Anyone got season tickets?
They were sold out as soon as Wade and Bosh announced they were going to play in Miami.
Any lucky season ticket holder out there?
If you are not, how would you pay for one?
Post your comments!!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Carlos Arroyo officially re-signs with Miami Heat
BY BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
Carlos Arroyo's efficient play, especially his good work as a late-season starter, has earned him a second season with the Heat. His return, long expected, was made official Thursday when the team formally announced he is now the 13th Heat player under contract.
``By re-signing Carlos, we feel we have accomplished another big step in adding to this team,'' Heat president Pat Riley said. ``Carlos showed last season that he was one of the most competitive and efficient point guards in the NBA and we are happy to have him back.''
Arroyo started 35 games last season -- including the final 21 of the regular season and all five playoff games -- and averaged 6.1 points, 3.1 assists and 22.0 minutes in 72 appearances.
He shot a career-high 47.5 percent from the field and 84.4 percent from the free throw line and finished second to New Orleans' Chris Paul in assist-to-turnover ratio, at 4.17 to 1.
Arroyo, who signed for the $1 million veteran's minimum, has appeared in 505 career games, including 148 starts, over eight seasons with the Nuggets, Raptors, Jazz, Pistons, Magic and Heat. Arroyo, who attended Florida International University, turns 31 on July 30.
Heat guard Dwyane Wade said this week that the starting point guard position is ``Mario Chalmers' job to lose,'' but Arroyo will challenge him.
The Heat can invite as many as 20 players to camp but can keep no more than 15. The final two roster spots likely will go to perimeter players. Free agent perimeter players still available include Jason Williams, Mike James, Anthony Johnson, Marcus Williams, Eddie House, Jerry Stackhouse, Larry Hughes and Michael Finley, among others.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Timberwolves: General manager David Kahn, who acquired Michael Beasley from the Heat two weeks ago, told Minneapolis radio station KSTP: "He's a very young and immature kid who smoked too much marijuana and has told me that he's not smoking anymore, and I told him that I would trust him as long as that was the case.''
Kahn added of Beasley, "He had a very issue-free season last season in Miami."
In exchange for Beasley, the Heat received second-round picks in 2011 and 2014, plus cash considerations.
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
Carlos Arroyo's efficient play, especially his good work as a late-season starter, has earned him a second season with the Heat. His return, long expected, was made official Thursday when the team formally announced he is now the 13th Heat player under contract.
``By re-signing Carlos, we feel we have accomplished another big step in adding to this team,'' Heat president Pat Riley said. ``Carlos showed last season that he was one of the most competitive and efficient point guards in the NBA and we are happy to have him back.''
Arroyo started 35 games last season -- including the final 21 of the regular season and all five playoff games -- and averaged 6.1 points, 3.1 assists and 22.0 minutes in 72 appearances.
He shot a career-high 47.5 percent from the field and 84.4 percent from the free throw line and finished second to New Orleans' Chris Paul in assist-to-turnover ratio, at 4.17 to 1.
Arroyo, who signed for the $1 million veteran's minimum, has appeared in 505 career games, including 148 starts, over eight seasons with the Nuggets, Raptors, Jazz, Pistons, Magic and Heat. Arroyo, who attended Florida International University, turns 31 on July 30.
Heat guard Dwyane Wade said this week that the starting point guard position is ``Mario Chalmers' job to lose,'' but Arroyo will challenge him.
The Heat can invite as many as 20 players to camp but can keep no more than 15. The final two roster spots likely will go to perimeter players. Free agent perimeter players still available include Jason Williams, Mike James, Anthony Johnson, Marcus Williams, Eddie House, Jerry Stackhouse, Larry Hughes and Michael Finley, among others.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Timberwolves: General manager David Kahn, who acquired Michael Beasley from the Heat two weeks ago, told Minneapolis radio station KSTP: "He's a very young and immature kid who smoked too much marijuana and has told me that he's not smoking anymore, and I told him that I would trust him as long as that was the case.''
Kahn added of Beasley, "He had a very issue-free season last season in Miami."
In exchange for Beasley, the Heat received second-round picks in 2011 and 2014, plus cash considerations.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Miller signs Heat deal, joins Wade, James and Bosh
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI -- By the time next season's NBA playoffs arrive, nine years will have passed since Mike Miller last enjoyed a postseason victory.
He's coming to Miami to change that.
Miller signed his long-awaited five-year contract with the Heat on Thursday, becoming the latest player to take less money than he could have made elsewhere to play for Miami. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem all did the same in recent days, all with eyes on winning a championship.
"It's official!" Miller wrote on Twitter, thanking the Heat, owner Micky Arison and team president Pat Riley for making it happen.
After James, Bosh and Wade decided to team up, the Heat knew they needed a shooter to complement the All-Star trio, and that only raised Miller's stock in Miami. Riley met with Miller in the very first moments after free agency opened at 12:01 a.m. eastern time on July 1, sitting down with him in a Beverly Hills hotel room for a sales pitch unlike any other.
The Heat, Riley said that night, were going after James and Bosh to join Wade. And they wanted Miller to join the party.
Miller talked with at least four other teams after that, but in the end, nothing was going to change his mind about coming to the Heat.
"Pat had a vision for the team, a vision that he laid out with evangelical fervor," Miller's agent, Arn Tellem, wrote on his blog earlier this week. "We left the room converted."
The convert now has a contract, worth around $25 million. It was signed on the same day the Minnesota Timberwolves planned to introduce former Heat forward Michael Beasley to their fan base, which is more than coincidental. By trading Beasley for draft picks, that cleared the cap space Miami needed to sign Miller.
He agreed to the deal in principle late last week after James picked Miami. Some minor hangups in the contract process sparked speculation that Miller would go elsewhere, rumors that were proven unfounded.
Miller shot a career-best 48 percent from 3-point range last season with Washington, with career averages of 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds.
James played a significant role in recruiting Miller to Miami, and in turn, that made Haslem's decision to stay much easier as well. Haslem and Miller have been close for many years, going back to their time together as Florida Gators.
"That's my college roommate," Haslem said earlier this week. "Our relationship is a lot deeper than just basketball. He's like Dwyane is to me, except we're just different colors. I would say Dwyane is my brother and I would say Mike is brother. Different backgrounds, obviously different races, but that's my brother."
Miami becomes Miller's fifth NBA team, after stints with Orlando, Memphis, Minnesota and Washington. He hasn't appeared in a postseason game since 2006, and has never played in the second round of the playoffs. The last time he was part of a playoff win was with Orlando in 2002; Miller's teams are 0-14 in postseason contests since.
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI -- By the time next season's NBA playoffs arrive, nine years will have passed since Mike Miller last enjoyed a postseason victory.
He's coming to Miami to change that.
Miller signed his long-awaited five-year contract with the Heat on Thursday, becoming the latest player to take less money than he could have made elsewhere to play for Miami. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem all did the same in recent days, all with eyes on winning a championship.
