with Cleveland and give Byron a shot to take him to the promised land.  The Cavaliers have apparently have vigorously tried to trade for Paul, but with no success.  However, Scott has won championships as a player, and has led the Nets to several NBA Finals appearances.  He has the experience to coach a superstar in LeBron, and work with our supporting cast to get the most out of them.

The future of the Cavaliers franchise will be determined in a few short hours.  There have been estimates that predict the value of Dan Gilbert's investment could decrease by $150 million or more if LeBron decides to team up with Bosh and Wade.  LeBron need to stay in Cleveland.  Dan Gilbert is committed to making us a championship contender each and every year. 

This summer of free agency is just one of many to come.  There are always blockbuster trades during the season and if LeBron does stay, rest assured the Cavs will do everything in their power to improve an already impressive roster.  Hickson and Varejao are underrated big-men.  Besides, if LeBron goes to Miami he isn't the number one option anymore.  Wade has proven to be more trustworthy in the clutch.  Does LeBron really need to go play with Wade and Bosh to win a championship?  I don't think so.  Hopefully he makes the right move.  All of Cleveland will mourn if he goes on National Television and announces he is leaving.  We've already had enough heartbreak.  Cleveland deserves better than that.  LeBron James is Underrated

Editors note: This guest post was written by Pat Milyo, an Ohio University graduate.  Pat discusses LeBron's decision tomorrow night, which will air as an hour-long ESPN Special.  

As a Cleveland fan born and raised in a city known for "the shot", "the drive", and "the fumble" amongst other famous sport's choke jobs, I have had the luxury of witnessing (that word is pretty fitting) events such as the 1995 Indians vs. Braves World Series, the 1997 Indians vs. Marlins World Series, and Art Modell moving the Browns in 1995 to Baltimore.  Call me crazy, but karma has to come back around in our favor at some point. Hopefully that happens to be tomorrow night.

I may be optimistic, but I can't see how LeBron could turn his back on a city that has done nothing but embrace him since Day 1.  Personally, I couldn't think of a better feeling than putting your hometown on the map, by bringing a championship to a city whose fans would probably cut off one of their arms to just say they lived to see Cleveland win one.

By choosing to go to NY, CHI, MIA, or NJ to pursue a championship, not only will he give Cleveland the biggest slap in the face the city has ever seen in my opinion, but he will forever be known for not being able to deliver a trophy to a city that raised him to be what he is today. It's obviously not about the money, we can offer the most and lets be realistic, Nike cut him a check for $90 million before he even played one NBA game...so I don't think he's strapped for cash by any means. It's about where he wants to win.

With a new proven coach in Byron Scott and an owner like Dan Gilbert who has brought in players in the past by the names of Shaquille O'Neal, Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams, Delonte West, Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, etc. what makes you think he's going stop at any costs to win now?

It should be more than interesting to see what he decides. He's either going to go down in the Cleveland history books as one of the most loyal players the city has ever seen, or the most despised.

Tomorrow at 9 we'll see what he's really made of after making comments such as, "It's about more than the game of basketball."

Go Cavs.

The 8th greatest Cavalier of all-time hails from Brazil.  There isn't another player in the NBA that does more for his team in terms of hustle and effort.  Anderson Varejao deservedly earned his nickname "The Wild Thing" for his relentless and energetic style of play.  If he's not on your team, you probably hate him.  Cavs fans love him.  He has the ability to change a game from a rebounding-standpoint, as well as his consistent defensive effort.

Anderson was born in 1982 in Colatina, Brazil.  While most other kids grew up playing soccer, Varejao found basketball to be his natural fit.  At 6 ft. 11", and 260 pounds, he probably could have been a great goalie.. Brazil could have used him this year in their early-exit from the World Cup.

Regardless, he was a talented basketball player, and in 1998 at the age of 16 he signed with the Franca Basquetbol Clube in the city of Franca, Sao Paulo state.  Franca is known as the basketball capital of Brazil, and he played there for 3 years.  He was touted as an offensively unpolished big-man, but you couldn't overlook his effort and energy.

In 2001, he signed with FC Barcelona.  He only appeared in two games that year, and scored 4 points total.  The next year, he appeared in 4 games, and averaged 8.3 points and 1.5 rebounds.  Barcelona didn't know just how valuable Varejao could be.  Anderson didn't see one minute of playing time in the playoffs.  In 2003, he appeared in 27 regular season games but yet again they held out him out the playoff rotation. 

Gradually, Varejao was becoming a better player and learned how to play his game.  He entered the 2004 NBA draft with hopes to contribute.  The Orlando Magic drafted him with the 30th overall pick.  The Cavaliers wanted him, and acquired him as well as Drew Gooden for Tony Battie.  I imagine the Magic look back on that decision and wince.  Varejao alongside Dwight Howard could have been a dynamic duo.  Worked out for the Cavaliers. 

