Dwain Price: "He has to be the most scrutinized player of all-time." --Mavs center Tyson Chandler, talking about Bron-Bron on ESPN's Sports Nation.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It's his fault, though.

Tyson Chandler is right to declare LeBron James the world's most highly scrutinized athlete. However, James, and nobody else, is to blame for this.

After all, The Decision was not a good look. It was an example of how not to handle free agency and what will go wrong when 'your boys' handle your career.

Then there was The Victory Party. After signing James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat threw a pre-emptive championship shindig, complete with all the bells and whistles.

The Three Kings hadn't won a championship. They hadn't even won a game. Such details didn't prevent James from suggesting his Heat would win several championships.

These acts, The Decision and The Victory Party, sealed James' fate. He went from hero to villain faster than any athlete, actor, or musician of recent memory.

James dug his grave. He must now live in it –which means having the masses cheer when his star-studded Heat lose the 2011 NBA Finals to Chandler's Dallas Mavericks. 

There's a solution: James leads the Heat to a championship. Hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy would silence most, if not all, of his critics.

Most would begrudgingly forgive James for The Decision and The Victory Party. They wouldn't forget but they'd forgive. 

Forgiveness would be the start of James, the world's most scrutinized athlete, rebuilding his image.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Minnetonka Police say Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley was cited for marijuana possession and speeding in Minnetonka last week. Beasley was pulled over on June 26 for speeding around 3 a.m. on Interstate 394 and Carlson Parkway. He was clocked at 84 mph in a 65 mph zone.  Police also found 16.2 grams of marijuana in Beasley's vehicle.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: We were wrong.

We were wrong to think Michael Beasley was passed this. We wrong to think he left his troubles at the clubs in South Beach. And were wrong to applaud his fine season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He fooled us. All of us.

Reports indicate police pulled Beasley over for speeding last week and found 16 grams of marijuana in his vehicle.

This is not a good look for anyone, especially a pro athlete who has battled addiction and mental health issues.

Clearly, Miami's nightlife wasn’t the issue. The issue is Beasley, who found trouble in quiet Minnesota. Once again, he has slipped. Once again, he needs help.

Then there’s the basketball side of this. The Timberwolves seemed interested in giving Beasley a multi-year extension when the lockout ended.

They’ll reconsider. In fact, they'll probably pass.

Expect the Wolves to commit more resources, time, and money to developing second overall pick Derrick Williams, a talented and athletic forward with none of Beasley’s baggage.

Problem is, there won't be much of a market for Beasley. Few, if any, teams will take a chance on him via trade or by floating an offer in free agency.

He still has time; time to change. Just ask Lamar Odom, Chris Webber, and Jason Williams. The clock is ticking, though.

Hopefully, Beasley gets it right. And fast.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.  

You’re coming off an NBA Finals where your team fell painfully short of its second world championship, and you have only three more years of guaranteed time with the LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade before their player options come up, giving all three the freedom to head elsewhere if this isn’t working out as planned.

Is this really the time for labor strife to potentially cost you a full season? Isn’t this the worst possible time to consider bonding with these newer, more desperate owners around the league for the sake of shared health? Wouldn’t a potential lost season put a huge dent into this perfect model you essentially have spent four years planning for and building?

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Like De La Soul said, The Stakes is High.

Right now, the Miami Heat has the most to lose if there’s a prolonged work stoppage and a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with a hard cap.

It starts with owner Micky Arison. The billionaire has invested hundreds of millions of dollars on the Three Kings -Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade.

The controversial trio is only signed for a guaranteed four years. 2010-11 is in the books. 2011-12 is at risk because of the lockout.

Of course, the entire Heat model is also at risk. Suppose the owners win negotiations. Suppose they implement a hard cap. Suppose they rollback salaries.

Despite what he said publicly, Heat executive Pat Riley may be forced to break up his star trio. And Bosh would be the one to go.

Upgrading the supporting cast will also be a problem. With a top-heavy salary structure, the Heat will have little money to sign a point guard or center. Especially if soft cap loop-holes like the veteran`s minimum and mid-level exception are eliminated. 

Whenever next year begins, the Eastern Conference champions could look different.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in comment box below. 

With the beginning of free agency just a few days away, its no surprise that there are little tidbits of rumors and information starting to find their way into the hands of the media.  The Sun-Sentinel reported on Monday that the Heat had been working with free-agent center Eddy Cury, who has barely played over the past three seasons.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: I don’t see it. I don’t see what Eddy Curry can offer the Miami Heat.

After all, Curry played a grand total of ten games in the last three seasons. He's several seasons removed from posting nice numbers for the New York Knicks.

Then there’s the fit. The Heat need an athlete. Someone to score, defend, and play both ends of the floor.

That’s not Curry. The Chicago native was once a skilled center, but he always struggled with defense. His skill will be gone after such a lengthy layoff, and his defense will be even worse becase of poor conditioning.

There were off-court issues, too. Curry, despite signing a massive contract, was in debt because of atrocious decisions. Then there was this.

Why is the Heat so interested in Curry? Three words: Bosh, LeBron, D-Wade.

Curry has the same management as the 'Three Kings'. So Executive Pat Riley may be tossing the people behind his superstars a bone.

If so, this isn’t basketball. This is business. And bad business at that.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

When asked about the level of criticism LeBron received, Rivers was surprisingly sympathetic: "Some of it was self-inflicted, some of it inflicted by everyone else. After Game 3, someone asked LeBron, 'When are you going to step up'?. The problem is that he answered, when he should have said 'Go screw yourself'."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Doc Rivers is comfortable in his skin. LeBron James is not.

