Down to the Wire

It all comes down to this. First off, I like the Heat. I think DWade is arguably the 2nd best player in the league behind Kobe. That makes LeBron 2b in a somewhat virtual tie with Wade, but giving the edge to DWade because he has actually won in dramatic fashion unless LBJ. That being said, what in the FFFFFUUUUUCCCCKKKK is wrong with these guys? This is pathetic that Miami looks so good in spurts and looks so terrible in others. Dallas shot 13-19 on 3s, but how many were wide open 3s after terrible switches or lost assignments after clogging the lane? Why are you crowding the lane against a team that has ZERO slashers? Stay at home, Dallas would have to beat me 1on1 all day before I help on defense. Will Dallas shoot this good again, probably so if they are wide open. 


5 Ways for Miami to Come Back
1. Leave Mike Bibby in Dallas. Give him the wrong flight information. Leave him in the hotel. Let him oversleep on the flight and make sure he makes the next flight to Alaska. He is virtually worseless right now. He has no confidence in his shot, couldn't go by Jason Kidd if he had quiksand, and is only decent on defense. Not to say Chalmers is that much of an upgrade but he has been pretty decent on offense. Bibby's minutes have decreased to 15 mins a game, why not bring that off the bench instead of the 1st quarter? 
2. In addition to coming off the bench, throw more flame throwers at Dallas. Can we get a James Jones sighting? Why wouldn't throw House/Bibby/Jones in some kind of simple rotation of whoever is hot? Neither is as bad of a defensive liability as Peja who is buried on Dallas bench.

3. Give Chris Bosh some football gloves in the 3rd/4th quarter like a QB in cold weather. He has been better than expected this series but he is who we thought he was. A role player. A soft guy. He is the modern day Horace Grant without the goggles and the great defense. But he has been invisible in the 3rd to 4th quarter. 


4. Get DWade the ball. He is obviously the only one on the court that is ballin the entire game. He has to be looking at his teammates wishing he had Shaq and Gary Payton right now. 


5. Bring in Hakeem Olajuwon to teach LeBron some offensive moves IMMEDIATELY. If he can help Dwight Howard, he has to be able to teach this guy at least 3 post moves over the weekend. James has got to want to shed the label of Quitness, a front runner, and momma's boy and force this series to 7 games and win. He can't just win now, he has to dominate and be special if he ever wants to crack top 10 greatest ever. Like his tweet, it is NOW "Now or never."


In other news, Floyd "Coward" Mayweather has yet to respond to this diss track by Manny "Pound-for-Pound" Pacquiao.





This fight will never happen. Mayweather is the undisputed king of running. Recent reports have him linked to Bin-Laden and the two alledgedly wrote a book "The Art of Hiding." It clearly will be a best seller. Fake Freddie Roach getting his Delonte West on in the video. At the 1:50 min mark, it gets hella funny.

