Kings always have one up their sleeves

The 2010 version of the Sacramento Kings is setting up to be quite interesting.

And it is just 15 games into the 82-game regular season. Already, the Kings have had major defensive, offensive and on-court chemistry issues.

Word is they’ve got a bunch of young talents, who are not showing an inclination to listen to the coaching staff or showing a collective dedication to hard work.

Until there is an acquisition of those two required traits, it will be difficult for the Kings (4-11) to maximize their strengths.

They’ve got 10 losses in their past 11 games entering tonight’s home game against the Indiana Pacers as an example of what not to do.

Other teams are experiencing problems of a similar nature to those of Sacramento. Consider the Miami Heat, a team many believed capable of contending for an NBA title this season after the free-agent signings of LeBron James and Chris Bosh and the re-signing of Dwayne Wade.

The Heat’s problems aren’t exactly like Sacramento’s, yet attempting to mesh its considerable talent into a consistent force is very much akin to what is going on here.

Tyreke Evans, last season’s Rookie of the Year, is struggling. Of all the problems one would have imagined, Evans having difficulty scoring was not one.

Yet, that’s been a major problem early into his second pro season.

First-round draft choice, DeMarcus Cousins, was tossed from practice Monday afternoon, reportedly for running his mouth to the coaching staff. Like Evans, Cousins has had problems scoring and is shooting just 38 percent from the field.

It’s likely these players are experiencing these difficulties for the first times in their lives.

The Kings are coming off a weekend home loss to the Chicago Bulls that displayed their season in a microcosm. Sacramento was superb during the first half while establishing a 57-44 lead.

The Kings held a 71-57 advantage with 3:23 left in the third before their game disintegrated into basketball mush.

Then their fourth-quarter performance was so putrid it had to be seen to be believed.

Sacramento made just three of 21 field-goal attempts, committed eight turnovers and was outscored, 27 to nine.

That nine-point mention is not a typographic error. The Kings scored nine points during 12 minutes despite having 29 possessions.

Coach Paul Westphal still is attempting to find the right combination of players to invest in basics. Moving the ball to the open man, covering for teammates defensively and following the team’s principles would be an excellent beginning.

No one is expecting the Kings to consistently perform at a playoff level. Yet, the Kings clearly can play better than they have.

Antoine Wright was waived Monday and Hasaan Whiteside was sent to the NBDL to play with Reno.

Kings president Geoff Petrie said the team doesn’t plan to add any more players in the short term.

“We’ve got to find a way of playing better together,” Petrie said Monday. “We’ve got to generate a more consistent offense.”

There is another one of those basics the Kings must adopt.

James polarizes himself

No one need ever, ever, ever again compare LeBron James to Michael Jordan.

With James' decision to leave Cleveland to join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, basically that was his request.

James may have made the move to put himself in the best position to win, but in the deepest regions of your imagination can you envision Jordan making a move like this?

Hail no!

Forget that King stuff as well. Kings don't follow, they lead.

Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert's comments about James quitting in Games 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston truly don't sum up the abandonment of the 25-year-old.

James quit on Cleveland - on Akron- and on Ohio.

It's not like the Cavaliers were a terrible team and an organization that didn't make moves to try and provide a supporting cast for James.

No doubt Gilbert's open checkbook the past few years was at least part of the genesis of his post-James departure rant.

What we don't know now are the conversations James and Gilbert have had.

We do know if there have been covers for James' actions and behavior over the years, Gilbert has been the man with the huge umbrella.

So for him to go off like a spurned lover is a bit ridiculous.

Gilbert verbally busted out the windows on James' Bentley and his Range Rover. The owner tried to spit in James' face.

And there is more. I say there is no way we've heard the last from Gilbert, either directly out of his mouth or dropped Watergate style.

It also has to be a must that Commissioner David Stern comes down historically hard upon Gilbert.

No owner ever has been more disrespectful and venomous as was Gilbert with comments regarding a player.

Now, Gilbert has heard stances and requests from James of which neither the public nor the media are privy.

However, it's difficult to imagine it won't be long before the curtain is pulled back.

It still seems imaginable Gilbert burned a No. 23 jersey or two himself last night. Gilbert might retire the jersey when the Heat comes to Cleveland for the first time.

