In Tuesday’s (6/8) New York Times, Clyde Haberman writes “Starting at its highest political reach, New York has put muscle into a campaign to lure LeBron James, considered by those who are schooled in basketball to be among LeBest players of all time. The Cleveland Cavaliers have him. But Mr. James becomes a free agent in three weeks. After that, he may go where he wishes.” Haberman notes that given the recent dismal performance of New York-area basketball teams—the Knicks and the New Jersey Nets—the overtures are understandable. “Nonetheless, the strenuous effort being poured into ‘C’mon LeBron’ raises a question. If so much energy can be expended on a basketball player, why can’t the same be done in a range of endeavors, including some that are of far greater interest to many New Yorkers? For example, the New York Philharmonic has been without a principal clarinetist since the retirement in September of Stanley Drucker, who had the job for 60 years. The orchestra has been auditioning a series of possible successors. Mr. James is not the only major talent in Cleveland worth stealing. City Hall could beat the tympanum to pry Franklin Cohen from the Cleveland Orchestra, where he is the much-admired first clarinetist. In the LeBron mode, this campaign could be called ‘Get Goin’ Cohen.’ Surely, the Philharmonic deserves as much mayoral attention as do the Knicks.”
Posted June 10, 2010
