Here is what will be in tomorrows paper about MediaInsurance

Written on July 12, 2010 – 12:11 am | by preenough

You should take hte time to read this Awesome Blog

Every morning, for years, my first Internet destination after booting up has been Google News.

Not because it has up-to-the-minute breaking stories, a la CNN. Rather, I've chosen to read Google News with my AM coffee because I've been able to customize the page exactly as I want it — with the exact topics and easily-digested format that I prefer.

Until this week — when Google News rolled out what detractors have called its “New Coke,” which, to my mind, presents a technical nightmare and an aesthetic atrocity.

I have no doubt that a team of diligent techies, somewhere in the bowels of the Google Giant, worked hard to turn out what they were certain was a farsighted innovation, with an array of bells and whistles, unfortunately intelligible only to the proud sires of this mishmash.

I won't go so far as to echo the cynical suggestion of one critic that this so-called innovation represents the curse of all large bureaucracies, public and private – insular group-think and an unconscious need to justify superfluous existence.

No, I will give the Google-ites credit for trying very hard to do something new and exciting.

What I cannot excuse is the blind refusal to admit error.

Hundreds of Google users bothered to take the time to register complaints on a Google Forum page. This was not the usual Internet vitriol, but thoughtful and reasoned explanations of why many people, such as myself, preferred our own way of customization, rather than having the Google Giant “suggesting” it's far superior understanding of what we really want.

Some Google minions generously responded. Be assured, they said, that we would all come to love their New Coke. But, we pleaded, couldn't we at least have the option of reverting to our ancien regime? No way, said the Giant. And frankly, my dear, we don't give a damn.

This is not an issue of war, famine and global warming. It's not even on a par with Google's brave, if wavering, effort to stand up to Chinese censorship.

But it is symbolic in its own way, because Google is the great test case of whether all corporate colossus must inevitably go the the way of arrogant and insouciant insensitivity to the Common User.

I've always had high regard for Google and I very much hope that they can still recover from this blunder.

All it takes is a simple admission – “Sorry, we made a mistake” – and a rollback to the popular and fully functional wheel that didn't need to be re-invented.

All three network evening news broadcasts saw their ratings decline in the second quarter, the New York Times' Bill Carter notes.

Both ABC and CBS saw their lowest-rated second quarters on record (since 1987), and NBC saw its lowest-rated Q2 since 2007.

NBC's “Nightly News with Brian Williams” maintained its first-place position, averaging 7.620 million total viewers/2.260 million A25-54 viewers for the quarter, while ABC's “World News with Diane Sawyer” placed second with 6.990 million total viewers/1.980 million A25-54 viewers and CBS's “Evening News with Katie Couric” placed third with 5.210 million total viewers/1.600 million A25-54 viewers..

One bright spot, Carter notes: while Williams was down 5% and Sawyer down about 4% from a year ago in both categories, Couric lost only 30,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo (despite a 6% drop in total viewers).

The quarterly win was Williams' 11th consecutive quarter atop the evening news ratings.

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Tags: Breaking news

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Breaking news about Safety

Written on July 12, 2010 – 12:10 am | by preenough

Here is a Great Post

I just got the very exciting news from California that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed A.B. 1437, a bill backed by The Humane Society of the United States that requires that starting in 2015 all shell (whole) eggs sold in California must come from hens who were able to stand up, lie down, turn around, and fully extend their limbs without touching one another or the sides of an enclosure. In other words: California will become a cage-free state.

Proposition 2, approved by voters in November 2008, phases out the extreme confinement of laying hens in cages by 2015. A.B. 1437 applies the standards contained within Prop 2 to the sale of shell eggs. With 40 million consumers in California, it would be hard to overestimate the potential of this bill to change the way laying hens are treated throughout the United States.

This victory comes just days after The HSUS brokered a deal with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and the state's largest agriculture groups to impose a moratorium on new battery cage facilities in Ohio, the nation's second largest egg production state.

Change for animals subjected to intensive confinement is coming, and the victories this week are plain evidence of that.

On the California legislation, many thanks go to bill author Assemblyman Jared Huffman, to all of the other lawmakers who supported the legislation, to Gov. Schwarzenegger, and, most importantly, to the thousands of HSUS supporters who took action and urged elected officials to support this bill.

This post originally appeared on Pacelle's blog, A Humane Nation.

www.google.com

Tags: Breaking news

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You won't believe that I just heard this about DVD

Written on July 11, 2010 – 5:44 pm | by preenough

You should take hte time to read this Sweet Blog

All three network evening news broadcasts saw their ratings decline in the second quarter, the New York Times' Bill Carter notes.

Both ABC and CBS saw their lowest-rated second quarters on record (since 1987), and NBC saw its lowest-rated Q2 since 2007.