Gilbert made a larger fool of himself than any fan could achieve by 'personally guaranteeing the Cavaliers will win an NBA championship before the self-titled former 'King' wins one.'

What, is Gilbert have James assassinated on the NBA Finals court during a game? Is Gilbert going to go Tonya Harding on the 'former King?'

I sure wish I hadn't misplaced former Cleveland coach Mike Brown's number because it would have been great to hear his reaction shortly following the announcement.

Moreover, for James to say, winning a championship in Cleveland wouldn't be sweeter than winning one in Miami, may have been the biggest snub possible.

The kid's ego was so evident when he spoke about how 'He' had brought so much to the franchise and 'He' had taken the organization places it had never before been.

Last I checked, James had a myriad of teammates supporting the efforts. Yet, only once do I recall him referring to teammates while mentioning achievements.

No matter what moves the Heat makes before the 2010-11 season begins, they will have to deal with Boston, Orlando, Atlanta and Chicago just to get out of the Eastern Conference.

And James certified, he'll either be hated or loved. Middle ground has been eradicated.

James is a hot mess, isn't he?

LeBron James clearly is what I think he is.

No, he's not. Yes, he is.

Tonight, during a one-hour television special orchestrated by James and his people, he'll make his decision known. Personally, I think he'll decide to go to Miami.

In one sense, I put living in Miami on one hand and Cleveland on the other and say the one holding Cleveland gets chopped off. That's a no-brainer.

James is perhaps the NBA's most talented player and definitely its largest egotist wrapped in a 6-foot-9, 265-pound, 25-year-old package.

The fact that James and his people decided to choose broadcaster Jim Gray to moderate this 60 minutes of LeBron suggests they see life totally different than do I. Actually, that's no different than the Maloofs choosing Gray to work the sidelines for the Kings.

Gray is a pompous knucklehead who thinks he's worth more than he is. Then again, that's just my opinion and I'm sure he could care less. I could feel that way because twice he tried to step over me as if I wasn't there to speak to the person with whom I was conversing.

As you might see, rudeness is a no-no and I had let the dude know it could be hazardous to his health if he again pulled that garbage.

However, Gray was linked to noted con-man Don King for the longest time. Need more be said?

But back to James. I've always thought James could show how much heart he has by staying in Cleveland and winning a championship. He would be hanging when things are tough and showing his total dedication to his hometown.

Part of me says if his ego is as large as it seems, he'd say I'm winning one for Cleveland and y'all can't stop me.

Ultimately, though, there's no way James can leave Cleveland without folks in that area hating his guts.

Perhaps the funniest and sickest comment regarding former Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell was that he had a heart attack and didn't die.

Man, that's cold until you see the comment followed it up by 'I'll hate LeBron 10 times as much.'

Whoa! That about sums it up.

Should James leave Cleveland, that's it. It doesn't make a difference when, where or how he announces it. He's not insulting Cleveland with this manner he chosen to deliver the news. He's insulting his fans by leaving, if anything.

Most Cleveland fans will hate the air he breathes.

Ultimately, he won't care and nor, should he. He's got to do what he feels is best for him. James clearly wanted to stay in Cleveland, but should he go to Miami, then he believes that's where his best chance to win exists.

Being hated and loathed is part of the territory, particularly when your ego invites it with moves like this hour-long announcement.

However, it's not like James only will be hated in Cleveland. It's just the intensity of that hatred will be more intense.

In New York, New Jersey and Chicago, he'll be booed as never before.

Share the hate.

That James is handing over proceeds from the telecast to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America is solid.

However, with his loot, he merely could just write a check. I think that check would clear.

Then again, he's said his decision would be about winning. And if James chooses to join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, it's a decision that seems to follow that thinking.

It would be a decision that would shut up so many so-called experts who said there was no way James would or even could play with Wade because his 'ego' wouldn't allow him to make that concession.

That part of James' decision I love.

I've played basketball much of my life. And at its essence for me, it was played in the park, or the YMCA, or in New York (at night centers in local schools open at night).

That was where you might find the toughest competition because that's where you'd find half of the dudes who were good enough to play for their schools, but didn't attend class enough to qualify.

