[Every weekend, we'll go prospecting for some of the week's most fun quotes . . . obviously, the latter part of this week was consumed by the LeBron James / New York spectacle. And we're going to delve into that here, even though it isn't exactly "fun." Let the over-analyzing begin!]
LeBron on 2010; Take #174.
The Cleveland Cavaliers played in New York City on Friday night . . . so naturally, there was all kinds of talk about LeBron James' big plans (or non-plans) for his big 2010 free agency.
Fortunately, this is the only time the Cavaliers will play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden this year . . . but unfortunately, the LeBron speculation will not let up until he makes his final decision this summer.
Before the trip, the Cleveland media grilled LeBron. The "Cleveland Plain Dealer" published a rundown of his responses. Here are a few of them . . .
LeBron, on whether he's thought about playing somewhere other than Cleveland:"I've thought about playing everywhere. At one point in my life, I've thought about playing every team in the NBA."
LeBron, on how he will handle the New York media's questions about next year:
"There will be a lot of intensity, the fact that we only play there once. July 1st is right around the corner, so it will be exciting. I'm looking forward to winning an NBA championship here. It is going to be a long season and I can't think about what is going to happen July 1st or after that or what I'm going to do. We'll see what happens, I've never given any indication I'll leave Cleveland or be somewhere else. It doesn't matter where I'll be, I'm good enough to help a team win basketball games."
LeBron, on whether he's enjoying keeping everyone in suspense:
"I don't tease, I've never teased the New York media by saying I was coming to New York or playing for the Knicks. I say the same thing every time. When July 1st gets here, I'm going to approach it like a businessman and approach it for the best fit for LeBron and his family.
"I've been a Cav for seven years now and I've never given any indication I was leaving. For me to say I'm not going to be a Knick, I'm going to be a Cav or I'm going to be a Knick, I'm not going to be a Cav, I'm not going to do that. I did the three-year contract for a reason, I'm going to leave my options open."
When LeBron got to New York, he told the local media:
"There's a lot of great individual basketball players that I would love to be alongside of and try to contend for an NBA championship. I think at the end of the day, a max deal or anything like that doesn't really matter to me.
"It’s all about winning for me. I’m going to put myself in the position when that day comes next summer, I want to win and if I feel that the team is capable of winning, then I’ll make a decision on that."
Just in case you need a little guidance on how to take that, here's the decoder key: If you're a Cavs fan, the first part you should be afraid of . . . but not believe. The second part you should be relieved to hear . . . and hope to believe.
Although, if you really want to panic . . . and you're unabashedly gullible . . . technically, both quotes could mean that he's thinking about accepting a minimum contract to sign with the L.A. Lakers.
C.C. Sabathia Would Be "Surprised" If LeBron Didn't Come to NY.
So, LeBron is saying this and that about New York and 2010, which essentially echoes what he's been saying for years . . . but what we all really want to know is: What does former Cleveland Indians ace C.C. Sabathia think???
Thankfully, C.C. has weighed in, and he says he'd be shocked if LeBron . . . didn't come to New York. (?) He said:
“I would be surprised if he doesn’t come. This is where you want to play and there’s nothing like winning here. He knows what that means and we’ll see what happens."
In fairness to C.C., he plays for the New York Yankees, a team that just won its 27th championship . . . the direct result of years and years of tirelessly developing players through their own farm system.
When C.C. was in Cleveland, he played for the Indians . . . a team that's in a constant state of flux, that's perpetually waiting for next year, and that would be cool with trading away their entire pro roster.
But this is basketball, C.C.
In the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers a lot like the Yankees (in terms of their "investments" in their team) and the New York Knicks are a lot like the Indians (in that their goal is not to win, it's to see how many under-performing players they can get off the books before next year . . . when things are promised to be better, but it's widely understood that they won't be.)
I'm sure New York throws a good parade . . .
But I would be surprised if he doesn’t stay. This is where you want to play and there would be nothing like winning here. He knows what that means and we’ll see what happens.
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