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LeBronx Bomber: James in New York state of mind, set to unveil Yankees-inspired sneakers By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer January 22, 2008 CLEVELAND (AP) -- LeBron James loves the New York Yankees -- from head to toe. The Cavaliers' All-Star forward, who angered some Cleveland fans by wearing a Yankees baseball cap in the Indians' home ballpark while cheering for New York during last year's AL playoffs, has taken his devotion to the Bronx Bombers one step further. James' newest sneaker in his signature line with Nike is a tribute to his favorite hardball team: the Yankees. Dominated by the team's traditional blue-and-white color scheme, the Air Zoom LeBron V shoe features New York's famed pinstripes as well as James' No. 23, the number worn by popular Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly. Also, under the tongue are the words: "Le-Bron Ja-Mes. Clap. Clap. Clap Clap Clap," a nod to the cheer New York fans reserve for their beloved Yankees, and on the strap is the phrase: "Fresh for '08. Suckers!" Nike spokesman Kejuan Wilkins said the Yankees-themed shoe will be released in March. Initial plans are for it to be sold only in New York. This isn't the first Big Apple-inspired shoe developed for the 23-year-old Akron native, who signed a seven-year, $90 million deal with Nike before he graduated from high school. Last year, the world's leading supplier of sports shoes and apparel released a LeBron James shoe with New York-style graffiti on it. "LeBron has a great appreciation for New York City itself," Wilkins said, "and this is just another tie." Nike was keeping the new shoe a secret, but photos taken in Hong Kong were leaked to an Internet site last week. Wilkins did not know if James will wear the Yankees shoes in a game. The Cavaliers visit the New York Knicks on March 5. In October, James drew the ire of many Clevelanders when he sat behind home plate boldly sporting a New York cap to Game 1 of the division series between the Yankees and Indians. It wasn't just that James wore enemy colors, but he flaunted the despised interlocking "NY" logo by raising it high over his head, a gesture some took as a slight to the hometown Indians. In the days following the game, James was blistered on sports talk radio by callers who couldn't understand why he would be so brash. James has been loyal to the Yankees since he was a kid. He's also a big Dallas Cowboys fan. His latest fashion statement has sparked new debate over James' allegiances. "As a fan of Cleveland and of the Cavaliers, I'm wondering, why not a LeBron Cleveland Indians shoe?" Lloyd Boyd of Cleveland said after shopping for new sneakers at a suburban sporting goods store with his wife, Juanita. "He can do what he wants, but he is from Akron, not the Bronx. "On the other hand, he's a businessman and he wants to market himself and sell more shoes." Juanita's take was more forgiving. "He's already marketing himself by playing for Cleveland," she said. "I don't care what kind of shoes he wears as long as he's with the Cavaliers and they're winning games, that's all that matters." James' fondness for the Yankees could lead to a backlash in Cleveland, where fans have been waiting since 1964 to celebrate a major professional sports championship. "He runs the risk of rubbing some of his core fans the wrong way," said Paul Swangard, director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon. "But you can't make everyone happy." Swangard, who consults athletes on marketing strategies, doesn't feel James has done anything to compromise himself. "You have to be true to who you are," Swangard said. "If he's not a die-hard Cleveland Indians fan, then don't pretend to be someone you're not or you risk losing all your credibility." http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lebronsyankeesshoe&prov=ap&type=lgns
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I am telling you....this cat is working his way to New York....
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong ![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/small-gator-chomp.gif)
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And my roommates wonder why I really don't give a flip about the Cavs this year...
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I am telling you....this cat is working his way to New York....
I don't believe that for a second. I don't care what kind of money you have, you don't go out and build a 5 million dollar house if you only plan on being there for a few years.
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Legend
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Thats the thing I dont like about lebron. For some reason I cant shake the thought that he thinks hes bigger then the city of Cleveland.IF thats the case I dont care how talented you are I would get rid of him.
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He's been a yankees fan his whole life so what? If he got drafted by the Heat, would he be expected to be a Marlins fan? You're all making too much out of nothing.
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And my roommates wonder why I really don't give a flip about the Cavs this year...
