Dustin Johnson Should Feel Bad, But Not Cheated

Rules are rules.

Those are the only words that matter when discussing Dustin Johnson’s second shot on hole No. 18 of this year’s PGA Championship. Johnson, who originally finished Sunday’s final round with a share of first place at 11-under, was given a two-stroke penalty for grounding his club in a bunker on the final hole.

There was plenty of controversy over the rule that cost Johnson a shot at the title, and the image will unfortuantely be remembered more so than Martin Kaymer’s three-hole playoff victory over Bubba Watson late Sunday afternoon. But it was the right call.

After Johnson’s tee shot on the 500-yard par 4 went way right, he approached his ball which had come to rest in a sandy area away from the field of play. Before lining up to take his shot, Johnson put his clubhead next to the ball and then again before he took his shot.

Johnson finished the hole with a bogey, but was then taken into the clubhouse by PGA officials to let him know of his miscue. A stunned Johnson was then forced to erase his “5″ and switch it to a “7,” before ultimately signing his scorecard and bumping him down to 9-under.

Johnson claims the thought never crossed his mind that he was hitting from a bunker, as the area had been trampled down and used as a viewing area for fans the entire week.

Having been at the Straits for Saturday afternoon’s completion of the second and third rounds, it’s easy to see why Johnson was confused. There are plenty of bunkers (over 1,000) and sandy areas on the course, some of which spectators are able to stand in to watch. Those bunkers were far off the course and unreachable in most instances, but bunkers nonetheless.

There was also a notice inside the Straits’ locker room that warned players and caddies that, although sandtraps were out of the immediate playing field and used as viewing areas, they were indeed hazards and must be played as such.

All Johnson had to do was ask PGA official David Price for a ruling on where his ball laid, something he had done twice before during the round.

Dustin Johnson's situation is unfortuante, but rules are rules and he didn't follow them. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

On hole No. 14, Johnson asked Price if he could take practice swings in a bunker his ball had just cleared. Then again on hole No. 16, Johnson’s caddie asked if he could remove stones from a bunker surrounding Johnson’s ball. In both instances Johnson was awarded his request, so there’s no reason he couldn’t have done so on the final hole.

Since the area Johnson was hitting from on the final hole was a bunker, the rules apply to him. Rule 13-4 in the USGA handbook states this clearly:

1. Bunkers: “All areas of the course that were designed and built as sand bunkers will be played as bunkers (hazards), whether or not they have been raked. This will mean that many bunkers positioned outside of the ropes, as well as some areas of bunkers inside the ropes, close to the rope line, will likely include numerous footprints, heel prints and tire tracks during the play of the Championship. Such irregularities of surface are a part of the game and no free relief will be available from these conditions.”

Just because the bunker had been trampled and wasn’t a traditional bunker does not mean Johnson had any special cause for putting his club down. The information was accessible to him and he still broke the rules.

Rules are rules, and they apply for all 72 holes of the tournament and beyond. It would have been easy to let the penalty slide due to the circumstances and the reality that Johnson’s mistake had no effect on his shot, but the rule states he wasn’t allowed to do so, and as wacky as rules in golf can be, Johnson had to comply with it.

It’s a sad finish for Johnson, who had a chance to defeat Kaymer and Watson in the playoff for his first major, but the fact of the matter is he did something illegal on the course, and was rightfully penalized. It’s a sad outcome, but not an unfair one.

Is Tennessee’s Chris Johnson’s Head In the Right Place?

Two of my favorite activities are fantasy sports and Twitter. Since my odds of one day being a general manager of a professional sports team are, well, none to none, fantasy sports allows me to manage my own team, make moves, and compete against my friends to prove who (thinks he) knows the most about sports. And when it comes to Twitter, I just like to think everyone cares about what I do on an everyday basis.

But if I was a professional football player like Chris Johnson, I’d probably have my head in a different place with less than a month before the regular season gets going.

It hasn’t received much attention in the media, but Tennessee’s 2,000-yard rusher from a year ago seems to be more excited about what he can do on the field and in the media than he does about his team winning games.

Don’t get me wrong, Johnson isn’t the only high profile running back who thinks they’re the greatest thing since sliced bread, as Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew and St. Louis’ Steven Jackson, among others, have talked about themselves as the best fantasy backs in the land, but Johnson won’t let it go.

His self-titled nickname “CJ2K” stems from his performance last season and desire to rush for 2,500 in 2010, and that’s all fine and dandy. But when asked by Adam Schefter about the goals for the team this season, those were his FIRST words. Don’t forget the Titans are coming off an up-and-down 8-8 season, just a year removed from their NFL-best 13-3 season.

Schefter’s interview, done on his ridiculously cool bus he’s taking across the country to NFL training camps, was more of a talk show than a sit down. Johnson and Vince Young were cracking jokes, talking about how they’re the odds-on favorite, and how we should all expect big things in Tennessee this season. It wasn’t a “60 Minutes” episode and they didn’t need to be all serious (no one on the bus has been), but Johnson’s head isn’t in the right spot.

Chris Johnson is one heck of a football player, but is his head in the right spot? (Jonathan Mohan/2009)

Even at the ESPY’s, Johnson’s acceptance speech for Breakthrough Athlete mentioned zero Titans’ offensive linemen or anyone on the Titans for that matter. What it did mention was “most of all,” his Twitter fans. He then preceeded to tell America they needed to follow him on Twitter before leaving the stage.

