Talk of LeBron exit angers Cavs owner

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LeBron James may wear a New York Yankees hat everywhere from his hometown of Akron to Beijing, but Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert thinks rampant speculation the superstar will leave Cleveland in two years is "an insult to the city." Gilbert said James has given him no indication he plans to leave for New York after his contract expires in 2010. Gilbert called the talk of James' departure nothing more than conjecture from bored sports reporters. "It's kind of an insult to the city of Cleveland, in my opinion -- an insult to the Midwest," said Gilbert, who spoke at the Cavaliers' practice facility Thursday, a few days before the team opens training camp. James has two years remaining on a contract extension he signed with the Cavaliers in July 2006. He has said he can't see himself playing anywhere else right now and has declined to address what will happen in two years. But his fondness for New York has helped prompt speculation he will leave Cleveland for the New York Knicks or the New Jersey Nets, who are partly owned by his good friend, rap mogul Jay-Z.

Associated Press

LeBron James, Gregory Shamus/Getty Images LeBron James, Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
September 26, 2008  07:49 AM ET

See ya in Jersey Lebron.

September 26, 2008  08:02 AM ET

Get used to it Dan Gilbert. He's gone in 2 years, and even if he isn't, you'll be hearing that until the day he signs a new contract with Cleveland, which is highly doubtful.... I dunno about any of you, but I myself am looking for a new job right now. But I won't be telling my employer until I have that new job and I have to put in notice.... there's something about "wanting a new job" that correlates to "I don't want to work for you anymore" that may not settle well with a current employer, who can make it hell for you.

September 26, 2008  08:06 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

See ya in Jersey Lebron.

Getting sick of hearing the little want to be gang banger kiddies talking this crap. I don`t like Lebron but this crap is just getting old..........

But really he should be wearin ghis home city cap or shirt for any sport. Wearing his NY BS wears just shows you he is so self centered and only cares about himself. Just like he was whnen he was taking money as a high school player........Greedy and just more full of himself then anyone else in sports these days. Too bad he hasnt won a WC yet. Its his own fault.....Greddy little ******.........

September 26, 2008  08:21 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Getting sick of hearing the little want to be gang banger kiddies talking this crap. I don`t like Lebron but this crap is just getting old..........But really he should be wearin ghis home city cap or shirt for any sport. Wearing his NY BS wears just shows you he is so self centered and only cares about himself. Just like he was whnen he was taking money as a high school player........Greedy and just more full of himself then anyone else in sports these days. Too bad he hasnt won a WC yet. Its his own fault.....Greddy little ******.........

you cant be serious, how does playing for new jersey make you a gang banger? or how does him saying "see ya in jersey" make him a gang banger? that's just stupid. Secondly, the cowboys were unbelievable when lebron grew up, and the yankees are the yankees, lebron likes winners, he can be a fan of another team without self righteous fans getting their panties in a knot. If you got hired to play for one particular team, for a particular sport, you dont need to jock the hometown team.

September 26, 2008  08:26 AM ET

you cant be serious, how does playing for new jersey make you a gang banger? or how does him saying "see ya in jersey" make him a gang banger? that's just stupid. Secondly, the cowboys were unbelievable when lebron grew up, and the yankees are the yankees, lebron likes winners, he can be a fan of another team without self righteous fans getting their panties in a knot. If you got hired to play for one particular team, for a particular sport, you dont need to jock the hometown team.
---------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------
Guess I'm a 42 year old gang banger because I believe Lebron is leaving Cleveland...LOL..

September 26, 2008  08:28 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

you cant be serious, how does playing for new jersey make you a gang banger? or how does him saying "see ya in jersey" make him a gang banger? that's just stupid. Secondly, the cowboys were unbelievable when lebron grew up, and the yankees are the yankees, lebron likes winners, he can be a fan of another team without self righteous fans getting their panties in a knot. If you got hired to play for one particular team, for a particular sport, you dont need to jock the hometown team.

Laughs..........all this little kids are spreading this rumor about him leaving Clev.....Thats my point.

September 26, 2008  08:30 AM ET

Ok. he not a little kiddy............But why in the world can you ASSume 2 years ahead saying he wilbe leaving......I don`t like Lebron but these over blown rumors about him leaving been around now since he signed with Clev........

