Why LeBron Leaves Cleveland

I couple of days ago, a photographer at an Obama "town hall" meeting decided that the Pledge of allegiance had to be recited for whatever reason possessed the fellow at the moment. So another blogger noted who this guy was and I spent a little time just checking out his profile.

In doing so I came across a comment that illuminates just why LeBron is more likely than not to be fleeing Cleveland at the end of his contract. The meat of the comment was;

Oh yeah by the way Forbes just named Cleveland one of America's fastest dying cities so lets just vote for lower taxes, no to school levy's, and yes to moronic debates like this one because it is clearly working for the city.

heres the link for that article:
http://www.forbes.com/2008/08/04/economy-ohio-michigan-biz_cx_jz_0805dying.html

Finally, I am 26 years old, born/raised in Cleveland, and trust me I would NEVER raise a family in this town the way it is now. LeBron and I are getting outta here ASAP haha (to whom it may concern: please save that witty homophobic comeback you were about to type in for another day). And one more thing OT: can we stop with the Cleveland Rocks thing, I mean my dad is 60 plus and doesn't even say Rocks anymore.

Anybody remember Randy Newman's Classic tune, Oh, Baltimore? Somebody better write one for Cleveland as well.

First Round Observations

I couldn't be happier to see the Mavs gone. i have been saying for two years that for all his bravado, Cuban has assembled a losing team that starts with Nowitski.

The Kidd trade was a monumental folly that was immediately recognized as such by my fellow NYTimes forumsters out at Elba. A Kidd for Marbury swap seems inevitable as a two-way risk worth taking. Marbury may light it up in Dallas on his bubble year and Kidd simply isn't Marbury in NY as NY tanks another season.

As for Avery Johnson - he deserved better.

I feel a slight remorse for Phoenix. Another monumentally stupid trade in getting Shaq. Shaq is done as is Phoenix.

If Mike D'Antoni is available then New York should jump at the opportunity. Signing D'Antoni as coach would mean bye-bye to Curry and, dear Lord, that will be a happy day in mudsville.

If Cuban doesn't retool Dallas, he's a fool. Phoenix too has a fork in 'em.

In the East, Philly and Atlanta are making me proud. I am hoping Boston gets punked by Atlanta. My, my that would be sweet.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Chip Stern, meanwhile has sent me some fine jazz that I greatly appreciate and enjoy painting to. How he records the drums in a cab with his band I will never understand.

And Cleveland is giving Lebron every excuse to leave. Carry on, Cleveland, carry on.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, good luck to Larry Brown in Charlotte.