Rochester's Mad…Who's to Blame

 

Wednesday night, the Cavaliers played an exhibition game against the Toronto Raptors in Rochester.  It was a Raptors’ home game and they advertised the game heavily in Rochester as a chance to see LeBron James play.  They were charging upwards of $150 per seat to see King James play.  One problem…he didn’t take the floor.

 

The people who paid out the cash were upset and rightly so.  They wanted to see one of the NBA’s best play in their town.  I think the Cavaliers are partially to blame and here’s why.

 

Cavaliers’ management has to understand that LBJ is one of basketball’s biggest attractions, and wherever they play James is going to be the focal point.  Now, I agree the LeBron played in the World Championships this summer and the team is trying to cut down on his minutes in exhibition games to cut down on the wear and tear on their superstar.  However, at a home game the night before, James played substantial minutes for a practice game. 

 

Knowing his importance to the sport, the Cavs could have sat James in the game at the Gund (he will play more than 40 games there this season, after all) and played him a little bit in Rochester.  Part of having a transcedent superstar on the team is realizing the responsibility you have to the sport.  I understand the people who had tickets to the game here on Tuesday night might have been unhappy, but if they weren’t paying a regular season price to an exhibition game, perhaps their disappointment would have been lessened. 

 

That’s the rub.  The wine and gold used to play one home exhibition game.  Now that LeBron is here, they play three.  Season ticket holders used to get the pre-season game for free, now they have to pay.  And with their good customers paying for the games, the Cavs feel obligated to play James in those home games.  That’ why he didn’t play in Rochester.  Coach Mike Brown didn’t want James playing on back to back nights, so of course he sat out the game on the road. 

 

The people in Rochester can blame greed for #23 not playing there on Wednesday night.  Their anger should be directed at the Cavs’ management.

 

JK