LeBron James News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 20

Indianapolis Star

"Pick a team, almost any team, and LeBron James' name has been linked to it as a possible destination in next summer's much-anticipated free agent frenzy. (Speaking of which: Doesn't James look good in that Indiana Pacers jersey? It's even No. 6, a tribute to one of his favorite players, Julius Erving. Alas, this tricked-up photo will have to serve in place of reality.) James might play for a team other than Cleveland next year, but it won't be the Pacers. Why? James no longer is discussing free agency. Regardless, here are six reasons -- in honor of him changing his number next season -- his appearance tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse will be the exception, not the rule."

Browns would welcome LeBron

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November 19

Akron Beacon Journal

"Last season, Cavaliers star LeBron James played out his football fantasies in an insurance commercial that had him clad in a No. 23 Browns jersey. Members of the struggling Browns are now willing to make that a reality. ''I think he should come on down,'' Browns coach Eric Mangini said Wednesday. ''I know he's pretty busy right now, but if he wants to give it a shot . . . the guy's gifted, gifted athletically, he's competitive, he's tough. I'm sure whatever he applied himself to, he'd probably be good in baseball, or soccer or or swimming. The guy's a freak athletically.'' After watching the Browns fall 16-0 to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, James suggested he could help ..."

Wizard puts disruptive spell on LeBron to beat Cavaliers

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November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"It is rare for anyone to straight up outplay LeBron James and it is simply unheard of to see anyone get inside his head. But no matter what the stats say, that certainly appears to have been the case Wednesday night. There's been so much trash talk and hard fouls -- and even venomous rap songs -- between James and the Washington Wizards' DeShawn Stevenson. The scoreboard is overwhelming in James' favor, from playoff victories to flagrant fouls to Jay-Z in the studio having his back. This time, though, the worm turned, and in a most bizarre and unexpected way. All on Stevenson's "bobble hand" night. That's right, the sellout got tattoo-free figurines with the Stevenson's hand wagging in ..."

Wizard beat Cavs, James injures wrist on dunk

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November 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"It is rare for anyone to straight up outplay LeBron James and it is simply unheard of to see anyone get inside his head. But no matter what the stats say, that certainly appears to have been the case Wednesday night. There's been so much trash talk and hard fouls -- and even venomous rap songs -- between James and the Washington Wizards' DeShawn Stevenson. The scoreboard is overwhelming in James' favor, from playoff victories to flagrant fouls to Jay-Z in the studio having his back. This time, though, the worm turned, and in a most bizarre and unexpected way. All on Stevenson's "bobble hand" night. That's right, the sellout got tattoo-free figurines with the Stevenson's hand wagging in ..."

Browns coach Eric Mangini to LeBron James: Come on down

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November 18

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Browns coach Eric Mangini was delighted to hear that Cavs superstar LeBron James thinks he could help the Browns' woeful offense. "I think he should come on down,'' said Mangini with a smile. "I know he's pretty busy right now, but if he wants to give it a shot, the guy's gifted, gifted athletically. He's competitive. He's tough. I'm sure whatever he applied himself to, he'd probably be good in baseball, or soccer or swimming. The guy's a freak athletically.'' Responding to a question about the Monday Night Football crew saying he'd be a great NFL tight end and has the "best offense in the city of Cleveland,'' James said, "If I put all my time and commitment into it, if I dedicated myself ..."

Drama queen role fit for King James

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November 16

Washington Times

columnist Tom Knott

"Perhaps a Nike representative whispered into the ear of LeBron James and told him that all this talk of his impending free agency comes across as being disrespectful to his teammates and to the Cavaliers organization. Other than the Witnesses living in the Cleveland region, no one is apt to be in a rush to buy shoes from an out-of-touch narcissist. Whatever the deal, the narcissist finally - and thankfully - decided that enough is enough with his free agency obsession last week. His teammates know too much already. They know he was all gushy on his last visit in Manhattan, where the Knicks are clearing salary cap space to make room for him. They know he is big buddies with Jay-Z, the rap ..."

In trying to honor His Airness, is LeBron's aim off-target?

