LeBron James entered his first practice with the Heat on Tuesday afternoon to a wave of media attention and optimism to what the 2010-11 season has in store for the Big 3 (nickname still to be determined) in Miami. Having decided to hold training camp at Hurlburt Field, FL, home to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command and ironically enough, the base my brother and his fellow airman are currently stationed is almost symbolic to the work ethic, dedication and training that it is going to take for Lebron, Wade, Bosh and Co. to fulfill their mission as NBA Champions.
While LeBron was seen barking out orders and directing traffic, all great traits a qualified captain and navigator of the court must possess, one has to believe that LeBrons ability to take a leadership role within this team will be paramount to the Heats success this season. Having been voted the 6th most hated sports figure in America, LeBron and Co. say they have been taking plenty of mental notes, going as far as posting messages on their Twitter accounts acknowledging that they are aware of the traffic and have been doing a little recon of their own.
But all things aside, having watching Outside the Lines earlier this morning, I can not help but think that the player personnel movements and decisions of the 2010 Free Agent class may have forever changed the way in which the game of basketball, and more importantly sports will be played and the way players are acquired for years to come. But lets face it, this is not the first time players have united under a common cause in an attempt to win a championship. For example, whats the difference between the MLB's elite coming together in the 2009 off season/regular season and signing lucrative deals with the Yankees in an attempt to make a second half push or teams like soccer giant FC Barcelona forming a Spainish heavy national caliber squad for play in the Spanish Premeria Division (La Liga). Better yet, how about to originators of the three man deal with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett signing big time contracts with the Celtics in 2007 to of course, win championships.
What it comes down to for me is the way in which the deal was executed and the ability of the media to allow such a move to become the center of attention during what many knew who be a loud off season in NBA basketball. With all the hoopla surrounding the Bulls acquisition of Carlos Boozer, to the NY Knicks picking up veteran Amare Stoudemire, the one common theme among NBA executives was how can we land LeBron, and only LeBron! I will admit that ESPN's airing of The Decision was a bit over the top, but ESPN's job is to produce sports and athletic content, air it, and generate revenue through sponsorship and television ratings which was ultimately accomplished, and with flying colors and record numbers.
To blame LeBron for the attention is ridiculous and to say that the players colluded is far fetched. Every year we see players make free agent deals or mid season moves in an attempt to increase their ability to win a championship because like Herman Edwards so famously said, "You play to win the game!" Ultimately we all need to understand that while this team may look good on paper, so do the Magic, Lakers, Spurs, Celtics and a hand full of other top echelon teams and they will surely give LeBron James and Co. a run for their money, and were talking a whole lot of money. I for one am looking forward to the beginning of the NBA season and feel that that December 25th contest with the Los Angeles Lakers will undoubtedly set the tone for what is to come for the remainder of the season, regardless of the games played up to that point. With Kobe embarking on his second three-peat in the City of Angels, the road to the NBA Championship still rolls through the vaunted Staples Center and Downtown LA, period.
With training camp heating up and all eyes on the boys in South Beach, it is going to be interesting to see how the always rigorous and never injury free 82 game schedule plays out this season. Will all the hoopla surrounding Carmelo Anthony, Kobe, the Heat and even up and coming teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, this NBA season is sure to set the tone for what could possibly be one of the best in NBA history, as well as the future of the NBA and its practices for years to come. Just remember one thing, the boys in Miami are listening, scouting the competition and are poised to strike, the only question at the end of the day is whether of not they be able to say, "MISSON ACCOMPLISHED..."
*For more on the status of the "Big 3" as presented by ESPN's Rachel Nichols in Miami, click on the title of this article.
LeBron James entered his first practice with the Heat on Tuesday afternoon to a wave of media attention and optimism to what the 2010-11 season has in store for the Big 3 (nickname still to be determined) in Miami. Having decided to hold training camp at Hurlburt Field, FL, home to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command and ironically enough, the base my brother and his fellow airman are currently stationed is almost symbolic to the work ethic, dedication and training that it is going to take for Lebron, Wade, Bosh and Co. to fulfill their mission as NBA Champions.
While LeBron was seen barking out orders and directing traffic, all great traits a qualified captain and navigator of the court must possess, one has to believe that LeBrons ability to take a leadership role within this team will be paramount to the Heats success this season. Having been voted the 6th most hated sports figure in America, LeBron and Co. say they have been taking plenty of mental notes, going as far as posting messages on their Twitter accounts acknowledging that they are aware of the traffic and have been doing a little recon of their own.
But all things aside, having watching Outside the Lines earlier this morning, I can not help but think that the player personnel movements and decisions of the 2010 Free Agent class may have forever changed the way in which the game of basketball, and more importantly sports will be played and the way players are acquired for years to come. But lets face it, this is not the first time players have united under a common cause in an attempt to win a championship. For example, whats the difference between the MLB's elite coming together in the 2009 off season/regular season and signing lucrative deals with the Yankees in an attempt to make a second half push or teams like soccer giant FC Barcelona forming a Spainish heavy national caliber squad for play in the Spanish Premeria Division (La Liga). Better yet, how about to originators of the three man deal with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett signing big time contracts with the Celtics in 2007 to of course, win championships.
What it comes down to for me is the way in which the deal was executed and the ability of the media to allow such a move to become the center of attention during what many knew who be a loud off season in NBA basketball. With all the hoopla surrounding the Bulls acquisition of Carlos Boozer, to the NY Knicks picking up veteran Amare Stoudemire, the one common theme among NBA executives was how can we land LeBron, and only LeBron! I will admit that ESPN's airing of The Decision was a bit over the top, but ESPN's job is to produce sports and athletic content, air it, and generate revenue through sponsorship and television ratings which was ultimately accomplished, and with flying colors and record numbers.
To blame LeBron for the attention is ridiculous and to say that the players colluded is far fetched. Every year we see players make free agent deals or mid season moves in an attempt to increase their ability to win a championship because like Herman Edwards so famously said, "You play to win the game!" Ultimately we all need to understand that while this team may look good on paper, so do the Magic, Lakers, Spurs, Celtics and a hand full of other top echelon teams and they will surely give LeBron James and Co. a run for their money, and were talking a whole lot of money. I for one am looking forward to the beginning of the NBA season and feel that that December 25th contest with the Los Angeles Lakers will undoubtedly set the tone for what is to come for the remainder of the season, regardless of the games played up to that point. With Kobe embarking on his second three-peat in the City of Angels, the road to the NBA Championship still rolls through the vaunted Staples Center and Downtown LA, period.
With training camp heating up and all eyes on the boys in South Beach, it is going to be interesting to see how the always rigorous and never injury free 82 game schedule plays out this season. Will all the hoopla surrounding Carmelo Anthony, Kobe, the Heat and even up and coming teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, this NBA season is sure to set the tone for what could possibly be one of the best in NBA history, as well as the future of the NBA and its practices for years to come. Just remember one thing, the boys in Miami are listening, scouting the competition and are poised to strike, the only question at the end of the day is whether of not they be able to say, "MISSON ACCOMPLISHED..."
*For more on the status of the "Big 3" as presented by ESPN's Rachel Nichols in Miami, click on the title of this article.
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