NBA Finals: Heat vs Mavs? Award Roundup

Barring a meltdown of the Heatles, looks like the Finals will be an instant replay of Dallas Mavs vs Miami Heat. 
Season Series:
Dallas won the season series 2-0. The games were in November and December. The Dallas win in December snapped the Heat's 12 game win streak at the time were they first started to put everything together. That was also the stretch in which Dallas looked like they do right now, the best team in the West by winning 17 out of 18 games. 
Matchups:
PG - Obviously Dallas has the advantage and Jason Kidd wins this matchup hands down. Kidd is the ultimate floor general, sneaky good defender, and somehow 3pt specialist. Miami is working with the by committee approach of Chalmers/Bibby. Coach Spo doesnt seem to want to give Chalmers the green light for some reason. Maybe Chalmers owes him money for a poker game or something but he should be starting right now. Bibby should be in spot duty.
SG - Advantage Heat. DWade should get back on track vs Deshawn "Diamonds in my Damn Chain" Stevenson. Elephant in the room - Until OT vs Bulls in last game, Wade has been lightweight..... terrible. I can see the Bulls have people that can guard Wade pretty good but Wade is taking a backseat to LeBron right now.  
SF - Advantage Heat. Besides from the next guy on this list, who is playing the best basketball right now? LeBron has picked it up defensively and offensively since the Boston series and looks unstoppable right now. If he only stops saying he doesn't want to play PG, then he would settle into that role perfectly. Marion will have his hands full but will make things tough on LeBron. 
PF - Dirk Diggler is showing you White Men Can't Jump, but they can shoot the J. Dirk has been enfuego the last 2 weeks. He is almost impossible to guard. If I were the Heat, I would give Dirk a heavy dosage of LeBron and Haslem. 
C - Can I list Bosh as Center? Miami is not going to play Big Z, Anthony, or any other DLeague caliber player from here on out right? I see the Heat going with a variation of Wade/LBJ/Miller/Bosh/Haslem or Chalmers from here on out. Isn't that there best lineup? If so, Advantage Bosh. Tyson Chandler is no Joakim Noah but he blocks shots. I see him in foul trouble for most of the series. Bosh has been playing with a candle under his ass (no homo) and rightfully so. If he has the 15 ft jumper going, look out.
Bench - Dallas. People keep saying how deep Dallas bench is, they have Jason "I only show up every other game" Terry, Peja "This is why i'm hot" Stokajvic, and JJ "Dynomite" Barea. Can someone tell me how JJ Barea is making these guys look bad? Is it because he is shorter and slower than every other guard in the league that they are not used to that change of pace? If White Mike Miller, Haslem, Anthony, and White Mike Bibby show up half the time, I really see the bench as a wash, slight advantage Dallas. The problem is that none of those names on Dallas can play defense.
Who's Hot:
Nobody is hotter than LeBron and Dirk right now. They are sharing the co-mvp award right now. Since Dirk is the more consistent scorer, I figure he will stay on fire. If Dallas keeps all of there 3pt shooters on floor (Kidd/Terry/Peja/Dirk/Chandler lineup), the games will be in the 120's easily. As for LeBron, he has to eat Mark Cubans kids the first few games. Heat have a chance to take care of home first, before heading to Jerry's World. 

Who's Not:
The missing link in this series for the Mavs is the services of one Mr. Tough Juice. Racine's finest Caron Butler has been out and will miss this series. He was the one guy that can guard LeBron and Wade effectively. Marion will do a feasible job but he doesn't have the offensive firepower of Butler either. 
X-Factor:
Dallas - If the 3pt shot is falling for the Mavs, it is going to be a tough stretch for the Heat. The games they lost this playoffs mostly included teams getting hot from behind the arc. 
Miami Losses - Philly 8-18 3s, Boston 9-18 3s, Bulls 10-21 3s. There style of defense is a scramble switching, often lose track of their assignment, which leads to open kick out 3s and losing the rebound game. Miami has tried to correct that after each loss.
Miami - If the tempo is good and the ball is moving, Miami wins. The Heat have a tendency to play pick up ball, meaning, here is the ball, your turn to make a move. The ball sticks in someone's hand and the defense is able to shut down the one-on-one moves easier. Movement, running, and swinging the ball as simple as it sounds, is the key to Miami's success. Having 3 players that can get hot doesn't hurt either.
Who Wins:
History repeats itself. Heat in 6. Maybe they will shoot the next video for the DJ Khaled remix to "All I Do is Win" at KOD.



A Little Revisionist History: 
How my pre-season predictions played out in NBA?
Pre-season MVP - Split MVP between Durant and the new forgotten star, Kobe. It can't be DWade or LeBron unless they split the award and that wont happen unless they win 75 games. Durant, aka Dookie from the Wire, has the image the NBA wants right now. I think this will be the last hooray for Kobe. The Lakers will more than likely have the best record in the West and Kobe being the best player on the team....well you see where I'm going.
Reality: Derrick Rose took the LeBron James Do It Yourself Award by leading the Bulls to a league best 62-20 record. After watching them in the playoffs, you walk away with 2 conclusions: Did Rose wear himself out carrying the Bulls all year? and Who are they going to sign to give him some help on offense?