Never once, not one time, have I ever seen a group of five decide they weren't going to try load up the bomb squad.

The concept when playing in the win-and-stay situations that exist in the park is getting on the court and dominating until you don't want to play anymore.

Granted, it's a long way from Cambria Park or PS 15 or Hempstead's Kennedy Park or Roosevelt Park to Madison Square Garden and the NBA.

However, I can't blame James deciding to load up with Wade and Bosh and trying to dominate the NBA.

How many hoopers who have had 'next' decided against choosing the next best four players for his squad?

You might take one of your boys (and I've been one of those) who wasn't one of the best available because he was your boy.

On the other hand, there was nothing more satisfying than playing against the bomb squad and kicking their butts.

Beating them with back-door plays and moving the ball and defending as if their lives depend upon a victory.

I'm hearing former Kings guard Jon Barry say James and Wade can't play together. It's not the first time Barry has said something stupid. It's just the most recent time he's done it.

Barry also has there was no way James' ego would allow him to play with Wade. Barry said it with absolute certainty without any inkling of proof. It's a red flag when I hear statements like that.

These are two of the world's most talented and skilled players. They've both got more than enough handle to play together. They looked very comfortable playing together on the 2008 gold-medal winning team.

Granted, that was a two-week deal as opposed to doing it for a season and more. However, it seems to be the longer they do it, the more the comfort level will grow.

Now, it's not a done deal that the James, Wade and Bosh crew would race to a championship.

First, we nor they have a clue with whom they'll play.

Second, they'll have a larger bullseye on their chests than the two-time world champion Los Angeles Lakers and that's saying something.

Third, there is something to playing together and establishing a rapport and a rhythm that cannot be produced without time.

Fourth, the scrutiny these guys will endure will be enormous. But that's part of the territory.

Say what you will, but those who criticize James' announcement tonight will be just like me, sitting and watching.

No A,I. or J-Will likely for Kings

The operative word was 'wait' Tuesday during brief discussions with an agent and Kings President Geoff Petrie describing the team's current posture regarding free-agency.

"We're still in a wait and hold situation," Petrie said. "It's still in effect. We're getting ready for (the Vegas) summer league. We'll definitely have (first-round pick) DeMarcus (Cousins) and (Hasaan) Whiteside signed before we start practicing on Friday."

Agent Aaron Mintz from the Priority Sports Management firm said the Kings have been keeping in touch.

"We've been talking to them but I think they are kind of in a wait and see scenario," Mintz said.

Actually, quite a few teams have assumed the patient approach during the first few days of free-agent conversation. After all, teams cannot sign players until Thursday.

Once signings begin and money commitments reveal themselves, it's easier for teams to recognize what competitors for players can extend. And once players and agents see which teams have money available and are willing to make deals, the action and conversations become real.

Petrie will be looking to fortify the Kings backcourt, but said he didn't anticipate pursuing either Allen Iverson or former Kings point guard Jason Williams.

"The straight-forward answer would be he's not somebody we've talked about," Petrie said of Iverson. "And I don't think Jason is leaving Florida. I think they might be guys who see what happens with teams after (LeBron) James, (Chris) Bosh and (Dwayne) Wade make their decisions."

Contrary to the thoughts of some, Petrie said the team is willing to spend money and would be open to involve itself in a three-way trade.

Petrie always has maintained cash dominates the direction of free-agency.

"I told somebody the other day that free agency was a giant battle of opportunity where the ammunition is cash," he said.

Once the major players of free-agency have committed their real money, the Kings will have as much 'ammunition' as virtually any team on the board.

"I'd be interested in a (three-way) as long as it meets our parameters," Petrie said. "If we're going to take on a lot of future money, it'll have to come down to us acquiring a high-quality player and satisfy a high-quality need."

Three players - Tyreese Rice, Ryan Thompson and Connor Atchley - on the team's summer-league squad are playing in the Orlando summer league before they join the Kings this weekend.

Petrie said earlier this summer assistant coaches Pete Carril and Shareef Abdur-Rahim will return next season. Abdur-Rahim may have been the league's highest-paid assistant last season since he was still under contract as a player.

