If you read anything about LeBron, read this truth

The ABSOLUTE best thing I have read in a very long time.

Dear Cleveland, all of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers supporters wherever you may be tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several-day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight: "I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA Championship before the self-titled former 'king' wins one."

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our homegrown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland. Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day...

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue...

Dan Gilbert

Majority Owner

Cleveland Cavalier"

EXACTLY what I have been thinking for years about LeBron James. I wish Cleveland nothing but the best, and Lebron....... KARMA!

I really hope this guarantee becomes truth faster than LeBron broke the hearts of a city, a state, and anyone who doesn't root for the now hated team of South Florida. I HATE that this is news. I'm now over it. Go Lakers the three-peat is looming.

Re-sign Fisher and Shannon Brown!

The Indecision

So it's almost here. "The Decision" that will shake up the NBA for the next decade. Will LeBron James join Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade in Miami, join Amare Stoudemire in New York, become a billionaire in New Jersey, not live up to Michael Jordan in Chicago, or remain loyal to the city that raised him in Cleveland?

My wish is that LeBron will stay in Cleveland. He will be praised for his loyalty and humility by staying with his hometown that he has enthralled for the last 7 years. The hometown hero image is one that Kobe or Michael never had and LeBron would be the first such superstar the NBA has ever seen, if he wins a championship for the disgruntled city.

My fear is that he will go to Miami. Not that they will challenge the Lakers for the title, but that LeBron will have given up his life for a ring. Greatness is when you can build a dynasty with the same team your entire career. Kobe, Michael, Dwayne Wade even, Magic, Kareem, Bird... the list goes on. Also, the hometown hero image would not be anymore. LeBron should listen to more Bob Marley: "Don't gain the world, and lose your soul." LeBron would sell his soul to join Miami and maybe gain a world champion, but karma would be on his heels, nipping like a chiwawa.

My wallet would say that LeBron goes to the Nets. In 2005, LeBron said that he wants to be a billionaire (so freaking bad). New Jersey would make that possible with the franchise moving to Brooklyn soon and Mikhail Prokhorov being a worldwide business man. It is rumored that in their presentation to LeBron, Prokhorov pulled down a map of the world with cities that he has done business in highlighted. LeBron would be a superstar in each of these cities and countries. He would become a global superstar if he joined the Nets and eventually, a billionaire.

He could also become a global superstar with the Clippers. No joke here, Kobe is a huge star in China, the biggest star in the NBA. This is because the time change from the west coast to China is less drastic than from anywhere else in the country and the Chinese are able to watch games on the west coast more easily than games from the east coast.

My prediction is that LeBron will think of himself and join Miami. No income tax there, which would mean extra money for him. Maybe a ring or two unless the Lakers or Thunder have anything to say about it. But he would not be the "king" of Miami. That crown belongs to Dwayne Wade and it always will. Have fun being a side kick and not being able to be relied on in the postseason. Artest shuts down LeBron, Kobe shuts down Dwade, and Gasol embarrasses Bosh. The list goes on about how much better our team is than that one that was bought.

And as you throw that chalk up in Miami, thinking about choking again in a big playoff game, at least you'll have Dwade and Bosh for a couple shoulders to cry on. Karma LeBron.

Sports Update

The sports world can be stressful, exciting, but most of all, it creates a parallel between everybody. No better example of this was has been seen for a while, until earlier this morning when Ghana thrilled the nation of Africa with an instant classic vs. Uruguay.

Ghana opened up the scoring on the last play before the half-time whistle. Sulley Muntari (yes, I had to look that up) scored on what some would call a "rocket launcher" shot from the edge of the attacking third of the field. And in sensational fashion, Diego Forlan netted the equalizer in the 55th minute. And that ceased the scoring for the game.

Tied 1-1 after 90 grueling minutes, the game went into extra time. Ghana is accustomed to the extra time format, when they needed the final half-hour to finish off the United States, and they looked to close early today as they did then. When that attempt failed, the game remained a tough draw.