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November 15

Cleveland Plain Dealer

columnist Bud Shaw

"Granted, this is not an image any reader should have to visualize, but in honor of Michael Jordan, I will no longer wear Hanes or any other underwear. In Greek mythology, Nike is the goddess of victory. There was no god of overpriced shoes until Michael Jordan came along. LeBron James seems to have confused that kind of ground breaking with the pioneering that gave baseball reason to retire Jackie Robinson's number in every major-league park. The Cavaliers superstar plans to stop wearing No. 23 and switch to No. 6 next year out of respect for Jordan after wearing No. 23 all these years out of ... uh ... respect for Jordan. (We can assume by switching to his Olympic jersey number that ..."

James hits top gear in the final minutes, pushes Cleveland Cavaliers past Utah, 107-103

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November 15

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"It was an off night for Shaquille O'Neal, and it certainly looked like LeBron James was planning on working a part-time shift. But as much as the Cavaliers role players are growing, and they certainly are, there is still no weapon quite like the hammer when things get choppy. James slipped into that familiar role Saturday night. After seemingly holding back for the game's first 45 minutes and openly encouraging his teammates to do the work, James stepped up to make sure a winning streak kept rolling. He scored 10 of his 21 points in the game's last six minutes and his team's last eight to carry the Cavs to a 107-103 victory over the feisty Utah Jazz. It ought to sew up James' first player ..."

LeBron James, Cavs handle Heat

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November 13

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"There was some heat in South Florida on Thursday night but it belonged to the Cavaliers. With the sluggish start in the rearview mirror, the Cavs are warming up and they showed it with a gritty 111-104 victory over the Miami Heat to complete a 3-0 road trip and an impressive sweep of the Florida teams on back-to-back nights. That's now six wins in the past seven games and it has come with the awakening of most of LeBron James' supporting cast, the measure of which will end up determining the Cavs' season. Yet the finish was perhaps most impressive as James took over and bulled his way into the usually strong Heat defense to draw key fouls in the closing minutes. He scored 10 of his 34 ..."

LeBron is in an Empire State of mind

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November 13

New York Post

"LeBron James is wearing a new Nike shoe saluting his favorite New York team — the Yankees, not the Knicks. Nike designed a Yankee shoe commemorating their World Series title for LeBron James personally and he debuted them Wednesday night in Orlando. On the left shoe, at the toe, the words "New York" is screened over pinstripes bordered by baseball stitching. On the right shoe reads the number "27" over the same background. James was presented the shoe by Nike on Friday night before the Cavaliers' ballyhooed blowout victory over the Knicks in his lone Garden appearance. Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira, who attended the Cavaliers-Knicks game after their championship parade, ..."

Lebron James and Dwyane Wade talk getting old

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November 13

Miami Herald

"LeBron James was right. All the 2010 free agency talk is just getting old. Boooring. Move along -- nothing to see here. Seriously, who really cares that we could be less than one year away from teaming together the best perimeter tandem in NBA history in James and Dwyane Wade; or that it would turn Miami -- assuming this is where they choose to play together, because really they could go anywhere -- into the official new basketball Mecca; and turn AmericanAirlines Arena into the most popular building on the planet; and officially turn Pat Riley into a god; and turn every Heat home game into a statewide holiday? I mean, really, all that talk just gets old real quick. Let's talk about the ..."

Less limitations for Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade than LeBron James

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November 13

Miami Herald

"Heat guard Dwyane Wade said he believes there is a pretty good reason why he seems to be more at ease than buddy LeBron James these days handling the speculation heading into 2010 free agency. ``LeBron is a different story in Cleveland,'' Wade said before Thursday's game against the Cavaliers. ``Those guys [in Cleveland] are feeling he's going to leave. They're a little more sensitive to any story that comes out.'' Whereas James is considered the top potential prize of next summer's free agent class should he opt out of his Cleveland contract, Wade is widely viewed as the No. 2 target on the list. Wade created somewhat of a media frenzy earlier this week when he said it's possible the two ..."