Pre-season Defensive POY - LeBron James - He has everything to prove. Remember he was 2nd to Howard last year. Playing in an uptempo style where he can be the rover....look the F@()k out. Sleeper - Serge Ibaka, OKC. I know most people have never heard of him, but this cat is legit. Will probably lead the league in blocks.
Reality: Dwight Howard ran away with this award again. Surprisely, he should have been considered for most times looking at his teammates with the "I cant believe I play with you bums" face. Hello LA.
Pre-season Best Wing Man - Delonte West. Not on the court but wouldn't you love to go out hanging with Delonte as long as he took his medicine? You never know if you gonna end up at some 
over 40 club or in the streets, but you know you gonna have some stories to tell.
Reality: This should be renamed to the MILF Hunter and Delonte would be the GOAT. 
Pre-season Rookie of Year - John Wall for one simple reason, Blake Griffin is gonna get hurt. He jumps around like he just realized he has legs. Wall is gonna lead the Wiz to the playoffs, not a drastic feat since it will only be about 35 wins. If Blake doesn't get hurt and Baron Davis shows up to work, Blake could get it done. Check the video for highlights 5 and 7.
Reality: Blake managed to stay healthy while delivering the most overrated Dunk Contest finale in league history. After he leaves the Clippers in 2 years, I wonder if he would go back to OKC and make a younger big three with Durant and Westbrook. 

Pre-season Sixth Man - JJ Redick - He will get more looks this year. He is a dead eye shooter and surprisely, he has gotten better every year.
Reality: Lamar Khardasian-Odom won, but should he even be eligible? He is a starter right?
Pre-season Most Improved - Darren Collison. He almost made people forget about Chris Paul in New Orleans for a minute.
Reality: Ok. Ok. I was reaching. Kevin Love wins after he went streaking with double doubles.  
Pre-season Biggest Surprise - Gilbert Arenas - he doesn't have to handle the ball anymore. Agent Zero gets to play off the ball with Wall running through opposing defenders in the lane. Is there a scarier image than Arenas running trailer on a Wall fast break to the 3pt line?
Reality:  Arenas was surprised. He was traded to a better team, with a franchise player, where he was able to come off the bench and just shoot. Perfect situation right???? It would be if he could buy some new knees with all that money. Agent Zero showed flashes, but he still hasnt recovered. Pre-season Not So Surprising - Greg Oden gets hurt. Melo gets traded. Tim Duncan retires.
Reality: Check.
Pre-season First Team - Howard, Dookie, LeBron, Wade, Kobe
Reality: Swap Wade with DRose MVP. Nobody honestly saw Rose make that leap did they? Cmon...be for real.
Pre-season Second Team - Amare, Pau Gasol, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Carmelo
Reality: Ouch. No Joe, DWill or Melo. Dirk and Westbrook. Yes that same Westbrook. 
Pre-season Third Team - Al Jefferson, Chris Paul, Monta Ellis, Bosh, Rose.
Reality: At least I got CP3. Aldridge, ZBo, Horford and Ginobili. Manu should gotten Comeback POY if there is such an award. And what can I say about ZBo....dominated and retired the Spurs in the Playoffs. 

The Crying Game

1. The Crying game....... Watsup with the Miami Heat?

KeFarin: So, I know the song says "Big Girls don't cry," but this here is ridiculous.  The Heat are looking dejected on the floor and apparently in the locker room too.  After the Bulls defeated the Heat on Sunday, Heat Coach Eric Spoelstra did the unforgivable.  He told the media wolves that some of the guys were so upset at the loss that they were crying.  There is no crying in Baseball ( A League of their Own), but I know for sure that there is no crying in the NBA.  Anyway... the Heat have lost 5 in a row, looking for 6 if the Lakers have anything to say about it on Thursday night...

DProfessor: So, didnt we say the same thing, minus the tears about the Lakers? I know I know, the Lakers are the two-time defending champs, the Heat aint won nothing, bluh bluh bluh. Having watch these guys play 40 mins of hell and then 8 mins of shame every game is disturbing. Do I think this will happen in the playoffs, not so much. But at the same time I do think it is overblown. If anything, Bosh and Spolestra need to see who stays over the summer, they have been awful. No bench rotation, no toughness, no rings. Chris Webber summed it all up HERE.

