Buckeyes release trailer for Homecoming game vs. Rutgers (Video)
September 30, 2016Browns campaign for win in D.C.: WFNY Roundtable
September 30, 2016Friday completes the first week in Independence as the Cleveland Cavaliers gear up to face themselves as Sunday’s Wine and Gold Scrimmage heads to Quicken Loans Arena. While the topics ranged from Iman Shumpert’s shower scenes to Kevin Love’s beard, the more serious moments came when LeBron James discussed the status of J.R. Smith.
- Smith and the Cavs remain embattled in a bit of a contract standoff, and James, who was not slated to speak to the media, made it a point to let everyone know where he stands during the first week of training camp. “We’re not all here,” said James of training camp. “I hate coming into another season – two years in a row – with one of my big guns not here. So, for a leader of a team and for me personally, I just hate to deal with this shit again. It’s just too big of a piece to our team to have to deal with in another training camp.” James is obviously referring to the stand-off from last summer between the team and power forward Tristan Thompson, one that was eventually resolved in late October.
- Smith, the team’s starting shooting guard, remains a free agent as rumors circulate around his desire for a fourth year. The veteran opted out of his contract last summer, betting on himself over a one-year deal, quickly becoming one of the team’s most consistent two-way players. “”Negotiations are always two-sides but J.R. did his part,” James said. “He showed up every day. Worked his ass off every day. Became a two-way player, a model citizen in Cleveland and he’s a fan favorite, obviously we all know that. All of the sudden now he’s a season ticket holder at the Indians games.”
- After spending a few days off of Twitter, Smith took to the microblogging platform on Thursday night, retweeting an old message from current agent Rich Paul, friend and agent of both James and teammate Tristan Thompson.
Negative communications, corrupt good manners….
— Rich Paul (@RichPaul4) September 30, 2012
- The Cavs’ offer to Smith at this point is reportedly somewhere between $10 million and $11 million annually, and Smith rejected it. James likened Smith’s free agency to buying a house. As confident as both parties can be, “the deal isn’t done until you have the keys.”
LeBron: "We're still missing a piece of of team… I hate coming into another season with one of my big guns not here." pic.twitter.com/Q9pbu50lmC
— Scott @ WFNY (@WFNYScott) September 30, 2016
- Filling in for Smith until he returns will be Iman Shumpert who admits to having the worse statistical season of his career. Shumpert spent the summer working on his game, but also losing weight as he is down 12 pounds compared to last season.
- On his role in the Kanye West video “Fade,” Shump said that his wife, Teyana Taylor, did all of the work. “All I did was shower.”
- Kevin Love, who also appears to be in better shape than last September, was extra feisty and confident on Friday, addressing all rumors and scrutiny surrounding the Cavs and his role heading into what is his third season on the team. “It’s just something you live with,” said Love. “We have so much hype and media, the good and the bad surrounding this team—it just comes with the territory. I love this team. I love the coaching staff. I don’t think [the scrutiny] will ever leave, but frankly, I don’t give a shit.”
Expect the J.R.-related quotes to carry a ton of weight heading into the weekend. While both sides are confident that something will get worked out, there is no denying that it will become a larger distraction with each day that passes.
4 Comments
Are the Cavs more swear-y now that they’ve won? I like their swears.
I think it sort of stems from the fact that Griffin swears. When the boss cusses, everybody can.
I gotta think this gets done over the weekend. JR should be getting $12.5mil per year over 3 years with a team option for year 4 at $15mil. Or just guarantee 4 years at $46mil and be done.
Google is paying 97$ per hour! Work for few hours and have longer with friends & family! !mj87d:
On tuesday I got a great new Land Rover Range Rover from having earned $8752 this last four weeks.. Its the most-financialy rewarding I’ve had.. It sounds unbelievable but you wont forgive yourself if you don’t check it
!mj87d:
➽➽
➽➽;➽➽ http://GoogleFinancialJobsCash87NetworkNetGetPay$97Hour… ★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★✫★★::::::!mj87d:….,……