LeBron-Dwyane matchup shows Heat season has meaning

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November 13

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

columnist Ethan J. Skolnick

"Ten minutes. That's all it took. That's the world in which we now live. Ten minutes, and it had spread like a pandemic, with NBA fans and players scrambling to type Twitter tweets and embed YouTube video and update Facebook pages, all so you could see what they couldn't believe they just saw. They had just seen the soles of Anderson Varejao's shoes. That was caused by Dwyane Wade dribbling down the right side, veering into the lane, shifting from right to left and back to right, taking off, kicking out, climbing, climbing, climbing, slamming, sending Varejao sliding back into the stanchion, heels over curly-permed head. Wade then stepped over his victim and stormed off, first silent and ..."

Cavs, James gets the best of Wade in riveting duel

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November 13

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"This didn't just live up to the hype, it lived up to LeBron-level hype. LeBron James vs. Dwyane Wade transcended mere opening-month basketball Thursday night. The Cleveland Cavaliers' 111-104 victory over the Miami Heat got to the soul of why 19,600 packed AmericanAirlines and a national television audience looked on. "When you go against one of the best players in the league," James said, "it's like playing your brother outside in the backyard." This time, little brother, at least by age, got the best of the scoreboard, if not the scoring column, with the Cavaliers' James outscored 36-34 by Wade. But it wasn't without a fight by big brother, with Wade nearly producing his third 40-point ..."

James planning to give up No. 23 out of respect for Michael Jordan

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November 13

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Basking in the glow of a victory over the Heat, Cavs superstar LeBron James looked over at his idol sitting in the stands at AmericanAirlines Arena on Thursday night and made a command decision. Out of respect to Michael Jordan, who sat courtside and watched James score 34 points, James said he is planning on switching his number after this season from No. 23 to No. 6. It just sort of came out, but it was obvious he's been thinking about it for a while. And James wants to lead a movement to get every player who wears No. 23 in the league to give it up as a tribute to Jordan. "I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon," James said. "There ..."

LeBron wins duel with Wade

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November 13

Akron Beacon Journal

"LeBron James and Dwyane Wade put on a show and J.J. Hickson had a coming-out party during the Cavs' 111-104 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night at American Airlines Arena. LeBron James scored 34 points, grabbed four rebounds, handed out seven assists and made a pivotal 3-point shot with 2:41 left in the game after the Heat had trimmed the Cavs' lead to one point. Wade led the Heat with 36 points, four rebounds and a slam dunk right in the face of Anderson Varejao that might haunt him until next Halloween. Just as it was the night before against the Orlando Magic, what the Cavs did on the court wasn't all about James. Hickson, a second-year forward, scored a career-high 18 points in ..."

LeBron zipping his lips

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November 12

New York Post

"If the Knicks still are on his radar, LeBron James will no longer give out any hints. A frustrated James said yesterday he won't talk about his possible free agency next summer until after this season. The Cleveland star and reigning NBA MVP said the talk is "getting old." James cut off interviews after being hit with questions about free agency and teaming with Miami's Dwyane Wade, who has said the two have discussed forming a mega-tandem. "This free-agent talk is getting old. It's getting old and I think I'm going to stop. Tonight will be the last time I answer any more free-agent questions until the offseason," James said. "I think I owe it to myself, and I owe it to my teammates. It's ..."

Wade and LeBron could form Miami's own Dream Team

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November 12

Palm Beach Post

""It's fantasy basketball. I don't play fantasy basketball." Heat coach Erik Spoelstra when asked Wednesday afternoon about the possibility of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade playing on the same NBA team beginning in the 2010-11 season. But what if the fantasy basketball team were Spoelstra's very own come to life? That's going to be Topic A when James and the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Heat tonight in AmericanAirlines Arena amidst speculation that he and Wade - both superstars of the highest order and summertime free agents-to-be - might become Miami teammates next season. Cue the calliope music, because the carnival is about to hit South Florida for an evening. Shaquille O'Neal, who ..."

If LeBron James, Dwyane Wade stay put, New York Knicks may target Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson

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November 12

New York Daily News

"If the Knicks find themselves struggling to woo LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who can become free agents next summer, they'll likely turn their attention to the players such as Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson, who are expected to headline the next tier of potential free agents at season's end. Regardless of how much money the Knicks will have to spend, there's no guarantee of landing a superstar given the state of the franchise, and because James grew up in Ohio and Wade appears to be staying put in Miami - on Tuesday Heat owner Micky Arison said he had "every indication" that Wade wants to finish his career where it started. And while Bosh isn't the same caliber of player, he has already and ..."

