LeBron finally made up his mind Thursday morning and announced it Thursday evening.  He was interviewed by Jim Gray at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, Connecticut.  Fewer than five people knew his decision it before he made it public.  He looked to his mother for guidance. 

 

Winning is a major factor in a decision, especially the best opportunity to win and win multiple championships.

 

“It was hard to clear cap space,” LeBron said but the Heat cleared lots of cap space in trades and cutting players. 

 

LeBron focused on teamwork in playing with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. 

 

The decision to leave Cleveland was “heartfelt” and gave everything in seven years there.  Akron is “always home” for him. 

 

LeBron knows and appreciates the history of the game.  For every Michael Jordan, you need Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, and Tony Kukoc.

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: The Cavs, Knicks, Nets, and other teams lost out.  The Knicks bagged two seasons to get under the cap.  They didn’t get LeBron but got Amar’e Stoudemire.  It appears that they are going to trade David Lee to the Golden State Warriors for three players.  That’s what the Knicks need is good players.  The Nets have lots of work to do.        

 

Before predicting a Heat-Lakers final, I want to see who else the Heat get.  LeBron knows that you have to have more than three guys or one superstar complimenting the janitor and ticket takers.    

 

Posted by The Tank looking forward to the next NBA season. 

Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh decided to sign with the Miami Heat yesterday.  This puts pressure on LeBron James to sign with the Heat or go elsewhere.  There have been many rumors about where LeBron will go or stay in Cleveland.  The Knicks and Nets are still in the running but the odds are on Miami or Cleveland.  LeBron will hold a “press conference” later tonight to announce his “Decision”.

 

Posted by The Tank.

The Knicks went to Plan B quicker than thought and will sign Amar’e Stoudemire on Knicks on Thursday, July 8.  Like Team Figjam in January 2010, Amar’e took in Rock of Ages during the Fourth of July Weekend.  If there’s a musical that will get you in the mood, Rock of Ages is it.  Amar’e also attended James Dolan Fourth of July Barbecue on Sunday. 

 

The signing won’t be official till Thursday.  Amar’e is an excellent player but needs Steve Nash to help him flourish.  The Knicks don’t have a point guard of Nash’s caliber.  Amar’e has also had injury issues. 

 

LeBron has pushed back his decision date from the Weekend to Thursday which is after his basketball camp ends.  If he leaves Cleveland now, he doesn’t want to break the kids hearts just before or after his basketball camp.  I can’t blame him.

 

Posted by The Tank on the NBA Free Agency Watch.  

The greatest free agent class of all time (LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, and Dwayne Wade) started at midnight tonight where players can start officially negotiating with teams and sign starting July 8.  There have been countdowns on ESPN and other media outlets.  The calculus of the LeBron has changed because of teams dumping salary, making trades, and pulling out all the stops.  LeBron will be hosting the Knicks and Nets at a neutral site in Ohio.

 

I have long believed that LeBron would have stayed in Cleveland if he won a championship. He didn't and lost in the second round to the Celtics, on my birthday no less. That changed the entire equation. LeBron knows he doesn't have the pieces to win as Shaq is too old and the other players don't step up. Cleveland fired former NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown and GM Danny Ferry. Changing executives is okay but not for the sake of change. Who's next? Tom Izzo correctly passed on the coaching job as he wasn't sure or didn't think LeBron would stay in Cleveland.

 

There are many theories about where LeBron will go as the Heat, Bulls, Nets, Knicks, and other teams vie for his services. Chris Bosh is reported to travel with LeBron as part of a "Dream Team" package. This story is too fluid to comment on that. This is what I would tell LeBron.

 

LeBron, Thanks for the call!  What is most important to you?  Is it winning a championship, fame, fortune?  You would already say fame and fortune so I would say winning a championship is key.

Heat: Dwayne Wade is great and Bosh is too. South Beach is great and there is no income tax. But who else do they have?

Bulls: There is a great nucleus there with Noah and Rose. You can play with Bosh but you have a rookie head coach. You would also be chasing Jordan's ghost and have to deal with colder winters.

