AudioAdam

No Brett Favre from me today. I’m returning to some LeBron James and Heat talk.

I love their offseason signings. I’m more convinced day after day that this is the team to beat this year. JuWan Howard was a great add, as was Mike Miller, Eddie House and others. But being in the East, one problem looms. That’s Dwight Howard, the 6′11″ stick for the Orlando Magic. One guy can change it all. How do the Heat balance their lineup card and contend when nobody on their current roster will be able to guard Howard?

The answer lies in Kwame Brown. Yes, the most-overrated No. 1 pick in NBA history. Maybe the best free agent left. Kwame, the one who has always, always been criticized for lackadaisical play. But he matches up, height and weight. The NBA is about matchups. He can push Howard around and actually make him work for his shots, or should I say dunks. Because Howard just makes it look to easy already. Kwame is athletic, just doesn’t seem like it.

We all know he won’t score. But as a defensive loan, he makes all the sense in the world. Who wouldn’t want to play with LeBron and Co.? Miami would get him maturity and a ring.

When LeBron James signed with the Miami Heat, all attention on the NBA’s free agent market was lost. Really LeBron was the only one who mattered. Aside from the mega star in him, the pool of free agents was filled with veterans or young players with either a lot or few miles on them.

But to me, there’s one free agent still out that can still play. Wear and tear and all, I believe Tracy McGrady has some game left. Reports are that he’s been trying out for the LA Clippers and Chicago Bulls this week. With as slim as the market is, why not give T-Mac a one-year deal? Is there anyone more qualified for a roster spot? Now I don’t think McGrady is a die-hard wanting a championship ring every year like Kobe Bryant. He’s just addicted to basketball and wants to be on the court. He’s not obsolete like you think.

All the naysayers will persuade to say that McGrady is toast. But let me tell you one thing. Is age really that big a deal in the NBA? You’d be shocked to go down a list of guys, tell me their age and tell me their season production. Juwan Howard. Derek Fisher. Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Age is overrated in the NBA. In fact, and this would shock you, McGrady is the same age as Bryant. Both are 31.

Let’s go back a little bit and focus on Grant Hill. He parallels perfect with McGrady. Both have been mirrored by injury year after year. Everybody and I mean everybody said Hill was once done. Yet you have to give the guy credit for coming back, and for Phoenix last year he averaged 11.3 points along with playing 30 minutes a game, going to the Western Conference Finals. You’re crazy to think McGrady can’t match that.

T-Mac would be a perfect reserve guy, spotting 25 minutes a game, for any team. He has a ton of abilities that, don’t forget, won him the scoring titles in 2003-2004.

Dan Gilbert… why are you so bitter?

We all know you just lost the biggest athlete in sports. For seven years, you had the best thing since sliced bread to be at your helm. He was a huge economic booster in himself. But now you’re nothing without him. Quit going on your tirades. And quit these laughable quotes:

I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win a championship before the self-titled former ‘King’ wins one.

Where’s the professionalism? Owners aren’t the ones who call out their players. Yet, Gilbert wanted to resign this guy to the big bucks? You wanted to bring back James who you claimed quit on you? That doesn’t make sense. Hmmmm.

LeBron had to grow some balls to say no to you. The thing is, LeBron went the easy route. I respect his desire to be happy. And there’s nothing wrong with a change in life. I’m sorry Gilbert, but you’re way wrong in this whole situation. There’s no chance Cleveland is winning an NBA Championship before LeBron’s new Heat team. I’ll bet my life savings on it.

Speculation had turned into breaking news. Reportedly is the new word. What is the media’s credibility like these days?

Not much. But we all buy into it. ESPN has no competition. I’m sold that LeBron is going to Miami. I don’t have my own sources. But it’s just believable.

I will say this though, turning your back on Cleveland requires thick skin. LeBron leaving his hometown might send suicide rates up, no pun intended. That’s how much he means. Would the city riot? Maybe.

