A great team? The Heat mightn't be better than the Hawks

mike

July 9th, 2010
11:19 am

first

J Clay

July 9th, 2010
11:21 am

First? I sure would like to see Hawks, Celtics, or Magic take down the Heat….or even the Bulls

mike

July 9th, 2010
11:21 am

go hawks… we got miami! now orlando is a different story we have to get over the hump mentally with them

volman

July 9th, 2010
11:24 am

Love it, Mr. Bradley! I have absolutely no problem with what Gilbert said. He was spot on.

I’m glad somebody had the gonads to say it. You should be more harsh on queen James!

RHS2008

July 9th, 2010
11:24 am

I really really really hope that this blows up in their faces this is even worse than the Yankees 3 of the 5 players on the court are the top players in the whole league, thats like having Halladay, Josh Johnson, and Ubaldo Jimenez pitching on back to back to back nights its just not fair but GO BRAVES big series this weekend!

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
11:25 am

LeJoke will never have the legacy of Jordan, Bird, or Magic no matter how many titles he wins.

Hunter

July 9th, 2010
11:27 am

Check out this prediction article about the Eastern Conference next year — http://bleacherreport.com/articles/417854-look-into-the-crystal-ballthe-2010-2011-eastern-conference-standings

volman

July 9th, 2010
11:29 am

RHS, please don’t EVER put Chris Bosh in a “top 3 player in the NBA” category.

The guy is good, but he’s not All-NBA Talent. He wants to ride the queen and Dwyane “Flop” Wade’s coat tails.

UGA

July 9th, 2010
11:29 am

Great article!
They are going to have some problems with this team.

Who takes the last shot?
Who guards Dwight Howard?

This is always D Wade’s team too. He won the title in Miami.

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July 9th, 2010
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i don't care

July 9th, 2010
11:30 am

that big horse head james’ ego will blow up the heat lockeroom before the all star break

CSpin

July 9th, 2010
11:30 am

“The Miami Heat aren’t yet a team and might never be.”

Good statement, MB.

@wbarker

July 9th, 2010
11:32 am

I don’t get how he thought it was a good idea to string everyone along, including inviting six teams to watch in person. Didn’t anyone tell him it might not be a good idea to piss of the three largest media markets in the US (NY, CHI, LA)? Money does not equal brains or good PR.

J Clay

July 9th, 2010
11:32 am

As much as I don’t really care for LeBron and certainly this charade was self indulgent…I think the Cavs owner is crying over spilled milk. If he truly felt that LeBron quit etc why treat him like they did and try to re-sign? True guts would have been to come out and say all this BEFORE LeBron signed elsewhere….

Herschel Talker

July 9th, 2010
11:33 am

MB:

What do you think of the Cliff Lee story?

HT

Tale of Woe

July 9th, 2010
11:33 am

As a Cleveland fan I am crushed. I hope the Heat never win a championship and I hope Gilbert is right that the Cavs will win one before the “King”

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
11:40 am

Mark,

The difference between events like the Zidane headbutt and the Sprewell choking and this is that every game he plays for the Heat will be a constant reminder of how he turned his back on his hometown team (which he has a tattoo of the area code). While he committed no actual crime, he is going to get it worse than Vick did and it’s going to be for the rest of his career regardless of whether or not he rides Wade’s coattails to championships.

SOUTH GA DAWG FAN

July 9th, 2010
11:40 am

we all hope Mebron loses or at least most of us do , but will the hawks make anymore moves now that the NBA is not being held hostage by Mebron anymore.
or will we just fight with what we have and hope Drew is a genius?

Herschel Stalker

July 9th, 2010
11:41 am

Hi!

Gilbert

July 9th, 2010
11:42 am

It will take a complete stroke of luck for Cavs to win championship before Lebron does. I’d go as far as to include all Cleveland major sports franchises in this bet- wouldn’t change the odds much. Bottom line is Gilbert is hurt by Lebron’s move and he’s backing his fans with strong words. He knows Cavs are nowhere near winning anything now but must stay optimistic.

Swampdawg

July 9th, 2010
11:44 am

Basketball… Fooey! 80 – 20 What happened to Diversity and Affirmative Action!

Herschel Talker

July 9th, 2010
11:44 am

Does it make you less enthusiastic on the Braves?

Kanye

July 9th, 2010
11:47 am

Meet Mark Bradley, the light-skinned version of Terrence Moore. What a Doomsday Prophet you have turned out to be. If the Heat crash and burn so be it. It really hurts you that Lebron signed with Miami. Why do you care so much? Leave it alone. Better yet, tell us how the HOMETOWN TEAM (remember those guys) can add to the team to ensure that we can compete for the title next year. What trade bait do we have to lure Chris Paul from New Orleans? Can we sign Shaq? What about trading for Michael Beasley? I bet he has something to prove big-time. Get on your job and stop crying about Lebron.

chem

July 9th, 2010
11:48 am

You can stop a slasher if you double team, but you can’t double team two guys simultaneously. If either Wade or Lebron wants to rest and take a half off he can. There’ll be a superstar on the court the entire game. Other teams won’t survive the grind. The optimism is encouraging but if the Heat hire a couple jump shooters, it’s all over.

Whopper Dawg

July 9th, 2010
11:48 am

Well, I think we are better than Cleveland now. Miami, I am not so sure.

LeBron undid a lot of good with this move, and you do make some good points Mark. If he doesn’t win the titlte now, and it sure isn’t slam dunk, he will look very, very bad.

Navigator

July 9th, 2010
11:51 am

Hey the Hawks had trouble with the Heat before the 3 Amigos got together. Of course the Hawks valued their super star very very high and he will easily be able to match up with Lebron (cough, cough, whiz). The Hawks will handle Miami this year (cough, cough, whiz), and are maybe the best team in the east (cough, cough, whiz).

nard 34

July 9th, 2010
11:53 am

Joe,Josh,Horford,Crawford,Marvin,Teague,Jordan Crawford, ZaZa, & Mo! Let’s Go Hawks. Am i the only person missing that you have to have some form of bench production to win a NBA championship. It’s sad seeing all this great talent in the NBA selling-out to play with buddies. David Sterns loves this BS.

MCLOVIN

July 9th, 2010
11:53 am

I am with leyland I am more interested in where Shaq is going , he will play his best against the heat, and Magic just to prove he is still Shaq , and can you imagine the destruction he would cause if he messed around and slipped into the finals against the lakers . let him take off the regular season and turn it on when needed
go get him hawks
don’t drag your feet

Kanye

July 9th, 2010
11:53 am

Mark, what do you really think about Gilbert’s comments towards Lebron? Why didn’t he try to bring a co-star to Cleveland to team with Lebron before he hit free agency (and don’t you dare mention Shaq or Antwan Jamison)?

Smitty

July 9th, 2010
11:53 am

No titles in the first 3 years, with 3 players each making over $60 million combined, who do you trade? Lebron as a Clipper in 2013? That would be Karma.

Billy Peeler

July 9th, 2010
11:53 am

I also wonder how this “superstar trio” is going to fit together. Bosh is a power forward, though…as you say…he plays a lot like a small forward. But Wade and James are both used to having the ball a lot, and I wonder how many “touches” are going to be available. I’ll bet somebody is unhappy by midseason.
You can win a lot of games on just pure talent…but very few teams have won championships that way.

willie

July 9th, 2010
11:57 am

They are about to bring in their shooter in Mike Miller. All they need is a big that bang and rebound a little, and veterans will line up to play for nothing with these guys. It is hard for me to imagine them not going all the way, but Orlando and Boston will have a shot.

Smitty

July 9th, 2010
11:58 am

MB – They definitely put a decent crew together to play with LeBron. The reason they lost to Boston is the coach kept trying to use Shaq at Center instead of keeping the more athletic big men in the game to out run the older Celtics. The Cavs slowed the game down for Boston and played right into their hands. (That and LeBron not playing to his “kingly” level)

What is the over/under..

July 9th, 2010
11:58 am

…on how long before Riley decides that the team needs him as coach, AGAIN?

Betty White

July 9th, 2010
11:59 am

Lebron should be ashamed ! people took care of their home town in my day.

singndablues

July 9th, 2010
11:59 am

James couldn’t carry his team in Cleveland to a ring so now he wants to stack the deck so to speak so that he can win in Miami. He has devalued his own character for all time with this move. He will no longer be able to stand with the other icons of the sport.

nola atl fan

July 9th, 2010
12:00 pm

sorry its a bit late… but kudos mark for your “call out” in the USA today earlier this week. As a regular reader and sometimes poster under the “nola” tag, I felt like a proud parent seeing my man bradley mentioned on that national stage.

“good grief”

GT Alum

July 9th, 2010
12:00 pm

J Clay, you’re exactly right that it’s sour grapes. If LeBron decides to re-sign with Cleveland, then Gilbert and the rest of Cleveland are having a lovefest saying how great LeBron is and how he’ll lead them to a championship. He left, so he’s an overrated quitter who doesn’t have what it takes to be a champion. Don’t get me wrong – I completely understand where they’re coming from and don’t blame them. People like MB enthusiastically praising comments like that is just silly piling on, though.

RareAir

July 9th, 2010
12:01 pm

I kind of take offense to someone saying that Lebron failed in Cleveland because he didn’t win last year. How quick we forget. How long ago was it that Lebron carried a not very good team to the finals? Actually I’m also directing this at Dan Gilbert, Lebron didn’t quit. How dd we know that he didn’t have the stomach flu, or something in that last series (especially Game 5). Maybe he was glued to the porcelain god, at halftime, as color commentators were dissecting his play in the first half.
I do have empathy for the Cleveland area at losing Lebron, but that is his right to leave (he was FREE agent) and he certainly didn’t take anything from anyone (team owner, fans, Cleveland), he only gave. I’m a big Raptor fan, sure I was really disappointed that CB4 left, but I do understand his reasoning, Toronto has no chance to win a championship in the foreseeable future. So Lebron, CB4 and DWade, I wish you the best!!.

MCLOVIN

July 9th, 2010
12:02 pm

Riley coaching by mid season maybe ?

LazySam

July 9th, 2010
12:02 pm

Your right Miami isn’t a team. They only have 4 players now under contract, you need 5 to play … going to be hard to put a team together(bench, coach and all) and win a championship the first year. Guess CP3 will be on his way to help if they don’t win it this year.

cantondawg

July 9th, 2010
12:02 pm

Mark,

You forget to mention the Lakers of a few years back. They signed superstars Karl Malone and Gary Payton to join Kobe and were deemed a sure lock to win a championship. What happened. They were swept in 4 games by Larry Brown’s Detroit Pistons. That team was great proof that a collection of superstars doesn’t equate to title

GT Alum

July 9th, 2010
12:03 pm

@wbarker, this might fall under the philosophy of there’s no such thing as bad publicity.

O'Brien

July 9th, 2010
12:03 pm

Mark,

I think it will work, because given LeBron’s passing ability (7 apg career average), he will initiate a lot of the offense. A point forward if you will.

Plus guys will take less money to go there to play with the big 3 (version 2.0), especially since they will have a chance to win a title.

And I also think the Hawks need to make some moves and not stand pat.

CJ

July 9th, 2010
12:03 pm

Really MB, Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker?

phoenix falcon

July 9th, 2010
12:06 pm

what kind of ” owner ” would act like this????????????????????????? And then you wonder why the king left. would you want to work for/with an A$$ like this?

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And “who” we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day….

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue….

Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers

KBP

July 9th, 2010
12:07 pm

Is it a crime that LeBron may not be able to lead a team to a championship? I have more respect for him in going this route. He wants to win and does not appear to care if he is the main piece of puzzle. If they add some other pieces they will win more than one championship. It is really ok if he is not Michael or Kobe. There is one Michael, one Kobe. Magic won with hall of famers, Bird won with hall of famers, Isaiah won with hall of famers and now LeBron will win with hall of famers. Barkely could not lead a team to a championship nor Stockton, Malone, Ewing, etc. I just wish Miami was not in our division nor conference.

85' Bears

July 9th, 2010
12:08 pm

While I don’t necessarily think that it was a good move for him to go to Miami, Dan Gilbert created the Lebron James monster. He is the one who gave him the free passes and now he’s upset that he did not re-sign with the Cavs. If Lebron would have went back to the Cavs, would Dan still call him “narcissistic” ?

Brian

July 9th, 2010
12:08 pm

The Hawks are a lousy franchise that other teams and NBA fans have been taking a dump on for decades.

