LBJ Playing With Cleveland’s Emotions?

Genuwine or Joking?

After this summers free agency Top 3 had decided on where to go they all were on the same team. Nothing was wrong with that, it was just the way LBJ handled it. It was clear to me to see that he never really had any intentions on going back to Cleveland or anywhere else. All this had been in the works and being planned since the 2008 Olympics.

Then he had the "Decision" special (which ESPN is just as much to blame for). A slap in the face to every Cavalier fan watching that night, funny, but still tasteless! Then eventually LBJ takes out an add in the Cleveland newspaper thanking ONLY AKRON, no mention, of Cleveland. Now this, in a interview with GQ LBJ he could see himself back in a Cav's uniform.......WHAT!!!!????

"If so why leave? "If there was an opportunity for me to return," he says, "and those fans welcome me back, that'd be a great story." Why even be thinking of coming back shouldn't your focus be Miami? Cause now it's at least 4 rings or BUST. What yal think? Is he serious or messing with the City and organization that turned their back on him when he decided to leave?

Deam or Redeem?

1992 or 2008

Barkley/Bird/Drexler/Ewing/Magic/Jordan/Laettner/Malone/Mullin/Pippen/Robinson/Stockton
Boozer/Melo/Wade/Bosh/Williams/Kobe/Prince/Howard/CP3/Kidd/LBJ/Redd

Being that the FIBA Worlds are underway I thought it would only be right if I talked about the last gold medal team vs. the All-time heralded Dream Team of 1992. Above are the lists of the rosters of each team.

On paper:
The Dream Team is by far the better team if you just look at the sheet of paper with rosters on. Being that they sport such accomplishments (collectively) as 116 All-star appearances; 56 All-NBA 1st teams; 15 MVP's; and 23 NBA Tittles. There is noway (right now) that the Redeem team comes in the neighborhood of this. "NOT YET"

Remember the Dream Team average age was 29, they were already well established in their careers when this team assembled. The Redeem Teams oldest person (Kobe Bryant) was only 29, the rest of the team averaged 24. Also with names like Bryant/Wade/LBJ/CP3/D. Will/Howard/Bosh/Melo between that group I am sure there are plenty more All-star appearances, 1st team selections MVP's and NBA championships to be had.

On the Court
Now when comparing these teams don't just look at the names, look at the point in which theses players were in their careers when their respective teams won the Gold.
(Remember: In 1992 most of the Dream Team were starting that decline process, they have some physical limitations that don't show when you just look at the names of the individuals. Magic had already retired, Bird's back was all but gone, and Stockton had some of his own injuries.)

Athleticism
The Dream Team's best athletes consisted of (Jordan/Drexler/Pippen/Robinson), but it's clear to see that they couldn't run with the Redeem Team. This is the point of the game where 2008 teams youth fullness will be in their favor. Bird/Mullin/Laettner/Stockton (injured)/Magic/Ewing could not realistically run with this squad. Then no1 on that 92' team brought together all the qualities of size/strength/speed/agility the way LBJ does. LBJ by himself would be an Horror Film for the Dream Team to try and guard.

Nod: Redeem Team

Perimeter
Michael Jordan is the best player of All-time (accolades and trophy case) and is also one of the best athletes on the wing of All-time, but his student in KB24 is equal (athletic ability wise) on the perimeter. Kidd at 35 vs. injured Stockton equals out. After that how can you not give the advantage to the Redeem Team, as already stated LBJ is a nightmare, and the way Wade looked it's not crazy to think that he would be an almost just as difficult cover for the older guards and wings of the Dream Team.

Nod: Redeem Team

Front court
With a front court putting out Barkley/Malone/Ewing/Robinson vs. Howard/Bosh/Bozzer and Howard liability on offense, boozer being undersized and Bosh's liability on defense the Dream Team front court would def. get the upper hand.

Nod: Dream Team

Half-court Offense
Now the way the games looked it could be said that the Redeem didn't have to play half-court ball as much. But compared Team vs. Team the Redeem team didn't stack as good in post play and perimeter shooting. The question is Team vs. Team would the Redeem Team with that youth and ability allow the game to even get in to half-court sets that much?

Nod: Dream Team (on condition of way game is played)

Chemistry
With already proven veteran superstars the Dream Team didn't need as much chemistry to compete against talent on such an inferior level. On the other hand the 2008 squad had been playing with each other for 3 years leading up to the games, and in a game where chemistry would mean so much the 2008 players knew each other and were better friends on the court.

Nod: Redeem Team (on condition of years played together before games)

International experience + Comp Level
The FIBA games really are completely different, the fact that the 2008 team had been getting to know the rules for a couple years up to their games gives them the advantage. Also, the level of competition oversees is a lot higher then when the Dream Team was winning by 40. A post from NBA.com highlights the fact that 2008 Olympics had 42 NBA players (including drafted players yet to come over) in 1992 there were barley 10. The Redeem Team faced more talent in one game against Spain then the Dream Team did the whole 1992 Olympic games.

Nod: Redeem Team

The Dream Team is by far the best collection of names ever assembled and listed on a piece of paper, but that is only viewing names on a paper. If you take the teams and let them play each other at the points in their careers when they excepted their gold medals the advantage to win a game or a series clearly belongs the the 2008 Redeem Team.

What's Yal Take?

Demps is a Dummy!

"Paul is Still Leaving"

So this summer I'm sure we all read that Chris Paul wants out! He never publicly said so, but as we saw this summer with LBJ sources know more then we think. Which brings us to Chris Paul and his sources saying he is ready to leave.

Well NO hires a new GM and coach, and this seems to at least hold Paul over. Then they go pull this idiotic move and trade Collison to the pacers in 4 team trade that landed them "Trevor Ariza". Now Ariza is a very good player don't get me wrong, but as seen with the Rockets he is a product of LA and playing next to all that talent.


There is no way Ariza can be the "MAN" or even the 2nd best player on your team and your organization be successful. So you give away a young outstanding player in Collison who came in and averaging 19 ppg and 6 apg as the starter when Paul went down Ariza who ended last season injured.


So now you given up your backup pg, and also your insurance in case Paul leaves or forces a trade. (WHICH IS GOING TO HAPPEN), because I hope they don't think for 1 second Ariza is enough to keep Paul happy. Dumbest move of the summer? What do yal think?

Lakers Sign Rookie Draft Pick Ebanks

"LA Deepest Team in NBA?"

According to Los Angeles Times Ebanks signed a non-garaunteed contract for the rookie minimum worth $473,604 if he makes it through Lakers training camp.

Ebank is a 6'9" swing man, who was drafted with the 43rd overall pick out of West Virginia. He played on the Laker Summer League team where he averaged 15 ppg and started all 5 contests.

After basically swapping Ariza for Artest a summer ago the Lakers believe Ebanks can bring the versatile style the lost on the wing with the departure of Ariza. Through his Twitter account Ebanks revealed he will be wearing #3, the number of said former Laker Ariza.

The signing basically ends a very successful summer for the franchise and general manager Mitch Kupchak. He was able to bring back Phil Jackson and both unrestricted free agents Derek Fisher and Shannon Brown. LA lost Farmar, Powell and Mbenja, but were able to sign proven vets Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Theo Ratliff to replace them. The Lakers will start the quest for a 3 peat when training camp opens with 14 players on the roster. (Once rookie D. Caracter signs)

With Ebanks giving Depth at the backup small forward behind Artest and Barnes, and the additions of the free agents to me the Lakers are now the deepest team in the NBA! What do you'll think?