Le Basketbawl

The “Cleveland Plain Dealer” has reported that according to their sources the Miami Heat will play at the Q Arena in Cleveland, Ohio for the first time next season on December 2. The reports state that the contest will be broadcast on National TV as “TNT” will carry the game. It will be the first return to Cleveland since the Cavaliers former star tarnished his image in the NBA by running away from his responsibility last month. James decided that he could not bring a team to an NBA Title on his own so he followed Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade to South Beach by signing on as a Free Agent.

Your Old Pal New York Vinnie above all despises Frickin Phonies, and “The Un-Chosen One” proved to be one of the Frickin biggest of all time last month. New York Vinnie would have never had a problem if James had just told the truth during his NBA career, that he did not have the “Stones” to do it by himself! Instead the Frickin PUD tried to come off as a Frickin leader. That turned out to be an absolute lie, when he ran away like a little “Frickin Nancy-Boy” in July.

Now the question becomes, will this Pato have enough “Stones” to tell the fans of Cleveland the truth of why he ran away? That he  was not enough of a man to complete his mission? A little before Christmas present brought to the NBA in early December. New York Vinnie is already Frickin Pumped!

For the first time in many, many years it looked like the New York Knicks were finally starting to turn the corner and once again become a legitimate franchise in the NBA. Team President Donnie Walsh was finally able to dig “MY BOYS” out of the financial hole they were in and the Knicks had money to spend on Free Agents. Earlier this month New York signed a true elite player as former Phoenix Suns big man Amar’e Stoudemire came on board bringing excitement back to the club.

This is not a guy with potential that may blossom or a former star who is now on the downside of his career. Stoudemire is the real deal an All-Star forward that New York Vinnie’s boys can build around.  The team also signed former Charlotte Bobcats guard Raymond Felton and worked out a sign and trade deal with the Golden State Warriors that got the club Anthony Randolph in exchange for David Lee. For the first time in a long while New York Knicks fans will have something to look forward to at the start of the upcoming season.

Your Old Pal New York Vinnie was feeling pretty good about things until the “New York Daily News” reported Friday that a name from the past may once again have an association with the Knicks. The paper is reporting that former Team President and head coach Isiah Thomas may once again be involved in the running of the team. The reports are that New York Owner James “EL DOUCHE” Dolan tried to use Zeke to help the team attain Miami Heat forward LeBron James last week. And that may be only the start of his association with the organization.

Thomas who turned the team into perennial cellar dwellers  during his “Reign Of Terror” is at least being considered a candidate to become the team’s General Manager. Walsh wants to bring in former Warriors G.M. Chris Mullins to take the position put Dolan has put the kabosh on that. According to the reports Walsh has admitted that Zeke is in the mix to get the position.

Head coach Mike D’Antoni is trying to minimize Thomas’ involvement in trying to acquire the reigning NBA MVP. The coach said “We were sitting around and thinking what can we do to try and get it back and Isiah had an in with someone in (James’) entourage. It was a Hail Mary pass and everybody knew it. Everybody was on board, and how it was reported wasn’t accurate. It was trying to be a good thing for the Knicks. We were coming up with 40 different things to try and get it back on track and that was one of them. Everybody was in agreement. But when we read the reports it was unbelievable. It was like aliens are reporting it.”

D’Antoni was in Phoenix the years that Isiah ran the club and he can’t possibly realize the insanity that went on during those years. To even think that Thomas could be coming back to the team in any capacity makes New York Vinnie’s blood run cold!

To think that Thomas could once again be in charge of the daily operations of “MY BOYS” is truly beyond Frickin comprehension. Could Dolan once again be  enough of a Frickin imbecile to bring Zeke back on board? New York Vinnie is not sure that the team or the fans could withstand that again. Especially now that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

If there truly is any justice on this Planet this is just a rumor that will  soon fade away. Those of us who bleed blue and orange have out up with a ton of Crappolla over the last few years. Please do not tell us we have to go back to a nightmare once again.

Hang onto your seat because it is going to be pretty bumpy ride for the next few minutes here at “The House That New York Vinnie Built,” also known as Le Basketbawl. Before Your Old Pal New York Vinnie gets to the subject at hand, please allow me to give you some background information. Your Old Pal New York Vinnie is from mixed heritage. New York Vinnie’s “Sainted Moms” who passed from the “Big C” when I was just 12 years old was Puerto Rican. New York Vinnie’s POPS is full blooded Italian resulting in New York Vinnie being a very”Ethnic” looking guy.

New York Vinnie has lost track of how may times I have been called “Guido” or “Chico” as an insult; to say that racial profiling is a sensitive subject with me does not come close to describing the anger it causes within me. Despite the fact that we live in supposedly “Enlightened Times” with an African-American as our President, there are still a lot of “Frickin Racist PUDS” out there. In all corners of our society.

