Little Help? Why LeBron's Not Into Lobbying

By Brian Windhorst
ESPN.com











ORLANDO -- A night after the two had a chilly exchange on the bench during an embarrassing loss, LeBron James rolled around on the floor of the visitors locker room at Amway Arena and mocked teammate Damon Jones.

Jones, speaking to a reporter, was trying to clear up a long-running mistake in his bio that he was a ballboy for the Houston Rockets as a kid. James didn't miss a chance for any sophomoric humor in any sentence containing the word "ball."

Then James went out and nearly posted a triple-double in the Cavs 118-111 victory over the Magic. It was as if he wasn't playing minus three key teammates -- down due to injury -- or in the team's fourth game in five nights.

The exchange between James and Jones was just a little slice of life in the Cavs' season, with no particular meaning except it is part of a behavioral pattern the Cavs have gotten used to with their superstar. There isn't much that worries him, there isn't much that gets him down and he's always smiling because he's got time on his side.

Two weeks ago, James raised eyebrows when he matter-of-factly said he hoped his front office was trying to get Jason Kidd when the Nets point guard went public with a trade demand. "I don't think that's something you have to tell the front office," James said.
Was it the beginning of a strategy, some wondered, to apply pressure to get some help on the roster? Was it the first indication of a Kobe Bryant-like demand to get help or else? Could it be the first signs he wants out?
Nope, that is not James. Not in the least.

Even as Cavs fans fill up message boards and pepper talk shows upset that it appears general manager Danny Ferry will let the trade deadline pass without the sort of blockbuster seen in Los Angeles and Phoenix -- a major talent influx that could get the Cavs over the hump -- LeBron will simply smile and solider on.

James said something about Kidd because he was asked about it. If broached with the same question about Pau Gasol or Shaquille O'Neal, he'd give versions of the same answer. Indeed, he would like to play with them, but who wouldn't? But he doesn't have to stand on a soap box to say it or send it through backdoor channels.
James sent his message loud and clear in the summer of 2006. He smiled and told the Cavs he'd be glad to take their maximum contract offer … for three seasons. The Cavs' entire organization relaxed and then took a gulp -- they were back on the clock.

Ever since, he doesn't really need to waste breath or lose sleep over potential trades and free agents. James will almost never put down his teammates. He will shy away from making excuses for the Cavs' shortcomings. He just produces and carries the Cavs night after night, being the difference-maker in virtually every victory.

That's why he didn't even feel the need to shoot Ferry a text message when Kidd's comments hit the national media. Nor was he inclined to check in to see if the Cavs are close to pulling a roster-shaking deal before next week's deadline.

His position on the matter is quite clear. He is committed, and fully committed at that, to the Cavs until the summer of 2010 when James will be only 25 years old and about to enter his prime. Then he'll be able to make another statement about his feelings on the franchise and the roster around him.
That looming date and the massive stakes that come with it in Cleveland, are more than enough to keep the Cavs' attention.
Brian Windhorst covers the Cavs and the NBA for the Akron Beacon Journal.