Spike Lee vs. Skip on LeBron in Cleveland

[chrisrich91]

First time I found myself yellin, "**** yeah! Go Skip!"

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[RonG]

I know this isn't going to be popular,but I actully agree almost 100 % with What spike said. Skip was trying to argue from the heart as if he is Cleveland, and the bottom line is this is a business and LBJ would be an idiot to give any leverage up. LBJ needs to do as he as done until his next deal is 100 percent signed and in place. That may make some fans uncomfortable but that really doesnt play into the thought process.

 

[chrisrich91]

I know this isn't going to be popular,but I actully agree almost 100 % with What spike said. Skip was trying to argue from the heart as if he is Cleveland, and the bottom line is this is a business and LBJ would be an idiot to give any leverage up. LBJ needs to do as he as done until his next deal is 100 percent signed and in place. That may make some fans uncomfortable but that really doesnt play into the thought process.

I most definitely agree with you and what Spike said about it being a business. I've said all along that LeBron can't show his cards for business reasons. I believe that he will stay loyal to us and re-sign, but as Cavs fans we should appreciate the pressure LeBron has put on the organization: face it, that's a big part of why we're the best in the NBA.

 

[Chris]

I do wish Jay would stop being douche bag and stick up for his home town a little more....

 

[blank964]

I hate to say it but Spike is right, it really annoys us that this cloud of uncertainty is hanging over us until he re-signs but it's all apart of business. What if we win this year and he re-signs and then something significant happens that prevents the Cavs from contending for a championship for the next couple of years? From his perspective he would be stuck so I wouldn't be shocked if keeps taking short term deals to keep the pressure on the organization to keep him here.

 

[Chris]

I dont know why you guys are going "Wow I hate to say it but Spike is right".

We've been saying what Spike said for years now, havent we?

 

[blank964]

I dont know why you guys are going "Wow I hate to say it but Spike is right".

We've been saying what Spike said for years now, havent we?

I say it because it means we have to keep hearing the same PR answer until he makes a decision.

 

[RonG]

I dont know why you guys are going "Wow I hate to say it but Spike is right".

We've been saying what Spike said for years now, havent we?

I just Hate Spike Lee, does that excuse me?

 

[Typhoon]

There both right from there respective standpoints

Skip is right about the loyalty factor and all that
Spike is right because its good buisness and marketing to not give a final answer about staying

Obviously being a Cleveland native and die hard fan i want to be on Skips side but from LeBrons POV Spike is 100% correct and i would do the same in his position.

 

[williemayshayes]

How is this even a discussion?

ESPN wants him in New York. That we know. It's better for their business, how can we blame them for looking after their business interest? it's even GEOGRAPHIC for cryin out loud, Bristol, CT is a very short distance from the Big Apple. Spike Lee is the biggest Knick fan alive. So he wants Lebron to come to his team. SURPRISE SURPRISE!!

Jay Crawford is an employee of ESPN...they put food on his table. They don't put food on Bayless's table, he's a regular newspaper columnist like Mariotti and Woody Paige and them. Crawford does not have that. He is simply spouting the company line. He needs his job. How do we fault him for that? Going against the company line gets you blackballed by your boss. If the company's policy was unethical, it's another story. But it's not unethical, and there's nothing for Jay Crawford to fight against!

Maybe if more of us realized this fact, that ESPN's ratings and subsequent revenue will be higher with LeBron in New York. That is a fact. For them to NOT want LeBron in NY, and to NOT use their media voice to perpetuate that feeling is NOT GOOD BUSINESS SENSE by them. They're a successful business, and successful businesses protect and pursue their interest(s) within the framework of business ethics. There is nothing unethical about what ESPN is doing.

It's up to us to enjoy the ride and let the haters hate. At the same time, we have to understand where people come from. Especially the haters. The best way to ignore the haters and not get riled up by them is to understand where they come from.

 

[williemayshayes]

I wouldn't be shocked if keeps taking short term deals to keep the pressure on the organization to keep him here.

Spot on. I think, assuming he stays, he's going to take a 3 years w/ option for 4th yr, much like his 2006 extension.

 

[-Akronite-]

LeBron leaves his options open means more money and more pressure to have a better team. It's not a slap in the face, it's good business sense. I wish he'd extend a few years this summer to show people he is dedicated to the city, but also wants to be able to choose his own destiny.

Wants to have his cake and eat it too. The real slap in the face is that the media won't shut the **** up about it even when this future legend is on his way to his first championship. This is history, and they want to miss it to talk about the future.

 

[Lee]

I know this isn't going to be popular,but I actully agree almost 100 % with What spike said. Skip was trying to argue from the heart as if he is Cleveland, and the bottom line is this is a business and LBJ would be an idiot to give any leverage up. LBJ needs to do as he as done until his next deal is 100 percent signed and in place. That may make some fans uncomfortable but that really doesnt play into the thought process.

Only Skip can be on our side and yet i disagree with him. What a douchebag. I am not a spike lee fan, but he is right. Business is Business....oh and what is LBJ supposed to do, declare he is stayin in cleveland during the playoffs? No distraction there

 

[MDLT]

How is this even a discussion?

ESPN wants him in New York. That we know. It's better for their business, how can we blame them for looking after their business interest? it's even GEOGRAPHIC for cryin out loud, Bristol, CT is a very short distance from the Big Apple. Spike Lee is the biggest Knick fan alive. So he wants Lebron to come to his team. SURPRISE SURPRISE!!

Jay Crawford is an employee of ESPN...they put food on his table. They don't put food on Bayless's table, he's a regular newspaper columnist like Mariotti and Woody Paige and them. Crawford does not have that. He is simply spouting the company line. He needs his job. How do we fault him for that? Going against the company line gets you blackballed by your boss. If the company's policy was unethical, it's another story. But it's not unethical, and there's nothing for Jay Crawford to fight against!

Maybe if more of us realized this fact, that ESPN's ratings and subsequent revenue will be higher with LeBron in New York. That is a fact. For them to NOT want LeBron in NY, and to NOT use their media voice to perpetuate that feeling is NOT GOOD BUSINESS SENSE by them. They're a successful business, and successful businesses protect and pursue their interest(s) within the framework of business ethics. There is nothing unethical about what ESPN is doing.

It's up to us to enjoy the ride and let the haters hate. At the same time, we have to understand where people come from. Especially the haters. The best way to ignore the haters and not get riled up by them is to understand where they come from.

While its true they are a business, they ought to have some sort of journalistic standards but they lack it on a number of levels. One being that you don't seek to create news simply for the purpose of profit. ESPN just gets off the hook because they cover sports, and there isn't going to be a ton of public outrage over shoddy journalistic tactics when it comes to the sports world. But I've worked in the media long enough that I guarantee you that many media professionals would view the way ESPN "covers" the LeBron-to-NY story as unethical.

 

[Lee]

Spot on. I think, assuming he stays, he's going to take a 3 years w/ option for 4th yr, much like his 2006 extension.

He took the 3 year deal becaue max contract goes from 25% to 30% after 7 years in the league. he did this to max his contract in year 7. I wouldnt be shocked to see him sign a longer deal this time but my guess is he signs another 3 yeae deal. Reason is after ten years he can be 35% of the cap in a max deal. He is just giving himself opt outs to sign higher contract.