Even without James Miami would be better than the Hawks.

Keep in mind Mark that the hawks were BARELY better than the Bucks mediocre crap team from last season. The Hawks will be lucky if they’re not 6th or 7th seed because Chicago is also better than the Hawks and their nickel and dime head coach and poorly ran ownership. Miami will destroyed the Hawks team or role players. And that’s all the Hawks players are…. ROLE PLAYERS.

You… Well, you’re about as intelligent as most Hawk fans. Which means you know little about basketball at all.

David Granger

July 9th, 2010
12:09 pm

I honestly thought that NOBODY would come out of this LeBron James debacle looking as bad as LeBron, with all the hoopla and TV show crap. (Does his agent have the sense God gave biscuit dough?)
But I’ll be damned if Dan Gilbert isn’t making it a real contest with his pettiness.

Hoops

July 9th, 2010
12:12 pm

Enough about the Heat already! Let’s get Shaq, Livingston, & Matt Barnes. S&T Chills for McGee. Now bring on the Heat!!!

Curious George

July 9th, 2010
12:12 pm

Can we trade the Atlanta Spirit Group for Pat Riley?

TheAntiMe

July 9th, 2010
12:13 pm

The Decision just proves without a doubt that LeBron James is much less of a king i.e. leader and much more of a queen, as in drama queen, diva, prima donna.

Dude just apparently ain’t got the stones to get it done as the primary player, and there’s really no great shame in that unless you are someone who prances around the court blowing magic powder around and proclaiming yourself to be The King. I think not.

calico

July 9th, 2010
12:16 pm

I am still pulling for the Hawks but that Heat team will be scary Pat Riley will put the right guys around those 3

MathMan

July 9th, 2010
12:17 pm

For all of you pooh-butts in Hateration Nation. . .I repeat, what’s the difference in Danny Ainge “orchestrating” trades to get the “Big 3″ to Boston, from the “Big Free (as in agents)” orchestrating their own tune to get to Miami? Not a damn thing except for the fact that they were “FREE” to do it. MB, what do you want a return to the pre-Curt Flood days? Or did the Spirit owners break off some Scrilla for you to write this vitrol? Have a great weekend pooh-butt!

RareAir

July 9th, 2010
12:17 pm

One more thing, basketball is a team game. There’s not a person on the planet who can win a championship by themselves. You go Lebron, show the haters and the bandwagon jumpers.

Mr. Obvious

July 9th, 2010
12:18 pm

If the fans of Cleveland truly want to get revenge on LeBron James, destroy the man’s life and make certain he never wins an NBA Championship in Miami, they will call up Courtney Fuhrmann and all chip in to pay to move her down to South Beach ASAP.

GT Alum

July 9th, 2010
12:19 pm

KBP, you forgot that Jordan won with a HOF and top 50 of all time player (Pippen), and that Kobe won his early titles with a sure HOF and top 50 of all time player (Shaq). It remains to be seen if Pau will be in the HOF, but he sure ain’t chopped liver, and Kobe didn’t win much without him and other players like Odom, Fisher and Ariza/Artest. People talk about Jordan, Kobe, Bird and Magic like they won titles by themselves. They were the biggest stars, and don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they didn’t play the primary role in winning those titles, but all of them did it with other top players. None of them carried a team to a championship alone.

Wilson

July 9th, 2010
12:19 pm

Who cares where he goes? I wouldn’t watch NBA basketball if it was in my front yard. Watched about two minutes of championship, game seven. Street ball all the way. See that in NYC parks for free. That’s not basketball! Rather watch paint dry. Rules should be upheld, but that wouldn’t sell tickets. Half of those so called superstars wouldn’t be nutt’n without fouling, walking and carrying the ball. Why not just watch some WWF? Pathetic. Sorry James Naismith for destroying the game!!!!! Money wins out again.

TDub

July 9th, 2010
12:19 pm

“Miami Twice.” That’s rich.

MR. JOSHUA

July 9th, 2010
12:20 pm

Lebronica had a lot of say in the complimentary players the Cavs brought in over the past two seasons. If his supporting cast was so bad, how did they have the best record in the past two regular seasons? Lebronica needed to step up in the playoffs, and she didn’t. Now she can pass the ball (and the pressure) to D-Wade when it’s crunch time.

Stockdog

July 9th, 2010
12:24 pm

I can’t believe that I am writing this, but I agree with Mr. Bradley. I am not sold on this dream team concept. In 2004 the US had the most talent in the olympics but could not win the gold. Atlanta is a team that has been together for 3 years going on 4. They continue to improve every year. If Teague can become the player that I think he is, when he dominated college basketball for a 6 week period 2years ago then the Hawks can compete with Miami, that will be playing without a bench. I think that we are better than Boston. The only team to be concerned about is Orlando, now that Cleveland is dead. So, go Hawks, I will be at Phillips irregardless of who they play.

Moonlight Mile

July 9th, 2010
12:25 pm

Last night, Lebron packed every Clevelend bar and restaurant while every other Cleveland fan was in front of the TV waiting for his decision. The way in which he left Cleveland is one of the single most hateful, disrespectful, and ignorant things I’ve ever seen from an athlete. This isn’t Vick flicking a bird or JJ badmouthing fans in the heat of the moment. This was premeditated, completely unnecessary, and flat-out mean. He has a right to play wherever he wants and Miami is a strong choice but he completely exposed himself as a person.

As for the Hawks, we overpaid for Joe by $30M or so but the impact of losing him would have been FAR greater in my opinion. This is a business. We may not win a championship with JJ but hopefully we won’t be talking about losing the franchise.

joemoedee

July 9th, 2010
12:27 pm

I’m glad ESPN can now go back to “Brett Favre Watch 2010″.

Lebron was in a precarious situation. Stay with Cleveland? Doing it for the money as the talent around him is not as good as other options.

Chicago? Probably the best fit, (Good team based talent around him) but would always be in MJ’s shadow.

New York? The media would ruin him.

New Jersey? Not a bad fit, but still too much NY media.

Miami? Well, less of the evils, but honestly this makes him more Pippen than Jordan in the full view of things…

nard 34

July 9th, 2010
12:28 pm

MATT RYAN NOW GUY”S GET OVER THE NBA PLEASE!!!!!

nash

July 9th, 2010
12:28 pm

James had one of the best supporting cast in the league at all positions. If Wade had ac couple of the players you named he might have won multiple title. Cleveland will be fine in a couple of years if they can draft a real scorer ( or offer Moon or Varaja to the hawks for Crawford) this team will be in the the play offs in no time.

Collection of Reaction Columns » Generation Y Sports

July 9th, 2010
12:29 pm

[...] This AJC columnist surmises the Hawks are better than the Heat [Mark Bradley for the Atlanta Journal Constitution] [...]

KBP

July 9th, 2010
12:29 pm

GT Alum,

Great input. And Dan Gilbert is an idiot. I would not want my kids to immulate him! If he felt this way about LeBron, who singlehandedly may the value of the Cavs skyrocket, why did he not address it with him over the last 3-5 years? LeBron chose to leave and now the spoiled billionaire is acting like a jilted cheerleader who got dumped by the star quarterback. The Cavs will morph into the Nets.

wxwax

July 9th, 2010
12:29 pm

I don’t knock LeBron for needing to have quality players around him.

Jordan needed Pippen, Kobe needed Shaq and later Gasol. And lord knows Russell was surrounded by talent. So it’s not fair to say he can’t win without a good cast around him.

No-one can.

What leaves a bad taste is the way he went about it. Too dismissive of Cleveland, too narcissistic. He’s really damaged his “good guy” image.

It will be easy, too easy, to root against him and Miami.

nard 34

July 9th, 2010
12:30 pm

Let’s Go Falcons!!!!

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
12:31 pm

The undefeated Miami Dolphins of 72 or whatever pop a bottle of champagne whenever the last undefeated team loses every year.

I say we all pop a bottle of champagne for each year the Miami Divas fail to win an NBA Championship. Who’s with me?!

LeWade Bosh

July 9th, 2010
12:32 pm

Yeah, you’ve got to wonder if Lebron would have made this decision if he knew the reaction to it beforehand.

The Heat’ll be good, but I don’t think they’ll be dominating. Might teach the league a good lesson.

Vinnie

July 9th, 2010
12:36 pm

@RareAir: Watch the tape. He quit on the team. If he was sick, we obviously would have heard about it, as it would have lessened the backlash for him getting taken out of the post season early, again. Gilbert did everything he could to win James a title NOW. Sacrficed the Cavs future to bring in players to help win. And by all accounts they should have at least MADE it to the finals. Best record in the league 2 straight years, 2 straight MVPS, top 5 in literally all team and in LBJs case individual statistics. This is all on Lebron buddy. This is coming from a diehard Lakers fan too.

@cantondawg: Lakers didn’t get swept in 2004 FYI

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July 9th, 2010
12:39 pm

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Kiljoy

July 9th, 2010
12:41 pm

The qwhawks have no leader and no heart. They can’t win in the playoffs unless the starting 5 of the other team go on vacation and forfiet the series.

Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary

July 9th, 2010
12:41 pm

HATER = Broad, sweeping and generic label used by uneducated people to place on all others who disagree with their ill-conceived, inarticulate and uninformed opinions

Street Lingo Example:

“All you people that don’t say Mike Vick the greatest and best QB that ever lived are all just a bunch of ignorant HATERS!”

Ray

July 9th, 2010
12:43 pm

Good points, Wxwax. You nailed.

Mark Bradley — Sorry, buddy, you missed it big time on this one. Maybe the Heat will have some issues on who will take big shots, etc., but they do have two guys who have proven they have the heart and desire to win.
Not so with the Hawks.
The Hawks have one guy who fits that build, Al Horford.
The rest are pretty much selfish, heartless, gutless chumps, who show up every third game.
And one of them now makes over $120 million.

Dreman1731

July 9th, 2010
12:43 pm

Timmy, I am with you.

Jay

July 9th, 2010
12:43 pm

How do you spell HOMER? Mark Bradley.

MitchC

July 9th, 2010
12:44 pm

Mark, I think you’re wrong on this one, buddy. We can dissect it all we want, but, I think having Lebron on the same team as Wade, will make the Heat a better team, and will make both better players. They now have two weapons instead of one.

I think the Heat are now the team to beat in the East. I dont think they will get past the Heat in the 2011 Finals, but it will be a heck of a series.

cdog

July 9th, 2010
12:44 pm

AS LONG AS THE HAWKS HAVE RICK SUND, THE HEAT WILL DOMINATE THEM.

MitchC

July 9th, 2010
12:44 pm

I meant to say I dont think the Heat will get past the Lakers in the 2011 Finals. Sorry, duh on me was typing fast.

Ted M

July 9th, 2010
12:45 pm

What might the Cavs do now?

vafalconfan

July 9th, 2010
12:46 pm

Lebron is very talented,but he’s not a winner and he did QUIT on his team in the playoffs. No one can argue that!

DawginLex

July 9th, 2010
12:46 pm

Hawks don’t need shaq. They could have used Boozer. They may be ok as they are.

Mark, I guess you saw about Mel turpin. Truly sad. Nice man.

Time

July 9th, 2010
12:53 pm

I love how all the ESPN types are defending him now. Par for the course. Do something to help out the network, and they’ll give you a pass.

This whole thing has been utterly ridiculous. ESPN, instead of defending LeBron should be doing investigative reporting onto how this all came to pass. It is my opinion this deal was sealed years ago when they all took the same deals so they could be unrestricted FA’s at the time.

They wanted somewhere where they could all end up on the same team. And the whole process has been manipulated to achieve this goal ever since. All the other meetings with other teams were just window dressing so people would not see through the collusion going on. Clearly, Wade knowing what was up went to Heat management and said, if you clear it, we will come. Lots of teama cleared space, some even cleared enough to sign two max deals. But only one gutted it’s roster to the point where they now officially have ONE player under contract. The Miami Heat.

The whole thing is a sham. And MB is right. This isn’t going to work out like these overrated stars think it is. They think vets are going to line up to play on one year minimum deals just to play with them and supposedly win rings. Thing is, no matter how many scrubs (only a scrub would take a league minimum deal) wanting rings they sign this year. They’re not going to win. They might not even make it out of the east. Orlando, Chicago, Boston and yes Atlanta are all much more complete teams. Then if they do somehow win the East. There waits Kobe, who is now salivating at the mouth in hopes of getting the chance to dismantle these guys in the finals.

Mike G.

