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I guess there is no reason to have an NBA season next year.  The Decision was made and the balance of power has shifted to the east.  I don’t know about you but I did not see Travis Outlaw signing with the Nets.  That out to make new owner Mikhail Prokhorov and his team the clear favorites in the Eastern Conference.  I had written previously that LeBron has for the most part been given a pass since he came into the NBA.  What a difference a week makes and his unprecedented decision makes.  LeBron has taken a lot of, you have to say it, Heat.  The best shots being fired by Cavs owner Dan Gilbert.  Very entertaining to say the least.  All of it has been entertaining and the comish Stern has to like that his league has been hyped way past the finals.

The ESPN special was what I expected.  Pretty poor and it all just looked poor and badly planned.  That didn’t really bother me.  Jim Gray was there, LeBron looked nervous and there were nervous fans in Miami and Cleveland.  In Miami there was great celebration and in Cleveland there were tears and the burning of James’ jersey.  All of this will make a good book some day when all of the behind the scenes start to become known.  I have really enjoyed seeing which side certain people take.  Marcellus Wiley of ESPN said the other day that LeBron cannot be expected to take on all of Cleveland’s sports failures over the last forty years or so.  I would agree Marcellus except and this is what drives me crazy with some athletes, he did take it on.  I cannot stand it when athletes take all the money, fame and advantages but then cry when things don’t work out.  LeBron took on the nickname King.  He took the Nike contract and the advertisement spots.  He took on the ” We are all Witnesses” campaign and allowed the mural on the building.  He encouraged the hero worship with those campaigns and that pose.

Dan Gilbert’s claims that LeBron quit and was narcissistic were very entertaining to me.  Many said that Gilbert went too far, and yes he probably did.  Well for sure he did when he predicted the Cavs would win a championship before the former King would.  The odds are not in Gilbert’s favor.  There are those that say James should have called Dan and told him personally what he was going to do.  Hey these things get messy and James was just being a business man.  In his show he made it very clear that he understood this is a business.  It was obvious from Cav fan reaction that it is more than a business to them.  That is always the toughest point for fans, it is not just business for fans like it is for owners and players.  So fans boo all you want and root against James and his team as hard as you can.  Mr. Gilbert say what you want and figure out now how to keep your guarantee.  Everyone please remember not to take it overly seriously and breakups are just hard and the villain here is in the eye of the beholder.

A question that was asked was when did James know he was leaving Cleveland.  He says it was the day of his TV show.  I don’t know but he did not play that well towards the end of the Boston series and I found his exit off the court very curious.  If you have a chance to check it out he walks off the court and heads to the tunnel.  He took his jersey off and flung it overhead.  His body language looked to me like he knew he was out of Cleveland.  He may not have known where he was headed but it do not look like Cleveland was the spot.  I wonder if the King will do those pre-game shenanigans.  You remember the team picture taking pantomimes.  The baseball games and whatever else these fun loving team guys did.  Man that was just so cute and clever, hard to believe they did not win a championship.  That would be a great tradition to carry to Miami.

Did you witness the day or two after when Miami introduced the three new Kings?  That was far worse than the Decision Day.  The MC for the Heat was being overly clever and smug.  I understand he was playing to his Heat fan base much like a politician playing to their party base.  LeBron said he came there not to win just one championship, not just two…no he stopped at seven.  Wade said he felt sorry for the guys that were going to have to guard them.  He also said something about the three best players to ever play on one team.  There were even Beat LA chants at that rally.  So these three guys yucked it up for the crowd and the camera.  They stopped short of predicting an undefeated season.

Finally what can we draw from this.  First thing is, LeBron thought he would have multiple rings at this point in his career.  Second thing is, he looked at his team and thought he could maybe win one title with those guys if he were lucky.  I wonder if he had some deep talks with Kevin Garnett?  Remember Kevin was loyal to the Wolves and it never happened.  LeBron had to be fearful of repeating that story.  It is obvious that he did not think he could win with Bosh alone.  It is obvious that Wade did not think Riley could put guys in place along side him to win either.  He did not think he could win with Bosh alone either.  So these three did the best they could to put the odds way, way in their favor.