By the way

Much ado was made by Wade's statement over the past weekend that his decision would be affected by his desire to do what was best for his two sons. Wade has gone through an emotional, contentious and public divorce from his ex-wife.

So, did anyone really think his decision on where to sign would not factor in his two children? And after questioning his wife's mental stability, am I the only one who believes he might want his kids to be as far away as possible from his ex-wife?

James' decision to announce his decision Thursday night on television on his own designed special definitely qualifies as special.

As is his decision to control the advertising for the special and direct all proceeds to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Anyone who concentrates any ego attached to this production rather than the money going to the kids is misguided.

If James' heart is as large as his ambition, he'll stay in Cleveland

Every alleged hoops expert has an opinion regarding the NBA's Mount Rushmore of free-agency, but what do they really know?

They don't know any more than you, I or my main man, Dwight.

You don't know Dwight, but any one and every one you know fits smugly into the equation.

We should all feel comfortable with not knowing which teams or team will sign LeBron James, Chris Bosh and their boys.

It's all good because that's the way free-agency is supposed to evolve.

However, I can tell you how things would play out in Marty Mac's World.

If I were James, there would be two choices - in this order, Cleveland and Miami.

Chicago's situation would make me think, but if I wanted to continue freezing my tuckus off, I can do that at home.

If James remains in Cleveland, virtually the Akron native's psuedo-hometown, he stays with the squad that won 127 games over the past seasons, but couldn't finish the playoff deal.

The Cavs hardly are the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Sacramento Kings.

Cleveland is right there with James, the dancing star.

He should know how close the Cavs are and as the guy who has accepted the moniker of 'The King", if he has the heart of a champion, he'll gather his teammates this summer and help lead them to the title he allegedly craves.

Indeed, this is an old-school mentality that says you start what you finish.

It says this is the squad I grew up loving and I'm not leaving until the job is done. I have built a mansion around the way.

Cleveland is my home. The rest of you can bring it - I'm the baddest boy around and we're going to win.

Virtually every NBA champion had to go through the process of brain-rattling losses on the destination to the title. Why should Cleveland be any different?

The case for going to Miami is as much social as anything.

There is freaking South Beach and when it's -10 degrees in Cleveland in January, it likely will be 75 degrees in South Florida.

Personally, that's a biggie for a guy, who grew up in New York City's snowy winters and now in California, hasn't shoveled snow for 30 years.

Then there is the case of playing with my boy Dwayne Wade, who brings the same fire, desire and talent to the court as do I.

Can we convince one more young star (Bosh, Amare Stoudamire or Carlos Boozer) to join us and then trust President Pat Riley to put role players around us that will enable us to compete for a title?

Each of these free-agents are on the record say all they want to do is win. That's something we shall see before the July 8 signing date.

A guess here estimates 99.999% of us regular folk never will have the opportunity to say, "I can make another $10 million over the length of my contract if I sign with Team X, but I'm going to sign with Team Y because the best chance to win is there."

In LeBron's case, if he's worried about this so-called icon status and winning four and five titles, then there is no way I can get into his cranium.

I know he didn't do college, but he has to know two and three come after one. And he doesn't have one yet. In that instance, he must realize how difficult it is to get it done.

Winning a title will be more difficult than deciding where he wants to cast his lot.

You want how much?

The game within the NBA game begins 12:01 a.m (EST) Thursday morning. That's when teams officially can make their cases for the services of the league's best free agents.

That's also when teams begin to vie amongst each other for the opportunity to pay these free agents as much money as they have underneath the salary cap.

Teams long since have begun planning and scheming to acquire what they believe is the best combination of talent among the likes of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Amare Stoudamire, Joe Johnson, David Lee and even Dirk Nowitzki and Ray Allen.

However, these late-night/early-morning sessions with the free-agents sound more like opportunities to beg, plead and soul-sell more than anything resembling negotiations.

How can a team like the New York Knicks, who decided years ago it was better to eliminate talent, reduce salary and wait for this night, pretend to do anything but beg James for the opportunity to pay for his services?

The Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets and Chicago Bulls are kidding themselves if they believe they are negotiating.

These rich and, in some cases, glamorous franchise will reduce themselves to money-laden suckers with no pride and/or self-respect. In most cases, they'll just be giving away big bucks with little return other than appearance and possibly improved attendance.

