As far as predictions go. Not so good.
That was Tweeted a little before 6 pm last night. Coach Dixon was in Cleveland for the King James Classic. Want me to make a reach to spin that positively for Pitt? Okay. Try this.
It is a reflection on Coach Dixon’s sense of loyalty to Pitt, that he would think that LeBron James was going to stay with the Cavs. That LeBron wanted to stay with the team where he started and has not finished reaching the goals.
Or something like that.
Or Coach Dixon, because of his past close ties to former GM Danny Ferry was hoping James would stay in Cleveland.
He sounded very intelligent and polished at 25.
I am really confused by him. He has been dubbed the “Chosen One” since he was 16 but he never acted like the BMOC. I mean the “decision” was rediculous but fueled by ESPN. He didn’t come off as an egotistical boob.
I think he killed his “Brand” and “Legacy” by not winning as a team’s foundation to be built around.
He looks more like a Robin than a Batman with this decision.
Very puzzling.
I’ll be watching though.
How so? Shaq was a one year deal so he’s now a free agent. And according to reports (although who knows what to believe anymore), Bosh had no interest in going to Cleveland, even with LeBron.
At the end of the day, I don’t blame hom for leaving – but the manner in which he did was completely classless.
As for Jamie, I’m glad to see him out on the recruiting trail mingling with the national media guys. Too bad Goodman couldn’t have asked him about something relevant – say, like the international center that no one knows anything about.
There are parallels to Pitt. The closest thing they have to an alpha male leader is Wanamaker, but unfortunately he’s just a good college player, not an exceptional one.
And yours might have been the only positive reaction to the whole LeBron saga coming out of Northeastern Ohio. Now go lock your doors, dammit.
Here is the article and link:
link to joebutlermetroindex.blogspot.com
Thursday, July 8, 2010
You kiddin’ me? Five first rounders
The NFL scouts will be banging on the University of Pittsburgh South Side Complex door come this Fall and through next Spring. Pitt has the potential of having 5 first round selections in the 2011 NFL Draft. How can this be? 2 seniors have first round grades by National going into their senior season. They are the bookend Defensive Ends Greg Romeus, 6’5″/267 and Jabaal Sheard, 6’3″/260. Then another Senior Jason Pinkston 6’3.5″/312 OT/OG from Pittsburgh, PA Baldwin High School has a high level 2nd round grade. Pinkston has lots of upside to position himself into the first round. Where do the other 2 first rounders come into play. They are 3rd year Junior Jonathan Baldwin 6’5″/230 wide out from Aliquippa H.S. who has a great future and if he decides to test the waters of the NFL draft, he may be a top 20 choice. The last guy is Sophomore Running Back Dion Lewis. Lewis attended Blair Academy in New Jersey before enrolling at Pitt so he will have 3 seasons out of high school which makes him eligible for the draft. Wow! Lewis is a very explosive running back who has excellent acceleration, change of direction and runs with power. This Western Pennsylvania region back 3 and 4 decades used to pump Offensive Linemen into the NFL. During the 2009 NFL season, only 1 Western PA Offensive lineman was active in the entire league. That Guy was South Park High School’s Reggie Wells who had a stellar career at Clarion U of PA and started in Arizona’s Super Bowl loss to the Steelers. Let’s give credit to Dave Wannstedt and his coaching staff for recruiting some very talented players to attend Pitt.
I was looking through a few publications and it is estimated that the Cav’s francise could lose up to 25% of it’s “book” value because of LeBron’s departure.
WOW!
Good luck if you follow the Cav’s, LeBron’s departure will hurt them.