Barack Obama, Basketball Fan

These next two weeks will be dominated in the United States by the Democratic Convention, followed in the first week of September by the Republican Convention. For the last two years this country has watched a winnowing down process that will result in the Democrats nominating Illinois Senator Barack Obama, and the GOP handing the mantle over to Arizona Senator John McCain. I have no interest in exploring the two candidates political views, this is not the place for that. Besides, that is not why you come here or to our sister site Slam Dunk Central. This is a Basketball Website, there are a myriad of other sites you can go to for political discussion.

However, as far as I am aware Barack Obama would be the first United States President who is an avid hoops fan. Basketball is a huge part of Mr. Obama's life, he plays all the time on the campaign trail. He is so passionate about playing that on "Super Tuesday" reports indicate that he made sure time was allocated for him to play! The Senator along with his "Body Man" Reggie Love, play with Secret Service Agents every day since he has been running for President.

The Senator played basketball in high school according to the "The Honolulu Advertiser." Reportedly his nickname at Punahou School in Hawaii was "O'Bomber." And he was said to be known for his left-hand, double-pump shot. Now we know President Bush is big into baseball, in fact he was a former owner of the Texas Rangers. JFK, used to have touch football games on the White House lawn. If the Senator is elected might we see a "Presidential Basketball Court"? And tell me you are not already salivating at the thought of LeBron James taking on the President of the United States, in a game of H.O.R.S.E. Or even better, LBJ and the President going two on two against Reggie Love and Kobe?

Since the early days of the 20th Century the U.S. President has thrown a baseball from the stands on Opening Day of the MLB season. How about President Obama throwing up the first tip of the NBA season? The game could be held between the Washington Wizards and the previous NBA Champion!

Speaking of the Wizards, is the Senator a Wizards fan, or a Chicago Bulls fan? Let's remember he went to Columbia University, and Harvard Law School. Could he be a Knicks or a Celtics fan? Who does he think is better LeBron or Kobe? Who would the Senator prefer as a center, Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell? Did you hear one question during the debates asking Mr. Obama who he thinks the greatest NBA head coach of all time is? Is he "Old School" and favor Red Auerbach, or lean towards Phil Jackson? Do you hear any of these hard hitting questions being raised by anybody on the political campaign trail? These are the questions I as a basketball fan want answered, and I'm sure you do also!

So as I wrote at the top, of this article I would never use this forum to impose my political views on you. However, if you are a basketball fan over 18 living in the United States the answer is clear. A vote for Barack Obama in November is a vote for basketball!

LeBron James To Olympiakos? Ridiculous!

So after years of out-sourcing all sorts of jobs to foreign countries are we now outsourcing our Basketball stars? Will the rumors start flying that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are heading to Spain in 2010? NBA Commissioner David Stern has always wanted the NBA to have a global presence, but I don't think having former NBA stars playing for Euro-League teams is what he had in mind.

Will The Euro-League Become A Threat For The NBA?

I was far too conservative in my time frame, instead of having to wait until 2010, it took just a little over a week. "Sports Illustrated.com" NBA beat writer Ian Thomsen wrote on Friday that the latest rumor he was hearing was that Olympiakos would make a bid for LeBron James when he has the chance to opt out of his contract in 2010. Thomsen wrote that his information comes from "a reliable league source" who told him that the information was coming from the Greek team. Olympiakos of course is the team that signed restricted free agent Josh Childress to a contract last month. Childress was the first prominent NBA player to sign with a Euro-League team, while his career was still on the rise.

Thomsen writes "At first glance it is ludicrous to imagine that the NBA's next big star would move overseas as he's trying to win championships and replace Michael Jordan as a household name globally." Ian not only at first glance, but at second glance, passing glance, and a glance across a crowded room is it ludicrous!

However Thomsen points out that the most LBJ could earn in a NBA contract would be less than $20 million per year. He theorizes, that the owners of Olympiakos could pay him maybe $40-50 million for a season. Thomsen then goes on to say that James could sign for one season with Olympiakos, make that one big score, and then return to the NBA.

