ESPN’s Chris Broussard broke the news this morning that Chris Bosh will be teaming up with Dwayne Wade this fall in Miami. It’s unofficial, of course, but when ESPN reports with this much confidence, it’s all but guaranteed. And if Wade and Bosh truly are joining forces, the Summer of LeBron is a total bust.
There were only seven scenarios in which this year’s free agency hype wouldn’t disappoint. Let’s take a look at each scenario and why they’d make for more excitement than what’s actually happening.
1) LeBron and Bosh in Chicago
The starting lineup says it all -> Derrick Rose, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Joakim Noah, and unnamed shooting guard automatically form the most formidable lineup in the NBA. The Bulls become the Boston Celtics, only MUCH younger and faster.
2) Wade and Bosh in Chicago
Only slightly less exciting is the idea of Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh joining the core in Chicago. And for me, the only reason it’s less exciting is that Dwayne Wade seems a little too prone to injury – not as much as TMac, but enough to make me wonder how he’ll hold up.
3) LeBron, Wade, and Bosh in Miami
You’d think that this combo would make the top of the list. But three max players can be as much a curse as a blessing. Miami would be broke as a joke if they signed all three superstars to max contracts. That leaves two starting spots and a whole bench to fill with minimum contract players. In other words, it’s literally 3 on 5 every night. And imagine what happens when Dwayne Wade turns that ankle or knee again and it’s 2 on 5. Not so exciting.
4) LeBron and Bosh in New Jersey
The appeal here is that in two years, LeBron becomes the king of Brooklyn. Ever since the days of the Brooklyn Dodgers, there’s been a mystique to the area. A sports team needs to be in Brooklyn, and there’s no better superstar to headline the show. But even for the first two years, it COULD be interesting if New Jersey manages to keep Devin Harris at the point. Harris, James, and Bosh make a solid 3-way high speed scoring threat.
5) LeBron to the Clippers
If for no other reason than because it’s the least expected, I’d be thrilled to see LeBron in L.A. Imagine the press as the argument builds over whether it’s Kobe’s house or LeBron’s. Plenty of juicy comparisons there. Not to mention how testy Kobe was during the playoffs when LeBron’s free agency was mentioned. He doesn’t like losing press. Snarky Kobe might resurface. Of course, the REAL draw to a Clippers decision would be the pairing of LeBron and Blake Griffin. Though he missed his freshman season due to injury, Griffin is an aggressive beast. Put him on the same starting five as LeBron and throw in Baron Davis finally giving a bleep about winning, and you have a serious offensive attack (did I mention Chris Kaman at center?).
6) LeBron to the Mavericks
I’m a Dallas homer; what can I say? Give me a superstar small forward or shooting guard, and I’ll show you a team that can take the Lakers to Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals. Solid shot at a championship? Yes, but not a given. I think the ONLY combination where championship is a sealed deal is scenario #1 on the list. Imagine Kidd, Dominique Jones, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, and Jermaine O’Neal (whom Dallas can pick up on the cheap). I’ll take that. Dominique gets a chance to grow up next to two superstars, where he hopefully learns to carry the load, not just ride coat tails. Kidd inevitably has to go, but Dallas trades picks for a solid point guard next year. It’s doable. It’s winnable. It’s Maveriffic.
7) Chris Paul and Emeka Okafor to the Mavericks
Since we ARE a Dallas site, after all, the MOST excited I could be would actually involve a deal with New Orleans for CP3 and the future best center in the history of Mavericks’ franchise, Emeka Okafor. In an ideal world, you deal Jason Kidd in a two-way or three-way trade that clears space for Chris Paul to lead the team without distraction. The trade involves Erick Dampier, Jason Kidd, Caron Butler, and Roddy B. The starting lineup would look like this: Chris Paul, Jason Terry/Dominique Jones, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, and Emeka Okafor.
There you have it. My top 7 deals that would make the NBA more exciting than Wade and Bosh in Miami and LeBron wherever he ends up on Thursday. SEVEN options more exciting. Sigh.