2. Lakers Undefeated Since Allstar Break

DProfessor: I believe we said that this is not April and the Lakers will be ok.....and they have been just that. Ron Artest in back in therapy, Kobe is well Kobe, and Pau has bloomed into a Black Swan. I hate to say it looks like they are on cruise control but......who really can push them in the West.

KeFarin: So, it is finally back to business as usual in LA.  They are 7-0 since the break, and look to be in playoff form after the dominating win over the NBA's team with the best record, San Antonio Spurs.  The West is still jam packed at the top, but the Lakers look prime for another run at the championship.  

 3. How far can Rose and the Bulls go in the Playoffs?

KeFarin: So Derrick Rose and the Bulls are looking unstoppable right about now.  Derrick Rose is looking quite MVPish if y'all haven't been paying attention.  This team is in my opinion, the deepest team in the league right now. Derrick Rose is the clear leader here so we know who's gonna have the ball in his hands at the end of the game.  This is one of the quickest teams in the league and the best ( you heard me, best) defensive team in the league.  Numbers don't lie.  This team is a year early to the "Contender Party," but will have no problem playing the crasher role.  With Miami in decline, Boston losing Perkins, and Orlando... nevermind, the Bulls look to be in prime position to beat anyone.

DProfessor: The Bulls are a good solid team. The Bulls are really nice. I don't think this is their year. When was the last time a team won it all with one playmaker, one post scorer, and hustle players? I'll wait....

The names that come to mind are Heat and Wade, Shaq and Kobe, and the like. I think the Bulls are getting there fast, but they are no better than Cleveland from past 3 years. 

4. NCAA Tourney Time....

KeFarin: The best sports time in the year is upon us!  The NBA playoff caliber games, The start of the baseball season, and The NCAA tournament.  I will have at least Bracket sheets, and all of em' will be wrong.  Don't you just love it?  Anyway: Ohio State is my pick.  Big Ten back on top!

DProfessor: I'm not making any prediction until the brackets are out. I have Ohio St and San Diego St in final four. You can watch every game this year thanks to Turner Broadcasting. TV will be on overload for TBS, Tru TV, CBS, and somthing else for like 4 days in a row.

5. Brandon Davies of BYU suspended for having sex

KeFarin: Okay, Okay, Okay.  Let's put this to bed.  You take scholarship at school that prohibits tea, tobacco, alcohol and SEX!  Are you crazy?  You break the rules, you deal with the punishment.  I know it wasn't his first time.  He just happened to get caught this time.  You playing ball at BYU, What you expect!!!!

DProfessor: So, who snitched on him? Did he submit his video to darmdorm? I'm just saying......

6. Tiki Barber return?

DProfessor: Does Tiki have some child support payments we don't know about? His ex-wife must have told him she was gonna do the next season of Housewives and air out some dirty secrets. Either that or Ronde was braggin that he was soft at the last family bbq and Tiki would not let that go. 

KeFarin: So let me get this right.  Guy leaves team after three consecutive career years to pursue broadcasting career.  Year after guy leaves-SUPER BOWL!  Guy is terrible and now works for Yahoo! Sports.  Oh and he recently got divorced, and is 36 years old.  C'mon Son! Getdafuckouttaherewitdatbullshit!

 

7. Plaxico Burress is set to be released from prison in June

KeFarin: As long as he's in playing shape, why can't he come back and play at a high level in the NFL.  I say, come to the Bears.  We need a good possession receiver.

DProfessor: Unless Plax had a date with the the Booty Warrior, he should still be a viable WR in the National Football League. Now if there is a strike, Plax might not be the best stickup man, but Antonio Pierce might be available as a driver.

