So I have a question for the five or six people left in the world that really care about the NBA: Are the organizations courting LeBron James stupid?

Let me state for the record that I am a Celtics fan first and I do not like LeBron James.  I recognize he is a great talent that if he reaches his full he could be an all-time great player.  This blog leans towards my love of all the things NBA and that I want the best for th League.

James is an incredible athelete.  A once in generation tour de force on the basketball court, who can totally take over a game whenever he wants.  He has the passing skills of Magic Johnson (in the history of the NBA has anyone 6'8 thrown a better bounce pass then LeBron), the improv skills of a young Dr. J, and the sheer physicality of Bo Jackson.  He has it all.  But he does not because he has no titles.

Because no one can figure out what is more important to LeBron: winning the NBA Title and reaching his full potential as a player, or being a Global Icon.  Jordan was a beast on the court and winning title after title before he became CEO Jordan.  LeBron seems like a teenage boy confused by the question and stumbling around for the right response.

Back to my original question: Are the organizations courting LeBron James stupid?

The Cleveland Cavaliers must be.  First, they are cowering to his perceived wishes and firing Mike Brown and getting Danny Ferry to resign.  A player can't run an NBA franshise.  Jealousy would run wild in the locker room and the new coach wouldn't even have the authority of a figure head.  The coach would just be taking up space saying "Yes, sir!!!", to everyhting James wanted.

Second, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is supposedly trying to sign Tom Izzo to be his next head coach.  Izzo is the head coach of Michigan State, where Gilbert graduated. If recent history porves anything college coaches do non succeed in the NBA.  They are control freaks that want to micromanage ever detail.  They are su used to bullying boys that they can't adjust to having to lead men.  They fail because they don't earn the players respect and just assume it will be given to them.  

If LeBron is to reach his full potential and lead a team to championships, he needs a strong NBA -lifer as his head coach.  He needs a coach whose skin rejects sun because he has spent too much time indoors.  He needs an old school coach.  He needs Larry Brown.  

If the Cavs bring in Larry Brown to coach, steal Kevin Pritchard from the Portland Trail Blazers  to be General Manger and they will be able to keep LeBron and win.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, the Cleveland Cavaliers and their Superstar LeBron James are all about the hype and being famous, and not about playing basketball.  When it come down to it they don't want to dig down deep, tear out their guts and pour their hearts and souls into being great. What they want is the bling-bling.  What they want is the endorsements. What they want is the money.

I'm not naive enough to think that my beloved Celtics do not think about the monetary gain of a second title in three years.  I'm sure they do.  But I also believe they play more for the love of the game, the pride of being a champion and out of respect for each other.

I was thinking about the movie Ali, when George Foreman was hitting Ali with one power shot after another, and he was absorbing them against ropes. Ali's voice ask the question (I'm paraphrasing) if George was willing have broken ribs, a broken jaw to be champ and that he was willing to die for it.   That's the Celtics now that the playoffs have started.  I don't think the Cavs have that in them.  I don't think they are willing to go all on for the title.  The Celitcs are.

I was really impressed by Kevin Garnett in games one and two.  He had springs in his legs for the first time this year.  He played slightly selfish (which is a greadt thing) by taking 21 shots each game and demanding the ball down low.  He didn't settle jumpers but sought contact.  He was the force in the paint we always wanted him to be.  Now he didn't always make the shot, or make great decisions and his defense was not as stout as in the past, but his effort and heart were on full display.  If he

The star of both games was Rajon Rondo.  He was a maestro on the court.  He directed the offense beautifully and was a disruptive force on defense.  He ability to penetrate the Cavs defense leads to either him scoring, creating an open opportunity for a teammate and/or a foul on a Cavs defender.  Rondo is turning the vaunted Cavs defense into his own personal coming out party.

The Celtics have taken the momentum in this series and they need to keep it by playing with the same energy and passion in Game 3. I believe the Celtics are about to take the Cavs hearts and win this series in 6 games.    

You're an old pro, still wanting to earn your keep.

A little long in the tooth but your passion runs deep.

You're coming off an injury that limited your mobility.

Some people think it took away all your ability.

So you wanna comeback and prove you can still play.

You'll do whatever takes, no matter what price you must pay.

You suffer through sugery, rehab and endless drills.

You prove that heart and perseverance are skills.

You're Mike Lowell and want one more season in the sun.

To prove to the World you can get the job done.

So, I'm going to say it becasue it needs to be said,

Maybe it will finally stick in someone head,

Mike Lowell is professionalism personafied.

His career voyage has been a bumpy ride.

But nearing the end he deserves a chance.

So please play him or send him to a better circumstance.

The man might have lost range but his bat still has pop,

And he deserves to go out on top.

Comments

	Mike needs to hit EVERY day !! 04/20/2010 10:04 PM
MONSTAH

	Sorry meant to leave this-http://redsox.trufan.com/blog/55828/546216/Mike-Lowell...A-true-professional 04/17/2010 11:37 AM
33TEK.....

	http://redsox.trufan.com/profile/55828#blog let me know what you think. 04/17/2010 11:34 AM
33TEK.....

	Mike Lowell will always have my respect no matter where he plays. He embodies what a true sportsman is and a lot of younger players would benefit by following his actions. If Mike does retire after this year, I would love to have it be as a Red Sox member. 04/17/2010 10:41 AM
33TEK.....

	I'm a believer in LOWELL!!! 04/16/2010 9:58 AM
Just Jer

3 up, 3 down is the rule for today.

With Jon Lester on the mound, there is no other way.

Pitching in, out, up and down he has the knack,

to silent the Twins potent attack.

Using his blazing fastball, he'll set the tone.

Then tantalize them with an explosive curve just out the zone.

The Twins will salivate at the illusion of a tasty offering.

Then feel the cool breeze as they over swing.

There is nothing they can do to stop this defeat.

They should just run off in a full retreat.

With Lester on the hill and in full control,

the Red Sox will most certainly roll.

He's always yelping about the upcoming laser show.

It's just his way of letting you know,