Basketball Stream of Conscioussness

Honestly, I wonder why people pay interns. For those of you who don't know, I'm interning at a boutique investment bank this summer. It's a good experience and the people are savvy and influential to be around, but there is honestly nothing for me to do. Yes, I help put together documents and do some excel spreadsheets, but anything really important will not be left to the intern. There are days where I can honestly surf the web from 8:30 AM till 5:30 PM unnoticed. The good news is the blog benefits from daily articles. What sparked my mind today was the news that Derrick Rose not only made the cut for the final 15 for the USA team, but that he is being a vocal leader and really impressing coach K; he wants to be a leader for the Bulls and the USA team. This leads me to believe that Rose never wanted LeBron. We've heard the rumors that LeBron felt Rose didn't "actively" recruit him. We've also heard Rose indicate he wants to be the man to lead the Bulls back to significance and prominence. Whether or not you agree, this is a good sign. Can Rose be that guy? I'm not sure. Can you win with a score-first point guard? I'm not sure. Can Rose evolve his game by averaging 8-10 assists and hitting threes? I hope and think so, but again, I'm not sure. Either way, I love that he wants to be an alpha dog. Bill Simmons's The Book of Basketball talks all about the alpha dog (guys who are dominant- not just putting up numbers but willing their team to win), and Rose wants to be one. Therefore, to me, Rose did not want any part of being teammates with LeBron. Some might call this selfish, but I prefer guys who want to beat the best than join the best. This train of thought made me wonder where Rose stacks up in the league:

TOP NBA PLAYERS:

* criteria largely emphasizes being the best player on a great team, rings, numbers, 4th quarter play, MVP stature

* a player can be better overall but worse at their positions (ex: some may consider Rondo a better PG than Rose, but think Rose is a better player)-this list is overall not based on position

1. Kobe Bryant

2. Dwyane Wade

3. LeBron James

4. Kevin Durant

5. Dirk Nowitzki

6. Carmelo Anthony

7. Dwight Howard

8. Deron Williams

9. Chris Paul

10. Steve Nash

11. Pau Gasol

12. Brandon Roy

13. Tim Duncan

14. Derrick Rose

15. Rajon Rondo

16. Carlos Boozer

17. Amare Stoudemire

18. Chris Bosh

19. Paul Pierce

20. Joe Johnson

Honorable Mentions: Danny Granger, Al Jefferson (really should be top 20 currently, but out of respect guys like Pierce and Duncan who still have a big impact get spots)

Will Power Takes Over, Bulls Shift Gears to House, Bogans, Mason

I've always been terrible with analogies but I'll try anyway. If you compare the NBA to bodybuilding, the Miami Heat were the team that landed the best steroids in the gym. Everyone had been talking about these rare steroids that would make you an instant machine. If you take these once in a lifetime opportunity LeBron James performance enhancement drugs, you will be the biggest guy in the gym. On the other hand, the Bulls were that guy who couldn't get the pills. For whatever reason, they didn't have the inside information to gain access, or the connections to make the deal work. Instead, they decided to go the old-fashioned way: 4 days of lifting per week, 2 days of cardio, protein shakes, and a great diet. That's not the recipe to become the biggest guy in the gym overnight, but with hard work it is attainable in the future. Thus, with the signing of Boozer and other strategic, yet not flashy moves such as acquiring Brewer, Korver, Thomas, and Watson, the Bulls have put themselves in position to be good now and be great in the future, building piece by piece, slowly but surely.

Yet, mondays workout of Tracy McGrady made them seem like the guy who's been eating healthy and doing things the right way for two weeks but then hears about these muscle max pills that will make him ripped. Evidence is inconclusive, but the advertisement is enticing. While T-Mac is not even in the same ballpark as LeBron, the thought of a guy who can pour in 20 points on a given night makes you wonder what could be, even makes you consider suddenly dropping your strategy of building through role players to surround Rose and Boozer. Yet, unlike a kid at a candy store, the Bulls seem to have resisted signing T-Mac, according to sources. It wasn't the workout itself, but his comments that made it clear he is eyeing a starting role and saw the team as potentially his and Boozer's, not even mentioning Rose or Noah in his analysis of the Bulls future. It immediately became clear that signing T-Mac was a hail mary move, a last ditch attempt to bulk up in a week instead of naturally progressing over the course of months. While I did go on record to say that T-Mac would be worth the risk, that is because I am impulsive and constantly looking for instant, quick fixes. However, the reality is that at this point in free agency there are no overnight solutions left. There are no players that take you from where you fit in the current NBA landscape and make you a contender. So while the idea of T-Mac giving the Bulls some scoring seemed nice in theory, that move still leaves us looking up at Miami, Boston, and Orlando. For that reason alone, the risk of a team cancer did not seem worth it to Bulls leadership. Agree or not, after Rose and Boozer this is a team of gutsy, tough role players who contribute through specialities such as defense (Brewer), rebounding (Thomas), toughness (Noah, Gibson), and shooting (Korver, Watson), and well roundedness (Deng). Even Booze and Rose are not your "Hollywood-esque" stars, as Boozer is known for grittyness and Rose is soft-spoken. Whether it's due to pride or legitimate belief, the Bulls management believes Rose is bound to be a top 5 NBA player, and after missing on LeBron, I believe they want to build around him and Boozer for the lang haul (that is why they are ok signing so many players and foregoing cap room despite Carmelo Anothony being available next offseason). Thus, rather than gambling on T-Mac they have decided to add another piece, eyeing Eddie House, Roger Mason, and Keith Bogans.

These three guys are all solid choices as backup guards having played for winning teams in Boston, San Antonio, and Orlando. To me, Eddie House is the choice. He's that guy with swagger who can come in and give you 15 gut-wrenching points off the bench in a huge playoff game, but also won't bicker when he only plays 7 minutes the next game (when I say gut-wrenching I really mean it: think Bulls-Celtics round 1 in the '09 playoffs). This guy hits that three in your face that makes opposing fans livid and genuinely sick to their stomach. He's that guy who everyone hates till he's on their side. Moreover, he's a veteran to go alongside Kurt Thomas. I think House fits in with the tough-minded players the Bulls already have (Rose, Brewer, Boozer, Noah, Thomas, Gibson, etc.). Mason and Bogans would not be terrible choices, but I could see them being insignificant and riding the bench as there is not much they can do that a current player lacks. While the pain from House's knockout punches against the Bulls in the '09 playoffs still lingers, I think he's the right man to finalize the 12 man active roster.

