Cleveland asking (more like begging) LeBron to stay

[Auggie]

Associated Press / May 18th, 2010

CLEVELAND -- They're saying it on billboards, in song, in letters, in petitions and more. Whatever the format, the message from Clevelanders is the same: Dear LeBron James, please don't go.

Residents of hard-luck Cleveland are desperately trying to show their NBA superstar that even with free agency looming July 1, the best place for him is right up the road from his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

There are "stay LeBron" banners, clothes, a petition and at least two music videos, one featuring the Cleveland Orchestra and another with local celebrities and politicians.

The other places James could land, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, also are trying to woo him. LA Clipper fans are even planning a parade in his honor.

LINK: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5198345

:eyes:

[wilt the stilt]

1. I am in sales

and when all else fails groveling can work. I have experience at that.

[madinmaryland]

7. Grovelbot?? Grovelbot owns LeBron!!

[joeybee12]

2. I'd let him go...

...great player, selfish player...I don't know if you can build a team around him...he just wants to be the whole team.

[TZ]

3. That was the rap on Kobe a few years ago

And it was more than a little truthful. LeBron just needs to grow up some more I think.

[joeybee12]

4. Yup, the play is so focused on lebron that when he is off, no one

else knows what to do. I think if he stays in Cleveland he won't grow up...needs a new team that maybe won't coddle him.

[Auggie]

5. Maybe fans, too?

Yankees aren't coddled by Yankee fans

[joeybee12]

6. Well, Yankee fans, like the Yankees themselves, are merely Satan's minions...

...they're not into coddling.

[Auggie]

8. They can't all be saintly Red Sox fans

:eyes:

[joeybee12]

9. Very true

O8)

[Yavin4]

10. LeBron Is Staying in Cleveland

The reason why he's hesitating is because he's unsure just how comitted ownership is to keeping a winning team around him. Once he signs, he may just be used as a gate attraction.