On the other side of the coin, though, there are people who have an agenda in this country that try to bring someone’s race, creed, religion, or sexual-orientation into situations that it has no place being. A few years ago when Michael Vick was going through his self caused trials and tribulations due to his dog-fighting ring, the Atlanta Chapter of the “NAACP” tried to blame Vick’s problems on his being a black man. Of course that was nothing but Frickin Crappolla and people realized as much.

Sunday the “Associated Press“ reported that the Reverend Jesse Jackson has accused Cleveland Cavaliers Team Owner Dan Gilbert of perceiving former Cavaliers All-Star forward LeBron James as if he were a “runaway slave.“  Jackson issued a press release Sunday from his organization the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

The Reverend wrote “He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave. This is an owner employee relationship; between business partners; and LeBron honored his contract.”

New York Vinnie always has the utmost respect for a Man Of  The Cloth; even though the last time we heard from the “Good Reverend” was back in 2008 during the race for the White House when he said he wanted to cut our current President’s ”Nuts Off.”

But the Reverend Jackson is trying to make a racial issue where one does not exist. Did Dan Gilbert make some emotional ill-advised statements Thursday night? Absolutely.  And he may be fined by the NBA or lose prospective Free Agents in the future because of them. But Gilbert would have reacted the same way if it was Dirk Nowitzki or Steve Nash! Race has nothing to do with the situation.

We have enough problems in this society.  We certainly don’t need to fabricate ones that don’t exist  like the Reverend Jackson is doing in this situation. Were Gilbert’s comments over the top? Absolutely.  But they were not “Frickin Racist.”

There Is No Joy In Cleveland; “KING PUD” is heading to South Beach. Thursday night as millions watched on ESPN there sat LeBron James with the only guy in the world who could make Pete Rose a sympathetic character one of the biggest Douches in broadcasting; Jim Gray. New York Vinnie thinks that the choice of Gray to interview the reigning NBA MVP was actually dead on; as you had a pair of weasels sitting together on Nation-Wide TV.

It is a very good thing that your Old Pal New York Vinnie is not a gambler; for I would be flat  busted if I bet on all the predictions I have made over the last few months. LeBron James proved New York Vinnie wrong by showing his true colors Thursday night when he announced he was abandoning his teammates and his city to go play for the Miami Heat. New York Vinnie knew that “KING PUD” had character; I just always assumed it was good not bad.

LeBron James could have showed Thursday night that he was a “TRUE CHAMPION” that he had integrity and would not walk away from a job he had not completed. Instead he took the easy way out; showing that he is not truly a leader at all. Instead he followed Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to the Heat leaving his teammates holding the bag and breaking the heart of the city that idolized him!

Gray at one point during the interview asked the “Un-Chosen One” the difference between winning an NBA Title in Miami as opposed to winning one in Cleveland. James responded that a Championship is a Championship; which he knows is absolute Crappolla. The sports fans of Cleveland would have their lives transformed by one of their teams winning it all; Miami has felt the thrill they have had the experience.

New York Vinnie told one of our regular readers Kobe of the NBA that I am not a fan of LeBron James but had always admired what he seemed to stand for. That was proven to be totally false Thursday night as the integrity and loyalty that New York Vinnie thought “KING PUD” possessed was no where to be found. Maybe those values no longer exist for his generation; which maybe a big part of the reason we find ourselves in the Frickin Sewer this planet has become.

New York Vinnie wishes no ill-will towards “KING PUD” or any of the Miami Heat. However New York Vinnie is going to be very wary from now on about sticking my neck out to defend any Pro Athlete. That truly is a sad reflection of our times.

After six days of little activity in the National Basketball Association the action was fast and furious on Wednesday Free Agents announced where they were going, one young superstar got a contract extension and the last vacant coaching position in the NBA was filled. Announcements went literally from coast to coast as many questions about next season as well as the next few fell into place.

The biggest news of the day comes from the “Miami Herald” as they reported  Wednesday that Miami Heat All-Star guard Dwyane Wade announced that he was re-signing with the team. Former Toronto Raptors All-Star Chris Bosh also told members of the media that he will join D-Wade in Miami as he will also become a member of the team. Wade will get a six year contract for the NBA maximum which is $125 million. Bosh will either get a five year deal worth $96 million or if Miami can work out a sign and trade with Miami he would receive the same deal Wade is getting.

Wade had gotten an offer from his home-town team the Chicago Bulls and was tempted to take the deal. However the veteran guard told reporters “Eventually, it came down to Chris and his decision to want to be down here in Miami with me, and I couldn’t pass up on that. I’ve had an opportunity to play with (Shaquille O’Neal) and I get an opportunity to play with Chris right when he hits his prime, so right now, I’m one of the luckiest men in the NBA and the world. Today we wanted to let the Miami Heat fans know what they can look forward to for next year. It’s going to be a great time down here on South Beach. This decision is about winning and winning multiple championships.”