July 9th, 2010
12:58 pm

Mark Bradley, you are a hater. The Cavs SUCK without Lebron. During some on the games they would stand around and watch him play. Who would want to continue in a role like that. The only reason the owner is upset is because his “Golden Goose” has left. And if he had stayed “6 more years,” and still didn’t have a ring (because lets face it as soon as he signed they were not going to do anything to bring anyone else) what do you say to him, “Yeah you don’t have a ring, but you stuck around and were really really loyal, and now you are 31 and we need to look to the future.” Lebron did the best for the person who mattered the most… Lebron. We do the same thing everyday when we switch jobs (either for more money, better atmosphere, better employee or employers); you the best thing for YOU.

ICEMANcometh10

July 9th, 2010
12:58 pm

H armony in Miami?
A tlanta will beat them in the season series
W alk the walk and talk on ESPN as you turn tail and run
K iss our Atlanta Hawks wings as we fly by
S pit on the bandwagon jumpers as we ride in the sunset

Big K

July 9th, 2010
12:59 pm

Mark…. The Celtics did it with guys who are on the decline of their careers. Each one knew that they had to give in order to receive the Finals trophy. Every one said LB could not shoot. He proved that wrong. He could not play defense. Wrong again. Its funny how these young guys put this together on their own terms and nobody’s giving the credit. All three played the roll of the owner/GM and we can only write about ball hogs. ESPN decision day, MVP changes team, and the proceeds from the hour long show go to the Girls and Boys club of America…….priceless.

REALLY??

July 9th, 2010
1:03 pm

The New York,Philly,Chi media would be would NOT stand for this crap!!! Atl is way tooooo soft!!!

JimG

July 9th, 2010
1:04 pm

Mark,
Re Zidane, a lot of people understood why he did what he did and sympathized, even though it hurt his team. A closer comparison may be when Cassius Clay announced his refusal to register for the draft.

Ken

July 9th, 2010
1:05 pm

When you have a classless owner like Gilbert, it’s no wonder LeBron chose to leave that sorry excuse for a franchise. LeBron played 7 years in Cleveland and I think even resigned with them 4 years ago. The guy is a “free” agent people. That means he’s “free” to go wherever he pleases. Stop crying like a bunch of babies and throw the pacifier away already.

Cleveland never got a LeBron a great number 2. If you look at the history of the NBA you need more than one guy to win Championships and Cleveland never wanted to spend the cash on another guy so they got what they deserved. In the NBA cheap = loser. Just ask the Hawks.

Besides, no one ever talked about Shaq or any other player that opted to go elsewhere. Why are you guys crying about LeBron?

LD

July 9th, 2010
1:06 pm

Finally, the last 2 articles you have posted have been great. Props.

JF McNamara

July 9th, 2010
1:07 pm

Enter your comments here

Skeezix

July 9th, 2010
1:07 pm

All this free agency/LeBron/off-season NBA stuff is inane babble and just plain boring. Mark, can we get back to baseball now?

Dre

July 9th, 2010
1:08 pm

I tell you there is alot of Haters of LBJ. Now I will start off by saying the hour long special was a bit much but hey ESPN and sponsors bought into it and I bet there were millions watching. But the guy was in a no win situation with the public. If he would have chosen NY, it would have been for marketing value (The LBJ Brand), if it would have been NJ, it was becausue of Jay Z and the Billionare Russian, if it was Chicago, “he wants to follow Jordan”, if it was LA(clippers) he’s gone Hollywood, Cleveland “yes he is being loyal, but he only stayed for the money because they wont’ win a championship. But he goes to Miami for less money to try to win a Title, with two other stars.

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
1:08 pm

I’m buying me a nice expensive bottle of Dom Perignon this weekend…won’t be popping it until next spring when LeJoke & the Miami Divas get knocked out of the playoffs. It’s going to be a glorious day!!

Anyone who was not already a Miami fan who wants the Divas to be successful is a bandwagoner. When Mark Bradley says he wants the Heat to lose, he’s just confirming that he is NOT a shameful bandwagoner.

Atlsouthside

July 9th, 2010
1:09 pm

Excellent column, I thought I was the only one who think the Heat don’t have a solid team. If my Hawks can land a Shaq or BIG, I’m confident that we can handle Miami…. We have depth and shooters, they dont… Olympic basketball and NBA basketball, 2 different concepts…

And I agree 100% with the Ego/Beatles refrence, it is so true. “Pride comes before the fall.” Bosh/LBJ will be face heavy criticism if Heat struggle out the gates…(Bosh is very overrated, not a max player, Joe Johnson is more of a max player than Bosh….)

Hawks' Nest Monsta

July 9th, 2010
1:11 pm

MB- this is exactly what i’ve been telling people. Miami is not gonna be THAT great (but i think they’ll be better than Boston). Lebron should’ve either stayed in Cleveland (so people would respect him) or went to Chicago (almost guaranteed championship unless they play the hawks). They’d have an unguardable pg, an elite force in the post, the crazy hustle guy that every team needs (Noah) at center, and Lebron James at 3. Add a shooter at the 2, and that would be a very COMPLETE team.

but he chose miami. I’m not sure how the standings will look in the end, but I know that Orlando and Atlanta could both beat the Heat. Lebron James got a slot on Prime Time TV to tell the world that he’s an idiot.

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
1:14 pm

Nest Monsta, totally agree that he’s an idiot. He doesn’t even know the meaning of the word “humbled” which he uses out of context in every interview. Maybe watching folks from Akron burn his jersey will truly humble him. If not, choking in the postseason yet again with the Divas surely will…at least until 5 years from now when we get ‘The Decision Part 2′ and he’s the center of attention again.

JF McNamara

July 9th, 2010
1:14 pm

You are flat out wrong. Lebron is a Magic Johnson type player. He can score, but he’s better when he has a triple double type game doing multiple things. It never worked for him in Cleveland, because the Cavs wanted him desperately to be Jordan. He knows that he isn’t Jordan, and he doesn’t want to be.

Dwayne Wade is a Jordan style scorer. Bosh will do the dirty work inside. LeBron will run the show, and its going to be a 70 win “Showtime Lakers” spectacle topped off by Pat Riley and his slicked back hair. There is no hope for the Hawks unless one of the Heat’s big 3 gets gets hurt.

Power Up In My Pants

July 9th, 2010
1:17 pm

Au contraire, Mark. People loved Zidane even more after he headbutted Marco Materazzi. The only backlash was against Materazzi!!

Gloria James

July 9th, 2010
1:18 pm

I cant wait to hook up with Bosh/Wade

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
1:18 pm

This is going to be one of the worst NBA regular seasons I can remember..but it’s going to be golden whenever LeJoke flops again in the postseason. Dom Perignon will never have tasted so delicious!

Hoops

July 9th, 2010
1:20 pm

Mark,

Let’s sign Shaq and then you can write a column entitled, “SHAQ-A-HAWK!!

JLM

July 9th, 2010
1:20 pm

It was a business decision. Think about it this way, when King James get old and he will…would the Cav’s managment keep him on the roster? No, they will trade him in a second for a better player or higher draft pick. It is no different than the average job, when management feel you are no longer an asset to the organization your days are numbered. Either, you take matters in your own hand to ensure you have a pay check. King James got them before they got him (Gilbert get over it).

I do think the departure of Mike Brown played a role. I thought it was a dumb move…

G-Money

July 9th, 2010
1:20 pm

Mr. Bradley, you and the majority of your respondents sound like a bunch of infantile spoiled brats. LBJ does not owe anything to Cleveland, he operated by the exact same rules and regulations as every other NBA player. I find it interesting that Mr. Gilbert wants to bring out all of the covering up, and supposedly bad aspects of LBJ’s stay in Cleveland. The bottom line is Mr. Gilbert had five years to improve the players on that team and he didn’t, he is probably going to lose in excess of $150million on this departure, so I can somewhat understand his frustration. I think that it is great that these players manipulated this system to position themselves for a tremendous career run on possible championships.

Joe Johnson

July 9th, 2010
1:21 pm

I dont think we can compete against the Magic, Cavs, Celtics.
At the end of the day I am the highest FA from this summer

Ramblin Wrecker

July 9th, 2010
1:21 pm

I tend to agree with this analysis. Lots of people like to make “big three” comparisons to the Showtime Lakers, Bird Celtics, Jordan Bulls and the current Celtic team.

I don’t see how the new Heat compares to those teams. For one thing, aside from the current Celtic team, the big three were teamed together over time, with pieces of the three being drafted onto the team. In other words, they were not established superstars (like LeBron, Wade, Bosh are already). Jabbar was in place in LA when Magic was drafted in 1979 and Worthy was drafted in 1982. Rookies generally take a back seat to learn their place on the team and grow into prominence. Same thing happened with the Celtics and Bulls, they acquired the big three slowly, allowing the pieces to grow together as they became stars.

The current Celtics big three, lets be honest, are not of the same ilk. Sure Kevin Garnett is a superstar, but Paul Pierce was a notch below and Ray Allen is halfway between John Paxon (shooting wise) and Reggie Miller. And neither of these guys are “creators” like LeBron and Wade are. So they never had the issue of who was going to have the ball at crunch time, they needed a distributor (Rajon Rondo) to make things happen.

So ego is going to be a problem, maybe not at first, but eventually Wade or James won’t be getting the ball as much as they’d like, and they’ll lose a few games and start to point fingers. Or one of them will get more credit for the winning than the other and someone will have a hurt ego. Plus LeBron is going to feel the weight of having left his hometown community in ruins. All of that support system he felt for the past 10 years will evaporate because they are no longer benefactors of the King James experience. And the love Cleveland fans had for James, will never be reached by Miami fans (there’s too much else going on in Miami to love one star that much).

iCECOLD

July 9th, 2010
1:21 pm

The whole Cleveland city is under suicide watch

All the strippers, head towards Miami !!!! It’s finna be a huge make it rain worst then katrina party!!! Lol.

B ball Barney

July 9th, 2010
1:21 pm

Will the Heat kick our butts. 98 yesterday and already 94 today. I’m staying close to an a.c. unit.

FUNNY STORY

July 9th, 2010
1:23 pm

Yes, The Decision has been made, but this is a hilarious article mocking the process.

LeBron James announces that he will buy the Miami Heat, endorse the New York Knicks, marry two of the LA Clippers’ Spirit Dancers in a Utah ceremony in August, become Executive Vice President of Mining and Distribution for Polyus Gold (NJ Nets’ owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s gold empire) and play basketball part-time for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Read the FUNNY article here:

http://www.dailygoat.com/2010/07/lebron-james-gives-thanks-god-signing-10-year-100m-endorsement-deal-heaven/

j

July 9th, 2010
1:23 pm

As a 29 year old who grew up with season tickets to watch Michael Jordan in Chicago, I can personaly tell you that Kobe is the closest I have seen to “His Airness”. Lebron is not the King…he is the joker! I now hate the Heat worse than the Yankees. I was always pissed that people compared LeChoke to Jordan. I now have justification to kick someone in the nuts for saying so!

B ball Barney

July 9th, 2010
1:24 pm

This kinda heat will hurt you!

mike

July 9th, 2010
1:24 pm

Kanye: Michael Beasley was traded to Minnesota. As for the LeBron dog and pony show, I’d have rather watched a rerun of the hot dog eating contest than that propaganda they showed last night.

LeBron couldn’t win in Cleveland as the guy, and now he goes to Miami, where it won’t even be his team. The guy laughing the most is Kobe, because he knows now that LeBron is no threat to another championship next year.

And what has Chris Bosh done in his career?

niremetal

July 9th, 2010
1:25 pm

Kudos to you, Mark, on your last 2 articles.

Sincerely,
Your #1 Critic

Ramblin Wrecker

July 9th, 2010
1:27 pm

And I think there is an open question about LeBron James’ killer instinct. He’s not shown the ability to will his team to victory the way the other greats did.

I have no doubts that if it were Jordan, Bird or Kobe joinging Wade/Bosh in Miami that you could put money in the bank on multiple championships. Those guys will victory for their teams when things get tight. I don’t think James has that inside him. Must not be room for it with all that spot light chasing in there.

Mike

July 9th, 2010
1:27 pm

The same type of questions surrounded the Celtics when they got their “Big 3″. Unlike Lebron or Wade, neither of the Celtic’s “Big 3″ can legitimately carry a team even to the playoffs. In addition, they had histories of injury. The Celtics’ Big 3 needed more pieces around them, and they got them on the cheap. There is no reason why Miami will not do the same.