During his rookie campaign with the Cavaliers in 2004, he appeared in 54 games.  In 16 minutes per game, he averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds.  Vvarejao ranked 1st in the NBA in steals per turnover with 1.58, and 4th in offensive rebounds per 48 minutes with 6.1.  He quickly became a fan favorite with his energetic style of play and awesome hair.

On February 21, 2006, fans at Quicken Loans Arena attempted to break the Guinness World Record for "most people wearing wigs in a single venue" when 20,562 fans wore wigs given away before the game in celebration of Varejao's unique hairstyle.  Cleveland, stop trying to be famous for dumb things.  This is same franchise who broke the world record for "most people wearing snuggies" in a game this last year.  Ignorance is bliss.

Varejao was a huge part of the Cavs 2006 playoff run.  He averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds   During the Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Detroit Pistons, he shot over 80% from the free throw line and played a big part in the Cavaliers' wins in Game 3 (16 points) and Game 4 (drawing a charge from Chauncey Billups with 29 seconds left to play and by preventing Richard Hamilton from making a potentially game-winning shot).

Mike Brown decided to give Varejao more minutes during the 2006-2007 season.  He appeared in 81 games, and started six times.  He averaged 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and took 99 charges during the season to lead the Association.  Some people think he's a flopper, but he's really just a crafty defensive presence and he takes some hard hits during the process.

In the 2007 offseason Varejão became a restricted free agent, and he did not sign a contract with the Cavaliers at the start of the 2007-08 NBA season.  He waited until December, and signed a two-year $11.1 million offer sheet with the Charlotte Bobcats. Under the NBA's collective bargaining rules, the Cavaliers had one week to match the offer sheet, and that's exactly what they did.  They weren't about to allow this talented Brazilian stud to go play for Charlotte.

The Cavaliers knew his impact doesn't always show up in the statline, and they rewared him after the 2008-2009 season, when they signed him to a 6 year contract worth $42.5 million.  I'd estimate that he probably spends $1 million a year alone to keep that beautiful afro in pristine condition.  Seriously, who in the Association has better hair than Varejao?

This last year, he led the NBA in plus-minus, meaning when he's on the floor the team plays well.  He has consistently shown to be an invaluable player, and LeBron loves to find him sneaking backdoor for an easy layup at least once a game.

Varejao is also an underrated dunker; He's been known to throw down a tip-slam, or dunk in someone's face when he feels its necesssary.   

Anderson plays hard all the time, which is more than can be said about some players.  He will likely be a deciding factor in LeBron's decision to stay in Cleveland.  Joakim Noah wishes he could be Anderson Varejao (seriously Noah, fix your gap-tooth).  He always gets under the other team's skin, and it often leads to opposing players picking up technical fouls. 

The Wild Thing will be a staple in Byron Scott's gameplan for years to come, and he deserves to get a ring with the King.  We'll never forget the 3 pointer he hit to beat the Hawks last year.  It doesn't really need to be said, it's obvious; Anderson Varejao is Underrated

 
                          

It's a pretty big deal to make the Top 10 on LeBron James is Underrated's 20 greatest Cavaliers of all-time.  Lamond Murray should feel honored.  He played only a few years for the Cavaliers, but his time was appreciated.

Lamond played his college basketball at the University of California, alongside Jason Kidd.  He was a solid scorer, great rebounder, and a physical presence for Cal.  Kidd and Murray made for an exciting Golden Bears team to watch, and they made two consecutive NCAA tournaments.  Lamond was somewhat overshadowed by phenom J-Kidd, but he was still a force and everyone knew he would be a 1st round draft pick.

Unfortunately, Murray's career was screwed right off the bat. He had the unfortunate experience of being dafted by the Clippers with the 7th overall pick in the 1994 draft.  Nobody wants to play for the Clippers.  So, he was essentially in basketball purgatory until 1999, when they mercifully traded him to Cleveland.  The Cavaliers sent Derek Anderson and Johnny Newman to the Clippers.

Lamond came to the Cavaliers ready to make an impact, and he certainly did.  In the 1999-2000 season, he appeared in 74 games, averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds a game.  Pretty solid numbers when you consider he was playing alongside Bobby Sura, Earl Boykins,Wesley Person, and Shawn Kemp.  At 6 ft. 7" and 235 lbs, he was big for the small forward position and presented match-up problems for other teams.  He often used his strength and tenacity to drive the lane and finish with a nasty dunk.  Not to mention he was a consistent jump shooter. 