"It's official!" Miller wrote on Twitter, thanking the Heat, owner Micky Arison and team president Pat Riley for making it happen.
After James, Bosh and Wade decided to team up, the Heat knew they needed a shooter to complement the All-Star trio, and that only raised Miller's stock in Miami. Riley met with Miller in the very first moments after free agency opened at 12:01 a.m. eastern time on July 1, sitting down with him in a Beverly Hills hotel room for a sales pitch unlike any other.
The Heat, Riley said that night, were going after James and Bosh to join Wade. And they wanted Miller to join the party.
Miller talked with at least four other teams after that, but in the end, nothing was going to change his mind about coming to the Heat.
"Pat had a vision for the team, a vision that he laid out with evangelical fervor," Miller's agent, Arn Tellem, wrote on his blog earlier this week. "We left the room converted."
The convert now has a contract, worth around $25 million. It was signed on the same day the Minnesota Timberwolves planned to introduce former Heat forward Michael Beasley to their fan base, which is more than coincidental. By trading Beasley for draft picks, that cleared the cap space Miami needed to sign Miller.
He agreed to the deal in principle late last week after James picked Miami. Some minor hangups in the contract process sparked speculation that Miller would go elsewhere, rumors that were proven unfounded.
Miller shot a career-best 48 percent from 3-point range last season with Washington, with career averages of 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds.
James played a significant role in recruiting Miller to Miami, and in turn, that made Haslem's decision to stay much easier as well. Haslem and Miller have been close for many years, going back to their time together as Florida Gators.
"That's my college roommate," Haslem said earlier this week. "Our relationship is a lot deeper than just basketball. He's like Dwyane is to me, except we're just different colors. I would say Dwyane is my brother and I would say Mike is brother. Different backgrounds, obviously different races, but that's my brother."
Miami becomes Miller's fifth NBA team, after stints with Orlando, Memphis, Minnesota and Washington. He hasn't appeared in a postseason game since 2006, and has never played in the second round of the playoffs. The last time he was part of a playoff win was with Orlando in 2002; Miller's teams are 0-14 in postseason contests since.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Ilgauskas follows LeBron to Miami
By Sports Network
The Sports Network
Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has apparently decided to join former Cavaliers teammate LeBron James in Miami.
The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported Tuesday afternoon that Ilgauskas will sign with the Heat, citing the player's agent. The report said Ilgauskas will sign for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million.
Additionally, James posted an apparent confirmation on his Twitter account.
"Welcome Big Z," James wrote. "Glad u are joining me in South Beach my friend. Also thanks for the encouraging words big fella"
Ilgauskas had only ever played for the Cavaliers during his career. Cleveland selected the 7-foot-3 Ilgauskas with the 20th overall pick of the 1996 draft, but he did not make his debut until the 1997-98 season.
Ilgauskas went on to become the franchise's all-time leader in games played (771), offensive rebounds (2,336) and total rebounds (5,904). The 35-year-old averaged 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in his Cavaliers career, earning All- Star selections in 2003 and 2005.
The Cavaliers traded Ilgauskas to Washington this past February in the deal that sent Antawn Jamison to Cleveland. However, Ilgauskas never played for the Wizards after reaching a mutual agreement on a contract buyout, and returned to the Cavaliers in March.
He averaged a career-low 7.4 points and 5.4 boards in 64 games in 2009-10, when he primarily came off the bench in order for Shaquille O'Neal to start.
The Sports Network
Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas has apparently decided to join former Cavaliers teammate LeBron James in Miami.
The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported Tuesday afternoon that Ilgauskas will sign with the Heat, citing the player's agent. The report said Ilgauskas will sign for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million.
Additionally, James posted an apparent confirmation on his Twitter account.
"Welcome Big Z," James wrote. "Glad u are joining me in South Beach my friend. Also thanks for the encouraging words big fella"
Ilgauskas had only ever played for the Cavaliers during his career. Cleveland selected the 7-foot-3 Ilgauskas with the 20th overall pick of the 1996 draft, but he did not make his debut until the 1997-98 season.
Ilgauskas went on to become the franchise's all-time leader in games played (771), offensive rebounds (2,336) and total rebounds (5,904). The 35-year-old averaged 13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in his Cavaliers career, earning All- Star selections in 2003 and 2005.
The Cavaliers traded Ilgauskas to Washington this past February in the deal that sent Antawn Jamison to Cleveland. However, Ilgauskas never played for the Wizards after reaching a mutual agreement on a contract buyout, and returned to the Cavaliers in March.
He averaged a career-low 7.4 points and 5.4 boards in 64 games in 2009-10, when he primarily came off the bench in order for Shaquille O'Neal to start.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade, LeBron James on same team: Why not?
By DAN LE BATARD
dlebatard@MiamiHerald.com
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are always talking about what great friends they are. They are so bonded by shared sensibilities and experiences and excellences that Wade would stay at James' mansion when the Heat played in Cleveland. Both men say winning matters most. And here they are, at a career crossroads together, and all they have to do to find the best teammate available to them in free agency is look at each other.
Three years ago, they talked and decided together to sign similar contracts so that now, in a few days, they would have the same freedom of choice at the same time. In other words, they planned this; they've already teamed to make one really big business decision at a time of maximum value. Everything that has happened in the time since -- Wade exiting national relevance early every postseason while required to do too much heavy lifting alone, James winning every individual accolade without winning anything that matters -- brings them together now with just the right amount of appreciation and frustration and freedom and power and perspective in their prime.
Why in the name of all that is holy and sane wouldn't they choose each other?
Isn't this simple?
Hog the championships. Own the sport they love as young men. Make millions upon millions of dollars while teaming on commercials and winning and having fun. We can quibble about if their games fit together, which means you'd be arguing that it is better to have Amare Stoudemire with Wade than LeBron Bleeping James, but otherwise the only thing keeping them apart is something we all learn as little kids.
Sharing.
That's Plan A for salesman-to-the-stars Pat Riley, who has pushed all his chips to the middle of the table on free agency with a suited ace and a King. Riley knows how star-struck and event-driven this market can be. He copyrighted basketball flash and glitz in Los Angeles. He knows James-Wade will sell here in a way that Joe Johnson won't. So his job and his legacy now is to convince these two to share the stage and glory and fame the way he once sold Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball's all-time leading scorer, on the hypnotic powers of Magic.
The entire upbringing and wiring of Wade and James in sports has preached team, harmony, unity and the importance of sacrifice, but here's the problem: Maybe neither of them wants to be Scottie Pippen. Athletes tend to lie or lack self-awareness when they say that all they want to do is win. What they really want is to be the reason for said winning. Michael Irvin articulated that well when he got bummed watching teammate Alvin Harper running toward the end zone in the Super Bowl with his football.
Maybe this is childish or maybe it is human nature, but there's something about this arena that turns muscular men into infants. That isn't a criticism. Growing up is overrated, and being a kid is forever fun. But you know that goofy thing the Cavs did before games? Where all the other players would gather for a team photo and James would kneel down and pretend to snap their picture with an imaginary camera?