8. Ghostface blog

DProfessor: I havent seen so many nahmeans and ayos and n#gs since high school. A few of my favorite lines from just the recent post:

Sons rhymes is softer than two niggas sharin a umbrella 

Ayo the nigga so soft his heart probably got a mink jacket on n shit

That nigga Drake is the same age that Biggie was when he passed son. If that nigga die tomorrow you think niggas is gon be thinkin bout that nigga 14 years after he died...talkin bout "Damn...son was too ill...too ill". Nah g. They might say "Ayo remember that nigga Drake? Word I think son had progesterone in his blood n shit son. 

http://bigghostnahmean.blogspot.com/

KeFarin: I promise that I have not laughed that much in my life.  This guy, whoever it is, needs to find a narrator and come out with the audio series.  This sh*t is classic.  These stories are unbelievable: Nas flying out of the studio on a 7 foot falcon, Kanye popping Ne-Yo in the skull with his belt buckle, Raekwon being the flyest chubby nigga in the hood, and Drake being a back seat nigga.  I promise, whoever authored these tales has remarkable talent.  I can hear the Wallabee Champ saying every word!!! 

In Closing We gotta get back to the Heat - 

I know we are beating a dead horse but I thought this was hilarious.  

On twitter, one of the trending topics was "#LastTimeTheHeatWon, here are a few of the responses:

#LastTimeTheHeatWon " Gas was only 99cent
#LastTimeTheHeatWon DMX was sober!
#lasttimetheheatwon busta rhymes had dreads

#lasttimetheheatwon Rick Ross was skinny

#LastTimeTheHeatWon Chris Bosh was Starring in Jurassic Park

#lasttimetheheatwon blackplanet was the hottest thing on the internet

#lasttimetheheatwon lebron had a hairline

Christmas Heat Wave

Ask yourself a question....
Self....Yessum....
Do you love Christmas time?....No not really, I spend a lot of money I don't have for no apparent reason to please a few other people and get some emotional boost from seeing them happy.
Self, you are rambling again......Ok. Sorry short answer is yes, Christmas is cool.
What if I told you the Miami Heat play LA Lakers, Orlando Magic plays the Boston Celtics on Christmas?.....I would tell you my wife and kids will not be too happy with me.
What if I told you that action actually starts off with the newlook New York Knicks vs the Baby Bulls followed up with Dookie Durant vs Denver Nuggets.....Do you know a good divorce lawyer...I might need one?

Following subplots
Miami Heat, media conglomerate and summertime news makers, ride their 12 game winning streak and possibly 14 game winning streak into Kobe Bryant and the two-time defending Champs LA Lakers in Los Angeles. This game has been circled on both team's calendars. For Miami, this is the ultimate litmus test, can you beat the champs in a big game? For LA, this is the statement game of I don't care who signed this summer, the title goes through LA. The best player in the game goes against the next 2 best players. The best big man in the West vs the worst frontline assembled since Vietnam.

Orlando fired more people this week than Washington Redskins. Look at these salaries and tell me which team is Orlando:
Team A

Player 1 - $18.8 mill

Player 2 - $13.5 mill

Player 3 - $11.8 mill

Player 4 - $8.4 mill

Team B

Player 1 - $17.7 mill
Player 2 - $14.4 mill
Player 3 - $10.2 mill
Player 4 - $16.6 mill

You guessed it, team B is Orlando with Arenas, JRich, Turkoglu, and Howard respectively. Can you name Team A? Does it look like Miami didn't spend their money wisely this summer? They got LeBron, Wade, Bost for $14.5/each.  I'm just saying. You can't cry foul and claim you thought guys were more "competitive" or whatever and then go out and follow the mold. Meanwhile Boston is riding a 13 game streak of their own, and you bets believe they want to prove that they are still the best Big 3 and 1 in the league.

Team A - San Antonio Spurs - Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, Richard Jefferson.

NFL Quick note: DeSean Jackson just reached Primetime level of do not kick the ball to him at any point in the game status.

Cleveland ROCKS

He think he Big Meach
Larry Hoover
Whippin Work
Hallejuah

He MC Hammer.
I wish LeBron the best tonight. I have 3 scenarios for how the game will probably play out.
Scenario 1
LeBron goes Kobe on the Cavs. 81 pts. Fire from every angle to the point where after he dunks on Jamarrio Moon or JJ Hickson. Or maybe he can poster Anderson Varejao like this....

If he doesn't go for 81, slight exaggeration, I really expect him to go for 40pts and triple double.