We have all been in pickup games where guys do the old, okay it is us five over here against you five over there.  You know what I mean.  The five best against the five worst.  Vegas has made them the favorites and on paper you have to give it to the Heat they should win multiple titles.  But here is hoping they don’t.  I for one will be rooting against them, nothing personal you three Kings, just business.  No you guys did nothing wrong and I don’t blame you for it.  Count me in the business of hoping it does not quite work out they way you three Kings think it will.

It’s a deep hurt you’re feeling right now.  A deep, deep, hurt.  I won’t say “I know how you feel,” or “I know what you’re going through,” because the fact of the matter is …I don’t.  You’ve been through a lot Cleveland: “The Drive,” and “The Fumble.”  Who could forget “The Shot?”  and whatever it is you call Edgar Renteria’s walk-off hit in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. Art Modell took away your beloved Browns like a thief in the night.  No doubt, a lot to go through.   Its been a long, long time since you’ve had a chance to feel good about yourself.  I know its been a long time since you’ve tasted victory.  But Cleveland, dearest Cleveland, please have a little class.  Are you shocked?  I’m sure you are.  We all are.  The whole world mourns for you during this time.  Seriously, we all feel terribly for you. Even Joakim Noah said he feels bad you lost your hero.  Please don’t  make us  think differently.

LeBron James is gone.  The King has left his castle.  I never thought he would leave you, his beloved city, but don’t hate the man.  Everyone has to leave home sometime.  When you have a treasured possession you have to do what you can to take care of it.  Quite frankly Cleveland, you did not.  You didn’t treat the King the way he needed to be treated.  Mr. James said it best during his made-for-TV special: “you become a superstar individually, but you become a champion as a team.”  Individually, LBJ did all he could for you.  Afterall, it was his hometown too.  But what kind of team did you supply him with?  Even the great Michael Jordan played with another superstar in Scottie Pippen.  Which superstar did you get to co-star with Mr. James?  Don’t worry I’ll wait ….

A past-his-prime Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t count. Mo Williams and his disappearing acts get the boot as well.  I’m sorry but Anderson Varejao, Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, and Anthony Parker don’t quite fit the bill.

Dan Gilbert, calm down why don’t you.  Don’t compound things buy calling LBJ’s acts “narcissistic” and “self-promotional.”  Afterall, he did raise over $500K for charity and scholarships for underprivileged kids.  It can be said the midseason acquisition of Antawn Jamison was absurd and preposterous.  Did anyone really think that was a good move?  Did anyone really think that would be enough to keep the King happy?  Sure, the Cavaliers had the best record int NBA during the last two REGULAR SEASONS.  The playoffs, however, are a different ballgame.  Just ask the Phoenix Suns teams that failed to reach the Finals or the Mavericks from ‘07.  You can’t fault the guy for wanting to win.  James gave you every opportunity to put a winner around him and you didn’t. 

So, Cleveland, while you’re out wiping your tears, burning his jersey, and labeling him Art Modell II, don’t forget about the good he did.  James made basketball in Cleveland relevant for something other than “The Shot.”  While he regrets he didn’t bring you a championship, he did manage to make it to the Finals once, which was nothing short of a miracle when you consider the team he had around him.  After it was all said and done he even injected millions into your economy.  It’s ok to be hurt, but time heals wounds Cleveland.  Long Live the King!

I’m sorry.  You’ll have to refresh my memory on this one.  Since when have free agent announcements been televised live, in primetime on national television?  It appears this is where we are right now.  In case you haven’t heard NBA free agent LeBron James is scheduled to make his announcement at 6pm PST on Thursday.  It will be shown live on national television.  James is encouraging businesses to buy ad space with the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.   From what I hear, this won’t be your standard, stand behind the podium, and announce “I’m going to …”  This will be a one-hour, primetime special.  We have never seen the likes of this.  Jay-Z said it best, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.”  LBJ is a business. 