Thomsen then writes "From James' point of view, playing overseas for a year could enhance his marketing status and turn him into more of a global star than he is now. He could build up his name in an entirely unprecedented way and then return home as a free agent to sign with the NBA team of his choosing."

Okay Ian, LBJ the man who was just on the cover of your sister publication "Time" magazine last week, is going to become more of a global star by playing for a Greek team, than he would in the NBA? Ian, LeBron James is one of the most recognizable people on the planet, because of what he has accomplished at such a young age in the NBA. You think that will be enhanced by his playing for Olympiakos? You think Nike, and all the other products he endorses would prefer to market to the Greek audience rather than here in the USA?

Thomsen finishes his column by writing "I am not saying that any of this is going to happen. I can tell you, however, that this kind of speculation is going to generate a lot of talk throughout the basketball world." I think they call that a self fulfilling prophecy; of course it is Ian, because a respected writer in a prestigious publication just wrote it!

I have always had nothing for the utmost and deepest respect for Ian Thomsen. I have been reading his stuff since he was writing for the "Boston Globe" long before he started writing for S.I. I have had Ian on as a guest on a sports talk show I used to co-host with my partner Matt Loede in Cleveland. Ian has broken major stories, and written some great in depth pieces. That is why I am so amazed that he wrote this column. Because it just does not make any sense!

There is a huge difference between Josh Childress going to play for Olympiakos, and LeBron James going to play there. Although Josh Childress, is a recognizable name in the NBA, he is a role player, he was not even a starter for the Atlanta Hawks his former team. Childress in four NBA seasons averaged 11.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, per game. LBJ in five seasons, in the Association, has averaged 27.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, per contest. And he will not turn 24 years old until December 30. Josh Childress was not one of the top 50 players in the Association, James if not number one is definitely in the top three. James has the potential to surpass Jordan, and his hunger for a NBA Championship is ravenous. You think he will pass that up to go play in Europe?

Josh Childress made a wise business decision, and it may help him long term in his career if he decides to return to play in the NBA. Now I guess everybody has a price, although there are certain things I would not do for all the money in the world. We will see other big name players go to Europe, of that I have no doubt. But to think that LeBron James with all he is capable of accomplishing in what is still Basketball's biggest stage, just does not make sense.

What's the deal with the Wizards?

Someone explain to me why the Washington Wizards decided it was OK to talk trash and bully up LeBron? And when are they going to quit this nonsense?

First of all, as a #5 seed, you have no right to talk trash on anyone. Wait, wait…as a #5 seed in the EAST, you have even less credibility and should never be allowed to open your mouth on ANYTHING. “ToolBox” Stevenson (Yes I coined that.) and Haywood seem to feel the need to open their mouth after every single game or every single lone bucket made during game. We get hand waves and shimmies from “ToolBox” and “Stop Whining!” comments from that big sloppy Haywood character.

Haywood insists that LeBron just “shut up and play” but yet he keeps opening his mouth about LeBron every chance he gets. Is this some secret man-crush or love affair? A little jealousy? When are you going to figure out that talking trash to one of the top players in the entire world is not a good thing? Especially when you are a NOBODY.

And enough with this hacking, pushing, thugging bullsh!t that you tools keep forcing in each of these games. This is basketball not f-ing football. That old excuse of “We are just playing tough ball because it’s the Playoffs” is the most absurd BS I think I’ve ever heard. When the game turns into an almost brawl at every foul, it is no longer considered basketball.

At least Caron Butler finally shut these two morons up and is trying to focus them on actually playing ball the rest of the series. And finally the NBA realized the Wizards pathetic tactic against LeBron and suspended Songalia for his cheap shot. Haywood should have been suspended games ago after the countless shots he took at LeBron and “ToolBox” should have been kicked just for inviting Soulja Boy and giving him 5 more minutes in the spotlight. That tells you all you need to know about “ToolBox” Stevenson; anyone that is actually a fan of a YouTube star and invites him to sit courtside is a complete waste of breath.