Although the Bulls lost out on acquiring Wade they had a pretty big signing of their own as the “Chicago Tribune” reported Wednesday that the team has locked up one of the most talented big men in the NBA. Chicago signed former Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer to a reported five year deal said to be worth $76 million.

“ESPN” has come up with the title for their TV Special to air Thursday night at 9:00 pm when Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star forward LeBron James announces where he be playing for the next few years. They are calling it “The Decision” and at least one positive is coming out of this over the top moment. All money the show gets in advertising will be donated the “Boys And Girls Clubs Of America.”

As we move further west “The Oklahoman” reported Wednesday that the Oklahoma City Thunder have given their All-Star forward Kevin Durant a five year deal reported to be worth $85 million. Durant was a key factor in the Thunder making the NBA Western Conference Playoffs this past season.

Our final destination is “The City Of Angels” as the “Los Angeles Times” reported Wednesday that the Los Angeles Clippers have signed former Bulls bench boss Vinny Del Negro to be their next head head coach. Del Negro was the head coach with Chicago for the last two seasons as he went 82-82 and made the Playoffs in both seasons.

The Clippers had  a season of turmoil firing former General Manager and head coach Mike Dunleavy and going 29-53 for the season. Del Negro told reporters that he looked at his new job as a good choice for him. He said “The opportunities, when they present themselves, you have to jump on them sometimes. It’s the only one I really went after. I don’t look in the rear-view mirror, I just look forward. I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t feel I could make an impact. How it will all turn out, we’ll have to see. I can assure you the players will improve. If players are not going to perform the way I feel they should, they won’t be on the court. I have the support from management and ownership.”

They say that “Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction” and that certainly is the Frickin case in this situation. According to reports from “ESPN.com” Free Agent All-Star forward LeBron James will reveal to the Planet what team he will sign with on Thursday night as “King James”  will have a one hour special on “ESPN.” Now the question on New York Vinnie’s mind right now is how they are going to present this “EVENT“; because if they do this right this could be right up there with the Final Episode of Lost as one of the best things ever broadcast on the Tube!

New York Vinnie would like to see the show hosted by Chris Rock who is one of the funniest men on the Planet; as well as a huge hoops fan! Now since Cleveland seems to be where “The Chosen One” will end up that pretty much knocks New Jersey Nets Minority Team Owner Jay-Z out of the line-up. However New York Vinnie would go with “Big-Boi” Patton who has just released his first solo CD. James was really into “The Way You Move” when it hit the charts so most likely LeBron is an OutKast fan.

Now how about this brainstorm from New York Vinnie: A reunion of the “Fly-Girls” from “In Living Color“! Although J-Lo would most likely not show up probably most of the other dancers will, right? And of-course you have to have Oprah so she can do the one-on-one interview with Gloria James about how proud she is about her  son!

Then as the hour grows near “King James” could open an envelope like on the Frickin Academy Awards and read what team he has chosen. Confetti and balloons would be coming down while he signs his new contract at exactly 10:00 pm and you have yourself a TV Blockbuster!

While NBA MVP LeBron James is enjoying his time being courted by half the NBA the team he has played for his entire career was introducing their new bench boss to the Cleveland fans and media. The “Cleveland Plain Dealer” reported Friday that the Cleveland Cavaliers held a press conference Friday as their new head coach Byron Scott  spoke about his career in the NBA and what he expects to accomplish running the show for the Cavaliers.

Cavaliers Team Owner Dan Gilbert almost made a huge mistake last month as he tried to hire Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo to run his club. In New York Vinnie’s opinion that would have been a disaster in the making because most coaches who have had a great run in the NCAA have not been able to transfer that success in the pros. Izzo after much deliberation turned the offer down which led Gilbert to explore other options.

Earlier this week reports out of Cleveland were that Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw was the front runner to get the gig. Shaw has never been a head coach at any level; and although he has the potential to be a good coach he has no track record. Byron Scott on the other hand is a proven commodity getting the job done in New Orleans and New Jersey.

Scott in his first stop as a head coach took the New Jersey Nets to the NBA Finals twice. In his last gig as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets he was named NBA Coach Of The Year in 2008 when he helped the Hornets to their only Southwest Division Title in their existence.

To say that Scott got it done as a player would be a major understatement. B-Scott was the starting guard for the “Show-Time Era Lakers“  and won three NBA Titles in his career on the hardwood. He held his own on a team that had some of the best players in the history of the NBA.

New York Vinnie has told you all along that LeBron James will sign up for another stint with the Cavaliers. Hiring a proven winner like Byron Scott only makes Cleveland more attractive to the “Chosen One.”  The buzz around Cleveland after  the Cavaliers had lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the NBA Playoffs was that Cleveland had quit on coach Mike Brown in the Playoffs. That will not happen on a team coached by Byron Scott. You can take that to the bank if you catch New York Vinnie’s drift.