LeBron James is on the move while Cleveland fans burn his jersey - Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA Permission photo

SPORTS NOTES EXTRA EXTRA Part 2 - LEBRON JAMES - FROM HERO TO ZERO IN CLEVELAND

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

James had the seven year itch of trying in vain to win an NBA title he decided to move on and sign with the Miami Heat where teamed with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh he wouldn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders. The question is WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT? - DAN GILBERT'S OPEN LETTER TO THE CLEVELAND FANS - FIFA TOP 10

Monday July 19, 2010

THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH

You would think that the Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and Cavalier fans would have more class than to berate James for opting to leave his home town club after laboring through seven years of effort to win an NBA title. His callous remarks caused him to be fined $100,000 by the NBA.

James had the seven year itch of trying in vain to win an NBA title he decided to move on and sign with the Miami Heat where teamed with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh he wouldn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders. The question is WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?

Taken out of high school as a teenager James had the weight of the world on his shoulders with the responsibility of winning the title. He came close in 2007 when they went to the finals only to be swept by the San Antonio Spurs. That is equivalent to a first year player out of college at 23 leading his team to the finals.

After the Boston Celtics eliminated the Cavaliers in the playoffs the Celtics Kevin Garnett was seen whispering something in James' ear. At the post game press conference Garnett said he told James he had been there and knew what he was going through (as a kid out of high school expected to lead his team to the NBA title).

Gilbert has berated James in saying he quit on his team and he quit on the fans of Cleveland. He included that James also quit on his team in the playoffs against the Celtics.

In an open letter to the Cavs fans he wrote, "You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal." He went on to say the Cavaliers would win the title before James. How childish is that? Why inflame a situation where a now 25-year-old man who was the NBA's MVP the past two years tried to do his best for seven seasons and it didn't work out so it was time for him to do something else with his talent and his life and move on.

The result was fans burning James' jersey and making outrageous statements. If its grown-ups you're looking for you won't find them in Cleveland.

If James is at fault it was the theatrical way he handled his decision by having a special telecast agreed to in advance with the ESPN network. That was in bad taste and as one Cleveland fan said that he was trying to get as much as he could out of his decision of where he would play next season.

After the players signed the Heat had a rally introducing the players to the fans. At the rally Heat fans purchased all 13,000 available seats in an hour. Now the question is can these 3 Amigos play together? Stay tuned...

RELATED STORY - FOR LEBRON JAMES THE HEAT IS ON!!!

GILBERT'S OPEN LETTER TO THE CLEVELAND FANS

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Dan Gilbert

Majority Owner

Cleveland Cavaliers

FIFA TOP 10 - Out-and-out triumph for Spain

There are a number of big movers in this month’s top ten, with Chile (10th, up 8), Egypt (9th, up 3) and Uruguay (6th, up 10) all scaling the heights

Spain’s 1-0 win over the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final in Johannesburg last Sunday not only gave the Furia Roja their first ever World Cup victory but has also secured them top spot in the FIFA World Ranking for the third time. Vicente Del Bosque’s team have deposed previous front-runners Brazil , who fall to third, while final opponents the Netherlands climb from fourth place to second. Oranje’s defeat in the World Cup showdown brought an end to their run of 25 matches without defeat.

There are a number of big movers in this month’s top ten, with Chile (10th, up 8), Egypt (9th, up 3) and Uruguay (6th, up 10) all scaling the heights. La Celeste, the tournament’s surprise package thanks to their outstanding performances and qualification for the semi-final, thus take up their highest position since the world ranking was introduced. These three teams have benefited from disappointing performances by two giants of international football, Italy (11th, down 6) and France (21st, down 12). The 2006 finalists pay the price for group-stage elimination in South Africa and, together with Croatia , no longer find themselves among the ten best teams.

The latest ranking also brings mixed fortunes for the African teams. While hosts South Africa (66th, up 17) and Ghana (23rd, up 9) make considerable ground, Nigeria (30th, down 9), Algeria (33rd, down 3) and above all Cameroon (40th, down 21) tumble down the pecking order.

A total of 154 international “A” matches have been played since the previous edition of the ranking, including 86 friendlies and 64 World Cup encounters. Four qualifying matches for the next Africa Cup of Nations were also contested.

Summary

· Leader -- Spain (1st, up 1)

· Moves into top 10 -- Uruguay (6th, up 10), Egypt (9th, up 3), Chile (10th, up 8)

· Moves out of top 10 -- Italy (11th, down 6), Croatia (15th, down 5), France (21st, down 12)

· Matches played in total -- 154

· Most matches played -- Netherlands and Spain (10 each)

· Biggest move by points -- Netherlands (up 428 points)

· Biggest move by ranks -- New Zealand (up 24)

· Biggest drop by points -- Canada (down 221 points)

· Biggest drop by ranks -- Haiti (down 39)

· Newly ranked teams -- none

· Teams that are no longer ranked -- none

· Inactive teams (not ranked) -- São Tomé e Principe

FIFA TOP 10 for July, 2010

Rank -- Team -- Points

1. Spain - 1883

2. Netherlands - 1659

3. Brazil - 1536

4. Germany - 1464

5. Argentina - 1289

6. Uruguay - 1152

7. England - 1125

8. Portugal - 1062

9. Egypt - 1053

10. Chile - 988

The next edition of the FIFA World Ranking will be published on August 11, 2010.

FIFA