Only one team can win the NBA title per season.

Instead of begging, these teams should be asking these free-agents to show them why they deserve such lucrative future commitments. Only Wade and Allen among the nine aforementioned free-agents have championship rings.

Each of the others are wanna-be stars. As talented and accomplished as is James, he has yet to win a 'ship.

Amare Stoudamire should be asked: "Why should we give you a maximum salary when you play defense like Casper, the friendly ghost? Can we pay you in invisible money?"

Someone should ask Chris Bosh: "If you're so good, why were the Toronto Raptors 40-42 last season and never made it past the first round in the Eastern Conference since you've been their leader."

Joe Johnson should hear each team ask: "How can you ask for the max when you were absolutely terrible against Orlando in the conference semifinals?"

Another should ask Carlos Boozer: "If we give you the maximum for five years, can you stay healthy? In three of the past six seasons, you failed to play in 52 games and in two of those seasons, you averaged 35 games."

Nowitzki likely will remain with Dallas, but he should hear the question: "Dirk, you've been the man for the Mavs, but why haven't you been able to deliver a title? In fact, had you made two free throws in the final seconds of a NBA Finals game against Miami, D Wade wouldn't have a ring."

Ask David Lee: "Shouldn't you pay us for the opportunity to let you see what it feels like to finish .500 since your Knicks never have done it?"

And yes, Mr. James, we have a question for you: "What the hell happened to you in Game Five against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals?

We didn't see any of that dancing Rockettes stuff in that game. Instead, we saw the incredible shrinking egotist.

And why the heck are you changing your number from 23 to 6? To respect Michael Jordan? What about Bill 'Freaking' Russell?"

You can't blame teams for trying to improve their respective lots in one fell swoop. However, years (and not very many) from now we may see this instant gratification money give-away isn't the way to go.

Kings' Petrie staying put - so far

Kings owner Joe Maloof said Monday evening none of the teams without general managers - Phoenix, Portland and New Jersey - have asked for permission to talk to Geoff Petrie, the team's President of Basketball Operations.

"I haven't heard from anyone and I don't think Gavin (his brother) has either," Joe Maloof said. "He would have told me if he had."

Said Petrie, "With all due respect to the question and the questioner, the job I'm interested in talking about is the one I'm doing."

What Petrie also would not discuss are his team's plans for free-agency.

"We'll take a look," he said of free agency, "but I can't really talk about that."

Joe Maloof did speak about how pleased he is with Sacramento's recent big-man upgrade.

"I loved our draft," he said of selecting DeMarcus Cousins and Hasaan Whiteside. "And then we picked up Samuel Dalembert (from Philadelphia in the trade for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni). We transformed our team in a two-week period."

The Kings' entry in the Vegas summer league will feature Donald Sloan, Tyreese Rice and Devan Downey at the point; Dionte Christmas, Ryan Thompson (brother of Kings' power forward Jason) and Sylvan Landesburg at shooting guard; Omri Casspi, Donte Greene, Tyren Johnson and Lee Cummard at small forward; Whiteside, Wayne Chism and Jason Ellis at power forward with Cousins, Steven Hill and Connor Atchley at center.

The team will be coached by assistant coach Mario Elie.

NBA Free Agents - To whom would you give big loot

The Sacramento Kings have been planning and maneuvering for a couple of years to be active in the 2010 summer free-agency game.

Now, the beginning of the game is four days away and the options appear to be more hype than substance.

To which of these high-profile free agents - LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudamire, Dirk Nowitzky, Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer and even David Lee - would you give up every dollar of the created salary cap to join the Kings?

Wade and Nowitzky are the two ultimately expected to re-sign with their respective teams, Miami and Dallas.

The others, led by James, are expected to look for the biggest bucks along with what comprises the best situation for them.

Teams may begin negotiating with players on July 1, but cannot sign a player until July 8.

Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie has said his team will explore all options. However, the team will try to use its money as intelligently as possible. That could mean keeping the money in the pocket.

That intelligence might just mean the Kings will hold onto its cap room through the summer and see if using it in a trade during the season might be more productive. When the Kings made moves to bring Vlade Divac into the mix, it was following the end of the last lockout in 1999.