Again, there’s always time for pro athletes to be normal humans and have fun, but there a time and place for everything, and Johnson seems to be using all his time and energy on telling the world how good HE is, and not the team.

Who’s to say he won’t do that on the field, trying to rush for as many yards as he can instead of helping the team win? Athletes need to be cocky in this day and age, and maybe this is a bit of an over-reaction, but Johnson’s attitude is bordering on TOO cocky.

Earlier in the offseason, Johnson was holding out for a bigger contract (a big no-no in my book) based on last year’s historic performance. Better for Chris? Yes. Better for his team? No way.

After he agreed to a modest deal of $1.5 million, he did his best to act like he was happy, but still came off greedy and selfish. In an interview, he spoke of the “little money” Tennessee gave him, how “this will be the last time without [him] having a long-term deal” because it was a “must.” He claims he’s been promised the deal next off-season, but who knows at this point.

Personal goals are one thing but they can NOT be an athlete’s main goal, and right now it seems like that’s all Johnson is focused on. Here’s to hoping I’m wrong, Mr. “CJ2K.”

My Take: 2010-11 Eastern Conference Standings

93 ESPN analysts from across the country (and media outlets) were polled on the future outlook of the Eastern conference for this upcoming season, and the results were pretty much what everyone expected. That being said, it wouldn’t be fair unless OYBTW added their own output, so here’s my take on what to expect out East in 2010:

1. Miami Heat: (Projected: 63-19) Everyone and their grandmothers are high on the Heat, and for good reason. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh team up with a very good supporting cast (all things considered with the salary cap) and they should roll through the East. They won’t contend with the Bulls’ 72-win season, but they’ll make it interesting. The East goes through South Beach, and that’s a fact.

2. Orlando Magic (55-27) It’s been a quiet offseason for the Magic, outside of the Chris Paul trade rumors, but that’s not neccesarily a bad thing for a team that won 59 games last season. Vince Carter should regress in 2010, but not that much. They have a deep bench and Dwight Howard will help the team win enough regular season games to wrap up the 2 seed out East.

LeBron James and the Miami Heat should run away with the East in 2010.

3. Boston Celtics (52-30) The Celtics clearly believe they have one last championship run in them as seen by re-upping Paul Pierce and bringing back Ray Allen. They also signed Jermaine O’Neal and Shaquille O’Neal as insurance for the injured Kendrick Perkins, and with Rajan Rondo in the lineup, they’ll have a fighting chance every night.

4. Chicago Bulls (49-33) Things seemed bleek in the Windy City when the Bulls missed out on the three stars who ended up in Miami, but the Bulls executed their backup plan to perfection, signing Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer, and Kyle Korver. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are only getting better, and there’s a chance the Bulls could contend for the No. 2 seed.

5. Milwaukee Bucks (47-35) The Bucks were one of the most active teams this offseason despite not getting much press, but the end result was putting together one of the deepest teams in the East. Brandon Jennings and a healthy Andrew Bogut will team up with a loaded roster, and it’s hard to imagine this team not improving on last year’s 46-win season.

6. Atlanta Hawks (47-35) Joe Johnson was the highest paid player this offseason, and the Hawks will regret it. He has long been considered one of the most underrated players in the league, but he’s not worth the money he was given ($119 million). The supporting cast is still there and they have an excellent starting core, but Jeff Teague at the point and a weak bench could hinder them down the stretch.

7. New York Knicks (40-42) Maybe it’s because I’m a big fantasy basketball player, but consider me on board with the Knicks in 2010. Amar’e Stoudemire and Anthony Randolph are perfect for Mike D’Antoni’s offense, and the addition of Raymond Felton gives them stability at the point. Danilo Gallinari is a player and Wilson Chandler gets the job done. Defense might be an issue, but it will be tough to keep up with them on offense night in and night out.

8. Charlotte Bobcats (39-43) Who’s going to play point guard for this team? D.J. Augustin has showed nothing to prove he’s ready to handle the point, and outside of Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace, this is a rather weak team. The addition of Erick Dampier will undoubtedly help, but how much? Still, expect them to sneak in as an 8 seed.

9. Washington Wizards (35-47) Looking for your sleeper team in 2010? Pick the Wiz, and it’s more than just because of John Wall. Gilbert Arenas, Andray Blatche, and JaVale McGee will team up to form an excellent young core, and Kirk Hinrich and Josh Howard give them a talented rotation. It’ll be tough for them to hit .500, but Wall could push them close.

10. Philadelphia 76ers (33-49) The addition of Evan Turner will do wonders for the Sixers, even with the loss of Sam Dalembert, and Jrue Holiday now has a year of experience under his belt to go with a deep unit. New center Marreese Speights is one of the true sleepers this season as well.

11. Indiana Pacers (30-52) It could be a long season in Indiana, but Danny Granger and rookie Paul George could make it a little shorter. Rookie Lance Stephenson could start at point guard, but isn’t the long term solution. They have decent depth but no one who really stands out (outside of Granger). They finished the year by winning 10 of their last 14 and could build on that, but don’t count on it.

12. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-52) Your welcome, Dan Gilbert. I really wanted to put the Cavs last in the standings because of the owner’s ridiculous comments about LeBron James, but they do have a team outside of Flight No. 23. J.J. Hickson is poised for big things, Antwan Jamison and Mo Williams give them expierence, and Anderson Varejao will continue to produce. The loss of Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Shaq up front will hurt them, and overall it could be a long year in Cleveland.

