This was predictable. I thought there was no way that the season would get under way before January/February and even that was being generous. 

Looks like we're going to lose the year. 

The moment a large chunk of NBA fans were dreading has arrived. Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh are playing in the NBA Finals in their very first season together.

LeBron James became public enemy #1 in the eyes of many in the aftermath of "The Decision" but as I said it then I find that stance from people quiet funny. I said back in July that I had no problems with LeBron leaving for Miami and remains true to this date. Unlike most I always wasn't rooting against them in the playoffs. What do you think of his decision to leave Cleveland now? Is it the same as it was back in July?

By the way how much crazier does Dan Gilbert's rant sound now? Unless you count University of Virginia's lacrosse title the Cavaliers will not win a championship before the Heat.

I actually wouldn't have had a problem with any of the conference finalists from this year winning the NBA Championship. I don't know if I am cheering for the Mavericks or the Heat because I honestly wouldn't have a problem with either of the two winning. A Miami win would be fun because of uproar it will cause from hypocritical NBA fans. I call them hypocrites because very few of them would have had a problem with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh signing with their teams. Now I'm supposed to buy into their arguments for hating these guys? I have encountered plenty of Knicks fans here in the NJ/NY area who have knocked LeBron for his decision to sign with Miami but I can guarantee not one of them would be saying a thing. It becomes even more laughable when many of those same Knicks fans are fans of the New York Yankees who's entire business model revolves around signing the big free agents from around the league! I'm not trying to make this into a New York thing at all. Most of the people knocking LeBron happen to be Kobe Bryant fans. Yet again though they don't see the hypocrisy in their views. For whatever reason they have chosen to forget that Kobe basically forced his way to the Lakers after being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets. LeBron James honored his contract and took the franchise to heights it had never before seen.

Dirk Nowitzki has been one of my favorite players in the league for quiet some time. I definitely would like to see him win a championship and that is why part of me leans towards the Mavericks this year. The three guys in Miami will have plenty of chances to win a title, this could very well be the last time Nowitzki has a shot. Plus, how cool would it be to see David Stern hand the trophy to Mark Cuban? I couldn't care less about Jason Kidd though. I get that he's a future Hall of Famer and generally well liked player but that doesn't change that he is an idiot.

Have you heard about the "Cavs for Mavs" fan group?

We are about 3 hours away from "The Decision" and this LeBron stuff keeps getting more and more absurd by the hour. I've been reading and hearing things in the past few days about LeBron's decision and some of them just make no sense. Like I mentioned the other day, I just didn't think LeBron's ego would allow him to sign with Miami but it is looking like me and most others were wrong on this.

Why would anyone criticize his decision to go to Miami? For years people have been calling him selfish. For years people have been saying LeBron doesn't about winning. For years people have been saying that LeBron only cares about his brand. So I have to ask again, how can anyone criticize him if he actually does sign with Miami? If he does sign with Miami he will get a smaller (as ridiculous as that sounds given the amount of money we are talking about here) contract then the one he would if he signed with Cleveland.

I've been telling for a few years that he does not have to come play in New York to "build his brand." This is 2010, not 1970. Sports games are televised around the world. Jerseys and shoes  of athletes like LeBron are sold around the world. Does anyone seriously think that Nike will have trouble selling "Witness" Tees if he signs with Miami? Heck, does anyone think they would have trouble selling those if he had signed with Memphis? It's a global age. Games are everywhere, highlights are everywhere and the merchandise is everywhere. Lets stop with the archaic view of the sports landscape.

He won't be "the guy" on Miami. Aside from Alex Rodriguez, how many guys come to mind who have willingly moved to another team to share the spotlight when they could have been the face of their own franchise? Basketball fans for years have said that he only cares about himself but here he is reportedly on the verge of going to Miami to share the spotlight with not one but two superstars. How does that make any sense? He's putting himself into a position where he can win championships for the next couple of years. Would anyone really be surprised to see veterans like Tracy McGrady sign up to play for the NBA minimum in order to win a championship with this group? This is the perfect situation for LeBron. He can sign a short term deal (or a deal with an out clause) and possibly go to the Nets in 3 years when they move to Brooklyn?

I've seen people complain about the prime time special on ESPN. Why is anyone shocked by this? ESPN and CBS give National TV time to High Schoolers as they announce where they will be playing their college sports so why can't one of the biggest faces of sports in the world get the same treatment? It's not like LeBron is pocketing the money from tonight. The money is going to a great charity. 

As always you can leave a comment here, reach me by e-mail or follow me on twitter.

July 1st 2010 is finally here. 

This date has been talked about in the NBA circles for years. The biggest free agent class in NBA history is free to negotiate contracts at the stroke of midnight eastern time. Where will LeBron land? What about Chris Bosh? Will Dwayne Wade really leave Miami? Will Dirk really leave Dallas? 

So many questions to answer and so many teams with room to sign free agents. Bulls are obviously an attractive landing spot. They can afford to sign two players at maximum contracts and bring them in to play in with Derrick Rose. Wouldn't they be instant contenders if they landed LeBron and Bosh? Their fans are on board and have been clamoring for season tickets. One thing is for sure, this will bring back all the bandwagon Bulls fans from the 90s. Can Miami really pull off a major coup and get LeBron and CB4 to come to Miami and play with Wade? It is a scenario that would get me paying attention to the NBA regular season a lot more next season but I highly doubt LeBron's ego will allow him to share the spotlight with Wade. 

How far have the Knicks really fallen?  For years their fans have been looking forward to this date. They have endured years of losing, expiring contracts and more losing in the hopes of landing big free agents on this date yet according to all the reports they will fail to land any of the "big 3". Their first planned meeting for tonight is with Mike Miller? Ouch! As someone who lives in NJ and loves to laugh at Knicks fans, I'm loving this! 

Will the Nuggets seriously trade Carmelo Anthony? Just a note, if the Knicks can get them to take Curry's expiring contract in a trade they would still have room to sign two max guys on top of getting Carmelo. 

What was Richard Jefferson thinking opting out of his deal? Is someone seriously going to pay him big money? 

Real quick, this how I think everything plays out when all is said and done. 

10. Rudy Gay: Los Angeles Clippers

9. David Lee: New York Knicks

8. Carlos Boozer: Chicago Bulls

7. Amare Stoudemire: Los Angeles Clippers

6. Paul Pierce: Boston Celtics

5. Dirk Nowitzki: Dallas Mavericks

4. Joe Johnson: Atlanta Hawks

3. Chris Bosh: Miami Heat (as much as it pains me as a Raptors fan)

2. Dwayne Wade: Miami Heat

1. LeBron James: Chicago Bulls

As always you can leave a comment here, reach me by e-mail or follow me on twitter.