The Hawks need to be much better coached in order to beat this new Miami club. Wade gave them fits alone, now he has Lebron who destroyed the Hawks regularly. The Hawks right now are not a challenge to the Celtics, Magic, or Heat.

At the end of the day, Cleveland did not surround Lebron with the Coach or players needed to win. Jordan had Phil Jackson, Scotty Pippen, and a lot of guys who stepped up around him. Lebron didnt win a game against the Celtics that he didnt score over 35 points and got very little assistance. He was overwhelmed and out-manned by the Spurs in 2007, Celtics in 2008, Magic in 2009, and Celtics in 2010. Is Byron Scott the answer? Maybe, maybe not. Lebron had to make the choice given factual knowledge, not supposition.

steve brown

July 9th, 2010
1:29 pm

Bad Karma is a killer, watch and see Miami. Kudos, let’s get fired up about the Hawks. If the Thrashers are sold our ownership choir will have the money to pay some luxury tax and give us a shot at the next level. Hawk fever, catch it! (Okay okay I’m getting a bit carried away-heat stroke perhaps)

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
1:29 pm

America doesn’t have a king. LeJoke needs to take his antics to Europe.

Gloria James

July 9th, 2010
1:30 pm

Delonte West will sign for the minimum. PLEASE I need him

Mr. Phil

July 9th, 2010
1:35 pm

I can’t remember a player having such little respect for the sport. My second favorite player of all time (behind Dominique of course) is Charles Barkley. So clearly I have no problem with a player changing teams to chase a ring.

My problem is the Mr. James took a very public number 2 on the entire City of Cleveland and then appeared to struggle to even feel bad about it. It used to be that the business of basketball was handled in a professional manner. Behind closed doors and only amongst those involved. What is the benefit behind having a one-hour special to poo-poo people who have done nothing but worship the ground you walked on from Day one.

It is absolutely true Lebron has been handed everything and has not earned anything that he has in the way of stardom or respect. He has finally put to rest the argument of who is better him or kobe (thank goodness). And he will never be worthy of the conversation with Jordan, Magic and others. No robin has ever become batman (see Scottie Pippen) and Bron will be nothing more than a robin to Wade’s Batman (let’s remember he has a ring).

So now begins the reign of D Wade ans SATAN’S HEAT. Long live the chump. Basketball is dead.

Trade Nate for Bag of Balls

July 9th, 2010
1:36 pm

I do not see all the hype about the Heat. They will be really good but they need SHOOTERS.

Most of the time a TEAM will beat a club of superstars. Look at the Olympic team sure they won the medal but they STRUGGLED to win. I think playing zone defense will beat the Heat.

TROTTINGHOME

July 9th, 2010
1:37 pm

Here’s a FIRST for ya…kiss my azz

iCECOLD

July 9th, 2010
1:37 pm

If they don’t win every year that they are together, people all over the country are going to laugh in their face no matter where they are at… they might of made one state happy, but what all the other status that have teams is going to dred him for the rest of their career… lives really.

I use to like d wade because he was a hard worker and he won that title with one superstar. shaq.

but this is a desperate move that lessons their superstar status to me.

Lebron sucks any way. he had a stacked team and still couldn’t win.

Chris bosh is just a groupie. straight up… he can’t even compete by himself at all.. he is the main one that wants everything easy…

hawks will shine. watch.. the right way. and Joe Johnson and josh smith will show why they are super stars this year. superstar.

every villain seems too dominant at the beginning until the hero rises from a negative situation and stops the villain…. Miami is the villain of the league now and the hawks looks like the new heros that are about to emerge as such…

its not lopsided. now every team is just going to have to step up their game… beginning of the bottom of the decade. things change.

let’s go hawks

B

July 9th, 2010
1:38 pm

Mark, I hate people who do this but…. Do you think NO would entertain Smoove, Marvin, and Teague for Chris Paul?

Gloria James

July 9th, 2010
1:38 pm

Delonte West is a good shooter. He can shoot more than just a basketball

frankly

July 9th, 2010
1:38 pm

I completely agree. I’ve been saying all week that Chicago would have been the MUCH wiser destination for either Wade or LeBrick.

Its just another indicator of what the NBA has become – a bunch of pampered, coddled, extremely gifted athletes that aren’t terribly grounded in basketball fundamentals.

KOOL

July 9th, 2010
1:39 pm

I don’t have a dog in the fight either way, but it would be hilarious to me if the Cavs give one of their new players jersey #23 and never retire it.

TROTTINGHOME

July 9th, 2010
1:39 pm

On a more serious note…this new offense the Hawls are goin to run is going to get ripped a new azz

Scott W.

July 9th, 2010
1:42 pm

Great column, at least you know the NBA because you drop the ball on college sports.

Mike

July 9th, 2010
1:42 pm

Im not sure why people are getting so upset about the Lebron special. Lets face it, all the cap clearing, coach firing, and media frenzy has been about Lebron. Even though this is the best free agent market in history, Lebron was the focus the whole time. Why not use that for charity?

The dude raised 2.5 million dollars for the Boys and Girls Clubs. He is taking less money and a backseat to Wade to play in Miami. There isnt a selfish move in this whole deal.

If you want to blame someone, blame the media for crowning this guy before he has won anything, and then stumbling over themselves after him for the last week. All this guy has heard for years is “when will you bring a Championship to Cleveland so you can take your seat with the greats of all time?” Not “if”, not “how ya doin, Lebron?”, just one hound after another grovelling.

The Real JC

July 9th, 2010
1:43 pm

Why hello there, casual sports fan! I see that you are wearing a brand new LeBron James Miami Heat jersey! Are you from Miami? No? Do you have family down there at least? No, you’re from Virginia? Well then, what do you think of Erik Spolestra’s chance… Spolestra? The head coach of the Heat? No, it’s not Pat Riley. Wait a second, can you name anyone on the team other than LeBron James or Dwyane Wade? Chris Bush? Close enough. How about anyone else? Shaq? No, he left in 2007. No one else? I hate you.

Scott W.

July 9th, 2010
1:45 pm

Chris Bosh

Trade Nate for a Bag of Balls

July 9th, 2010
1:46 pm

I dont care LeDouche went to the Heat and created an All-Star

But Miami Heat DONOT deserve this. Their fans are fair weather.

I am a hawks fan but I would have liked for him to 1. stay in Cleveland 2. Knicks 3. Bulls.

I want to see superstars battle each other in the playoffs not play with each other.

Trade Nate for a Bag of Balls

July 9th, 2010
1:48 pm

If Kobe was 3-4 years younger.

It would be the Lakers vs Heat (4 of next 5 Finals)

But I only think Lakers will reach 2 more and win in that five year span

GABred

July 9th, 2010
1:48 pm

Well said Big K, Lebron is entitled, like any other employee, to take his skills wherever he deems suit his needs. The world didn’t come to an end and if your life or city is defined by a player; you didn’t have much of a life or city. Funny How Gilbert was still offering $125m to this so called “quitter”. And I do agree that Atlanta is a better team (now that we have a coach)and if our team grows up this off season, we can start talking NBA titles here this season.

tyger

July 9th, 2010
1:49 pm

Finally, Mark Bradley returns, dumber than ever…

The Heat just signed the three of the four best players in the NBA and he says they arent better than the Hawks. Give me a break, the Hawks barely made it outta the 1st rd. twice in two years and were swept both years consecutively.

And what did they do to get better? Absolutely nothing. They return as they left: undersized and overmatched. The spunky lil’ group will beat up on all the below .500 teams at home and split on the road and barely make the playoffs once again. But another 2nd rd. exit is inevitable. I guess progress would be not getting swept.

Well, that’s something, I guess…but how do you go over the cap and near luxury tax without one additional player, other than a late round draft pick? Even though Jordan Crawford will be a dynamic player, it’s the lack of size, rebounding and toughness that’s getting us swept two years in a row, not the lack of wingmen. So, instead of getting one of the several 7fters available, we get another wing, then lolly-gag until all the free agent BIGs worth a hoot are gone.

And the icing on the cake? They don’t even have enough money to get a 7′3 behemoth at the MLE b/c Josh Childress could sign his offer sheet any day and they would have to pay luxury tax. So, they are basically going to wind up paying luxury tax and all they have to show for it is the exact same swept squad as last year and two extra wings at the position that you just overpaid $20M dollars for?

Unbelievable, only in ATL. Not to mention Miami gives away #2 pick Michael Beasley for a second rd. pick and we couldnt even get in on that action either.

Where’s Billy Knight, this thing has gone full circle. He told those guys to fire Mike Woodson and they wouldn’t, but a year later, after another embarrassing second rd. sweep, they fire they guy. So, doesn’t that mean he was right in the first place? We probably couldve saved ourselves a boat load of embarrassment and cap space.

We’re not looking real smart right now, but at least we’re not Cleveland or New Jersey.

benchwarmer

July 9th, 2010
1:53 pm

Despite all the grap about basketball hero individuals. The game is still won by the best team. The Heat have alot of figuring out to do before they achieve that status. My bet is the egos will run this “team” into the ground.

ReddJonn68

July 9th, 2010
1:54 pm

The media created this monster called ” The King ” What rings true for every sport is, rosters on paper do not win rings, what you accomplish in between the lines get it done. I’m tired of everyone talking about people hating on Lebron, Miami is gonna win the title, or those that are just bashing the guy. Just pull up the Miami Heat’s roster then make a comment.

jon

July 9th, 2010
1:54 pm

They heat r not better than the hawks rite now, matter of fact JJ is better than wade, how bout them apples!

Scott W.

July 9th, 2010
1:55 pm

You have to have at least 5 men on the court. Cap room is destroyed for this team. 9 guys making the league minimum.

Mike

July 9th, 2010
1:58 pm

Scenario: LeBron decides to remain with Cleveland. However, two days before he signs his new lucrative contract, he seriously hurts himself in a pick up game (and will not be able to play for two season). I can picture a letter to LeBron from Dan Gilbert would go a little something like this: Dear LeBron, although you are a home grown hero our mission … See Morehere is to win. With you being sidelined we will not be able to sign you here in Cleveland. Good luck on your future endeavors! Sincerely, Dan Gilbert!

The Real JC

July 9th, 2010
1:59 pm

Thanks, Scott W. Glad you got the joke (he said sarcastically).

Ted Striker

July 9th, 2010
1:59 pm

Great column! Five Stars!

1) Your technical description and dissection of the Heat was dead on. They have more weapons than they did at the end of last season however this might be a situation where the sum of the parts is less than well, the sum of the parts.

2) Great expressiveness in your column. I especially liked the line about Rock/Paper/Scissors. (Although I will tell you that those contests lead to someone challenging best 2 out of 3).

p.s. Did you ever see the Beatles perform live? (Like when you were 3 years old or something).

The Bullhorn

July 9th, 2010
2:00 pm

Stern will have to change the NBA rules to allow two balls in play with LeBron and Wade on the court at the same time.

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
2:01 pm

Uhh they would still have signed him in that scenario, Mike. They would suck for two years, pick up valuable draft picks which they could use to add young talent or trade for veteran all-stars (a la the ‘08 Celtics) and then wait for LeJoke’s return. Bad example you gave.

Anti-Homer

July 9th, 2010
2:01 pm

Can the Hawks be any more irrelevant????? Pitiful sports team with pitiful sports fans (exactly like the other piss-poor Atlanta sports teams and sports fans). Time will tell but you can kiss the championship good-bye for many years to come. Good Luck Losers

RareAir

July 9th, 2010
2:02 pm

@Vinnie I watched the game, and I still can’t believe that people are saying that he quit. This man is a pro athlete, think of what it took for him to get there. He didn’t just wake up one day with those skills, there is no way that he quit. I used to be a big Michael Jordan fan, he had some of the worse playoff shooting performances that I have ever seen. Do you think that he quit too? Did you watch Kobe in game 7? He was awful, if the team had lost, would you say that he quit? Players, even the greatest players have bad days (or even bad weeks, months or seasons…see baseball), that’s because they’re human, just like us.

@Ken Amen brother!!! I could not have said it better. Although I’m not sure Cleveland was cheap, as they’re into the luxury tax, but the fact is they couldn’t surround Lebron with the right players, kind of a similar situation with my team…the Raptors.

MCLOVIN

July 9th, 2010
2:02 pm

When the hawks sign Shaq it will be Hack-a-Hawk
Shaq can bring a title to atlanta even if he is 78 years old

The Real JC

July 9th, 2010
2:04 pm

@Anti-homer: Hey, I really like your crisp new LeBron James Miami Heat jersey!

