Over the last 24 hours we have seen reports that LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh spent this past weekend in Miami discussing how they could split up Miami’s remaining cap room to form a seemingly indomitable superstar triumverate.
We’ve also seen reports that directly contradict this, saying that Wade wasn’t even in South Florida this past weekend.
How can this be? Well, because they are both dead wrong.
Sensing the potential for blogging arbitrage with this recent barrage of contradictory reporting by the mainstream media, I decided to dig into my own contact list and see if I could tease out something closer to the actual truth. Serendipitously, and much to even my own surprise, I was able to do just that.
And here is what I found: it is Seattle (yes, Seattle) – not Chicago, not Miami, and not New York – that has the inside track to land all three superstars.
Working the phones earlier today I found out that one of my mom’s customers has a son who is friends with a guy who has played some pickup games with members of LeBron’s inner circle. Apparently during a recent game some details slipped out that the mainstream media hasn’t gotten a hold of yet.
With everyone worried about which current NBA team has the most salary cap room to pay these superstar free agents, the past and potentially future NBA team with more cap room than them all has flown under the radar.
From what I have been told, what happened this past weekend was this:
LeBron and Chris Bosh were in South Florida. Dwayne Wade went to Chicago to throw the media off and create these conflicting reports, but joined LeBron and Bosh for a conference call. During the call, they realized that they would not all be able to get max contracts in Miami and still round out the roster with respectable players. Thus, the idea to truly wield the most extreme power play in sports history was hatched.
Here is another tricky little detail in this whole saga: in recent weeks, a rift has grown between LeBron’s longtime friend and business manager Maverick Carter and the infamous Worldwide Wes. Maverick Carter and LeBron’s boyhood friends stand to lose their “A-list” status should LeBron bolt for a bigger city while Wes remains on the outside looking in when it comes to wielding power in Cleveland; should Wes deliver LeBron to Chicago or New York, however, he will be able to call his shots as the man who delivered LeBron.
This has apparently been weighing on LeBron’s mind as he wants to do right by his boys and Wes at the same time, with no clear options for how that is to be achieved.
Enter Seattle.
The city is starved for basketball after the Sonics moved to Oklahoma City, became the Thunder, and emerged as one of the NBA’s hot young teams with the development of Kevin Durant into a superstar. When you think about it, the entire city of Seattle basically has the mindset now of a jilted boyfriend whose girlfriend left him and now he has to watch her be happier and look 10X hotter while in the arms of another man (who actually has less to offer her in terms of money and resources, but who makes up for it with annoying and overrated “love” and “affection” and “commitment”).
Of course, David Stern isn’t just going to put another team in Seattle after the city screwed it up the first time. And the city is wary of making such a commitment in an uncertain economic climate.
But all of these problems are solved if LeBron, Wade, and Bosh join hands and announce their plans to sign with Seattle.
Immediately, the city would scramble and do whatever it took to ready itself for basketball. Luckily, an infrastructure is already in place as the city hosted an NBA team not too long ago. David Stern, understanding that he must appease his stars and realizing the marketability of a team with three superstars, would immediately do his part to make this a reality.
As for Maverick Carter and Worldwide Wes, well, the Seattle franchise would need a coach; enter Wes and his homeboy John Calipari. And the city of Seattle would be so ecstatic to have basketball back and to have three of its greatest current players that Maverick Carter would probably be named GM and LeBron’s friends would be given red carpet treatment at gas stations.
Oh, and then there is that little issue of the money for the stars. It is estimated that LeBron, Wade, and Bosh will be eligible for contracts that will pay $16.6 million the first year, which would account for $49.8 million total and eat up nearly all of the salary cap; but, they would all three be able to say they are max guys and there would still be some money left over to round out the roster with players happy to get few, if any, touches.
There is, in fact, no single option that fulfills all of these problems so effortlessly. That is why when I heard it, I didn’t balk at it and I knew that I needed to post this.
I am still digging and will hopefully find more information to corroborate this report, but in the current climate of reporting on this story I have to say that I feel pretty comfortable putting it out there.
And remember: if recent history is any indication, ESPN or some other outlet will probably dispute this story tonight on SportsCenter; but based on how the media has reported on LeBron’s free agency so far, that actually would just further my report’s credibility. You’ve heard the saying every action has an equal and opposite reaction? Well when it comes to reporting about the NBA’s 2010 free agency bonanza, every report has an equal and opposite report.