September 26, 2008  08:32 AM ET

I think Lebron is playing poker right now. If he wants big money then he is playing it right and continue to tease Cleveland. But at the same time he loses because if that is the reason then he becomes a real greedy person. He does not care about anybody but himself. He already made a comment in the past that he wants to be the first NBA billionaire.

September 26, 2008  08:34 AM ET

Not a Lebron fan either but the big market combined with a legit chance to win a championship will be too much to pass up in my opinion..

September 26, 2008  08:35 AM ET

Guam and he will get the money.......His image alone is worth more then him playablity. Even if he get injuried and doesnt play for a season his net worth is worth keep his name on any teams. Even if he not playing Ball. Its all about selling products to people that can`t afford daying living living things ( shoes, shirts, ( jewery.......Laughs). Then again thats the way it been for many years now. But its Lebron inthis space and time...

September 26, 2008  08:38 AM ET

Because he will play in NY or NJ he will a ring? Its not that simple. There is pay rolls of other players on those teams....egos that can live with his over blown ego..... surround players like this around the the Baby isnt going to be easy.

September 26, 2008  08:42 AM ET

Because he will play in NY or NJ he will a ring? Its not that simple. There is pay rolls of other players on those teams....egos that can live with his over blown ego..... surround players like this around the the Baby isnt going to be easy.
--------------------------------------
Didn't say he would win a ring I said he would have a legit chance because the big market will attract more & better free agents to support Lebron plus how many role players can you think of that wouldn't want ot play with Lebron?

September 26, 2008  08:43 AM ET

BTW i sorry if I insulted anyone........
I can understand people dreaming about him playing for say NY,NJ,LA etc.....But there is alittle more then just taking a a owner that (is lebrons friend) and saying he headed to wherever......

September 26, 2008  08:45 AM ET

"but the big market combined with a legit chance to win a championship will be too much to pass up in my opinion.."


this is why i said ring...........

September 26, 2008  08:47 AM ET

"Didn't say he would win a ring I said he would have a legit chance because the big market will attract more & better free agents to support Lebron plus how many role players can you think of that wouldn't want ot play with Lebron? "

Repeated................

Its not that simple. There is pay rolls of other players on those teams....egos that can live with his over blown ego..... surround players like this around the the Baby isnt going to be easy.

Its not easy easy for anyone with a ego like Lebron.

September 26, 2008  09:01 AM ET

There's teams that can sign players whenever they want, for however much they want because of the draw of where they are and the money they have... The New Yorks, the LAs, the Bostons, the Miami's, the Chicago's... then the Texas teams fall in behind them... Cleveland can't get anyone to assist King James, and King James will leave to find someone that can.

I'm really not sure Lebron has such a huge ego.... he's pretty quiet all the time... I think you're confused with Carmelo Anthony and Stephon Marbury.

September 26, 2008  09:06 AM ET

"There's teams that can sign players whenever they want, for however much they want because of the draw of where they are and the money they have... The New Yorks, the LAs, the Bostons, the Miami's, the Chicago's... then the Texas teams fall in behind them... Cleveland can't get anyone to assist King James, and King James will leave to find someone that can"

But the maqic here is WHO to surround him with.......IF anyone can deal with being second on a team behind Lebron. Not every team can haave a cast of players surrounding him like MJ of the bulls did for many years...... Picking the right players that can deal with his ego ( let alone he still hasnt matured emotionaly )..... So ywhat you said is they can spend ahell of alot more money for all the great players and surround baby lebron...............Its not going to be easy.......finding them for any aount of monies.

September 26, 2008  09:10 AM ET

the cavs need good players to make lebron want to stay if not welcome to new jersey youll be welcomed after vince carter is in crutches

September 26, 2008  09:14 AM ET

IF clev loses Lebron to NY or wherever. it might spell a end to clev....( you never know ). No matter how much you dislike him. He means everything to Clev at this moment.

 
September 26, 2008  09:23 AM ET

the Gm thinks its an insult ok isnt it an insult that LeBron da King has 2 overwork 2 get his team 2 the playoffs every year due to the scrubs the cavs keep getting scerbiak is garbage & to pay him 12 mil for a streaky euro is rediculous another pg will leave delonte as the odd man out the cavs need a #2 scorer i have been saying this all along but the exec. team does not seem to get it.
If u wanna keep the king in Cleveland u must get a #2 scorer!

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