Miami Heat-Cleveland Cavaliers matchup more than a game

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November 12

Miami Herald

columnist Greg Cote

"Dwyane Wade and LeBron James sharing the same court. It happens on the U.S. Olympic team. It happens when the Heat play the Cavaliers, like Thursday night. Imagine if it happened all of the time, right here in Miami, the NBA's two brightest, in-their-prime superstars joining forces to make the Heat an envied and perennial league power. ``We're playing fantasy basketball right now,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Monday when the notion was put to him. I wasn't sure if that was Spoelstra dismissing it, or dreaming it. Either way, in this case the leap from fantasy to reality isn't so far-fetched. Could it actually happen, Dwyane? You and LeBron together in Miami? ``It really could,'' said ..."

LeBron's destination? He's not talking

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November 12

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

columnist Dave Hyde

"Let's start here: No one knows what they're talking about. No one. Not the unnamed agent who says LeBron James is going to Los Angeles or the columnist who says he's staying in Cleveland or the league source who mentioned Minneapolis -- Minneapolis? -- or the reporter asking James right now if Dwyane Wade was really, "selling you on the beautiful city of Miami?" Ten feet away, across the locker room, sat the remnants of yesterday's Heat prize. Shaquille O'Neal's folded Cleveland jersey and Size 23 sneakers awaited him before Wednesday's game against Orlando. Here stood today's next Heat hope, it's prime one for next summer it now seems, putting his two cell phones that buzz constantly in ..."

LeBron to stay silent on free agency

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November 12

Akron Beacon Journal

"To some it might sound like noise, but to Cavaliers fans, it will be music to their ears. LeBron James put a moratorium on talk of his impending free agency in the summer of 2010. ''I think, honestly, this free-agent talk is getting old,'' James said prior to Wednesday's game against the Orlando Magic. ''It's getting old and I think it's probably the last time I answer anymore free-agent questions until the offseason.'' James' future has been the object of speculation for more than two years. In New York, fans at Madison Square Garden encouraged him to make the leap to the Knicks. The media asked the question - and rightly so - in multiple ways hoping to get some feel for what James will ..."

Dwyane Wade: LeBron James as teammate improbable, not impossible

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November 12

Miami Herald

"The thought is tantalizing: The Heat's Dwyane Wade and Cleveland's LeBron James playing alongside each other as teammates. Wade said Wednesday ``it really could'' happen, though he cautioned the odds are against it even though both can be unrestricted free agents next summer. If it did, it would be more likely to happen in Miami than in Cleveland -- because the Heat has the cap space to sign two maximum-salary free agents (Wade and another player) in 2010, and Cleveland could sign only one maximum-salary player unless it can dump multiyear contracts. ``It's something we've talked about, of course,'' Wade said of playing together. ``No question, it's a long shot. He's put in position in ..."

Will Cleveland Cavaliers' marriage work out?

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November 10

Orlando Sentinel

columnist George Diaz

"Sit down, guys, and make yourselves comfortable. I've got a big easy chair for you, Mr. O'Neal, and a cozy couch for you, Mr. James. Cup of coffee, anybody? Please call me George. We're among friends here. We don't need this formal 'Dr. Diaz' stuff. Mi casa es su casa. OK, then, let's get going. I am glad you are asking for marriage counseling because it shows you guys care about each other and willing to sort out your problems. Let's get to the heart of the matter: Both of you guys are alpha-dogs that don't like anyone else barking in their face. Isn't that right, Shaq? "'I'm not here to get any individual accolades 'I've been in the league 17 years and I've won almost every award you can ..."

LeBron says free agency 'is all about winning' -- does that open new 2010 options?

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November 10

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"LeBron James will be asked about his potential free agency hundreds of times between now and next summer. By and large, his answers have remained consistently vague. But every once in a while, he throws in a new wrinkle, like he did Friday night in New York. After the Cavs beat the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, he was asked -- again -- about next year. He admitted he visualized playing with a lot of different players and contending for an NBA title. Then he said, "At the end of the day, a max deal or anything like that doesn't really matter to me. It is all about winning for me. So I put myself in a position when that day comes next summer, I want to win. If I feel like the team is ..."

