NBA Free Agency 2010: A Fiasco From Beginning To End
As the NBA free-agent process trudges painfully onward, news that the Nuggets gave noted head case Al Harrington a five-year, $34 million deal hardly comes as a surprise.
Nearly a week after that fateful day, the far-reaching effects of “The Decision” and the free-agent frenzy of 2010 continue to resonate throughout the basketball world.
The entire process has been a complete disaster from the start.
The attention surrounding free agency opened the door for numerous erroneous media reports citing unnamed sources.
It opened the door for Jim Gray, an out of work, embattled journalist, to somehow convince Maverick Carter and the rest of the Mickey Mouse Club that an exclusive, prime-time interview on ESPN would be the best way of announcing LeBron James’ intentions.
Consequently, LeBron was set up to fail, regardless of his decision. He validated his critics and created millions of enemies while rubbing it in northeast Ohio’s face in a painful one-hour special enabled by a network hungry for sensationalism.
Meanwhile, NBA franchises forgot about financial troubles and invested huge money in questionable assets.
The Bucks gave John Salmons, with a career scoring average of 9.6 points, a five-year, $40 million deal. The Raptors gave unproven Amir Johnson $35 million. Historic bust Darko Milicic got $20 million from the Timberwolves.
Chris Bosh, a stat-sheet stuffer who was part of just one winning season despite playing in what has been a woeful Eastern Conference for much of his seven-year career, was suddenly commanding superstar money and attention.
Joe Johnson got more money than LeBron James. Rudy Gay got a max-deal from the Grizzlies.
It goes on and on.
Had the Heat struck out in free agency, their salary dumping efforts would have left them with two players under contract. Even now, Miami’s quest for a title hinges on Zydrunas Ilgauskas guarding Dwight Howard and Mike Miller’s ability to stay healthy on a front-loaded roster lacking depth.
The Knicks began unloading salary two years ago, trading draft picks and tanking on the court while preparing for the free-agent frenzy. They were rewarded with Amar’e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton.
Sure, based on Chris Paul’s toast at Carmelo Anthony’s wedding, there’s reason to hope that the summer of 2011 could be very fruitful for the Knicks.
Will the madness ever stop?
In the end, the hoopla returns to the legacy of LeBron James.
Somehow, James’ desire for fame and fortune has replaced his competitive edge.
In his quest for the NBA’s ultimate prize, the Chosen One chose to ally himself with one of his biggest rivals.
Miami will always be Dwyane Wade’s kingdom. Even if LeBron wins a title, or two, or three, it will be as a member of Wade’s team.
LeBron James has chosen to be Scottie Pippen, in the process killing any and all “greatest of all time” arguments that seemed entirely plausible less than two weeks ago.
Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan won multiple titles while being the unquestioned alpha dog. Both players turned perceived slights into fodder for domination on the court, ripping out the hearts of opponents while exhibiting competitiveness bordering on the insane.
That simply isn’t in LeBron’s makeup.
Instead, he is content to play with his friends, joining his enemies even in the prime of his career in hopes of taking the easiest possible path to an NBA Championship.
The NBA is likely to enjoy a ratings boost and jersey sales will be off the charts, but there is no question that the league is in a weird place right now.
Change is never easy.