You can say what you want, but James has built a brand that rivals that of Michael Jordan.  The top story in the world of  sports this summer has been anything dealing with LeBron James and his free agency.  In a time where NBA free agency is not supposed to be able to compete with the World Cup, King James has ruled the airwaves.  Tuesday he opened a twitter account.  In the first 24 hours, he accumulated over 208,000 followers, despite having just one tweet.  He’s made “The Most Interesting Man In The World” look like a mere mortal.  You know the bearded guy in those ads.  Everyone wants to know the answer to one question: “Where is LeBron going to go.”

I think the serious candidates are Cleveland, New York, and New Jersey.  The Nets have thrown everything at James, including off the court endorsements such as a clothing line and a fragrance line.  On the court, I don’t think teaming up with Brook Lopez and Devin Harris are enough to entice James.  It would have to include a sign and trade with Chris Bosh, which doesn’t seem likely because he appears headed to Miami with Dwyane Wade.  New York is in the mix.  LeBron has always been intrigued by the big stage and bright lights NYC has to offer.  What NYC also has to offer is the possibility to go out and get another big name next off-season.  Such as a Carmelo Anthony or Tony Parker.  The newest Knick, Amare Stoudemire, has said he will do what he can to recruit LeBron.

There’s been talk about a super team with Bosh, James, and Wade all teaming up to play together.  The only two possible destinations for this are Chicago and Miami.  I don’t see James heading to South Beach to become the second fiddle and joining Wade’s team.  The Bulls seem unlikely, to me, as well.  Can you imagine being LeBron James and every time you go work, you have to pass by “His Airness’” statue to get into the building?  James respects MJ for all he’s done, but I don’t think he would want to immerse himself into that shadow. 

I believe once the smoke clears, after all this talk, and all the speculation, all the ads are sold, and the announcement is made, LeBron will end up back in Cleveland.  Had the Cavs won an NBA Title, I believe James would have been more willing to leave.  But I believe he really wants to win in Cleveland.  Combine that with the fact that no team can pay him more than the Cavs.  Although I don’t think he’ll sign a max deal, I think he’ll take a 2-3 year deal from his hometown team.  They have a new coach in Byron Scott, who won championships as a player, made a Finals appearance as a coach, and is a no-nonsense kind of guy: all things James wanted in a head coach. 

We shall see.  I’m sure we’ll all be tuned in.

It is official, I am burned out on the NBA free agency period.  Where is LeBron going?  Why would he go there?  What does it mean if he stays?  What does it mean if he goes?  What does it mean if he joins Wade in Miami?  I go through this at different times throughout the year and it usually means I listen to music for awhile.  I am a sports junkie and love sports talk whether it be radio, TV, newspaper, the inter-net or person to person.  Time to cut back. 

First though I would like to toss out some thoughts for consumption.  What if Kobe Bryant was doing all the things that LeBron is doing now?  Would the coverage be totally different?  I think it would.  Bryant is a polarizing figure much like Brett Favre is and those two would be blasted for this.  LeBron has been able to skate through for the most part.  Let me be clear.  I like LeBron and I do not blame him for working the system.  I do not know him but he carries himself well and seems like a likable guy. 

Ah, I guess that is the difference.  We like to think we are people that live by principles and guidelines.  What it really comes down to is if we like someone.  If we like someone or he plays for our team.  Like hating Danny Ainge as a player on the other team but loving him if he is on our team.

I say if Kobe were acting like and doing the things James is he would be killed.  If Kobe’s nickname were ” King”  you would hear derision.  Oh, that Kobe is so arrogant he calls himself King.  I have hardly heard a peep in regards to James.  The Cavs fired their head coach and general manager after they were favored to win the title and failed.  If that happened with Kobe, the Sports Center question every day would be, ” Did Kobe get his coach and GM fired.”  There would be outrage about how a spoiled and loser Kobe pushed ownership and threatened to leave if there weren’t changes.  I have heard no one suggest that maybe LeBron pushed those guys out.