LeBron James in Miami is not a crazy idea

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November 9

Miami Herald

"First things first. The round of speculation that has LeBron James possibly signing with the Heat next summer is only the current direction this discussion is going. Next week it'll be different. The week after that it'll change again, and so on until the 2010 free agency period actually arrives, by which time every possibility will have been discussed at least once, including the idea of James signing with Sacramento under the condition that the team adds an apostrophe to make them the King's. But, while LBJ-to-Miami is all the rage, and while he happens to be coming to town this week for a Thursday throwdown, let's consider the possibility. Initially, the thought of a James-Dwyane Wade ..."

LeBron will have better options than Knicks

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November 8

New York Post

columnist Peter Vecsey

"Big ups to the Cavaliers, who came into New York and rode roughshod over it . . . you know, like Bloomberg. As usual, the Knicks' sorry showing against the Cavs provokes the same old question: Why would LeBron James want to join forces with this motley crew's skeleton remains (with apologies to Eddy Curry) if he's aiming for a championship bull's-eye? Well, let's get two things straight at the top: Foremost, one of LeBron closest confidants, in response to those who mocked my disclosure Cavs chairman Dan Gilbert is terrified his meal ticket will abscond should the team not win a title, declared to friends, "They (Dan and his entourage; young owners have them, too) better be scared!" ..."

CC 'trying hard' to recruit James

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November 7

Los Angeles Times

"CC Sabathia told The Post last night that he absolutely would like to see his friend LeBron James in New York, and said he would tell the future free agent that New York is a one-of-a-kind city to play in. Sabathia, the Yankees ace and former Cleveland Indians star, was honored with five of his Yankees teammates at a star-studded Knicks-Cavaliers game at Madison Square Garden. Sabathia just finished the first year of his seven-year, $161 million contract with the Yanks. "He's seen both sides of the fence, being in Cleveland and now in New York," James said before the game. And Sabathia would like to see James in his new town. "No doubt. This is it. This is the stage he wants to play ..."

LeBron gets 33 in only MSG visit, Cavs beat Knicks

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November 7

New York Post

"LeBron James scored 33 points in his only visit to Madison Square Garden this season, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 100-91 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night. One night after managing just 42 second-half points in an ugly home loss to Chicago, the Cavaliers rang up 40 in the first quarter, leaving New York fans with little left to do besides cheer for the Yankees in attendance and enjoy another mesmerizing performance by James. He added nine assists and eight rebounds, but fell just shy of passing Kobe Bryant as the active scoring leader at the Garden. James improved his average to 30.4 points, with Bryant averaging 30.5 in 11 visits, according to STATS LLC James had ..."

CC 'trying hard' to recruit James

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November 7

New York Post

"CC Sabathia told The Post last night that he absolutely would like to see his friend LeBron James in New York, and said he would tell the future free agent that New York is a one-of-a-kind city to play in. Sabathia, the Yankees ace and former Cleveland Indians star, was honored with five of his Yankees teammates at a star-studded Knicks-Cavaliers game at Madison Square Garden. Sabathia just finished the first year of his seven-year, $161 million contract with the Yanks. "He's seen both sides of the fence, being in Cleveland and now in New York," James said before the game. And Sabathia would like to see James in his new town. "No doubt. This is it. This is the stage he wants to play on," ..."

Too bad Garden hoopla for visitors

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November 7

New York Post

columnist George Willis

"To have to watch a Knicks game on the same day as the Yankees held a parade to celebrate their 27th World Series championship is a lot like being fed stale pizza after everyone else enjoyed steak. At least Knicks fans had the chance to dream a little bit last night. LeBron James was in the building, and though reality suggests the odds are against him wearing a Knicks uniform next year, that thin ray of hope was enough to pump some energy in the fabled building. A packed house, plenty of celebrities and even a few past and present Yankees were on hand for the nationally televised game between the Cavaliers and the Knicks. It almost felt like old times. Too bad all the commotion was about ..."

