Lebron, Lebron, Lebron

Have you heard of this guy that plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers? Supposedly, he's pretty good. Some call him "King James", but he was born Lebron Raymone James in Akron, Ohio. Tonight, Lebron will decide his legacy when he chooses where he will play basketball for the foreseeable future.

If Lebron chooses to leave Cleveland for somewhere else, I think his legacy is destroyed. If he goes to Miami (which is the hot rumor), he can win six rings, and I don't think it rebuilds his image. Lebron is turning just the ANNOUNCEMENT of where he is going to play into a three ring circus. When Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player ever, came back from his gambling suspension, I mean retirement in 1995, he did so by issuing a statement that simply said "I'm back." Lebron James is handpicking his interviewer (Jim Gray) and holding his decision on national television (ESPN. I am surprised he didn't ask to go to the Oval Office so he could have Obama get him some network TV time from the Press Briefing room at the White House) from a secluded bunker in Greenwich, CT. He could be the biggest villain in Cleveland sports history supplanting Art Modell, who took a whole football team out of Cleveland moving it to Baltimore. I also contend if Lebron was just playing for the Cavaliers, but from Saginaw, MI or Waco, TX, it's not a big deal if he leaves, because he is not a native Ohioan. Would you rather get 1 ring for a habitually losing sports city, or 6 rings in a city to where each year you don't win the championship, it's a failure.

Now, let's look at the final choices (let's just go ahead and throw the Clippers out, because my 3 year old and 2 year old have a better chance of playing with the Dutch in Sunday's World Cup Final).

1. Miami Heat: Some people list them as the favorite in the clubhouse. But, I think this would be one of the worst places he could go. It is a ready made championship, Lebron doesn't have to work for it as much, he just becomes another piece. Besides, Miami will never be his team. It's D-Wade's team. Imagine if Michael Jordan had gone to the Celtics or Lakers, and Bird and Magic had been a little younger. Jordan would be no where near as famous and remembered with either the Celtics or Lakers, as much as he was with the Bulls.

2. Chicago Bulls: It's Michael's team, it's Michael's town. If you win 5 rings, Michael won 6. If you make a 30 footer at the buzzer, Michael sank a 31 footer to win one. If you sneeze, Michael sneezed quieter, or louder, however you feel to put it.

3. New Jersey Nets: The Kremlin controlling Lebron? Child please. Plus, in some people's eyes, Jersey is New York's arm pit.

4. New York Knicks: The league needs the Big Apple to be important. They haven't been in the mainstream eye since Patrick Ewing was there. Plus, Lebron is buddies with guys like CC Sabathia, and those folks (it's worked out for CC so far by the way) so he's hanging with his buddies. Also, Lebron would be playing in the world's most famous arena 41 times a year.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: The hometown team. Lebron's legacy will never be as strong anywhere else. Weakness is your supporting cast is about as strong as that of Tim Lincecum's biceps. But, you have an experienced NBA coach and a winner as a player (Byron Scott). I think help would be on it's way, it may just take a year or so. There are plenty of players out there the Cavs could trade for to help in the post or on the wing (David West, PF New Orleans, Al Jefferson, PF Minnesota, Gilbert Arenas, SG Wizards, Chris Kaman, C LA Clippers, Zach Randolph, PF Memphis, Marcus Camby, C LA Clippers, Elton Brand, PF Philadelphia,). Granted, some of those players would be gambles or reaches, but the other thing is maybe you can trade for a big superstar (i.e. Chris Paul) or someone of that ilk to help. I think 1 ring in Cleveland is greater then 4 in Miami. The reason I say that is no one has won a ring in Cleveland, while Dwayne Wade took Miami's championship virginity years ago.

The one thing I do think though is Lebron James PR team has put him in such a negative light, it's going to take some time to recover from this. I think for the goodwill aspect, he must return to Cleveland. Otherwise, I think he is going to come off as a selfish, me first, childish, spoiled sports villain. The one thing I do think is worth taking note of, is TNT/NBA TV's David Aldridge stated that this media truck goes both ways. So, Lebron can think he has ESPN in his pocket and everything like that, but if it goes the other way, and Lebron has negative publicity, then he has got to take the bad with the good.

Lebron, Lebron, Lebron, he is enough to drive Jan Brady crazy.

Where, oh where will Lebron (and the others) end up?

I think in today's day and age, more people enjoy off season's as much as they do season's. I think people crave hot stove talk and player movement more now then they have in the past (although, I do think most people like superstars to stay in one place, but I'll address that in a future blog). So, I will address the top free agents, and where I think they will end up.

