Mook vs LeBron

i've been wanting to start a sports blog for a while now, and what better way to start than in the midst of the LeBron media frenzy?

This year's NBA free agency has been similar to an election year - without the mudslinging and SNL sketches. And it was needed for the NBA after a LAME draft.

The Major League Baseball off-season - referred to as the Hot Stove- produces drama and excitement, but other leagues rarely do. In most cases, i enjoy the baseball offseason more than the regular season. The anticipation, the possibilities- everyone has a chance... and the rumors are more fun than the results.

It's pretty crazy how much we pay attention to the rumors. People even pay extra money just so they can see the rumors, a few days before the actual truth will come out...

And often the results are disappointing, this NBA off-season perhaps more than others. Paul Piece & Ray Allen both re-upped with the C's, Dirk with the Mavs (Which everyone knew) and Rudy Gay with Memphis.

Dwyane Wade tried to create suspense, but we all knew he was going to Miami. There was no doubt. i thought Chicago made more sense for him - his hometown and all... but he ripped on ownership from the beginning and was recruiting Bosh & Bron heavily...
and is anyone surprised Bosh is going to Miami too?

The only major moves look like bad ones... but that is for another post...

Where will LeBron go?

He should stay in Cleveland
1. It is hometown. He is a superstar everywhere, but he means more to Cleveland than any other place.
2. He likes it in Cleveland. His friends are there, his family there...
3. He would be loved country-wide is he stays. Sure, everyone wants him to come to their team & their city- but no one will say anything bad about him if he stays in Cleveland. If he goes to NY, he only cares about the money. If he goes to Miami, he's 1. copping out 2. creating a target. If he goes to Chicago, he's going to the rival of his team and state. IF he stays in Cleveland- he's loyal. He's loyal to the fans and his heart. He's also being a hero- or aiming for it. He's a hero to the city just by staying, he doesn't have to win at all. If he does win, he's a hero the little guy everywhere.
which bring us to...
4. There's less pressure in Cleveland.
5. They still have a good chance to win, perhaps better than Miami.
6. A good chance to play with Chris Paul in the future.

Most reports having him going to Miami.
i guess i don't know how good of friends he is with Wade and Bosh, but i wouldn't want to do it. It will always be Wade's team. He won't be the superstar legend. Sure Kobe won with Shaq, but he wasn't considered great until he won with out him. Only Jordan won without any other good players (i still think Pippen would have been a joke w/o him). He'll need other good players, but it doesn't have to be Wade.

And are they guaranteed to win? 2 great players and one good player does not guarantee a championship.
The Celtics won, but they all had different roles. The man-child Garnet brought energy and amazing defense. Ray Allen was a sharp-shooter, one of the best in the league. Pierce was the scorer, who became their best all-around player. And then they had a great young point in Rondo, and some good vets like Posey... who will the Heat get?

The best pieces for LeBron would be a sharp-shooter like Mike Miller and a slashing PF... then maybe a pass first PG.

At the beginning i thought it would be New Jersey- with his connections to Jay Z, a big market, a lot of money and a situation that wouldn't like betrayal so much.
If the Nets had got that first pick with John Wall, this could be a different story... they could have kept Wall (similar to Derrick Rose) or made a package deal to acquire Chris Paul...they could have got Chris Bosh, esp since they could have made a good sign & trade deal with Devin Haris involved... too bad Nets fans, i think Bron would have looked good in their colors...

i guess we'll all find out in a hour... maybe closer to two... how are they making this an hour long program? i guess we'll have to tune in to find out

Meanwhile read this article from Bill Simmons http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100708
or watch this link he provided on twitter to portray the LeBron thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H76DwHgOwpA