The Daily Banter: Is It Time To Move On?

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 7, 2010 9:53 AM EDT in Analysis

While ESPN played in the background while I was doing my nightly workout -- settle down ladies, I'm talking about a stationary bike in my exercise room -- across the bottom line ran a breaking news report. I thought, oh man, this will be exciting. Breaking News is always interesting. Except locally of course, when a thick cloud that brings the potential of rain showers interrupts nearly 30 minutes of primetime programming that you were actually interested in. No.

So what's the news? What's the big deal?

LeBron James will announce his free agency plans during a one-hour show on ESPN on Thursday at 9P.M. The Breaking News essentially told you that the real Breaking News will happen two days later. Worse yet, the news will take place during a one-hour show on ESPN, which I'm sure will talk up the godliness of his majesty. Can anyone be thought of as more godly than god himself in sports?

I'm no fool. I know LeBron's plans during the NBA's free agency period is big. I know that it potentially has a ripple affect across the pond of free agents. Still, a one-hour show on ESPN to announce his decision? And if he stays with Cleveland, how ridiculous will have this all been?

I know free agency in all sports has a peak; a point during free agency where the headline news is who signs with whom. The NFL has it, which lasts throughout a weekend. Are there pre-free agency news about where players could land? Sure. But the truth is, rarely do the great players of today, while in their prime, find themselves as unrestricted free agents. Typically teams hold onto their best players either through the franchise tag (transition tag too, which is lesser used) or a prolonged negotiation period. Guys like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or even Carson Palmer, are very unlikely to experience free agency until well after their primes.

So the NBA's free agency period might bring a little more excitement. But it also has a bit of narcissism and self-proclaimed self-importance on their side.

+ Geoff Hobson talks about recent Bengals Pro Bowl snubs, prompted by Joey Votto and Cincinnati's own Kevin Youkilis being snubbed in the All Star game. However, James Walker indirectly tells Hobson in his most "I'm a jerk so let me show it" tone of voice: "Yes, the division champs deserved better treatment than only Chad Ochocinco getting in as an alternate. But it’s time to move on."

James, James, James. Don't be such a jerk. Perhaps we call you a kettle. Who is the one that brings up the team's historical issues with the law? Time to move on with that James, don't you think? Who is the one that brings up character issues that the team either signs or looks into a player? Time to move on with that James, don't you think? Geoff Hobson's posting talks about Pro Bowl snubs in relation to Cincinnati's other snubs in Major League Baseball's All-Star game. Not only is the article locally relevant, it's oriented with the team that's being covered.

+ Speaking of James Walker, he writes an article on Cedric Benson's recent assault and questions if the running back will be suspended. Nothing new here. All of the facts have been reported a week ago. Time to move on until something of substance is known.

+ Chad's iPad application will reportedly hit the stores this week. Does anyone have his iPhone app? What's it all about?

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My prediction with Lebron.

Cincinatti opens up an NBA court, buys a team, moves them here, calls them the Queens/Kings, then signs Lebron and Chris Paul.

BOOM

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by Ian_InsideTheShoe on Jul 7, 2010 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

LOL!

I peed a bit…

No amount of prosperity is sufficient to eliminate all misfortune, and sloth is impervious to opportunity.

by kazahani2 on Jul 8, 2010 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Two things:

1.) LeBron will stay in Cleveland. Only a 3-year deal though. MAYBE Chicago.

2.) I have Chad’s iPhone app. It’s kind of funny. Basically has a soundboard with “Child Please”, “Maaaaaaan”, “Kiss da baby”, etc, as well as showing where in the world he’s currently at, pictures, love advice. Pretty cool. I also have Mark Sanchez’s app because I used to coach him in High School Baseball so I follow him. Good kid, though his app isn’t as funny as Chad’s haha.

by Anthony Cosenza on Jul 7, 2010 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

So the app is mostly about Chad, I take it. He’s a funny dude.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 7, 2010 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Its all about Chad

It has audio quotes from him in English and Spanish, a “Where’s Ocho” GPS function so you can see where he is at all times, Twitter feed, and some other funny stuff.

by Jcon77 on Jul 8, 2010 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I thing pro basketball is a totally boring and uninteresting sport

I know basketball. I lettered 3 years in H.S. (No I am not saying that is a big deal). The last 5 minutes is all that ever matters. Now if I had my way a basketball game would be a match like in tennis. 3 ten minute games, best 2 out of 3 wins. That, I would watch.