So while this is certainly big news, bigger news will be when the NBA schedules get released and assuming this move to Miami is true, how big does it make LeBron’s return to Cleveland for his first game is a different uni? Huge. I’d hate to hear boo birds.

LeBron has kept his intentions quiet. They say to follow your heart in making decisions, and Miami appears to be the one grabbing him.

Does LeBron James want to win a Championship ring right now? This afternoon I’m saying yes. Yesterday I didn’t know. A lot has changed in the week since this free agent period began. I’m shocked that tonight he’s “reportedly” announcing Miami as his team.

Of course going to Miami with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh by his side will be the only way James can win his first title. Something clicked in his head after this week. Signing with Cleveland doesn’t improve his chances. New York with Amare Stoudemire is not the fit. New Jersey is just not an attractive destination. And Chicago with an aging Carlos Boozer is worse. Anywhere but Miami just gives Kobe a more likely shot at a “three peat.”

Thinking of these three playing together is unbelieveable. The typical NBA champion didn’t win a ring by himself. Just think, Jordan had Pippen, Kobe had Shaq, Wade had Shaq, Pierce had Garnett. LeBron has never had anyone. How can you pass up this oppurtunity in Miami? Go for it and have a chance at a title for the next five years.

This team won’t lose. I see 70 wins or more in a season. Just this morning, the Heats odds at winning the title was 6:1, and that’s without LeBron. Is it 2:1 with? I can’t see anyone standing in their way from winning championships.

Let the Midnight mania begin! Tomorrow is July 1st. Outside of the sports world, the day is irrelevant. It doesn’t mean much. In other news, the BP spill hasn’t stopped. The sun is shining. And Ricky Martin will still be gay. But for basketball, it’s everything. It’s cashing in at the bank and finding a new home.

Of course LeBron is the mega get for any team. But in truth, does the day mean much to him? I’ve been convincedall along that he’s had his mind set on where he’s going. Why would he wait until the last minute? It’s Chicago. Tomorrow at this time of day, is he there? Quite possibly.

Anyways, I’m tired of ESPN’s constant reporting of LeBron going here and going there. I actually posted a blog a month ago saying how fun this summer would be, asking the hypotheticals of LeBron going to play for X and X. But it’s over the top. Who cares anymore? We will when it hits. ESPN is just filling airtime with nonsense since June is a quiet month.

Here’s my projections below. These are the only guys that matter, truthfully. LeBron might even be the first domino to fall.

Starting tonight, and up for the next seven days, the NBA is going to be very intriguing. Just when the season ended and things get quiet, the mania will resume. In a few hours, the NBA Draft kicks off, and then next week, free agency begins. Every NBA team wants to play their cards right, and now is the time. The hope is to draft the next big thing and sign the most proven guy around.

Clearly the best player in the draft is John Wall. He’s a superstar waiting to happen. His talent is off the charts. Evan Turner, a lock for the No. 2 pick is a high-character guy. Both of them are flat out winners, who I think will carry over to the pro’s well.

These guys are can’t miss and will be franchise changers. Here’s how I would go with the top five picks, by team needs and who I think is the best. After that, its a call your bet. These five guys aren’t risks, but as of right now, it can go either way from 1-5.

What a Game 7 of the NBA Finals it was last night. LA squeaked out a win, capping off the 2009-10 season in fashion. Just watching the game and from the atmosphere at Staples Center, I wish all NBA games were treated like a Game 7. It had an NCAA Title game feel. The crowd was screaming. The players were emotionally excited. Your heart was falling on pins and needles.

The game was extremely sloppy. I enjoyed the Lakers celebration and post-game conferences the most actually. Especially when Kobe Bryant talked at the podium. He was dead tired. He looked like he was running on fumes. Kobe acknowledged a lot to reporters in their questions. Stuff that we’ve wanted to hear as fans.

Especially this quote. So let’s put the comparison to rest.