So you root for the Cavs when they make a run at the finals, but then when they struggle a bit the next year, you don't care about them? I'm pretty sure they have a name for that. LeBron has been a Yankees fan his entire life, he shouldn't have to change now that he plays for a Cleveland team. Should Braylon Edwards be a OSU fan now that he plays in Ohio? People need to realize that players are people too, and they have their own personal opinions and are fans of whatever teams they chose. Big deal.
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He's been a yankees fan his whole life so what? If he got drafted by the Heat, would he be expected to be a Marlins fan? You're all making too much out of nothing.
True. We didn't even know he was a Yankees fan until the AL Divisional Playoffs... 
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Legend
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In all fairness im not much of a basketball or baseball fan. I mean Ill watch if my faivorite team is doing good but I wouldnt buy season tickets.
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Quote:
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He's been a yankees fan his whole life so what? If he got drafted by the Heat, would he be expected to be a Marlins fan? You're all making too much out of nothing.
True. We didn't even know he was a Yankees fan until the AL Divisional Playoffs...
You may not have known it until then, but LeBron has not made any secret othat he likes the Yankees. I read an interview with him a few years ago where he mentioned it. It's not new news.
![[Linked Image from i75.photobucket.com]](http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i302/lrhinkle/d5eaf0b9-e429-4211-b53f-b843bfcf6aa9_zps2ac17420.jpg) #gmstrong
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I heart winning
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Lol... The banner ad on this page said "Its time to get your fan gear" and it had a Yankees hat and Yankees watch...
Joe Thomas made Justin Timberlake change his name. He didn't want wusses to have the same initials...
Dawg Talker since 3/26/2005...
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what an idiot... a complete disgrace to the city you play for.
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I really don't understand why any of you care what baseball team he roots for. It really doesn't matter. He like the Cowboys, not the Browns...SO WHAT?
#gmstrong #gmlapdance
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It's like saying nobody from cleveland is allowed to have any other fav team..He was just a kid at some point not a cavs baskeball player...and he liked em since he was a kid so we can't knock him for it...Now if he liked the GIANTS then i would be concerned...2 NY teams...then i would start wondering if he really liked the knicks and isn't admiting it and is seceretly planning on going there  Okay i'll stop over analzying 
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I really don't understand why any of you care what baseball team he roots for. It really doesn't matter. He like the Cowboys, not the Browns...SO WHAT?
OK, so he's a bandwagoner. 
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Don't forget, he was a Bulls fan and not a Cavs fan too. When he's wearing a Bulls hat, then people can rip on him...
Joe Thomas made Justin Timberlake change his name. He didn't want wusses to have the same initials...
Dawg Talker since 3/26/2005...
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He better STILL be a Bulls fan or he's a traitor. I doubt he's dumb enough to wear the hat, though.
#gmstrong #gmlapdance
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I'm a Reds, OSU, Cavs, and Browns fan. If I started playing a professional sport then sure I would stop rooting for the other team publicly (in the same sport) but I'm still going to support the other teams.
Say you're an Indians fan. You get offered 20 million to play football for the Giants. Indians come to Yankee Stadium and you have box seats. Are you going to wear Yankees gear or Indians gear?
People are looking into this way too much.
The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
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Legend
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I really don't understand why any of you care what baseball team he roots for. It really doesn't matter. He like the Cowboys, not the Browns...SO WHAT?
Exactly. And if he like the Yanks means he's going to play for a NY NBA team......couldn't you also say he wants to play for the Dallas Mavericks because the Cowboys are his favorite NFL team?
I see NO problem with Lebron liking the Boys and Yanks. Nobody has to like all the teams from one city (even if the grew up near that city).
In fact, why care about the Yanks anyway? Why are we mad at the Yanks? Its the Red Sox that have ruined our recent postseasons. Him liking the Red Sox and it causing animosity among some Clevelanders would be more understandable form my point of view.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/Punchsmack/punch.gif) “...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
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And my roommates wonder why I really don't give a flip about the Cavs this year...