Chris Paul News While We Wait on McGrady

Hope everyone had a great weekend, I played in a 3 on 3 basketball tournament that lasted 5 hours, losing in the elite eight by 2 points to the eventual champions. Nevertheless, the tournament did give me more respect for T-Mac's back problems since I currently cannot bend over due to extreme back soreness. Anyway, speaking of McGrady, over the weekend the Bulls stated they would sign T-Mac pending he's healthy. The team is working him out today, and if they like what they see they will offer him a deal. What they're looking for is no glaring back issues, his ability to convince the team he'd happily come off the bench, as well as player approval, which they received from Derrick Rose. I am working on a piece about him, but waiting for more news to come in. For the record I will say that after much thought over the weekend I think we should sign him. As high school basketball star Michael Brunwasser said, "he's little risk, high reward." What the Bulls lack is wing scoring, and T-Mac can hopefully provide that. If he cannot, luckily the Bulls are a no-bullshit organization and would not allow a me-first, struggling player to overtake the team. The new poll allows you guys to state how you feel.

Moving on, I thought while we wait my buddy Aon Hussain from New Orleans (the guy who posted the Western Conference Power Rankings) could give us some insight on the Chris Paul situation, from Aon:

I’ve been a Bulls fan my entire life and it’s the only team I have complete allegiance to. But I go to school in New Orleans and I follow the Hornets as much as I can. So when I heard the news about Hornets guard Chris Paul, I felt that I could weigh in on the subject with some sort of objectivity.

As a part-time resident of New Orleans, I can tell you that it’s a mysterious place. The Mardi Gras culture has enabled the state to garner its acumen as an easy-going city where fun happens. Bourbon St. is known more for the flashing of skin for beads more than the five star restaurants or hotels that operate there. The French Quarter is reminiscent of a wide array of European architecture, from French to Spanish. Its cuisine is a mixture of Cajun, Creole, and everything in between. Even its politicians are different. Rather than being public servants, they are known for being crooked and entertaining. Who can forget the old adage that Louisiana’s former governor Edwin Edwards presented us with a long time ago. Edwards, who is presently in prison had once notoriously declared the only way he could be banished from his career were if he were “caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy.”

So it’s not surprising that this culture has transcended towards one of the state’s premiere professional sports franchises. While the Saints have accomplished so much with the support of the entire city and state, it seems as if the Hornets are just stagnating towards mediocrity and potentially the bottom cellar of the NBA. Let’s not underestimate just how big of a bind this franchise is in. Owner George Shinn has tried to sell the team for months now, but the finalization of the deal has stalled. The team fired a player-friendly coach in Byron Scott to the chagrin of many players early on in the season and replaced him with the GM who would be tossed out after the season ended. It then couldn’t haul in any of its top choices for head coaches which included Tom Thibadeu and instead settled for a novice in Monty Williams. And financially, this team is one of the most horrendous operating teams in the league. It can’t sell seats and this team is loaded with torturous contracts. It is 3 million dollars away from the luxury tax, yet is one of the worst assembled teams in the league.

But all these problems pale in comparison to the reports that came out recently about franchise player Chris Paul. The 25 year old Paul has been the backbone of this franchise for so long and represents the biggest bright spot on the team. But now Paul, disappointed with the direction the team is going has asked to be traded. This news is no surprise considering the players that Paul has around him. David West is arguably the second best player on the team, but he is soft. He’s afraid to play in the post and is a defensive liability. He would be a great third or fourth option on any team, but he’s not meant to be anybody’s Robin, even with somebody as great as Chris Paul playing the role of Batman. Emeka Okafor has been a productive player his entire career, but he’s not worth the 11 million dollar salary he is getting as he is an offensive liability. Peja Stojacovic is getting paid 12 million dollars to average 8 points a game. His age has caught up to him and frankly he has lost confidence in his shot and thankfully he’s off the books at the end of the year. The only bright spot on this team is Darren Collison, but he plays the same position as Paul.

All this leaves new GM Dell Demps in a curious position. No management would want to give up a talent as great as Paul, but if any player requests a trade then it might not be beneficial to keep him – regardless of how talented he is. But regardless of what Dell gets in return, it will not make up for the loss of Paul. Demps is in a position where he will only get cents on the dollar and frankly he will have to determine what the best value he will get in return. But the market for Paul is razor thin as he would only want to go to possible contenders, and out of this criterion many teams won’t be able to afford him or they’re already set at the point guard. So we can count out team like the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, or any of the bottom barrel non-contenders who aren’t even worth mentioning. But after further scrutiny, these are possible scenarios of where Paul could end up and what the Hornets would probably get in return.

1) New York Knicks – At buddy Carmelo Anthony’s wedding, Paul raised eyebrows when he said that he, Amare Stoudemire, and Carmelo Anthony should establish their own Big 3 in New York. Aside from Stoudemire (who the Knicks won’t trade), the Knicks don’t have much to offer. That is unless the Hornets want any combination of Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Galinari, or Eddy Curry’s expiring contract.
2) Orlando Magic – CP3 combined with Dwight Howard and Vince Carter would be a menacing combination to in-state rival Miami Heat. Any move that the Magic would make would include the trade of current point guard Jameer Nelson, but with the Collison in place already the Hornets might balk with Nelson as a cornerstone of the deal. And it wouldn’t make sense for the Magic to acquire Paul and not trade away Nelson.
3) Portland Trailblazers – There have been rumors of Paul going to Portland for Andre Miller and any combination of Blazers so long as their names aren’t Brandon Roy or Lamarcus Aldridge. Regardless, the Hornets won’t get anything substantive for Paul.
4) Dallas Mavericks – Rodrique Boubois and Caron Butler for Chris Paul has been thrown around as well. Nonetheless, the value of the trade still isn’t equal.
5) Los Angeles Lakers – Obviously Kobe Bryant or Paul Gasol won’t be in the deal. But would the Lakers be willing to give up 24 year old center Andrew Bynum? It’s a puzzling question.
6) Memphis Grizzlies – This team has for so long yearned for a point guard. They probably wouldn’t give up Rudy Gay. Would they be willing to give up Marc Gasol or OJ Mayo? GM Chris Wallace is bound to take any risks and I wouldn’t put this past him.
7) Charlotte Bobcats – Any deal for Paul would include any combination of D.J. Augustine, Gerald Henderson, Steven Jackson, or Gerald Wallace. This is another option, but no Chris Paul type player would be attained in return.
8) Houston Rockets – Any combination of Kyle Lowry, Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin, Trevor Ariza or Shane Battier would suffice. Granted the pool of players from this team is substantially more talented than other team, but no equal value can be produced.

