In what is becoming a trend in the sports world, everyone who is anyone has an opinion on where LeBron James should play next season.  Perhaps we should keep a running tally - David Stern think James should stay in Cleveland - so does Reggie Miller.  

What about Magic Johnson and Larry Bird?

The topic came up during a conference call with the two hardwood legends promoting their new book, "When the Game Was Ours", due out this Wednesday.  Much like their playing styles, Bird and Johnson had differing opinions on James as well.

We'll start with Bird, who thinks LeBron should stay right where he is - 

I just hope he stays in Cleveland.  He means so much to that state. Plus, I like to see players stay where they were drafted.

Short, succinct, to the point.

Johnson has a different take on LeBron's future - 

He's an incredible, incredible talent and he would bring a winning atmosphere to New York.  He would be someone the city is buzzing about and want to see. He would create an atmosphere where other players would want to play with him. At the end of the day, he would win a championship.

Apparently, Magic forgets he has James Worthy, Kareem, Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, et al when 'ShowTime' was winning NBA Championships.  LeBron, alone, isn't going to win a playoff series in New York and as it stands there is no way New York can bring in the help James needs any time soon.  I know, details like that shouldn't keep LeBron from heading to New York.

Oh well, on to the Wizards.

via www.logoshak.com

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The Cleveland Cavaliers 2009-10 season presented by Cub Cadet Premium Lawn Equipment will officially tip off at Quicken Loans Arena vs. the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, October 27^th at 7:30 p.m.  Celebrating the franchises' 40^th season, the upcoming year is sized up to be "XL" in every way! The game will be televised nationally on TNT and broadcast on WTAM 1100 the radio home of the Cavs.

Fans can enjoy the fun of the start of Cavs basketball at the free Fan Fest that will take place on Gateway Plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Everyone is invited (no ticket required) to take part in the festivities that include music, inflatable games, contests, prizes, basketball hoops and more. In-arena hosts Ahmaad and Nicole along with the Cavalier Girls, Scream Team and Cavaliers Legends will all be on hand to keep the party hopping!

Inside The Q, every fan with a ticket to the game will receive three great giveaways - An "XL" 40^th season T-shirt presented by Cleveland Clinic, a Cavs magnet schedule presented by National Tire & Battery, and an opening night rally towel presented by Kia Motors. Universal Motown and RocNation Recording Artist Melonie Fiona will perform the national anthem, and then it is lights off when a season SO BIG that its "XL" tips off as the Cavaliers begin their quest for an NBA Championship.

"Our XL theme for this season touches everything we do-from how we play on the court, to how we do business, to how we engage with the fans and the community," said Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert. "XL is a long time. XLVI is too long. It's time for this team, this franchise, and this city to start a new era. That era begins Tuesday night!"

Tonight's game is sold out, but come out and join the fun at Fan-Fest!

More photos » by Fernando Medina - NBAE/Getty Images

(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

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The Cavaliers have quite a conundrum on their hands.  On one side is the Delonte West that became an important part of a team that won 66 games last season.  On the other is a troubled young man trying to sort out his demons.  The team has tried to walk the tightrope since signing West to a 3-year contract last September.  After an arrest a few weeks ago, and West proclaiming on Monday that he was ready to focus on basketball, those demons rose again yesterday when West missed both practice sessions - both unexecused.

Danny Ferry had little to say about West's absence - 

"Delonte is in Cleveland," Ferry said. "He is addressing a personal matter and did not attend practice."

According to Cleveland.com, West was in his home for the day and did not leave to come to practice. There was no indication whether West was planning on coming to today's workouts.

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The biggest regular season in the history of the Cavaliers gets underway - from a preperation standpoint - today with the beginning of Training Camp.  All around the NBA, teams are getting together with the media, talking about how they will be the team standing where Kobe Bryant and the Lakers stood 3 months or so ago.  For some, dreams of a NBA Title are just that, dreams.  For other, like the Cavaliers, the expectations are huge, as is the pressure to win.

