**NOTE: The news clips and articles listed don't necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of the Cleveland Cavaliers or their Basketball Operations staff, partners, or sponsors.**
J.R. Smith said he hopes to re-sign with the Cavs 'soon,' but there's a catch
Author: Joe Vardon
Publication: Cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- J.R. Smith said he would sign a new contract with the Cavaliers "soon, I hope," which could in theory mean the team had all five of its starters from its 2016 championship back in the fold by the start of training camp.
In theory.
Smith, 31, is still a free agent and neither he nor the Cavs have indicated they're willing to budge in negotiations that have carried on since July 1. The Cavs' first practice is Sept. 27.
Smith is represented by the same agent -- Rich Paul -- who guided Tristan Thompson to a holdout last year that stretched through the entire preseason. In an interview with Complex.com posted Friday, Smith said the Cavs' offer was such that "we're not where we want to be at from a personal standpoint."
The next part is somewhat confusing. He said "I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of the Cavs for everything they've done for me, and I don't want them to feel like I'm taking advantage of them. It's more of a mutual respect thing." - CLICK HERE to read full story.
LeBron James Family Foundation donates uniforms to Firestone athletes
Author: Michael Beaven
Publication: Akron Beacon Journal
The atmosphere inside the new Firestone Community Learning Center was electric Friday afternoon.
Students gathered in the gymnasium for a scheduled pep assembly that turned into a celebration of new Nike uniforms courtesy of the LeBron James Family Foundation, which donated green, gold and white jerseys and shorts to the Firestone High School cross country and track and field teams.
Falcons athletes Justin Moore, Ciara Gisstand, Claire Moritz and Kade Peets ran out of the auditorium and into the gym where they modeled the jerseys on the basketball court. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
51Q: How long will the Cavaliers’ championship honeymoon last?
Author: Dan Feldman
Publication: NBC Sports
We continue PBT’s 2016-17 NBA preview series, 51 Questions. For the past few weeks, and through the start of the NBA season, we tackle 51 questions we cannot wait to see answered during the upcoming NBA season. We will delve into one almost every day between now and the start of the season.
Tristan Thompson missed the first practice because he hadn’t come to contract terms. LeBron James, who shares an agent with Thompson, publicly lobbied the Cavs to pay Thompson. Once play began, LeBron stepped over a fallen Kevin Love without helping him up. A report emerged that Love frustrated LeBron the prior season by arriving out of shape. LeBron called out the Cavs for looking less hungry than the Warriors. J.R. Smith was accused of choking a high schooler who mocked his trade from the Knicks. LeBron called a players-only meeting following a loss to the Raptors. Cleveland nearly fired coach David Blatt around Christmas. Love fell to the floor and had to wait a long time before any of his teammates noticed to help him up. After a 34-point home loss to Golden State, Love said the Cavaliers needed to look themselves in a mirror – starting with LeBron. The Cavs fired Blatt, a historic change amid so much winning. A report emerged that no Cleveland veterans liked Blatt. Replacement coach Tyronn Lue said Love and Kyrie Irving must focus less on their brands and more on winning. Trade rumors swirled around Love. Irving was rumored to be unhappy in Cleveland. LeBron and Irving publicly bemoaned the Cavs’ lack of an enforcer. LeBron repeatedly sent cryptic tweets. LeBron’s associates reportedly insisted he could again leave the Cavaliers in free agency. Irving’s teammates reportedly grew tired of his lack of passing. LeBron said he’d take a pay cut to play with Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul. LeBron openly showed his disgust with his teammates’ defense. Irving got caught up in a public saga of “who did what to whom when?” with his former girlfriend and a famous rapper. A rumor spread about the circumstances in which LeBron would leave the Cavs.
And that was in a season Cleveland won a championship. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
More Daily Press Links:
- (8/17) Cleveland Cavaliers have Terry Talkin' about concerns over Iman Shumpert Cleveland.com
- (8/17) Iman Shumpert indicates in rap song he may kneel during national anthem, like Colin Kaepernick Cleveland.com
- (8/17) Cleveland Cavaliers: J.R. Smith opens up about contract holdout News-Herald
- (8/17) #CavsRank: Mike Dunleavy rocks the No. 9 Spot Fear the Sword
- (8/17) Smith talks Cavs, but says nothing new Amico Hoops
- (8/17) J.R. Smith talks free agency as season looms ESPN.com
- (8/17) 18 Holes With J.R. Smith Complex.com