We’ve exhausted over all the scenarios and teams that Paul could end up on and honestly, none of the teams have anything of substance to offer in return. We’ve come to a crossroads where Paul is one of the best players in the league and producing anything of equal value will be offered makes things far more difficult. And I highly doubt that the organization will trade him away for scraps and pieces. Thus we’re left with a difficult marriage. A marriage where one partner wants out, but the other partner still isn’t ready to part ways. And frankly, the only way Paul might be granted a ticket out of New Orleans is if he does what Governor Edwards proclaimed decades ago and is found with “a live boy or dead girl”.

- Aon Hussain


Fittingly enough, today's ESPN headline reads, "Hornets turning away calls on Paul."

Ladies & Gentleman: Mr. Kurt Thomas

The Bulls added their fifth piece off the offseason, 15 year veteran Kurt Thomas. To sum him up just read a quote from him:

“Basically, I’m a good person out there until you tick me off,” Thomas told the Times. ”If you mess with me, I’ll mess with you. If you want to push and shove and throw elbows, I can do that, too. I’m not Charles Oakley. I’m Kurt Thomas. I believe I can do some of the things he did on the floor. He could hit the 18-foot jumper, and I believe I can fill that role. He was a great rebounder, and I feel I can rebound the ball. When I first got here, the question was: With Charles Oakley being gone, are the Knicks a different type of team? My job is to be physical on the floor. If that means knocking a person coming down the lane, I’ll have to bop them.”

Thus, the Bulls added a banger who can hit the open jump shot. Moreover, he serves as the experienced presence the Bulls lost when Brad Miller signed with the Rockets for 3 years $15mm. His career numbers are 8.8 ppg and 7 rpg in 25.7 mpg, with his demeanor as an enforcer (in the hockey sense) providing intangibles not seen in the box score (except for leading the league in fouls two straight years). Additionally, Thomas has played in 89 playoffs games including in the Finals with the Knicks in the late 1990's. All in all, a good move as the Bulls continue to fill out their roster.

Bulls consider McGrady, a Reality Check for Deng?

As sources are indicating, the Bulls are evaluating Tracy McGrady via workouts and talks with his agent. Yes, this is the same Tracy McGrady that wowed the NBA before being plagued with chronic back problems. T-Mac's time in both Orlando and Houston were filled with both extreme highs and lows. At his best, T-Mac was considered one of, if not the best player in the league. However, as time went on and he never made it past the first round of the playoffs, that status quickly diminished. Nevertheless, after a decent effort for the Knicks last season (averaging 9.4 ppg and 3.9 apg in 26.1 mpg), and considering how cheap he would be given his age and injury problems, it is not unthinkable that he could be of some value to a team (he does average 21.5 ppg for his career including 32.1 ppg in 2003). Personally, without seeing him workout, I cannot make any conclusive judgments. Say what you want about T-Mac, but this guy can tear up any defender when he's on. Moreover, although he's been criticized for being a ball-hog, teammates speak highly of him and he averages close to 5 assists for his career. From watching him, I do think he gets others involved and is not the "give me the ball now" type as much as a Kobe, Dirk, Melo, etc. The Bulls are intrigued because they lack "create your own shot" scoring. While Rose and Boozer can create their own shot, Rose is a PG and Boozer is a post player; they need someone who can take people off the dribble and hit tough jumpers from the wing. Nevertheless, I also think the Bulls are slowly building a juggernaut through young, hard-working players, and I would hate to see a washed up scorer like McGrady mess up the chemistry in place. Rather than overanalyze the pros and cons of signing T-Mac when this is all still in the early stages, I'm asking why are the Bulls even considering him?

The answer: My feeling all along is that the Bulls look great at the 1,4, and 5 spots. Our weakness: the wing. Yes, Brewer and Deng can defend. Yes, they are both solid players who can contribute. But can you be a genuine contender with these players at the wing? I think both of these players could start on a championship team, but not next to each other. Brewer is mostly a defender, and although Deng averaged 17.6 ppg and 7.3 rpg in 37.9 mpg (15.8, 6.5, 34.2 respectively for his career), he is not a go to guy scorer. Deng's game involves a lot of slashing, puts backs, and his specialty: the 20 footer. Having both watched a plethora of games and talking to many fans, most people share a similar sentiment: Deng gives you great minutes, but he's not clutch. How many times have we seen Deng score 10 points in the first quarter and than dissapear. I have never seen Deng take over a game in the fourth quarter and will the team to win. Now, I am not saying I dislike Deng as a player, I just don't think the Bulls can bank on Deng as their 3 to win a title if they don't have an all star scorer at the shooting guard position. The good news is Deng is still young and has only played in the league 5 years. The bad news is Deng is being paid around $13mm through 2014, seriously comprising his trade value given current NBA economics. Thus, while the ideal move is to use Deng, a great role player and potential star as trade bait for a guy like Anthony, the reality is we may be stuck with Deng. Again, when I say "stuck" it is not that I do not like a 18 and 7 guy, it is that I believe to win a title you need a great wing player and a great big man. I love Rose, but he is a PG. The Lakers have won the last two without a great PG. The Celtics won before Rondo was a great PG. The Heat won with Wade without a great PG. Additionally, Nash, DWill, Kidd, Chris Paul, and Stockton have a total of zero rings, just to name a few. Thus, while I'm hoping the Bulls are the exception, I believe we need more than Rose and Boozer in terms of offense fire-power, and I don't think Luol is that guy. As my colleague Ari Schwartz said (unbiasedly as a Wizards fan), "Luol Deng is a fourth option on a contender, he's run of the mill as a third option." This is how I feel and this is why I cannot fault the Bulls for considering guys like T-Mac and Iverson, who may have 1-2 20 points per game season's left in the tank. Finally, I will say that it is not simply your scoring average but how and when those points come. To me, Deng hits his open shot and scores hustle points, but his 18 points are typically quiet and rarely come in the clutch.

Maybe you guys disagree: Lets get a debate going both via the poll and comments, I think the Deng situation is central to the Bulls future, and I know others feel the same way about that.

