“Who Knows Pacquiao-Mayweather Truth?”

An article by Dan Rafael, courtesy of ESPN.com:
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I’m not entirely sure what to make of the whole Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. negotiations/non-negotiations thing. All I do know is that I have lost sleep over it, which is what a 3 a.m. Saturday conference call with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum will do. 

Arum has insisted over and over that he was negotiating a deal with Mayweather adviser Al Haymon, with whom he has a horrific relationship, using HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg as an intermediary. Arum swears by it. He said it to me before the conference call. He said it on the conference call to the world media. He said it to me and others in separate interviews after the call.

Arum has a long history of playing fast and loose with the truth, which is nothing new to anyone who follows or covers boxing. But this would be an all-time whopper. If he is lying, it means he not only threw Greenburg under the bus, it means Arum was the bus driver.

Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather’s other adviser and the one who speaks for him publicly — Haymon fears the media more than Mayweather apparently fears Pacquiao — said no negotiations ever took place.  Ellerbe put out a statement, the only official word we’ve heard from Team Mayweather during this whole childish saga.  The statement read, “Here are the facts. Al Haymon, Richard Schaefer and myself speak to each other on a regular basis, and the truth is no negotiations have ever taken place nor was there ever a deal agreed upon by Team Mayweather or Floyd Mayweather to fight Manny Pacquiao on November 13. Either Ross Greenburg or Bob Arum is not telling the truth, but history tells us who is lying.”

I’ve known Ellerbe for a long time. As far as I can tell, he’s not the lying type, although he still owes me dinner.

But I don’t know who to believe in this case.

Read the rest of Dan Rafael’s article at ESPN.com

Braves – Brewers, Turner Field

LeBron: NO APOLOGIES NECESSARY!!!

“For weeks, media writers and sports commentators have blasted LeBron James’ free agency behavior; describing his consideration of team offers as some sort of crude & blatant disrespect towards the fans of Cleveland.  They say the city would be crushed if he decides to leave, and have aligned his indecisiveness with the fate of all humanity!  Justifiably, his departure would perhaps mark the decline of Cavalier basketball for a generation, circa ’93 when they were absent from playoff contention as often as Ferris Bueller skipped home-room.  But is all the criticism necessary?  I say “NO”…….. let’s discuss.”

“What bothers me is the notion that he must (for some reason or another) deny himself of his right to pursue the progressive nature of entrepreneurialism in an effort please everyone else!  I understand the strong connection between LeBron and his hometown base of support; after all he was born, raised, nurtured, drafted, and celebrated by that region of Ohio.  However, it’s as if no one has considered that perhaps he wishes to explore a professional life beyond Cleveland, beyond Akron…  Though an athletic phenomenon, he’s just 25 years old!!  His name may be responsible for millions in local small-business revenue generation, but he’s not Cleveland’s personal stimulus package!  If, as an unemployed American for hire, he has a genuine interest in joining another company, in another city, that is his prerogative…. so deal with it.”

“‘Employee Retention’ is the responsibility of the Cavs!  They haven’t made any organizational changes that would further entice LeBron to reject offers from Chicago, New York, Miami… Last season they would’ve had Amar’e Stoudemire on their roster, but they refused to trade away bench-forward J.J. Hickson.  This week, they had an opportunity to close Chris Bosh, but management couldn’t work out the terms of Toronto’s “sign and trade” needs.  There was an opportunity to bring back Carlos Boozer, but instead he’s in Chicago hoping that LeBron will follow.  The truth is, just as any of us would do in an interview process, he has set aside all of his professional loyalties to properly assess his business expectations; basing some from the industry landscape and others from what his previous employer has (or has not) done to improve working conditions… and he has every right to do that.”

“And to Cleveland: what if he does come back?  The organization hasn’t made any moves to improve its roster.  Alternatively, Chicago and Miami have both made major strides in the past 24 hours, while Orlando and Boston remain the best teams in the East.  At best, the Cavs are the 3rd best team in the conference, which is due entirely to the fact that one of the 2 or 3 best players in the world plays there.”

“My point: LeBron doesn’t owe ANYONE an apology if he decides to move on…….. Go to New York and build your own statue… Go to Chicago and blossom beneath the shadow of greatness… Go to Miami and be a part of undoubtedly the greatest 3-man roster in NBA history… because no apology is necessary.”

 

T.J. Breeden
www.iblmedia.com

“…But what will LeBron do?!”

Here’s something a little different: I had an insightful conversation with my nephew today regarding NBA free agency; told him to jot down a few thoughts so I could share them… I’ll chime in later, but here’s his tak on the Lebron saga… In his own words.”
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“My take on the whole Lebron James spill is revolved around his soul purpose of wanting to play ball: to get that championship ring… He is in a few win-win situations with the following teams and the supporting cast contributions they have gained with their newly acquired players: Knicks, Bulls, and Heat. With Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh on the front lines on the Miami Heat, Lebron would bring a presence far greater than we have seen with these two highly talented players…”

“Question is… will he mesh with these guys in consecutive seasons? Don’t get me wrong. These are two of the best in the league, but what do we know Lebron for? His all-star status and dominating the limelight. Now the Knicks: Amar’e Stoudamire and the possibility of getting someone of the status of a Toni Parker as a guard… Great attributes for role players in Lebron’s quest for the title. With Amar’e, having also never tasted that sweet savor from the gold, the connection would definitely spark hunger from him as well as Lebron. Finally the Bulls. In my opinion, this would be one of my highly favored moves for him. Having several role players behind you who are young, possible draft picks that would set the Bulls on a higher pedestal compared to other Eastern teams, and moving to a great city where I’m pretty sure he would enjoy his years… you can’t beat it!”

“That’s my take and we’ll see how this plays out Thursday.”
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…Share your thoughts.
 
 
–A.J. Padgett
www.Twitter.com/Padgett1291
www.iblmedia.com