So Rivers, when absolutely necessary, can tell off the media without worrying about consequences or repercussions. Things usually work out for the Boston Celtics’ personable sideline boss.

James, however, is different. His image has fallen faster than the American real estate market. Everything he says has consequences and/or repercussions. Lately, things haven’t been working out for the Miami Heat’s superstar.

What’s the answer?

Well, James has to find better people to support him. For instance, his media/communications guy can’t be his boy from an old AAU team.

James needs a world-class PR firm by his side 24/7. He needs to be retrained on interacting with the media. And he needs to do this now.

Finally, he needs to reflect and think on what’s important: his family and basketball. Hopefully, gaining perspective will allow James to again feel comfortable with himself.

Everything else, on and off-court, will fall into place.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

‘No I can’t say that. Look I’m not the most empathetic person in the world anyway, but look first of all it’s sports. The thing that would make me feel bad for somebody was some personal issue. I’m not going to feel bad that you are struggling on a basketball court because you only get to within two wins of a championship. Come on there was nothing to feel sorry for. I got a little tired I’ll admit of the whole everybody hates us routine. I thought first of all it’s not true. Okay it’s the same as the Yankees type of thing. There’s just a lot of people interested, so there may be more people who dislike you. There are also more people that like you. There’s a great deal of interest. Second of all they brought it on…LeBron more than anybody. They brought all that scrutiny and attention on yourself. You went out seeking it then don’t cry in the face of it. That to me got to be a very tiresome story line.’”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Part of this is about LeBron James. Most of this is about Pat Riley.

Remember, Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was once gainfully employed as head coach of the Miami Heat. Riley was his boss, mentor, and friend.

Riley then fired Stan Van Gundy, so he could take over behind the bench. The Heat won the 2006 championship. Stan and brother Jeff Van Gundy, a former head coach turned broadcaster, have been warring with Riley ever since.

In fact, the Van Gundys never pass on a chance to slam the Hall of Fame sideline boss.

Stan Van Gundy is right: the Heat, especially James, brought this on themselves. They hosted a celebration after signing the Three Kings. And James boldly predicted that the Heat would win multiple championships.

So James and the Heatles can’t complain. They set the bar exceptionally high. They failed to reach those expectations. Now fans, as Stan Van Gundy mentioned, are holding them accountable.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

‘No, I’m not going to do that.’ He paused, adding, ‘It doesn’t mean I don’t have the fire. But we’ve got a great young coach here.’ While Riley would not discuss specifics about Spoelstra’s coaching future, he said, ;Definitely we’re going to bring Erik back. As far as any long-term type of situation, that has not been discussed.’

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Does anyone believe The Oil Slick?

Today, Pat The Oil Slick Riley told the media he won't swap the executive suite for the bench. His days as coach of the Heat are apparently finished.

This is tough to believe. Correction: it's impossible. Riley is the coach who cried wolf.

Not long ago, Riley put a Brutus-like knife into the back of Stan Van Gundy. After months of claiming ‘Stan was his Man’, Riley fired his friend, prodigy, and long-time assistant because he wanted to steer the star-studded Heat.

To be fair, Riley delivered. With the Hall of Famer on the sideline, the Heat won the 2006 championship.

There are too many similarities to 2006 believe Riley's recent claims, though. Erik Spoelstra is supposedly Riley’s guy -like Van Gundy in 2006. The Heat are loaded with superstars -like 2006. And expectations are huge -like 2006.

Then there’s Riley’s personality. He loves the spotlight. All year, he sat in the stands, looked into the TV cameras, and reminded everyone who runs the Heat.

Of course, Riley is the lead executive. But why sit in the stands? Why undercut Spoelstra, the coach you selected?  Why subject Spoelstra -a loyal, hardworking, and decent assistant coach- to such scrutiny?

The answer says much about Riley. And his return to the sideline can't be ruled out.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Not long after LeBron James' Finals flameout, Miami president Pat Riley has sent word to other league execs: He's not breaking up his Big Three. That's too bad - for the rest of the NBA.

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The Mavericks celebrated their NBA Championship today with a parade through the streets of Dallas and a rally at the American Airlines Center.  And despite being arrested two days ago for public intoxication, Mavs guard DeShawn Stevenson was able to make his $475 bail yesterday just in time for the party.  During the celebration, a Mavs announcer asked Stevenson if he had any final words for the Miami Heat and in particular, LeBron James: “You saw what my shirt said.  We got the ring baby!”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Restraint isn’t part of DeShawn Stevenson’s vocabulary.

Despite getting arrested for public intoxication on Tuesday, despite posting $475 bail so he could be at the Dallas Mavericks’ championship parade, the controversial swing still went after rival LeBron James.

When asked if he had any final words for the Miami Heat and James, Stevenson told Mavs’ fans: “you saw my shirt. We got the ring, baby.”

Okay, this was funny. Not so much now.

After all, Stevenson called out James and the Heat for showing a lack of class. Yet, here he is rubbing in the victory days after getting arrested.

Not exactly a shining example of sportsmanship.

To be fair, Stevenson and James have a personal and professional rivalry dating back to their time with the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Still, there’s a time, there’s a place. And today’s championship parade wasn't the time and place for Stevenson.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Tuesday, James backed down from those statements and said they were misinterpreted. "Basically I was saying at the end of the day this season is over and -- with all hatred -- everyone else has to move on with their lives, good or bad. I do too," James said.