You have to convince James to share that play camera with Wade and hope they don't fight over it. That's all you have to do for James and Wade to get all the toys and turn the league into their personal playpen.
It seems pretty simple, doesn't it?
Share winning with your friend or play defense to keep him from it? What would you do if it was your good friend?
Winning and championships are going to take a back seat to something as silly as Wade feeling threatened by a bigger star coming to his city? A-Rod was LeBron in this scenario once. He didn't come and steal New York from Derek Jeter.
Last week, I put the question to two basketball Hall of Famers, one NBA coach and one NBA owner: Why wouldn't two great players and great friends do this?
The owner said, ``Ask Orlando and Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill how that works. One friend may like a great sports town. The other may like the beach. And friends don't mean there are two balls in a game. LeBron and D-Wade both need the ball, and neither are knock-down shooters. So I don't know that those two together are better than LeBron with the cast he had in Cleveland. In fact, unless you got the right players, the Cleveland team is probably better.''
The coach said, ``Ego. Those two don't want to share the top billing. They want talent around them, but it has to be complementary talent. They want to win, but winning isn't the only thing or even the most important thing. The most important thing is their standing in comparison to their peers.''
Charles Barkley said, ``Attention. You'd be surprised how much guys want all the attention.''
Only Isiah Thomas made it sound like it was any kind of possible. Thomas was a champion and Hall of Famer and star before he was the basketball coach at FIU. I asked him, in his prime, how he would have felt if someone of the stature of James came to his team to overshadow him.
``I would feel lucky,'' he said.
Not threatened?
``Sometimes the moment calls for you to step forward,'' he said. ``Sometimes the moment calls for you to step back.''
But what about the idea that stars don't merely want to win but want to be the reason for winning?
``Those are the guys who always lose,'' Thomas said. ``Those are the guys that champions prey on. Those are the losers.''
That sounds good, right? So do this:
``If real winning is what you are pursuing, ego and money and glory don't get in the way,'' Thomas said. ``Great players always play well together until they win the championship. That's when the `disease of more' creeps in. But LeBron hasn't won. There's always an ego sacrifice with winning. Pau Gasol and Ron Artest can do a lot more scoring elsewhere. Kareem was the greatest player ever, and he gave room to Magic. Do you want to be The Man or do you want to be a champion? What really matters to you?''
Thomas has been a coach for a long time now. He says the things coaches teach once they have wisdom and perspective.
He laments all the ego in this generation of players. Problem is, he also flashes a Hall of Famer's teeth when I asked him what he would do if he were LeBron.
``Show me the hardest challenge,'' he says. ``I'd want to go to New York. That's the hardest place, right? Well, f--- you then. I'm going to do it there.''
dlebatard@MiamiHerald.com
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are always talking about what great friends they are. They are so bonded by shared sensibilities and experiences and excellences that Wade would stay at James' mansion when the Heat played in Cleveland. Both men say winning matters most. And here they are, at a career crossroads together, and all they have to do to find the best teammate available to them in free agency is look at each other.
Three years ago, they talked and decided together to sign similar contracts so that now, in a few days, they would have the same freedom of choice at the same time. In other words, they planned this; they've already teamed to make one really big business decision at a time of maximum value. Everything that has happened in the time since -- Wade exiting national relevance early every postseason while required to do too much heavy lifting alone, James winning every individual accolade without winning anything that matters -- brings them together now with just the right amount of appreciation and frustration and freedom and power and perspective in their prime.
Why in the name of all that is holy and sane wouldn't they choose each other?
Isn't this simple?
Hog the championships. Own the sport they love as young men. Make millions upon millions of dollars while teaming on commercials and winning and having fun. We can quibble about if their games fit together, which means you'd be arguing that it is better to have Amare Stoudemire with Wade than LeBron Bleeping James, but otherwise the only thing keeping them apart is something we all learn as little kids.
Sharing.
That's Plan A for salesman-to-the-stars Pat Riley, who has pushed all his chips to the middle of the table on free agency with a suited ace and a King. Riley knows how star-struck and event-driven this market can be. He copyrighted basketball flash and glitz in Los Angeles. He knows James-Wade will sell here in a way that Joe Johnson won't. So his job and his legacy now is to convince these two to share the stage and glory and fame the way he once sold Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball's all-time leading scorer, on the hypnotic powers of Magic.
The entire upbringing and wiring of Wade and James in sports has preached team, harmony, unity and the importance of sacrifice, but here's the problem: Maybe neither of them wants to be Scottie Pippen. Athletes tend to lie or lack self-awareness when they say that all they want to do is win. What they really want is to be the reason for said winning. Michael Irvin articulated that well when he got bummed watching teammate Alvin Harper running toward the end zone in the Super Bowl with his football.
Maybe this is childish or maybe it is human nature, but there's something about this arena that turns muscular men into infants. That isn't a criticism. Growing up is overrated, and being a kid is forever fun. But you know that goofy thing the Cavs did before games? Where all the other players would gather for a team photo and James would kneel down and pretend to snap their picture with an imaginary camera?
You have to convince James to share that play camera with Wade and hope they don't fight over it. That's all you have to do for James and Wade to get all the toys and turn the league into their personal playpen.
It seems pretty simple, doesn't it?
Share winning with your friend or play defense to keep him from it? What would you do if it was your good friend?
Winning and championships are going to take a back seat to something as silly as Wade feeling threatened by a bigger star coming to his city? A-Rod was LeBron in this scenario once. He didn't come and steal New York from Derek Jeter.
Last week, I put the question to two basketball Hall of Famers, one NBA coach and one NBA owner: Why wouldn't two great players and great friends do this?
The owner said, ``Ask Orlando and Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill how that works. One friend may like a great sports town. The other may like the beach. And friends don't mean there are two balls in a game. LeBron and D-Wade both need the ball, and neither are knock-down shooters. So I don't know that those two together are better than LeBron with the cast he had in Cleveland. In fact, unless you got the right players, the Cleveland team is probably better.''
The coach said, ``Ego. Those two don't want to share the top billing. They want talent around them, but it has to be complementary talent. They want to win, but winning isn't the only thing or even the most important thing. The most important thing is their standing in comparison to their peers.''
Charles Barkley said, ``Attention. You'd be surprised how much guys want all the attention.''
Only Isiah Thomas made it sound like it was any kind of possible. Thomas was a champion and Hall of Famer and star before he was the basketball coach at FIU. I asked him, in his prime, how he would have felt if someone of the stature of James came to his team to overshadow him.
``I would feel lucky,'' he said.
Not threatened?
``Sometimes the moment calls for you to step forward,'' he said. ``Sometimes the moment calls for you to step back.''
But what about the idea that stars don't merely want to win but want to be the reason for winning?
``Those are the guys who always lose,'' Thomas said. ``Those are the guys that champions prey on. Those are the losers.''