For now, you’d be wise to take all reports of LeBron, DWade, and Bosh to Chicago or Miami with a giant grain of kosher salt. With that said, when the reborn Seattle SuperLeBronics are back on the hardwood next year competing with Kobe for Western Conference supremacy, just remember that you heard it here first.
Anonymous sources rule.
**********
* – LeBron and D Wade photo credit: The Neal and Brady Report
* – LeBron, D Wade, Bosh photo credit: ESPN.com
* – Chris Broussard photo credit: The Sports Hernia
About Jerod Morris
FTA: "I found out that one of my mom’s customers has a son who is friends with a guy who has played some pickup games with members of LeBron’s inner circle."
Epic fail, McAuthor.
What, that's not legit? Too far removed?
That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You made that up. 3 of the NBA's biggest stars aren't going to plan to sign with a team that doesn't exist. What would they do next season, sit out a year until the new team is in place? If there was a new team in place in Seattle that began play this upcoming season, I would halfway believe this nonsense, but that isn't the case.
Matt, I'm going to have to agree with you there. It does sound pretty ridiculous. But I thought if anonymous sources said something was true, then it definitely was true. That's not the case?
Hey JerodMSF, maybe Matt's comment is trying to be witty, sarcastic and satirical too?
Of course there is always the possibility that you both have learning disabilities.
That is definitely a possibility. I wouldn't rule it out.
you're an effing idiot. That is all.
Oh how the irony of your comment amuses me.
And me, LOL! Watching the simple minded try to get under your skin is quite amusing. I must keep reading, haha. later dude.
Ah I get it…It's supposed to be a jab at reports made by Anonymous sources and how people think they are credible. Thanks for wasting my time I will most likely never read another article here again. Enjoy your 15 minutes
Thanks for your comment. If you don't enjoy long, drawn out satirical pieces then you probably will not enjoy a portion of the content here, although I encourage you to read some of our other writers who may appeal to you more.
As for my "15 minutes"…I don't blog for any supposed "15 minutes". I blog because I love sports and love to write and love reading responses positive and negative. I think the fact that people are getting upset by this piece – and that others actually believe it – is a clear indictment of a) content on the Internet in general and b) the atmosphere of information surrounding this free agent class…which is BUNK. So I hope you also won't be visiting ESPN.com, SI.com, or any other number of sites that actually put forth information AS FACT; at least I have the decency to leave you hints that this is all just satirical nonsense for the purposes of making a point. They actually try to make you believe their "anonymous sources".
But, all disagreements aside, I do appreciate you visiting and sharing your thoughts. And I'm sorry if you felt your time was wasted, but you did at least contribute to the discussion, so I appreciate you for that.
I appreciate it Jerod. Any idiot that complains that you wasted their time has apparently NEVER been on the internet before and is a douche, LOL!
Haha, well I have to agree. I think if someone is going to waste their time writing a comment on a post that they felt wasted their time…well…that doesn't make a whole lot of sense now does it?
I can't believe you believed your mom's friend.
They're obviously going to Baltimore, I read it on my friend's Twitter account.
ACK! I've been trumped by a more credible source! Quick: dial up someone at ESPN and tell them you won't tell them who you are, but that they are going to Baltimore. You might get on SportsCenter tonight!
Wow, thanks for wasting my time. Not only was this article obviously facetious from the start, it was poorly written.
Now there is a criticism that is valid. Glad you didn't run out to by a Sonics jersey just from the headline. That's all most people read.
As a Seattle native i wish this were true. Maybe we could snag B-roy from Portland and create a 4 headed monster… salary caps be damned (never stopped the Yankees). As for me i'm gonna go read some Swift and eat Irish babies.
That would be one hell of a foursome. Can you imagine what the NBA would be like without salary caps? My goodness. In a league where one person can mean so much, it would get way out of hand I think. One East Coast All Star team and one West Coast All Star team duking it out (although there is an argument that could be made – and a very good one – that the top dogs in basketball will always want to be the alpha and not share the spotlight, which would then spread things out a bit).
You mean Lakers-Celtics? It's back to that now. Though I heard from a source (his wheelchair) that Paul Pierce is opting for free agency.
I heard that too. Maybe the SuperLeBronics will sign Pierce as well.