Trade Nate for a Bag of Balls

July 9th, 2010
2:06 pm

@rareair: You must not have seen the game. He QUIT on his team. He stopped playing defense, he walked and did not seem interested in the game. look at his body language

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
2:06 pm

Anti-Homer,

Do us all a favor: Collect daily urine samples of LeJoke and D-Wade from now until next spring. Fill up a tank with said samples. Whenever they get eliminated from the playoffs next year and the rest of us are popping bottles of Dom Perignon, jump in the tank and hold your breath. The rest will take care of itself.

Pat

July 9th, 2010
2:07 pm

:::::::::yawn:::::::::::

RareAir

July 9th, 2010
2:07 pm

I’m not sure what you folks in the ATL are smoking, but there is no way that the Hawks will beat the Heat (with the 3 amigos) in more than a single meaningless regular season game. The Hawks will not beat the Heat in a playoff series. You’re right Bosh is not a max player, but neither is Joe Johnson…he reminds me of Vinnie (Microwave) Johnson.

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
2:09 pm

RareAir, see my last post to Anti-Homer and carefully follow the instructions.

The Real JC

July 9th, 2010
2:09 pm

@Rareair – it’s not so much that he quit, choked, stopped trying, had a bad game or whatever, it’s that by going to Miami, he’s ensured he’ll never be in that situation again (or at least for as long as he’s there), where an entire franchises hopes rest on him regardless of the supporting cast and he has to rise to the occasion.

Scott W.

July 9th, 2010
2:12 pm

Anti-Homer is probably a Laker fan from College Park.

Adam

July 9th, 2010
2:15 pm

Didn’t we learn anything from the Boston “Big 3″? Miami will probably win a few championships- Bottom Line. Miami did it right and Atlanta wasted $124M.We (ATL fans) should all probably get prepared to see Dwight Howard vs. Zaza Pachulia again next year. Brutal…

jojo sunshine

July 9th, 2010
2:15 pm

Good Luck Lebron. Now let’s focus on gettin more help for the hawks. Trade Bibby and Marvin to Memphis and get OJ Mayo. He can run the point and get Hasheem Thabeet a 7′2″ center that will take up a lot of space and block a lot of shots. Starting 5 would be Teague at point, Mayo at the 2, JJ at 3, Smith at 4 and Horford at 5. Throw Thabeet in there and take out teague and move everybody up a position and you go big. Get Shaq and let him use all the fouls every night to get back at all those hack-a-shaq teams. He could be very useful in the playoffs vs. the Magic and the Lakers. Use him for spot minutes and fouls. Go get JJ Reddick and now you have a dangerous shooter. Man I should be the GM or Owner ofthe Hawks – quick someone give me 100 million and I will buy the team and give you a championship within 3 years.

BlackMoses

July 9th, 2010
2:17 pm

Terrible article Mark. The Heat will dominate the East. They are about to sign Mike Miller and other free agents are lining up. The Hawks don’t have a chance against them next season . They can sign Tim Hardaway out of retirement and make the finals.

Eisendawg

July 9th, 2010
2:17 pm

Dang! ESPN’s rating were extremely high for this ridiculous fiasco. We’re like sheep. Herd us up, take our money, and laugh all the way to the bank!

RareAir

July 9th, 2010
2:18 pm

@Timmy, it’s just sports man!!

@The Real JC…I hear you man and in some ways I agree, but in a team game with 4 other guys on the court, it’s difficult to always (365 days a year) be the man. He needed more help, I blame the teams failure more on Shaq or Antawn Jamieson than Lebron, he truly played his heart out, he just sucked in the last few games and everyone else on that team did too. Remember the year that Michael went back to the Bulls from Baseball and got beat by Orlando in the playoffs? Michael wanted to rise to the occasion, but it wasn’t in him, at the time.

harry

July 9th, 2010
2:18 pm

Saying the Hawks COULD beat the Heat is the most stupidest thing i’ve ever read on this website, and I read alot of comments too, so congratulations Mark Bradley.

Mark

July 9th, 2010
2:20 pm

The Hawks are better…funny stuff

Scott W.

July 9th, 2010
2:22 pm

@The Real JC You’re so funny! (Sarcasm)

Antawn and Shaq are 176 years old!

newkid

July 9th, 2010
2:22 pm

If I lost more than $250 million in equity in less than 30 seconds (as did Dan Gilbert last night), would my reaction be much different? Probably not. Would I continue to keep my thoughts to myself, and retain the $250 million in added equity, if the circumstance causing the loss would have remained in my favor? Probably yes. Yet another case of ‘follow the money’ if you wish to understand Gilbert’s reaction. Forget Gilbert. The reaction of the Cleveland fans: that’s real. And for their sake, I hope Gilbert’s right about the Cavs winning the O’Brien trophy before the Heat (snowball’s chance…).

The solution to Gilbert’s mess (but not the Cleveland fans) would have been to have sold the franchise the day after LeBron announced he would change his number from #23 to #6 for the upcoming season. Why? Only two arenas in the NBA have retired jersey #23; Chicago and Miami. Didn’t take this kid seven years in the league to develop enough respect for what Jordan did to ‘elect’ to respect his #23 with retirement. Go figure.

RareAir

July 9th, 2010
2:23 pm

@Trade Nate I did see the game. I don’t remember him playing a ton of defense before that (in previous games/seasons). Yes he gets steals and spectacular looking blocks, but he is definitely not a shutdown type defender…..like MJ, or even Kobe. I do agree that it looked like something was wrong with him during the game, but why is everyone jumping to the conclusion that he quit?

JaeEveryday

July 9th, 2010
2:23 pm

Most of these comments are ridiculous! 1. If Lebron wanted to play for the Hawks then all the negativity would magically turn into “the Hawks will win a ‘chip now.” 2. Cleveland never gave him a #2, one player alone cannot win a ‘chip in any league. King James never had a good supporting cast. 3. Who thought of making the most ridiculous statement this year so far in saying “the hawks are better than the heat.” Have you hawks fans forgot already how badly yall got spanked and sent home from the playoffs the last 2 years? Guess so, but what an asinine statement to make!!! The Hawks nor the Cavaliers will win a title before the Heat win @ least 3 with a “true big 3″ not the “old big 3″ who were all 30+ when they came together with declining skills. I dont blame ‘bron, my man wants to win a championship! Is that not why any athlete in any sport plays the game???

The Real JC

July 9th, 2010
2:23 pm

@Adam, apparently you didn’t learn anything from the Big 3 either. They complemented each other – Garnett can score inside, Pierce has a good mid-range game and can get to the rim and the foul line and Ray Allen is the dead-eye outside shooter. Dwyane Wade can slash to the basket and score and LeBron James can… slash to the basket and score. Replace either Wade or LeBron with a pure shooter like Joe Johnson, Ray Allen or even Kyle friggin Korver and you have a better overall team.

Also, the Big 3 won one championship, not a few.

MAP

July 9th, 2010
2:25 pm

Mark,

To infer that you agree with Gilbet saying that Lebron quit is ludicrous! Look at Lebron’s stats for the Boston series and then ask if he quit. He avg 27 pts, 7 ast, and 9 rebs for the series, with 27 pts, 10 ast, and 19!!!!! rebs in game 6 the final game of that series. How on earth is that quitting??? Is that Lebron holding up his end??? 19 rebounds for any player in the NBA is max effort!!! The truth is that Lebron is the only player on that team that showed for the whole series…….Shaq had one good a game and the rest did nothing! Show us where the other players rest their games during that series…..dont waste your time trying to find it! LOL

James

July 9th, 2010
2:27 pm

The Hawks will never win a championship with Joe Johnson being the best player on the team and the highest paid.

tbake

July 9th, 2010
2:27 pm

You really have to hand it to James – the primetime special allowed him to hog the spotlight, but the fact that he donated the proceeds to charity helps deflect the charges of hogging the spotlight.

Pretty canny move by team LeBron, all in all — “Look at me! Look at me!! (and look what a great guy I am, too)”

Of course, someone a little less self-aggrandizing would’ve been low-key about it and THEN made the charity donation quietly, but hey.

But Mark…really…to call the gutless, pride-free team that got thoroughly punked by Orlando better than the Heat at this point…really, that “performance” by the Hawks in Round 2 this year was one of the all-time dogs in NBA history. They played like a collection traffic cones.

There’s no guarantee that this superstar Frankenstein Riley has put together will gel into a champion, but c’mon. Show me, and I’ll believe it. Until then, it’s just sour grapes.

#21=Top50,1stBallot

July 9th, 2010
2:30 pm

It’s not a lock, people. On paper it works, but injuries, chemistry all happen to derail things. Teams win due to star AND DEPTH. The Heat have none right now. I’ll still rock with the Hawks right now, at least til there’s a roster to compare it to.

and a lot of this ‘Bron stuff sounds like McNabb- criticize after the fact.

JaeEveryday

July 9th, 2010
2:30 pm

Hawks better than the Heat…..such an ASININE statement especially coming from a city/team who recently VASTLY overpaid for Joe Johnson who chokes every year in the playoffs. Do ya research and look at the numbers!!!!!!

DC Braves Fan

July 9th, 2010
2:31 pm

Dan Gilbert’s tirade was probably a bit over-the-top in its angry and manic tone–there’s a thousand more dignified and clever ways to belittle someone who is as unabashedly narcissistic and self-indulgent as is ole-whats-his-face.

That said, I think he was spot on at leas about the quiting during the playoffs and I suspect the player who just left Cleveland for Miami was not held to much account and exploited that.

I just wish I knew what Stuart Scott, Michael Wilbon, Chris Broussard, Jon Barry, Rick Bucher and Tim Legler thought about all this.

MightyQuinn

July 9th, 2010
2:32 pm

Didn’t read all the comments but I would reiterate what MB brought up another time, that buying up talent doesn’t guarantee titles, like when the Hawks brought in Moses Malone and Reggie Theus. We were lining up for finals tix before the season started, but the clash of ego and wills sunk the team and the experiment failed miserably. There is at least a reasonable chance this will happen in Miami. And Lebron has apparently already given himself a pass by stating he didn’t want to be the main man, so when they lose he can say, “Not my fault!”

MAP

July 9th, 2010
2:34 pm

Mark,

Lebron gave Cleveland 7 years and tried to get Wade and Bosh to come to the Cavs, but they didn’t. LIke Lebron said, the ultimate goal of any NBA player is to win a ring…..period! So was he supposed to stay in Cleveland to make the owner and fans happy, but play with the same team next year and not have a shot at a title?? Play out his career there and not win a title, but say he made everyone else happy but him? Thats crazy! And never truly be considered in the class of Jordan and Kobe because he never won a ring? Come on Mark…………..

kd

July 9th, 2010
2:35 pm

Enter your comments here

kd

July 9th, 2010
2:36 pm

you people are crazy…this team even if they don’t add another player will kill the hawks.

antman

July 9th, 2010
2:36 pm

I love my hawks! But let’s be real! We can’t even check salmons, delfino, and kurt thomas! Lebron kills us, d-wade kills us! And bosh kills us! They got three players that r better than our best player! I’m still love the home team!

Adam

July 9th, 2010
2:37 pm

@JC, Boston won only one mostly because of age. They put together 3 30 somethings on the back nine of their career (with the possible exception of Pierce). My point about Boston was simply that they learned how to co-exist; if this Miami team does that, watch out.

blord

July 9th, 2010
2:39 pm

Good job MB! The funny thing about Gilbert is that his accusations are true for the most part about Lebron; however, 48 hrs ago the guy was doing everything possible to bring this guy back. It kind of has the feel of a high school breakup for him to make statements like he has. It is like when the prom queen dumps a dude for a more attractive guy and then the dumped claim that she wasn’t that great anyway.

The Real JC

July 9th, 2010
2:39 pm

@MAP… what?!?!?! Absolutely LeBron will not be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan or Kobe if he never wins a ring! He’ll also never get mentioned in the same breath if he doesn’t win a Finals MVP either – that’s why Kobe’s legacy wasn’t solidified until he won a title without Shaq and was voted MVP.

Art Vandalay

July 9th, 2010
2:39 pm

I for one am not worried about the Heat we all now in Basketball you are only as good as your supporting cast which right now in Miami includes only one other player currently on the roster, they don’t even have a starting lineup. ATL is at worst fielding the exact same 53 win team and you know Teague will have a bigger role and now with a new philosophy regarding rookies Jordan Crawford may contribute, also you’d have to imagine ZaZa will have to be better. hopefully we add a big body in the middle but even stay pat we are more solid and FAR superior off the bench than the Heat will be this season.