As the Cavaliers get set to meet with the media this afternoon, let's take a look at some of the question marks surrounding the team -

LeBron James and his pending Free Agency -

We have all season to dissect every comment LeBron makes this season as he moves full-steam ahead towards Free Agency next summer.  In reality, nothing has been settled, and likely nothing will be settled until next July.  The Cavaliers have a contract extension on the table, and LeBron has until June 30th to accept it.  It is still feasible, given the economic outlook in the NBA, that LeBron could simply sign the extension and remain with the Cavaliers for 3 more seasons.  It is more likely, however, that LeBron entertains all the possibilities on the open market before doing what I expect him to do - re-signing with the Cavaliers.  Would that elusive title for the Cavs make it more or less likely LeBron stays?  That is the question, but there is no doubt the Cavaliers have surrounded him with the most talented roster he's played with in Cleveland.

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It's late, I'm tired, but with all the negative pub surrounding LeBron James that past month or so I figured I would remind everyone of just how special James is, not that any Cavs fans needed the reminder.

Enjoy!

Being the fan of an ultra-mega-super-star athlete on your favorite team can be hard at times.  Every little thing, every comment, every action, gets scrutinized.  Need proof?  How about 'Dunk-Gate'. 

I'm sure you have heard by now that LeBron James was "dunked on" by Jordan Crawford of Xavier University during his skills competition at the University of Akron.  The pick-up game, which occurred in the evening after a day of drills, was being ILLEGALLY RECORDED by a couple of videographers trying to make a name for themselves.

When noticed, Nike confiscated the tapes, based on the rules violation, not the dunk!

"Nike has been operating basketball camps for the benefit of young athletes for decades and has long-standing policies as to what events are open and closed to media coverage. Unfortunately, for the first time in four years, two journalists did not respect our no videotaping policy at an after-hours pickup game following the LeBron James Skills Academy," said Nike spokesman Derek Kent on Wednesday.

Of course, the cameramen had another tale to tell.

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More photos » by Mark Duncan - AP

5 months ago: Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert talks bout the 2008-2009 season at the team's practice facility in Independence, Ohio Wednesday, June 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

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Ask and you shall receive.  Yesterday, I proposed that you, the reader, come up with a name for my daily bantering during the off-season.  I used 'Quick Thoughts', but felt it wasn't very creative.  Thanks to a reader who emailed me, we now have a name, at least until someone sends me a better name, and that's a BIG IF!

So, now I bring you 'Free Throws', a daily look into what I am thinking about in regards to the Cavaliers and the NBA in general.

Jumping right in, I saw alot of 'Here we go again' comments after the Cavaliers lost to the Magic last Saturday.  The OIC Complex(Only In Cleveland) was in full swing.  Who can blame you?  With the Browns and Indians a mess and 40+ years of anguish, it might seem like the stars, planets, heavens, etc are all aligned against the city of Cleveland from ever winning anything.  Many of you are counting down the days until LeBron leaves, resigned to the fact the it WILL happen.

Let me be the one to ease your tattered nerves.  The Cavaliers are different, from the top-down.

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More photos » by Fernando Medina - NBAE/Getty Images

5 months ago: ORLANDO, FL. - MAY 30: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against the Orlando Magic in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 30, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Now that we are in the throws of the off-season(the Finals not with-standing), there will be less and less pure news, and more and more of my opinion(as well as Brad and Turk).  I will try to give some of my thoughts each day in this platform, 'Quick Thoughts'.  Not very catchy, but if one of you thinks of a better name, let me know.

Today's 'Quick Thought' is about who else, LeBron James.  The non-handshake/media appearance has gotten tons of play, which makes sense since every move LeBron makes gets talked about ad nauseum.  Of course, James is getting killed for being a 'sore loser' and 'bad sport'.  A word to the wise, get over it!

There are really two parts to this, as David Stern talked about yesterday.  First, there are the rules.  The NBA requires players to be available to the media after games.  For that, LeBron was wrong.  The NBA has already stated they will no fine James because they have never had an issue before.  Case closed. 

Now, to the handshake.  You might think I am taking the side of James because I'm a homer.  Actually, my feelings about this go much deeper.  I tend to lean towards Mike Ditka, who has always criticized the coaches hand-shake in the NFL.  In PROFESSIONAL sports, where guys make their living trying to WIN GAMES, sportsmanship takes on a bit of a different role.  I want guys to play hard, give 100%, avoid cheating, and most importantly, play clean.  In the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, that is sportsmanship, at least in my book.

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