RIP Jack Tatum

I think the title says it all..... if it doesn't... check out this video...

This NBA off-season has been pretty interesting hasn't it...

Here I thought we'd stop talking about the NBA once we had 'The Decision'. I figured that the LeBron backlash would subside and we would be able to talk about football, which provides us several topics. Nope, not a chance.

Now, reports are that Chris Paul wants out of New Orleans. Even though he has two years left on his contract, he has formulated a list, one thats ever-changing, and submitted that list to the Hornets management.

After a Monday meeting, word is that Paul never asked for a trade. I HIGHLY DOUBT that. He's friends with Wade/LeBron and just watched them get together on the same team. He then looked at his team and realized that ownership has already stated they wont pay luxury tax penalties (i.e. won't add any more good players). He sees that his options are to play the next two seasons in New Orleans where he won't see the conference finals, let alone the NBA Finals or try to get on another team, so that New Orleans can get back some talent for him.

I say trade him! He won't have any higher value than right now. He makes $14.5 million dollars and yet he won't be able to fill that stadium consistently. You might as well get some picks back, shed some salary and make your team more attractive to the potential suitor. Also, you have Darren Collision who showed last year, that he can fill in and play the PG role pretty well.

Once the season starts, too many variables begin to move. First of all, the demand for him could drop drastically. Not to mention, he could get hurt.

I know it seems like Paul is forcing his way out of town, but so what if he is? He's doing it at a time when its actually beneficial to the team. New Orleans probably won't ever be able to pay their players superstar money yet right now, they are set up to have some young talent that can grow. No it won't the Oklahoma type-talent and growth but its enough to contend for the playoffs. Which frankly, is their ceiling in the current landscape of the Western Conference.

Will they or won't they? Another decision in the making.

Back..... Again.....

Whats up....



I was inspired this morning. After reading today's On.Us.Tee posting here, I was inspired to re-start my blog. And with the NBA Free Agency hoopla just starting off, I see an opportunity to do so.



So without further ado.... Here is another installment of A. Prince's Perspective:





First, NBA Free Agency. I must admit, at first I was excited. The thought of the NBA landscape changing so drastically in just a couple of weeks right after we saw two storied franchises play in the Finals had me so excited for July 1st. Then rumors upon rumors upon rumors upon rumors and none of them could be proved. That turned me off. Here's why. Its July 2nd, and nothing has happened. Sure, we've had some meetings between players and teams, but no new contracts signed. And from the looks of it, some people (J. Johnson) will be earning fat checks and staying right at home with their current teams. If this trend holds, we'll have the most hoopla for nothing that I can remember.



But I don't think that'll happen. LeBron is leaving Cleveland. Yup, he's gone. I could go into all the reasons why I think so, but if he wanted to stay in Cleveland, why hasn't he signed the contract already? He could've signed it, and then gone on to really recruiting other players to come play with him.

Also, with the Lakers looking like they're about to reload for a 3-peat (and 4th straight Finals appearance) I don't think Cleveland has a real shot to beat them. Realistically, I don't see any Eastern Conference teams beating the Lakers except for Boston, and thats only if Ray Allen comes back or they find a suitable replacement.



So I look for Bron to end up in Chicago, bringing Bosh along with him. Yes he will be in MJ's Shadow but here's the thing about that; if you're in the NBA, you'll always be in MJ's shadow. Kobe has played in LA his whole career and he's compared to MJ. It won't escape LeBron. Only way he can combat it is to win championships. That's what should drive his decision. And that's why I think he'll end up in Chicago.


But I won't be checking everyday for his decision. I can wait 'til it breaks, then I'll get excited again.