While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com
“Sometimes it takes an event like LeBron Appreciation Day to help us realize just how complicated the English language can be. And to help us remember just how quick folks can be to hate.
Case in point: Local corporations team with the University of Akron to bring a morning of family fun to Akron’s Infocision Stadium in the name of appreciating LeBron, and we have to be lectured by locals and outsiders alike about how pathetically desperate the whole thing is.
We might write some of this off to a basic misunderstanding of the meaning of the word “appreciation.” Like that shown by New England Sports Network’s Caylan Davis who writes that “the event is meant to drum up support for keeping James in Cleveland” under the headline “Akron Tries to Keep LeBron James in Cleveland with LeBron Appreciation Day.’”
But the idea that LeBron should stay in Cleveland hardly needs any additional support in Akron or anywhere else in Northeast Ohio, and there’s no reason at all to assume that the event was meant to do anything but what it’s name says it was meant to do; simply, to show appreciation for LeBron.” [Cleveland Frowns]
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Oh, and there was also a LeBron James rally in….Portland. [Ball Don't Lie]
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Cavs fans vs. LeBron fans: “Of course, if your center of media gravity is the New York market, then this is a clear indicator that James is already headed to Madison Square Garden to play for the Knicks. Right? It’s not like people overanalyze James’ every action or anything. However, New York petulance aside, what was striking about the Akron celebration was the size of the crowd. 5,000 people? Really?
I realize it’s summer and people’s priorities are rightfully scattered, but still – only 5,000 people for the alleged second coming? This again proves my theory that LeBron fans far outweigh actual Cavalier fans. Or, how about this for a comparison – what if a handful of Browns decided to play some flag football at a similar venue? Would the attendance triple in size? Would the NY media care? Don’t get me wrong - LeBron is great for NE Ohio, but we all know that football is king.” [Cleveland Reboot]
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A silver lining: “Fortunately, there is some good news that’s been a little overlooked and it comes in the form of Tyler Moeller’s clearance to participate in fall camp. We touched on the story late last week but it was swallowed up so I wanted to explore what this could mean for the Buckeyes while also gauging your feelings on what you expect, if anything, from the gritty kid who hasn’t played since 2008.” [Eleven Warriors]
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And finally, Santana’s start: “But again, tempered enthusiasm. Nine games doesn’t mean anything, otherwise Michael Brantley and Matt LaPorta would be big leaguers right now. Hopefully Santana bucks the trend of regression by Tribe prospects (although it’s honestly unfair to Brantley, who’s only been in the big leagues for a little less than a couple months), and instead makes actual progress. If the Indians screw this guy up … then the Dolans may need to seriously re-evaluate the organization, from the ground up.” [Deep Left Field]
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Image: Paul Tople, Akron Beacon Journal