Lebron James
Named Possible Suitors: Bulls, Cavaliers, Clippers, Heat, Knicks, Nets
My Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers
I have debated this with friends, and I think Lebron comes back to Cleveland in part to his Ohio roots. Tom Penn, on ESPN's NBA Fastbreak, brought up some good points. If you go to Chicago, you have to win 7 NBA titles, because Michael has 6. If you go to Miami, you need to win 2 without Dwayne Wade to top Wade's solo title. Now, Penn was making the case for Lebron going to New York, stating if you win just one title in New York, then you are immortalized forever. I just see Lebron returning to Cleveland, as a situation where the NBA can market a star as bringing a championship to his hometown. Does Lebron need some pieces around him in Cleveland? Sure, but I think Lebron needs some complimentary pieces not superstars. I think superstars at their superstar levels rarely co-exist and are able to win titles. I know there are examples you can point to, and say I am wrong, but I don't think it has happened lately. Even when the Celtics won their title over the Lakers, I don't think Kevin Garnett was still a superstar at this point, I think he had settled into becoming a complimentary player. I think Lebron stays in Cleveland though. But, if I had to rank them in order of where I'd see him going, I'd say Cleveland, then New York, then New Jersey, then Chicago, then Miami and I think that hell has to get a little chilly before he plays for the Clippers.

Dwayne Wade
Suitors: Heat
I think there are other suitors for Dwayne Wade, but just none that are really named. I think Wade probably stays, but what if he went to his hometown team, the Bulls. Imagine the Bulls with Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Dwayne Wade, Joakim Noah and the Bulls would probably add another max player in the front court. With that being said, I think more often then not top tier superstars are better off staying put, so I think he stays in Miami.

Chris Bosh
Suitors: Chicago, Miami, NY Knicks
I am very unsure to where I see Bosh headed. I think he would like to play with Lebron James, but I don't see him traveling to Cleveland to do so. Plus, I see him going in a sign and trade wherever he goes. I am going to say he goes to Miami, and I see the Heat sending Michael Beasley, Quentin Richardson and Dorrell Wright back to Toronto. But, with Bosh I really have no solid inclination, if I had to throw down money, I'd just assume as to throw down on Pick 3 or Pick 4.

Joe Johnson
Suitors: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, LA Clippers, NY Knicks
I saw on ESPN's Bottom Line, where Johnson says he wants to stay in Atlanta. If that's the case, then he stays in Atlanta. They can offer him the most money. The only other strong contender I see is New York. Johnson played for Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix, so there is familiarity with the system. Plus, I think Johnson would put up just as big of numbers in New York, as he would in Atlanta. Now, the thing is would Johnson want to play in a big city? Some people just aren't big city guys. I definitely see Johnson playing in the Big Apple or back to Hot 'Lanta.

Dirk Nowitzki
Suitors: Dallas
I see Nowitzki playing for the German National soccer team before he leaves Dallas. I just don't see him playing for anyone other then the Mavericks. I think addressing this topic more is just a waste of finger movement.

Paul Pierce
Suitors: Boston, LA Clippers, New Jersey
I see Pierce probably staying in Boston, but I would not be 100 % (probably 88 %) shocked if he went to play for his hometown Clippers. Pierce is from So Cal, but I am a big advocate (again something that will be discussed in a future blog) of superstars leaving a place that they have had great success damages their legacy. I think Pierce is just looking to cash in a little more with a better contract, as the collective bargaining is expiring pretty soon.

Amare Stoudemire
Suitors: Miami, New Jersey, NY Knicks, Phoenix
Alright, well I got Bosh going to Miami, which means I can't have Amare to the Heat as well, but I also don't see Amare going back to Phoenix even though I have heard he doesn't want to sign with the Knicks. What about Chicago? I don't know that he would fit in with the Bulls. I think Amare is a good player in a run and gun system. Could Golden State land him in some type of trade? Maybe Dan Gadzuric, Vlaidmir Radmanovic, Charlie Bell and a 1st round pick? Now, in no way am I saying, I think that is value for Amare, but it is salary matchup.

Carlos Boozer
Suitors: Chicago, Miami, New Jersey, NY Knicks
Again, I can't place him in Miami, if I have Bosh in Miami, so under that scenario I have Boozer headed to the Bulls. I see Chicago or Miami as the likely destinations for Boozer. I think if he heads to Chicago, the Bulls become a very dangerous team. I see Boozer in Chicago as a good fit, but he's had his eye on Miami for a long time. With that being said, I am going to say Boozer ends up in Chicago.

David Lee
Suitors: New Jeresey, NY Knicks, Toronto, Utah
Put seven or eight teams on a dart board and throw a dart and you hit a team and you have David Lee's destination. ESPN pundits all have mentioned the four teams I have listed above. This one is kind of hard for me to pick, I don't know that I see Lee headed back to the Knicks, but at the same time, I don't know what new team I would see Lee headed to either. I am going to go with the Knicks, but I honestly don't know, but think he would be a good player for many teams.

Rudy Gay
Suitors: LA Clippers, Memphis, Minnesota, New Jersey, NY Knicks
I think all the suitors are strong (maybe with the exception of Minnesota), but what about Phoenix? I don't think they could do a Stoudemire swap, but I think Gay would work well in Phoenix. When it comes down to it, I see him signing with the Clippers or remaining in Memphis, but I would list New Jersey as the most likely dark horse.

