July 07, 2010

Random News Shit: NBA Free Agency Edition Pt. 4

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James stands on the court against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game 6 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff basketball series in Boston, Massachusetts, in this May 13, 2010 file photo. July 1, 2010 marks the opening day of the free-agent signing period amid intense media speculation about whether James, the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the past two seasons, will remain at Cleveland.
1) More Details Emerge On LeBron's ESPN Decision Special
Okay, the first new development is that the actual announcement will be made within the first 10 minutes of the 9pm special. I, like many other, just figure he'd wait until the end and have a lot of build up, but nope, he's going straight in at the top of the hour.

The special itself will be broadcast in a neutral city, Greenwich, Connecticut, at the Boys and Girls Club. Sponsorship will be sold during the special and the money will all be donated from LeBron to the Boys and Girls Club. Nice! I dare someone to talk shit about that idea.

LeBron's camp handpicked Jim Gray to do most of the heavy lifting on the night, but Michael Wilbon "and others" will also contribute via satellite from ESPN's studios in Bristol, Connecticut. I ain't mad at the choice, but I would've picked Stu Scott.

Remember (as if you would be let forget) the decision special starts at 9pm ET on ESPN.

(Side note: One of Bill Simmons' reader actually suggested LeBron do a live event like this way back in November. That's crazy!)

2) Carlos Boozer Agrees To 5-Year/$80M Deal With Bulls
I think this deal makes LeBron's decision that much clearer. Right now it's either stay in Cleveland with nobody, go Miami with Wade and Bosh, go to NY with Amare, or go to Chicago with Boozer. I think New Jersey is completely out of it now.

For Boozer's sake, the Bulls better land LeBron or he's in no better situation than he left in Utah.

3) Kevin Durant, Thunder Agree On 5-Year Extension
KD must have a lot of faith in the moves his team is making, and really why wouldn't he? Sam Presti has dome a masterful job assembling that roster.

The deal is said to be worth $86 million. Not bad, but it might have gotten more had he signed a shorter extension and and became a free agent after 7 years like Wade, LeBron, and Bosh did. Oh well, it's more money than I'll ever have, so I ain't mad at him for taking it now.

4) 2010-11 NBA Salary Cap Set at $58 Million
That's about $2 million more than most teams had previously thought. Even better for the Heat's chances of building a real contender around Wade and Bosh. I'm EXCITED!!!!!