Unfortunately that year, Coach Randy Wittman led the Cavaliers to a 32-50 campaign and missed the playoffs.  Not exactly what Lamond had in mind when he came to a Cleveland team with a decent amount of talent.  During these tough times, I remember that Lamond Murray made the Cavs somewhat watchable.  I applaud him for that. 

The next year, nothing got better.  Even with the addition of Andre Miller, the team posted a 30-52 season.  Lamond and Miller were the two bright spots on what was otherwise a pretty terrible team.  So the Cavaliers solution the next season?  Fire Randy Wittman, hire John Lucas, and sign Ricky Davis.  Hmm.  It wasn't really a surprise that the Cavaliers finished 29-53.  Lamond did lead the Cavaliers in scoring with 16.6 points per game, but this team and franchise were in shambles.

Lamond wanted out of Cleveland, and the front office granted him his wish.  You can't really blame him.  He was upset that the Cavaliers traded Andre Miller for Darius Miles.  Fortunately, he didn't have to take part in the miserable 17-65 season the year before we drafted LeBron.  He played two seasons in Toronto, and then another in New Jersey.  Lamond, we respect you for your time in Cleveland.  You made a terrible team fun to watch on occasion.  You even made wearing the mask fashionable.  Lamond Murray is Underrated

                        

On the day that LeBron officially became a free agent, Byron Scott has accepted the Cavs vacant head coaching position.  I must say I'm relieved to hear that the Cavaliers decided to go with Byron Scott, and not Brian Shaw.  This is a great hire for Dan Gilbert, as Byron brings a level of NBA coaching experience, as well as success, that Shaw and even Izzo could not offer. 

It was a pretty interesting situation, as there were reports that Shaw was soon to be named the Head Coach.  Apparently they rescinded on that, and made the right decision to go with Scott.  Even Byron's agent thought Shaw had the job, as he had sent out a congratulatory e-mail through several news outlets.  That turned out not being completely accurate, and the Cavs re-opened talks with Scott. 

Byron Scott is far better suited to coach this team than Shaw, and Cavs fans should be excited about what he brings to the table.  He has previous head coaching experience with the New Jersey Nets and New Orleans.  You have to look at what he did in getting the Nets to the NBA Finals.  He took a mediocre team to the NBA Championship.  The fact that he has a great relationship with Chris Paul, who the Cavs may or may not still be interested in going after, doesn't hurt his case either.  LeBron and CP are best friends, and Paul and Scott are tight.  It makes sense that he would come to Cleveland to join LeBron. 

It might be awhile before anyone knows where LeBron is going to play, and I respect Byron for agreeing to become the coach without even knowing whether he will resign.  That shows that he is committed, and isn't entirely worried about whether The King stays or not.  He's going to keep the Cavaliers in title-contention for years for to come.  Besides,  LeBron has said that he would like to play for a former NBA player: Scott fills that role.  He played 14 seasons, and won 3 championships with the Lakers.

LeBron James is staying in Cleveland.  He's not going to either of the teams he's listening to offers from today, that being the Knicks and Nets.  Although Jay-Z probably will present a good argument for him going to the Nets; LeBron won't want to play in New Jersey for the next two years until the team can move to Brooklyn.  Playing in Newark for 2 years isn't exactly an upgrade from Cleveland.  He's not going to New York either, because they simply flat-out suck every year.  Oh, and one of their top targets Joe Johnson is going to sign a 6 year, $119 million contract with Atlanta.  He's not even that good, definitely not worth $20 mill a year. 

LeBron and Dwayne Wade are not teaming up in Miami either.  Both players like to have the ball at the end of the game, and neither of them will want to sacrifice millions of dollars to play together.  It's an interesting idea, one that ESPN has ignorantly latched onto, but it's not happening.  LeBron wants to be the man on the team he plays for.  Sharing the spotlight is not a suitable option. 

So that pretty much leaves Chicago as the only possible option where LeBron would leave.  They have a few nice pieces there including Derrick Rose, but I don't see him leaving.  Thibodeau is a mirror image of Mike Brown and he won't want to play for him.  It all adds up to the Cavs getting Bosh in a sign and trade, and resigning LeBron.  You don't leave the team that had the best regular season record for the last 2 years, won over 60 games, and is consistently a championship contender.  LeBron has to realize that our early playoff exit was his fault, no one else's.  If he hadn't disappeared in the last few games of the series, we could be talking about a Cavaliers championship right now. 

Also, he has to realize the stain on his legacy that will result if he ditches Cleveland after failing to win a championship.  He's from the area, and knows that we desperately need a title in this town.  He wants to win a ring, and he's going to do it here.  The Cavaliers are going to start making moves left and right and Byron Scott is just Step 1.  I love the move, and so does LeBron.  LeBron James is Underrated