13. New Jersey Nets (28-54) The Nets are improving and could make some noise for the No. 8 seed if everything falls into place. Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, Terrence Williams, and rookie Derrick Favors make for a nice core, and the addition of Travis Outlaw will help them greatly. Courtney Lee still isn’t the answer at shooting guard and depth is a major issue.

14. Toronto Raptors (24-58) Chris Bosh was just about all the Raptors had, and now he’s gone. They also lost Hedo Turkoglu and adding Leandro Barbosa and Linas Kleiza won’t do it. They paid Amir Johnson big-time money, but that doesn’t make him a big-time player.

15. Detroit Pistons (20-62) I love Greg Monroe’s game just as much as anyone, but this could be a long season. They didn’t add much and will face a tougher Eastern conference in 2010. The potential is there, but a firesale could be in order, making for a long season.

No Controversy (or Money) Needed For A-Rod’s 600th HR

Alex Rodriguez made history Wednesday by launching the 600th home run of his illustrious career into Monument Park in Yankee Stadium. Rodriguez is just one of seven players to ever accomplish the feat, and now the youngest on that historic list. It was just one of the many milestones to add to Rodriguez’s stuffed resume, but the best part about his homer had nothing to do with him.

The real story was about 23-year-old Frankie Babilonia.

Aside from having one of the coolest New York names of all time, the Yankee Stadium security guard was the lucky recipient of Rodriguez’s home run ball. He was subbing for one of his co-workers (that guy’s pissed) in Monument Park when Rodriguez blasted No. 600.

Babilonia retrieved the ball and handed it over to Rodriguez after the game, who in return gave the employee a signed bat. Granted, it was stadium protocol for any employee who got his or her hands on the ball to return it to Rodriguez, but Babilonia could have made a fortune on it.

There have been countless stories of milestone home run balls going for millions at auctions, including Mark McGwire’s 70th home run, which went for $3 million, and Barry Bonds’ final home run ball (No. 762) going for over $376 thousand.

Even Marlins’ outfielder Chris Coglan found himself in a sticky situation after he had to give up what he called “a ransom” in order to get his hands on his first ever home run ball.

Yankee Stadium employee Frankie Babilonia did things the right way, returning A-Rod's 600th home run ball.

In an era of baseball that has been filled with controversy over steroids (yes, Rodriguez has been involved) and a money-hungry society that is willing to do anything and everything to make an extra buck, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a guy like Babilonia, who wanted nothing more than to get the ball back to Rodriguez so he could enjoy his moment.

Yes, his boss told him he had to return the ball and he could have lost his job over it, but Babilonia could have tripled his salary, if not more, by auctioning off the ball. Rodrgiuez’s 500th home run ball, hit in 2007, auctioned for $103,579 in February. Some estimate Rodriguez’s home run ball Wednesday would have auctioned for up to $150 thousand. Babilonia might have lost his job, but he would have had a few extra figures in his pocket.

Instead, he did things the right way.

Rodriguez and Yankees’ media relations director Jason Zillo had a plan set up to get the home run ball back and tie the money situation into charity, but now both can rest easy.

The home run ball, tainted or not due to steroids, shouldn’t have been a money ploy or an auction item for someone to cash in on. It should have been a historic monument thousands were able to witness, and also a momento for Rodriguez. And that’s exactly what it was.

Hats off to Rodriguez on his 600th home run and surely many more to come, but an even bigger tip of the cap to Babilonia, who hit the biggest home run of the day.

Brewers Re-Sign Hart, Must Prepare for 2011

The Milwaukee Brewers extended the contract of Corey Hart Monday, paying the outfielder $25 million over the next three seasons. The first year will cover his final year of arbitration and then run through 2013. The signing comes in the midst of a career year for Hart, a starter in this year’s All Star Game, who has hit 23 home runs and driven in 72 RBI’s with a .288 batting average.

Hart, 28, was a hot topic at this year’s trade deadline, and suitors such as the Giants and Padres had been calling asking about his availability. In the end, the Brewers decided to hang on to Hart as they prepare for 2011.

Many will compare the signing to that of Bill Hall, who signed a 4-year, $24 million deal after hitting 35 home runs in 2006. Hall eventually flopped and was dealt to the Seattle Mariners last season, and the Brewers were forced to eat most of his contract.

But it was hard to shy away from Hart, who is having a career year and has always been touted as a top prospect. With an above average arm in right field, good speed on the base path, and a sudden surge of power, re-signing Hart was the right move.

While it might not help the Brewers contend in 2010, the Brewers obviously felt Hart was a key piece moving forward. With Hart locked up, general manager Doug Melvin must move his focus toward keeping second baseman Rickie Weeks, who is also having a career year in Milwaukee.

Weeks signed a one-year deal worth $2.75 million last year, and now it’s time to give him a big contract. No one has had more success out of the leadoff role than Weeks, who has hit 22 home runs and driven in 67 runs. He has also scored 71 runs and has a career-best .375 on-base percentage.

After Weeks, the inevitable trading of Prince Fielder comes next. With 25-year-old Mat Gamel waiting in the wings to start at first base, the Brewers would receive valuable (and much-needed) pitching help if they deal Fielder. It has become apparent that the team will not be able to re-sign Fielder due to his demands and their financial restrictions, but contenders at next year’s trade deadline will surely be chomping at the bit to get their hands on one of the game’s best hitters.

