The Franchise: LeBron James and the Remaking of the Cleveland Cavaliers

Pluto and Windhorst do a very nice job of providing background, insight, analysis, and perspective on recent Cavs history. And not only from the time James was drafted. After a very brief review of Cavs history (literally a couple pages) prior to the Gund purchase, the authors provide an interesting look into the franchise from the time James was a freshman in high school. Alternating the Cavs saga with James progress during those four years is a really fascinating build-up to the drafting of James. Of particular import during this time is the story of the trade that got Shawn Kemp out of town and off the books (the story of their pursuit and acquisition of him in 1997 is given a long look also), followed by the dismantling of the team, and the additional dumping of salaries in the hopes of getting James.An in-depth look into the shoe companies courting James is followed by the elation of the Cavs getting the number one pick and choosing James. A chapter on the Carlos Boozer fiasco provides perspective on that situation and its short-term and long-term effects. Much time is given to the change of ownership to Gilbert (with some fascinating insights and perspective from Gund and Gilbert), the subsequent hiring of Brown followed by Ferry (discussion of the latter's playing career and move to Cleveland as GM is detailed), the rough start Gilbert had, lessons learned, and future successes ending in a spot in the NBA finals in 2007.Plenty of time is given to James, of course. By no means a detailed autobiography, enough information is given on his early years, and particularly his influences (family and friends), that a real solid picture is given of how he became a phenom early in life and how he developed into the star he is today.A couple of negatives, though. Apparently recent interviews with Gilbert, Gund, Embry, Paxson, Silas, Tait, and Ferry really give insight and perspective to past events. But no interviews with Brown or current or recent players, especially James, appear. I would have liked to get their thoughts. Also, particularly annoying were several typos and awkwardly worded sentences. I'm sure these will be cleared up in any future editions. But these are mild criticisms and do not substantially take away from the book.Meant to be a history of the Cavs leading up to James and how he has changed the franchise, the authors succeed admirably. A must-have for the hard-core Cavs fan, this would also be of interest to avid NBA fans of any stripe. In addition, casual fans would get great insight into how the Cavs got to where they are today and the impact one player can have on a franchise.

It used to be a game. Not any more. Once the players pass the age of about six or so, basketball (and probably every other major league sport, as well) becomes BIG Business, married without redemption to Entertainment. It's best not to forget that fact while you rejoice in the wonder that is LeBron James. HE certainly gets it! Apparently, he enjoys it all immensely, while never losing his head over it all. He seems to have been born to be a celebrity, as well as one of the greatest athletes who ever lived. And he's barely twenty-three, which coincidentally, is the number on his uniform!This book by Cleveland sportswriter Terry Pluto and Akron's Brian Windhorst analyzes the Cleveland Cavaliers in every way imaginable throughout the team's 38-year-old history, with very special attention paid to the last seven years. If you have ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in a major league team office, here's your guide. You will learn some amazing things, such as how to tear apart a team that's just slightly started on the slippery slope downward, in order to build up a hopefully better one that will be capable of pursuing championships in a legitimate way. It makes for fascinating reading.And to think, it's all happening right here-in Cleveland!Chapter Ten, which describes in minute detail the events of the Lottery evening in New Jersey, could not be more tense or suspense-laden if it were an Alfred Hitchcock movie! And if you remember that evening, you'll rejoice all over again, as Cleveland-finally!-got the grand prize.There's an entire chapter devoted to Carlos Boozer. You can judge for yourself who was honorable and who wasn't as a result of that debacle. If you've followed the team during these last years (and who locally hasn't?) you'll find all the familiar players and coaches, as well as some maybe not-quite-so-familiar names. It's truly fascinating, if for no other reason than the intimate looks at the many behind-the-scenes episodes related here, to which most of us peons can never get close.Don't be too misled by the photo of LeBron on the cover, however. This is not just a book about LeBron. The title is, after all 'The Franchise' and that's the thrust of this volume. Certainly, LeBron is (and will hopefully continue to be) a major part of the franchise, but basically, there's much to be learned about the former owner Gordon Gund and the current one, Dan Gilbert. He REALLY wants a championship, and seems willing to do whatever it takes to bring one here. I hope there will soon be a book of Gilbert's 'isms' - that would be an instant best-seller!Maybe next year will be OUR year!

Great book for anyone who is a lebron james or cavaliers fan. lots of great input and tips in it.

Sports writers will generally reserve their heaviest criticism for athletes who they feel are going through the motions in games. But the reverse should be the case when sports writers tackle a different media with the same old story.Authors Terry Pluto and Brian Windhorst inexplicably rehash vast amounts of material found in their columns in this exploration into the rebirth of the Cleveland Cavaliers through northeast Ohio superstar LeBron James.Pluto is a columnist for The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer and a best-selling author of a number of sports books, while Windhorst is the NBA beat reporter/columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal. Pluto worked for the ABJ during the years that James was emerging as a young local talent in Akron and prep star in hoops & football.Both writers obviously have solid backgrounds on their subjects because they have been covering various angles to the story for years. But newspaper columns are not necessarily the real history and with no follow-up interview with James for the book, the authors do a disservice to a reader who has followed this emerging story through the two papers.If Pluto and Windhorst tackled their research as hard as James plays for the Cavs, the book would have been a gem. Instead, it is a lackadaisical drive to the basket, only to miss an easy lay-up.