**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.**
LeBron James, Nike throw pep rally for new basketball shoe in Akron
Author: Joe Vardon
Publication: Cleveland.com
AKRON, Ohio – Even LeBron James' shoes get pep rallies.
James and Nike celebrated the LEBRON 13, his signature basketball shoe due out in stores Oct. 10 for $200, with about 2,000 people Sunday night at the University of Akron's E.J. Thomas Hall.
Nike calls such events a shoe "launch," but no one left campus with a new pair of LeBron kicks.
Instead, the lighter, sleeker, maroon-colored pro-type shoe was unveiled as part of an evening-long pep rally of sorts, fully equipped with Cavs' two dance teams, master of ceremonies at The Q Ahmaad Crump, a disc jockey, a slam poet, NBA TV's Kristen Ledlow, and James. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
LeBron, Nike tout latest signature shoe from Cavs star during Akron events
Author: Paula Schleis
Publication: Akron Beacon Journal
LeBron James’ Akron roots. His love for Halloween. His favorite colors. His “Written in the Stars” destiny. Even his home state’s role in space exploration.
If you know how to read an athletic shoe, you��ll find many chapters in LeBron 13, the 13th signature shoe Nike is releasing in collaboration with the Cleveland Cavaliers star.
For starters, the bottom heel of every shoe has the words “LeBron James” and “Akronite” molded on the hexpad cushion.
The shoe was the focus of a movie premier-style event at E.J. Thomas Hall on Sunday to which 2,000 Akron area students, a handful of lucky residents and Cavs season ticket holders were invited. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
Phelps: The history of being 23
Author: Jeff Phelps
Publication: AmicoHoops.net
Think fast. No. 23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers? None other than LeBron James, of course. Couldn’t be anyone else — only it was.
Before LeBron became a Cavalier (not once, but twice), the No. 23 was worn by nine other Cleveland Cavaliers, none of whom wore it with much distinction.
Let’s take a look:
Gary Freeman
The No. 23 was first put to use during the Cavaliers’ first season in 1970. Gary Freeman, a 6-foot-9 forward from Oregon State, wore 23 for all of 11 games, and scored all of 15 points before being traded to Milwaukee for McCoy McLemore. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
Tristan Thompson, Cavaliers fail to reach agreement on contract
Author: Brian Windhorst
Publication: ESPN.com
The Cleveland Cavaliers and restricted free agent Tristan Thompson failed to come to a contract agreement and he is expected to miss the team's media day Monday, sources told ESPN.com.
The Cavs did not accept Thompson's most recent offer of a three-year maximum contract that his side put on the table last week.
It now seems likely Thompson will miss the start of practice Tuesday but the sides are not framing the situation as a holdout at this point. Thompson has until Thursday to accept the Cavs' one-year qualifying offer of $6.9 million that would enable him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. - CLICK HERE to read full story.