Jonathon Lucroy seems to be the catcher of the future for the Brewers, and a year of spring training behind home plate should do him some good. He has struggled defensively, but his offensive numbers (.275 average, 2 home runs, 10 RBI, 14 runs) are good enough that he should be the in the mix next season. The Brewers also have prospect Angel Solome, who has struggled of late but has plenty of power offensively to push Lucroy.

Ryan Braun is going nowhere in left field, just like Hart, and the Brewers also have options in center field next season. Jim Edmonds keeps on chugging along at 40 years old, and Carlos Gomez has the defense to play every day. Gomez will need to start hitting (batting just .228 in 246 at-bats) or else it could be Lorenzo Cain’s job to lose in 2011.

As much as we all love Prince Fielder, the pitching prospects the Brewers could get in return means he must be traded.

Cain, one of the team’s best prospects, has seen some action over the last two seasons and could end up as the team’s leadoff man. Needless to say, there’s plenty of potential in the Brewers’ lineup that a Fielder trade, a Gamel and Cain promotion, and Weeks’ re-signing could make the Brewers one of the most potent offenses in the league next year.

Then comes the pitching.

For as good as the Brewers offense could be in 2011, it will mean nothing if the pitching staff continues to struggle like it has. Rick Peterson was brought in as pitching coach to help out the National League’s worst staff in 2010, but little improvement has been made.

Outside of Yovani Gallardo, the Brewers don’t have a starter with an ERA under 4.55 (Dave Bush). Randy Wolf and Doug Davis were signed last offseason, but Wolf has been inconsistent and Davis has been injured, making just eight starts with an ERA of 7.51.

Manny Parra has improved in 2010 but it looks as though he will never be anything more than an end-of-the-rotation starter, if that. Bush could be back in 2011 and serve as the Brewers’ No. 3, but a Fielder trade must happen to bring in pitching. If the Brewers can bring in a No. 2 to back Gallardo, it would do wonders.

In the bullpen, the Brewers might be on to something with a core of John Axford, Kameron Loe, and Zach Braddock. Axford has relieved veteran Trevor Hoffman as the team’s closer and has pitched very well, converting 15 of 16 saves and sporting an ERA of 2.73. He’s also 6-1, for whatever that’s worth.

Loe and Braddock combined with Carlos Villanueva, Todd Coffey, and LaTroy Hawkins (when healthy) is serviceable enough, and the Brewers could have some wiggle room in 2011 to add another arm.

Prospects like Eric Arnett and Mark Rogers could also help the Brewers in 2011, but that’s still too far off in the future to tell.

The bottom line is the Brewers are close. It might not seem that way right now, as the Brewers sit 9.5 games out of first and have gaping holes on the mound, but things could really come together in 2011 for this young team. Whether Ken Macha and Doug Melvin are a part of it is a different story, but the pieces could fall into place where the Brewers are in contention a year from now.

Until then, let’s just beat the Cubs.

$33 Million Later, Portland’s Wes Matthews Still Gets It

Not even $33 million could stop Wesley Matthews from being one of those guys in the NBA who just gets it.

In a league full of LeBron James’ who will stop at nothing to get their names in the paper and Chris Paul’s who aren’t satisfied with their current prospects, the new Portland Trailblazer understands how lucky he is to have a chance to play, and no dollar amount is going to change that.

“I want you guys to know this isn’t going to change me,” Matthews said at his press conference in Portland, just moments before he inked his five-year, $32.6 million deal. “It’s not going to change my work ethic, it’s not going to change my passion, it’s not going to change what I can do to help your team win games. I want to make sure you guys know that before I sign. This is not what I’m about. I’m about basketball.”

Go ahead and try to find a quote like that from anyone making the kind of money Matthews will make next season. Don’t worry, I’ll wait.

And who’s to doubt Matthews, the senior from Marquette who has beaten the odds his whole career?

Playing out of position for four years in college, going undrafted, and then being asked to start for a championship contending Jazz team his rookie season, guarding the likes of Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony in major playoff minutes, Matthews has had no choice but to work his tail off.

It ended up being a blessing in disguise for Matthews to go undrafted, being able to choose his team during the summer. After an uneventful three-game set with the Kings, where he averaged 10.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and shot just 34 percent from the field, many assumed it was the end of the road to an uneventful NBA tryout.

But, just as he always had, Matthews battled back to earn an invitation to Utah’s rookie camp. It was an interesting spot for Matthews to wind up, with the Jazz roster already including wings Kyle Korver, C.J. Miles, Andrei Kirilenko, and Ronnie Brewer. But with a little bit of luck and an impressive showing in workouts, Matthews weaseled his way onto the opening night roster, albeit at the bottom of the team’s totem pole.

Playing for less than $1 million and 48 starts later, it was Matthews on top of the list of wings on an ultra-loaded Jazz team. With stifling defense and excellent efficiency on the offensive end, head coach Jerry Sloan had no choice but to play the undrafted rookie, something he rarely did.

Wes Matthews has proved his doubters wrong before, and he'll do it again next season in Portland. (Getty Images)

He finished the year averaging 9.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists but played crucial minutes in the playoffs guarding some of the best players in the league. It was that effort that earned him so much interest this summer.

Now the 23-year-old Matthews finds himself in Portland, where he will play behind one of the game’s best shooting guards in Brandon Roy. He’ll make $9.2 million in 2010, more than the first overall pick in the 2009 draft class Blake Griffin, the same draft class Matthews was not a part of.

He doesn’t have outstanding athleticism, great size, or a specialty on the court, but none of that matters at the end of the day.

Because what he does have is exactly what he told Portland.