“90% of what I’ve learned came from (Michael Jordan). It’s a genuine love that I have for him & what he’s done for me.”

Kobe is not MJ. Rings shouldn’t even be a comparison although Kobe is one short. We only want to compare them because of their similiar games. But finally from this, we know that Kobe envys Jordan. You can see it by just watching him. He runs like him. He plays like him. He talks like him. MJ’s legacy as the greatest is still intact. Kobe just wants to be like Mike.

Game one of the NBA Finals kicks off tonight. It should be a fun one. It’s one of those series that you want to tell yourself to not forget history, as the Celtics own the Lakers come championship times. I expect this year to be different. Both are these teams are battle tested.

The storyline to this series is the match up between Paul Pierce and Ron Artest. Two years ago, the Celtics relied on Pierce time and time again. The Lakers couldn’t defend him, now they can. Then, LA was focused solely on Kobe Bryant. Now they can beat you with many weapons. Boston will have trouble guarding a team with more than one productive player. The Lakers were a team on the rise figuring things out. Now they’ve got it down.

For Boston to have a chance, they need to bang the Lakers up. They are the more physical team, especially in the paint. Kevin Garnett will push around Pau Gasol. He’s far more superior.

I could see this series going either way but if I was to pick I would say Lakers in six or possibly seven. If it went six games two years ago, clearly it will go that again. Here is my thinking:

1. Kobe is determined to win again.
2. Home court advantage.
3. Age is key. Lakers are younger.
4. Been there done that (time and time again): Phil Jackson.

There has been a very intriguing topic discussed on 106.7 The Fan – DC this week that’s got basketball fans thinking. Mike Wise wrote a column about it in the Washington Post. With the Lakers back in the NBA Finals for the third straight year, and the fact that Kobe Bryant can build on his legacy already with four rings, is it time to consider him the greatest of all-time? Greater than Michael Jordan? A year ago no. But now or in two weeks?

Now this is a fine argument. Better than the: “Who would you rather have on your team right now: Kobe or LeBron James?” It’s Journalism at it’s best.

I’m only 20. I’ve grown up watching Kobe. I was very young when Jordan was in his heyday of the ’90s. As much as I can do to remember him is to research Youtube videos. The one time I recall watching Jordan and the Bulls was against the Utah Jazz in the ‘97 Finals. It was his last shot, the “push-off” of Bryan Russell. I’ll never forget it, it was such a pretty shot. Then Jordan holding up six fingers. Classic.

I was a Bulls fan then. Who wasn’t? The reason I will call Jordan the greatest is because he won. He never lost. Never. He willed his team to victory. Kobe has lost. In the Finals two years ago. Jordan was a perfect six for six in Title games, almost by himself without bonafide help. Kobe is four for five, three with Shaquille O’Neal. One for two without him.

Their leadership is certainly different. Jordan made players around him better. Scottie Pippen was great. Luc Longley is a nobody without him. I wouldn’t say Kobe does that. Pau Gasol is a fine player without Bryant.

Personally, I’ve always got a different vibe off of Kobe. I almost hate the guy, but I enjoy watching him. He’s incredible at what he does. But it’s Kobe’s faces. His attitude. His whiny grins at the refs or his flailing arms. I didn’t hate Jordan, the few times I saw him. He just had a better image on and off the court. I won’t deny that both are cocky, but Kobe almost appears more.

For that sake, it’s an eye ball test.

While I maybe can’t defend this argument since my age, I can tell you I liked Jordan more. I still like him. If you’re a basketball fan, you think of him when you watch the game. Both of their stats are great, you can certaintly compare that. I just think Jordan played in a tougher era. The game is different now than then. How many true Hall of Famer’s currently still play? I can legitimately give you three: Bryant, O’Neal and Tim Duncan. But in Jordan’s day, almost every team had one. So the competition is key.

I’ll rest it right there. Jordan will never be dethroned. Kobe is great. But not the “greatest.” Agree?