Until the the last play of the game. Uruguay was unable to clear the ball after two corner kicks and Ghana attempted to capitalize on the third. The ball slipped past the punch of the goalie and a shot on goal was blocked at the goal line by a defender. Ghana then rebounded by heading the ball on goal. The number nine of Uruguay, the teams goal-scorer Luis Suarez, intentionally blocked the ball with Uruguay's last hope, his hands. This drew an automatic red card and a penalty kick for Ghana. Already scoring on two penalties this tournament, Asamoah Gyan stepped up to the spot with the weight of the African Nation on his right foot.

The shot glanced off the crossbar and out of play. The game was going into penalty kicks.

The entire world yelled at their television screens. Frustration was shown and dreams were crushed. I knew at that point, Uruguay had the momentum and would win the penalty shootout. Ghana sent Gyan up to take the first shot for the team, which he nailed into the upper right corner, a courageous shot for a player who just missed one. The goalie from Uruguay saved two and even though my favorite player on the Uruguay team, Maxi Pereira (didn't have to look that one up) sailed his shot into the nose-bleed section, they still won the penalty kicks 4-2.

The world feels for Gyan and the black stars. The pain on his face after the game was finished was painful to watch. The announcer described it as "inconsolable". I hope the Ghana team can move on and prove to be the dominant African nation in Rio de Janeiro in the next World Cup.

Ron Artest Desrves an Entire Post

CHAMPIONS!!! And no one is happier than the man who hit the biggest shot of his career, against the advice of the voice of the Zen master in his head, went to the club, like he promised, showed up the next morning still in his Laker shorts after giving away his jersey to Chris Brown, and he still reigns supreme as the greatest post-game interview of all-time. Not to mention he scored 20 points, grabbed 5 boards, shut down Paul Pierce, again, and got 5 crucial steals to keep the champs in the game. The MVP of Game 7.

Ron Artest does it all.

This is his night and morning after the game.

Post-game Ron

Post-Post-Game Ron.



Clubbin' Ron












Morning After Ron

Game 3 Review

Game 3- Lakers 91 Celtics 84
A near-impossible shot with 0.4 seconds left, two big three's vs. the Magic in the Finals last year, now this.

Clutch and Derek Fisher are synonymous. And no performance may be bigger than this one. I stressed the importance of this game in a previous blog, and Fisher knew it as well. In a fourth quarter where Kobe Bryant went 1 for 6 and nobody else stood up. Pau Gasol finished with a mere 13 points and Lamar Odom finally stepped up his game and the bench scoring along with him with 12 points.

Derek Fisher felt the momentum swinging. The Lakers had a 17 point lead at one point in the second quarter, but they were now only leading by six versus a tough Celtics squad that was due for a run. And they made their run, but Derek Fisher answered every shot they made with one of his own. The biggest shot for Fisher, actually, the biggest shot of the game, of the series, of the playoffs, of the season, was made with his wit and his will.

A brilliant play by a seasoned veteran would have never happened if he didn't switch on a screen with Ron Artest. Artest chased around Ray Allen on this certain play, who missed yet another 3-pointer. Allen was 0-13 from the field and missed as many 3's this game as he made for Game 2, 8. Fisher grabbed the rebound and hesitated. He then saw a row of four Celtics jogging back. For many, this would have been a sign to slow it down and jog as well. Not for Fisher. He pushed the ball to halfcourt and saw his advantage. He sped by a slow Kevin Garnett while Paul Pierce, who pretty much guaranteed a win this game, looked for instruction from his coach.

As Fisher neared the hoop, he snuck in a layup while getting hit in the head by Garnett, mauled by Glen Davis, and landed on by Ray Allen. They could only give a foul to one person, Davis, and only one person knew success during this play, Fisher. Kobe screamed, I hit the roof, and the Lakers were up by 7 after a made free throw.

The dagger had been set into the heart of the Celtics, their fans, the city of Boston, and Paul Pierce's dignity. The Lakers deflected off any run that the Celtics tried to make after the layup that sealed the game.

With the win under their belt, the Lakers may prove Paul Pierce correct. Maybe they "ain't coming back to LA." If the Lakers win the next two games, they don't have to.