That sounds good, right? So do this:
``If real winning is what you are pursuing, ego and money and glory don't get in the way,'' Thomas said. ``Great players always play well together until they win the championship. That's when the `disease of more' creeps in. But LeBron hasn't won. There's always an ego sacrifice with winning. Pau Gasol and Ron Artest can do a lot more scoring elsewhere. Kareem was the greatest player ever, and he gave room to Magic. Do you want to be The Man or do you want to be a champion? What really matters to you?''
Thomas has been a coach for a long time now. He says the things coaches teach once they have wisdom and perspective.
He laments all the ego in this generation of players. Problem is, he also flashes a Hall of Famer's teeth when I asked him what he would do if he were LeBron.
``Show me the hardest challenge,'' he says. ``I'd want to go to New York. That's the hardest place, right? Well, f--- you then. I'm going to do it there.''
Sunday, June 27, 2010
NBA Predictions: LeBron James to New York, Dwyane Wade Staying in Miami
by
Brian Mosgaller
Correspondent Written on June 27, 2010
Believe it or not, the NBA’s free agency period is actually going to start later this week.
After months—nay, years of speculation and amateur prognostication, the biggest of the big names in basketball will finally start inking their John Hancock's to new deals, and the landscape of the NBA will be altered for the foreseeable future.
At this point, the list of potential signees is mesmerizing.
LeBron, D-Wade, Bosh, Boozer, Amar’e, and Joe Johnson, to name the cream of the crop.
The imminent frenzy—as well as the preceding financial preparation—is unprecedented.
As we speak, Miami has only three players under contract!
The Knicks have spent three years wheeling and dealing in an effort to maximize their available cap space.
But let’s not kid ourselves—all but two teams will emerge from The Great NBA Talent Realignment disappointed and wondering where their sales pitches went awry.
This is about two players, and two players only: LeBron James and Dwayne Wade.
Every other big name on the market is only so appealing when placed next to one of these two generational stars.
So, the question is begged—who will be the two lucky teams?
Obviously, the only people that know the answer are James and Wade themselves (along with their inner-circles, and, most likely, World Wide Wes).
But here’s my best guess.
Unless LeBron and Wade actually do follow through on their hinted conspiracy to combine forces for NBA domination—which I’m betting will not happen—the scenario that makes the most sense is Wade remaining in Miami and LeBron heading to the Big Apple.
Earlier in this free agency period, Wade made it pretty clear that the ugly end to the Jordan/Jackson/Pippen-era in Chicago convinced him that returning to his home city was not going to happen.
He has also emphasized, again and again, that staying in South Beach would be his ideal situation.
The only bargaining chip necessary is for the Heat to put some real talent around him.
And by clearing enough cap space to lock up three max-contract players, the Heat will almost undoubtedly be able to fulfill Wade’s wishes.
As for LeBron, I’m thinking it boils down to either NY or Chicago.
We know that LeBron has always been very legacy conscious, and what better franchises to build a legacy with than the Knicks and Bulls.
While it would be great in my mind for James to stay in Cleveland to deliver a long-awaited title to the poor city, he has had enough of his hometown.
Sure, it will weigh on him that the only place he has ever lived or worked is going to hate him, but he has had enough of that pressure.
He has also had enough of his supporting cast.
Yes, adding a Chris Bosh or Amar’e Stoudemire would help, but unfortunately, he’s still working with Mo Williams (a mediocre shooting guard in a point guard’s body), Anthony Parker (the only NBA player who can say he’s worse than his sister), and Anderson Varejao (no comment necessary).
Do you think that sounds as enticing as signing in the Mecca of basketball, playing at a historic arena, and putting up a nightly triple-double under Mike D’Antoni alongside Carlos Boozer or Joe Johnson?
Plus, he’s got the likes of C.C. Sabathia, a former Cleveland star himself, telling him that winning in New York is unlike anything else.
Chicago may offer a better existing supporting cast, but unfortunately for the Windy City, it’s simply not the NBA’s biggest stage.
I concede that New Jersey may offer James the same viewing public—with an intriguing set of talent in place—but it won’t be leaving Newark for two years, and who wants to go to Newark?
Ultimately, though, it comes down to a domino effect: who will sign first out of the elite free agents?
If Boozer or Amar’e sign early with either Chicago or New York or New Jersey, it dramatically impacts the equation because the big two can then see tangible championship pieces set.
But, like I said, with all other things being equal, LeBron wants to be in New York and Wade wants to be in Miami.
It’s my contention that both of those franchises will do what they have to in order to make it happen.
Personally, I could see D-Wade, Boozer, and Amar’e joining forces in Miami, while James will team up with Joe Johnson and David Lee in Madison Square Garden.
That leaves Chris Bosh to unite with Derrick Rose in Chi-town, along with Rudy Gay.
Despite the riches of Mikhail Prokhorov, the Nets will be left with the free agency scraps.
As for the Clippers? Ha!
Brian Mosgaller
Correspondent Written on June 27, 2010
Believe it or not, the NBA’s free agency period is actually going to start later this week.
After months—nay, years of speculation and amateur prognostication, the biggest of the big names in basketball will finally start inking their John Hancock's to new deals, and the landscape of the NBA will be altered for the foreseeable future.
At this point, the list of potential signees is mesmerizing.
LeBron, D-Wade, Bosh, Boozer, Amar’e, and Joe Johnson, to name the cream of the crop.
The imminent frenzy—as well as the preceding financial preparation—is unprecedented.
As we speak, Miami has only three players under contract!
The Knicks have spent three years wheeling and dealing in an effort to maximize their available cap space.
But let’s not kid ourselves—all but two teams will emerge from The Great NBA Talent Realignment disappointed and wondering where their sales pitches went awry.
This is about two players, and two players only: LeBron James and Dwayne Wade.
Every other big name on the market is only so appealing when placed next to one of these two generational stars.
So, the question is begged—who will be the two lucky teams?
Obviously, the only people that know the answer are James and Wade themselves (along with their inner-circles, and, most likely, World Wide Wes).
But here’s my best guess.
Unless LeBron and Wade actually do follow through on their hinted conspiracy to combine forces for NBA domination—which I’m betting will not happen—the scenario that makes the most sense is Wade remaining in Miami and LeBron heading to the Big Apple.
Earlier in this free agency period, Wade made it pretty clear that the ugly end to the Jordan/Jackson/Pippen-era in Chicago convinced him that returning to his home city was not going to happen.
He has also emphasized, again and again, that staying in South Beach would be his ideal situation.
The only bargaining chip necessary is for the Heat to put some real talent around him.
And by clearing enough cap space to lock up three max-contract players, the Heat will almost undoubtedly be able to fulfill Wade’s wishes.
As for LeBron, I’m thinking it boils down to either NY or Chicago.
We know that LeBron has always been very legacy conscious, and what better franchises to build a legacy with than the Knicks and Bulls.
While it would be great in my mind for James to stay in Cleveland to deliver a long-awaited title to the poor city, he has had enough of his hometown.
Sure, it will weigh on him that the only place he has ever lived or worked is going to hate him, but he has had enough of that pressure.
