LeBron Watch Part VII

I was going to listen to Rossi's suggestion of raising the LeBron clock and then I came across these two articles. The first one is a rather disheartening article regarding the ulterior motives of World Wide Wes in his efforts to get LeBron to leave Cleveland - none of which have anything to do with LeBron's personal interests. The second one has to be B.S. because Wade already questioned the "loyalty" of the Bulls organization, and it would really be hard to believe that he would have a change of heart that fast.

With regard to the World Wide Wes article, I must start off that I've been wary of him from the start. I still can't for the life of me why anyone like Jordan, LeBron, or Allen Iverson would ever hang out with a guy like this, let alone allow him influence any decision making. From what I can tell, Wesley has no discernible skills other than talking a good game. It's also disturbing to read this knowing that the Bulls listened to Wesley too and hired Thibodeau within 48 hours of Wesley whispering his name as a possible coach LeBron would like to play for. Bottom Line : this article really muddy's up who World Wide Wes is, not to mention if this article is accurate it's a bad sign for the Bulls that they will have to cater to this guys every wish should they land LeBron.

As for Wade, I'm still not interested as a Bulls fan. I personally don't think Wade's best days are ahead of him as a player, not to mention he's an OLD 28 wouldn't you agree? The loyalty thing really put me over the edge too, and I have to believe Wade meant it when he said it. So I'm not counting on him really being interested in the Bulls despite the report. 

I'm going to keep the clock at 60% for now, as I don't think the Bulls chances have necessarily been affected, even though things are a little murkier perception-wise. Can't wait to see what the B.S. Rumor Mill brings in tomorrow... 

Go Get Your Shinebox Dwayne!

Speaking of the Bulls, Dwayne Wade decided to open his mouth this week and complain about the Bulls lack of "loyalty" as a reason why he would be wary of signing with them. "I see Michael Jordan is not there, Scottie Pippen is not there. … You know, these guys are not a part..Things like that. So that is probably one of the biggest things for me, because I am a very loyal person." You have got to be friggan KIDDING ME!? That might be the dumbest thing he's ever said in his life right next to "I, do" to that crazy woman he's now divorcing. There's a million things wrong with it, but I'll keep it simple.

First of all, Wade says he's a loyal person, yet he's talking about signing with another team!? How loyal is THAT Dwayne? It seems that Wade has no issue or qualms with the business of professional sports when it allows him to get top dollar from the highest bidder, but he also feels can selectively call somebody else's perceived lack of loyalty into question when it doesn't apply to him? That is inconsistent at best, flat out ignorant at worst. Not to mention, how stupid it is to publicly disparage a potential suitor in negotiation tactics. Even if he really feels that way, his agents and lawyers should have stopped him immediately from sharing that opinion because they know he's sabotaging his own cause with those remarks.

Secondly, and most importantly in my opinion, he is just FLAT OUT WRONG. If anything, the Bulls have been too loyal over the years. Let's start with his feelings about Jordan and Pippen not being "there". Jordan wanted/felt entitled to a piece of ownership with the Bulls. The Bulls (very presciently I might add) said no. He went to Washington D.C., ruined that organization, was seen attending Bulls games in the owners luxury box in 2003-04, became a half-assed GM and now owner/ruiner of the Charlotte Bobcats. Oh and by the way...his silly statue is still outside the north gates at the United Center. Pippen was given a golden parachute of a sign-and-trade contract in 1999, came back in 2003 and retired as a Bull, plus had his number retired. Sounds like they've been treated pretty fairly to The Beard...

Now let's get to the meat and potatoes of how loyal the Bulls have been, particularly to the non-superstar players. Jay Williams certainly feels they were really loyal to him in 2003, especially when they had every right to walk away from him (pun). Bob Love also feels they've not only been loyal to him, but pretty caring and nurturing as well. The Bulls also flew Bill Cartwright around the world looking for the best specialist available when he damaged his larynx in a game years ago(incidentally Cartwright knows who injured him, but he still won't say). Randy Brown was pawning his championship rings because he was flat broke, when the Bulls gave him a job as an assistant - a job which didn't exist until Brown needed one. Pete Myers has been the interim coach twice now, and the Bulls have always taken care of him since he first played for them in 1986. Also, isn't somebody still the Bulls GM even though he's had every reason to be fired? Once again, sounds like the Bulls are pretty loyal to me...

I don't care how nice of a guy Wade supposedly is. I don't care that he backed off his original statement. I don't care that he's going through a horrible and acrimonious divorce. I don't care that he give 10% of his salary to his church, and his other philanthropic works. I don't care that it's most likely Michael Jordan putting these dumb ideas in his head that the Bulls aren't loyal. None of that matters because it doesn't replace the fact that he's not smart enough to see through MJ's B.S., and that he basically doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. So to paraphrase Billy Batts in Goodfellas, "Go Get Your F*cking SHINEBOX!" and stay in Miami you dummy.