It will once again be tough for Matthews to break into the rotation, this time with a solid Portland backcourt. But Matthews has a work ethic unlike anyone in the league.

People will say that a former-undrafted rookie should not have received close to $33 million. But Matthews has the passion to prove his doubters wrong.

For the first time in his short career, Matthews will not be fighting to keep his job (and salary). But he has the passion to make sure it doesn’t get to his head.

And based on past results, no one should doubt him.

11 ND Athletes Arrested For Under Age Drinking: So What?

Late Friday night, police arrived on the scene of a house party at a college campus where underage drinking was thought to be taking place. A 911 call regarding a fight near the house is what led police to the house, where they ended up arresting 44 people from the house. Most of the arrested have been released on $150 bond and will most likely face an underage drinking ticket as their punishment.

Before mentioning that 11 Notre Dame athletes were among those arrested, how many times have we heard this type of story? College party gets busted where underage kids are drinking, and those kids get busted. If the number isn’t 100, it’s somewhere close.

The reason this is considered news is because of the Fighting Irish athletes, which included Joe Montana’s son Nate, second-leading scorer on the basketball team Tim Abromaitis, seven other football players, an incoming freshman point guard, and an incoming goalie on the hockey team. Does it make the school look bad? Kind of. Is it a big deal? Please.

Tim Abromaitis might not be the best shooter in the world, but he sure knows how to party.

Yes, as a Marquette student I’ll save my jokes on how well the University of Notre Dame parties, but we’re talking about a college campus on a weekend, where college students went out to have a little fun and ended up getting caught.

Many take issue with the fact that just two and a half months earlier, Notre Dame football recruit Matt James fell from a balcony while on spring break in Florida. James was found to have had alcohol in his system when he fell, and the fall was apparently caused by a shouting match going on between James and another balcony. While it’s a sad story and something that will affect the Notre Dame football team both on and off the field, it has little relevance as to what went on last Friday night.

Student-athletes, especially at such a prestigious academic school like Notre Dame, are under ridiculous amounts of pressure to succeed on the field/court, get their work done off the court, and still try to manage a social life. Odds are all of the athletes take summer school classes, meaning the weekend still means something to them. What better way to blow off some steam and stress than a few drinks at a party with your buddies?

Something too many people forget is that these are still just kids ages 18-22, trying to enjoy the best years of their lives by having a little fun. Sure, there’s a different precedent for athletes who are on scholarship when compared to everyday students, but that hardly means the student-athletes should have to be shacked up in their rooms all weekend. They’re allowed to live their lives too.

And let’s actually applaud (OK, maybe not appluad) these students for being at a house party, and not out selling weed or getting into fistfights like so many other athletes at schools across the country do. In the event that a student athlete is arrested, underage drinking at a weekend house party is probably the best-case scenario.

No one was (it seemed) going to get in a car or do anything that would have put anyone else in danger. This is just a classic case of some college kids out enjoying the weekend. Let’s move on from this “news story” and talk about something more important, like this.

Dear Dan Gilbert: Both Your Font and Message Was Lame

Dear Dan Gilbert,

Have you lost your mind? The rest of America feels terrible for your loss of LeBron James, who Thursday decided to sign with the Miami Heat instead of the hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, we really do. But you’ve gone way too far.

Your letter to the Cleveland fanbase on the Cavaliers’ website was not only inaccurate, but immature and unprofessional on every level. In this neat, organized letter to you (which will not be in Comic Sans), I’ll let you know why you had absolutely no right to write what you did about LeBron James, a player who has done more for your organization than anyone could have ever imagined.

There’s a lot to be said, so let’s start with the ethics of what went down on the Cavs website just hours after James decided to take South Beach over Lake Erie. Since you took over the Cavs in 2005, a franchise which you purchased for $375 million, LeBron James has been the sole reason your investment has skyrocketed to a $476 million worth,  fifth in the NBA. True, with James now gone the value of your franchise will take a significant hit, but that doesn’t take away all the No. 23 jerseys being worn in Cleveland or the fact that the Cavs’ home attendance numbers have been in the top 5, including second last season, over the last five years. All that extra money in your pocket is because of one person: LeBron James.

You were so mad at James that you felt it necessary to share with the world how you really felt about him, which begs the question: Why would he WANT to play for you and your organization? If he thought you really believed he was a quitter and “selfish,” and “disloyal,” why would he want to stay in Cleveland when his boss hated him and didn’t believe in him? Better yet, why were you willing to offer such a terrible person (in your eyes) over $120 million to stay with the team? Something doesn’t add up here.

LeBron James left Cleveland for Miami because it was the best decision for him. He doesn't owe anything to Cleveland and especially not Dan Gilbert.

Who is going to want to play for you and your team now that they know if they ever leave, they’ll be blasted in the media and on the team’s website for being disloyal? You very well could have messed up your franchise for years, but I hope you were able to get everything off your chest.

There’s an old quote that goes something like this: “Don’t be sad that it’s over. Be happy that it happened.” Apparently you didn’t get that message, because not once did you thank James for everything he has done over the last 25 years for the state of Ohio. That’s right, not just the seven years he had in Cleveland, but every year of his life that he has graced Ohio with his magnificent presence should make you thankful. But no, stay bitter and forget everything else. Did you also burn his jersey Thursday night?