"It wasn't saying I'm superior or better than anyone else, any man or woman on this planet, I'm not. I would never ever look at myself bigger than anyone who watched our game. It may have come off wrong but that wasn't my intent."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Fair enough.

He was tired. He was upset. He was under pressure/duress. He had a hell of a year. And his Miami Heat just lost the NBA Finals.

So LeBron James said the wrong thing on Sunday night. In fact, he said the worst thing possible, challenging the haters, critics, and general public after losing the championship to the Dallas Mavericks.

Not surprisingly, there was a backlash. And James became the anti-Christ. Again.

Yesterday, was progress. James did a good job clarifying his comments about being superior. He expressed regret. He seemed sincere. He deserves credit.

Now for the bigger issue. Since ‘The Decision’ last July, James has become public enemy number one. He needs better people around him, specifically a communications or PR guy.

Other than developing a low post game, this should be James’ top priority for the summer.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe in the comment box below.

The Mavericks closed out the series on Sunday night with a 105-95 win in Game 6 before taking to South Beach club LIV to celebrate with the Larry O'Brien trophy.  On Monday, the Mavericks flew home to Dallas, where Stevenson was spotted wearing a Mavericks blue and white t-shirt with lettering that read: "Hey LeBron! How's my Dirk taste?"

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: To the victors go the spoils. It also means they get the last laugh.

Take DeShawn Stevenson, the controversial and outspoken guard for the world champion Dallas Mavericks. Stevenson, whose beef with LeBron James goes back to their days with the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers, was unusually quiet during the NBA Finals.

Perhaps he didn’t want to make James mad. Perhaps he didn’t want to create a distraction. Perhaps he wanted to focus on winning.

Well, the Finals is over. The Mavericks won. And Stevenson is making up for lost time.

First, he called the Heat ‘classless’. Then he sported a t-shirt saying ‘Hey LeBron! How's my Dirk taste?’. The best part of his ‘t-shirt’: it had an HDTV logo on it, the company Mavericks owner Mark Cuban founded.

For now, Stevenson has bragging rights. And he's enjoying it.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Mo Williams: 'Dallas just healed my HEART........'

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Friend turned foe piles on.

In Cleveland, LeBron James and Mo Williams were tight. They formed a terrific starting backcourt, and had swagger and confidence to spare.

Until The Decision went down last July. 

Everything changed when James hired Jim Gray, went on ESPN, and announced he was ‘taking his talent’ to South Beach. The world started to hate -including Williams.

Should Williams hate?

Sure, the new table-setter for the Los Angeles Clippers has a right to feel frustrated with how James left. Perhaps he and Cav-nation deserved better than being dumped on national television like a second-rate reality show.

Williams can’t criticize James for what he did. Leaving was his right as an unrestricted free agent. No co-star was coming to Cleveland, no matter what owner Dan Gilbert claims.

For James it was simple: continue playing with the likes of Candace Parker’s brother in Ohio or head south, partner with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and challenge every year for a championship.

Of course, something else may have happened behind the scenes. Something we don’t know about.

Bottom line: Williams should keep quiet. Kicking a former teammate, even one as cocky and arrogant as James, when he’s down isn’t a good look.

--Oly Sandor.

Agree or disagree? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below. 

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It's official. The Dallas Mavericks are NBA champions.

The Mavs' won game six of the NBA Finals and, as a result, the Larry O'Brien trophy with balanced play, masterful three-point shooting, and offensive rebounding in the fourth quarter.

The storylines are endless: Future Hall of Famers Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki get their rings; owner Mark Cuban really has a reason to smirk; Jason Terry's offensive explosion was reminiscent of Vinnie Johnson.

Plain and simple, the Mavericks were the better team.

The questions will continue for the Miami Heat. For instance, who will Executive Pat Riley sign to support the 'Three Kings'? And can the Heat afford the 'Three Kings' if the new Collective Bargaining Agreement changes the NBA's financial landscape? 

Is Erik Spoelstra the coach to lead LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to a championship? If not, will 'Oil Slick' Riley stab Spoelstra in the back like Stan Van Gundy and return to the sideline?

These questions will be answered in the future. In the meantime, click the link for video highlights of game six, and get at us with thoughts on the Mavericks winning the championship. 

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s irrelevant. But only because the Dallas Mavericks won game six and the NBA Title.

In the first half of game six, the Mavericks’ DeShawn Stevenson and Miami Heat’s Udonis Haslem exchanged shoves. Several players on both teams left their bench, which is a no-no.

A player is automatically suspended one game by league VP Stu Jackson, also known as the worst GM in the history of sports, for leaving the bench during an altercation.

So, it looked like the Mavericks and Heat would both be shorthanded for game seven.

There won’t be a game seven, though. The Mavericks won the series. And players, like Joel Anthony and Brian Cardinal, had an out because Stevenson and Haslem’s incident occurred during a timeout.

Still, it would've been interesting to see what the NBA would’ve done if there was a game seven.

My thought: Corporal/Commissioner Stern and lackey Stu would have issued a suspension of sorts just to prove a point.

After all, they’ve typically ruled by the letter of the law, and not the spirit of the law.

Even when common sense should rule the day. And even if it would've overshadowed game seven of the NBA Finals.

(Did this incident warrant a suspension?)

--Oly Sandor.

Agree or disagree? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Jeff Van Gundy: 'Can Dirk Nowitzki finally shed the soft label? When has Nowitzki ever been soft'?7

(ABC Broadcast)

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call:  From unknown ‘Euro’ to world champion and Finals MVP.