LeBron owns Garden in only visit

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November 7

New York Post

"The Knicks got a head start on July 1 by rolling out the red carpet for LeBron James last night. King James held his own Garden parade in the 100-91 Cavaliers victory, his lone appearance here this season. It's surprising Mayor Bloomberg didn't come out to give James another key to the city, because James had the key to the Garden in doing whatever he pleased. With several Yankees stars sitting courtside hours after the championship parade, James looked like a world champion, too. He paraded on the Knicks for 33 points in 36 minutes, snapping nine assists with eight rebounds, and nearly notching a triple-double. James shot 12-of-17 from the field as the Knicks fell to 1-5. "It's not about ..."

LeBron shines up Big Apple

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November 7

Akron Beacon Journal

"Call it a low-key affair, but the usual circus surrounding a LeBron James appearance at Madison Square Garden never took place. In fact, it was rather subdued as James fielded many of the same questions so familiar to those in Cleveland. But there was still a buzz in the air. ''It's never low key coming to the city,'' James said. ''With it being early in the season, it brings a little more excitement because the fans are really excited about their team, to see how their team is going to do today.'' Attention eventually turned to James' status as the top player in the free-agent class of 2010 next summer. He has frequently said that he signed a three-year contract to leave his options open ..."

LeBron leads all scorers as Cavs top Knicks

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November 7

Akron Beacon Journal

"LeBron James said the only thing occupying his thoughts Friday was winning at Madison Square Garden. Guess he was serious. James sauntered into the Garden and promptly showed why the citizens of the Big Apple covet his talents so much as the Cavs beat the New York Knicks 100-91. James led all scorers with 33 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. David Lee led the Knicks with 21 points. However, James set the tone in the first quarter, scoring 19 points and putting to rest the Cavs' offensive troubles for the time being."

James not getting much love outside Madison Square Garden

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November 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"LeBron James is larger than life here. Really. The Cavaliers' superstar is featured in a Nike ad on a three-story billboard on Seventh Avenue, a couple of blocks from Madison Square Garden. In it, he looks like a model, wearing a black jacket underneath what looks like a red, zipped sweatshirt with black leather sleeves. It's a far sexier look than what he wore to Friday night's game here against the Knicks. He showed up for his only visit here this season in a purple-and-black checked shirt with a purple-and-black striped tie under a similar black jacket, with a knit cap on his head and some big, funky black glasses. He looked like Steve Urkel from the TV sitcom "Family Matters" -- with ..."

LeBron scores 19 in first period, finishes with 33 as Cavs cruise

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November 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"As it turns out, the Cavaliers love the idea of LeBron James playing in New York. Every time he comes to Madison Square Garden, it seems the Cavs star brings some of his "A" game. Always leaving them wanting more, James turned in another MSG gem Friday night. Playing in front of numerous celebrity and athlete friends who were dotting the courtside seats, James started fast and finished smooth on his way to 33 points, eight rebounds and nine assists as the Cavs won their fourth consecutive game in Manhattan by beating the Knicks, 100-91. "This building is very special, there's a lot of tradition here and a lot of great players have been through this building," James said. "It is hard not ..."

Yankees own the spotlight, but Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James not forgotten

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November 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Though it's clearly a Yankees town today, don't think New Yorkers aren't thinking about LeBron James. While the Yankees were being feted about town and honored with a parade, a sales clerk named Gabriel says there's been a run on LeBron gear at the Niketown store just off 5th Ave. James, a noted Yankee fan by the way, and the Cavaliers make their only trip to New York this season to face the Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden. When a reporter approached, Gabriel and a colleague were in a heated discussion about the Cavaliers starting lineup. When pressed, Gabriel suggested the Cavs need a new offensive coordinator in order to win the championship."

James Brings Buzz to Garden, but Keeps Plans to a Murmur

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November 7

New York Times

"In one of LeBron James's recurring Nike commercials, he played several characters simultaneously. The ad was merely fantasy for viewers, fodder for shoe aficionados. It could also be the dream of N.B.A. general managers. Multiple Jameses may be the only way to truly placate every team he visits next summer, when he is expected to be part of what promises to be the most significant free-agency period in league history. The one and only James made his sole regular-season appearance at Madison Square Garden on Friday, although the Knicks might have sworn there was more than one of him on the court. James put together a box score line of 33 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds in the Cavaliers' ..."