If Kobe were traveling all over the country and courting different teams you know the screams would be that he is selfish, disloyal to his city and his teammates.  Danny Ferry went after every guy that LeBron said I need this guy and they still did not win.  The Cavs had the best record in the regular season the past two years and fell when favored in the playoffs.  If Kobe did this you would hear things like he is blaming his teammates for his failure.  I have not heard that coming from anyone.  The only guy that criticizes LeBron is Skip Bayless and I think Skip is way out of bounds.  Why though does James get a pass.  Can you imagine if it were Kobe saying he would like to hook up with Wade in Miami?  It would be all over the place that Kobe knows he can’t win by himself  and he is not a leader and all of the other garbage.  Not a peep is said about LeBron, it is just where is he going?

So you see, it is if you like a guy not what principles you claim you have.  Kobe is not that likable and LeBron is.  Therefore he is covered differently, just like Magic used to be covered differently and heavens knows Michael Jordan was covered differently.  He still is today.

Brett Favre takes his time deciding whether to retire and he gets ripped all over.  I actually heard people on ESPN say they were tired of talking about Favre.  I have not heard anyone saying they were tired of talking about LeBron.  Favre is criticized for being a media sponge (nicer word than what I have actually heard) and yet I have not seen anything directed towards James.  They were talking about where James might wind up more than the NBA Finals.  What if Kobe where hanging out with Jay Z?  It would be said that he was not dedicated to winning and had to many outside issues like they said about Shaq.  I have not heard any of this directed towards LeBron.  My question is why?  Why if certain behaviors are demonstrated by one athlete and then you see those same behaviors in another, why different coverage?  I can only come up with, that one player is well liked and the other one is not.  Is there something I am missing?  I think not?  Am I wrong?

If LeBron does go to Miami then I have some advice for coach Eric Spoelstra.  You need to practice your speech about needing to spend time with your family.  Since you are not married you need to say you need to spend time with your future wife so you can prepare to spend some time with your future family.  Come up with something creative because I am thinking you will not be the head coach any more.  I see the old great one coming back in Pat Riley.  He would be a good coach for LeBron as he seems to be beyond criticism as well.  You know they say Riley is a winner and he moves around a lot on the sidelines.  I know he likes to coach when he has the players especially a player like LeBron.

Alright who really cares where anyone goes during “free agency”? I know on FNM we argued back and forth last year about where Mr. James would end up after the bidding war. Mr. Neyland and Mr. Ford had Mr. James heading to NEW YORK CITY.  Rahshaun Haylock and I had Mr. James staying in the lovely city of Cleveland Ohio. But who cares? Players are going to come and go, and fantasy, fanfare and the hope for an instant title are going to go with it.  So, who cares?

Big free agent dollars were unheard of in the NFL until White moved from the Eagles to the Packers in 1993.  The Vikings were relentless, but they probably didn’t have to fight too hard considering Favre’s thirst for revenge.  Prime Time left Atlanta after six seasons and had one of the best seasons in NFL history in his one year in San Francisco in 2004.  It was another example of a star player taking advantage of a huge year and a thirsty owner. Haynesworth

Who cares?  The team was named after his dad. There’s no way Junior could leave DEI.  After back-to-back titles with the Benetton team in 1994 and 1995, Schumacher defected to Ferrari for a two-year, $50-million deal.  Come one who really cares?  In 2001, it was the richest deal to which the Sox ever signed a player. Three years into it, the team placed him on waivers and would have sold him for a few packs of Upper Deck cards. Instead, he stayed in Boston and got two titles before officially wearing out his welcome in 2008.

Back before Barry was Barry, he was a quality hitter with an incredible eye and decent power. The Pirates were beyond him by 1993. The Giants swooped in with a then-record six-year, $43.75-million deal. He helped keep the team in San Francisco and build a new ballpark. So it would seem the money was worth it.  The five-year, $2.9-million deal in 1977 was revolutionary money at the
beginning of free agency. Of course, once Reggie became Mr. October in the Bronx, no one was hemming or hawing.  Giambi was an icon with the A’s from 1995 to 2001, as he won the MVP in 2000.  Steroids, injuries, and ineffectiveness plagued him in the Bronx. When he finally left, the Yanks won another title in 2009. But for seven years and $120 million, would you have turned down the money? I’m just saying.