There is expected to be another lockout following the 2010-11 season.

Here's the quick free-agent handicap with considerations of age, talent, leadership, health and heart:

Empty the Bank: James and Wade. Currently, the Kings have approximately $15 million in the coffers. That likely won't be enough to sign either on the basis of money alone.

However, if Cousins developed as the Kings hoped, the inclusion of either one of these stars plus good health would make Sacramento a contender for the next six or seven years.

No D, no Max: Amare Stoudamire is an amazing offensive performer, but his defensive commitment does not warrant getting all the money in the bank.

Moreover, Stoudamire will give up $17.7 million next season to become a free-agent. He's also going to leave point guard Steve Nash, who only gives him five to seven dunks/layups per game.

That just makes me wonder about his thinking.

No Post, no Max: Chris Bosh is a monster talent capable of providing production from many different areas. However, offensively, Bosh seems to do most of his damage with a jumper. Nor does he seem to want to be the man. His words point towards him looking to be the man playing next to The Man. That's not all bad, but at these prices, it's not good enough.

Too Old, no Max: Dirk Nowitzky just turned 32. His talents merit the big bucks, but his age says no. It makes sense for the Mavs to re-do his deal, but not the Kings.

Too Shaky, no Max: Joe Johnson had the opportunities to prove his worth as The Man during these past playoffs, but failed miserably. He's an excellent player, but not worth all the loot that's fit to print at this stage.

Close, but no Max: Carlos Boozer will be 29 in November and has shown the ability to be an able sidekick. Put him on a team with a capable center and strong lead guard and Boozer will be worth big bucks. Not the max, but he'll be able to get by on what he gets paid.

No Way, no Max: David Lee is a solid performer and likely would fit nicely on a number of different squads. Lee is a strong rebounder, runs the floor and can play the game well enough to earn close to double-digit millions annually in the right situation.

The Kings have enough money to be active through a sign and trade deal, but after waiting for a couple of years to get into this position, they will have to feel absolutely positive about making a move this summer.

2010 NBA draft day shows league gone wacko

On the draft day when news leaked the Portland Trail Blazers already had fired General Manager Kevin Pritchard, but he'd continue to conduct their day's dealings, it became totally real the NBA has Gone Wild, Mad and insane.

Wouldn't it have been comical if Pritchard decided to submit a wise-guy name for one of Portland's draft choices? What if he'd traded Brandon Roy to a team he might already have a hookup to join as their new General Manager? And could you blame Pritchard after the stunts owner Paul Allen has pulled with him?

Chicago and Miami traded players and draft choices to create cap room for perceived opportunities to make runs at a free-agency class expected to be highlighted by LeBron James, Amare Stoudamire, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Carlos Boozer, Joe Johnson and possibly Dirk Nowitzky, to name a few.

It's funny to hear observers call the Bulls the winner of the draft and they made no picks.

Part of me wants to see James jack the entire league and stay with Cleveland to see what moves teams who have bet on the come then make.

James appears to be running things all over the league right now. David Stern is the Commissioner but James, should he decide to do so, could indirectly have teams jumping through imaginary hoops.

James seemingly could tell the Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and New Jersey Nets each that he'll join their team if they follow his plan.

Undoubtedly, James has the NBA in the palm of his talented hands. What he'll do in this power position remains the question.

Who would have believed one of the NBA's alleged bad boys - Rasheed Wallace - is expected to leave $13 million on the table and retire, just because he can?

Kentucky became the first school to have five players - John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson, Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton - drafted in the first round. Only Patterson attended Kentucky more than one season.

Orton, who did not start a game for John Calipari's Wildcats last season, was drafted by Orlando after averaging 3.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 13.4 minutes.

Teams have made moves to create salary cap moves to impress these so-called superstars, yet Wade is the lone player to have played an integral role on an NBA title winner. Stoudamire's defensive efforts for the Phoenix Suns during these recent playoffs told me there would be no way I'd give him maximum dollars.

Bosh's Toronto Raptors last season had a 40-42 record and its 105.9 points allowed per game tied New York for the third most points permitted behind Golden State's 112.4 and Minnesota's 107.8.