Bulls add C.J. Watson

With Brewer, Deng, Korver, and maybe James Johnson at the wings; Boozer, Noah, Gibson, and Asik in the front court; and Derrick Rose at the point, the remaining roster seemed to demand a backup PG, an additional shooter/wing player, and another big man. Whether it be free agents, rookies, summer league/D league prospects, the Bulls have been considering everyone from long time vets to players who haven't sniffed the NBA court like John Lucas III, Matt Bouldin, and Derrick Byars. Last night, the Bulls figured out one of the remaining question marks by acquiring C.J. Watson from the Golden State Warriors. The Bulls signed him to a 3 year deal worth $10.2mm, but only 2 years at $6.5mm are guaranteed. Watson was a backup PG for Stephen Curry last year, and also played at the two guard position when Monta Ellis was injured, averaging 10.3 ppg. Watson is a decent three point shooter (31% laster year, but 40% two years ago), but is a more efficient and explosive mid-range shooter and scorer with a career field goal percentage of 46%. He's not Manu Ginobli, but this is a guy who can come off the bench and make things happen offensively. This is good news for the Bulls who last year felt Rose had to play 48 minutes every night out. Moreover, his style allows him to come in and play for Brewer alongside Rose to provide a more scoring-minded attack. Defensively he's no Brewer, but he did average 1.6 steals per game last year-which would've been 11th in the league if he had recorded enough minutes (27.5 mpg); the same amount that Brewer averaged. Watson excites me because he can score, which at this point seems to be the Bulls biggest weakness. Given the flexibility of Brewer/Korver being able to play the 2 and 3, I think Watson will get his tick and hopefully be that instant offense guy off the bench.

Introducing Ronnie Brewer

As reported, the Bulls signed Ronnie Brewer to a three year $12.5mm deal. Unless a trade or other significant signing is made, which is not expected, the starting lineup looks to be made:

PG- Rose
SG- Brewer
SF- Deng
PF- Boozer
C- Noah

Defensively, we are stacked. Brewer is a lock-down man to man defender and is much more athletic than a J.J. Redick. Additionally, he's a good slasher, can attack the rim on occasion, and is fast in the open court. His offensive numbers speak a bit louder than people think, with a career average of 10.3 ppg including 13.7 for Utah in 08/09 as well as a career shooting percentage of 52%. The main problem offensively is that he is a 23% three point shooter for his career with a high of 26%. The Bulls had no great shooters last year, with Hinrich being the best, and lost him. While Korver is a lights out shooter, the starting lineup still lacks someone to space the floor. Obviously you can't get everything you want, with Redick you get three's and solid defense but not much else, and with Brewer you get top-notch defense, and open court explosiveness but no shooting. I think that if him and Korver each get 20-30 min a game this could be a good platoon at the 2 guard. I think what makes Brewer look less appealing is that Deng at the 3 can't shoot the three and has been disappointing to many. Brewer would look great next to an elite star, but people may be frustrated with the 2/3 tandem of Brewer/Deng more so than Brewer himself. The Bulls may need to consider starting Korver over Deng or Brewer, but I think at the end of the day each will get sizable minutes. Either way, he is definitely a solid fifth starter, and the Bulls are putting together a team of pieces that will continue to get better. I think we need to work with what we have at this point, maybe add a backup PG & C, and than move towards being able to offer an attractive trading deadline package for Anthony and if not go after him hard next summer.

What does everyone think?

BULLS SIGN BREWER

The Bulls have signed Ronnie Brewer to a three year deal worth $12.5mm. Analysis piece-Monday, have a good weekend folks

Western Conference Power Rankings

QUICK BULLS UPDATE: The Magic have matched the Bulls offer of $20mm over three years for shooting guard J.J. Redick. Additionally, Shaun Livingston signed with the Bobcats and Raja Bell with the Jazz. The Bulls will either have to think trade or likely go after Ronnie Brewer: an athletic perimeter defender but a weak shooter. Moving on to today's featured topic:

Western Conference Power Rankings:

Some NBA players treat basketball as a job. When they're at work they do their best to earn their paycheck and that is that. Winning is icing on the cake, but ultimately it serves as their employment. On the other hand, some people make it a lifestyle. When they leave practice, they go on a run. They lift at night when everyone else has gone home. They combine work with school adding in homework. No one does this more than Kobe Bryant, and that is why his Lakers sit atop the NBA landscape and these power rankings.

These rankings are brought to you by Aon Hussain, a junior at Tulane University. He is a good buddy and has always been known for controversial views whether it be politics, sports, or anything else. I think you will see that in his rankings. These rankings bring in a lot of good news and free agency updates and serve as a good way to get caught up on what's been going on in the West amidst so much focus on the East in the Lebron sweepstakes. I will say that mapping out the West is more difficult than the East in that after the Lakers things are completely up in the air. In this sense, the rankings are up for much debate. Again, I will post his rankings and than make my changes in the comments section. Closer to the season I will do a full NBA preseason power rankings:

1) Los Angeles Lakers

The champions of the league will remain the champions of the league until they are dethroned. In fact, after the free agency bonanza that took place this year, the Lakers should be the one team expected to outpace everybody else because of one simple reason – Kobe Bryant. How fired up do you think he is after the media and pundits have labeled the Miami Heat the next big thing? The return of the Zen Master was great news to Mr. Buss and Co. and will make the viability of a three-peat more likely. The Lakers have the most dominant player in the league along with the most graceful big man in the league in Pau Gasol, a 22 year old big man that is an automatic double-double if he can remain healthy in Andrew Bynum, and a solid nucleus which should include defensive specialist Ron Artest, jack of all trades Lamar Odom, and floor generals Steve Blake and Derek Fisher. I’m sorry South Beach, but the team from Hollywood should be the favorites to win the championship again.

