http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/4633 Recent articles about Ira Newble en-us Please note that this post is not aimed to stir the pot as much as to get a gauge for what the consensus feeling is regarding LeBron James and his presidential campaign support. We all know that Michael Jordan refused to support one party or another, claiming that both parties by shoes. A cop-out, sure. But one that could have cost Jordan a few dollars in the Nike column. But LeBron has decided to go another route, standing up for what he believes in; putting his money where is mouth is. But what about where his mouth was? Before this week, James has circumvented the entire political issue. At least in the media. On April 30th, LeBron discussed the infamous cover of Vogue magazine. While we agreed that there were definately more important things to worry about than what was "perceived" (like, you know, the playoffs?). But at the end of his post, LeBron wrote: "Besides there are more important things going on like the upcoming presidential election. Get out and vote! It would be great to see history made this time around, like seeing America's first African-American president. GO OBAMA!!!!" At least we now know who LBJ is standing behind. You never know, we've seen stranger things - like a Yankees hat, or hearing that he's a Dallas Cowboys fan. Opening day? But I digress. About a month later on May 21st, LeBron spoke out about Darfur given the news regarding Ira Newble's letter, and James' unwillingness to sign. Within said post, James writes: "I believe that politics and sports shouldn't mix and it is best for the politicians to work out these types of issues." In June, James and his girlfriend Savannah were invited to New York (ugh!) where he would then join Senator Obama and his wife Michelle for a dinner, which was quoted as an "unbelievable experience." LeBron also said at the time that he was not going to campaign for either presidential candidate. "I'm not so far into it, I don't feel I need to be hands-on into it," he said. "You want to keep athletics and politics separate." Again, with the separation between sports and politics; something that I can fully stand behind, especially considering the level of James' popularity as well as the scrutiny behind each and every move he makes. But then we have this. Twenty thousand dollars sent to a committee that is "devoted" to getting Senator Barack Obama into the White House in November. Party lines aside, is this move not merging athletics and politics - the one issue that James had opposed; at least up until this past week? Do I think that its wrong of James to do? Not at all. Standing behind what you believe is something I wish more people did, instead of just complaining about issues instead of offering resolutions. Obviously, James feels that Senator Obama is the answer. But given the past year of avoiding politics all together, was this move a tad on the hypocritical side? Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:18:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299204 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299204 So with the trade deadline passing at 3PM yesterday and a flurry of blockbuster trades and signings in 2008, it is time to look at the winners and the losers. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:32:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/161756 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/161756 Ben Wallace better off now? A breakdown of the trade of the day in the NBA. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:12:24 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/159260 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/159260 Cleveland GM Danny Ferry finally pulled off a deal to try to appease star Lebron James before the 3 PM deadline, brokering a 3-way deal with Central Division foe Chicago and the Seattle SuperSonics. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:57:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/158864 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/158864 A huge trade has been agreed on involving the Cavaliers, Bulls and Sonics. Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, and Joe Smith are just some of the big names who have been involved. Check it out on The NBA Source. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:29:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/158478 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/158478 Ben Wallace, Chris Duhon and Joe Smith to Cleveland for Drew Gooden, Donyell Marshall, Ira Newble, Shannon Brown, Devin Brown and Cederic Simmons … unless Ilgauskas is in this deal. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:07:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/157949 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/157949 Chad Ford wrote during a chat that he recieved a call by a third party that there are trade talks that would send Ben Wallace to Chicago for Drew Gooden, Ira Newble, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons to Chicago. It's only a third party source, but there's only one way to find out and that's 3pm ET. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:26:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/157733 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/157733 Remember back when Agent Zero was pubbin' Caron Butler on his NBA.com Blog, talking about how he's never seen Caron play ball like he was during the back-to-back wins over Boston, in or around that entry he started making mention of his All-Star picks. His guards in the East consisted of but were not limited to Rip, Chauncey, and Ray Allen. All of whom have strong cases, and no one would really argue if they made the game. But then it happened, he put Brandon Roy's All-Star campaign on blast. Gil said, "19 and 5 a game?" insinuating that Brandon's numbers weren't quite on the All-Star level yet. Putting aside the fact that strictly looking at the numbers never tells the whole story, how Eastern centered was his bias? 1.) How do Roy's numbers stack up to those other cats that Agent Gil doesn't question as far as All-Star status? Brandon's 19.7 PPG is better than Chauncey, Rip, or Ray Ray, his 4.6 Rebs are better than all 3 again, and his 5.8 dimes per from the 2-guard is 1.5 more than Hamilton, and almost 3 full assists more than Ray, while only being 1.3 assists short of the true PG Chauncey. 2.) Numbers to the wayside, iRoy's intangibles are beyond All-Star. In addition to transforming his offense in the 4th quarter to pick up the scoring when the team needs him to and being the emotional catalyst for a team that is playing about 15 games better than anyone projected them, he defends the other team's #1 scoring option from PG's thru SF's. How about guarding Iverson for part of the game, then bodying up All-Star Carmelo Anthony on the block with the late 4th Quarter lead on the line, and smooth blocking the shot clean? Chesting up to All-Star Joe Johnson, hounding him into losing control of the ball, and having to fade away at the buzzer from beyond the arch to seal a Blazer 'W'. LeBron did get the best of Roy, I won't try to make an excuse, LBJ is just filthy… but getting 2 out of 3 defensive stops against prolific scorers like 'Melo, JJ, and 'Bron is just plain Grown Man of him. (wandering tangent: someone tell me why after James hit his 3rd straight triple, the Blazer guarding the man setting the screen for James didn't step up and contest/force James to pass to the man rolling off the screen. Is it because they were afraid of letting Ilgauskas, Gooden, Newble, or Hughes beat them? Here's a hint: let them.) 3.) Someone please ask Arenas if he thinks now that he deserved an All-Star nod his sophomore year in the L, when he was the Associations Most Improved Player, and he was passed over for Peja, Marbury, the Glove, Dirk, Nash and Marion as reserves. His stats that year? A point and a half less that Roy, a tenth of a board more, and a half an assist more. The big difference between the 2? Golden State was 8 games under .500 at the Break, Portland is currently 6 games over .500. Agent Zero is probably one of the 5 best Points in the game when healthy. On the court, he is seldom off the mark (save for this season of course). And while he did pick Brandon to win R.O.Y. last year (not that it was a hard call to make), he was way off the mark to question whether or not this would be the year that iRoy would earn his first—in what will likely be a long stretch—of All-Star appearances. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:58:57 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/139425 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/139425 Rubber men and crying fans. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:17:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/138815 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/138815 The latest radio show that was on WKNR in Cleveland. Cleveland sports talk featuring me, Jordan Sherwood and Antonio. Check it out. Sun, 10 Feb 2008 12:23:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/136730 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/136730 The impaired Cavs take on the Hawks and score a big win. Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:50:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/133374 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/133374 Watching the game with my dog from now on. Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:04:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/131676 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/131676 Ira Newble is a great defensive player. Doesn't get much playing time, though. And he quietly petitions on behalf of the people in Darfur. Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:57:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/120083 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/120083 One more reason to love Ira Newble. Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:02:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/118828 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/118828 Maybe I overstate the negatives, but I can't help but feel like this team would do better with someone who was a complete master of the game. At this rate and with the numbered problems above, I still view Mike Brown as a defensive specialist who hasn't figured out his weaknesses and how, as leader of the team in the East with arguably the most talented player in the NBA, to overcome those weaknesses. Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:00:39 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/72800 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/72800