Leading his Dallas Mavericks to an NBA championship validates Dirk Nowitzki as one of the NBA’s greatest players of all time.

His numbers were always superb. Yet Nowitzki never received the respect he deserved from his fellow superstars. It was subtle, but there.

There were Euro jokes. There was little respect from Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade in the 2006 NBA Finals. And Wade snubbed him months later at the 2007 All-Star game.

Then there was the jokes after his Mavericks self-destructed against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2007 playoffs. The Mavericks were the first seed. The Warriors were the eighth seed.

Just a few days ago, Wade and LeBron James took a run at Nowitzki, coughing and joking into the camera before a shoot-around.

Clearly, the Heat’s two superstar didn’t believe Nowitzki had the flu in game five, or the German was playing up his fever to gain sympathy.

Bottom line: none of that matters anymore. Not one bit. Nowitzki now has a championship. Nobody can ever take that from him.

Revenge is indeed sweet.

--Oly Sandor.

Agree or disagree? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"I just thought it was a little childish, a little ignorant," Nowitzki said before Saturday's practice at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I've been in this league for 13 years. I've never faked an injury or illness." Wade, who referred to Nowitzki's sinus infection Thursday as "the fun-loving story of him being sick," claimed Saturday that he didn't pretend to cough.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The NBA Finals just got personal. At least, for the series’ three greatest superstars.

Yesterday, reports indicated that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were mocking Dirk Nowitzki’s cough, implying that the Dallas Mavericks’ forward was pretending to be sick in game five to appear heroic.

These reports stem from a video of James and Wade walking down a hallway with security. Of course, Nowitzki fired backed, calling James and Wade ‘childish’ and ‘immature’.

James and Wade then blamed the media, suggesting the press was again vilifying The Three Kings and Miami Heat. Apparently, there was no intended slight at Nowitzki.

Let’s be straight: the Heat have to be feeling the pressure. They were picked to walk through the regular season and waltz to the championship.

It was supposedly a foregone conclusion that South Beach would be hosting a victory parade in late June. It hasn’t worked that way.

The regular season was full of ups and downs. Now they’re a game away from being eliminated by the less talented and less heralded Mavericks.

The pressure is on. And things will get awfully personal for the Heat’s two biggest stars if they don’t win game six and seven.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: One win.

This is all the Dallas Mavericks need to capture their first ever championship, after defeating the Miami Heat On Thursday evening to take a 3-2 series lead.

The championship round returns to Miami for game six and seven. And fans should get a stellar ending to a highly entertaining NBA Finals.

Click the link, watch the video highlights, and get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below with thoughts.  

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This is getting awfully interesting.

The Dallas Mavericks evened the NBA Finals 2-2 by beating the Miami Heat, and holding ‘South Beach’ superstar LeBron James to a career playoff low 8 points.

The series now returns to Miami for game five on Thursday. And the NBA Finals is now a best-of-three affair.

Anyway, click the link, watch the video highlights, and get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below with thoughts.

Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

I’m here to win,” James said. “That’s all it’s about. Individual accolades take care of itself. “I’ve got two MVP trophies sitting in my house back in Ohio and I haven’t won anything. It doesn’t matter to me. It’s all about a team game and this is the ultimate team prize right here, just trying to win the NBA championship.

“So I don’t really care. I could trade in my last two MVP trophies to have a ring. I don’t care about individual accolades to solidify myself in the NBA or whatever they’re talking about. It’s ridiculous.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: For two days, we had concerns about how the Miami Heat would respond to blowing game two of the NBA Finals.

Tonight, we got our answer.

The Heat, led by Dwyane Wade’s 29 points, went into Dallas and hung on for an impressive 88-86 victory. Click the link, watch the highlights, and get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below with thoughts on game three.  

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: Ladies and gentlemen, we have an NBA Finals.

The Dallas Mavericks used a 22-5 run in the fourth quarter to pull even with the Miami Heat.

Stingy defense and clutch baskets from Dirk Nowitzki fuelled the comeback. The Heat will regret allowing the Mavs to get off the mat.

Click the link, watch the highlights, and get at HoopsVibe News with thoughts in the comment box below.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

“After Miami defeated Chicago last week to advance to the NBA Finals, James talked about his decision to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. ‘I wanted to team up with some guys that would never die down in the moment,’ James said. ‘The opportunity presented itself with this great organization and we made it happen.’ Speaking on The Dugout Sports Show Podcast on Wednesday, Gibson said, ‘The way it’s said, you can’t help but take it personal. … I don’t think great players should feel the need to say this about a team or say that about a team. I think what it all boils down to if you’re great, you go play great, be great and everybody will realize you’re great. And you wouldn’t have to let it be known that everybody else was less great. Great players shouldn’t have to do that. So I feel like it’s kind of an admission. He might have needed some help. He might have needed to go somewhere and find someone who is a little greater so maybe he wouldn’t die down in those moments.’”

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HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: It`s cattier than a TMZ fallout between Hollywood socialites. And it's more dramatic than a Shakespeare play.

Daniel Gibson has beef with LeBron James.

Again.

This isn't the first time Mr. Keyshia Cole has jousted with the world`s greatest basketball player. Remember, he took issue with his former friend and teammate following The Decision.

Gibson fanned the fire by pronouncing himself the King of Cleveland, which led to a brief twitter war with James. Eventually, cooler heads prevailed.

Here`s the question: Does James care?

