There was a certain feeling that I got while covering the Nike More Than A Game Tourstop this past weekend about which way LeBron might be leaning in the summer of 2010.  It wasn't from anything he said, but more from the things he didn't even come close to saying.  And I didn't really want to even say what I was thinking.  I really didn't even want to think it.  Then LeBron sat down with Rachel Nichols and said this...I'm sure you've seen it by now.  But if you haven't, or if you want to watch it again, here it is:

If I can actually bring myself to say what it is I'm thinking about this whole thing I will do so later this week.  Right now, I just can't. If you insist on asking me the is LeBron is staying or going question in the meantime, just know my answer's going to be real similar to the one Drew Rosenhaus gave from T.O.'s driveway.

Shaq Vs - Episode Two - Tonight:

After losing to Ben Roethlisberger in Epsiode One, look for the Shaq-alier to even up the record by way of a beach volleyball win vs. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh.  Word is that future Miami Dolphins'owner Serena Williams plans to help Shaq get ready for the match.  Over-unders and predictions aside, while I didn't expect Shaq to outduel Big Ben on the gridiron, I must say I have to like the chances of the seven foot tall O'Neal in a volleyball match against most anybody...but we shall see.  No word yet on who Shaq's temmate will be for the event, but if if ex-Nintendo stars Randy Stoklos or Sinjin Smith are available you can book this week's episode to O'Neal without even watching.

In the midst of an offseason which has featured Cleveland Cavalier rap news hitting the web on a routine basis, I was a little nervous when LBJ took to the DJ Booth this past weekend...pictured below:

For a second I thought he had 16 bars up his sleeve for Akron.  For a second I thought Fog Raw and MC Colonel Sanders were going to take the stage too.  I even thought a cameo from Joe Beast and Shaq Diesel was a possibility.  And for the next second I just hoped I was wrong.  There is no way it would come off cool if LeBron rapped.  Didn't work for AI, isn't working for Ron Artest, and it didn't work for Chris Mills and his posse way back in the day either.

But I think LeBron knows that too.  Because he just stood there for a second, nodded his head, and left before the thought of laying down a track ever crossed his mind.  Thankfully.

LeBron did say his favorite song out right now...We Run This Town - Jay - Z, Kanye, Rhianna

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron References Dunktapegate...Takes Court In Akron

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron James Puts On For His City 

More On Tour Stop:  Custom Shoe By LBJ's Tattoo Artist

More On Tour Stop:  A Walk Thru World History

Prior to the close of the Nike Tourstop this past weekend LeBron said a few words to those gathered around the court in Akron.

I was actually standing right next to Coach Dru Joyce while LeBron spoke, and even though he was right in front of me, I wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying.  Sorry 'Bron 'Bron.  While I was standing there I couldn't help but think about a comment Coach Dru made on stage earlier in the day, about his thoughts, way back when, on this whole thing, one day playing out on the big screen. 

Coach Dru Joyce:

"We really didn't realize this was gonna be a movie until these guys were about three years out of high school.  Up until then, we didn't know, at that time we were just living our lives." 

More Than A Game hits theatres Akron, Cleveland, New York, and LA on October 2nd...the release to theatres nation-wide is scheduled to follow. 

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron References Dunktapegate...Takes Court In Akron

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron James Puts On For His City 

More On Tour Stop:  Custom Shoe By LBJ's Tattoo Artist

More On Tour Stop:  A Walk Thru World History

It doesn't take a historian to tell you that there was something sorta historical about LeBron, at this stage of his career, celebrity, and social status, coming home to take a walk through the crowds of Akron kids who live in the same neighborhoods, and go to the same schools, as he once did.

Prior to making that walk from the stage to the court on Friday, Akron's Mayor Don Plusquellic spoke about the significance of the day for Akron, as well as his prediction about LeBron way back when James was only 14... 

Don Plusquellic from MTAG Akron Tourstop:

"I've been telling mayor friends and people all over, since back when LeBron was 14, that LeBron James is the greatest basketball player to ever come out of...the world!"