Knicks: Great city and arena but what team? You need role players like David Lee but the Knicks don't have enough to sign you, Bosh, and David Lee.  What about other positions?  Andy Rautins was a good draft choice but is only a rookie.

 

Nets: Yes, they are playing in Newark now but will be in Brooklyn in two years. They have a billionaire Russian owner with eight model girlfriends. Jay-Z is one of your closest friends and a minority owner.  A successful young coach who has a ring as a player and had a good run in his first coaching job with the Mavericks.  They have lots of young talent and you are in the largest media market.

 

If you want to be a billionaire immediately, ask Mr. Prokhorov for a stake in his mineral companies.  Maybe even a portion of the YES Network.  Mr. Prokhorov is going after Bricks fan with a 225 foot by 95 foot mural in the shadow of Madison Square Garden.  Photo of Jay-Z and Mr. Prokhorov with “blueprint for greatness” courtesy of the New York Times. 

 

 

Bottom Line: I would sign with the Nets and bring Bosh or Joe Johnson with me.  The Nets give you a chance to win a championship and become a billionaire. 

 

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The Tank's Fearless Predictions: The only certain thing I can say is that Chris Bosh will leave Toronto, maybe in a sign and trade.  Houston is in the running for trading for the Dallas born Bosh.

 

This calculus is affected by other free agents who might be involved in sign and trade deals like Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, and Amare Stoudamire.  If they do, the amount of combinations grows exponentially.  Who can trust Carlos Boozer after he burned the Cavs in 2004?

 

If the Knicks can’t sign LeBron, they go to Plan B and sign Joe Johnson.

 

Posted by The Tank enjoying the Greatest NBA Free Agent class of all time.

The Lakers shot 27 percent in the first half but were only down by six points at half.  Queensbridge native Ron Artest led all scorers with 12 points in the first half. 

 

Neither team got many style points as ABC/ESPN analyst Jon Berry recommended putting a steel cage around the ring in a wrestling style event at halftime.

 

The Lakers were down by 13 in the 2nd half but the Lakers closed it to 57-53 at the end of the third quarter.  Gasol scored the first basket of the fourth quarter to close it within two 57-55.  Celtics 59-55 lead with 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter.  Few points with lots of defense and turnovers.

 

Kobe is only 5 of 21.  What happened?  The Lakers are terrible at the free throw line.  But, Kobe hit three free throws to close it to 59-58.  Ron Artest hits a runner to tie it at 61 with about 7:30 left.  Ray Allen missed a free throw.  It was his first in 22 attempts.

 

Derek the Dagger ties it at 64 with about six minutes left.  Kobe gets a great rebound and is fouled.  The Lakers take a 66-64 lead.  Kobe gets the rebound and the basket to make it 68-64 with 5:21 left.  These are the ugliest 20 points you'll ever see.  Gasol hits two free throws to make it 70-64.  Kobe gets his 15th rebound.

 

The Lakers missed about half of their free throws.

 

Gasol had a great block on Pierce going down the lane with about two minutes left.  Yessss!!!!!!!!!  Rasheed Wallace tries to get the ball but lands on the fans court side.  Lakers ball.

 

Gasol does as both ends of the flow as he is fouled but make the basket to make it 76-70 with 1:30 left.  Rasheed makes a three but Artest answers.  Allen answers Artest to make it 79-76.  Kobe misses a three but Gasol gets the rebound.  Rasheed fouls out on Kobe with 25.7 seconds left.  Kobe hits two free throws to make it 81-76.  Timeout.

 

Celtics are great out of the timeout.  Allen misses but Rondo hits a three to make it 81-79 with 13 seconds left.

 

Vujacic is fouled on the inbounds.  Vujacic hits both with 11.7 seconds left.  Clutch.  Yesssss!!!!!!

 

The Celtics miss.  Gasol gets the board.  The Lakers win their 16th championship 83-79.

 

Posted by The Tank celebrating the Lakers 16th Championship and stopping the Boston Sports Apocalypse.

Tonight is Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers.

 

The Lakers were impressive in their 89-67 win in Game 6 on Tuesday to tie the series at three games each.  Kobe, other starters, and the bench hit on all cylinders.  Farmar had a great hustle dive play to get the ball.

