Cavs' number comes up to win NBA's 'LeBron lottery'

CNN ^ | May 22, 2003 | CNN

[Petronski]

You're out of line. I was making a joke about his stupid multiple-choice quiz. I'm a Cavs/Tribe fan and am thrilled about this boon to Cleveland sports.

You don't know enough about me to suggest I'm a racist. No one who knows me would say such a thing.

[kellynla]

While you are getting a phenom the Lakers are trying to decide whether to sign Moses or Pippen...

[Pukin Dog]

What are you talking about?

LeBron James has been playing Summer League and practicing with pro basketball players since he was in the 9th grade!

It was THEM who brought the attention to HIM, because the kid is really that good. For 18, he has more muscle on him than most 2-guards in the NBA.

The NBA has taken steps to deal with their previous sex problems. They make sure that their underage players are never allowed in bars, and they usually have team staff assigned to them on the road who watch their every move.

I think we need to give the black kid a break, because he has already had plenty of opportunity to screw up and has not done so.

[InvisibleChurch]

i remember when the pacers got hosed by the nba/knicks/illuminati/trilateral commission for the rights to ewing

[discostu]

The Boston Pops doesn't pay as much as the NBA, isn't nearly the groupie draw, and isn't notorious for its rampant drug use.

This has a lot more to do with where he's going than the color of his skin.

[Guillermo]

I'm thuroughly unconvinced LeBron has what it takes.

It's quite obvious you have never seen James play.

There is a reason for all the hype, for the Sports Illustrated cover when he was in 11th grade, for the nationally televised games: He can PLAY.

[You Dirty Rats]

So the people at Nike spent $90 Million on a player who most likely will self-destruct??

Right!

This kid has lived in a fishbowl for two years. Not a hint of trouble, legal or otherwise, yet everyone here assumes he is going to crash and burn.

[Guillermo]

You're a fricken idiot, but we've always known this.

[E Rocc]

LeBron James has been playing Summer League and practicing with pro basketball players since he was in the 9th grade!

He's worked out with Jordan quite a bit, even when Jordan was either running or playing for the Wizards.

Of course the NBA didn't care about that...but when he practiced with the Cavaliers they got fined.

-Eric

[discostu]

Summer Leage and practice isn't surviving an 82 game season in the pros. It doesn't involve as much travel, as many games, games as long, or the level competition.

Oh yeah, the NBA's infamous supervision program. I'll believe it when I see it.

Why should I give a black kid a break I wouldn't give any other color kid. You quite simply do not give an 18 year old $10 million, a limo, dump him in Vegas with a map to the whore houses and not expect trouble. Black, white, green or fuscia it's a formula for disaster.

[discostu]

I have seen James play, he was good. Of course since nobody on the floor with him was even NCAA caliber it's not easy to judge how good. As for the hype, it was in February, the slowest of sports months, the time whe ESPN shows spelling bees and dog shows... think that might have something to do with why he was on.

[NeoCaveman]

While you are getting a phenom the Lakers are trying to decide whether to sign Moses or Pippen...

They aren't on Social Security yet?

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I have only seen him play once on tv.
He did as much as he could to help his team
mates. I did not see any trace of me only.
With him in a game, I think he will help
out and his team will increase their personal
stats.

[discostu]

That's what out clauses are for. Even if you don't think the person will crash and burn you fill the contract with out clauses, just in case. Just good business. Like I said, Nike isn't stupid. They are ruthless though. Better to have out clauses and never need them than need out clauses and never have them. Good business, nothing personal.

He might have been living in a fishbowl but he hasn't been living in a traveling sex and drug sideshow. As for not a hint of trouble I thought there was some clothing impropriety that ended in him returning a bunch of "gifts". I assume any 18 year-old put in this circumstance is going to crash and burn, I assume it because it happens more often than it doesn't. The odds are in my favor, and sadly not in James'.

[PiP PiP Cherrio]

Allen Iverson is his guidance counselor- he will steer him to the best defense attorney money can buy, and crack can buy.

Has'nt anyone questioned his education, what if he destroys his knee the first day? he is done! What of his future education, another dumb jock who will be working at McDonalds when he is through with the sport at the age of 24?

[Guillermo]

You can't teach height, speed, agility and pure athleticism.

This guy moves like the wind.

The first time I saw a highlight film of him, I didn't know who it was I was watching. The first thing out of my mouth was "forget Lebron James, this guy here is going to be the number one pick." I thought I was watching a Norte Dame player (because of the uniforms).

[Guillermo]

You can't teach height, speed, agility and pure athleticism.

This guy moves like the wind.

The first time I saw a highlight film of him, I didn't know who it was I was watching. The first thing out of my mouth was "forget Lebron James, this guy here is going to be the number one pick." I thought I was watching a Norte Dame player (because of the uniforms).

[PiP PiP Cherrio]

Allen Iverson is his guidance counselor- he will steer him to the best defense attorney money can buy, and crack can buy.

Has'nt anyone questioned his education, what if he destroys his knee the first day? he is done! What of his future education, another dumb jock who will be working at McDonalds when he is through with the sport at the age of 24?

[PiP PiP Cherrio]

Allen Iverson is his guidance counselor- he will steer him to the best defense attorney money can buy, and crack can buy.

Has'nt anyone questioned his education, what if he destroys his knee the first day? he is done! What of his future education, another dumb jock who will be working at McDonalds when he is through with the sport at the age of 24?