He has also had enough of his supporting cast.
Yes, adding a Chris Bosh or Amar’e Stoudemire would help, but unfortunately, he’s still working with Mo Williams (a mediocre shooting guard in a point guard’s body), Anthony Parker (the only NBA player who can say he’s worse than his sister), and Anderson Varejao (no comment necessary).
Do you think that sounds as enticing as signing in the Mecca of basketball, playing at a historic arena, and putting up a nightly triple-double under Mike D’Antoni alongside Carlos Boozer or Joe Johnson?
Plus, he’s got the likes of C.C. Sabathia, a former Cleveland star himself, telling him that winning in New York is unlike anything else.
Chicago may offer a better existing supporting cast, but unfortunately for the Windy City, it’s simply not the NBA’s biggest stage.
I concede that New Jersey may offer James the same viewing public—with an intriguing set of talent in place—but it won’t be leaving Newark for two years, and who wants to go to Newark?
Ultimately, though, it comes down to a domino effect: who will sign first out of the elite free agents?
If Boozer or Amar’e sign early with either Chicago or New York or New Jersey, it dramatically impacts the equation because the big two can then see tangible championship pieces set.
But, like I said, with all other things being equal, LeBron wants to be in New York and Wade wants to be in Miami.
It’s my contention that both of those franchises will do what they have to in order to make it happen.
Personally, I could see D-Wade, Boozer, and Amar’e joining forces in Miami, while James will team up with Joe Johnson and David Lee in Madison Square Garden.
That leaves Chris Bosh to unite with Derrick Rose in Chi-town, along with Rudy Gay.
Despite the riches of Mikhail Prokhorov, the Nets will be left with the free agency scraps.
As for the Clippers? Ha!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Wade's agent: Don't call it a summit
ESPN.com News Services
The agent for Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh says the characterization of discussions among the NBA's top free agents as a "summit" are not accurate, according to CNBC.com.
Last week, Wade told the Chicago Tribune that he planned to talk with fellow free agents LeBron James and Joe Johnson before making a decision on where he would sign this summer. A source told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard that Bosh also would be part of those talks, and Amare Stoudemire, who is likely to opt out of the final year of his current contract with the Phoenix Suns, told AOL Fanhouse that he planned to be part of those talks, too.
But Henry Thomas, who represents Wade and Bosh, says conversations among players are not the same as a "summit."
"Dwyane never made reference to a summit," Thomas said, according to CNBC.com. "He said that he'd have conversations with some of these guys and that still will happen. These guys came into the league at the same time and they're in similar situations, so it's unrealistic to think that they won't talk. But there's no summit of any kind planned where they'll all be in the same location."
Wade insists he still hasn't started thinking about free agency. But having settled four lawsuits on Tuesday, the Miami Heat star says that's finally about to change.
Before leaving a Miami courtroom Tuesday, moments after the settlements in a restaurant case and three others were announced, Wade told The Associated Press he has not put together his "wish list" for the offseason, nor has he asked any other potential free agents about their plans.
He did repeat one thing: He wants to stay in Miami, saying "you know that hasn't changed." But to do that, he wants to see roster upgrades, which Heat president Pat Riley will desperately try to make happen starting with the July 1 opening of the NBA free agency window.
The word "summit" -- which invokes images of world leaders meeting at a central location to talk about global issues like economics, the environment and security -- is simply not what's going to happen, Thomas said, according to the report.
"The way it was first characterized and the way it continues to be characterized -- as if the only thing left to determine is a date and a location -- is not the reality," he said, according to the report.
"They're all friends and they all talk," added Happy Walters, who represents Stoudemire, according to the report. "But the idea that they're all in this together and they're going to say, 'OK, you go here and I go there,' that's not happening. People just need something good to talk about."
Thomas is part of CAA, a sports agency that also includes Leon Rose, the agent for James. That fact, Thomas acknowledged, does give the agency an advantage in pursuing deals for its clients, according to CNBC.com.
"To some extent, we do have control because we're all under the same umbrella," Thomas said, according to the report. "We're going to have really solid information on what's going on that will clearly benefit our guys. And that's the goal -- to get our players the best deals they can get."
James, Wade and Bosh became close while playing together on the U.S. Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal at the Beijing Games. While they've pondered the possibility of playing together in the NBA, only two of the stars are likely to wind up on the same team once the dust clears, given their likely salary demands.
Last week, the NBA said Wade did not break any league tampering rules with his comments.
Under league rules, players cannot tamper with other players, though it's a given that players talking among themselves not only happens, but is impossible to regulate.
The NBA metes out discipline only in what it said are "the most egregious" cases, and said Wade's comments "do not meet that standard."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
The agent for Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh says the characterization of discussions among the NBA's top free agents as a "summit" are not accurate, according to CNBC.com.
Last week, Wade told the Chicago Tribune that he planned to talk with fellow free agents LeBron James and Joe Johnson before making a decision on where he would sign this summer. A source told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard that Bosh also would be part of those talks, and Amare Stoudemire, who is likely to opt out of the final year of his current contract with the Phoenix Suns, told AOL Fanhouse that he planned to be part of those talks, too.
But Henry Thomas, who represents Wade and Bosh, says conversations among players are not the same as a "summit."
"Dwyane never made reference to a summit," Thomas said, according to CNBC.com. "He said that he'd have conversations with some of these guys and that still will happen. These guys came into the league at the same time and they're in similar situations, so it's unrealistic to think that they won't talk. But there's no summit of any kind planned where they'll all be in the same location."
Wade insists he still hasn't started thinking about free agency. But having settled four lawsuits on Tuesday, the Miami Heat star says that's finally about to change.
Before leaving a Miami courtroom Tuesday, moments after the settlements in a restaurant case and three others were announced, Wade told The Associated Press he has not put together his "wish list" for the offseason, nor has he asked any other potential free agents about their plans.
He did repeat one thing: He wants to stay in Miami, saying "you know that hasn't changed." But to do that, he wants to see roster upgrades, which Heat president Pat Riley will desperately try to make happen starting with the July 1 opening of the NBA free agency window.
The word "summit" -- which invokes images of world leaders meeting at a central location to talk about global issues like economics, the environment and security -- is simply not what's going to happen, Thomas said, according to the report.
"The way it was first characterized and the way it continues to be characterized -- as if the only thing left to determine is a date and a location -- is not the reality," he said, according to the report.
"They're all friends and they all talk," added Happy Walters, who represents Stoudemire, according to the report. "But the idea that they're all in this together and they're going to say, 'OK, you go here and I go there,' that's not happening. People just need something good to talk about."
Thomas is part of CAA, a sports agency that also includes Leon Rose, the agent for James. That fact, Thomas acknowledged, does give the agency an advantage in pursuing deals for its clients, according to CNBC.com.
"To some extent, we do have control because we're all under the same umbrella," Thomas said, according to the report. "We're going to have really solid information on what's going on that will clearly benefit our guys. And that's the goal -- to get our players the best deals they can get."