The Celtics may be desperate in Game 4 and may continue the trend of lose a game, win a game, but the Lakers may also have them stunned. I see a very tough and close game four. And of course I think the Lakers will win.

I watched game 3 in silence with my dad and with both of us being experienced fans of the NBA, we didn't have to point out the obvious and the exciting plays were more exciting without the background noise that could have been distracting. We broke down each play ourselves and watched the post game interviews after. It was awesome and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the game in its purest form. Try it out for game four, even if its for only a couple minutes. You will find out you know more about the game than you thought. Good luck.

Listen Closely

Ever find announcers annoying? Why does Jeff Van Gundy, a former NBA coach, always insist on talking about everything but basketball? His growing bald spot gets more attention than Kobe Bryant's spot up jumper. All his other talk is just noise. Mark Jackson praises the best players and points out the obvious. As a former great NBA point guard, his analysis of the position is absent. Mike Breen, a 14-year announcing veteran, seems to have gotten the memo to try to get Van Gundy off topic as much as possible, especially during the fourth quarter. The rants that ensue pertain nothing close to basketball, and my time is officially wasted.

Where I am going with this is this: hit the mute button. These announcers don't matter; they don't change the game in any way. This strategy can be for both the experienced basketball fan and even the inexperienced. The experienced can test themselves to see how much about the game they know, while the inexperienced can enhance their knowledge on their own and not learn from someone who you are told knows more about the game than you do. Make your own assumptions about the game and base them about what you know. And talk to your family and friends around you about the game. Call your own fouls and maybe even announce the game yourself if you want, if it's okay with those around you. And let them chime in, unlike Van Gundy. Keep a box score open on the website of your choice, I prefer Yahoo Sports, and check the stats to see who is doing well and who isn't.

After the game, watch Sportscenter or the post game show. Watch the press conferences with the players and listen to what they got from the game, they, of course, know more about what happened in the game than anyone else. And don't believe the talking heads of ESPN who claim to know more about the game than the players themselves. Test your knowledge of the game. See the fouls for what they are, and don't let Mike Breen tell you it wasn't a foul when the referees called one, but watch and make opinions for yourself. You may find out that you know more about the game than you thought, and maybe even something about yourself.

As a matter of fact, do the same with life.

Comment if you decide to try it out for maybe a couple minutes or even the whole game and let me know how it goes.

Game 2 overview

NBA Finals Game 2- Celtics 103 Lakers 94
Celtics won, so what. Home court advantage has been taken from the Lakers and the Celtics have a chance, if they hold home court, to win their next three games at home. This would win them the series and their NBA record 18th championship.

But they made one key mistake. They provoked Kobe Bryant.

Actually, Paul Pierce provoked Kobe Bryant. Confident after one win where they blew a 14 point lead to the defending champions, nearly lost the game after a record performance from Ray Allen, who hit 8 three pointers, and needed a triple double from Rajon Rondo; Paul Pierce opened his mouth. And mistakes followed from his mouth smoother than his jump shot, which isn't saying much, for the second time in the 2010 playoffs.

After winning a different game 2 versus the Orlando Magic, Pierce predicted that they were not coming back to Orlando and they would finish off the series with a sweep by winning two games on their home court. The Celtics won the first game, and lost the next two.

Not only lost the next two, but they let the big man on the Magic, Dwight Howard, turn into the best player on the court. He averaged 27.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3 blocks in the last three games after he was provoked by Pierce. So the Celtics struggled with a determined, 7-footer. The Lakers now have two.

We have seen what Andrew Bynum can do when he is aggressive and stays out of foul trouble, 21 points, 6 rebounds and 7 blocked shots, and Gasol can put up 30 points and 15 boards versus a slow Kevin Garnett.

Now Kobe Bryant. He will strive to prove himself as the best player on the court after the bogey he shot on game 2. His 21 points will not earn him the finals MVP award, and it will not get him a ring for the only open finger on his hand.

It's okay that Paul Pierce doesn't want the series to come back to LA. Kobe will make sure it does. The Celtics do not back up Pierce's talk and they will not be able to, even in Boston. The Lakers may lose a game in Boston, but they will not lose game 3. With the 2-3-2 format, the team that has won game 3 has won the series 100% of the time.