Scenario 2
DWade carries the load and LeBron plays clean up. I am sure LB is going to have some pregame jitters. Its hard to spot a sniper in a crowded arena I've heard. So after the initial tip and hoopla has calmed down and LB finally hits a few shots, gets to the line to the biggest chants below, it will be an orchestrated blow out by DWade.

Scenario 3
LeBron sticks the place out and Cleveland sticks around late enough in the game to make it enjoyable. We know Miami is going to do everything humanly possible to get LeBron the ball early and often. But LeBron has put up some stink bomb games before. Let's say Cleveland gets hot from outside with Boobie and Mo, then what? DWade is not himself, Spice Bosh is on the trading block for a real superstar, and LeBron has probably received so much hate mail this week, his nerves might not be able to handle this situation. How about my main man Big Z coming through down the stretch with his 15 ft corner jumper? That would be pretty damn funny.

Here is the official play by play orchestrated chants for tonights game.
Brought to you by the fans of Cleveland of course....http://cavschants.wordpress.com/chant-sheet/

Introductions;
Wade – Boo
Bosh- Boo
Arroyo – Boo
Z – (We’d encourage Cheering)
LeBron – Laugh as loud as you can

12:00-6:00 1st Quarter
Whenever LeBron has the ball or is at the free throw line the
chant is:
NO-Ring-King (To the beat of “Lets-Go-Cavs”)

6:00-0:00 1st Quarter
Whenever LeBron has the ball or is at the free throw line the
chant is:
Ak-Ron Hates-You (Clap, Clap, ClapClapClap)

12:00-6:00 2nd Quarter
Whenever LeBron has the ball or is at the free throw line the
chant is:
Wit-Nessed Noth-Ing (Clap, Clap, ClapClapClap)

6:00-0:00 2nd Quarter
Whenever LeBron has the ball or is at the free throw line the
chant is:
Sideeeee-Kick Sideeee-Kick (No Claps, derisive singing)

Start of Third Quarter
To the tune of “My Country Tis of Thee”
Our King he betrayed Thee
Couldn’t play any ‘D’
He has no RING!
Playoffs He Barely Tried
Embarassed Akrons Pride
No Doubt he really lied
He HAS NO RING!
(Repeat as Necessary)

12:00-6:00 3rd Quarter
Whenever LeBron has the ball or is at the free throw line the
chant is:
Scott-ie Pip-pen (Clap, Clap, ClapClapClap) Apologies to Pip

6:00-0:00 3rd Quarter
Whenever LeBron has the ball or is at the free throw line the
chant is:
Traiiii-tor Traiiii-tor (No Claps, Derisive Singing)

12:00-6:00 4th Quarter
Whenever LeBron has the ball or is at the free throw line the
chant is:
De-Lon-Te! De-Lon-Te! (To the beat of “Lets-Go-Cavs”)

6:00-0:00 4th Quarter
Throughout the last half of the Fourth Quarter:
Cleve-land Rocks!
Cleve-land Rocks!
Show your civic pride, make Cleveland Proud!

NBA SEASON KICKS OFF TONIGHT

Yeah, I stole their picture. Thats on ESPN right now. Above, you are looking at the ideal NBA Eastern Conference Finals. You have the former Big 3 vs Team John Dillinger. Shaq and Rondo vs Pat Riley's hair. South Beach vs Noreasters. There is only one problem with this scenario, it has to play 82 games and make it through the season.

I believe this matchup takes place in May unless the following things happen:

1. Carmelo and Chris Paul/Tony Parker are traded to the Knicks. This does not put them in the driver's seat either, but a Run and Gun Knick team lead by LaLa's man and Amare would pose some severe health issues to everyone on the Celtics sans Rondo. Shout out to LaLa. I see you ma.

2. Stan Van Gundy - Can Stan be the man that Riley thought he would be? Can he edit Dwight Howard's post scoring and offensive awareness ratings on NBA Elite to boost him to top 5 in the game? Does Vince Carter pull a Vince Carter? Better yet, can he get out of the way and let JJ and French Connection UK step into the lineup for good?