Blasphemy. Garvey was Mr. Los Angeles. So when he took his Gold Glove and can’t-miss-a-pitch bat 120 miles down the freeway to San Diego, it killed Dodgers fans. How could Charlie Hustle ever leave the Reds?  And of course those who really care make free agency the most important aspect of their sport:

He is easily the most talked about and most coveted free agent in the league’s history. A player seemingly at the height of his skill, fame, and marketability is up for grabs. The signing could change the complexion and the balance of power in the NBA for the next decade.  By 1996, Shaq had become more than just a basketball player. He was a multi-faceted marketing machine that craved both a title and a spotlight big enough to hold him. The Lakers offered the perfect combination. It wasn’t until Phil Jackson was hired in 1999 that the $121-million deal paid off with an NBA title.

Tim Duncan literally saved the San Antonio Spurs when the Celtics lost the lottery. He became Mr. Alamo, so the idea of him leaving town was seen as a long shot.

Yes, LeBron James’s free agency is that big. And for many sports fans that have been touched by the players that have left their teams, free agency has made them moan, groan, cheer, or sneer at where players have gone. Yes, it has changed sports, because as a fan, there are players that have been hated because of the colors and logos that they have worn. But as soon as they become part of your team, they are suddenly transformed into beloved member of your family.

SO WHO CARES?? If your team wins it all or bites the bullet, you don’t. As for the rest of us WE DO NOT CARE.

I am tired are you tired?  I am tired of things being said and then repeated so often that people come to accept it as the truth.  Sometimes it may be the truth but so what.  If someone said to me, Randy Routier you are no Mike Lupica or Mitch Albom, well, that is the truth but so what.  So I beg of you if you love the NBA let’s stop looking for the next Michael Jordan.  If you are one of those that does not like the current NBA because there is no Bird, Magic or Jordan, do yourself a favor and get over it!  LeBron is not Jordan and he never will be.  Remember way back when Grant Hill was supposed to be the next Jordan and even Harold Miner, they weren’t.  Kobe Bryant was not the next Jordan either but his basketball greatness only a fool would deny.

LeBron James is not Jordan and that should not take away his greatness.  Jordan won his first NBA championship at the end of his seventh season and LeBron has passed that so many are signaling that he cannot ever be Jordan.  They are right, he can’t be Jordan but to deny his greatness is a joke.  The guy is twenty-five and he may never win a title or he could win seven who knows.  All I know is this guy has the moves of a point guard and the body of a power forward with the passing ability of a point guard.  Throw in the shot blocking ability of a center and on rare occasions the outside shot of a shooting guard.  James in the open court is just a wonder to see.  So if you are one of those guys that is stuck looking for the next Jordan, turn the page and enjoy or even pick up a new book to read.

Something LeBron to look at is, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen and their careers.  It took the three of them on the same team before either of these great players won a championship.  Garnett and Allen won it in season 13 and Pierce won it in his 10th.  For all of his greatness, Garnett got to the Western Conference Finals only one time and many years he and the Timber Wolves were bounced in the first round.  In the beginning of these playoffs I was sad to see Kevin play with that gigantic white wrap around his leg.  He looked like it was all he could do to carry that thing up and down the court.  Suddenly, he is rejuvenated, as are all of the Celtics.  Heck there has even been a Rasheed Wallace sighting.

So LeBron, take heart and I know you don’t need it from me but as long as you are on the court there is time to win one.  When you are finished there will be young players that people will say, he is great but he is not LeBron.  It won’t be fair but I guess it is not fair that you are bigger, stronger and faster than almost anyone on the court.  My only knock on LeBron has been all of that pre-game team posing stuff.  I can’t stand that stuff.  A columnist up here wrote that the Kings were going to make a strong move to get him.  Out of all of the guesses where he will wind up that is the only one that I say there is zero chance of happening.

Where are the Dallas Mavericks?