Fans at Garden Were Thrilled, but Not by Knicks

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November 7

New York Times

"LeBron James bade New York a warm hello and a fond farewell Friday, and in the hours between friendly greetings, pinned the Knicks with another defeat while soaking up their fans' adulation. This was not so much a recruiting trip for James as it was a bad mental trip for the Knicks, whose next destination might be a psychiatrist's couch. James got the biggest cheers, the gaudiest statistics and, not surprisingly, the victory. The Cleveland Cavaliers pounced early, survived a typically late Knicks rally and left with a 100-91 win. Before a crowd packed with Yankees and some of his friends (C. C. Sabathia, Jay-Z), James eagerly played the showman. He hit twisting fadeaways and deep jumpers ..."

Pinstripe parade could be big woo for LeBron

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November 6

New York Post

columnist George Willis

"If the Knicks are smart, they'll sneak LeBron James out of his hotel room today and make sure he has a front-row seat for all the pinstriped festivities along the Canyon of Heroes. James is a Yankees fan, so it shouldn't take much arm-twisting to get him there, even if he did say last night he's not planning to attend. The Knicks should make it happen, somehow, some way, so that King James can see how New York honors its kings. Call it good timing; call it a coincidence; call it a marketing opportunity. On the same day the Yankees will be celebrated for their 27th World Series championship, LeBron is in town as the Cavs play the Knicks tonight in his only Garden visit of the season. No ..."

Knicks hope to become 'Apple' of LeBron's eye

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November 6

New York Post

"For the Knicks, 2008 and 2009 are all about the summer of 2010, all about luring LeBron James to New York with the big promises of the world's biggest stage. James will get to see that stage first-hand today. His Yankees are having their parade up the Canyon of Heroes before James himself faces the Knicks tonight at the Garden. And even if he doesn't attend the parade, it'll be King James' last visit to the Garden -- barring a miracle and the Knicks making the playoffs -- before he decides whether to make it his kingdom. "No, my parade starts at 8 [tonight]," James said before hosting Chicago last night. "There will be a lot of intensity, the fact that we only play there once. "July 1 is ..."

James warming up for N.Y. media rush

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November 6

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"With a wry smile and twinkle in his eyes, LeBron James claims he's not a tease. Then he goes right ahead and does it, suppressing giggles all the way. Today, the Cavaliers make their only visit to Madison Square Garden to play the Knicks and enter the vortex of 2010 possibility. James was just getting warmed up for it Thursday, prepared to not only enjoy being in the Big Apple less than 48 hours after his favorite baseball team, the Yankees, won the World Series but also to be openly courted. James says he's not thinking about 2010. He says he's never said anything cross about Cleveland or hinted he'd leave when his contract is up in eight months. He said he doesn't even bait the New ..."

Burning free-agency question about Cavaliers

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November 6

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"There is no shrine to LeBron James here at the New York Knicks practice facility about 15 miles north of the city. There are no votive candles underneath a poster of him, no calendar with the days crossed off until he becomes a free agent next summer. Here in suburban New York, the Knicks are more concerned about their team and this season than worrying about what might happen eight months from now. Despite constant questioning from a rabid media corps and an anxious fan base, General Manager Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni are focused on fixing what's wrong with a 1-4 team that will play host to James and the Cavaliers tonight in Madison Square Garden. And while they might not ..."

'D' Bulls top LeBron

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November 6

Chicago Sun-Times

"Would you believe the Bulls won for a second straight game because of their -- ahem -- defense? Believe it. Despite going scoreless in the last 1:44 and shooting only 40.9 percent, the Bulls squeezed out an 86-85 victory Thursday over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena because they successfully defended a LeBron James drive in the final seconds. That's right. With Luol Deng and Joakim Noah providing the resistance, the Bulls thwarted a James drive for a potential game-winner and forced a turnover with .2 seconds left. The Bulls (3-2) had stops on their last three defensive possessions against the Cavaliers (3-3) -- and this comes two days after they had stops on their last two ..."