He`s currently the toast of the NBA. He`s playing for a championship. He made the right decision to take his talent to South Beach.

Conversely, Gibson is a fringe player. He only makes headlines when feuding with James and because of his wife.     

Gibson isn't worth a response. Of course, this is the greatest slight of all.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The Los Angeles Lakers plan to honor their former self-proclaimed Superman, Shaquille O'Neal, by raising his No. 34 jersey to the rafters. "We don't have any specific timetable on this, but you can be assured we will retire Shaq's jersey," said Lakers spokesman John Black in an email on Wednesday.

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HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: His career is over. So are his feuds.

It appears Shaquille O`Neal has called it a day, announcing his retirement via twitter on Wednesday.  Everyone is caught up in the good vibes –even those who had beef with O`Neal.

Remember, O`Neal`s relationship with teams usually soured after he left. Like the Los Angeles Lakers. Like the Miami Heat. Or like the Phoenix Suns. 

The purple-and-gold have moved on and announced they`ll retire O`Neal`s number. This is a well deserved honour. The massive five-man won three consecutive championships in Hollywood.

Championships only tell part of the story. While manning the middle for the Lakers, O`Neal was, perhaps, the most dominating force the NBA ever saw.

So the Lakers and their former franchise face let the past die. Hopefully, others do the same and O`Neal gets his due.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Scottie Pippen, what have you done?

The greatest wing-man in NBA history has started drama with his ‘LeBron may be the greatest player' ever comment.

This, of course, is great for the media. Today, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the greatest total scorer in NBA history, wrote an open letter taking issue with Pippen's comments.

While this isn’t a caps-locked tirade ala Dan Gilbert post The Decision, Kareem’s open-letter reminds Pippen to consider what he says before saying it and to pay greater (there's that word again) homage to the league's elders.

Mr. Skyhook also has a not-so subtle reminder for Pippen at the end of the letter. Gee, think Kareem feels his great career has been underappreciated?

Read Kareem's letter and tell us if you agree or disagree in the comment box below.

Dear Scottie,

I have nothing but respect for you my friend as an athlete and knowledgeable basketball mind. But you are way off in your assessment of who is the greatest player of all time and the greatest scorer of all time. Your comments are off because of your limited perspective. You obviously never saw Wilt Chamberlain play who undoubtedly was the greatest scorer this game has ever known. When did MJ ever average 50.4 points per game plus 25.7 rebounds? (Wilt in the 1962 season when blocked shot statistics were not kept). We will never accurately know how many shots Wilt blocked. Oh, by the way in 1967 and 68, Wilt was a league leader in assists. Did MJ ever score 100 points in a game? How many times did MJ score more than 60 points in a game? MJ led the league in scoring in consecutive seasons for 10 years but he did this in an NBA that eventually expanded into 30 teams vs. when Wilt played and there were only 8 teams.

Every team had the opportunity to amass a solid nucleus. Only the cream of the basketball world got to play then. So MJ has to be appraised in perspective. His incredible athletic ability, charisma and leadership on the court helped to make basketball popular around the world -- no question about that. But in terms of greatness, MJ has to take a backseat to The Stilt.

In terms of winning, Michael excelled as both an emotional and scoring leader but Bill Russell’s Celtics won eight consecutive NBA Championships. Bill's rebounding average per game is over 22.5 lifetime, MJs best rebounding years was eight per game (1989). But we will never know exactly how many shots Bill Russell blocked because again, they never kept that statistic while he played. However, if you ask anybody that played against Russell, they will just roll their eyes and say he blocked all the shots he wanted to block in the crucial moments of a game.

Bill played on a total of 11 championship teams and as you very well know, Scottie, the ring is the thing, and everything else is just statistics. So I would advise you to do a little homework before crowning Michael or LeBron with the title of best ever. As dominant as he is, LeBron has yet to win a championship. I must say that it looks like Miami has finally put the team together that will change that circumstance. Its my hope that today’s players get a better perspective on exactly what has been done in this league in the days of yore.

Affectionately,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Game one of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat was exactly what we thought it would be.

It was a close defensive struggle. Dirk Nowitzki ‘got his’. So did The Big Three, who tallied 65 of Miami’s 92 points.

However, the difference was LeBron James. The much scrutinized King dominated both ends of the floor for his Heat.

Anyway, click the link, watch the highlights, and get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.  

--Oly Sandor.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s a long way from the David Hasselhoff jokes.

Dirk Nowitzki has been arguably the best player in the 2011 playoffs, and tomorrow he’ll compete for a championship against the Miami Heat. Watch the video and get at us with thoughts  in the comment box below.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

How much does J.J. Barea concern the Heat? They're actually putting him in the same sentences as the league’s Most Valuable Player. With a straight face. “If you don’t treat him with the same type of respect as we did with Derrick Rose he can really come in and have an impact on the game,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I’m sure there will be some possessions where LeBron will be on him."

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"When he first got the tattoo, I said he was crazy," Stevenson said of the tattoo that is on the inside of Terry's arm. "I didn't say it to him. But I've never been to the [NBA Finals], and for him to have that now. Wow. And he got that tattoo in October, and it means a lot with what we've been through."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It would seem Jason Terry called the Dallas Mavericks shot last October with a little ink –as in the permanent kind.

Terry was so convinced his Mavs’ would win the Western Conference he got a tattoo of the Larry O’Brien championship trophy on his right bicep during training camp.

Well, Terry’s prediction came true. The Mavs’ won the west in convincing fashion. They are four wins from hoisting the championship. Standing in their way is the Miami Heat.