Also I have to say it was lackluster and the cheap hire but LD’s comments about offense have me pretty excited, the ball movement, fast tempo, taking it to the basket, with some pick and roll elements sounds a lot like what Billy Donovan used to win back 2 back championships at UF, should be exciting to watch if the players buy in.

MAP

July 9th, 2010
2:39 pm

And you hint that the Heat with these moves may not be any better than the Hawks………..C’MON SON!!!!!!! Thats the joke of the year so far…..lol!

Ken

July 9th, 2010
2:40 pm

It may not guarantee a NBA title but finish behind the Atlanta Hawks!? LMAO. The same Hawks who needed SEVEN games to beat the depleted Milwaukee Bucks (without starting center Bogut and starting guard Mike Redd). The Hawks have two good/very good scorers in Johnson and Jamal Crawford. But what great defenders have the Hawks? Coaching great?

BehindEnemyLines

July 9th, 2010
2:43 pm

{Checks date} Nope, it’s not April 1st, which means I can find no rational explanation for this column, its title, or even its basic premise. At least not one that doesn’t involve substance abuse or a serious head injury.

MAP

July 9th, 2010
2:46 pm

@ the Real JC………we agree, maybe my point didn’t come across right. I’m saying I understand why he left to have a shot a winning a title. Jordan has 6 and Kobe has 5……..Lebron may never get to be as good as Jordan was, but I feel he is a better all around player than Kobe is right now and especially when you compare both their career numbers at the age of 25. But if he doesn’t win a ring, he won’t be considered in their class historically, no matter what he does. LIke Marino, as great as he was, is not in the class of Elway, Favre, Montana, etc since he never won a superbowl…………If Lebron wins a title, I think he will get the Finals MVP as well……..

The Real JC

July 9th, 2010
2:50 pm

back @Adam – you’re still ignoring the fundamental difference between 2008 Boston and the Heat. Garnett, Pierce and Allen didn’t just find a way to play together and win, their specific skill sets complemented one another. If it had been Garnett, Pierce and a shorter version of Pierce, it wouldn’t have worked.

That’s what you’ve got in Miami: Bosh, Wade and taller version of Wade.

funny

July 9th, 2010
2:53 pm

Hawks?…now that’s funny, I don’t care who you are!

The Real JC

July 9th, 2010
2:54 pm

@Map – agree with all points except the last one, as long as he is in Miami with Wade. Wade has already proven himself in the Finals, while LeBron could be the next Marino for all we know.

Joe

July 9th, 2010
2:54 pm

if Lebron was such a cancer/quitter then why did Gilbert want him back?
he sounds like the one that was dumped in a relationship but swears they were the one that actually broke up with the other!

PD

July 9th, 2010
2:57 pm

Possible backup centers
Shaq, Big- Z, Chandler, DJ Mbenga, Ben Wallace, Johan Petro, Kwame Brown, Francisco Elson, Courtney Sims, and Stephen Hunter

Lance

July 9th, 2010
3:00 pm

I think Lebron is doing the right thing by leaving Cleveland. Mark thinks he had enough talent there to win and I strongly disagree. Name one player on that team that could start on the all-star team. There is not one. There are some good role players but not another all-star starter and every superstar that has won has had at least 1 or more all-star starters.
Mark, you mention Magic didn’t go find a team to be a champion with and your right he didn’t because Kareem was already there and then came Worthy. The 3 of them were starters on the all-star team and would play against the East all-stars that had Bird, Parrish, Kevin, and DJ. Even Kobe couldn’t win without another all-star player. When Shaq went to the Heat, he wasn’t winning untill they found Gasol. I think it became painfully clear to LeBron that another all-star player in his PRIME would not come to Cleveland to play and that the players they could get would be the past the prime all-stars (Shaq and Antwan Jamison) and that wasn’t going to be enough. Jordan played in a city that players loved to live in and he had Pippen, Rodman, and Grant, all of which are better than anyone that plays on Cleveland. Jordan nor Kobe would win a championship with the players that are on Cleveland’s team. When Jordan retired the first time, the Bulls still made it the Eastern finals without him. Cleveland will not even make the playoffs this up coming season and that should tell you what kind of players are on that team. If Kobe was not able to play this season, the Lakers would still make the playoffs. They would not win but they would make the playoffs.
All LeBron is doing is going where he feels he can win a championship and do it more than once. Also, look at Wade’s age and see that in year four and five that he will be 32 and 33 and I’m sure will have a banged up body which will make him less effective. He gets banged up a lot due to the way he attacts the rim. LeBron will be the leader of that team when it’s all said and done and I feel the one that leads them to several championships with his overall play (defense, assist, rebounding,and scoring).
Only time will tell though.

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
3:06 pm

Anyone who disagrees with me or MB on this is getting none of my Dom Perignon.

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
3:07 pm

When Pape Sy is tearing up the league next year, LeJoke will be an afterthought.

F-105 Thunderchief

July 9th, 2010
3:09 pm

Question: What can make AJC readers forget about LeBron?

Answer: Tennessee football players (especially Da’Rick Rogers) being involved in a particularly ugly barroom brawl with the establishment’s owner revealing likely NCAA violations.

Moonlight Graham

July 9th, 2010
3:15 pm

Bradley get a clue.
The Heat will win the East, but beating the Lakers in the finals, well that’s another story.

What time is it?

July 9th, 2010
3:16 pm

Gilbert is upset because he just saw hundreds of millions of dollars walk out of the door. I would be upset to. What if he pulled an Elway and refused to play with Baltimore if they drafted him or Deion Sanders who told Detroit Lions if they draft me I’m going to ask for so much money they will have to put me on layaway. Be thankful that he made your team and city tons of money.

MsDee

July 9th, 2010
3:17 pm

MANN, if the Heat sign Nate Robinson, that team will be GOLDEN!!

Najeh Davenpoop

July 9th, 2010
3:17 pm

The Hawks being better than Miami is wishful thinking, but I do agree that the Magic and Lakers, possibly also a healthy Celtics team, will be better.

Timmy

July 9th, 2010
3:21 pm

If you haven’t seen Pape Sy play yet, picture this: The passing ability of Steve Nash, the quickness of Rondo, the decision-making of Jason Kidd, the athleticism of Josh Smith, the stroke of Ray Allen, the finesse of Chris Bosh and the power of Dwight or Amare all rolled into one player.

In Pape Sy We Trust.

FlaReptile

July 9th, 2010
3:22 pm

It is amazing how people get so worked up over people making a decision that everyone makes – “where do I want to work”. He did not handle it the best way but he didn’t do much wrong(okay the 1 hr special was over the top-but ESPN blew it up before that). But the responses on this blog go to show three things 1)Everyone has a holier than thou attitude when it comes to other people (players);2)Cleveland fans aren’t the only ones with no life and 3)we put too much emphasis on sports today in America.

Chip Shot

July 9th, 2010
3:24 pm

its as simple as this Sund: trade for CP3 or Steve Nash or lose a lot of fans at the games. A LOT!

hubba hubba

July 9th, 2010
3:28 pm

King James? Are you kidding me? And exactly what have you won? NADA! NIL! ZILCH!
I will definitely pull against the Heat every single game for the forseeable future. What a joke your extravaganza was Lebron- pitiful. A narcissist indeed!

Braves Fan

July 9th, 2010
3:29 pm

Are you the same Mark Bradley who thought the Hawks had a chance against the Magic during the postseason?

hubba hubba

July 9th, 2010
3:31 pm

Maybe you could talk Mike into coming out of retirement eh? How great it will be when the big three lay their golden egg next year. Not enough balls on the court at one time for that crowd.

knute8143

July 9th, 2010
3:35 pm

When you have a poll, one of the categories should always be:

WHO CARES????????????

Where is the challenge? I agree with the Cav’s owner, maybe not “cowardly”, but afraid of more team
failures? I don’t really care for Kobe, but he does know how to man-up!

The Real JC

July 9th, 2010
3:36 pm

@Braves Fan – be nice. A lot of people thought that, or at least hoped it.

indentured servant

July 9th, 2010
3:38 pm

Once again, who cares? I don’t.
Pro basketball should only be played, or talked about, only when the NFL or MLB seasons are not in progress.

Steve

July 9th, 2010
3:39 pm

Where to begin with Bradley….

First off he didn’t even come around on the Hawks until last season. All he ever had to publish was negative…trust me I read everything.

Now after all this he thinks that the Hawks might be better then the Heat? Crazy talk. They have hands down the best player in the league, and two top 3 guys at their respective positions. Yeah they have holes to fill, but with a soft cap they will have the luxery to get some decent role players. Not only that who is to say some vets won’t take less to go ring chasing with the new Big 3.

The Hawks are a great team, but we all witnessed their peak. This group will not be as succesfull as last season even. Its not often a team with a new coach, and new PG just continue to progress. By the time Teague and Drew hit their stride Miami will already have two rings.

indentured servant

July 9th, 2010
3:39 pm

NBA and WNBA blow.

The Real JC

July 9th, 2010
3:42 pm

@indentured servant – go away

come on

July 9th, 2010
3:43 pm

might as well call him LeFavre James because he is obsessed with stringing everyone on to keep himself in the spot light

Big Ray

July 9th, 2010
3:50 pm

I’m laughing at people who say “what kind of owner is Dan Gilbert to be saying all that? No wonder Lebron left.”

Folks, get a clue. Gilbert said this AFTER Lebron left them hanging and couldn’t win a championship with Shaq, the Coach of the Year, Jamison, Parker, Moon, Varejao, Mo Williams, etc.

Gilbert was kissing his feet and giving him everything in the world before that. Don’t get it twisted.

Sanders

July 9th, 2010
3:50 pm

MJ’s way isn’t the only blueprint. That was a long time ago. Bt MJ would NEVER have won a SINGLE CHAMPIONSHIP without someone like Pippen, and a coach like Phil. Kobe needed shaq to get his 1st ring. boston has the Big 3, 3 all-stars, all on one team–they managed their egos well, even made room for Rajon.

Lebron didn’t owe Cleveland anything. Most people don’t work in the town they grew up in for their whole life.

Gilbert had opportunities to LISTEN to Lebron, and go get some BIG TIME PLAYERS, and a BIG TIME COACH. But the Owner IGNORED LEBRON. NOW the owner’s GUARANTEEING CHAMIONSHIPS? NOW he’s going after players? NOW? Too late. You really have to understand TIMING to win a Championship, Cleveland has never understood that. You gotta make your moves at the BEST TIME. Cleveland lagged, and lost.

cdog

July 9th, 2010
3:54 pm

every team that think they have a chance to win the nba title are trying to better themselves.what is rick sund during for the hawks?answer, nothing as usual.but billy knight who has been gone for 3 years is being blamed for the hawks playoff failures along with mike woodson when its plain as day in front of everyone who is the problem, rick sund.the hawks will have the same personnel when the season starts except for the draft pick, why? one man who is a sorry loser, rick sund.watch what i tell you all

cdog

July 9th, 2010
3:54 pm

Enter your comments here

COOL BREEZE

July 9th, 2010
3:55 pm

JOE JOHNSON IS ROBIN IN NEED OF A BATMAN. HAWKS BETTER THAN THE HEAT I GUESS POPPEY IS A SISSY.

cdog

July 9th, 2010
3:59 pm

every team is trying to improve to get to the finals except rick sund.as usual he’s doing nothing but billy knight and mike woodson is being blamed for the team’s failure.its plain as day, rick sund is the problem.just watch and see.

RareAir

July 9th, 2010
4:02 pm

Kobe need Shaq…AND Phil.

@Sanders I love your point about Gilbert!! 7 years and the best that they could do was Shaq, and Jamieson at the trade deadline?

kurula

July 9th, 2010
4:02 pm

i gotta tell ya, as big a deal as ESPN told me ‘the decision’ was, i was expecting him to announce that he was signing with the patriots to play tight end. in the end, he made a basketball team 1/3 better. when is the last time anyone can remember a team of three winning a championship in the NBA? they won’t make the finals. and i hope they never do again.

Ferntooth.

July 9th, 2010
4:32 pm

espn = eXTRA sTUPID pROGRAMMING nETWORK.