Guys I look for to be traded before the seasons starts includes Al Jefferson (Minnesota). He might be some good help in Cleveland for Lebron (if he stays). I don't think Chris Paul leaves New Orleans. Carmelo Anthony is rumored to be on the block if he turns down an extension from Denver. I think Melo will go to the Northeast somewhere. I could see New Jersey or the Knicks. Also, I would put Baron Davis and Gilbert Arenas in the trade possibilities, but I think you would just need to find someone to take on those contracts, because they are owed a ton of money.

NBA free agency season, it's fantastic!

Updates on "The Sports Buffet"

Just a few updates on "The Sports Buffet Podcast", the page should be seeing some major updates in the next week or two. Hopefully, there will be new blogs, and the page will be updated on hopefully a more daily basis. The podcasts part of the page however will probably not be consistently updated until August. Features that will be on the website (eventually) will include (but not be limited to)

* High School Sports
* College Sports
* Professional Sports
* Podcasts
* Blogs
* Links
* Historical Info on High School and College Sports
* Schedules
* Standings
and much more.

Stay tuned to "The Sports Buffet Podcast" to fill your sports hunger.

Random Thoughts

Greetings,
Time for some of my random thoughts from the world of sports (I promise I will try to start posting with regularity. Not necessarily random thoughts, but just more regularity with posting)

* The Colts released Marvin Harrison yesterday. I think this is more of a cost cutting move, rather then a performance move. Even with Harrison's recent legal troubles (or legal acquisitions), Marvin is still perceived as one of the good guy's in the NFL. I think Harrison will have several pads in which he could land on. I consider Philadelphia, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Chicago amongst the good landing spots. But, there are a lot of teams that could use Marvin Harrison's skills, expertise and leadership.

* One of my biggest pet peeves in sports is getting ready to take place in the NBA. It really burns me to no end (and a lot of people would ask why for two reasons; 1) It's the NBA and 2) Why is Alvis getting so worked up over such a trivial matter) but not to the point where I lose sleep over it, or I have a bad day or anything. Anyways, after that diatribe, the New York Knickerbockers have reached buy out terms with Stephon Marbury. I hate the fact that the buy out couldn't take place in the preseason or the first four months of the season. It just looks bad, I hate the fact that a team buys out a guy and then the next day, he is bought out and go signs somewhere else. If you get bought out, you should have to sit 30 days before being able to play with another team. I am not necessarily harboring ill will to the Knicks and Celtics (which is where Marbury is going to sign) but this is the most recent example.

* A signing in Major League Baseball that probably went under the radar, but I think could be one of the steals of the Hot Stove season is Garret Anderson to the Braves. Anderson, is a 15 year veteran, has spent his entire career in Anaheim/Los Angeles with the Angels. Anderson, lowest batting average for a season in which he has played over 100 games, is .280. For some guys, their highest batting average for a season in which they have played over 100 games is .280. I think the Braves have a consistent option that they can stick in either corner outfield position, and I honestly think at this point in time, Anderson is a better signing then Griffey Jr (although, I don't think Griffey Jr. is a bad signing).

That's all that's bouncing around my brain for now.

Good day.

The Future of "The Sports Buffet" podcast

To all my loyal listeners of "The Sports Buffet" podcast, I appreciate you first off. I would love more comments on the podcasts, what you like, dislike and so forth and so on. You can always reach me by e-mail at TheSportsBuffet@verizon.net

With that being said, "The Sports Buffet" is going to be on a break or hiatus until probably the first of 2009. The site I have been using for "The Sports Buffet" is just not user friendly anymore and it has been very difficult to upload files. I encourage you to still go to the site and check out some of the older podcasts, to easier search for an episode (you can search by school, name, sport, whatever, by clicking here and typing in the keyword.

There are some other sites out there, but I just want to make sure the next site I go with is long term (even though My Podcast lasted me for longer then a year). I still intend to post "older" interviews and games from my days with WKDE and more. I firmly believe people want to hear new and fresh content, but I believe honoring those and featuring those that I have interviewed in the past should be featured across the world wide web as well. The "New" site is going to feature much more then just a podcast (hopefully) with hopeful links for all high school and college and pro sports fans, as well as stats and schedules and everything else a sports fan could want. I hope to make "The Sports Buffet" one stop shopping for all sports fans.

So, if you are a coach or athlete, and see that your interview has not been posted, please be patient. No one, but no one, is more fustrated by the lack of podcasts then yours truly. I have not forgotten about anything, as well as scheduling interviews and such. Hopefully, my blogs will take a more active role while the podcast is rebuilding, and will continue to be active after the podcast is reborn.

Finally, I also would like to take this opportunity to thank all the coaches, athletes, athletic directors, sports information people, other media members and anyone else that I pester for interviews, information and requests on a random basis. Please know that I appreciate you all more then you think. Also, once again big thanks to the listeners to "The Sports Buffet". I know everyone might not be interested in every single topic I cover, but if I have conducted one interview that you have enjoyed, then I hope you will check back frequently and will tell others about an interview that you may have enjoyed.

Thanks for indulging me and any questions, comments or concerns, please address them to TheSportsBuffet@verizon.net