We have seen this one before haven’t we?  The “Great One” will he come back and take one last shot at a championship.  One of the greatest of all time whom has provided the game with so many great memories.  He is up there in age when other mere mortals have hung it up.  Sports is for the young and the strong.  The old should step aside and give way to the young up and coming stars.  Some ask how can this guy waffle back and forth so much?  This guy has to make a choice and stick with it.  So many people split about his choice.  You may be one that gets tired of hearing about this.  Well relax, this is not about Brett Favre, it is about Pat Riley.  You remember Pat, right.  Hair slicked back, expensive suits and in constant motion on the Lakers sideline….Pure Hollywood.  If ever there was a perfect fit it was Riley, the Lakers and Los Angeles.  Riley helped capture the City and he coached the Lakers to four NBA Titles in the eighties. 

There is talk about Riley coming back to coach the Miami Heat and so far I have not heard much of an uproar.  Where are all of those who rail against Favre?  I am not one of those that believe there should be mandatory retirement however, Pat stay in the front office.

Riley is an all time great coach and it is not even up for debate.  He also helped the Heat win their only championship.  Will someone explain to me why Riley seems to get a pass and always is portrayed as a great winner?  I have friends that think he such a better coach than Phil Jackson?  Please explain that to me.  Is it because Riley was so much fun and the Lakers played such an exciting brand of basketball?  Is it because he helped the Lakers finally get over the Celtics Curse?  I know he likes to prowl the sideline and flail his arms about while Phil just sits there and looks like he may nod off at any minute.  Is that it, Riles looks the part of what we think a coach should look like?  He just looks like he is doing something, like he is really into the game?  Help me understand and lets take a look at the record he has with the Heat.

Here is his record in the last five years with the Heat.  He won the NBA Championship in the 05-06 season and went 41-20.  His first without Magic but he had Wade and Shaq.  The two seasons before they missed the playoffs as they went 36-46 and 25-57.  The year after the title they went 44-38 and lost in the first round of the playoffs.  His last season of coaching they went 15-67 in 2007-2008.  In Pat’s 11 seasons as head coach, the Heat have lost in the first round of the playoffs 5 times, missed the playoffs 3 times, lost in the Conference Finals once, lost in the Conference Semis once and one the one championship.  Is that a great winner?

What is worse is what happened to Stan Van Gundy and may happen to current coach Erik Spoelstra.  Van Gundy took over the team after Riley had gone 25-57 and abruptly resigned but remained team president.  Stan led Miami to a 42 win season with rookie Dwayne Wade and the next year with the addition of Shaq they won 59 games and lost in the Conference Finals.  In his third season the team stumbled to an 11-10 record amid rumblings that Riley was wanting to coach again and that Shaq wanted Riley to coach again.  Riley came down from the front office and the Heat won the NBA title for his fifth championship. Two years later Riley leads them to a 15-67 record and he goes back to the front office and gives the job to young assistant Spoelstra.  From that 15 win season Spoelstra has won 43 and 47 games and been out in the first round of the playoffs.  I would call that remarkable, a fantastic turnaround.

Now Wade is a free agent and so is LeBron and Chris Bosh and here comes the talk that Riley is getting the coaching itch again.  Don’t do it Pat!  Why is it some guys can do ugly things and their image does not tarnish while others get kicked from every direction?  Riley, you are a great coach, prove you are a great team president by staying put.  Sorry LA fans but between Phil and Pat it is not even close.

Welcome to Cleveland Heights, a community featuring charming homes on tree-lined streets, more than 135 acres of beautiful parkland, fine recreational facilities for all ages, excellent educational opportunities, unique neighborhoods, thriving commercial districts and proud, caring neighbors who are involved in a community they love. The added beauty of a lush country setting with an abundance of trees, parks and lakes — including Lake Erie — makes Cleveland Heights a wonderful place to raise a family, build a business or just enjoy the great neighborhoods. The city’s approximately 50,000 residents also enjoy proximity to downtown Cleveland, just a 20-minute drive away, University Circle (Museum of Art, Natural History Museum, Cleveland Orchestra, Music School Settlement, etc…), Cleveland’s cultural center, just to name a few of the area’s highlights. Charming Center Hall Colonial and Victorian style homes, line the heavily wooded communities of Cleveland Heights.

