PD sports writer says pressure from endorsement companies to win championships may have led LeBron to join Heat.
Michael Jordan says joining rivals like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson is not something he would have done.Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright. Let's go to the highlights:
• Michael Jordan said in an interview at a golf tournament that when he played, he never would have thought of joining Larry Bird and Magic Johnson on the same team - similar to what LeBron James has done by joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. What do you think of Jordan's comments? Vote in the Starting Blocks poll posted now in the blog.
• Plain Dealer sports writer Dennis Manoloff, today's guest, says on the show that Jordan's comments have to hurt LeBron, who grew up idolizing Jordan and wore his number for his entire career so far. Also, Manoloff talks about endorsements, and whether the demands for championships causes athletes to go "ring chasing" to validate their multimillion-dollar contracts with the products they endorse.
Dman also says he's eager to see the Indians play tonight against the Twins (8:10 p.m. on STO), and has enjoyed watching the progress of Michael Brantley and the other young Tribe prospects.
Starting Blocks TV will return Wednesday morning with Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston as the guest. Have a question you'd like to ask Livy about the Browns, Cavs or Tribe (or LeBron)? Post it in the comments below and we'll pick the best ones for Wednesday's show.