Andd the drama continues...(Weclome CP3)

Chris Paul is to New Orleans what Derek Jeter is to NY. He is what Peyton Manning is to the Colts and what we thought LBJ was to the Cavs. You know the golden boy, the perfect superstar that seems too good to be true. You see him and how he has always carried himself and just think that's what a superstar is supposed to be like. Never complains, never tries to show anyone up even though he clearly could. Well something happened a couple weeks ago. CP3 signed with Lebron James' marketing company just before Lebron signed with the devil.



In Hindsight, when the signing was made Lebron was still MR. NBA, a Cavalier, and pretty much loved by everyone. Fast forward 2 days after CP3 signed with him and now hes part of a whole new marketing team that now has a very shaky rep at best. The way LBJ and his team were looked at before is out the window. The whole view of that camp has changed in some way or another in every ones view. Well I guess they are getting to their newest member. Now don't get me wrong its obvious CP3 sees hard times ahead for NO and just wants to be on a winner. No Knock there at all. I just never thought I'd see a Chris Paul headline at the bottom of ESPN saying how he is planning to demand a trade to NY, Orlando, or the Lakers. Chris Paul? Really?


Today new reports are saying that those statements were from a "source" in Lebrons camp and not officially from Paul. There were also reports today that indeed CP3 was leaning toward demanding a trade before the start of this falls N.B.A. season. On top of that, he had a couple other "preferred destinations". All this summers drama is starting to feel more like following the WWE than The League. I've never read or heard about so many sources, rumors, or "potential scenarios" in my life. I guess some drama is good for anything but at some point it has to end. I mean after all, this still is about the game of basketball right?

Don't get me wrong on this, I'm not downing CP3 one bit. To each their own and people can live they're life however they please. I just feel like this things getting a little out of control. Would I really hate it if this rumor from Carmello Anthony's wedding actually came to true? Could I really ever change the channel if the Knicks led by CP3, Mello, and Amare were tipping off against the "3 Kings"(sigh) down in South Beach? Not likely. That's just it though, I'm interested in what happens on the court and I think this new age NBA is forgetting at the end of the day that is what really matters.

I actually think its time some of these stars take note from the Kid Down in OKC. Its not so nad to be quiet, hard working, and humble. You can attract all the attention you want when your a star, but at the end of the day the brightest ones shine because of the hard work and effort they put in. Championships and greatness don't come from being in the headlines or having shows devoted to you. They come from the gym time on those summer mornings you could be anywhere in the world doing whatever you want. It come from perseverance, the will to succeed, and the drive to let nothing get in your way.

Here's to hoping we can leave all this drama to the Lohan's of the world and start focusing on that orange round thing that got you all here. Yeah that orange round thing you play with now is a lot nicer and the court that you left all those years of sweat and dreams on have turned into arena's with bright lights, but its still the same game. The game we all love and the game that no drama or person will ever big bigger than. October 30st please hurry.

THE summer of free agents almost complete..

After a long historical free agency summer for the N.B.A. the dust is finally beginning to settle. We have seen a few winners (Heat), Losers (Cavs,Nets), and some teams that quietly got allot better(Bucks,Bulls). The landscape of the league from just a year ago has done a 360. For the first time in over 6 years someone in the Central Division not named The Pistons or Cavs will likely take the crown this year. With the addition of Brad Miller along with a healthy Yao Ming and the re signings of Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola, Houston looks to regain its position as a top 5 team out west. The Raptors(signing M. Barnes and losing C. Bosh) and T'Wolves(signing Darko and losing Al Jeff.) continue to fade into obscurity.

Players like 2Nd year man Wesley Matthews (35m from Portland) and Travis Outlaw(42M from N.J) quietly struck jackpots more than tripling both of their previous salaries. Even teams who lost big pieces like Phoenix, were able to somewhat recover with additions such as Hedo Turkelo and Hakeem Warrick. The defending champs didn't make any splashes but the signing of pg Steve Blake was huge after losing Jordan Farmer. Blake will be a great fit and easy to plug in to The Lake show. Amare wound up with Ray Felton to start a new look Knicks team while some teams like the Pistons, Magic, Hawks, Spurs, Clippers, and Thunder stood pat.