Does LeBron James Need New York and the Knicks?

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November 6

New York Times

columnist Howard Beck

"If LeBron James were to scrawl his career goals on, say, a New York deli napkin, the list might look something like this: Win Most Valuable Player award ¶Win Olympic gold medal ¶Win N.B.A. championship ¶Become global icon These are not modest aspirations, but then James, the Cleveland Cavaliers star who answers to the nickname King, is no modest figure. He secured a gold medal in 2008 and the M.V.P. award last spring. An N.B.A. title has eluded him, but he is doing O.K. on the global-icon front, with strong jersey sales in Europe and China. So what do you get for the superstar who has everything? More fame? More awards? More money? The answers might determine where James lands next ..."

A terrible audition for LeBron

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November 5

New York Post

"The Knicks were still basking in the glow of their first victory of the season, allowing them to dream of an actual winning streak. Then came last night, a 101-89 collapse that served as both a bucket of cold water in their collective faces, and an ominous warning with LeBron James & Co. looming tomorrow. The same team that had hung a 40-point fourth-quarter on the Hornets was held to just 15 by the Pacers. The same club that couldn't miss on Monday couldn't buy a basket down the stretch, missing its last dozen shots. In short, all that good mojo left the Garden faster than a Hideki Matsui longball left Yankee Stadium. "We had an opportunity a couple times to put them away and let them ..."

Knicks just not fit for the 'king'

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November 5

New York Post

"Bring on LeBron! Actually, not really a good time. If the Knicks were trying to impress LeBron James as he comes to town tomorrow night for his lone Garden appearance this season, the Knicks did the opposite in playing a horrifying fourth quarter last night. The prevailing theory is James would sign with New York as a free agent this summer if he genuinely feels he can make the Knicks a contender. But they looked like a laughingstock in losing last night to the previously winless Pacers, 101-89, to fall to 1-4. The Knicks shot 2-of-17 in the fourth quarter, 0-of-7 on treys, and missed their final 10 shots from the field. They went without a field goal for the final 9:21. They scored 15 ..."

Knicks president Donnie Walsh not surprised at Larry Bird's words about Lebron James

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November 5

New York Daily News

"Donnie Walsh didn't take it personally when his former subordinate, Pacers president Larry Bird, lobbied against Le-Bron James coming to New York next July as a free agent. "I have no problem with what Larry said," the Knicks president said Wednesday night before New York took on his old team at the Garden. "I love Larry. I'm not surprised he'd say that, either." Bird's contention is that James, an Akron native, means too much to Ohio and would be a catastrophic loss to the franchise. It's hard to argue with either of those points. "I like to see the great players stay in the cities and with the teams that drafted them," said Bird, who played his entire Hall of Fame career in Boston. "So ..."

LeBron, Cavaliers outmuscle Wizards

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November 4

Washington Times

"Flip Saunders said his Washington Wizards squad entered Tuesday night's game at Quicken Loans Arena in a prime position. They would get to test themselves against a team that won a league-best 66 games last season, but because it was only the fourth game, the impact - win or lose - wouldn't be great. "I think it's a good challenge from the standpoint that in one week's time or a month, no one's going to know who won the game basically," Saunders said 90 minutes before tipoff. "But it's also good as far as telling you where you're at both the good and the bad." The good was that for a half, the Wizards managed to hang with the Cavaliers and even build a double-digit lead while holding ..."

Larry Bird likes LeBron James as Cavalier, not a New York Knick

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November 3

New York Daily News

"Not that he wants his former boss, Donnie Walsh, to fail at rebuilding the Knicks, but Pacers president Larry Bird doesn't want to see LeBron James come to New York next summer. "I hope he stays in Cleveland," Bird said Monday. "He's from Ohio and he means so much to that team and that state. I used to love to go and play in Cleveland because they love the game. And, I like to see the great players stay in the cities and with the teams that drafted them. It means so much for the league and the state. So I would rather see him stay." Bird, who coached for Walsh and then joined the front office when the current Knicks president ran the Pacers, participated in a conference call with Magic ..."