2) Dallas Mavericks

The knock on the Mavericks has always been that they are too soft. That they are a team more focused on finesse and skill with little regard to defense and physicality. That all changed over the course of the last two years. First of all, Dirk Nowitski stayed loyal to the team that he has played with his entire career and was willing to take 16 million dollars less than the Mavs were willing to offer him. The Flying Deutchman is by far the best shooting big man in the league and can take over the game any time he wants, but his counterpart on the frontcourt was always an overpaid underachiever, Erick Dampier, who was traded to Charlotte during the summer. Now that he has legitimate centers Brandon Haywood and Tyson Chandler locked up to complement him, the Mavericks finally have length and physical players that have honed their careers primarily on defense. When the midseason trade with the Wizards took place, most people expected Caron Butler to be the integral piece of the puzzle that Dallas lacked. But in essence, Haywood was far more important. His defense and post game made the Mavs legitimate title contenders. Include Chandler, and the Mavs have a front court that is capable of rebounding, blocking, and defending. Add in Shawn Marion into that discussion, and this team causes match-up problems for almost every other team. Plus, never discount the offensive pedigree of Caron Butler or Jason Terry and the leadership abilities of Jason Kidd. Depth goes beyond that with second year Frenchman Rodrique Beaubois and little guy Jose Juan Barea. I know Pat Riley will be mentioned for Executive of the Year next year, but Donnie Nelson deserves serious consideration just for last season’s trade and the acquisition of Chandler all the while giving up the horrendous contracts of Matt Carroll, Erick Dampier and Eduardo Najera.

3) Oklahoma City Thunder

The surprise team of last year is no longer a surprise. While Lebron James was making plans to appear on television to announce his intention for next year, all Kevin Durant needed was a 140 character tweet that said “Extension for 5 more years wit the #thunder....God Is Great, me and my family came a long way...I love yall man forreal, this a blessing!" Keeping the 22 year old phenom and sure to be future legend locked up was the obvious thing to do for GM Sam Presti. How many times will a 30 point scorer who is barely legal enough to drink alcohol come along? Lest we not forget, this was the only team besides the Celtics that gave the champion Lakers fits during the playoffs. Guard Russell Westbrook still is raw, but held his own against Kobe Bryant in the playoffs. His athleticism and physicality will enable him to control the tempo and guard almost anybody with relative ease. Once his offensive skills improve, he will be a force to be reckoned with. Add in versatile forward Jeff Green and second year lottery pick James Harden, and the Thunder have a solid nucleus. Depth is ensured with guys like Sergei Ibaka, Thabo Sefolosha, and Eric Maynor. Rookie Cole Aldrich will be looked at to provide depth some sort of frontcourt presence, but let’s be honest – the postgame is still the biggest problem for this young squad and that is what keeping them from being higher on this power ranking.

4) Utah Jazz

Say what you say, but losing Carlos Boozer might have turned out to be better for the Jazz after all. Boozer was a 28 year old who had injury problems throughout his career. Newly acquired Al Jefferson has had injury problems of his own, but he is only 25. Plus the fact that he is 6’11 allowed the Jazz get a better deal. When Boozer was gone for much of the season two years ago, Paul Millsap filled in exceptionally. But the difference between the old Jazz and the new Jazz is that Millsap could never be on the court with Boozer due to height and match-up problems, but Millsap can play alongside Jefferson. Along with a healthy Mehmet Okur and an ever improving Kryrylo Fesenko, the Jazz now have a capable front court. Deron Williams is a superstar who is unquestionably one of the best point guards in the league. But the wing situation is a big question mark for this squad. Losing Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver over the course of the season has led the wing positions to become a little thin. Wesley Matthews has signed an offer sheet with the Blazers and if the Jazz decide not to match they’re hoping that lottery pick Gordon Hayward and savvy veteran CJ Miles can fill the wing positions. Even better, maybe Andrei Kerilenko can finally come back to his old all-star form and become a more integral part of this team offensively.

5) Phoenix Suns

Losing Amare Staudemire to free agency was a big loss for this team. But the fact is the Suns couldn’t afford him anymore. The front office decided to put their eggs in the baskets of Robin Lopez, Channing Frye, and Hakim Warrick picking up his slack. The funny this is that this might pay off financially. Lopez is developing and can finally have a more pivotal role on offense. Frye’s shooting capabilities enabled the Suns to spread the floor more successfully. And for what it’s worth, Warick’s been a double digit scorer for most of his career. Sure Steve Nash is the best point guard in the league, but he is 35 years old and he hasn’t discovered the Fountain of Youth yet. Jason Richardson was crucial during the playoffs and hopefully he can imitate that again but I don’t know if he has it in him. But adding Josh Childress and Hedo Turkoglu will be amazing additions for this team and their offensive numbers will flourish in this run and gun offense.

6) Denver Nuggets

Fans in New York are hoping that the Nuggets implode so that they can swoop in on Carmelo Anthony next summer. But wait just a New York minute. The Nuggets are too talented to fail. Anthony is a top five superstar who excels at all facets of the game. Chauncey Billups is one of the best floor generals and is too clutch to let this team quit. Ty Lawson may be less than six feet tall, but he is quick, agile, and athletic and will be a great asset for the future of this organization. JR Smith can dunk and shoot the three, but if he works on his defense and maturity, he could be dominant. And Kenyon Martin and Nene are serviceable in the front court. The recent acquisition of Al Harrington will pay dividends as well. His postgame offense will rejuvenate the squad. But the biggest wild card in this has to be head coach George Karl. Without him last year, the Nuggets were not the same team. His battle against cancer has been a tremendous and uplifting story and hopefully he’s battled it away with success. This organization clearly runs on the genius of this coach and without him, the team won’t be the same.

7) Portland Trail Blazers

The most idiotic decision of the offseason was definitely when Blazers owner Paul Allen fired GM Kevin Pritchard. Pritchard built the team into a formidable power in the Western Conference, and the fact that the team was able to perform so well with a slew of injuries was a testament to how talented this team is. Nonetheless, the team that Pritchard built will be just as if not more dominant than ever before. Brandon Roy is a superstar who when healthy is capable of being unstoppable on the court. And depth was never a problem for this team. Andre Miller, Lamarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, and Joel Pryzbilla are all a solid supporting cast. But what will take this team over the top is whether or not Greg Oden can stay healthy. While people are quick to label him a bust, the fact is he is only 22 years old. There is still plenty of time for him to resurrect his career so long as he can stay healthy. It’s not necessary for him to be playing at a superstar level. All he needs to do is provide good defense and score efficiently on a consistent basis. If he can muster enough good fortune to do that, then the Blazers will be competitive and better than years before.

8) Memphis Grizzlies

When the Grizzlies traded away Paul Gasol, this team was projected to just fall to the bottom and never recuperate. But the Grizzlies have been improving steadily and this is the year where they could seriously contend. In fact they retained everybody from last year’s squad and added some new talent which should theoretically improve their win total. Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph are a nucleus that at first glance might not wow you, but at the end of the day are extremely talented. What will be the biggest factor in the emergence of this team will be the point guard play and bench. Can Mike Conley lead this team? He doesn’t need to score, just spread the ball around and run the floor. If so, then the Grizzlies are playoff worthy. When it comes to the bench, Memphis is counting on the draft classes of the last couple of years. Greivis Vasquez, Xavier Henry, Demarre Carroll, Sam Young and Hasheem Thabeet are a young and inexperienced second unit, but if they accomplish even a quarter of what they did in college, then that’s solid.