James, Wade and Bosh became close while playing together on the U.S. Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal at the Beijing Games. While they've pondered the possibility of playing together in the NBA, only two of the stars are likely to wind up on the same team once the dust clears, given their likely salary demands.
Last week, the NBA said Wade did not break any league tampering rules with his comments.
Under league rules, players cannot tamper with other players, though it's a given that players talking among themselves not only happens, but is impossible to regulate.
The NBA metes out discipline only in what it said are "the most egregious" cases, and said Wade's comments "do not meet that standard."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wade, LeBron joining forces? Heat star is for it
Free-agent-to-be wouldn't ‘have a problem sharing’ spotlight with James
Sergio Perez / Reuters
Dwyane Wade, left, and LeBron James celebrate after defeating helping the U.S. defeat Spain in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2008 Beijing Games.
By Tim Reynolds
updated 7:07 p.m. ET, Sat., April 24, 2010
MIAMI - It’s been a fantasy scenario thrown around the NBA for months: Dwyane Wade and LeBron James as teammates.
Intriguing?
Absolutely — even to Wade.
Speaking after practice in Miami on Saturday, one day before the Heat try to extend their season by forcing a Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series against Boston, Wade acknowledged that he’s got reason to think he and James would work alongside one another.
“We play well together,” Wade said.
Still, he stopped way short of saying the close friends have even talked about the notion of aligning this summer.
Both can become free agents on July 1, a date that looms large for superstars like Wade, James, Toronto’s Chris Bosh and just about every team in the NBA.
“Myself, LeBron, Chris, certain guys are in the driver’s seat to decide where they want to go,” Wade said. “You’re not thinking about it. You’re not worried about it. But I’m sure they hear it a lot.”
Bosh’s season is already over. Wade’s might end Sunday unless the Heat beat the Celtics, something they’ve done just once in the last 15 meetings between the teams. James — almost certain to win his second straight MVP — and the Cleveland Cavaliers would seem to be the favorites to win the NBA title, and he grew tired of the questions about the summer of 2010 long ago.
Wade gets asked about it all the time.
He has said repeatedly that his preference is to stay in Miami, and the Heat will be able to offer him more money than any other team, just as the Raptors will with Bosh and the Cavaliers with James.
But Wade also makes perfectly clear that he wants to Heat to use the salary cap space they’ll have this summer and build the type of team that could contend for what would be his second NBA championship.
And Heat president Pat Riley wants that probably as badly, if not even more so, than Wade does.
“You have to have guys that have the personality that look at it in a bigger picture,” Wade said. “You can’t have two guys or three guys, whatever you call it, that (all) want it to be, ’This is my show.’ You’ve got to want to share it and you’ve got to look at guys and say, ’Are these guys team players or individual players?’
“Myself and LeBron are team players. I think we’ve proven that. I don’t think you can say that about everybody.”
Wade’s approach with the Heat is similar to the one James has with the Cavaliers. Both are obviously dynamic scorers, and both are among the league’s best at setting up teammates for points as well — and in turn, that softens defenses so teams can’t constantly throw double-teams their way.
So would he share the spotlight with James, especially since both are used to being the absolute go-to guys on their respective teams?
Wade didn’t hesitate.
“I don’t have a problem sharing,” Wade said. “That’s what this summer’s about: Sharing. I’m going into the summer with the thoughts that I want to share next year. And whomever those players are, they know that would be my mentality.”
Sergio Perez / Reuters
Dwyane Wade, left, and LeBron James celebrate after defeating helping the U.S. defeat Spain in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2008 Beijing Games.
By Tim Reynolds
updated 7:07 p.m. ET, Sat., April 24, 2010
MIAMI - It’s been a fantasy scenario thrown around the NBA for months: Dwyane Wade and LeBron James as teammates.
Intriguing?
Absolutely — even to Wade.
Speaking after practice in Miami on Saturday, one day before the Heat try to extend their season by forcing a Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series against Boston, Wade acknowledged that he’s got reason to think he and James would work alongside one another.
“We play well together,” Wade said.
Still, he stopped way short of saying the close friends have even talked about the notion of aligning this summer.
Both can become free agents on July 1, a date that looms large for superstars like Wade, James, Toronto’s Chris Bosh and just about every team in the NBA.
“Myself, LeBron, Chris, certain guys are in the driver’s seat to decide where they want to go,” Wade said. “You’re not thinking about it. You’re not worried about it. But I’m sure they hear it a lot.”
Bosh’s season is already over. Wade’s might end Sunday unless the Heat beat the Celtics, something they’ve done just once in the last 15 meetings between the teams. James — almost certain to win his second straight MVP — and the Cleveland Cavaliers would seem to be the favorites to win the NBA title, and he grew tired of the questions about the summer of 2010 long ago.
Wade gets asked about it all the time.
He has said repeatedly that his preference is to stay in Miami, and the Heat will be able to offer him more money than any other team, just as the Raptors will with Bosh and the Cavaliers with James.
But Wade also makes perfectly clear that he wants to Heat to use the salary cap space they’ll have this summer and build the type of team that could contend for what would be his second NBA championship.
And Heat president Pat Riley wants that probably as badly, if not even more so, than Wade does.
“You have to have guys that have the personality that look at it in a bigger picture,” Wade said. “You can’t have two guys or three guys, whatever you call it, that (all) want it to be, ’This is my show.’ You’ve got to want to share it and you’ve got to look at guys and say, ’Are these guys team players or individual players?’
“Myself and LeBron are team players. I think we’ve proven that. I don’t think you can say that about everybody.”
Wade’s approach with the Heat is similar to the one James has with the Cavaliers. Both are obviously dynamic scorers, and both are among the league’s best at setting up teammates for points as well — and in turn, that softens defenses so teams can’t constantly throw double-teams their way.
So would he share the spotlight with James, especially since both are used to being the absolute go-to guys on their respective teams?
Wade didn’t hesitate.
“I don’t have a problem sharing,” Wade said. “That’s what this summer’s about: Sharing. I’m going into the summer with the thoughts that I want to share next year. And whomever those players are, they know that would be my mentality.”
Dwyane Wade is biggest reason why LeBron James should play in Miami
By Israel Gutierrez
igutierrez@MiamiHerald.com
The question no longer begins with the word ``if'' but ``where.''
It no longer seems like a debate about whether LeBron James will leave Cleveland via free agency this summer, especially when he talks about his personal team's ``game plan'' and speaks of his relationship with Cavaliers fans in the past tense just minutes after his somewhat surprising ousting in the conference semifinals.
It's the question of where he will end up that has absolutely taken over sports conversations across the country.
Within that conversation, Miami as a LeDestination seems mostly like an afterthought, with the glamour of New York running in first, and Chicago a close second because of the quality of the roster.
Consider this, then, the ultimate case for James to make Miami his new basketball home. It makes far too much sense to simply be considered a secondary possibility.