Hockey, soccer, pro basketball, bowling, rugby, nascar = too boring to me to waste my time on. I am not disrespecting those of you who love them but I could care less if LeBron moved to Tibet and became a monk and Kobe is just a very good Japanese steak..

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Jul 7, 2010 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

I mostly agree. I’m just now, at this stage in my life, appreciating and enjoy hockey more. NBA basketball isn’t my thing either, but I do watch the playoffs.

But man, LeBron… I don’t know how to say it, but is there anyone more full of themselves than he?

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 7, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

This 1 hr special to announce where he goes...

is even over the top of Ochocinco’s antics. Granted the proceeds are going to charity, but I mean that just seems like “justification” for the “full of himself” antics.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jul 7, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 7, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

So fellas….it ‘s somehow more righteous to turn down ESPN’s money and none of it go to charity? That’s called a “handout” or a “bailout” down there in the greater Cincinnati area, isn’t it? Sorry kids. Earn it yourself.

But in all seriousness, it’s funny how little Lebron has had to say about the entire situation, yet we have people pinning the ESPN hype machine on him as if he’s personally requested the “Lebron Watch” every waking hour since the Cavs were knocked out of the playoffs. Selfish because he wants to make an informed decision? Full of himself because we wants generations of his family to live comfortably?

It’s kind of like the fat, homely girl in high school (us) talking junk on the homecoming queen (Lebron) for slutting it up and banging a bunch of dudes. She’ll never be hot enough to have those options before her and we’ll never make decisions associated with being the greatest basketball player on the planet. To assume you’d handle this with so much more humility or class might be a bit delusional.

BTW….not a huge LBJ or NBA fan. I just want to hear the sound of Cleveland dying when he goes somewhere else.

by bodacio zk on Jul 7, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I was a basketball player in HS as well, and it is my first love. I grew up watching MJ and cheering for him, and loving every minute of NBA basketball. Today though, it seems like a totally different game. The pro styles is very slow and star oriented. There’s rarely much ball movement (or movement at all) and there is even less off-the-ball movement. If you watch college at all you know that it’s a totally different styles. All 5 guys might be moving at once, and the defense is active, and the ball rarely stays in the same guy’s hands for more than the time it takes to bring the ball down the court. So yeah, I’ll always love basketball, but the pro game has gotten so lazy and star oriented that I’ve lost quite a bit of interest.

To fix it, I would shorten season in half, make the playoffs 3 game series instead of 7 (except for maybe a 5 game championship round), penalize fouling in the last 2 minutes of the game, and widen the courts to open up the floor more / promote scoring (In the NBA the guys are so big now that 5 on 5 can get kind of crowded).

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on Jul 7, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I would just like to say that I have never followed a single NBA game in my entire life...

but somehow STILL everywhere I turn it’s Lebron James this, or Chris Bosh that…

I can’t remember an NFL or MLB offseason EVER getting this much attention. THERE’S NOT EVEN A DRAFT GOING ON! How many more hours can you possibly fill speculating about Lebron James and Dwane Wade?

No amount of prosperity is sufficient to eliminate all misfortune, and sloth is impervious to opportunity.

by kazahani2 on Jul 8, 2010 12:38 AM EDT reply actions

One Word: Favre

Remember how his drama has dominated summers past? And that was only one guy. I do have to say that LeBron is more of an egotistical maniac than Favre could ever hope to be. Keeping a team and city waiting for essentially 2 years then having a primetime hour-long TV special called “The Decision”. Favre can’t hold a candle to that.

by Jcon77 on Jul 8, 2010 7:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Miami It Is

According to ESPN and several other outlets. Poor Cleveland….

by Jcon77 on Jul 8, 2010 7:32 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I've Heard the LBJ to Miami revelations, but...

Would he spend an hour announcing that he’s signing anywhere other than Cleveland? I’m no Cleveland lover, but that would be just downright wrong. He would be a pariah in NE Ohio and elsewhere on the order of Art Modell. I don’t believe he’s leaving and will tell all he’s staying with the Cavs.

by Who dey in LA on Jul 8, 2010 6:53 PM EDT reply actions