There are still a few names out there in free agency (Shaq, Flip Murray) but most of the damage has been done. All in all this summer will never be forgotten and we will be seeing the results from this past month for years and years to come in the N.B.A. This is the type of thing in sports that 30 years from now we will all be able to say we witnessed the new age of basketball. Buckle up and enjoy.

Backlash of "The Decision"

When Lebron James finally gets a moment to his self to stop and think its undeniable his stomach begins to hurt a little. Mine hasn't stopped hurting. Something just isn't right, and right or wrong things will never be the same. Last week something happened in sports like nothing before. With a 1 hour special where no actual sporting event went on, The fortunes, futures, and legacies of so many cities and individuals were forever changed.

Not only did a small market city go from championship contender every year to um, well back to Cleveland, a player went from fighting to go down as the best ever to settling on being the best Scottie Pippen ever. Small market cities everywhere realized even more now than ever how big the odds are stacked against them. New York found out that they had sacraficed years of embarrassment for a pipe dream that never had a chance of coming true.

Alot of negatives came out of that horrendous Thursday night. What hurt me the most was seeing an athlete who I and so many others felt had it all, sale his self so short. No longer can you argue Lebron > Kobe. The argument has ceased. The puppets should fade into obscurity just like the late 90's Penny Hardaway puppets. Essentially what Lebron said when we all heard "Next fall I will be taking my talents down to south beach" was "I do not want to be the man. I can't do it myself. I am not Jordan. I'll never be Magic, Larry, or even Tim Duncan for that matter. That's not important to me. If I have to be Pippen to finally win a ring, sign me up." Now far be it for me to pass judgement on someone who just wants to win, but that's not the person who I myself and so many others have gotten to know over the years. "The Chosen One" doesn't apply anymore. Chosen for what? "The King"? Yeah Lebron you were "The King" but how could you even think of being called that anymore?

It doesn't even seem realistic watching Lebron stand on one side of D-Wade with Chris Bosh on the other. Lebron James playing the side role? Wow. Never thought I would see that day. Also theres no excuse in saying everyone has had help that have won titles. Yes they have had help. As did Lebron the last few years. You would be crazy to argue the championship Bulls , Spurs , Pistons, and Heat teams had far and away more talent than the most recent Cavaliers roster. Put M.J., Magic, or Bird on the 09-10 Cavs team and at worst they are losing in the finals. I don't recall Bird and Magic teaming up. Mike and Hakeem? They wouldn't even hug after a game let alone join forces to try and win. Now these guys are hugging during games and teaming up with their rivals for an easier way to succeed. My how the game has changed.

Maybe we should have seen it coming. Anyone who has vividly followed Lebron's career should have always knew something was missing from his game: The Killer Instinct. Do not get me wrong, the man has hit some big shots and made some big plays. Even when he did though at times it felt forced, sort of lucky, not the art we see in Kobe with 10 seconds left. You could always see LBJ did not want the pressure at the end of games. He didn't have the mind state, 'If we're going to lose this game, it's going to be in my hands'. Even when its the right "basketball play" (5 seconds left in a huge game down by 1) would Kobe or M.J ever hit Donyell Marshall in the corner for the last shot? That doesn't even sound right. Lebron just isn't cut from the same cloth as some of the true greats and this post season and "The Decision" really put a stamp on that.

No matter what happens these next 5,6,7,8 (as Lebron was saying about ships in MIA) years in the NBA, one thing is for sure, On July 8Th 2010 the NBA took a big hit and one of their brightest stars signed away the chance at TRUE GREATNESS. I guess there is nothing wrong with being Worthy or Parrish just thought you wanted so much more. Goodbye The Chosen one, The King.

Hello World..

Hello World!!

This has definetaly been a long time coming. First of all allow me to introduce myself. The name is Paul Williams. Inspiring sports writer out of the NE Ohio area. I am currently going to school for journalism as well as working a few side jobs. In my blog spot you will find everything that is sports. If there is a juicy rumor, check here first. Breaking news, I'll have it for you. Also, if you ever have an idea or a topic you would like me to expand on feel free to let it be known. Well I wanted to keep this intro short and sweet so there it is. Follow me, get to know me, and I promise you will enjoy and appreciate all of the hard work I plan to put into this.... Catch you all soon!