Bryan

July 9th, 2010
4:34 pm

prob the dumbest article i ever read…if lbj held up his end vs Boston?…wow i guess 27, 7, and 7 doesn’t get u where it used…oh my bad he scored 38,8, and 7 vs orlando and still got blamed last yr…ATL + uneducated sports twon

LEBRON "FLOCKA" JAMES

July 9th, 2010
4:42 pm

Why are their so many hating on lebron he did a selfless act. He’s taking less money, he knew people were gonna to be mad and maybe even knew he would ruin his reputation, and he did it for miami and their fans to win a championship, he could be in cleveland (making joe johnson type money hahaha) sitting on his tail and just cashing checks bringing no championships to that awful city.

Kris G

July 9th, 2010
4:47 pm

As absurd and childish as LeBron’s display was, Gilbert topped it. Let me tell you what a cowardly betrayal is… telling someone how you important they are when you think you have a chance with them, then viciously attacking them minutes after you realize you don’t. LeBron, like the stupid kids with the hats at their recruiting press conferences, rubbed their noses in it, sure. But the owner of the Cavs, the one who never really tried to get real talent in there in 7 freaking years, is not owed anything. His anger is not at losing the chance for championships, his anger is at losing the most marketable figure in the NBA and the bonus that he’s playing for his home team.

Hawks2010

July 9th, 2010
4:58 pm

Lebron is flawed because he didn’t play any college ball. He went into the world of the pros without the necessary emotional development, a boy among men. He has never learned you can’t do it all yourself and to be a good teammate.

hubba hubba

July 9th, 2010
5:03 pm

Lebron is a joke- and he did quit!!!!! What has he won ???? Nothing. It will be hilarious next year when we hear all the lame excuses why the three amigos could not buy a championship for the heat.

honest_abe

July 9th, 2010
5:06 pm

Sad, jealous creatures you all are. He’s the king he can do as he pleases and your insignificant opinions don’t amount to anything.. Get over it losers!

hubba hubba

July 9th, 2010
5:18 pm

honest_abe Sounds like another jock sniffer to me pal.

SaySomething

July 9th, 2010
5:29 pm

Because of what LeBron James meant to the city of Cleveland, the way this thing transpired just feels classless. Oh, what am I saying? Who cares about character anymore.

My bad.

Hawk Str8Talk

July 9th, 2010
5:31 pm

Glad that Bro. Bradley is so enamored with writing NBA articles, but you guys are completely bananas with this criticism of LeBron. Over the top announcement? Ok! Ego? Absolutely! But you are all sipping haterade if you think his legacy or place in history changes because of this. Seriously, I’d smack any one of you who decided to stay in sorry Cleveland over Miami where he has real help, real weather, a real coach, and did I mention South Beach…yeah, he was supposed to give all that up for Cleveland. Whatever!

BravesFan79

July 9th, 2010
5:50 pm

Queen James is SO overrated!! He just proved he couldnt do it by himself.

ASHCAN.

July 9th, 2010
6:18 pm

Miami will not be able to beat the hawks? your joking right? The hawks will NOT win a game when they play the heat.They struggled against them(heat)with just wade.Yall can go ahead and fool yallselfs on this blog if you want to.I can’t see no other reason to mention the hawks and heat with the same breath because the hawks will get beat down and still can’t beat orlando with just howard.The heat only have the top 3 best players in the nba and your saying that the hawks can beat them? i really can’t believe that was said.Lets see,all 3 players will possibly sign 5 year deals and that means the hawks should not look to see a championship or even get there for a LOOOOOONG!! time.

ASHCAN.

July 9th, 2010
6:28 pm

Yep plain old hateraid reading some of these comments.Who wants to stay in crappy cleveland? they can’t even keep a football team for crying out loud.Someone mentioned on this blog that he needed help,well who don’t? its the cavs ownership ect…fault for not bringing someone in to play with him to get the team over the top.But noooooo they just wanted to ride on LJ shoulders and profit off of him but had 7 long years to make adjustments.But now its LJ’S fault and he’s hated for leaving cleveland.You people are from another world.

Gainesville#1

July 9th, 2010
7:02 pm

Mark Bradley

I said this 2 days ago. Im a bad man.

SteveW

July 9th, 2010
7:47 pm

I wholeheartedly agree with your last 2 articles – Unless Miami pulls a coup and gets a couple of great chemistry role players. I think D Wade begins to break down after this season. His body is not built for the long haul in the NBA – think Penny Hardaway and Tracy Mac – but sticks a little longer than those 2 in my opinion.

Pot meet kettle

July 9th, 2010
8:11 pm

Dan Gilbert wants to talk about LeBron’s loyalty when he just tried to get Tom Izzo the face of Michigan State to walk away from his contract for a boatload of dollars?

Make you almost want to root for LeBron. Almost.

ep

July 9th, 2010
8:18 pm

Just remember a trio that didn’t work and it was in Atlanta. Wilkins, Malone and Theus. Not enough basketballs in ATL and next season not enough basketballs in Miami. This cannot end well.

Chris D'

July 9th, 2010
8:33 pm

I haven’t decided what is sadder. These BS articles from Bradley lately or the people that belief this BS.

Lebron James beat the Hawks by himself last year. The game would be close and then he would just take over at the end. So now that he is on a team with 2 other superstars he can’t beat us? Right now they have 5 players on there roster so I guess right now we might be able to beat Miami. Assuming they can get to the league minimum with players I think not. I think the Hawks will be between the 5th and 7th seed in the East next year.

Hey Jude

July 9th, 2010
11:23 pm

I dont agree with this unless our roster will get upgrade. Their still have a coach to give them the right play mark.

Hey Jude

July 9th, 2010
11:26 pm

May bad, i mean a heavy upgrade.. Make iron man your man in the middle, maybe by then, the hawks can win over the heat now.. You made your fantasy mark, i make mine..

ATLanta

July 10th, 2010
12:37 am

random but what if we traded marvin williams and future draft pick for andre iguadalla he can run at SF for us.. and if zaza is maken a around 5 a year why not trade him , if we plan on bringen in another big..like shaq to pay back up to horford, that opens up cap to sign chills , so we would have teague joe andre josh horford bench bibby jamal evans shaq crawford j chills and some extra cash to sign some others maybe mat barnes , he got payed 1.8 last year, ect theres some guys out there, i just saw sund say collins might return if he gets in shape

Peter Moylan

July 10th, 2010
2:19 am

This is one of the most absurd things I have ever heard. The Hawks couldn’t beat the Heat last year without James or Bosh. You have to be the biggest homer in the world to think that the Hawks might even win a game against the Heat next season.

As constituted, these Hawks aren’t going to win anything.

tennessee tom

July 10th, 2010
4:50 am

t thought Lebron was going to sign with Kentucky

Ryder

July 10th, 2010
8:40 am

Atlanta might have deeper talent on paper, but it’s painfully obvious that Atlanta falls short in one major department: confidence. It was a pattern under Woodson (especially on the road) that when the Hawks started getting down early in games they would just quit.

Doubtful you will ever see Boston, Orlando, LA, or even Miami fall short in the confidence department just because they are down a few points. Perhaps Atlanta will get Shaq, who can be a boon to a team that sometimes can’t get out of their own way.

Ross

July 10th, 2010
9:02 am

The Hawks should develop a reputation as a dirty team and basically mug those guys. Now that would be something interesting to watch during the garbage time that is the NBA before late May. So let’s get Shaq and encourage him to start throwing elbows and trips.

jay dubu

July 10th, 2010
11:26 am

Mark, why would you think the Hawks can beat the heat now? They struggled against the Heat with just Wade, and couldn’t beat Cleveland until all the starters sat out the last game.

They’ve done absolutely nothing ths far to improve their roster from last season, and they’ve replaced Woody with one of his assistants that has never been a head coach before. Granted Woody did lack in guiding the team offensively, but how much of a difference do you expect LD to make.

It’s obvious that the Hawks are not looking to bring in any free agents, so any players added will be added via trades. Who will leave the Hawks’ roster in these trades, and how will that impact the team and their ability to build a long term contender? Additions like Shaq for 1 year does what? Nothing in my opinion. If he couldn’t help the Cavs over the top, why would he be able to do it for the Hawks at a year older?

Bringing in guys like Morris, etc (young, has size, and cheap to sign) to fill out the roster does nothing that helps win games. The Hawks need a big man and a point gaurd, otherwise they be out of the playoff early again next season.

Hawks Fan From Day One

July 10th, 2010
11:43 am

I think everyone is overrating the notion of having one superstar player be the focal point of a team, especially a championship team. At that point, it’s no longer a team. The spotlight is on one player. I also think that everyone is forgetting about the 2004 Piston championship team. Who on that team would you say was the “superstar” player? All of those guys were role (NOT “roll”) players on any other NBA team. Using the example of the Laker team that had Shaq, The Mailman, The Glove and Kobe? Payton and Malone were washed up by the time they came to the team and Shaq was already on the downward slope. This Heat team can work because they are all young and in their prime. It’s a reason a guy like Barkley finished his career ringless. For him to say that he would have wanted to be “the guy” proves that ego was more than likely the reason he wound up without a championship. Someone on here made the comment about guys like Bird and Magic playing with other Hall Of Famers and I totally get that. I like that the league is buzzing over this new superteam. I don’t agree with the way that LeBron went about it, but then again, I was never one snowed by him in the first place. I don’t like him as a person and been seen through him, but I’m a fan of the game and this team will be exciting as hell to watch. I’m personally waiting to see how long before Shaq comes sniffing around, begging for a job and then it’s gonna be on for real.

john

July 10th, 2010
11:50 am

Lebron James he his chance to be a leader with the cavs he could not do it I think the cavs did their the best to keep him if some of you listen to espn there are some trades that lebron did not want the cavs to do like trade jj hickson for Amare so do not say that cavs did not do everything they could. Dan Gilbert had a high payroll an d paid the tax as well did not think Lebron did stop the cavs for doing some trades so they can keep this friends team intact. I think Lebron knew that he was going to the heat for a while he should have told the cavs sooner so they could known what to do he left this cavs team in a bad spot now that cavs did alot for him from what I hear from Espn like giving his friends jobs with the cavs and letting them come on trips and things like that . He should he gave them more respect than this they stood by him and did everthing for him . I think The Hawks are better than the heat so I think egos wiill get in the way with this team 3 supertstars let us be real they are human like all of us are do not say egos will get in the way it will. Also I think the hawks team need a young center not Shaq he has not done well in a while but got coaches fired and mess up team styles, this a young hawks team mostly and Joe johnson will do better and I think they will be more better….

Hawks Fan From Day One

July 10th, 2010
12:17 pm

Maybe after they whoop our natural asses every game this upcoming season, Slo Johnson will take ‘em all out to eat. He’s buying.

ryan

July 10th, 2010
12:44 pm

I just put this up as a joke there contract James, Bosh, Wade all got 6 year deals when put them together look at the number 6 6 6 number of the devil and the flames of the Heat logo.

Hawks All Day

July 10th, 2010
12:59 pm

This move should motivate all the other teams especially the Hawks to get better…Teams that wanna win will do whatever to get better (LAL, BOS, MIA, CLE…lol)…We can’t sit around and think that the team we have now can win a ring, something has got to shake…Or if ASG plays their cards right, next season we can get our hands on Melo or Parker…But please ASG, don’t sit around and do nothing, you gotta give up something to get something…Peace…

a fan

July 10th, 2010
1:30 pm

you’re an idiot mark

drmondo667

July 10th, 2010
3:09 pm

Is there any interest from the Hawks in Zydrunas Ilgauskas now? Last season we tried to entice him here. This offseason I haven’t heard his name mentioned at all. Wouldn’t he be a cheaper, potentially better backup C than Shaq?

Mystikal

July 10th, 2010
4:01 pm

You need a star to win a championship. Sure Detroit won in 2004 with no stars, but they are the exception, not the rule. More so it depends on the role players around said star(s) to step up when the time comes. You need guys who will step up to guard the other teams best player. Have to have someone to fight and scrap in the post, getting rebounds. Must have someone else willing to step up and hit a big shot when things get tight. Overall you need players who are willing to do the little things consistently for as long as it takes. We have many of those things now, but we have to learn to be consistent. We can’t have Smoove moping on the court. Horford can’t be the only one fighting in the post. Joe and Jamal can’t dominate the ball on offense while eveyone else just stands looking. Marvin can’t disappear randomly and Bibby can’t give us no offense ON TOP OF getting torched defensively.
Hopefully LD’s new schemes will eliminate some of the problems we have, but we still need more pieces if we seriously want a shot at a title.