Let's start with the obvious. The ability to play with Dwyane Wade every day and create, almost beyond argument, the best pairing of wing players the league has ever seen (don't bother with the Michael Jordan argument because Scottie Pippen is nowhere near the player either one of these two is) should be enough to make the Heat his primary option.
WHAT HE WANTS
If it is true that James is about winning first, as he insisted in his postgame, post-series, post-Cleveland interview Thursday, then this is an automatic. If his obvious frustration with Cavs teammates and their inability to function without him is a driving force for LeBron, then playing alongside Wade will offer him exactly what he desires.
When you consider that the Heat can sell a player like Michael Beasley to a team with salary-cap space to create enough space to sign a third substantial star, possibly a big man like an Amare Stoudemire or Carlos Boozer, then it only makes Miami more intriguing because of the real possibility a true dynasty can exist.
There are two arguments against Miami that tend to dominate, neither of them making much sense.
The first tends to be ego. As in, James' ego won't let him come to Wade's town and not be the obvious attraction.
It might be Wade's town, but in basketball terms, it's LeBron's world, as Kevin Garnett confirmed after Thursday's game. It has been for a half decade, practically, and sharing space with Wade can only help his global takeover because it'll finally offer him that championship that has escaped him.
No matter where he goes, James will not play second fiddle. Besides, it's practically necessary these days, when you think about it, to have a player of similarly superstar caliber by your side. Kobe Bryant had arguably the best post player in the league, at the time, helping him win each of his four titles, first Shaquille O'Neal and now Pau Gasol. No one does this alone.
The other argument against the Heat is the concept of James and Wade not being able to play well together.
More nonsense.
They play different positions. They have different games. They both can dominate with the ball in their hands, but they both enjoy playing off the ball as well.
Wade was the leading scorer on the Olympic team despite almost never being the primary ballhandler. James is a playmaker who can average double-figure assists with a teammate like Wade.
For both players, playing with this kind of talent alongside will be breath of fresh air, not any sort of conflict.
By the way, for those who remain concerned Wade could bolt Miami, check out a recent video posted on Twitter of him responding to his Heat fans online. Not the act of a man preparing to abandon ship.
RILEY COULD COACH
There also remains the very real possibility that Pat Riley could coach the duo if they team up, which would take the uncertainty of the coaching situation out of the equation. That uncertainty would be there if James chooses to stay in Cleveland, or if he chooses Chicago or New Jersey and their vacant coaching seats, or even if he chooses New York given Mike D'Antoni's incomplete track record and inability/unwillingness to coach defense.
It might be premature to consider LeBron a former Cavalier. It has, after all, only been hours since his season ended and his thoughts officially transferred to his future plans.
But it's never too early to plant the seed. He can't find a better teammate than he can here. Not Derrick Rose. Not Chris Bosh.
So when you ask ``where,'' Miami should be LePlace.
igutierrez@MiamiHerald.com
The question no longer begins with the word ``if'' but ``where.''
It no longer seems like a debate about whether LeBron James will leave Cleveland via free agency this summer, especially when he talks about his personal team's ``game plan'' and speaks of his relationship with Cavaliers fans in the past tense just minutes after his somewhat surprising ousting in the conference semifinals.
It's the question of where he will end up that has absolutely taken over sports conversations across the country.
Within that conversation, Miami as a LeDestination seems mostly like an afterthought, with the glamour of New York running in first, and Chicago a close second because of the quality of the roster.
Consider this, then, the ultimate case for James to make Miami his new basketball home. It makes far too much sense to simply be considered a secondary possibility.
Let's start with the obvious. The ability to play with Dwyane Wade every day and create, almost beyond argument, the best pairing of wing players the league has ever seen (don't bother with the Michael Jordan argument because Scottie Pippen is nowhere near the player either one of these two is) should be enough to make the Heat his primary option.
WHAT HE WANTS
If it is true that James is about winning first, as he insisted in his postgame, post-series, post-Cleveland interview Thursday, then this is an automatic. If his obvious frustration with Cavs teammates and their inability to function without him is a driving force for LeBron, then playing alongside Wade will offer him exactly what he desires.
When you consider that the Heat can sell a player like Michael Beasley to a team with salary-cap space to create enough space to sign a third substantial star, possibly a big man like an Amare Stoudemire or Carlos Boozer, then it only makes Miami more intriguing because of the real possibility a true dynasty can exist.
There are two arguments against Miami that tend to dominate, neither of them making much sense.
The first tends to be ego. As in, James' ego won't let him come to Wade's town and not be the obvious attraction.
It might be Wade's town, but in basketball terms, it's LeBron's world, as Kevin Garnett confirmed after Thursday's game. It has been for a half decade, practically, and sharing space with Wade can only help his global takeover because it'll finally offer him that championship that has escaped him.
No matter where he goes, James will not play second fiddle. Besides, it's practically necessary these days, when you think about it, to have a player of similarly superstar caliber by your side. Kobe Bryant had arguably the best post player in the league, at the time, helping him win each of his four titles, first Shaquille O'Neal and now Pau Gasol. No one does this alone.
The other argument against the Heat is the concept of James and Wade not being able to play well together.
More nonsense.
They play different positions. They have different games. They both can dominate with the ball in their hands, but they both enjoy playing off the ball as well.
Wade was the leading scorer on the Olympic team despite almost never being the primary ballhandler. James is a playmaker who can average double-figure assists with a teammate like Wade.
For both players, playing with this kind of talent alongside will be breath of fresh air, not any sort of conflict.
By the way, for those who remain concerned Wade could bolt Miami, check out a recent video posted on Twitter of him responding to his Heat fans online. Not the act of a man preparing to abandon ship.
RILEY COULD COACH
There also remains the very real possibility that Pat Riley could coach the duo if they team up, which would take the uncertainty of the coaching situation out of the equation. That uncertainty would be there if James chooses to stay in Cleveland, or if he chooses Chicago or New Jersey and their vacant coaching seats, or even if he chooses New York given Mike D'Antoni's incomplete track record and inability/unwillingness to coach defense.
It might be premature to consider LeBron a former Cavalier. It has, after all, only been hours since his season ended and his thoughts officially transferred to his future plans.
But it's never too early to plant the seed. He can't find a better teammate than he can here. Not Derrick Rose. Not Chris Bosh.
So when you ask ``where,'' Miami should be LePlace.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wade And LeBron, Possibly Teammates In 2010?
Imagine, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James playing side by side on the New York Knicks in 2010. Last night Dwyane Wade backed up all the speculation, after the Miami Heat lost to the Indiana Pacers. During an interview Wade acknowledged the fact that they both played for Mike D'Antoni last summer during the Olympics and he would love to reunite with LeBron James and D'Antoni on the Knicks.
"It's not crazy," Wade told The Post in the visitor's locker room of Indiana's Conseco Fieldhouse. "It could happen. We both understand that. We both signed the same contract. We did it together. More than anything, it's fun to think about. It's exciting to know we both control our future. Will it happen? Who knows. He has some something he's trying to accomplish in Cleveland. I have something I'm trying to accomplish in Miami. But up until 2010, it will be fun to think about."