You’re a professional and the owner of a basketball fan, not an immature fan who had their heart ripped out when James signed with the Heat. It’s your responsibility to keep the fans happy, but not at the expense of looking like a child and calling out the most prominent athlete in your franchise’s history. It’s not your job to be the city cheerleader and have fans rally around your written abuse of a player. James did what he believed to be best for him. Which leads us to the next part: the content of your silly letter. Here are some excerpts from the letter, broken down by me.

“Your former hero”: Why can’t James still be a hero to the fans of Cleveland? When Brett Favre bolted Green Bay for New York and ultimately Minnesota, it didn’t change my perception of him one bit. Do I cheer for him and want him to win? No. Do I still get chills of excitement when I see him running out the tunnel and onto the field? You bet I do. The same can be said for James fans.

“This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his ‘decision’”: This might be the one part I agree with you on, but how much of it is really James’ fault? The media played this thing up just as much James did, announcing when and where (and even what hat he had on) he was at all times, with numerous unnamed sources speculating on where the King might go. None of that is James’ fault. He’s unlike any other athlete in the history of sports, and the media can’t get enough of it. The one-hour special was way over the top and James handled a lot of this poorly, but we’re talking about his decision to leave. Nothing was wrong with that.

“You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.” The worst part of Gilbert’s letter by far. LeBron James owes absolutely nothing to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Yes, you read that correctly. No free agent athlete owes anything to their former city. James did nothing unfair to the city of Cleveland by choosing the Heat over the Cavs. James put it best in one of his numerous interviews by saying, “At the end of the day, it’s still a business.” More so than that, James had to do what he felt was best for him. Not Dan Gilbert. Not the Cavaliers. Not anyone but himself.

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”: Is that so, Dan? Let’s first start by saying the Heat are in a much better position to win a title than your Mo Williams/Antwan Jamison-led Cavaliers. But that’s beside the point. How will you guarantee a title to the fans of Cleveland? Will you lower ticket prices if you are unable to accomplish this? Until you show the sports world that you will put something on the line, a “guarantee” is just a 9-letter word in the dictionary. Maybe your silly, little fans bought your ploy, but there’s no backbone to it and you really aren’t guaranteeing anything.

“…this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.”: So let me get this straight, Danny. In a call to the Associated Press, you mentioned that James quit on his team during last year’s playoffs, yet you now say the team’s motivation has been shifted to “previously unknown levels.” Wouldn’t that mean that the current players and staff weren’t giving all they could as well? Why was all the blame put on James for not trying, when you just admitted the rest of the team was doing the same thing?

“The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma”: Double, double, toil and trouble. Get a life Mr. Gilbert.

This letter is garbage, and it’s sad that James is leaving on such poor terms after all he did for Cleveland. Some of the words you used to describe James paints an unfair and untrue image of one of the great athletes of our day. Since his decision, James has been ridiculed in the media for bolting his hometown. The last seven years, James was criticized for just being in it for the money and not having his head on straight enough to win a championship. Now he takes less money to have his best shot at a title, and people find new ways to shoot him down. It was a lose-lose for James all along.

It’s sad that you won’t be able to make any more money off James (other than when your arena is sold out when the Heat come to town), but taking your anger to such high levels only made things worse and embarrassed your franchise. I’m glad James didn’t win a title in Cleveland, because you don’t deserve one. I hope that one day you can embrace everything James did instead of being bitter about his departure. Now all you’ve done is make one of the best players in the game that much more motivated to win a title, and he won’t stop until he gets one.

“You can take that to the bank.”

2010 NBA Free Agency: In Which City Will King James Crown Himself?

In a little over 24 hours, the most talked about and potentially important free agency period in the history of the NBA will begin. July 1st will mark the donning of a new era, with some of the league’s biggest stars looking for new homes or deciding to stay put with their current team. It’s anybody’s guess as to where these players will wind up, but that hasn’t stopped the media craze from hitting the scene. There have been more “unnamed sources” and “certain agents” making claims in the last two weeks than there are sources and agents in the NBA. Everyone wants to feel like they have the inside scoop, taking the smallest rumor and turning it into fact. While no one, including the players themselves, know where the future will take them, we do know that things will be changing drastically in the NBA over the next few weeks. Here’s my take on just how important this offseason is and where certain players will call home in 2010.

Seemingly every conversation about the 2010 free agency list begins with the best of the bunch, LeBron James…and this article will be no different. While some (myself included) believe there will be more important decisions made this offseason than where King James winds up, he is certainly the first domino that needs to fall.

Despite numerous reports (remember those unnamed sources and agents?) saying James is destined for Chicago or Miami, the only FACT we know is that Cleveland will have the edge. James said so in his only interview, with Larry King, saying his hometown has the edge because of the past he has there. Also helping to give Cleveland the edge in the “LeBron Sweepstakes” is the extra $30 million they can offer him in his max contract.

James is in the business of winning championships and cementing his legacy as one of the game’s best players, but he’s also in the business, period. Money is big to James, as it would be with anyone attempting to sign a nine-figure contract. The Cavaliers will be able to give James an extra $6 million a year, making Cleveland the optimal destination based on cash. The option of a sign-and-trade is a possibility that would allow James to have his cake (the extra $6 million) and eat it too (preference to go wherever he wants). However, that’s a lot more complicated than he’ll want to make it.

The Cavaliers have experience in many areas but, because of it, are one of the oldest teams in the league. Post-monetary factors, James will need to decide whether that experience is primed to make a championship run or about to fade into the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference. It’s possible the Cavaliers are waiting on James to decide on a coach (although they have said James will have no say in the hiring), but if he decides the roster is in decline, he’ll most likely be done calling Ohio home for the next five seasons.

