For the third straight year, the Dallas Mavericks went into the summer trying to snag a superstar to line up alongside Dirk Nowitzki. Two years ago, the Mavericks went after All-Star point guard Deron Williams, who took a pass on playing in his home state with no local income taxes and re-signed with the Brooklyn Nets. The consolation prizes were Elton Brand, Chris Kaman and O.J. Mayo. Last year, the target was All-Star center Dwight Howard, who stung the Mavericks by signing
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been unbelievably lucky with the NBA draft over the past few years. Since 2011, they have netted the No. 1 pick, No. 4 pick, No. 1 pick and another No. 1 pick this summer. Unfortunately, not all of them have necessarily panned out as hoped, with Dion Waiters still trying to figure out what his role is in the league, while Anthony Bennett had one of the most forgettable seasons in NBA history for a No. 1
On the evening of July 8, 2010, Cleveland was a dark, somber place. Moments after ESPN aired ‘The Decision,” the city of Cleveland and Cavaliers fans reacted to what they felt was a betrayal by their native son. Images of LeBron James’ jersey burning were on a loop around the world. Then in the morning hours, a scathing email from Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was released. At that time it seemed like the Cavs and their fans were a world apart from LeBron
LAS VEGAS – In his first Summer League, it seems like the weight of the world has been lifted off Anthony Bennett’s shoulders. In the city he once called home and the arena he once shined so brightly that the Cleveland Cavaliers made him the unexpected top pick of the 2013 NBA draft, Bennett is playing loose, having fun and suddenly showing the athleticism and versatility that made him such an intriguing prospect in the first place. After scoring 15 points and
LAS VEGAS- Shabazz Napier has a set of skills you all know about; the slick handle, the pick-your-pocket defense and the winning pedigree with UConn’s national championship in April as Napier’s collegiate capstone. The other skills he needs to pick up as his rookie season approaches will help determine how well the Miami Heat can fare in South Florida’s post-LeBron James era. With James gone, Napier is now a much more important part of the team than Miami management imagined. [Read
In returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James took a maximum salary. But he did not take a maximum contract length. James declined the maximum four-year, $88 million deal available to him as a 10-year veteran and instead signed a two-year, $42.1 million contract with the Cavaliers. The deal has an opt-out clause after next season, which means we could have Decision III as early as a year from now. Does that mean James is hedging his bets on returning home and
One of my good friends in the business is Jay Mariotti, who I first met when I was covering Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls as they were beginning their second three-peat. He and I have both been first-hand witnesses to some of the most magical moments in basketball history, and as we come to the end of this work week and pause a moment to reflect on what we have just witnessed, a day that a lot of us will
What can one write where all has practically been written already? What was once a 100-percent confirmed source has now confirmed itself. LeBron James is leaving the Miami Heat behind and returning to Cleveland to play for the Cavaliers. James made Decision 2.0 known with an Instagram photo and an essay published on Sports Illustrated. [Read more…]