RUST BELT: (official definition in Wikipedia); The Rust Belt, sometimes called the Manufacturing Belt, is an area in parts of the Northeast U.S. and parts of the upper Midwest. Economic activity in the Rust Belt forms a significant part of the heavy industry and manufacturing sectors of the American economy.
It is also the region in which Mike D’Antoni’s Knicks discovered their grit, learned how to play fourth-quarter defense, make clutch plays in the final minutes and announce they are in the playoff race to stay.
By MARC BERMAN
CLEVELAND – Here in Northeast Ohio, The Knicks’ Rust Belt Revival Tour finishes tomorrow night at Quicken Loans Arena. The Knicks, half-game out of the eighth slot after wins in Milwaukee, Detroit and Minnesota, haven’t gone 4-0 on the same road trip in 25 years.
Maybe the only thing that can stop them now is Anucha Browne-Sanders, the University of Buffalo associate athletic director whose been hanging in Cleveland this weekend for the MAC Tournament. (Buffalo’s women lost to Ball State in the semifinals Saturday.)
With the magnitude of tomorrow’s contest, a possible playoff preview, I would like to hear some score predictions. The Cavaliers flew all day today from Sacramento, should be a little weary tomorrow, are banged up and Cleveland insiders suggest they haven’t been playing all that great right now.
It says here: Knicks 111, Cavaliers 109.
Below is a section pulled from my Saturday Special story in today’s Post, a poll of some of Cleveland’s most influential voices giving their take on King James’ future. Most can’t see him leaving their town.
TERRY PLUTO (Cleveland Plain-Dealer columnist): “I’d say it’s 80 percent he stays, 20 percent he goes. Of the 20 percent, it’s only 10 percent he goes to New York. I know it’s hard for people in NYC to believe, but this guy actually likes Cleveland and Akron. becuse that’s where he’s from and those of us from here, like it here. Not everybody in the world wants to go to New Yok and LeBron is rich enough he can fly there for lunch and come back the same day in a private plane. Unless the Cavaliers’ organization falls apart, odds are overwhelmingly he stays.”
TOM WITHERS (Cavs beat writer, Associated Press): James’ chances of winding up in New York hinge on how the Cavaliers do in this year’s playoffs. For James to be considered among the game’s greats – and he’s heading in that direction – he must win multiple NBA titles, so he’ll need to be with a team that has a reasonable chance every year. James is not going to join a team that has to rebuild around him. He has already been through that. Other factors are the changing economic climate and future CBA.. Despite his riches, he’s not going to leave $25 million on the table just to play in a big market.
MARY SCHMITT BOYER: (Plain-Dealer Cavs writer, author of several Cleveland sports books): It’s presumptuous to try and guess what LeBron might do in 2010. There are simply too many unknown factors at this point. I am sure of two things: One, he’s an astute businessman and two, he is very, very tied to the Northeast Ohio community.”
MIKE SNYDER (Sports director, WTAM Radio): “There’s a 90% chance that Lebron will remain in Cleveland. Yes, he is a superstar, but a bit of a homebody who loves being around family and friends. As long as the Cavaliers continue to make every effort to surround him with the best supporting cast, he can have it all. Sorry New York (not really).
BRIAN WINDHORST (Plain-Dealer Cavs beat writer): If the Knicks clear enough cap space to sign two max-level free agents, they’ll be quite attractive. But with the direction of the salary cap and the rules in place, that is going to be very difficult. Then at age 25 in the heart of his prime, LeBron will not be interested in starting over like when he came into the league. That is what the Knicks could be offering if they can’t pair him with another megastar. Market size plays into it and LeBron being at home isn’t as much an advantage as Cavs fans want to believe. But the guy already makes more endorsements than anyone in the league and is already on billboards in Times Square and cover of Vogue. The chance to win championships will mean more.
BOB FINNAN: (New-Herald Cavs beat writer): I’m sorry. I just don’t buy into the speculation. He genuinely enjoys playing in his home state. He stated earlier that he wants to go to a team that can win multiple championships. That team might be in Cleveland. I would not be shocked if he signs an extension this summer to stay with the Cavs.