Mystikal

July 10th, 2010
4:27 pm

Potential targets:

PG’s:
Flip Murray, Jannero Pargo, CJ Watson, Jordan Farmer, Rafer Alston
Luke Ridnour, Shaun Livingston

Wings:
Matt Barnes, Ronnie Brewer, Tony Allen, Shannon Brown, Rasual Butler
Jerry Stackhouse, Damien Wilkins, Roger Mason, Dorell wright

Centers:
shaq, Brad Miller, Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown, Big-Z,
Theo Ratliff, DJ Mbenga, Josh Boone

And what is up with Josh Howard now, is he done? Is he over his little pity party for being an idiot,
cause he still has some game in him. If we can get the sign and trade of Chillz for Javale McGee I

Mystikal

July 10th, 2010
4:28 pm

will be good, despite whatever else does(not) happen.

htwo0rider

July 10th, 2010
7:52 pm

Mark, I generally appreciate your positive spin on whatever Atlanta team you’re writing about. This article is ridiculous even for you. The Heat will work the eastern conference…especially the Hawks.

htwo0rider

July 10th, 2010
8:32 pm

Mark I usually enjoy your optimism regarding Atlanta teams, but you’ve gone past optimistic, to asinine. The Heat will school the East…especially the Hawks

lgwest1

July 10th, 2010
9:29 pm

LeBron is not a hawk. Please remove his picture fro the ‘Hawks ‘ web page. Enough is enough.

sam'l

July 11th, 2010
2:51 am

Miami won’t ever win a championship because D. Wade is an egomaniac and that will upset the chemistry. Also Lebron’s hoppity hop hop will probably be called next year along with everything else he has always gotten away with.

I don’t think Wade is a better shot than Lebron….James did make some killer 3 pointers (a lot of them) by just rising over his defenders.

Boston picks up (Damn…who’d they just get…can’t remember)…what I do remember is thinking…how come the Hawks didn’t grab this guy?

Odd prediction…..numero uno…..Eric Spoelstra out…..Pat Riley IN AS COACH. Sure…he wants another championship….and even though I like Spoelstra, one look in his eyes, and you know he’s nuts…….

sam'l

July 11th, 2010
2:52 am

Hmmm…Mystikal….rang my bell……I agree with a lot of what you say…..

Steven A.

July 11th, 2010
1:22 pm

“ANYONE” BASHING LEBRON JAMES FOR HIS DECISION, IS AN ABSOLUTE “IDIOT’
any “GROWN MAN’ speaking critically of LeBron is an absolute FOOL. “IMAGINE” if you had to go
to yourBORING ho-hum job and carry “THE WHOLE LOAD.” I was not a Lebron fan before this started,however, I APPLAUD HIM FOR HIS DECISON.

WINNING ISN’T EVERYTHING, IT’S THE ONLY THING.

Pat Riley

July 11th, 2010
2:21 pm

Mark, we are all aware your entire career is based on pessimism but good god man! This team will win the title EASILY. Supporting cast rounding up: Mike miller signed, Chalmers, Juwaun Howard, Big Z, Raja Bell, plus the guys they drafted… ITS OVER. Im a hawks fan but they will lose by 30 to these guys EVERY TIME. Those guys i just listed in all probabilty will be their other guys. Including a Da’suan Butler who could get healthy as a rook, and maybe a D fisher if they really persuade him. Yes or NO do they win with that group excluding Fisher????

Pat Riley

July 11th, 2010
2:22 pm

I Forgot Udonis Halem… ADD HIM IN

Ricky

July 11th, 2010
2:27 pm

sam’l Wade and Lebron are FIRST TEAM ALL DEFENSE. Plus maybe a Udonis Haslem and a Juwaun Howard. Do they now have D??

Robert

July 11th, 2010
5:09 pm

Fans have already forgotten that Shaq was an all-star two years ago with Phoenix. In fact, his numbers with the Suns were just a shade below what Bosh averaged this past year. And in Cleveland, Shaq did everything he could to fit in. Let’s see how much Bosh likes getting six or seven shots a game. LeBron and company launched and usually missed three-point shots from all over the court and Shaq never said a word. Does he like attention? No doubt. Can he still make a contribution to a club? Again, no doubt.

Steve

July 11th, 2010
6:56 pm

Robert, Shaq was completely washed up on both teams. Bosh averaged 24-11-2 and shot 80 percent from the line compared to 12-6 and 55 percent from the line. ARE U SERIOUS?!? watch an NBA game pal

Melvin Flowers /Macon Ga.

July 11th, 2010
7:14 pm

What are the Hawks waiting for?
We will not beat the Heat or Magic this season with the line up they have now.
All teams in division are getting stronger the Hawks are not.
It will be a long season for the Hawks if changes don’t be made to roster.
They need a center very badly and a true point guard.
Let’s make some trades are be ready to struggle in makeing the playoffs.
Management stop sitting around looking at other teams get stronger.
We need some help to …………

Robert

July 11th, 2010
7:23 pm

Hey Steve, I was clearly referring to Shaq’s Phoenix stats in 2008-2009: 17.8–8.4–1.4. There is not a significant difference between those stats and Bosh’s stats this year with Toronto. Bosh makes three more baskets a game and grabs three more rebounds. Shaq also shot 60% from the field that year and was co-MVP of the All-Star game.

Steven A.

July 11th, 2010
8:20 pm

“SIGN KWAME BROWN ASAP”…
Kwame is the only free agent center with enough size and athleticism to handle Dwight Howard, however, having said that, all he needs is a trip to “The Wizard” for some “HEART & COURAGE.”

Dominique Wilkens

July 11th, 2010
8:55 pm

I stayed around with the Hawks. We all know how that ended….

northcyde

July 11th, 2010
9:12 pm

Mr. Bradley . . when Miami finally fills out their roster, you’re going to be surprised at the names that will be on there. That team is going to have no problem whatsoever putting decent role players around Wade, Lebron and Bosh. If Varnado and Pittman turns out to be solid, that team is going to be very dangerous come playoff time. Even more dangerous than what people realize.

It’s all the more reason that we need a power player like a Shaq, to give the Hawks a change of pace option to throw at teams.

DAWG H8R

July 11th, 2010
10:05 pm

They only have one ball during play,right?
Who’s gonna have it? Dee-Wayne Wade.
Prince James. Kris Bosh.

I don’t think that Miami got better. I
think they got more unstable. I just
think that,like Josh Smith, James is
an immature man-child.

How’s he gonna deal with Wade being
the man? Who is the go to guy? Who
takes the big shot? Like the Bulls, you can’t
win championships with more than one ball hog.
Wade 22 shots, LeeBrawn withe 20 shots, Kristy with
18 shots.That’s a whole game’s worth on three
players.What legitimate players want run to
up and down the court and watch other guys
actually be allowed to control the game?

Who’ll hire and fire the coaches,Wade,Jaymes,
or the GM?

Steve

July 11th, 2010
10:10 pm

Robert, regardless of what point your trying to make it sucks. Plain and simple. Shaq had the worst season of his career last year and now were supposed to run the princeton offense with him? huh? Our starting center will get us 11 and 6 and be 38 years old. I think ill wet my pants

freshnique

July 11th, 2010
10:15 pm

DAWGH8R, Dont ever compare josh smith to lebron james again. Please spare us the ignorance. That heat team will have good vets BEGGING to play with them not to mention an inked Mike Miller to stand there and shoot wide open 3s. The GM is Pat Riley hes going no where!!! He put this all together!!

falconfanintitantown

July 12th, 2010
2:11 am

Remember all it takes is one injury and miami’s title dreams are poof! I hope atlanta signs Shaq just so he can put a hard foul on jebron lames and show what a true fancyboy he is. HA HA HA HA HA HA (that’s my evil laugh)

2nd Chances

July 12th, 2010
9:31 am

LOL@ ANYBODY that defends Dan Gilbert. He had all those terrible things to say about LJ but yet you’re pissed off that he’s not on your team? You say he quit but you would have taken him on your team in a heartbeat! Dan Gilbert is an owner that sounded like a lil 13 year old kid. NO CLASS at all!! It’s a joke for anybody to defend those comments. Gilbert said him team would win a title before Lebron??? You’re kidding right?? Delusional???

@Ken, you are RIGHT ON!! Everybody’s crying like LJ owes them something. He did what he wanted and what he thought was best for him.

HGN

July 12th, 2010
10:43 am

The Cav’s Gilbert is just upset that his net worth just dropped by about $100M, and he is trying to blame someone else ( LeBron James) for the future Cavaliers failure. He, and he alone, fired the best coach in the franchise’s history ( Mike Brown) ; He also ran off the GM that put together the winningest teams in Cavaliers history ; He (Gilbert) failed to secure ANY other serviceable free agents during the free agents signing period. Gilbert has NO ONE to blame for LeBrons departure but himself.

ASHCAN.

July 12th, 2010
10:48 am

John you can’t listen to everything you hear on espn,they did not have the cheeze$$$$ to sign amare that was just buzz about it could happen.Just another sports host wanting to be right and say i told you so if it WOULD HAVE happened.

Champs

July 13th, 2010
10:47 am

You guys are all retards to think the Hawks are better than the Heat. I bet my life that the Heat will have a better record. They will embarrass Atlanta, like Orlando did in the playoffs. The Heat were 6 games back of the Hawks with a roster of expiring contracts. They added the MVP and an all-star starter. You are in serious denial if you think the Hawks, who didn’t improve their roster after an embarrassing playoffs, are going to do better. The Heat have a better PG (who isn’t better than Bibby), a better SG, a way better SF, a better PF, and a stronger bench with Haslem and Mike Miller. Horford is better than any C the Heat can get but his 15-18 points won’t be a difference maker. Hawks better than Heat? Child please

CL

July 13th, 2010
10:27 pm

Ha, hahahahahaha! What a great article. Whoo! Incredible commentary, exceptional analysis. I mean the Heat only acquired the top 3 free agents in basketball, in their prime, to play on the same team. No owner would want that, right? I mean who would want Wade, James, and Bosh together. I have never witnessed so much animosity from writers towards a team. Please name me one organization would not want these 3 players on their roster. It’s just like the USA basketball team. Who do they send, the best of the best, right? Bitter, bbitter , bitter is all I can say. Yes, the Hawks are a better team than the Heat, that’s why they have done so much winning the last 10 years, and come back with the same players for another early playoff exit. Newsflash, the Heat are better than you!

Chris

July 14th, 2010
4:34 am

Here’s what will happen in 2011:

1) The Heat will squeak by into the finals, after a rough and tumble 7 game series with Boston.
2) The Lake Show will win the Championship in 6.
3) Kobe will have the last laugh, as his victory over the “Three Kings” for his 6th ring elevates him to MJ status.
4) Phil Jackson will retire with his rediculous Fourth 3-Peat.
5) The Miami Heat will self destruct after being universally labeled as failures.

Watch…

The Heat is on

July 14th, 2010
1:50 pm

Bradley……the Hawks better than the Heat????Get Real……..the Heat were almost as good as the Hawks last season without James and Bosh……it really doesn’t matter though Shaq will make the Hawks better…………..YEAH RIGHT!

The Boss

July 14th, 2010
1:55 pm

Winning comes second to only Breathing….so I suggest the Hawks Medical staff bring Oxygen and a Respirator to the games for Shaq……..

Leland

July 15th, 2010
6:25 am

i am a few days behind yall, but it is rather ironic seeing the last sentence up above……..

“Well, there’s always the Yankees. Maybe they could use a pinch-runner.”

as Joe Giradi could have used a pinch runner in the All Star game 9th inning. How prescient of you Mark.

Reality

July 19th, 2010
4:05 pm

The Miami Heat will win at least 3 championships in the next 5 years.

You guys in Loserville aka Atlanta aka Georgia need to WAKE UP AND JOIN THE REST OF US IN REALITY.

The Depressing Truth: Miami Wins at Least The Next Two. | Celtics 24/7 | All Celtics, All The Time

July 19th, 2010
10:38 pm

[...] being the teams-to-beat. There were a bunch of doubters. Just like there are doubters now. Take this clown, for instance. The reality, however, is the new Heat Big 3 will make the players around them (i.e. [...]

A great team? The Heat mightn’t be better than the Hawks

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A great team? The Heat mightn’t be better than the Hawks

297 comments Add your comment

About Mark Bradley

We’ve Moved!

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