3. What about Utah Midwest - Is DRose an upgrade or downgrade of Deron Williams for this same supporting cast? Is Tom Thibodeaux exposed as a new coach or prove that he was the architect of the most recent Boston glory days? Do you get rid of Joakim Noah for Melo and is that a good move to begin with? I say no. 

4. Realignment - Seeing that you could probably win 33 games and make the playoffs in the East, how do you stay focused night in and night out to get better when you playing the Nets, Pacers, or Pistons?

5. Injuries. Not ones caused by helmet to helmet contact, but just natural injuries. Carlos Boozer fell walking up the stairs last month. Mike Miller messed up his hand throwing money at King of Diamonds last Wednesday night after a night on the town with Rick Ross. Injuries happen. I think Miami would be able to withstand some injuries due to Wade and LeBron used to playing by themselves anyway. Boston on the other hand, they are a Rondo ankle roll away from being swept in first round. 

I'll tell you one thing, loved the new LeBron commercial. Especially when he eats the cupcake and gives a shout out.

Stop the Madness: I Would Have Left Cleveland Too

Let this be a disclaimer: I have never been to Ohio, let alone Cleveland. I am not a professional athlete nor do I play one on a Tyler Perry show (no homo). That doesn't mean that the Summer of 2010 doesn't effect me. I'm a fan just like you, in a city that doesn't even have a pro team.

Let's start with the facts:

1. LeBron James is arguably one of the best 5 players in the league. Hands down. No matter where you rank him, he can't fall lower than 5. 
2. DWade is in the same category. 
3. Bosh - not so much, but still an All-Star for what its worth and very talented. We can all agree Bosh is at least one of the top 10-15 PF/C in the league. 
4. Every team in the league was trying to coax these guys into signing with their perspective teams, and rightfully so. Teams (Miami, NY, NJ, Chicago, Clippers, etc) virtually cut their entire rosters to shreds preparing for this summer two years ago.

Hey Cleveland....Stay classy.

Blame Cleveland. Cleveland did nothing to get better.  No coach. Mike Brown couldn't coach a HS team. No good players. Shaq - Hurts LeBron's ability to run. Jamison - he is who we thought he is. No young talent. No swinging for the fences free agency moves. Just simply the comfort that Delonte West would be there to leave the light on and the toilet seat up.  They played the home is where the heart is card. Bullshit. You ever been to Miami? Ever been to Florida? Stacks up pretty good to Cleveland Ohio doesn't it? Case adjourned.

LeBron - Greatness or Ultimate Teammate?

Remember when people questioned Kobe's willingness to pass the ball or trust his teammates? No...doesn't ring a bell? Or the time he wanted out of LA? Yeah - winning silences the ghosts of Christmas past doesnt it? Kobe didn't exactly campaign to get LeBron type help, but remember LA almost landed KG, and instead got Gasol. Good consolation prize huh? Once marveled at how great a teammate he was, now LeBron is the poster child for "Can't Get it Done By Himself."  My thoughts and hopefully LeBrons thoughts on that - who gives a SHIT? When did doing it by myself become the measure by which it gets done? Last time I checked, this wasn't tennis or golf, it is a team sport. I hope LeBron averages a triple double this year, which is very possible since he will have at least 2 people that can hit a shot. 

Get my Steven A. Smith on...

