Our Vehicles Are Now Owned By The Government

This may seem a weird intro into a sports blog but it is in part about the economic problems and the players being affected from it. The NBA wonders how to fix this problem while it's very own teams are giving at best bench players like Wally $13 million. That is where you went wrong, no it is not General Motors or the government's fault. If you would pay players accordingly, you would be much better off.

I find it hard to feel bad for most athletes because they are all living the dream and most especially LeBron because he's got it all. However in this one case I can feel bad for him. All of the media outlets are trashing him for walking directly off the court and not congratulating any of the Magic players. I have to ask if you were considered the best player on the best team in the league and lost in the Conference Finals to a team everyone thought was an overachiever, would you stay and give them hugs? Because I know I would fucking walk off the court cursing and throwing things and get home as soon as possible.

Writing on how to fix the team that won the most games this year is a weird subject, but because it's my hometown Cavs, I have written about it the past three posts or so it seems. So this time I will take a different approach. What if Danny Ferry (and he more than likely will) stands pat and sticks with this overpaid, under-talented team thinking that they will improve in next years playoffs, but they don't make the Finals again? LeBron is now a free agent and free to sign anywhere, even though there is a few select cities he would consider signing with. I believe he will stand here if the Cleveland brass shows him that they are competent and can get an offensive coach and a roster that is actually good.

I have two probable destinations for him: the Knicks or the Nets. Both are, or at least could be, much better situations for him. Let's start with the Knicks because that is everyone else's pick for him to run off to. They have the coach and some proven players, plus the big market and the ability to get even more talent. Any team trying to court James has to not only have talented players, but players he likes would help out in so many ways. One player James obviously likes is Stephen Curry and he is almost a lock to get drafted by the Knicks. The Knicks are a little stacked at small forward with Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler and they are real weak at the bigs and shooting guard position. So what the Knicks would have to do is try to trade for Amare Stoudmire (because of the D'antoni relationship) or Chris Bosh. And if that isn't possible trades for quality bench players or a two guard or a center are all possibilities. Then when free agency starts signing LeBron with either Bosh/Stoudmire and/or Dwyane Wade and draft a center or two guard and hope that they all click together. This possibility seems like it is too uncertain for LeBron to just jump ship in to. Although if they get another superstar like Wade, Bosh or Amare I wouldn't bet against it.

Now the Nets are actually the best destination for him. They're owned in part by James' best bud: Jay-Z and they have pieces in place already. With Devin Harris and Brooke Lopez and the draft picks coming this team is in a good position to add James. Getting rid of Yi and Vince Carter would be good ideas if at all possible anymore. But with Chris Douglas-Roberts as a sixth man and the other young players they will add, this rotation could be a force for a few years to come and would only get better. Will the King be willing to possibly wait a few more years to be completely ready for a title though is the main question.

I really hate to add to the hype of LeBron skipping town, because I don't think he will. But I couldn't blame him if he did and in fact I'll be surprised if he doesn't get a little more vocal about what he wants for changes here in Cleveland. He knows Mike Brown is stupid and that this roster has maxed out. So now I'd like to see if he is willing to take a little extra flack for speaking up about a pretty poorly run team or if he keeps to his perfect answers that don't harm his rep in anyway.

posted by: Jason