9) Houston Rockets

Yao Ming is finally healthy, and the Rockets will finally be able to utilize the 7’6 behemoth on whom they pinned their entire franchise around a couple of years ago. But Yao finally has a core around him that he did not have the luxury of playing around since his days teaming up with Tracy McGrady pre-injury. Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin are a backcourt that can score in bunches and often. Shane Battier is still Shane Battier meaning he will defend with a tremendous amount of vigor and be the ultimate glue guy. But if they lose Luis Scola to free agency, they will have problems when it comes to size. For a minute, it seemed as if Patrick Patterson and Jordan Hill would be thrown into the wolves and do what Scola quietly accomplished which would’ve been a tall task at hand. But the Argentinean is coming back after inking a four year deal and will help Yao in the post while pushing for a playoff spot.

10) Los Angeles Clippers

How can a Donald Sterling owned team be ranked higher than the Spurs? I might be an idiot for giving into this temptation, but I see the Clippers steadily rising and see the Spurs just declining. The Clippers have a top 6 point guard in Baron Davis, a great center in Chris Kaman, an offensive specialist in Eric Gordon and my personal favorite to win Rookie of the Year in Blake Griffin (even though he was drafted two years ago, he qualifies for the award because he never really played a game last year). The small forward position is still questionable and there’s a chance that rookie Al-Farouq Aminu might be the opening day starter. If not, there are even reports that former all-star Tracy McGrady is working out for them. If the Clippers can pull that off, then that might be a bargain that will benefit them in ticket sales and on the court. There’s a chance that the Clippers might actually might fight for the playoffs this year. I can’t believe I just said that. I looked outside and didn’t see any meteors, so I guess this isn’t a sign of the apocalypse.

11) San Antonio Spurs

Never discount a Gregg Popovich coached team. But Former MVP Tim Duncan will have to carry the load for this team once again. With the emergence of George Hill, the trading of Tony Parker seems sensible and more likely and maybe the Spurs can improve their depth with such a trade. But I’m writing for this blog with the assumption that the Spurs will have Tony Parker. Mr. Eva Longoria is still a legit player but the combination of him and Duncan still isn’t good enough for the Spurs to merit a spot in the playoffs. Why? Depth is a big question mark for this team. Manu Ginobili is 33 years old, injury prone, and isn’t as aggressive as he used to be. Sure Hill, Dejuan Blair, and former Brazilian first round pick and rookie Tiago Splitter can be serviceable back-ups but who comes in after that? And who knows where free agent Richard Jefferson will end up, which brings me up to another unrelated point. Jefferson opting out of 15 million dollars to become a free agent might be the stupidest financial decision of all time in line with investing in Bernie Madoff’s ponzi scheme or buying stock in Bear Stearns on the advice of Jim Kramer.

12) Sacramento Kings

There is hope in Sacramento. No, it isn’t because the horrendous California state legislature finally fixed all its fiscal problems and managed to dig itself out of its 26 billion dollar deficit. Rather it is because the Kings might finally be Kings and not in the infamous words of Shaq the “Sacramento Queens”. Reigning rookie of the year Tyreke Evans played amazing last year, but at times looked too selfish on the court. But he might finally have players around him that he can trust passing the ball too. Israeli import Omri Casspi was a bright spot for the team last year and will be looked at to improve this year. Rookie Demarcus Cousins could be the best player to come out of this year’s draft depending on whether he could keep a sensible head in pros. New center Samuel Dalembert will be a solid defensive addition. Jason Thompson is a young stud who could be a double-double guy if he ever gets the ball. And veterans Carl Landry, Fransisco Garcia, and Beno Udrih provide a gritty and rugged attitude to this team.

13) Golden State Warriors

Oracle founder Larry Ellison is rumored to be in the process of purchasing this franchise for a price tag of potentially 400 million dollars. This might be a solid business venture on his part. This is a franchise in one of the top ten television markets and this is a team with very loyal fans. Business wise it’s a smart venture, but as a fan Ellison should have buyer’s remorse. That’s not to say the Warriors stink. Overall, I liked what the Warriors did this summer. Trading away Corey Maggete’s horrendous contract was smart. But now the Warriors have a thin bench with a bunch of players who are overpaid with prime examples being Dan Gadzuric and Vladimir Radmonovic. But there is optimism in the Bay. What do Kevin Durant, Lebron James and Monta Ellis have in common? They are the only players who are 25 years old or below that were in the top ten in scoring last year. That’s good company for Ellis. Nonetheless, Monta chucks the ball up in the air too much and needs to mature a bit. If he’s able to do that, then the future is bright. Stephen Curry was also an amazing pick up for this squad last year. He flourishes in Don Nelson’s system and his shot is probably one of the most pure in the entire league. Trading for David Lee will prove to be advantageous in the short run. Curry, Ellis and Lee will thrive in the Warriors system offensively. But years from now the Lee trade might prove to be a bust because Anthony Randolph can be a stud. But from today’s perspective, the trade was sensible. Defense will be addressed with guys like Devean George, rookie Ekpe Udoh and Andres Biedrens. But after these players, there is a major drop off in talent and that’s why the Warriors will be mired in the bottom half of the conference.

14) New Orleans Hornets

There is not an NBA franchise in bigger flux than the Hornets. They barely sell out their seats. They’ve been on sale for a while but can’t close the deal. They were spurned by their top choices for head coach. Their GM just resigned. And biggest of all, their star player, Chris Paul, is disappointed with the direction of this franchise. Let’s be honest. This team is three million dollars away from the luxury tax, yet the talent on this team is questionable. David West, Emeka Okafor, and Peja Stojacovic are good, but they’re all overpaid. Sure Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton are both bright spots for this squad, but there is very little depth on this squad. With all these ugly contracts on this team, the Hornets are bound to stink for a long time and it’s sensible to break this team up immediately. Maybe they can start that by trading away Chris Paul for younger pieces who are more valuable down the line. Break ups are hard, but sometimes relationships aren’t compatible and right now the marriage between Paul and New Orleans just isn’t worthy enough.

15) Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves received a 14 million dollar trade exception for Al Jefferson. Couple that with the rights to Ricky Rubio, and the Timberwolves have some legitimate trade bait for bigger pieces. But this team is still years away from being playoff worthy. Johnny Flynn and Kevin Love provide a good young foundation, but will Michael Beasley and Wesley Johnson take them over the top? A few years from now, maybe. But definitely not now. This team will sulk in the bottom tier of the NBA for a while.

Eastern Conference Power Rankings

Before I start, did anyone see Steve Carell's bit on "The Decision." Last night on the ESPY's he did a skit about his decision to go to Outback Steakhouse instead of Chile's, I was laughing out loud. Moving on, and as promised, Thur/Fri presents NBA Power Rankings, one conference at a time. Today I will present the Eastern Conference Power Rankings written by my good friend and colleague Jon Saft.

About Jon: Jon Saft is a junior at Vanderbilt University majoring in communications and minoring in spanish and corporate strategy. His basketball knowledge stems from his lifelong love affair with the game, culminating in his three years leading The Haverford School basketball team to glory. His career has been plagued by injuries since reaching the college level, but in his prime he was said to remind many of Pau Gasol (others have said Chris Mihm...). In high school, Saft's talents took him beyond the hardwood, as well: editing his schools newspaper and writing a weekly sports column for the Main Line Times.

I brought Jon in because he is an expert on the Eastern Conference and gives a different perspective as a 76ers fan versus me as a Bulls fan. I will post his work and then make a sparknotes version of mine in the comments section underneath, though I will say I am largely in accordance with him. So without further ado:

1. Miami Heat: It remains to be seen how the big 3 will fit together, but with the addition of Mike Miller to spread the floor, you have to call them the favorite. Big guys will hurt them, but without the ability to double team, any one of the big 3 will present an unstoppable matchup problem against any team.

2. Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard is the key. If he develops his offensive game, Orlando will leapfrog Miami and spoil Lebron’s Dream Team fantasy. Jameer Nelson will continue to progress into a premier point guard in this league, but Vince Carter needs to prove he can hit a shot when it counts.

3. Boston Celtics: The Celtics are definitely on the way down, but the defending Eastern Conference champions are still a force. The Jermaine O’Neal signing gives them another big body to guard/foul Howard. It will also help them stay afloat while Kendrick Perkins recovers from major offseason knee surgery and offset the loss of Rasheed Wallace from retirement. While Kevin Garnett’s knees will continue to wear down, Glen Davis’ performance in the Finals and soaring confidence should prove to be quite valuable. At the end of the day, the Paul Pierce-Rajon Rondo duo will keep the Celtics among the East’s elite.

4. Chicago Bulls: A tough call here. The Hawks won 53 games last year and are returning everyone. With the additions of Carlos Boozer and Coach Tom Thibodeau, though, the Bulls did a lot to improve their squad. Derrick Rose has two years under his belt and an all-star in the front court. The Bulls seem to be one or two pieces away from the NBA’s top tier.

5. Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks rewarded Joe Johnson for leading them to an embarrassing second round sweep with $120 million, blaming Coach Mike Woodson instead. They still have no one to guard Dwight Howard. Everyone else in the East seemed to get better while the Hawks stayed the same.

6. Milwaukee Bucks: One of the up and coming teams in the East. Brandon Jennings is the key as he tries to avoid a sophomore slump. Andrew Bogut will try to continue his improvement and team with Jennings to make a formidable 1-2 punch. John Salmons will do his best to fill in for Michael Redd as he recovers from surgery until February.

7. Charlotte Bobcats: Charlotte did not drastically change the landscape of their team. They still have three very athletic, very talented guard/forwards (Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace, Gerald Henderson) that will keep them competitive every night. D.J. Augustin will have to prove he can be a starting point guard in this league.

8. New York Knicks: The Amar’e signing puts them in the playoff picture, but I still don’t see this team doing much. They gave an injury-prone big guy who’s afraid to play defense a max contract in hopes of reviving basketball in the biggest city in the country. Couple him with the 6’10 Anthony Randolph, tipping the scales at 210 soaking wet, and you have to think they won’t hold an opponent under 100 points all year.

9. Washington Wizards: It will take the Wizards some time to get used to the new dynamic their team, but they are loaded with talent. It remains to be seen how John Wall will adapt his game to the pros, but all signs point to success. With Wall distributing, Gilbert Arenas can focus on what he loves to do: score the basketball. Those two will combine with Andray Blatche to form a pretty exciting young team.

10. Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers greatly improved their squad by picking POY Evan Turner with the second pick. Turner will join Jrue Holliday in one of the most promising young backcourts in the league. If Elton Brand can return to form, look for the Sixers to shoot up this list. If not, they still need a big man who can rebound and play defense.

11. Cleveland Cavaliers: Life A.J. (After James) begins with Antawn Jamison leading the way. Now people just remember Jamison from his dismal performance in the playoffs, but he still averaged almost 19 points and more than 8 rebounds a game last year. Respectable numbers, but not enough to lead a team to the playoffs. Jamison will team with Mo Williams and up-and-comer J.J. Hickson to make the Cavs respectable, but the loss of LBJ will cost them 20-30 wins.

12. Indiana Pacers: The Pacers are pretty much Danny Granger, and then everyone else. Granger continues to be the most underrated player in the NBA, but with little help from his surroundings the Pacers’ chances do not look promising.

13. New Jersey Nets: The Nets did not do a whole lot to help their fortunes after their horrid 12-win season last year. They overpaid for Travis Outlaw and signed Jordan Farmar, who will be looking for minutes that just aren’t there behind Devin Harris. If Harris and Brook Lopez can continue to develop, the Nets should be better than last year, but are still a couple years away from playoff contention.

14. Detroit Pistons: The Pistons didn’t do much to improve on their 27-win team from last year. With Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton, and Ben Wallace in the starting lineup, the Pistons look very similar to their championship team. Too bad everyone is 6 years older and they’re missing a point guard and a reliable scorer. The Ben Gordon signing will haunt them for years.

15. Toronto Raptors: The Raptors swapped Hedo Turkoglu, somewhat of a disappointment last year, for Leandro Barbosa. A good deal for the Raptors, but without Chris Bosh, who’s going to put the ball in the basket?