The fact of the matter is James, Bosh, and DWade are going to be exciting no matter how you slice it and no matter who signs for the league mininum to be on South Beach.  I still don't believe they are the best team in the league, maybe not in their own state. They have to fill out the roster, I'm not worried about playing together, they did that for a few years with the Olympics.  That being said, the East still runs through Boston, Orlando, and maybe Chicago. Teams are not just going to lay down since the Voltrons united. James did a crazy unprecedented feat by broadcasting where he signs and he did it on his terms. He signed for less money. No one commending him for that? Big friggin deal he did it on live TV. I'll let Spike sum that up. How is that different from ESPN broadcasting and having a "Sunday Conversation" on why he didnt stay in Cleveland like the olden days? The difference is nobody can wait that long anymore. People have to have the information like yesterday. Cameras have been following these guys almost as close as Brett Favre. Yeah Brett Favre - the guy we get updates that he cut his grass and had a slight limp or hurt his shoulder turning the pickle jar. Was it a good/bad decision? Nobody can answer that for the next 10 years or so, and even then their is no definitive answer. Was there a guarantee that he would win with Bulls/Knicks/Cavs? Hell no. That is what this is about right....winning? Or is this about loyalty? Loyalty to what...city of Cleveland? He was a free agent. Free agent - meaning the ability to freely sign with any other team. To Cavs organization and their out of the closet crazy owner?  Cavs new slogan "All for one and one for all"....what is this the YMCA 12 year old league? Dude is off his rocker and smokin wit cigawetts if he thinks Cavs are going to win before LeBron, especially after you try to throw the biggest star in the game under the bus. Cry me a river and go to hell and build a snowman because that ain't happening. But what does he owe Cleveland? Sure the fans are pissed - rightfully so - but come on son, ask yourself if you would have stayed? 

One thing is for sure....if they win the Championship together...that will be a hard decision on the MVP trophy.

To leave or not to leave.....

This NBA free agent class is one of the best in recent history. I can think of another year when so many valuable individuals had the ability to control their own destiny..... Until now.... But who goes where??
1.) LeBron James (26 years old) - how can you not go after Bron Bron if you are the Nets, Knicks, and other teams with alot of space and nothing to loose. Hell, put him with some more than average players and make sure they stay away from his moms......that is pretty much the recipe. The most dominant player in the league. I say Lebron will either stay or go to Chicago and keep riding his MJ high.

2.) Dwayne Wade (28) - in my opinion is the most complete player in the league next to Kobe Bryant. But as long as LeBron is linked with him, Wade will stay at #2. Wade will NOT by any means leave South Beach. For what reason should he? He has his own team, beautiful weather, beautiful women, and women who look ten times better than his own wife. I think the bigger question is who will join him? He is in need of a Big man, and a good set shooter. All of the other role players are in place already. Besides the combination that will destroy every franchise for years to come would be the devastating combo of #1 James and #2 Wade. And this would be good for sports!!!

3.) Chris Bosh (26) - Is one of the Best big men in the game. He averaged 22 and 8.7 over the last four seasons. Last year he chose to put up dominant numbers putting himself on display with 28.9 and 11.5 a game. Will Bosh even leave? Raptors showed they will spend money by bringing in Hedo Turkoglu to go with an emerging Calderon and Bargnani. With a couple more pieces this could be a good team in the future. If not im sure that any team with cap space will be willing to take the young fella.GUARANTEED Hell... he would look very good in purple and gold...

4.) Dirk Nowitzki ( 32) Well he averaged 26 and 9 a game this past season. This season also showed that even bringing in role players didnt help. It is time Dirk linked up with a player better than himself because it is obvious he does not have what it takes to get to the promise land.... It will be hard for him to brake away from that Maverick rope Cuban tied him in. I was just thinking to myself... they could be gay. What do yall think??????

5.) Joe Johnson (29) Boy got some game on him!!!! 39% three point shooter as well and very active with assists and boards. He will have high value this off season and will more than likely leave Atlanta. That is if he wants to win someday. He could be that piece LeBron or Wade needs. Maybe him and Bosh would be the new Pat Ewing and Alan Houston?? He is another player who needs someone better than him on his squad.

other notables:
Amare Stoudamire - unimpressive postseason for a top big man and someone wanting top pay.
Carlos Boozer - consistent and underrated. alot of injury issues as well but I like his toughness
Paul Pierce - he still got it.
Manu Ginobli - he came back in rare form. it is his time to get out of San An. and go shine elsewhere

David Lee - Give him the money he deserves. A great complimentary Big man to anyone

Yao Ming - The Chinese tried and hope fully no more experiments from them. this didnt work
Michael Redd - He fell off helllllllla hard.
Ray Allen - he hits threes, but will give you nothing else at all. so just imagine when he is having an off day? You are better off picking the less expensive version of this Ray Allen like.... JJ Reddick or Kapono.

http://espn.go.com/nba/features/freeagentslotmachine