SB Nation Cleveland - No Longer Witnesses: Removal Of Sign Ends LeBron James Era

Unencumbered By LeBron's Drama, Byron Scott Takes On Rebuilding Cavaliers

2010-07-12T01:31:31Z

Byron Scott may be less unfortunate in the situation he has inherited than a lot of people seem to think he is. Yes, it is true that a 60-win season next year seems like a pipe dream, but Scott has faced challenges before, and has taken teams in deep trouble and turned them into playoff teams, and in the case of New Jersey, into a Finals team.

Perhaps the job of re-making Cleveland is perfectly suited for Scott, and perhaps losing LeBron James - and the drama which he brought to the table recently - gives Scott the chance to once again start at a disadvantage and turn lemons into lemonade.

Terry Pluto explores Scott's attitude toward rebuilding in this column; a column which makes one feel much better about the Cavs' chances of coming back, if not with a vengeance for a year or two, at least to being a contending team again in short order.

Nike Removing 'Witness' sign from Cleveland Building

2010-07-10T18:45:26Z

Nike is in the process of removing the LeBron James witness sign, the final step in a process to remove LeBron James from the identity of Cleveland.

“We are removing the LeBron James Witness mural in downtown Cleveland and expect the process to be completed within a few days,” Nike spokesman KeJuan Wilkins said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Wilkins said he does not yet know what the company’s plans are with the gigantic sign on the side of the Landmark Office Tower.

How about another local athlete? Josh Cribbs??

Cavaliers Complete SIgn-and-Trade Deal With Miami Heat

2010-07-10T05:16:11Z

Cooler heads prevailed. The Cavaliers have agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Miami Heat, assuring the Cavaliers of at least something in return for LeBron James.

It breaks down like this:

MIAMI GETS:

LeBron James, who signs a 6-year, $110 million contract

CLEVELAND GETS:

Two first-round picks, that must be used starting in 2013 and ending by 2017

2012 second-round pick Miami received from New Orleans

Future second-round pick Heat acquired from Oklahoma City

Cleveland can also swap first round picks with the Heat in 2012

A large trade exception($15 million or so) that the Cavs must use in trades for one calendar year.

Not a bad haul, when LeBron was leaving any way.

Report: LeBron James Signs Six-Year And $110 Million Deal With Miami

2010-07-10T04:02:17Z

Ira Winderman of SunSentinel.com writes that the Miami Heat signed LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to six-year contracts with player options after five years.

Bosh, James and Wade each signed six-year contracts, with option rules allowing an escape after the fifth year.

“What we signed today for is not important,” James said. "What is important is we all sacrificed money.

“We didn’t take the max deals.”

James was able to sign a six-year deal rather than a five-year deal because the Cavaliers agreed to participate in a sign-and-trade with the Heat.

ESPN's Chad Ford reports that James's deal is worth $110 million.

Mo Williams Stands Up For City Of Cleveland

2010-07-10T03:30:27Z

Eric Freeman of the Sporting News reports that Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Mo Williams took to twitter to air his thoughts about LeBron James’s decision to bolt for the Miami Heat.

While Williams’s rant was profanity-laced he did stand up for the city of Cleveland and fans of the Cavaliers.

The only thing, and I mean the only thing I disagree with is…. If he knew somewhere else was the destination. He should have spared cle On national tv. But this was history so we might not understand the magnitude today. But when we look back on this, we might not Never see this again.

Freeman writes that Williams has the opportunity to turn this into a leadership moment in James’s absence.

Without him, the Cavs have to reorganize themselves both on and off the court.

It can take time to pick up the pieces, and the Cavs may never experience this kind of relationship again. But if Mo Williams looks deep inside himself, he may come out on the other side a better person, teammate, and leader.

Report: Cavs Will Participate In LeBron James Sign-And-Trade

2010-07-10T02:02:15Z

Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer is reporting on twitter that the Cavaliers will participate in a sign-and-trade with Miami Heat, sending out LeBron James for four draft picks and a massive trade exception.

“Sources say Cavs will get 4 picks: 2 1st, 2 2nd,” Windhorst writes. “Cavs also will receive a trade exception of up to $16 million.”

Initially, it was believed the Cavaliers would not participate in a sign-and-trade so that they would not be seen as complicit in James’s exit from Cleveland. In the end, the Cavaliers likely realized that it was better to come away with something rather than nothing.

The trade exception gives the Cavaliers the potential to be a major player in this summer’s free agent and trade market. David Aldridge of NBA.com, for example, says Cleveland could make a run at Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Al Jefferson, who is known to be on the trading block.

Orlando GM Otis Smith Trashes LeBron James

2010-07-10T01:27:14Z

Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith was asked for his thoughts about LeBron James’s decision to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. Smith minced no words, wondering how the three players would share the basketball and then really opened up on James, questioning his competitive desire to the Associated Press.

“I was surprised that he went” to Miami, Smith said. “I thought he was, I guess, more of a competitor.”

“The great ones do and usually stay in one location,” he added. “This is a new era. It’s a little different than my time.”

Ladies and Gentlemen - A True Clevelander Speaks

2010-07-09T21:40:47Z

Some people from northeastern Ohio react one way when adversity comes along, some react another, some are loyal to their teams, some are not, some "get it" when it comes to being a Cleveland sports fan, and some do not.

LeBron James, sad to say, does not "get it".

Bernie Kosar, on the other hand, does get it, and is not afraid to say so.

Bernie, you were always one of the best, and you still are. Keep rockin'!