The next logical place for James to suit up in 2010 is Chicago. The Bulls have done everything right this summer in clearing up enough space to bring in two max-contract free agents, and their remaining roster is ready to compete for a championship. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah have to be the most desired companions on a team, sans Dwyane Wade (which we’ll get to), to free agents. A young point guard and a developing big man makes for quite the foundation for a franchise, and that’s even before James comes into the picture.

Some worry that the addition of James will slow down Rose’s progression, but let’s not forget that James made Mo Williams an All Star in Cleveland. Rose’s game will change with James on the court, not get better or worse.

Off the court, Chicago has everything James is looking for. In order to be considered the best, you must beat the best. Since James can’t physically beat out Michael Jordan for the title of best ever, he’ll have to accomplish what No. 23 did in the same city and building. If James can also find his Scottie Pippen in this free agent class (Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer?), he’ll be that much closer.

James would also be close to his hometown (or at least closer than if he chose any other destination) and in a big time market, something we can all agree he will be looking for when the clock strikes midnight on Thursday. But entering the spotlight that the greatest player ever created can be intimidating, even for a superstar of James’ caliber, meaning Chicago might not appeal to him. Creating your own legacy in Chicago is no easy task. In fact, it might be impossible.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade would make for one of the most dynamic 1-2 duos in the history of the NBA. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Speaking of potential legacies forming, let’s bring the Miami Heat into the discussion. It’s all but signed and sealed that Wade will be back in Miami, looking for his second championship and beyond. With just three players under contract, Pat Riley is setting up to be able to bring in three max-contract free agents. Scary thought, huh?

The three that have been discussed most prominently as teammates in Miami are Wade, James, and Bosh. Focusing specifically on James, he’d have a legitimate shot at creating one of the greatest teams in NBA history. At worst, the Heat would start the second (James), fifth (Wade), and 10th (Bosh) players in the league. My brother Jack and I could start at shooting guard and center to fill out the lineup and the Heat would still win 60 games. It’s no secret James loves the spotlight, and what better way to stay in it for years to come than by starting a dynasty with two other superstars?

And forget that extra $6 million a year he would earn in Cleveland. That will be taken care of in the form of endorsement deals the three would earn by playing together. LeBron is truly a businessman when push comes to shove, so you know this scenario has run through his head at least once.

And while we’re on the topic of money (I know you love these transitions), let’s bring the New Jersey Nets into the picture. New owner Mikhail Prokhorov has plenty of it and will sure to let James know when they meet on July 1 in Akron, the site where James will meet with all teams.

Past Prokhorov and his deep pockets, the Nets have an underrated amount of factors going in their favor that could persuade James to sign on with the Nets. Just like the Bulls, the Nets have an excellent core forming in Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, and Brook Lopez that could entice James into building a championship contender.

Jay-Z, one of James’ best friends and mentor, is a minority owner for the Nets, something that can’t hurt them when it comes down to decision time. The Nets will also be moving to Brooklyn in two years, meaning James could really have the possibility to create his own legacy with a brand-new team. At the same time, the Nets will play in Newark while their stadium is being built in Brooklyn and, well, no one wants to be in Newark.

Right across the Hudson River, the New York Knicks are quickly losing ground on James’ services. They had to cancel a major event in New York after James announced he would be meeting with teams in Ohio, and shaky front office personnel overshadowed the appeal of the biggest market in the NBA.

However, the Knicks have money to spend and it’s hard to rule out anything when it comes to James’ and free agency. They have just four players under contract, including Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, two underrated players who would see a major boost with James on the court with them.

This also means the Knicks will have enough money under the cap to sign two max-contract free agents. If James can convince a player like Bosh or Joe Johnson that they can win in New York and that it’s the right city to be in, you can bet it will happen.

So what does it all mean at the end of the day? Well, for two days at least it will mean nothing. James literally has hundreds of different factors he will have to balance out when making his decision. His contract will be for five years but there’s a good chance James’ legacy, good or bad, goes down with whichever team he chooses.

If I was a betting man I’d have to give the early edge to Chicago, with Miami and New Jersey a close second/third. No one can deny or underestimate his love for Cleveland, but I think he’s looking for a fresh start. He still needs a ring, something he wasn’t able to get in Cleveland, and Chicago gives him the best chance right now, assuming they can bring in someone to go with him.

New Jersey can also offer James an underrated chance to bring home a title. If Derrick Favors pans out into an Amare Stoudemire clone, the future would look quite bright in Brooklyn.

Then there’s that fantasy-land, “this would only happen in a video game” scenario of Wade, Bosh, and James teaming up in Miami. James would certainly have to lose the “me-first” mentality with such high profile names next to him, but it would also give him the chance to be a part of something special. It would create buzz, be relatively safe, and give him more money than even he would know what to do with.

All that being said, no one knows. For all I know James would read my analysis and laugh at it, saying there’s no way he wants to share the spotlight with Wade, or that he never really liked Chicago, or that he thinks the Knicks are in good hands up front. The fact is no one, NO ONE, knows. So whenever you hear someone emphatically telling you about where a free agent will or will not wind up, just laugh knowing that not even LeBron knows.

The one thing we do know is that James’ decision will be exciting, nerve-wracking, and will change the NBA dramatically, regardless of where he winds up.

Let the games begin.

Scottie Reynolds and Jon Scheyer Go Home Empty-Handed: Why?