Bulls Free Agency Landscape

1. First off: welcome to my blog first time readers- it's been up for a while but this a brand new, reenergized look.

2: Recap: Yesterday I made my remarks about LBJ and the aftermath of free agency, just wanted to add a few things. I don't need to be another rag artist of "The Decision" but I will say the title plays off the narcissism nicely, and as a narcissist I have to appreciate. Another thing is that if you haven't gotten the chance watch Joakim Noah's reaction to LBJ signing with the Heat do so (upper left corner on video bar). This rephrased quote sums its up 'It's going to be very Hollywood down there.' Was he being jealous/presumptuous? No need to debate because the party in South Beach the next day with LBJ, Wade, and Bosh being lifted up in a forklift and dancing to hip hop music with fog machines answered that question. Is anyone else enraged with how much status Bosh is getting by riding LBJ/Wade's coattails? But...enough about that time to get to the Bulls:

The signing of Carlos Boozer. Great? Mediocre? Damage Control? Overrated? Not Sure? What we do know is that Carlos Boozer fills a hole at the 4 spot the Bulls have desperately needed in terms of post scoring and rebounding. Honestly I think he was the best free agent available. Yes, you heard me. Wade, Bosh, and LeBron were not really available as they had already plotted to go to Miami. Thus, Boozer and Amare, and Boozer is cheaper and statistically better if you looks at a wide range of stats, were the next best available. Does this make the Bulls contenders? Probably not alone; however, it takes us from an 8 seed to the 3-6 range, and helps in the process of building a complete team from top to bottom.

Kyle Korver:

Relax ladies- that's not Ashton Kutcher- but I did put Korver's picture on top for you all. Korver provides the Bulls a much needed three point specialist, shooting north of 50% from beyond the arc. He will go great with ex-Utah teammate Boozer as a kick out option, and will fit nicely with Rose. Problem: He's not a starter as he is one dimensional, streaky, and not a great defender. Thus, he must come off the bench. Unfortunately, the Bulls solution for a starting two guard seems to be in a bit of a rut. The Bulls put out an offer sheet to name Redick the starter, but Orlando still has till the end of the week to match the offer sheet. If we don't get Redick than Matt Barnes, Ronnie Brewer, Raja Bell, Morrow, and a few other decent/solid/servicable guys become possibilities.

My thoughts: The Bulls are set at the 1,4,5 positions with Rose, Boozer, and Noah. Moreover, Gibson, James Johnson, Korver, Turkish center Omer Asik and potentially Brad Miller provide a nice bench. However, I am worried about the 2/3 positions. Deng and any above mentioned 2 guard are servicable but are not reliable scorers. Will Rose/Boozer provide enough offense prowess to contend with Miami, Orl, and Boston? I am worried the Bulls are a 5/6 seed due to lack of scoring and star power on the wing. Last season people were talking 4 seed and we ended up at an 8. I know with Boozer we are much better but don't forget we lost Kirk Hinrich who although was inconsistent gave us 10-15 points on the regular with some huge games (not to forget his defense). In order to really be a threat this year I think the Bulls need to consider moving some bench pieces to get a player like Jason Richardson from Phoenix (Kendall Gill sparked this idea on the radio).

PG-Rose

SG- Richardson

SF- Deng

PF- Boozer

C- Noah

That is a well rounded lineup with no holes- and though Richardson and Deng can both be unpredictable, I'd rather have two athletic wing players who can defend and both score in the twenties rather than start a guy like JJ Redick who is just a shooter. Shooters are important, but a starting shooting guard needs to be able to drive and defend to compete with the likes of Pierce, Kobe, Wade, etc. Additionally, Richardson can hit the three, and that kind of lineup would either be successful or at least provide some more enticing trading pieces for say....maybe... "Melo"... at the trade deadline... but lets not get carried away.

Overall, the Bulls are building a team the right way. Through the draft, through trades, and through free agency, they are piecing together a team that will be good for a long time. What's especially attractive is the balance and depth. However, what remains to be seen is if they have enough star power and wing scoring to be great.

After the Dust Settles

I know, I know. I didn't post 900 articles during free agency. Why? I fell into the trance that was NBA free agency summer 2010. I'm currently working as an intern at an investment bank, and I honestly didn't get a single thing done during free agency. The sources, Chris Broussard, the radio talk shows: everyone and their brother had to give their two sense about LBJ and the free agent bonanza. When it was all said and done most of us looked stupid. We wanted to believe these players were weighing their options to make the biggest decisions of their lives. We wanted to believe our team would land someone great. We became emotionally attached to the possibilities.

In reality, LBJ, Bosh, and Wade had a plan to join the Miami Heat that was all but pre-determined assuming financial limitations could be worked out. I'm sure anyone reading this has discussed LeBron for too long and is ready to move on: but I will state my comments.

There seems to be a few common sentiments:

1. LeBron is a traitor- he left Cleveland. Personally, I think this is bullshit. He paid his dues, they didn't win, he left. He earned that right and it is only the sour taste in people's mouths that will allow them to feel this way. At the end of the day, LeBron James is too big for Cleveland and that's the unfortunate truth. If Clevelander's want the biggest and best, they should move to the biggest and best cities.

2. LeBron can't be the man- he's a coward- LeBron is joining Wade to be his second fiddle. People are saying: would MJ, Bird, or Magic do that? Would they leave their team to join someone else's? Answer: No, and that is why LeBron will never be MJ. Yet, in his defense, those guys all had a better supporting cast than LeBron did in CLE- so don't chew out LeBron for seeking better players. The consensus from this group would be if he wanted better players he could have gone to the Bulls and still been "the" man.

3. Guys, LeBron just wants rings & to have fun with his boys. Hey, he may get his rings and a lot of them, whether or not they are discredited since he left CLE to play with Wade remains to be seen.

My take: If LeBron goes to Miami and expects both him and wade to be dominant scoring wing players who both take over games, problems will arise. There's only one ball and there are two of them. However, if LeBron plays point guard and redefines himself as a 20,10,8 guy allowing Wade to average around 30 he may grow into the Magic/leader mold that could be forever respected.

Short, simple, lets wait. As a basketball fan I am disappointed LeBron didn't want to be an alpha dog in Chi, Cle, or NY. As a Bulls fan I'm disappointed period. However, lets not deny how fun it'll be to watch this trio. Moreover, lets not deny that a Miami/LA final would have you hooked to the tv in a way most NBA fans haven't been since the great showdowns between the Bulls and Jazz in the 90's. Finally, give LeBron the chance to define his own path, and discuss his legacy when it's all said and done. After all he's 25 years old, and if you could play with your best friends you probably would yourself.