GG Jay-Z.

Opinion Pic of the Day: The Debate

LeBron Guarantees Gold in Beijing

LeBron James was making the interview rounds today in New Orleans for the NBA All-Star game and left everyone with a guarantee for this summer:

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) - National Basketball Association superstar LeBron James made a golden guarantee Friday, declaring the United States would reclaim the Olympic crown in six months at the Beijing Olympics.

"We will be Olympic champions this year," the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar said Friday ahead of his starring role in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game.

James, the NBA scoring leader with 30.3 points a game, bases his confidence upon a US squad that has played together the past two years with greater depth and NBA talent than any rival and the guidance of coach Mike Krzyzewski.

"I'm excited," James said. "We have a great coach in Coach K who allows us to do what we want to do as long as we don't let things get out of hand.

"We have guys who don't want to lose - Kobe (Bryant), Carmelo (Anthony), Dwyane Wade - and the guys off the bench are very good. We've got so many great players."

You can read more about the rough recent history of the U.S. basketball team here.

Warren Buffett Gives Advice to LeBron

Know much about Warren Buffett? Well all you really need to know is that the guy has more money that you can imagine and he's been talking to LeBron James.

IndyStar.com reporting on the relationship between aging gazillionaire Warren Buffett and LeBron James:

CLEVELAND -- "Follow your instincts," the wise old man with the white hair often reassures his young, tattooed NBA superstar friend. Hoping to profit from the financial prophet's sage advice, LeBron James -- peerless pro basketball player and emerging businessman at 23 -- continues to listen to his inner voice.

And, yes, Warren Buffett, too.

"The biggest thing he helped me with is, 'Trust your gut,' " the Cleveland Cavaliers' All-Star forward said of his conversations with the 77-year-old capitalist and philanthropist. "It wasn't all geared toward money and investments. It's about life, your family -- the decisions you make. It was kind of funny to hear that from one of the wealthiest men in the world that he always trusts his gut. I've always trusted mine."

As when James decided not to play football his senior year at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. When he fired his agent and decided to form his own company. When he chose Nike instead of Reebok and Adidas -- although the offer of a $90 million contract from the former before he had played an NBA game might have helped his decision-making process.

"He's a terrific guy," Buffett e-mailed. "I've seen him do both, and he is almost as good at business as he is at basketball."

LeBron James Fined $259

Your soon-to-be MVP was fined on Monday, but not for anything that happened on the basketball court. LeBron James pleaded no contest to an auto speeding violation Monday and was fined 259 dollars - about as much as the National Basketball Association superstar guard makes in five seconds of play.

The NBA scoring leader was driving 101 mph, 36 miles over the posted speed limit, at 3 a.m. in the morning after the team's arrival by plane from a loss in New Orleans on December 30th. It just so happened to be his 23rd birthday.

Given James' salary of more than 13 million dollars and an 82-game NBA season, he makes more than 55 dollars a second per game, so the violation will barely make a blip on the radar screen of his income.

James will be able to afford the ticket. Last year he was ranked as the 46th highest paid celebrity by Forbes Magazine with raking in over $26 Million Dollars a year.

Yao & Lebron: January Player of the Month

Yao and Lebron have been named your basketball players of the month for January! Both players are well deserving of the honor. Lebron James keeps representing his MVP status and Yao has finally emerged this season with the injuries to Tracy McGrady. Congrats to them! Make sure to vote your choice for MVP in our pole.

AFP Google News - New York:

Yao Ming and LeBron James were named the National Basketball Association's top players in the Western and Eastern Conference respectively for the month of January, the league announced Friday.

Chinese 2.16m superstar center Yao sparked the Houston Rockets to a 10-4 record in the first month of 2008, averaging 22.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the season to carry the load after an injury slowed Tracy McGrady. Yao matched his season highs in scoring and rebounds with 36 points and 19 boards in a 111-107 victory over Golden State last Tuesday, a triumph that saw him sink a season-best 14 free throws.