60 names were called Thursday night at the 2010 NBA Draft, including the names we all know and have heard about for months in John Wall, Evan Turner, DeMarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe, and so on. We heard some interesting names (Nemanja Bjelica, Epke Udoh, and Hamady N’diaye), some funny names (Tiny Gallon, Pape Sy, Magnum Rolle), and a beautiful name (Lazar Hayward). But for the 60 names we did hear, there were a few we didn’t hear for no apparent reason.

In particular, Duke point guard Jon Scheyer and Villanova shooting guard Scottie Reynolds both went undrafted and will now have to hope to latch on with a summer league team. While many factors went in to the two failing to be selected, one that didn’t seem to go into the decision was common sense. Here’s why:

Reynolds averaged 18.5 points and 3.3 assists last season for the Wildcats, leading them to a top 10 ranking and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. After leading his team to the Final Four during his junior year, Reynolds opted to return for his senior season in hopes of a National Championship. The team ended up fading down the stretch, losing six of their last nine games, and Reynolds was left with the blame.

Despite his 4-for-26 shooting performance in the NCAA’s, Reynolds finished the season as a first team AP All-American choice, along with freshmen John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins and juniors Wesley Johnson, and Evan Turner. Reynolds became the first AP All-American to not be selected in the NBA draft, and there are many questions as to why.

The first issue with Reynolds is his size. At 6-foot-2, Reynolds is too small to play shooting guard in the NBA but doesn’t have true point guard skills. That being said, Kentucky’s 6-foot-2 Eric Bledsoe and all the hype surrounding him was taken 18th overall by the Thunder. He’s short, but he’s not tiny.

Reynolds’ age also came into question when considering his draft status. No senior was taken before the Timberwolves selected Trevor Booker with the 25th overall pick, so it’s no secret that teams are looking to get younger. But once again, seven seniors were selected in the second round alone, so teams weren’t trying to get too young.

It’s too hard to gauge which teams would have or should have had interest in Reynolds, but the fact is he shoots lights out from three, can handle the ball, and plays excellent defense. For every 10 big men sitting on the end of the bench (where most second round bigs will wind up), there is a Scottie Reynolds-like player waiting to be that reserve sparkplug.

Take Boston’s Nate Robinson for example. Much like Robinson, Reynolds has deep range, can draw fouls, and plays above average defense for his size. Without Robinson, Boston watches the NBA Finals in their respective living rooms. Benches are becoming more and more important in the NBA, and for a proven shooter like Reynolds to be overlooked due to size and age is, at best, confusing.

Then there’s Jon Scheyer, who did nothing but produce for four years under Coach K and Duke, yet will still be fighting for his NBA career this summer. As the team’s starting point guard last season, Scheyer put together a magical season to the tune of 18.2 points, 4.9 assists, and just 1.6 turnovers while leading the Blue Devils to their fourth national championship.

So what are the knocks on Scheyer that kept him from hearing his name Thursday night? For one, he had been battling mono for the last two to three weeks leading up to the draft, so his workouts for general managers were limited. For as much as the season highlight reel matters, being able to play against fellow draftees is important. But more important than four years of productivity and double-digit scoring outputs?

Scottie Reynolds won't be a future All Star, but at least teams know he can score and will hustle for every loose ball. Why wasn't that good enough? (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Scheyer didn’t shoot the ball particularly well last season (40 percent), but his outside shooting is not what’s in question. Pegged as one of the best shooters in the draft, Scheyer’s 6-foot-6 frame is big enough to rise over defenders and get his shot off. Unlike Reynolds, size wasn’t an issue here.

Scheyer also made the shift to point guard this season, showing NBA scouts that he is able to handle the ball when necessary. He didn’t project as a point guard, but having that trait never hurts and his 2.98 assist-to-turnover ratio was off the charts.

Due to monetary reasons, the free agency period, and some teams having too many players on roster, foreign players who will never see the NBA are selected and directly shipped overseas while players like Reynolds and Scheyer wonder if they’ll ever get their shot.

For other teams, head scratching seems to be the only plausible reaction. The Indiana Pacers, who had been desperately looking for a point guard prior to the draft, selected Ryan Reid, a power forward from Florida State who averaged under seven points and four rebounds during his senior season, with points like Reynolds and Scheyer still available. The Jazz selected Western Kentucky forward Jeremy Evans in the second round, a player who didn’t even make Chad Ford’s top-100 leading up to the draft.

It could be a blessing in disguise for these two sharpshooters that they failed to get drafted, because they will now have the chance to choose the team they play for this summer. It worked out well for Marquette’s Wesley Matthews last season, who found himself guarding the like of Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant in the playoffs.

But it doesn’t change the fact that they weren’t able to recognize the one dream all college players have: To be drafted into the NBA. There’s no doubt players like Reynolds and Scheyer will use this experience as motivation as they begin their careers, but it’s something that shouldn’t have had to happen in the first place.

I won’t pretend to know more about the NBA or prospects than any other general manager in the NBA, but something just doesn’t add up with these two seniors. All they did during their combined eight seasons was win, do everything right on and off the court, and win some more. They come from respected coaches and programs, can shoot from anywhere (Scheyer) and create on their own(Reynolds), and have proven themselves in ways many players who were drafted have not.

One-and-dones and foreign players are gambles many teams are willing to take because of the potential upside, but the real proof of a player’s value comes in how hard they work, what they produce, and how bad they want to win. Reynolds and Scheyer exemplified all three of those traits, and it’s a shame they had to sit through 60 picks.