Just like all of you sports fans out there, I have been waiting with great anticipation during one of the most memorable free agent off seasons that I can remember. Perhaps ever. A'mare Stoudemire took the plunge first of all the quote, unquote, ''superstars'' hitting the market this off season. The New York Knicks, have at the very least assured themselves of not getting shutout during the current free agent frenzy, while other teams such as the Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are making last ditch efforts to not be left out. In Stoudemire, the Knicks get a proven scorer and rebounder that on any given night can explode for huge numbers and dominate a game. But is it enough to get the Knicks back in to post season play? Probably not. But if New York fails to land Dwayne Wade or Lebron James to join A'mare in the garden, they maybe a year away from really making a splash. Think Carmelo Anthony. However that could just be wishful thinking on my and all Knicks fans part.
So now that A'mare Stoudemire is locked up in New York, the attention now turns to the big three. No not Boston's big three of Pierce, Allen and Garnett, rather the two most sought after ''Batmen'' in Dwayne Wade and Lebron James and one of the latte rs ''Robin'' to be in this equation, Chris Bosh. The consensus is that Bosh will follow James or Wade to Chicago or Wade to Miami. While both options seem the most likely scenario, Bosh to Cleveland does not. Chris Bosh has, according to sources, no interest in playing in Cleveland. And with that minor setback perhaps throwing a wrench in King Jame's plan to stay home, it may help the Knicks land their man. King James to the garden?
So who is going to get shut out of this years free agent frenzy? The Knicks landed A'mare so their good for now but still have work to do. The Bulls seem likely to land Wade or James, hoping to pair either man with Bosh, so they are still in the hunt. Miami cannot seem to get the Toronto Raptors to cooperate on a sign trade for Chris Bosh, ensuring the soon to be former Raptor star a sixth year and an extra 30 Million on a max contract to play in Miami. The Heat seem stalled and at a impasse without that bargaining chip in their favor. The Cavs however have what Toronto wants in trade value, thus opening the door for a sign and trade that could send Chis Bosh to the Cavs. One small problem, Bosh wants no part of Cleveland. So unless Lebron is OK with the way the current roster is holding in Cleveland, the Bulls, Heat and Knicks are all still players in the Wade/James sweepstakes. So with that being said, the losers are....sorry Jay Z, but your New Jersey Nets. No one in this star studded free agent class has any interest in joining a team that still has to wait to relocate to Brooklyn, the teams biggest selling point. But hey they can still land David Lee right!
And finally on something not basketball related, the World Cup. Saw Uruguay and the Netherlands lock horns in the World Cup semi's, and I must say I was really impressed. Very exciting back and forth action with very physical play that turned on a dime once Holland's Stars Wesley Sneijder and Robben scored three minutes apart in the second half as the Netherlands advanced to its first title match since losing in 1978 to Argentina. Tomorrow we will find out who will join the Dutch in the World Cup finals as Spain and Germany square off in the tournament's other semifinal game. Look for the German's hot play of late to continue as they give the Spaniards all they can handle, in what should be the best game of the World Cup so far. With all the around the clock coverage on free agency and the Major League baseball season nearing it's mid-point, the World Cup may provide the lasting drama we all have been craving for since the NBA finals ended. Enjoy and thanks for reading.
By Ephraim Vega
-Blog or Bust News-
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