For now, Terry’s tattoo looks like a good decision. Who knows if that changes if the Mavs’ lose their second NBA Finals to the Heat, though?

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below. 

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Don’t sleep on Dwyane Wade.

Sure, LeBron James has been absolutely brilliant. But five years ago, Wade lead the Miami Heat to their first ever championship against, of course, the Dallas Mavericks.

So, what Wade shows for the NBA Finals? Will Wade play like the co-star from the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals or will he be ‘that guy’ from 2006?

It should be interesting. And it’s just one storyline worth following from this NBA Finals.

Watch the video of Wade from 2006 and get at us on ‘Flash’ in the comment box below.    

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"You can't have two of your top high-paid players sitting on the bench in the fourth quarter," Pippen said. "And that isn't just last night's game. We have seen this the whole season. So for us to think the Bulls are going to go farther when your high-priced players are not going to carry you and finish games for you ... you're not talking about a championship team.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: One day after comparing LeBron James to Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen went at Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah.

The Hall of Fame three-man blamed this duo for the Bulls loss to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, saying that no team wins a championship with their second and third best players on the bench during the fourth quarter.

Pippen is right. However, Noah is still young and gets a partial mulligan on his uneven play.

The real issue is Boozer. Last summer, he signed a $75 million extension to be Derrick Rose’s running mate. The four-man was expected to be a second-in-command, a co-capo if you will.

Boozer has been a disappointment. Sure, he was injured for much of the season, but the real problem is that the Bulls offense revolves around Rose.

And for the Bulls to get past Miami in 2012, they need more from Boozer. Or they’ll have to find a new second star.

HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: Five years after losing a heartbreaking series to the Miami Heat, the Dallas Mavericks are heading back to the NBA Finals.

Fourth quarter defence, Shawn Marion, and Dirk Nowitzki were the keys to the Mavericks` 100-96 game-five, series-clinching win over the Thunder.

Click the link for video highlights and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below on the Mavericks winning the Western Conference. 

--Oly Sandor.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Joakim Noah has to be better than this.

The Chicago Bulls post screamed an anti-gay slur at Miami Heat fans after getting into foul trouble in the first half.

To be fair, Noah apologized, saying he got ‘caught up’. He seemed genuine, but the NBA will levy a massive fine –and rightfully so.

Noah can’t yell at fans. And Noah can’t yell anti-gay slurs at fans.

Not after Kobe Bryant’s slip-up. Not after a Phoenix Suns executive recently came out. Not with the league running public service announcements denouncing homophobia at the Heat-Bulls game.

Watch the video and get at us with thoughts on Noah in the comment box below. 

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: I don’t know what was funnier. Heat fans chanting ‘F*ck you Chuck’ or Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith laughing, dancing, and enjoying the abuse Charles Barkley, his TNT co-host, was taking.

Barkley responds by flipping the Heat faithful the one finger salute, which Smith, of course, loves. Click the video and get at us in the comment box below. 

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: In game one, Taj Gibson`s dunks sparked the Chicago Bulls.

In game two, Luol Deng`s three-quarter court buzzer beater was equally impressive, but didn`t have the same impact for the Bulls, who lost to the Heat.

Anyway, watch Deng`s Hail Mary shot and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below. 

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: They say a playoff series doesn’t begin until the home team losses a game.

Well, the Chicago Bulls lost game two of the Eastern Conference Finals, so, suddenly, we have a series.

Tonight’s contest was a close affair; however, the Miami Heat pulled away down the stretch behind strong efforts from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Click the link for details on the Heat evening their series against the Bulls.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"I'm happy for the franchise, I'm happy for the fans," he said. "I think it is a good step for them. "But I've got a lot more things to worry about now than the lottery."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: See Cleveland. LeBron James cares. Well, sort of.

Apparently, the former franchise face and prodigal son is ‘happy’ they won the lottery last night, and have the right to pick first overall in June’s draft.

James, of course, left Cleveland on poor terms last July when he ‘took his talents to South Beach’ to play for the Miami Heat.

Still, he couldn’t resist a subtle shot. James mentioned Cleveland’s draft position wasn’t his concern; he was concerned with game two of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Just another reminder James is still playing basketball, while Cleveland’s season ended, well, a few minutes after The Decision ended.

--Oly Sandor.

 Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: Forget Miami verses Chicago. Focus on the poster-jobs; specifically Chris Bosh`s battle against Taj Gibson.

Last night, Bosh threw down a thunderous dunk off a pick-on-roll, condemning Carlos Boozer to a life of snide comments and viral snickering on youtube.

However, Gibson, at a minimum, matched Bosh with an epic facial on a two-on-one, forcing Dwyane Wade to offer a little disclaimer to the media today.

Watch both videos below and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below. 

(Bosh on Boozer.) 

(Gibson's facial on D-Wade.)

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

“‘Well, it was more not that the trust went away, the know-how went away,” Rivers said. “The continuity went away. That’s what the trade affected more than anything. Obviously, Perk was great to our team and all that. But it was more that you have new guys playing different positions and you had a guy who could literally reach back into a playbook and throw out something that was three or four years old and they all knew it, when Perk was there. ‘I would wait until after the year is over. I’ll put it that way. I do think Jeff Green has a chance to be a starter for us in the future and a hell of a basketball player. And Krstic can help. But making that trade at the time we made that trade, that made it very tough for us. And not only that, we added other pieces as well that we tried to fit in.

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HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: Most of the time, Doc Rivers is a straight shooter.