NBC's “Nightly News with Brian Williams” maintained its first-place position, averaging 7.620 million total viewers/2.260 million A25-54 viewers for the quarter, while ABC's “World News with Diane Sawyer” placed second with 6.990 million total viewers/1.980 million A25-54 viewers and CBS's “Evening News with Katie Couric” placed third with 5.210 million total viewers/1.600 million A25-54 viewers..

One bright spot, Carter notes: while Williams was down 5% and Sawyer down about 4% from a year ago in both categories, Couric lost only 30,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo (despite a 6% drop in total viewers).

The quarterly win was Williams' 11th consecutive quarter atop the evening news ratings.

Get HuffPost Media On
Twitter, Facebook, and Google Buzz!

Know something we don't? E-mail us at media@huffingtonpost.com

Every morning, for years, my first Internet destination after booting up has been Google News.

Not because it has up-to-the-minute breaking stories, a la CNN. Rather, I've chosen to read Google News with my AM coffee because I've been able to customize the page exactly as I want it — with the exact topics and easily-digested format that I prefer.

Until this week — when Google News rolled out what detractors have called its “New Coke,” which, to my mind, presents a technical nightmare and an aesthetic atrocity.

I have no doubt that a team of diligent techies, somewhere in the bowels of the Google Giant, worked hard to turn out what they were certain was a farsighted innovation, with an array of bells and whistles, unfortunately intelligible only to the proud sires of this mishmash.

I won't go so far as to echo the cynical suggestion of one critic that this so-called innovation represents the curse of all large bureaucracies, public and private – insular group-think and an unconscious need to justify superfluous existence.

No, I will give the Google-ites credit for trying very hard to do something new and exciting.

What I cannot excuse is the blind refusal to admit error.

Hundreds of Google users bothered to take the time to register complaints on a Google Forum page. This was not the usual Internet vitriol, but thoughtful and reasoned explanations of why many people, such as myself, preferred our own way of customization, rather than having the Google Giant “suggesting” it's far superior understanding of what we really want.

Some Google minions generously responded. Be assured, they said, that we would all come to love their New Coke. But, we pleaded, couldn't we at least have the option of reverting to our ancien regime? No way, said the Giant. And frankly, my dear, we don't give a damn.

This is not an issue of war, famine and global warming. It's not even on a par with Google's brave, if wavering, effort to stand up to Chinese censorship.

But it is symbolic in its own way, because Google is the great test case of whether all corporate colossus must inevitably go the the way of arrogant and insouciant insensitivity to the Common User.

I've always had high regard for Google and I very much hope that they can still recover from this blunder.

All it takes is a simple admission – “Sorry, we made a mistake” – and a rollback to the popular and fully functional wheel that didn't need to be re-invented.

Tags: Breaking news

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

King James and Cleveland Cavs in hopes with heat

Written on July 11, 2010 – 3:19 pm | by preenough

Proven Penis Enlargement

MIAMI (The Borowitz Report) — Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has been spotted driving to Miami wearing a so-called “astronaut diaper,” eyewitnesses reported today.

Mr. Gilbert had been seen earlier in the day in a Wal-Mart in Tallahassee, pushing a shopping cart filled with duct tape and pepper spray.

The Cavaliers owner was overheard muttering to himself, “If I can't have LeBron, no one can.”

In a related story, LeBron James announced that he would appear in a second ESPN special with the expressed goal of alienating his few remaining fans.

“The first special was carefully orchestrated to wreck my image, but it didn't quite get it done,” he said. “There are still pockets of people out there who like me.”

To aid in the demolition of his image, Mr. James said he was enlisting a “dream team of experts,” including Tiger Woods, Jesse James, and BP CEO Tony Hayward. More here.

The Los Angeles Times says Andy Borowitz has “one of the funniest Twitter feeds around.” Follow Andy on Twitter here.

Here Are People Reacting to LeBron James' Decision to Join the Miami Heat

LeBron James announced on ESPN tonight that he's joining the Miami Heat this fall. Some people really care about this, and they filmed their reactions for all of the Internet to enjoy.

Here's a collection of people reacting to LeBron James' decision:

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Full Size

Tags: james cleveland, lebron james

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Obama Urges a Call For Health Care Reform and an End to “Bickering”

Written on July 11, 2010 – 11:09 am | by preenough

I have been a health insurance broker for over a decade and every day I read more and more “horror” stories that are posted on the Internet regarding health insurance companies not paying claims, refusing to cover specific illnesses and physicians not getting reimbursed for medical services. Unfortunately, insurance companies are driven by profits, not people (albeit they need people to make profits). If the insurance company can find a legal reason not to pay a claim, chances are they will find it, and you the consumer will suffer. However, what most people fail to realize is that there are very few “loopholes” in an insurance policy that give the insurance company an unfair advantage over the consumer. In fact, insurance companies go to great lengths to detail the limitations of their coverage by giving the policy holders 10-days (a 10-day free look period) to review their policy. Unfortunately, most people put their insurance cards in their wallet and place their policy in a drawer or filing cabinet during their 10-day free look and it usually isn't until they receive a “denial” letter from the insurance company that they take their policy out to really read through it.