So you root for the Cavs when they make a run at the finals, but then when they struggle a bit the next year, you don't care about them? I'm pretty sure they have a name for that. LeBron has been a Yankees fan his entire life, he shouldn't have to change now that he plays for a Cleveland team. Should Braylon Edwards be a OSU fan now that he plays in Ohio? People need to realize that players are people too, and they have their own personal opinions and are fans of whatever teams they chose. Big deal.
Hey I make no secret where my loyalties are...
Browns no matter what...
For awhile I didn't believe in the Indians' new plan, but I'm a believer again, but they were my favorite team before the Browns entered my life and took over. I had a really hard time accepting their new philosophy because on the surface it seemed like Dolan was a cheap owner.
The Cavs? I really don't care much for basketball and didn't watch a game until LeBron joined the Cavs...it's one of those "Cuz they're from Cleveland" deals.
As for LeBron? If he were from another city and was a Yankees fan, I'm ok with it. But he's from Cleveland. He KNOWS how we feel about the Yanks and what they represent. And he chose to slap us in the face. LeBron WAS the face of Cleveland sports at that time and now I can honestly say that's not the case anymore, all because of that one incident.
Next Cavs game I go to, I'm wearing my Kenny Lofton t-shirt.
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Legend
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Ammo, what do the Yanks represent to the average Cleveland fan?
IMO, I don't see NY as the "evil empire". They've been the most successful franchise in profession sports history.........and we're as much of a rival as the Royals, Angels and Cubs are to them. I get Boston, Toronto, Baltimore and Tampa fans getting upset at everything "Yankee" but Cleveland? We aren't in their division. What did they do to us other than being better than us? (and we've actually done pretty well against the Yanks in the playoffs in the past 15 years - I want to say 2-1 in series)
And you can't use the "high payroll" argument. Tons and tons of team spend like the Yanks. Nobody dislikes the Cubs for having a huge payroll....but the Yanks are public enemy #1 for it.
I totally get down with the Steeler, Bengal and Raven bashing because they're in our division. And I can still extend that to the Broncos too but I can't bring myself to bash the Pats for being successful.....they never hurt us.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
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Don't forget, he was a Bulls fan and not a Cavs fan too. When he's wearing a Bulls hat, then people can rip on him...
Holy crap he is? LOL so he was never any cleveland sport fan? damn makes ya wonder why he is still in cleveland then 
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Holy crap he is? LOL so he was never any cleveland sport fan? damn makes ya wonder why he is still in cleveland then
Yeah, he was a front runner growing up. Bulls, Yankees, Cowboys. All the top teams from the early 90's.
He's still in Cleveland because that's who is paying him, and that's who is trying to build a team around him. And that's who's fans are all Witnesses.
for now.
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Quote:
Ammo, what do the Yanks represent to the average Cleveland fan?
IMO, I don't see NY as the "evil empire". They've been the most successful franchise in profession sports history.........and we're as much of a rival as the Royals, Angels and Cubs are to them. I get Boston, Toronto, Baltimore and Tampa fans getting upset at everything "Yankee" but Cleveland? We aren't in their division. What did they do to us other than being better than us? (and we've actually done pretty well against the Yanks in the playoffs in the past 15 years - I want to say 2-1 in series)
And you can't use the "high payroll" argument. Tons and tons of team spend like the Yanks. Nobody dislikes the Cubs for having a huge payroll....but the Yanks are public enemy #1 for it.
I totally get down with the Steeler, Bengal and Raven bashing because they're in our division. And I can still extend that to the Broncos too but I can't bring myself to bash the Pats for being successful.....they never hurt us.
The Yankees represent everything Cleveland despises and everything most Cleveland fans hate about baseball.
They can afford what we can't afford, and they've had success when we haven't. (Long-term speaking). That eats at us. Or at least that's what I get out of it.
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And my roommates wonder why I really don't give a flip about the Cavs this year...
So you root for the Cavs when they make a run at the finals, but then when they struggle a bit the next year, you don't care about them? I'm pretty sure they have a name for that. LeBron has been a Yankees fan his entire life, he shouldn't have to change now that he plays for a Cleveland team. Should Braylon Edwards be a OSU fan now that he plays in Ohio? People need to realize that players are people too, and they have their own personal opinions and are fans of whatever teams they chose. Big deal.
