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Bench Warmer
Ideally, Cleveland fans want LeBron James to sign a contract extension.
Until then, they'll settle for an autographed copy of his new book.
Dozens of fans spent the night outside an area bookstore for the chance to meet the Cavaliers' superstar, who can become a free agent next summer.
"Slept in that chair right there," Joe Straubhaar of Brook Park said Friday, pointing to his overnight accommodations. "I hope it was worth it."
Straubhaar arrived at Borders Books on Thursday afternoon with his wife, Nichole, and good friend, Scott Nagy. The trio of Cavs fans were the first in line to get wristbands assuring them of two signed copies of James' book, "Shooting Stars," the story of his rise as a hoops prodigy in Akron.
The book is co-authored by Buzz Bissinger, who wrote "Friday Night Lights," regarded as one of the finest sports books ever published.
By mid-afternoon Friday, the store had given away almost all of the 600 wristbands to see James, who has been on a worldwide promotional tour for the book as well as the documentary, "More Than a Game."
As they waited for James, fans sat on the sun-baked sidewalk and talked about his approaching free agency; the addition of All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal to the Cavaliers' roster; and whether next season may be the one when a Cleveland team finally ends the city's championship drought.
Like most Clevelanders, Nagy, sporting one of James' No. 23 jerseys, is hoping the reigning NBA MVP will stay with the Cavaliers for years. He is only signed through next season.
"His mom was on TV the other day and said he wasn't leaving," Nagy said. "They say he listens to his mom. Hopefully with Shaq here he won't want to leave."
Cleveland fans are used to having their hearts broken, which is why some believe James is as good as gone.
"It wouldn't surprise me if he left," said Nichole Straubhaar, wearing a gray hooded "WITNESS" sweatshirt. "That would be so Cleveland. Just when something good starts to happen, something bad usually pops up. I want to believe that he'll stay, but seeing him go would be fitting around here."
James has not given any indication he'll leave, a fact he continually points out in interviews. But he has yet to sign an extension offered made by the Cavaliers in July, which has made some of his biggest supporters nervous.
"I don't think he knows what he wants to do," Joe Straubhaar said.
James' popularity has never been greater. He's an A-list celebrity on a worldwide scale. But it all began in Ohio, where sports stars have always been given a unique reverence.
Browns quarterback Brady Quinn grew up a Cleveland sports fan and can relate to the passion directed at James.
"It's almost a religion," Quinn said. "I think people appreciate not only the entertainment of it, but everything else he has put into it. LeBron has worked incredibly hard to get to where he's at. It's not just that he's just an incredibly gifted athlete, but he has worked to perfect his craft and people see that, which is why they're so crazy about him."
They're crazy about Quinn, too, though not yet at James' level. When it's time for James to decide on his future, that fan loyalty might be something he strongly considers before making a move.
"I hope so," Quinn said. "He has created a legacy here, and it has started with those fans, all the support they have given him."
Nagy was excited about getting a book signed for his 12-year-old son, Brandon. He was also trying to figure out to say when he meets James.
"I guess," he said. "Don't leave Cleveland, right?"
Until then, they'll settle for an autographed copy of his new book.
Dozens of fans spent the night outside an area bookstore for the chance to meet the Cavaliers' superstar, who can become a free agent next summer.
"Slept in that chair right there," Joe Straubhaar of Brook Park said Friday, pointing to his overnight accommodations. "I hope it was worth it."
Straubhaar arrived at Borders Books on Thursday afternoon with his wife, Nichole, and good friend, Scott Nagy. The trio of Cavs fans were the first in line to get wristbands assuring them of two signed copies of James' book, "Shooting Stars," the story of his rise as a hoops prodigy in Akron.
The book is co-authored by Buzz Bissinger, who wrote "Friday Night Lights," regarded as one of the finest sports books ever published.
By mid-afternoon Friday, the store had given away almost all of the 600 wristbands to see James, who has been on a worldwide promotional tour for the book as well as the documentary, "More Than a Game."
As they waited for James, fans sat on the sun-baked sidewalk and talked about his approaching free agency; the addition of All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal to the Cavaliers' roster; and whether next season may be the one when a Cleveland team finally ends the city's championship drought.
Like most Clevelanders, Nagy, sporting one of James' No. 23 jerseys, is hoping the reigning NBA MVP will stay with the Cavaliers for years. He is only signed through next season.
"His mom was on TV the other day and said he wasn't leaving," Nagy said. "They say he listens to his mom. Hopefully with Shaq here he won't want to leave."
Cleveland fans are used to having their hearts broken, which is why some believe James is as good as gone.
"It wouldn't surprise me if he left," said Nichole Straubhaar, wearing a gray hooded "WITNESS" sweatshirt. "That would be so Cleveland. Just when something good starts to happen, something bad usually pops up. I want to believe that he'll stay, but seeing him go would be fitting around here."
James has not given any indication he'll leave, a fact he continually points out in interviews. But he has yet to sign an extension offered made by the Cavaliers in July, which has made some of his biggest supporters nervous.
"I don't think he knows what he wants to do," Joe Straubhaar said.
James' popularity has never been greater. He's an A-list celebrity on a worldwide scale. But it all began in Ohio, where sports stars have always been given a unique reverence.
Browns quarterback Brady Quinn grew up a Cleveland sports fan and can relate to the passion directed at James.
"It's almost a religion," Quinn said. "I think people appreciate not only the entertainment of it, but everything else he has put into it. LeBron has worked incredibly hard to get to where he's at. It's not just that he's just an incredibly gifted athlete, but he has worked to perfect his craft and people see that, which is why they're so crazy about him."
They're crazy about Quinn, too, though not yet at James' level. When it's time for James to decide on his future, that fan loyalty might be something he strongly considers before making a move.
"I hope so," Quinn said. "He has created a legacy here, and it has started with those fans, all the support they have given him."
Nagy was excited about getting a book signed for his 12-year-old son, Brandon. He was also trying to figure out to say when he meets James.
"I guess," he said. "Don't leave Cleveland, right?"