So it`s hardly a surprise the Boston Celtics` sideline boss -fresh off signing a five-year, $35 million extension- publicly expressed frustration at the timing of the Kendrick Perkins trade.

For those living in a cave: the green-and-white sent Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder for combo forward Jeff Green during last February`s trade deadline.

Back then, the Celtics thought they made the right move. Perkins was often injured. His contract was expiring, so he`d be due a lucrative extension.

Meanwhile, Green could defend LeBron James in the playoffs. The idea was he`d contribute a little now, and his role would expand once The Big Three retired.

Sounds good, right? Well, wrong.

Perkins was the heart-and-soul of the Celtics. His rebounding and interior defence defined those great teams.

Opponents hated Perkins with a passion. They hated his scowl. They hated his knees. They hated his elbows.

Today, Rivers didn`t tell the whole truth, though. The whole truth would`ve been admitting it wasn`t just the timing that stunk -but the trade itself.

Frankly, it was a trade Ainge and the Celtics shouldn`t have made.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The Bulls center huddled with Chris Bosh inside Chicago's Trump International Hotel and Tower over the summer without any preconceived notions. He simply wanted the guy sitting across from him at Sixteen restaurant to show a fire and passion about joining the Bulls.

Bosh didn't. "He was a nice guy and all,'' Noah said of his recruitment of Bosh during the free-agent frenzy. "But Bosh was more into, 'Well it depends on what this guy does, what that guy does.'''

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Of course, Chris Bosh wasn’t serious about the Chicago Bulls.

The fix was in. It had been for years.

Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade knew they were signing with the Miami Heat last summer. They knew this since the Beijing Olympics, where they bonded as teammates.

Free agency was a charade. James and Wade’s recent comments about coming to Chicago should be taken with a grain of salt.

If James was serious about Chicago he’d have responded to Derrick Rose’s texts, where the table-setter tried welcoming him.

He didn’t, though. James knew what he was going to do: he was `taking his talent to South Beach’.

Fair enough. This was James` right as free agent. Same with Bosh and Wade.

They could pick where they played and with who. The problem was how –as in how they, specifically Bosh and James, handled the situation.

Bottom line: this is old news. The Heat has their Three Kings. The Bulls have Rose and a superb supporting cast.

As a result, fans should get an excellent Eastern Conference Finals.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Asked if any inch of him wanted to someday experience his own summer of LeBron, Durant said: "You said an inch, so I'll take that inch. One inch of my mind just wants to experience that, see what it's like, you know. I've been through the recruitment process, of course, going to college, but I want to see how that is. I'm not saying that I want to go to another team or I want to go to a greater market. But just how much it was publicized this summer, I just want to see what that's like. I'm an interested person, I'm a curious person. And once again, I'm not trying to say I want to leave or anything. But I just want to see how that is.

"I'll be 27 when my contract's up. So maybe when I'm 27 … But you never know. Two or three years down the line, I might sign another extension here. So we'll see. We'll see. But right now, I'm happy where I'm at, I'm glad I'm locked in for five years."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Kevin Durant, don’t do it. Don’t pull a LeBron and hold ‘The Decision 2.0’ when you become a free agent in a few years.

Don’t announce your future on national television like a raving egomaniac. Don’t pull Jim Gray out the ‘reporter’ scrap heap for a paid gig. And finally, don’t ruin your nice guy persona in an afternoon by acting like a jerk.

Just don’t. Don't even think about it.

In a few years, you’ll be a free agent. You have the right to pick where you play. Nobody can take issue with what you decide. As James learned the hard way, how you decide is everything.

For instance, James had given Cleveland seven years. They couldn’t provide a legit’ co-star, so he left. Fair enough. He had that right.

However, the backlash occurred mostly because James acted like a diva. ‘The Decision’ was unprofessional; his image has yet to recover.

Hopefully, Durant was misquoted. And hopefully, Durant has learned. One bad decision –like 'The Decision'- can change years of goodwill.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
 

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade admitted they strongly considered signing with the Bulls. "It was two mornings," Wade said at Friday's practice of waking up during the summer of 2010 envisioning himself with Chicago. "I definitely had one or two mornings where I woke up thinking I'd be a Bull too, but ultimately I decided to come here," James said.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: One arm was all Rajon Rondo needed to have an effective fourth quarter against the Miami Heat.

Turns out the Boston Celtics’ star table-setter dislocated his elbow in the third quarter, popped it back into place in the locker room, and played the final frame with just one arm.

His courage, defense, and passing were instrumental in the Celtics winning the game and getting back into the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the star-studded Heat.

Watch the video of Rondo’s arm getting bent like a pretzel and get at us in the comment box below with thoughts.  

--Oly Sandor.

The Celtics have never been down 2-0 in a playoff series in the Kevin Garnett era, and they are well aware of the situation.

“The urgency is there,” Garnett said on Friday before the team took the practice floor. “This is it. We’ve used all of our lifelines. This is it. I hate to say it like that, but it’s true. There’s not a: Cool, keep your composure. Nah, this is: You’ve got to get the next game.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: I have no idea if Kevin Garnett is a Michael Jackson fan.

Maybe he is. Maybe he isn’t. But like the gloved one’s so-so biopic, the Celtic believes his squad must put all their chips into game three against the Miami Heat because 'this is it'. Literally.

After all, the Heat is up 2-0. Their confidence is soaring; their game is peaking; and they're comfortable.

