Le Basketbawl

New York Vinnie has been taking an awful lot of heat recently over his supposed “Negative Attitude.” And last night the flame was turned up really high when New York Vinnie’s Doll got all over him! The Doll decided to check out “The House That New York Vinnie Built” and she was none too pleased! She told New York Vinnie that my readers think I am a monster a very mean man with absolutely no compassion! New York Vinnie’s Doll was horrified at all the negative e-mails I have been receiving and she blamed it all right back on New York Vinnie!

She told me that all New York Vinnie writes are negative articles tearing down everything! She said that I have not presented the “Nice Vinnie” the man she knows and adores! Okay here is a little secret there is no “Warm and Fuzzy” side to New York Vinnie! You are not going to find too many “Hallmark Moments” when you are hanging with me! But that being said New York Vinnie is not a monster and he does have compassion for others!

So to prove that to you and to get myself out of the dog house New York Vinnie in this column is going to give a pep talk and offer words of encouragement! Yes this column is going to be completely positive! Consider this New York Vinnie’s good deed for the month of August! New York Vinnie is going to reach out and try to make one city in the USA feel better! That city is Cleveland, Ohio.

If cities were represented by people than the person who would most resemble Cleveland would be Barney Fife! Remember how Barney was Frickin nervous all the time and ill at ease? He was insecure and had a chip on his shoulder which is a very tough way to go through life! Barney was Frickin stressing all the time and always expected the worst! He just knew that something awful was going to be around that next corner! He could never just chill and relax.

Now be honest isn’t that the perfect description of a Cleveland Sports Fan?  Every NBA fan in the nation at the end of the regular season expected the Cleveland Cavaliers to win their first NBA Championship this past season. Every NBA fan that is except those who were from Cleveland! They knew that their team would break their hearts and would somehow find a way to mess things up! And as we all found out they were exactly correct as the Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Although the Cavaliers have bolstered their roster this off-season with the addition of Shaquille O’Neal, Jamario Moon and Leon Powe Cleveland fans are stressing big time this Summer. You see the “Chosen One” Cavaliers All-Star and reigning NBA MVP LeBron James did not sign a contract extension this summer and does not look as if he will. To Cavaliers fans that is the verification of their biggest Frickin fears that “King James” will bolt out of Cleveland next summer! However Your Old Pal New York Vinnie is here to reassure you that LeBron will sign a long term deal with Cleveland next year.

Alright New York Vinnie knows you have concerns and doubts so we are going to address each and every one. First question why did LeBron not sign the contract extension this summer if he plans to stay?  New York Vinnie will answer that question with one of his own- Why should he have? What was the upside for LeBron James to sign an extension this summer? NONE! There was no upside it’s not like the Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry is going to trade him during the season because of fear LeBron will walk away. Not if Ferry would like to remain alive!

Although New York Vinnie has never met LeBron James it is very easy to detect that he loves the spotlight. I have watched him ever since his first year in the NBA and he is always cool calm and relaxed when he talks to reporters. He thrives in situations where he is the center of attention and as long as there is the slightest doubt about where he may end up next summer all this upcoming season the spotlight will remain fixed on him! If he had signed the extension this summer the spotlight would have left and started focusing on D-Wade and Chris Bosh. LeBron is no dummy he wants people talking about him and he has now assured that will happen all season long.

Okay New York Vinnie knows what you are thinking now. You are starting to believe what the Frickin media has been trying to shove down your throat for the last two years. LeBron will sign with New York Vinnie’s Boys the New York Knicks. Look New York Vinnie would love to have a player with the skill-set that James has on the Knicks but he will not sign with My Boys. There is no team here all we have are a bunch of bums and with the lower salary cap expected for next year not enough money available to bring in LeBron and say a D-Wade. So “King James” will not be soon wearing the Knicks colors.

LeBron James owns the city of Cleveland and the media there treat him with kid gloves! Just think of how the back pages of the “Daily News” and the “New York Post” would have dealt with the summer he has gone through. He would be ripped on a daily basis; that does not happen in Cleveland. They all play nicey-nice with him there.  He will not get that treatment anywhere else.

Last point is that the Cavaliers have built themselves a team that with James will always be in the mix the next few seasons to  win a Championship. And by not signing the extension this year it keeps the pressure on Cleveland management to keep trying to get better players to finally win that elusive ring!

So there you have it Cleveland “The Chosen One Will Choose Cleveland” next summer there is no doubt. So bookmark this page and the next time some Pud from ESPN starts getting you concerned read this again! Have faith Cleveland New York Vinnie is spot on on this prediction!