Quote:If I kept saying I was going to do something then changed my mind I'd say something similar. Not that I make a habit of going back on my word, but you know what I mean. It's like they said this to save face if they decide not to after repeatedly saying they'll match anything. I wonder how much Mack not wanting to be there factors into the equation.

 

 

Quote:It has to be a big factor, because they told him if he didn't want to be there, they wouldn't stand in his way.   Now, if they match the offer, they have publicly lied to one of their best players.   So Mack goes back into that Cleveland locker room and there is talk among the players about how the front office lied.   At that point, the only guy who can save them from a poisonous situation in their locker room is Alex Mack.   If he doesn't want to let them off the hook for lying to him, it can somewhat poison the locker room.  

 

Credibility is important, and that's why owners should not talk to the media about things like this.   The owner inevitably contradicts the GM. 

 

Bingo. The internal politics of the Cleveland Organization are most likely a huge concern for them right now. While the money may be there for them to re-sign Jordan, Haden, Gordon, et al, the goodwill may not be if the players decide that the Front Office will not deal fairly with them. Contentious negotiations can be handled but they do take time, time that may be better off used elsewhere.

 

I do not know if Cleveland will match or not, but it seems like they have a rather narrow corner that they have gotten themselves into and they are going to need to find a way out.

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