The New York Knicks are enlisting entertainment stars/celebrities to basically beg and plead James to come to the Big Apple. If the Knicks get James, do these stars get free season tickets? They certainly should.

The Sacramento Kings draft fifth and get the draft's most talented big man in DeMarcus Cousins, who was bypassed by three teams in part because of alleged red flags.

The Kings used the 33rd choice to draft Hasaan Whiteside, a terrific athlete, whose own reported issues caused him to drop like a rock in the draft. Whiteside already has spent time working Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon and plans to do so again before the 2010-11 season begins.

James says he's about winning and that will be his No. 1 consideration when time comes to select a team. We'll find that out if James takes less money than he could get to align with what seems the best situation.

Now this guy is one of the league's top two or three best players and he's purportedly setting himself to be in the best position to win multiple titles. James has yet to win one title and he's allegedly thinking about winning multiple championships.

Ideally, putting oneself in position to win a championship along with maximizing monetary options is what the concept of free agency is all about. However, there are no guarantees. Injuries can take the best laid plans wash them down a drain with immediacy.

Clearly, the league and sports in general have become something we've never seen before. Where sports will go in the future it is impossible to predict.

No longer will a Jerry West toil for the Los Angeles Lakers for more than a decade only for the thrill of winning one title.

No longer will David Robinson hoop with the San Antonio Spurs only to luck into a No. 1 pick of Tim Duncan and win an NBA championship.

For me, there's something quite sad about that. Then again, I've never even tweeted - yet - so what do I know.

To think, when I first snuck into the NBA draft, it was held via conference call in the league offices in a room around a big table with a couple of telephones. If I'm right, the New York Post's Peter Vecsey and I were the lone reporters in the room.

Now a team that doesn't make a draft choice is dubbed the winner.

Beware prognosticators - most know nothing

One of the problems we sports nuts deal with is listening to or reading the predictions of those who don't know a blessed thing of which they spew.

It's NBA draft time, so that means there are more folk than normal talking loud and saying nothing.

Around these parts in Sacramento, the hot talk pertains to the Kings' possession of the No. 5 pick in next Wednesday's draft.

People all over the country predict or guess whom the Kings will select. However, these prognosticators truly have no idea, so why pretend to know or even have a legitimate clue.

Clearly, the Kings would love to get a physical big man to play in the middle and that description has Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins written all over it. Cousins is a 19-year-old talent with the skill to perform around the basket and on the perimeter.

Cousins, though, is described by many as a young man who has been difficult to deal with. He carries a label as having, "red flags."

One wonders how many of those labeling him also would have fit that category as a 19-year-old. I've had major problems finding out definitively finding out what these red flags are other than the kid has a little attitude.

He argued with John Calipari? Yeah? And? If that gives you a red flag, then the people distributing those flags probably are out of them.

Cousins has a weight problem as in he can't wait to eat. That's a red flag?

Certainly, it's something to be considered and worked with, but if the cat loves to play basketball (as I've heard he does) and is intelligent (as I've heard he is), then that's why teams have organizations - to help young talented guys become better players and people.

No doubt Cousins has issues. So do I and so do most humans. From what my sources say, Cousins needs most to increase his endurance.

Talent wins in the NBA and the Kings need it, especially with this kid's characteristics. If he's there at No. 5, the Kings need to grab him and begin the process of helping him maximize his abilities.

Of course, there is the possibility the Kings decide to trade their pick and move down. Those decisions most often are made during the draft when players are selected and teams believe they can get a player they like with a lower pick.

If the Kings opt to choose Cousins, they have a coach in Leonard (Truck) Robinson, who is tailor-made for this project. Robinson doesn't play, as in take any stuff.

Game 7 - it's on

Seeing Kendrick Perkins go down with a knee injury in Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals was heartbreaking. He's in one of the biggest games of his young career and a freak accident like that occurs.

All Perkins does is play hard and egolessly, yet life dealt him that card. I thought I was one of the few who ran into dealers like that.

Yeah, he complains about nearly every foul, but the young man plays hard. Here's hoping his long-term career isn't stunted by torn knee ligaments.

On the other side of the ledger there's Andrew Bynum. Now this kid has jeopardized his career by continuing to play with torn meniscus in right knee. Bynum, whom Kobe Bryant suggested as trade bait a couple of seasons ago, has shown nothing but heart while limping through the playoffs.