That's not Ohio, United States, or North America...best player to 'come out of the world.'  And now he's the MVP. Got that mayor friends? 

LeBron James at Akron Tourstop:

"This is Jimmy, he does all my tattoos."

The 'Jimmy' that took the stage with LeBron and company - pictured to the right of James - is tattoo artist Jimmy Hayden.  In addition to doing all of LBJ's ink-work, he also designed the pair of shoes that LeBron is holding in the picture above.  They're pretty cool, but whether it be in a Sunday night rec game, or with a pair of jeans, I'm just not sure I could pull those off.  I'm sure James could though. 

On the origin for the design of the kicks, said Hayden:

"They were inspired by LeBron's work ethic."

Prior to LeBron and Dru Joyce taking to the court for a shoot-around yesterday in Akron, the mc of the event, Robin Simone, in the style of old-fashioned ribbing, told Dru Joyce, that there was a kid in the crowd who said he could take him in a three point shoot-out.

Joyce said in response: "Point 'em out. They not serious.  Point 'em out." 

Then Robin turned to LeBron and said:

"And there were some people out there saying they could dunk on you."

To which LeBron replied:

"Its possible, its possible.  I've been getting dunked on  a lot lately."

More On Tour Stop: LeBron Puts On for His City

More On Tour Stop: Chris Paul and LeBron James On Court in Akron

New Orleans' Hornet Chris Paul made a cameo in Akron on Friday, joining LBJ for a shoot-around at Nike's MTAG Tourstop.

As I stood there courtside I got to thinking that it makes sense CP3 and LBJ are friends.  They have a lot in common.  They're both Nike guys, both won Rookie of the Year Awards, both are perennial All Stars, both have taken their teams to the playoffs, and both won Gold Medals this past Olympics. 

And as I continued to stand there, I realized there is just about nothing that these world-class athletes have in common with me.  I touched the bottom of the bracket that attaches the rim to the backboard one time when I was 21 and considered myself an outstanding leaper for about a week. 

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron References Dunktapegate...Takes Court In Akron

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron James Puts On For His City 

More On Tour Stop:  Custom Shoe By LBJ's Tattoo Artist

More On Tour Stop:  A Walk Thru World History

More On Tour Stop:  LBJ in the Booth...Don't Do It!

When I got down to Akron for Nike's More Than a Game Tour Stop Friday, the first thing I did was pick up the credentials that were left by Nike for Brendan from Stepien Rules at the media check in desk.  After that though, nobody noticed I was even there, or remotely cared in the slightest that I made the trip.

They went crazy for this guy though, and when he took the stage he threw basketballs out to the kids, reveled in a frenzied roar, and did kinda funny poses like the one below.

Just before LeBron and company (Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, and Coach Dru) took the stage, Young Jeezy's I Put On was roaring through the speakers.  And when they sat down for a Q and A, LeBron says that's exactly what he does...for Akron (oh god please don't leave Cleveland).

 From LBJ during the Q and A:

"Everything I did, and everything I do is for the city of Akron.  The city of Akron did everything for me, and I am going to continue everyday to rep Akron, and to continue to put my city on"

Editor's Note:  In the next few days we will be posting a series of pics, quotes, and aimless commentary in blogstyle coverage of Nike's More Than A Game Akron Tour Stop...

More On Tour Stop:  Chris Paul and LeBron James On Court In Akron

More On Tour Stop:  LeBron References Dunktapegate...Takes Court In Akron

When the movie ended last night, a minor frenzy ensued as people who love free things started gobbling up all the extra shirts left on the empty seats that happened to be in and around my section.  Apparently you can't have too many MTAG shirts in your closet these days. A Picture of the shirt that caused the stir is below...one was enough for me by the way.

More Than A Game T-Shirt: Front

More Than A Game T-Shirt: Back

Click Here For More on the Akron Screening of MTAG