The same can’t be said for the Celtics. Their confidence is lagging, and has been since the Kendrick Perkins for Jeff Green trade; their game is floundering; and they're tensing up.

Garnett believes game three is do-or-die. If they lose, the Heat advance to the Eastern Conference championship, and the Celtics' recent run is all but over.

The good news is they'll be at home, where they typically succeed. Look for them to key on Miami’s Chris Bosh, as neutralizing the lanky post takes the Heat out their rhythm.

So ‘this is it’ for Boston. Win and live. Lose and it’s essentially over. Expect fireworks on Saturday. Too much is at stake for there not to be.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below. 

It was never a show of disrespect toward Bosh, but a way for James and Wade to display the friendship they had built over the years. For Bosh, it was an easier way to distinguish his preference of standing alone. "With me, I've always just been different," Bosh said. "I've never tried to fit in. I'm one of the fellas, great. I get along with everybody, great. But if I'm going to read my book, I'm going to read my book and this is what I'm doing."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The Miami Heat doesn’t care if Chris Bosh is his own man. They don’t care if he’s one of the ‘fellas’ -or not. And they don’t care if he conducts interviews with LeBron James and/or Dwyane Wade.

They care about one thing: his play. That is all.

If Bosh produces, the Heat will be tough. They’ll likely win the Eastern Conference and stand a good chance at capturing the NBA Title.

If Bosh falters, the Heat is beatable. Their half-court sets become predictable. Opposing defences will cheat on James and/or Wade with little or no repercussions.

Bosh is that all-important third scorer. His skill keeps opposing defenses honest, and his length makes him a solid rebounder.

When Bosh is at his best, the Heat can turn to an undersized unit of The Three Kings with two shooters. The most interesting feature of this line-up is when James and Wade runs pick-and-rolls.

All of this hinges on Bosh playing his best. And nothing else matters.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.          

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Game two of the Eastern Conference semi-finals wasn’t good for the Boston Celtics.

First, they lost to the Miami Heat. And second, they got crossed-over, rejected, and embarrassed on several highlight reel plays by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Don’t believe me? Want proof? Check out the video clips below and get at us with your thoughts.

(Wade breaks Ray Allen’s ankles.)
  

(Wade tangles-up Garnett in the open-court.)

(James blocks Garnett’s shots.)

-Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get thoughts in the comment box below.

Our big brothers at CraveOnline caught up with the always interesting Mark Cuban at SXSW recently, and naturally it didn't take long before the conversation turned to hoops. Among other topics covering the NBA and more, the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks dropped his thoughts on Miami Heat's acquisition of LeBron James and Chris Bosh over the summer.

Mark Cuban weighs in on the Miami Heat “Three Kings” fiasco:

Mark Cuban: I’m a believer in karma. You’ve just opened yourself to a big old whack across the head like they did, you typically get it. It was a unique opportunity. There was a lot of excitement. They were smart to try to extend the excitement throughout the community, but I just think they went a little overboard. They tried to make it like a rock concert. They tried to make it like the biggest event, the Super Bowl of player signings. It becomes very anticlimactic. That’s the challenge. You don’t want to shoot your wad before you even get in business. That’s basically what they might have done. So you’ve got to be careful. You’ve got to understand, particularly in sports, at the start of the season, everybody’s undefeated, everybody’s excited about their team and you want to try to have a crescendo that builds through the season to hopefully something good at the end. It actually worked to the benefit of the league because instead of the Beatles, they were The Knack. They were the knockoff that so far hasn’t quite worked. Maybe it will but they became the villain. They were like the Oakland Raiders so that’s actually helped the league because people go watch them to boo ‘em. You always want a villain.

Head over to CraveOnline to read the rest of the interview.

“LeBron and Wade are going to be LeBron and Wade,” Doc Rivers said. “They were great before the series, they’ll be great during it and they’ll be great after it and this summer when you’re talking about it you’ll say LeBron and Wade are great players. That’s not going to chance. But when Bosh plays great, then their team plays great. He’s a key guy for them.”

Taking a metaphor right through the final bell of the first round,LeBron James was asked how his breakfast -- with NBA playoff rounds serving as meals -- went. "It was good!" said James, smiling. "Now we're preparing for lunch."

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Boys & Girls Clubs in Cleveland, Akron and Elyria report receiving a total of more than $480,000, part of about $2 million that James has distributed nationwide since the July broadcast, billed as "The Decision." In Cleveland, clubs in the Mount Pleasant and Slavic Village neighborhoods have received $130,000.

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He's changed his tune thus far in the postseason. Because of Philadelphia's speed at the position, Bosh has played extended minutes at center. His role is expected to remain the same throughout the series. "It just took some time to get comfortable to it," Bosh said." At first, I was kind of frightened. I didn't really want to play the five. I know I've said that a bunch of times."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: There’s a saying. Winning changes everything, especially if there’s a chance to win a championship.

Case in point: Chris Bosh.

At the start of the season, Bosh wasn’t into playing center for the Miami Heat. After all, he labored at the position for the Toronto Raptors, even though he fancied himself a power forward with skills and a face-up game.

When he signed with the Heat as part of The Great Free Agent Chase of 2010, he was under the impression his days at the five were over.

Permanently.

Now Bosh is open to playing center. A playoff run and the possibility of hoisting a championship will do this.

The Heat is at their best with Bosh at center. This allows them to spread the floor with two shooters, and lets LeBron James and Dwyane Wade isolate against their man or run a pick-and-roll.

Only time will tell if Bosh playing out of position will pay off with a championship, though.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.