It will be hard to believe that King James will ever leave his home town of Cleveland, where they will be able to offer him a max NBA contract. Unlike other teams the Cavs will have the cap room to do this. The possibility of LBJ and DWade playing side by side is definitely possible, but work has to be done by the Knicks to free up the space to sign both these superstars.
They will demand top dollar from any team, so if the New York Knicks think they will be able to sign these 2 superstars they better start cleaning house now. If these two ever play on the same team in the NBA, they should be referred to as LeWade.
"It's not crazy," Wade told The Post in the visitor's locker room of Indiana's Conseco Fieldhouse. "It could happen. We both understand that. We both signed the same contract. We did it together. More than anything, it's fun to think about. It's exciting to know we both control our future. Will it happen? Who knows. He has some something he's trying to accomplish in Cleveland. I have something I'm trying to accomplish in Miami. But up until 2010, it will be fun to think about."
It will be hard to believe that King James will ever leave his home town of Cleveland, where they will be able to offer him a max NBA contract. Unlike other teams the Cavs will have the cap room to do this. The possibility of LBJ and DWade playing side by side is definitely possible, but work has to be done by the Knicks to free up the space to sign both these superstars.
They will demand top dollar from any team, so if the New York Knicks think they will be able to sign these 2 superstars they better start cleaning house now. If these two ever play on the same team in the NBA, they should be referred to as LeWade.
Much Ado About No-Ring
May 17, 2010 by Corrie Trouw
If this basketball thing doesn't work out for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, they could probably form the world's tallest duo of magicians. How else do two humans make the NBA's conference finals disappear into thin air?
In case you've been too focused on basketball news that actually happens on the court, James and Wade are finally just weeks away from their much hyped free agencies. And with both stars now home for the remainder of the postseason, the media has completely opened the Where-To floodgates. Because after all, who cares about the most important games of this season when we can talk about what might affect next year?
In all seriousness, yes, the free agent class of 2010's final destinations are hugely relevant. The futures of at least a third of the league's franchises will swing violently based on which pieces of paper a few humans autograph. But the current coverage is madness.
The conference finals are rife with great parallel storylines. In the Western Conference, Steve Nash and the Suns, left for dead at the trading deadline, have exorcised demons of their playoffs past. In their path, Kobe Bryant continues to build his post-Shaq legacy. In the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are the ones risen from the dead, as most wrote off Boston as a casualty of time's devastating erosion of talent. And like the Lakers, the Magic return to this stage with legacy and rings on their minds.
Yes, we've seen these four teams before, but that's no excuse to take them for granted. Not when the Seven Seconds or Less Era has one last shot at vindication. Not when Kobe and Phil Jackson might be making their last title push together. Not when The Big Three raise their games one last time in their brief but historic Boston run. And not when Vince Carter finds himself in position to erase so many of those doubts. All four of these teams and what their title hopes represent should rivet us as sports fans. But by the level of LeBron/Wade-mania, you wouldn't know it.
Somewhere we lost track of what is important in sports. Consider the popularity of the NFL draft and college recruiting. For all of the attention those feeder processes get, you would think first round draft picks and blue chip recruits are guaranteed success. But many ignore the ugly truth, that for all of our "who's next?" hysteria, we often miss out on the stories at hand.
Remember A-Rod's 2007 resigning during Game 4 of the World Series? Critics skewered Rodriguez for stealing the Fall Classic's thunder, but why? Sure, Rodriguez could have announced it at another time, but he didn't force anyone to care more about next year's games than a championship at hand. He simply took advantage of a situation where we as sports fans simply couldn't help ourselves. In the middle of Thanksgiving dinner, we wanted to know what was for dessert next Turkey Day.
What's especially striking about LeBron and Wade is that neither has had much to do with the NBA title over the last few seasons. For all the hype and all of the Summer of 2010 obsession, you would think we were talking about guaranteed entries to the NBA Finals.
So don't worry, LeBron and Wade will still be there come July 1st to obsess and speculate over. But if this season is any sign, they might not have anything to do with next year's NBA title, either.
If this basketball thing doesn't work out for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, they could probably form the world's tallest duo of magicians. How else do two humans make the NBA's conference finals disappear into thin air?
In case you've been too focused on basketball news that actually happens on the court, James and Wade are finally just weeks away from their much hyped free agencies. And with both stars now home for the remainder of the postseason, the media has completely opened the Where-To floodgates. Because after all, who cares about the most important games of this season when we can talk about what might affect next year?
In all seriousness, yes, the free agent class of 2010's final destinations are hugely relevant. The futures of at least a third of the league's franchises will swing violently based on which pieces of paper a few humans autograph. But the current coverage is madness.
The conference finals are rife with great parallel storylines. In the Western Conference, Steve Nash and the Suns, left for dead at the trading deadline, have exorcised demons of their playoffs past. In their path, Kobe Bryant continues to build his post-Shaq legacy. In the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are the ones risen from the dead, as most wrote off Boston as a casualty of time's devastating erosion of talent. And like the Lakers, the Magic return to this stage with legacy and rings on their minds.
Yes, we've seen these four teams before, but that's no excuse to take them for granted. Not when the Seven Seconds or Less Era has one last shot at vindication. Not when Kobe and Phil Jackson might be making their last title push together. Not when The Big Three raise their games one last time in their brief but historic Boston run. And not when Vince Carter finds himself in position to erase so many of those doubts. All four of these teams and what their title hopes represent should rivet us as sports fans. But by the level of LeBron/Wade-mania, you wouldn't know it.
Somewhere we lost track of what is important in sports. Consider the popularity of the NFL draft and college recruiting. For all of the attention those feeder processes get, you would think first round draft picks and blue chip recruits are guaranteed success. But many ignore the ugly truth, that for all of our "who's next?" hysteria, we often miss out on the stories at hand.
Remember A-Rod's 2007 resigning during Game 4 of the World Series? Critics skewered Rodriguez for stealing the Fall Classic's thunder, but why? Sure, Rodriguez could have announced it at another time, but he didn't force anyone to care more about next year's games than a championship at hand. He simply took advantage of a situation where we as sports fans simply couldn't help ourselves. In the middle of Thanksgiving dinner, we wanted to know what was for dessert next Turkey Day.
What's especially striking about LeBron and Wade is that neither has had much to do with the NBA title over the last few seasons. For all the hype and all of the Summer of 2010 obsession, you would think we were talking about guaranteed entries to the NBA Finals.
So don't worry, LeBron and Wade will still be there come July 1st to obsess and speculate over. But if this season is any sign, they might not have anything to do with next year's NBA title, either.
Welcome!!!
Ok so the possibility is out there.
Can it happen? DEFINITELY!!!
And I am ALL FOR IT!!!! Bring LeBron to miami and lets have Wade and LeBron in MIAMI!!!!!
Can it happen? DEFINITELY!!!
And I am ALL FOR IT!!!! Bring LeBron to miami and lets have Wade and LeBron in MIAMI!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
