Wednesday, July 7, 2010

From Cleveland to Greenwich to Orange and Blue

Sources have now confirmed that "Decision 2010" will take place at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, CT, a suburb of NYC. Jared Dudley, of the Suns, has said that sources inside the Knicks have told his own sources that LeBron has informed the Knicks that he will in fact team with Amare Stoudemire come 9pm eastern tomorrow.

Believe what you want, but I have said from day one that New York would end up being the best fit for LeBron and I still believe that to be true.

At some point, King James has to decide what his best chance to win a championship is, what is best for him and his family, and what is best for his brand. The way the dominoes have fallen thus far, the Knicks look like an intriguing landing spot.

Speculation remains that LeBron may team with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade in Miami and take a pay cut to play with the superstar duo, but I find it hard to believe that LeBron is going to share the spotlight with Wade, who is already revered as a hero in Miami. If he wants his legacy to be mentioned in the same discussion as Michael Jordan, he has to be the lead dog on several championship teams. Ask Kobe Bryant about the difference in perception between being the alpha dog versus second fiddle.

If indeed Miami is out of the running, LeBron will have to decide what is the best situation to compete with the two-headed monster forming in Miami. While most believe the Cavaliers are still the front runners, they return virtually the same supporting cast that failed to reach the Eastern Conference finals the last two years. Couple that with the idea that Miami will be much improved, Orlando and Boston appear to be going nowhere and teams like the Nets, Knicks and Bulls (even without LeBron) are improving, the Cavaliers ability to compete at the level may be waning.

Teaming with Amare Stoudemire, the LeBron and the Knicks would instantly have the front two to compete with Miami and with their added cap flexibility once Eddy Curry's contract comes off the books, the Knicks look pretty formidable. Add roll players like Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, plus whatever appeal of NYC that attracts the King, the Garden's atmosphere is much more appealing than ever before.

I will admit my bias as a Knicks fan, however it is possible. The Chicago Bulls, apparently have agreed to terms with Carlos Boozer and presumably in their estimation are still alive in the race for LeBron. However while many may take that as a last ditch effort to lure him, the move could also be an indication that the Bulls don't expect LeBron to head to Chicago. Boozer makes sense for them without adding LeBron as the team has needed a low post scorer for years. This gives them a formidible front court with Joakim Noah to balance with Derek Rose in the back court.

Regardless of what happens, tomorrow night stands be an interesting evening, and I'll be sure to watch.

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Please let us not discount the idea that James is a bright man, would he really leave Cleveland, bring himself into the New York fire minutes from the Knick practice facility and announce he was signing with Cleveland, Chicago or Miami? That would be a disaster not fit for a King.

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