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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.

For sports talk, this might be the best summer yet. All the hypotheticals of LeBron James going to Chicago, New York, Miami or staying in Cleveland will keep me up. Nothing will lose me or derail my train. These next 44 days will be fun.

As much as I want to say he’s going to Chicago, and I would love it don’t get me wrong, it most likely won’t happen. Why play in the arena where a big 23 jersey hangs in the rafters for the greatest of all-time? LeBron would face the ultimate expectations. Hell, Bulls fans would expect six championship rings in the next ten years. Therefore, only New York and Cleveland DO make sense, to me.

New York, it’s just a better franchise than Cleveland. It’s got more history to it. Sure, LeBron should create his own image in Cleveland, or just keep building it. But the small city feel just doesn’t cut it for athletes. Let’s face it, Cleveland is a black hole for sports. What will only keep him there is the fact it’s his hometown. Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Miami is where it’s at. That alone aways the pendulum.

How many superstars literally get to pick who and where they want to play for? Not many. In recent years, I can think of Alex Rodriguez only. If LeBron knocked on the door of the Milwaukee Bucks, they would chase him. That’s why this signing is huge. It’s that interesting.

New York makes sense in terms of the city feel. LeBron wears the Yankees hat. He insinuated to New Yorkers that July 1st would be a “very, very fun day.” Their salary cap is next to none, so LeBron can politic anybody to play with him there.

So right now, my thinking is shifted towards Cleveland and New York only. But that’s why this is fun. My opinion is different than yours. I will post more later on this topic.

When LeBron James came out last week and said he’s giving up No. 23 after this year and wearing No. 6 for the remainder of the season, I quickly sided with him. It’s not his number and we all know that. “If I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it,” James said. Maybe he’s showing some admiration for Michael Jordan. Maybe it’s genuine respect for MJ. But it brings up a good question: How come the NBA hasn’t retired Jordan’s number yet? The NBA surely owes him some respect.

As for LeBron, he should have been his own guy in the first place. We all knew of the God he was going to be coming out of high school. But the moment he stepped into the NBA, he should have worn his own number and been himself. Dwyane Wade wears No. 3 and Carmelo Anthony wears No. 15. Those are unique to them. Problem for LeBron is, he was the poster child to Mike. He was almost forced to wear No. 23. He was the guy to rejuvenate basketball and he surely has since. But without MJ, is there even a King James?

So good move LeBron, it doesn’t seem arrogant to me. You’re a class act. Nobody has the merit to wear No. 23, and it’s crazy enough that 13 players wear it. Is this LeBron’s foreshadowing move towards New York next year? Or is he just saying he will never surpass the standard of Jordan?

We welcomed in Jay Sloan to converge on the topics of the NBA Playoffs and Nebraska Football. Is Carmelo Anthony now a top player in the NBA from his postseason play? Will Zac Lee and fellow Huskers propel a Red Rising in 2009? These were questions debated along with the 5-in-5, a five questions, five minute break down on sports topics.

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Adam and Steven are back with “The Weekly Catch” for Episode 006. We talked the headlines after Major League Baseball’s Opening Day. We wrapped up with the NCAA Title game and took a close look at the NBA standings and its MVP race.

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AudioAdam.com is anchored by Heartland Hosting. From web design to e-commerce, Heartland Hosting has what it takes for your business.