Bynum has been courageous playing through obvious pain and putting the team ahead of his personal future. Regardless of what doctors say, there is no way to know if he's doing irreparable damage to his knee.

Only time will tell.

However, we do know the young man is showing large gumption every night Boston's talented and physical front line.

What cracks me up is hearing and reading folks talk about trading him to bring in Chris Bosh. The only way the Los Angeles Lakers should do that is if they believe Bynum never will be healthy again. In five seasons, Bynum has played all 82 games just once. In his past three seasons, he's played 35, 50 and 65 games, respectively.

He won turn 23 until October. It's a little too early to give up on a guy who goes to the house strong even on a gimpy knee.

Moreover, Bosh is a talent, but when I've seen him, he's been a 6-11 jump shooter. Now, his shot is nice, but tell me we haven't reached the age when big men no longer even try to play like big men.

As for Game Seven, once again, the team for which the most players perform closest to their peak level will win. That's nothing new. Barring a truly dominating one or two-player performance, that's usually the way games, playoffs or regular-season, work.

It's not rocket science, folks.

Perhaps as important as anything will be the performances of the officiating crew. The guess here is we'll see Joey Crawford and Danny Crawford. As for the third referee, Eddie F. Rush is another likely choice.

The officiating, particularly early in the Finals was inconsistent and difficult for both teams to figure.

However, the NBA has been hamstrung by its current low quality of officials and injuries to Steve Javie and Mark Wunderlich. Wow! Javie used to be a veritable technical machine, but definitely has become one of the league's best.

The Celtics will not go down easily. They have too many seasoned and clutch veterans, but I like the Lakers in a close game.

After all, I picked the Lakers in six or seven. Ride or die.

Trying to make a quarter out of 15 cents

It made all kinds of sense that free agents to-be Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh will parlay regarding their intentions to see if they can and want to hook up for a Super Crew.

Free-agency is the time when players have control of their destiny so why not utilize it to the fullest. I wonder if the players' agents will be in this meeting.

What if the meeting turns into a greed-fest and two guys crossing-out other guys to get what they want. I wonder if this has happened before, but it's sure to happen again.

As an athlete, often you become a piece of meat. Some become amazingly high-paid meat, but nonetheless meat. That means at one point, you can be sliced, cooked and eaten.

As a people, we tend to always focus on those making crazy cash forgetting far more players can struggle to make teams and forge a career with stability and security.

Orlando's Matt Barnes clearly is a guy who has a place in the league, yet he's played with Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns and the Magic.

Barnes, a dogged defender and big-time team guy, only has been with Golden State for more than one season and those were the 2007 and 2008 campaigns. As you see, he has a place, it just hasn't been the same place.

Barnes, 30, and his lady now have twin boys. The end likely could be closer than the beginning. Barnes says he wants to come back to the Magic and has an option on his contract for next season.

He was paid $1.6 million this past season and becoming a free-agent likely will be his ticket to making considerably more cake in the future. He played in 81 games in 2009-10 and as a starter he and his agent, Aaron Goodwin only figure to come to General Manager looking for a salary upgrade.

Here's a guess Barnes won't be invited to the big-money free-agent summer, but it is players like him who help the big boys win in the post season.

Boston's Kendrick Perkins always is one of the biggest guys on the floor. He's also one of the league's biggest complainers. Virtually every foul he commits has to be the first in his mind. This dude virtually whines about every call.

That being said, Perkins was thrown out of Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals after receiving two technical fouls. He inadvertently elbowed Orlando's Martin Gortat while trying to grasp teammate Paul Pierce's wrist and help him off the floor.

Perkins' hand slipped and his elbow hit Gortat. The referees missed on that one and so did the league a full day later when it rescinded the second techincal.

Perkins, who entered the game two technicals short of being suspended for the next playoff game, received his second one for spinning around and stomping off after getting called for a personal foul.

If either technical should have stood, it was that one. Players can't get away with stomping and whining all the time, and when a crew with Joe Crawford comes to town, it's time to chill. Everybody knows that. OK, maybe it's everybody, but Perkins. Recognize, young fella'.