The majority of people, who buy their own health insurance, rely heavily on the insurance agent selling the policy to explain the plan's coverage and benefits. This being the case, many individuals who purchase their own health insurance plan can tell you very little about their plan, other than, what they pay in premiums and how much they have to pay to satisfy their deductible.

For many consumers, purchasing a health insurance policy on their own can be an enormous undertaking. Purchasing a health insurance policy is not like buying a car, in that, the buyer knows that the engine and transmission are standard, and that power windows are optional. A health insurance plan is much more ambiguous, and it is often very difficult for the consumer to determine what type of coverage is standard and what other benefits are optional. In my opinion, this is the primary reason that most policy holders don't realize that they do not have coverage for a specific medical treatment until they receive a large bill from the hospital stating that “benefits were denied.”

Sure, we all complain about insurance companies, but we do know that they serve a “necessary evil.” And, even though purchasing health insurance may be a frustrating, daunting and time consuming task, there are certain things that you can do as a consumer to ensure that you are purchasing the type of health insurance coverage you really need at a fair price.

Dealing with small business owners and the self-employed market, I have come to the realization that it is extremely difficult for people to distinguish between the type of health insurance coverage that they “want” and the benefits they really “need.” Recently, I have read various comments on different Blogs advocating health plans that offer 100% coverage (no deductible and no-coinsurance) and, although I agree that those types of plans have a great “curb appeal,” I can tell you from personal experience that these plans are not for everyone. Do 100% health plans offer the policy holder greater peace of mind? Probably. But is a 100% health insurance plan something that most consumers really need? Probably not! In my professional opinion, when you purchase a health insurance plan, you must achieve a balance between four important variables; wants, needs, risk and price. Just like you would do if you were purchasing options for a new car, you have to weigh all these variables before you spend your money. If you are healthy, take no medications and rarely go to the doctor, do you really need a 100% plan with a $5 co-payment for prescription drugs if it costs you $300 dollars more a month?

Is it worth $200 more a month to have a $250 deductible and a $20 brand name/$10 generic Rx co-pay versus an 80/20 plan with a $2,500 deductible that also offers a $20 brand name/$10generic co-pay after you pay a once a year $100 Rx deductible? Wouldn't the 80/20 plan still offer you adequate coverage? Don't you think it would be better to put that extra $200 ($2,400 per year) in your bank account, just in case you may have to pay your $2,500 deductible or buy a $12 Amoxicillin prescription? Isn't it wiser to keep your hard-earned money rather than pay higher premiums to an insurance company?

Yes, there are many ways you can keep more of the money that you would normally give to an insurance company in the form of higher monthly premiums. For example, the federal government encourages consumers to purchase H.S.A. (Health Savings Account) qualified H.D.H.P.'s (High Deductible Health Plans) so they have more control over how their health care dollars are spent. Consumers who purchase an HSA Qualified H.D.H.P. can put extra money aside each year in an interest bearing account so they can use that money to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Even procedures that are not normally covered by insurance companies, like Lasik eye surgery, orthodontics, and alternative medicines become 100% tax deductible. If there are no claims that year the money that was deposited into the tax deferred H.S.A can be rolled over to the next year earning an even higher rate of interest. If there are no significant claims for several years (as is often the case) the insured ends up building a sizeable account that enjoys similar tax benefits as a traditional I.R.A. Most H.S.A. administrators now offer thousands of no load mutual funds to transfer your H.S.A. funds into so you can potentially earn an even higher rate of interest.

In my experience, I believe that individuals who purchase their health plan based on wants rather than needs feel the most defrauded or “ripped-off” by their insurance company and/or insurance agent. In fact, I hear almost identical comments from almost every business owner that I speak to. Comments, such as, “I have to run my business, I don't have time to be sick! “I think I have gone to the doctor 2 times in the last 5 years” and “My insurance company keeps raising my rates and I don't even use my insurance!” As a business owner myself, I can understand their frustration. So, is there a simple formula that everyone can follow to make health insurance buying easier? Yes! Become an INFORMED consumer.

