Checkmate

"Jay's favorite line...dog in due time..."

Kanye West - Touch the Sky

LeBron James shook up the sports world last week when he announced that he was taking his talents to South Beach. Since then the media and and general public have been giving him the Kobe treatment.

Control

Heavy is the head that wears the crown...

-William Shakespeare

LeBron James is a professional athlete and he has done what was best for him and his family. My first job upon my graduation from Temple University was with the National Basketball Association...when I was laid off due to an economic downturn...my heart was in pain, and I felt betrayed, however at the end of the day it was a business move.

When I look at the circumstances of James' decision...the similarities are familiar. I can understand the way people felt when he choose not to return to Cleveland, because whenever emotions are involved...the vision can become cloudy...yet this wasn't about the fans, or loyalty to his adopted home, it was strictly business. If the Cavs would have traded him to another team last February, it would have been merely the way things are done in professional sports. So there shouldn't be any hoopla when the athlete takes the reigns for once.

The NBA rookies of 2003 are as heralded as the '84, and '96 classes, so with James, Wade, and Bosh on the same squad...it's Xbox come true. Imagine Bryant, Nash, and Ray Allen, or Jordan, Barkley, and Olajuwon together against the league...the possibilities would be endless.

I see nothing wrong with this move to Florida. When A-Rod won the AL MVP award with the Rangers...he was a great player with tons of individual awards, but what truly burned his competitive fire was the quest for a World Series ring, which he captured last October. He is currently about to reach the 600 home run milestone, and now as a champion he can revel in the accolades. It has nothing to do with the Yankees being Derek Jeter's team...it has everything to do with the reason why all athletes play.

Only time will tell if this new star alignment will earn multiple championships...right now as things are, the Celtics, Magic, Thunder, and Lakers can prove to be a thorn in Miami's side, but until next June arrives, we'll all just have to watch and wait.

Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Double Nickel

Faith

"Allen Iverson...Hakeem Olajuwon...don't even bounce"

Asher Roth - I Love College

When Brandon Jennings was selected by Milwaukee this past summer, no one saw what was coming next...

Self Confidence

The 76ers played the Bucks in their home opener...I was busy covering the World Series...so I didn't attend the game, however my friend and colleague Michael Tillery was there and wrote a great piece for SLAM's website...entitled I Saw A Rookie of the Year Tonight. He texted me at during the 4th quarter telling me how amazing the rookie is, and while I hadn't seen him since the McDonald's game, I was intrigued, because now he's in the League, and apparently getting busier than a worker bee in July.

When Jennings went from high school to play professionally in Italy...I wasn't too sure how well he would do as a point guard. Needless to say its good to see that my opinion doesn't matter, and the work that this man had put into his game, and basketball IQ is now getting the last laugh.

Last night he scored 55 points in a 129-125 win over the visiting Warriors. Interestingly enough he didn't score in the 1st quarter, but he kept his composure en route to breaking Lew Alcindor's 39-year old Bucks rookie record by 4 points.

There is never a dull moment in NBA action...from this, to Dwyane Wade's dunk...things are heating up. This week I'll interview LeBron James, and Rudy Gay, so be sure to stay tuned...as the best is just ahead of us.

Photo: NBAE