This is great! My sister's co-worker has a neighbor that drinks at a bar where there's this bartender who has a customer that one after noon stepped in dog shit. As he was wiping it off his shoe he over heard that Vancouver was getting the grizzlies back and splitting home games with Seattle. Get your facts straight!
I stopped reading after your source because I could not wait to read the posts. I wsa entertained.
Well that's what we're here for. Happy to entertain!
They're only going to Seattle if All-Star center Bigfoot can find a way to stop disappearing for long stretches of the season.
This is a great point, because otherwise Seattle will be forced to sign Shaq…and I think we know that LeBron and D Wade don't want that.
Dude…
You are the man. This cracked me up. What makes this even better is how people are legitimately getting angry from reading this.
Frankly, I'm tired of hearing about this story with Lebron, it has been so drawn out and just needs to be put to rest. Thank God there are only a couple more days until free agency signing can begin. This whole free agent year is definitely one of, if not, the most largely discussed years in the history and will definitely have a big impact. But, a month's worth? Seriously? What about Kobe and his 5th title, that just gets thrown under the rug? I feel that is a better accomplishment then getting a big money contract with a bunch of your buddies you play pick-up with, regardless of who they are.
That being said, in my opinion Lebron James is the most overrated player to ever come into the NBA. Yes, he has talent and can do things many other NBA superstars can only dream of doing, but where is his ring? He had his shot the last three years. He does not know how to be a champion, only a superstar, and only a superstar who came into the league with a golden spoon welded to his mouth. It's sad that he needs 2 other superstars to do what Kobe and Jordan have done with only one. Kobe had Shaq then Gasol (Who might I add is not a superstar in my mind, not until he has a tad bit more consistency. Yet, he is still part of the elite of players in the NBA without a doubt.) Jordan had Pippen. The rest are/were role players. Lebron just gets leverage after leverage.
Nice writing, I will definitely read more of your stuff. Feel free to comment I'd be more than happy to get into deeper conversation with you about this.
Matt, I agree with you wholeheartedly.
To be honest, my feelings on LeBron changed a lot during this year's playoffs. I could not believe his Game 5 apathy…so much so that I didn't dismiss those Delonte West rumors offhand. It seriously looked like he was so out of it and withdrawn that something like that could have happened. I don't believe that it did…but the fact that it crossed my mind should say everyone about how much LeBron looked like he didn't care.
As to your point regarding Kobe and Jordan, I agree completely. I actually think LeBron needs to be a 1a to a guy like Dwayne Wade – someone who has a true killer mentality on the basketball court – to win titles. LeBron just gives me the impression that he thinks he can get by on his talent and athleticism alone, and with good reason since he always has been, but how about when that wanes? MJ and Kobe had adjusted their games with additional skill and savvy that LeBron has not even come close to exhibiting. When LeBron can't overpower people as an athlete, just how good will he be? He'll be very good…but you have to be ELITE to be a consistent champion. I honestly don't see LeBron coming anywhere close to MJ or Kobe. D Wade? I actually think that's more plausible.
And while I enjoyed the first 48 hours of the free agent frenzy talk after the Cavs season ended, it got real old, real fast. Let it be done and let's return to focusing on basketball, not the egos of overpaid superstars.
Hi Matt #2,
Frankly, no one cares about your opinion. That being said, I bet you would be happy to get deeper into Jerod.
I'm on a roll ripping Matts today! Boo Yah!!!
Also, Jerod is a horrible writer. Not as bad as you though, but pretty bad.
I feel better about myself now.
Yes! Now we're getting some honest opinion here! I'm not even kidding when I say this: comments like this are what make blogging entertaining.
Hahaha thanks man. If I want to become a writer I'll come to you for some tips.
Don't have to read what I write…It's called the scroll button or up/down arrow keys :D
Source: My grandfather's, cousin's, nephew, bestfriend's, dog's, older brother, mother's, younger niece's baby, says the coach of the Sonics will be Jerod Morris!
I would take that gig. You want to be my defensive assistant?
You forget I'm the GM? I made the call to get these guys!!!!
Haha, very true. Well I need a defensive coach. I'm a shooter, so my focus is offense.
I see. Well, this reporting is surely more credible that the absolute fools at the four letter network. How does Chris Broussard have a job? How are Mike and Mike still on the air?