The Lakers will win game three and Kobe will be Kobe again. No more saves from superhero performances by Allen and Rondo. A more determined and smarter team will shut them down. I know I was wrong about game 2, and I can't see into the future, but I believe that the Lakers have to win game three. A "must-win". Phil Jackson doesn't lose those games, and neither does Kobe.

Paul Pierce needs to learn to shut his mouth, and even though he is from Inglewood, he is not welcome in LA. So when he gets back here for game 6, he will not be "home" because he is not welcome.

The 24th Man

It has been a long time coming. I've wanted to start a blog for a while now and I figured now will be no better time. In the famous words of Chris Tucker: "You ain't got no job, you ain't got s**t to do." His influential words of wisdom rang through my brain for most of the day and the blog has begun. Just to let you all know a little bit about my background, this is a sports blog and I am from LA and bias is necessary. I write for my school newspaper, The Otter Realm, and I am limited for the most part to non-objective writing that, for the most part, has to do with school-related sports. And since sports and CSU Monterey Bay don't really get along too well, it can prove difficult to find something readable to write about. So here is my forum to be Samuel Pereira, uncensored. By the way, I go by Sam.

Just a quick overview of what is going on in the sports world for me; the greatest coach of all time died the other day, the Dodgers blew another lead last night, the Lakers are looking to dominate (again) in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the World Cup Countdown is down to 5 days, and LeBron James and I are both looking for our first ring.

John Wooden will be known for more than his 10 National Championships and other unreachable records. For me his undying loyalty to his wife, Nell Wooden, will be the most remembered part of his life. This kind of loyalty is unseen in the sports world of today where athletes are signing more for their pockets than their hearts. John Wooden coached and lived with his heart and he will never be forgotten.

For the second night in a row, the Dodgers gave up a lead to the Atlanta Braves. Last night, they were unlucky enough to lose 9-3 thanks to the bullpen. Chad Billingsly gave the 'pen a 2-1 lead and Ramon Troncoso quickly gave the Braves a 3-2 lead that they never looked back on. Way to play for first place blue crew, but better luck next game.

Sportscenter is making a huge deal that "Pau Gasol threw the first punch of the series". REALLY, Jalen Rose? Did you not hear what Garnett said? "I have no comments for his comments," and let me stop him right there. We know you never went to college, but you don't have to prove it again to everyone. He then goes on to say, "Come on, who is he?". Well you better find out that answer quicker than the Spaniards spin move or else you'll end up looking like more of a fool than Paul Pierce with his pants on the ground. This match-up is extremely one-sided and it is they key to the series according to many. Garnett is a first ballot hall of famer, but he will not finish his playing career with more than one ring. Lake Show in 5.

The US choose a couple good tune-up matches before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Turkey was a good send-off game and the US took that game with relative ease. Although I was unable to watch the Australia game, it was on at 5:30 a.m. and I'm saving my sleep sacrifices for the real Cup games, the highlights looked as though the US had control of the game. France lost its send-off game to 84th ranked China, who isn't even in the World Cup. This will give them a disadvantage heading into the cup, while the US will have momentum from beating up on our Thanksgiving meal and England's former prison.

LeBron James is my number one most hated player in sports. His attitude and body language when talking to Larry King the other day was nonchalant about a topic that many people are very passionate about. The queen enjoys being wooed by every team in the NBA that didn't make the playoffs and mostly, he is embarrassing his hometown by teasing them with every comment that he makes. He was a BULLS fan while growing up in Cleveland! If there isn't a bigger sign for the Cleveland fans that they should give up now, maybe their disappointments in recent history should tell them something because, as we all know, history repeats itself. If I were LeBron, I would stay in Cleveland, and for less than the maximum contract. If "winning a championship" is what you're all about, be humble and learn a lesson of loyalty from the greatest coach that ever lived. And of course, we all know how humble and mature you can really be. If there's anyone that needed college more, and a real coach that will tell you like it is, it's the most athletically gifted player in the game. Too bad he doesn't have that Zen-like focus of the greatest player ever.