Rochester Fans Boo As LeBron James Sits Out Preseason Game

LeBron Sits During Game In Rochester

Thousands of fans at Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena “were upset Wednesday night” when Cavaliers F LeBron James sat out a preseason game against the Raptors, according to Brian Windhorst of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL. The game was the city’s first NBA game of any sort since ’81, and newspaper and radio ads “promoted the NBA’s return, especially James’ presence.” Tickets cost $25-150, and the game drew 9,435 fans. During the game, “fans chanted ‘We Want LeBron’ and even booed when the Cavs left the floor.” The Cavs, meanwhile, “stuck to their plan of not playing James in back-to-back games in the preseason.” Cavs GM Danny Ferry: “It was an organizational decision that we thought was best for the team. We apologize to the fans of Rochester” (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 10/19). In Rochester, Fernando Diaz notes the game “was promoted as an opportunity to see James and [Raptors F] Chris Bosh,” but Bosh also sat out. Fan Michelle Williams, who attended the game with her son, said, “We understand why, but the kids don’t” (Rochester DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 10/19). Also in Rochester, Scott Pitoniak writes, “So much for the NBA marketing itself in mid-sized cities like ours. Commissioner David Stern is more concerned about the globalization of his league when he should be worrying about its popularity in cities like Rochester” (Rochester DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 10/19).