Asia's first NBA star pounded New York for 36 points in a 101-92 triumph on January 9 and scored 30 points in victories over both New York and Seattle as well as contributing 21 points and 14 rebounds in an 83-81 victory over reigning NBA champion San Antonio.

James, the NBA scoring leader with 32.8 points a game, also has 7.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists a game for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they went 11-3 in January as they try to make a return trip to the NBA Finals.

"King James" had 31 points, a career-high 19 rebounds, eight assists, four blocked shots and three steals January 11 in a 113-106 double overtime victory over Charlotte and struck for a season-high 51 points four days later in a 132-124 victory over Memphis.

James also poured in 41 points with nine rebounds and four assists in a 98-95 victory over the host Los Angeles Lakers last Sunday.

Yao defeated Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant, Denver's Allen Iverson, Utah's Deron Williams and Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire for the Western honors while James beat out Charlotte's Gerald Wallace, Toronto's Chris Bosh and Washington's Caron Butler in the East.

Home Crowds, stop talkin' trash to Lebron!

For the second time this season a home crowd has cost its team a win against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Why would you do this to your precious home team? They work their butt off for you and give you a huge lead, and then you go and tick the man off!

The first home crowd loss came when the Cavs traveled to Toronto and two young women sitting courtside decided to get into Mr. James' ear. At that point the Raptors were entertaining a solid 13 point lead heading into the 4th quarter and looked to be wrapping up a home win against a strugging Cleveland team; well Lebron had other plans. James rattled off 24 points in the 4th and made sure the two young lady hecklers knew what was happening and it was because of them. They continued to jaw at each other as the game wound down until LJ got in the final words and that being a victory.

The latest home crowd loss came tonight from the fans of the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers led this game by as many as 14 in the second half and then the 4th quarter came and a confident fan decided to jabber at Lebron. Sure enough, James nailed 3 consecutive 3-pointers to tie the game and then finished the Blazers off with a driving left hand reverse lay up. Lebron racked up 17 points in the final period and once again had the last laugh.

When are these home crowds going to realize this is bad, bad idea!? You might possibly be talking trash to the future greatest player we have ever seen! He just ran over Kobe and the Lakers in L.A. and now you, Trail Blazers fans, thought your 14 point cushion was enough to take down King James? You may be having a fantastic and surprising season, but please don't get so confident that your mind turns into googly mode and decides that Lebron James can't beat you!

Let this be a lesson home crowd fans to never trash on the King!

Mr. James, so good.

Lebron James dropped 51 points tonight; half of the speed he was clocked at the other night! The Cavaliers took on the Memphis Grizzlies tonight in a very competitive game that went into overtime and featured a ton of scoring. The teams combined for 256 points and that included 10 players in double figure scoring.

James almost wrapped up another triple double, falling just 2 rebounds and 1 assist short. This kid just continues to get better while the rest of his team fails to perform. On a night when the Cavaliers totaled 132 points, Lebron was the only player to break 20 points, and still managed to lead the team in assists.

I know the team just locked up Mike Brown to an extension, but they better decide which sub-par teammate of LJ's they can use as good trade-bait. It is time to put some talent around him; Larry Hughes obviously isn't going to do the trick.

Lebron drops 101! MPH that is...

On December 30th, Lebron as pulled over at 3 am for doing 101 MPH in a 65 MPH zone! Solid work son! James was asked if he would continue to drive this fast in the future and he said: "I don't know, maybe at times. It's not a big deal to me. You've just got to abide by the rules that's all. I made a mistake and I'll live with it." Maybe at times?!? Oh young one...

LJ made sure we knew that he wasn't drunk and will not be serving any jail time! Cleveland fans, please take a breathe of relief. Lebron really did shrug off this whole situation and can you really blame him? The problem once again with being a global icon, is that you have to answer to anything in your personal life that happens to make headlines.

Remember that he is just 23 years of age; I'm sure he will come around and realize that driving 101 MPH at any time of day is not the brightest idea. Although, he probably gets home to his castle a lot quicker!