Not So Fast, Jay-Z: LeBron James Might Be Staying in Cleveland

Much has been made about the possibility of LeBron James bolting Cleveland for the brighter lights and bigger exposure that the New Jersey Nets would have to offer in 2010. All the signs are there, including the team moving to Brooklyn right around the same time (give or take a year), which would place King James in prime position to play in the biggest city in the country, in a brand new arena, and for partial Nets' owner and bestest buddy Jay-Z. The gossip is rampant for good reason. But if LeBron himself is to be believed, at least by virtue of his comments here when he was finished urging the fine people of Ohio to register to vote, he loves Cleveland, and has no plans to go elsewhere.

Now, was that just a throw-away line at the end of a little pep talk at a political rally, or was there some substance behind it? Could be a little of both. I'm sure LeBron does love Ohio and, maybe right now, has no plans to go elsewhere. But if the fortunes of the Cavs over the next few years don't change, the attraction of playing in NYC is going to be extremely difficult to pass up.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-06-2008 @ 8:02AM

Ryne Nelson said...

I felt like it was a throw-away line, but you never know. When you're pandering to a crowd, that's a great thing to add.

10-07-2008 @ 6:46AM

Scott @ WFNY said...

Fortunes of the Cavs? As in one of the only teams to make it out of the first round over the last three seasons?

10-06-2008 @ 9:33AM

FilteringCraig said...

It isn't just a throw-away line unless you are a media member who desperately needs it to be so you can write the stories of him leaving Cleveland. Also, what, exactly, needs to change in Cleveland? They unloaded a lot of dead weight, picked up Mo Williams, and have Wally Szczerbiak, who could turn out to be the most attractive expiring contract available this season.

How is it better in Brooklyn or MSG right about now?

10-06-2008 @ 11:06AM

Brett Edwards said...

Come on Scott, we all know LeBron is going for "global icon" status (where better to do that than in NYC), and isn't going to be happy just getting out of the first round. If the Cavs don't add more pieces around him to make the team a perennial title contender, I'm not the only one who believes he'll give the Big Apple a shot.

10-06-2008 @ 12:53PM

Rock said...

Wow, this is like a Waiting For Next Year convention in the comment section. Anyway, to be honest, that line doesn't surprise me....no more so than when he says NY is his favorite city. What surprises me is that someone outside of Cleveland actually reported that he said this. This isn't the first time LeBron has implied he wants to stay in Cleveland, and I doubt it will be his last. But unless the Cavaliers prove they are Championship contenders, it will be tough to keep LeBron in Cleveland. The good news (for Cavs fans) is that I honestly feel the Cavs have the best team around LeBron since he got here, and we'll find out soon enough how close this team is to winning.

11-02-2008 @ 7:52PM

dan said...

The Cavs front office needs to listen to LeBron but, they can't get out there and play the game. Everyone talks about how the front office needs to build a contending team????How quickly we forget a game 7 appearance in the championship 1.5 years ago