 

The Celtics also lost Kendrick Perkins to an injury in Game 6.  This will present match up problems for the Celtics in Game 7 since he can't play.  Andrew Bynum says he is going to play.  The more he can play, the better the Lakers chances.

 

The Tank's Bottom Line: Who wants it more?  Can Kobe surpass Shaq's four rings and move within one of Jordan?  It's also a chance for the Lakers to avenge their 2008 loss.  They need to come out with the same determination in Game 7.  Though I was off on the amount of games the series would go, I am still sticking with the Lakers.

 

Posted by The Tank Keeping the Faith for the Lakers on the road to defending their NBA Championship.

The Celtics were fired up as it was their last home game of the season.  The Boston Pops performed a great version of our National Anthem.  The crowd kept them fired up. 

 

Kobe was incredible in the third quarter.  But no one else on the Lakers could score.  The Celtics shut Gasol and everyone else down.  The Celtics had a 12 point lead but the Lakers came back. 

 

Did the ball hit the rim with 1:05 left in the fourth quarter?  Replays say no but the refs rewarded the Celtics with another 24 second clock.  It’s the wrong call.  Why isn’t it reviewable?  I am not saying that the Lakers would have won but it would have been much more interesting.  The Lakers lost 92-86.

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: The Lakers now trail in their first playoff series this season, 3 games to 2.  My prediction of the Lakers winning in six games is off the mark but hope the Lakers pull it out in seven games. 

 

Posted by a disappointed Tank trying to Keep The Faith for the Lakers.

The Celtics bench unfortunately stepped up and led the the Celtics to a 96-89 victory over the Lakers in Game 4 on Thursday night in Boston.  Former Brick Nate Robinson had several key plays to spark the Celtics.  The bench had 21 of the Celtics 36 fourth quarter points.

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: I always give the Celtics their due and respect.  The Lakers need to make adjustments for Game 5 on Sunday in Boston.  Bynum needs to be healthy and Derek Fisher needs to stay out of foul trouble. 

 

Posted by a disappointed Tank keeping the faith for the Lakers. 

The Celtics came ready to play in Game 2 at the Staples Center.  They took a 14 point lead late in the first half led by seven consecutive three pointers by Ray Allen.  But, Kobe wasn’t going to be denied.  The Lakers went on a flurry on the final 1:42 in the first half and cut the deficit to 6. 

 

The Lakers moment continued in the second half.  Allen hit his 8th three pointer to take the all time record.  Former Brick Nate Robinson gave the Celtics lots of energy with five points in a brief spurt. The game was tied at 72 at the end of the third quarter. 

 

With about 2 minutes left, the refs screwed up in giving the Celtics possession.  Rondo hit a basket to give the Celtics a five point lead.  Darn!  The Lakers missed and the Celtics went down to take a seven point lead.  Double darn!

 

Perkins missed the first but made the second.  Kobe hits a three with about a minute left to cut it to five.  Yesss!!!!!!!!!! 

 

Rondo stole the ball from Kobe.  Several fouls ensued.  The Celtics pulled away and unfortunately won 103-94.

 

Posted by a disappointed Tank.

The Lakers and Celtics got in early foul trouble.  Paul Pierce and Ron Artest were called for double technicals only 27 seconds into the game.

The physical play continued.  The role players really stepped up.  Bynum played more than expected and did great.  Jordan Farmar with a key layup and steal late in the first quarter.

The Celtics tried to counter with former Brick Nate Robinson coming off the bench for quickness and defense.

Odum was called for his third foul early in the second quarter.  Gasol had to come back in.  Did he get enough rest?

KG and Ray Allen sat on the bench most of the first half with foul trouble.

As Van Halen's "Jump" played over the loud speakers, Gasol outjumped Nate.  He tipped the ball to Kobe who hits a jumper with time expiring on the 24 second clock.  Awesome!

The Lakers went on a run late in the first half to take the lead.  The Celtics made it interesting in the fourth quarter.  The Lakers held on to win 102-89.

Posted by an excited Tank in an NBA Finals state of mind.  Go Lakers!