I`ve never in my 40 plus years as a sports and basketball fan heard an owner make such an angry statement of feeling betrayed. This was not an off the cuff sentence. It was a thought out, prepared statement going as far as accusing James of mentally if not emotionally and purposefully quiting when things got tough in the `09 and 2010 playoffs(vs Orlando and Boston, respectively). There is a huge backlash and feeling of betrayal from the fans as well(talk radio, video of James jersey burnings or worn with the null set on the back). James didn`t handle this w/ the aplomb of a 7 year veteran. No mention of an agonizing decision/ thank you to the fans. Instead, a self absorbed and a "I`m the richest man in the world" party and attitude-a celebration for what? Winning a world championship? No-dude signed a contract. Miami is gonna win 60 regular season games w/ James, Wade. and Bosh-and maybe FISH-RILES is courtin Derek. However, in da playoffs, Miami will eventually meet 2 or 3 teams w/stifling defenses.

It'd be very funny if one of those teams turned out to be Cleveland. I can see LeBron with that same dumbfounded expression from the poor sap in those "give me back that Filet o' Fish" ads.
Gilbert's rant might seem like a juvenile tantrum, but (except for the guaranteed championship), it reflects the way a lot of people feel about the situation.

In the series against Boston, I think it was game 5, LeBron looked worn out to me. Some say he quit to make a statement. Maybe so. What I read from his expressions was like, "Come on, guys, I need some help here." And when they didn't respond, he had nothing left to give them. In game 6, he at least put up some decent numbers to make it look like he was trying to win, but he still wasn't getting any help. Did he quit on the team or did the team quit on him? To me, it looks like a little bit of both.

The media has built LeBron up to be the man. Maybe LeBron has always wanted to be one of the guys on the team a la Scottie Pippen. In Cleveland, it was him against the world and the high expectations that go along with being 'da man'. Now he's got D. Wade to shoulder some of those expectations.

Well the repeat-back-to-back-world-champions did lose Farmar to the Nets. That hurts a bit-you can`t teach speed, and Farmar had that, He was too hot and cold(more cold than hot LAST season)from the outside, but showed flashes of brilliance. He also had years of experience with Phll`s triangle. ON THE PLUS SIDE--Fish had a brief `date` with James in Miami-but the 14 year veteran`s instinct yelled for Fish to end his carreer with Kobe-for LESS MONEY! GOTTA LOVE FISH. HE JUST MAKES BIG AND IMPORTANT SHOTS!Last James comment- Clevland won 66 and 61 games the last two years. I think James should have learned from Kobe, stayed put, and continued to pressure mgmnt/ownership to get `that one player`-a Gasol-like/Garnett-like pick up. Insofar as James being tired against Boston that is possible. There was also alot of talk of James playing the playoffs with a bum elbow, Very possible. However-again- look to Kobe. He played exhausted, with a bad ankle, knee,+ two bum fingers on his shooting hand!

Yep. He found a way to get it done. And in game 7, perhaps his worst offensive performance in a finals, he still worked his a** off and kept his teammates motivated, getting enough from Artest, Gasol, Odom, Fisher, Bynum and Vujacic to get it done.
Farmar's gone, but I think Steve Blake will more than make up for it. Being a "true" point guard, he'll get more minutes than Farmar. And that'll help Fisher out.
Still no word yet on Raja Bell.
Meanwhile, Miami snags Zadrunas Ilguaskas from Cleveland. Good luck with that.

There is no doubt that Lakers World Champions 2010.

I am interested to see if Mitch Kupchak can find more ways to fine tune the world champions between now and next seasons trade deadline. His options are a bit limited, but he seems to have that rare duo talent of being patient until it is time to pounce. Fish said alot by resisting James` advances and returning to the Lakers, He signed for 3 years, which indicates that the Lakers are planning on him being in the family even when he retires as a player. Good move. I think it will be very possible to 3peat if we are healthy in May/June. I wonder-is Boston odds on favorite to take the east, or is it Miami or Orlando?!!?

Boston still has 1 good strong season left with the current group. If Garnett and Pierce stay healthy, I expect them to pretty much control the east, even if they don't have a great regular season record. They know how to get it done when it matters. Orlando might have been my pick, but they folded the tent in these last playoffs, and haven't shown me anything in trying to improve. Chicago might get deep into the playoffs. And the Miami circus will be a fun show to watch, but I don't know that they'll be a good enough TEAM to challenge Boston.
Dallas was the one team in the West that I thought matched up well against the Lakers, then they got bounced in the first round. The other good teams in the conference have lost stars, like Boozer and Stoudemire, so somebody's got to make some moves to get in the Lakers' way.

The rich get richer. Lakers have signed forward Matt Barnes after a salary cap snafu doomed a deal between Orlando and Toronto. A veteran who's rangy and can complement Odom off the bench shores up an already solid front line (and probably making Josh Powell expendable, if he's not already gone).