Thank you, Jerod. Thank you for exposing the jerks in the media who waste all our team — during a GREAT baseball season (and the best sports time of the year)
What? Exposing who? I'm exposing the best kept secret in the NBA. The SuperLeBronics! Get excited!
Wow people. Those that really need to post angry comments about this obviously "funny" article are just upset that they started to believe it for a moment and were duped. If you look at ESPN.com and look at all the so called rumors about where players may be signing etc, most are from anonymous sources. Many of these rumors are friggin' rediculous but yet get posted on ESPN.com because they can eventually be flagged as "debunked" rumors. Geez peeps, this article was funny and a bit witty, take it for what it is.
Yeah…what they said.
Jerod, In a country where people can't seem to get the hang of your and you're, I think we might need a refresher course in satire and irony. People of America-we need to recognize when a writer is being serious or obviously using satire to comment on an issue. He wasn't trying to make you believe the actual story. He was warning us to be careful believing contradictory stories using anonymous sources. I thought it was a funny satiric piece on the depths some of the media will dive to get a story out first instead of getting a story right. The use of anonymous sources is totally out of control in mainstream media. False stories appear on legit media all the time and there is almost never any correction issued or repercussions handed out. We all, myself included, need to hold the media to a higher standard and then our time truly won' be wasted.
Yes, everything that she just said.
I feel left out because I haven't commented on this yet.
Thanks, Jerod. You make all of us who actually follow this look bad.
Congratulations on the attention. Jackass.
Haha, hey, I follow it too. It's when I saw the conflicting reports about the summit that I couldn't resist. I mean, it either happened or it didn't. What is it?
So…… there's no team in Seattle?
Correct…There is no team in Seattle: http://sonicsgate.org They were stolen away and became the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Obviously. Another joke that was missed by some people.
Haha, just a few…
No. And coincidentally, there are just barely teams in New Jersey and Minnesota.
SEATTLE GOT RIPPED OFF! That city deserves a team! Shame on you David Stern!
The fans of Seattle did get ripped off and lied to. Although, in hindsight, it's hard to argue – at least based on what we've seen so far – that Oklahoma City was a bad choice for a franchise. It's just a shame the Seattle fans who were loyal and supportive had to get screwed in the process.
The NBA…………Its FANtastic!!
lol curse you for getting me excited about the resurgance of the Sonics, oh well- maybe with our new mayor we can try going back to the barganing table (prays)
Hey, what better way than this? Make it happen!
i think we should get the clippers……two teams in a city that already have the lakers………
This is a great idea. What the hell do the Clippers bring to LA? Nothing but decades of losing, lots of injured knees for high draft picks, and perhaps the most despicable owner in sports history.
That would be Clay Bennett
The Clippers? I thought Seattle wanted an NBA team?
This is the most ridiculous nonsense I have ever read. Dear gentle Jerod, not only do you have zero connections in the NBA but you clearly don't understand how free agent signings work. There are current no plans whatsoever to host a new Seattle NBA franchise.
Well damnit. That's the last time I report anything from anonymous sources.
BTW, thanks for the new nickname: "gentle Jerod". Perhaps that will catch on.
Jerod, if you say this will happen and sportscenter will refute it, than why hasn't it been on sportscenter or even mentioned?
Umm, perhaps because it was completely made up. Although, come to think of it, that should actually make it MORE likely to be on ESPN…so to answer your question, I'm not sure.
Great journalism! What is the motive to write a make believe article, ratings down?
First off, let's get one thing straight here: this site is not about journalism. This site is about sports fans writing about what matters to them, giving their take, and doing their best to entertain readers. If you want journalism, go to ESPN.com (err…wait a minute…). Okay, so bad example, but you know what I mean.
Motive to write it? I thought it would provide an interesting, hopefully humorous, satirical view of how the NBA free agency frenzy has been covered in the media. Ratings (or traffic) has actually been up recently, so I didn't have that to worry about, although I certainly do produce content geared towards traffic sometimes. I have to hit numbers just like anyone else to keep this thing afloat.
Ultimately, my motive to write make believe was the same as the guys at Sports Pickle or The Onion: writing it entertained me and I was hoping that would rub off on readers. On some it did, on some it didn't. But based on the 68 comments this post has received, I certainly consider it a worthwhile success.