The peaceful community of Chagrin Falls is located along a beautiful 2.1 square mile stretch of land in the northern part of the state, 18 miles southeast of Cleveland. Well-kept houses and charming specialty shops accent the tree-lined streets of this delightful small town. The nearby community of Moreland Hills is a 7.5-square-mile residential suburb located approximately 14 miles east of Cleveland.

Both communities feature a wide variety of lovely homes, many of which are located on large, wooded lots of at least two acres.  Chagrin Falls, Single Family Home, 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 6,659 sq footage, $2,225,000.  Chagrin Falls, Single Family Home, 8.5 bedrooms, 8.5 bathrooms, 7,100 sq footage, $1,995,000. Chagrin Falls, Single Family Home, 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 6,272 sq footage, $1,395,000.

MAGIC MATT, RAMIRO, CLIPPER NATION did you read the above? Those homes are in the Cleveland area, not Los Angeles. To get anything close in footage, area and price range you are going to have to move to ???  Ask any of the Lakers where their houses are and how much they spent on them. They do have some great $23,000,000.00 homes in Los Angeles. Strike One.

So, how do you build a sport conglomerate so that everyone in the world wants to be a part of it? One thing you eventually have to do is make it a worldwide spectacle with players from all over the world wanting to come to your backyard to play the game. That has been the NBA’s goal for years, and they have been able to entice players from around the world to play here.

But that was not always the story. For many years, the NBA was a sports organization that was locked like much of the Midwest and eastern region of the United States. In 1947, 1948, 1949 and the early 1950’s the sport and the championships were tied into Philadelphia, Baltimore and Minneapolis. In the early 50’s it was all Minneapolis with Syracuse thrown into the mix. Then the Lakers moved and the championship started to belong to the people of Boston, with the first slugfest of the west coast versus the east coast with the Lakers and the Celtics fighting it out for the NBA title.

The NBA had found the perfect match, sunshine versus bleak winters, laid back versus the lunchbox crew.  The NBA grew, new franchises, expansion, not from just east to west but also from north to south. Over the years of competition, even the Midwest and central became bigger players than many thought they would be.

In expanding that competition, players themselves learned that for the good of the game some would languish their star studded careers in cities that most people never visited in a lifetime, while others would start and continue their careers in the industry and entertainment hubs of America.

The NBA also understood which franchises were the marquee franchises, and when their rating levels dropped so did the ratings of the NBA.  Guys, before you explode, answer me this. How did the Los Angeles Lakers get Wilt Chamberlin, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Big Shaq Daddy? The way I have had it told to me by the FNM gurus of basketball, these three are in the top four all time centers in the NBA. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? I am sure we could go on and on about trades and why certain teams get the players and other teams never do.

It is because the NBA watches out for franchises and regions in order to increase national exposure, through television, tournaments and play on a worldwide basis, all to promote the game of basketball. The NBA watches to make sure that the wealth is somewhat spread out through the United States and its regions.

Boston/New York/Syracuse/Miami/Washington/Rochester - East Coast - 22 Championships

Minneapolis/Chicago/Detroit/Milwaukee-Midwest- 15 Championships

Baltimore/Philadelphia (warriors/76ers)/St Louis- Central-6 Championship

San Antonio/Houston-Southwest- 6 Championships

Los Angeles/ Portland/ Seattle-12 Championships

If I missed someone this is as close as I get, and yes there were teams that I could have leaned, but the point is that the NBA has looked for balance so that everyone in a region has had, or will have, those teams that have won Championships.  Bringing me to the point; the NBA has no reason to see a Lebron James leave Cleveland.  Look at the teams from the different regions and look at which teams already have youthful talent and budding superstars in the NBA playoffs.

Why would the NBA look to move the next face of the sports conglomerate to an area that already has the shining face of a superstar? If you were to move your biggest name, then move it to an area that’s struggling (if a team there can afford him). Or leave him where he can do the most good for the NBA, his current home.