Hey I make no secret where my loyalties are...
Browns no matter what...
For awhile I didn't believe in the Indians' new plan, but I'm a believer again, but they were my favorite team before the Browns entered my life and took over. I had a really hard time accepting their new philosophy because on the surface it seemed like Dolan was a cheap owner.
The Cavs? I really don't care much for basketball and didn't watch a game until LeBron joined the Cavs...it's one of those "Cuz they're from Cleveland" deals.
As for LeBron? If he were from another city and was a Yankees fan, I'm ok with it. But he's from Cleveland. He KNOWS how we feel about the Yanks and what they represent. And he chose to slap us in the face. LeBron WAS the face of Cleveland sports at that time and now I can honestly say that's not the case anymore, all because of that one incident.
Next Cavs game I go to, I'm wearing my Kenny Lofton t-shirt.
Lebron didn't slap anyone in the face. If a normal kid in Cleveland grows up a Yankees fan, then it isn't a big deal. Believe it or not, at one point, Lebron was a normal kid once too. He chose a team to become a fan of, and he has stuck with it. That's being a true fan. He is loyal to his team no matter what. People like to make it an issue when it is nothing at all.
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Quote:
Lebron didn't slap anyone in the face. If a normal kid in Cleveland grows up a Yankees fan, then it isn't a big deal. Believe it or not, at one point, Lebron was a normal kid once too. He chose a team to become a fan of, and he has stuck with it. That's being a true fan. He is loyal to his team no matter what. People like to make it an issue when it is nothing at all.
+1 
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All Pro
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Here we go again with this ridiculous conversation.
If he was a Mets fan, nobody would care. But because it's the dreaded Yankees, everyone is calling for his head.
Just leave him alone. Until he starts selling Detroit Pistons gear, who cares??
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All Pro
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I never jumped on the bandwagon. Lebronx just a front runner with tons of money. He should pay back the state of Ohio for raising him.
The NBA sucks big time I don't know how you guys watch that stuff?
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So does nascar but you watch that.
Eat it Phil...
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The package has a warning on it: Choking hazard!
...always have been, always will be...
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Holy crap he is? LOL so he was never any cleveland sport fan? damn makes ya wonder why he is still in cleveland then
So, in order to play for a Cleveland team you have to root for all other Cleveland teams or GET OUT? Makes perfect sense.
#gmstrong #gmlapdance
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PEOPLE...please understand...Lebron James is NOT from Cleveland. He's from Akron. Outside of his play for the Cavaliers, he owes Cleveland nothing.
It sucks to hear, but it's very true.
"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good" Thomas Paine
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DawgMichelle,
Quit making sense!
I heart winning
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""" Here we go again with this ridiculous conversation. """"
Right you are, who really cares?
I guess just some primitive Clevelanders with nothing better to whine about.
These whiners/haters will be the same ones saying they're happy when James makes the decision to leave. Heck, this city doesn't need or deserve a superstar --- they just can't handle it.
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This is so funny, what a bunch of whining. Get a life, people! 
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You people are ridiculous. Where does it say that our players have to root for Cleveland teams? You all complain when people flip flop teams and rag on each other for doing it, yet that is exactly what you are ragging on LeBron for not doing.  LeBron is the face of the Cavs, that is it. That is where his allegiance lies. Heck, even if he went to a Lakers game someday and wore their hat to the game, does that really matter? He is not allowed to support his friends playing for other teams? You all seriously need to get real. I can't believe this discussion is going on again. If LeBron ever leaves Cleveland, it is going to be because the idiot fans pushed him out by turning on him for living his life. 
“It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” -Steve Jobs.
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Here it is, look how hideous this thing is. 
Find what you love and let it kill you.
-Charles Bukowski
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Legend
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Well, to be fair, I haven't seen a basketball shoe that looked good in a decade or so.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
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This is so funny, what a bunch of whining. Get a life, people!
Its amazing really.
Eat it Phil...
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Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum LeBronx Bomber: James set to
unveil Yankees inspired sneakers
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