If you want to be known as an international organization, first you need to be known as a successful national organization within your own borders.  Are games manipulated?  Are championships preplanned? Can those things be readjusted at will? Yes, because it is a game, played by fallible humans, that on occasion can have an outcome change. It can, but …

I keep hearing LeBron James wants to change his jersey number from 23 to 6. James says “[Jordan] can’t get the logo, and if he can’t, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I’m starting a petition, and I’ve got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.” Michael Jordan is arguably (if you’ve listened to Friday Nite Mics then you’ve heard the arguments) the greatest basketball player of all time. He has won six championships, six Finals MVPs, and five regular season MVPs but he is not Jackie Robinson. He doesn’t hold a candle to Robinson’s cultural impact. Jordan is a basketball and marketing icon, but he didn’t change the landscape of professional sports. For James to change his number from what he feels is respect for Jordan to number 6 shows his lack of basketball history. Lebron also said “I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon,” James said.  There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first. Without Julius Erving, who wore number 6, there would be no Michael Jordan. But didn’t someone else wear #6 that won 11 championships, was a pretty decent player in his own, arguably the greatest basketball player ever and most likely the greatest defender and played during an era that changed America? For LeBron to change his number out of respect to Michael Jordan, he should think about changing it to a number not #6 out of respect for Bill Russell and the history of the game.

Speaking of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant should be mentioned in the same breath. I know everyone at www.sportsnetusa.net will disagree.

Here is my top 5 MVP candidates:
1. LeBron James
2. Carmelo Anthony
3. Kevin Durant
4. Kobe Bryant
5. Dirk Nowitzki

I was thinking recently of a game the Buddha of Babble and I played during our 3am journey from Jackson to the Nashville airport a couple of years ago; the Hall of Fame game. This is a list of nine that should be in the basketball Hall of Fame.
*Artis Gilmore: dominating in the ABA and didn’t drop off when he came to the NBA. Top ten in rebounds, blocks, games and   number one in field goal percentage.
*Dennis Johnson: nine straight All-NBA Defensive teams, three time NBA champ, one Finals MVP
*Gus Johnson: besides being my Uncle Popsie’s favorite player, prototype power forward, think Gayle Sayers impact on the hardwood
*Jerry Tarkanian: Long Beach St. is still living off the recognition he brought to the program, more coaching victories than Ralph Miller, John Chaney, Norm Stewart, Ray Meyer and more championships
*Oscar Schmidt: five-time Olympian for Brazil, one of the best players never to play in the NBA
*Rebecca Lobo: catalyst for UCONN dominance, National Champion
*Frank Selvy: 100 points in a college game, three time all-American
*Hank Gathers: 2nd player in NCAA history to lead in points and rebounds in the same season, average for NCAA career 33 points, 14 rebounds

The most impressive sports team during the last few years has been the UCONN Huskies Women’s basketball team. At this moment, they are at 70 consecutive wins and counting and a national championship during the run. If Maya Moore stays for her senior season, she will be considered one of the all-time greats.

Speaking of all-time greats here is my All-time Golden State Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Team:
*Kelly Schmidt, Vanguard University: four all conference selections, two-time GSAC Player of the Year, four-time all-American (three 1st team and one 2nd), NAIA Player of the Year
*Jessica Richter, Vanguard University: three all conference selections, two-time GSAC Player of the Year, three-time all-American
1st team, NAIA Player of the Year
*Lisa Faulkner, Vanguard University: two all conference selections, GSAC Player of the Year, NAIA Player of the Year, two-time all-American 1st team, NAIA single season assist leader (385)
*Gitte Mejer, Concordia University, all-American 1st team, three-time GSAC Player of the Year
*Sonia Akkerman, Cal Baptist University: all-American, three-time GSAC Player of the Year
Honorable mentions: Lindsey West and Cindy DeYoung (APU), Jamie Gast (CUI), Lesley DuBois (TMC), Colleen Planeta (PLNU), Katie Hardeman and Becky Gibb (WC)

If the NCAA really cared about “student-athletes” missing class time, the NCAA would not consider expanding the Field of 64 to 96 teams. The tournament field is fine the way it is structured now. Proponents say expanding will lessen the cries of those that missed the cut. Even if the field grows, there will always be one or two teams that feel left out. I thought the NCAA wanted full-time “student -athletes” not athletes that only go to class when the time is convenient to the NCAA; which is October to the first week of April.