Every time I contact a prospective client or call one of my client referrals, I ask a handful of specific questions that directly relate to the policy that particular individual currently has in their filing cabinet or dresser drawer. You know the policy that they bought to protect them from having to file bankruptcy due to medical debt. That policy they purchased to cover that $500,000 life-saving organ transplant or those 40 chemotherapy treatments that they may have to undergo if they are diagnosed with cancer.

So what do you think happens almost 100% of the time when I ask these individuals “BASIC” questions about their health insurance policy? They do not know the answers! The following is a list of 10 questions that I frequently ask a prospective health insurance client. Let's see how many YOU can answer without looking at your policy.

1. What Insurance Company are you insured with and what is the name of your health insurance plan? (e.g. Blue Cross Blue Shield-”Basic Blue”)

2. What is your calendar year deductible and would you have to pay a separate deductible for each family member if everyone in your family became ill at the same time? (e.g. The majority of health plans have a per person yearly deductible, for example, $250, $500, $1,000, or $2,500. However, some plans will only require you to pay a 2 person maximum deductible each year, even if everyone in your family needed extensive medical care.)

3. What is your coinsurance percentage and what dollar amount (stop loss) it is based on? (e.g. A good plan with 80/20 coverage means you pay 20% of some dollar amount. This dollar amount is also known as a stop loss and can vary based on the type of policy you purchase. Stop losses can be as little as $5,000 or $10,000 or as much as $20,000 or there are some policies on the market that have NO stop loss dollar amount.)

4. What is your maximum out of pocket expense per year? (e.g. All deductibles plus all coinsurance percentages plus all applicable access fees or other fees)

5. What is the Lifetime maximum benefit the insurance company will pay if you become seriously ill and does your plan have any “per illness” maximums or caps? (e.g. Some plans may have a $5 million lifetime maximum, but may have a maximum benefit cap of $100,000 per illness. This means that you would have to develop many separate and unrelated life-threatening illnesses costing $100,000 or less to qualify for $5 million of lifetime coverage.)

6. Is your plan a schedule plan, in that it only pays a certain amount for a specific list of procedures? (e.g., Mega Life & Health & Midwest National Life, endorsed by the National Association of the Self-Employed, N.A.S.E. is known for endorsing schedule plans) 7. Does your plan have doctor co-pays and are you limited to a certain number of doctor co-pay visits per year? (e.g. Many plans have a limit of how many times you go to the doctor per year for a co-pay and, quite often the limit is 2-4 visits.)

8. Does your plan offer prescription drug coverage and if it does, do you pay a co-pay for your prescriptions or do you have to meet a separate drug deductible before you receive any benefits and/or do you just have a discount prescription card only? (e.g. Some plans offer you prescription benefits right away, other plans require that you pay a separate drug deductible before you can receive prescription medication for a co-pay. Today, many plans offer no co-pay options and only provide you with a discount prescription card that gives you a 10-20% discount on all prescription medications).

9. Does your plan have any reduction in benefits for organ transplants and if so, what is the maximum your plan will pay if you need an organ transplant? (e.g. Some plans only pay a $100,000 maximum benefit for organ transplants for a procedure that actually costs $350-$500K and this $100,000 maximum may also include reimbursement for expensive anti-rejection medications that must be taken after a transplant. If this is the case, you will often have to pay for all anti-rejection medications out of pocket).

10. Do you have to pay a separate deductible or “access fee” for each hospital admission or for each emergency room visit? (e.g. Some plans, like the Assurant Health's “CoreMed” plan have a separate $750 hospital admission fee that you pay for the first 3 days you are in the hospital. This fee is in addition to your plan deductible. Also, many plans have benefit “caps” or “access fees” for out-patient services, such as, physical therapy, speech therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc. Benefit “caps” could be as little as $500 for each out-patient treatment, leaving you a bill for the remaining balance. Access fees are additional fees that you pay per treatment. For example, for each outpatient chemotherapy treatment, you may be required to pay a $250 “access fee” per treatment. So for 40 chemotherapy treatments, you would have to pay 40 x $250 = $10,000. Again, these fees would be charged in addition to your plan deductible).

Now that you've read through the list of questions that I ask a prospective health insurance client, ask yourself how many questions you were able to answer. If you couldn't answer all ten questions don't be discouraged. That doesn't mean that you are not a smart consumer. It may just mean that you dealt with a “bad” insurance agent. So how could you tell if you dealt with a “bad” insurance agent? Because a “great” insurance agent would have taken the time to help you really understand your insurance benefits. A “great” agent spends time asking YOU questions so s/he can understand your insurance needs. A “great” agent recommends health plans based on all four variables; wants, needs, risk and price. A “great” agent gives you enough information to weigh all of your options so you can make an informed purchasing decision. And lastly, a “great” agent looks out for YOUR best interest and NOT the best interest of the insurance company.

So how do you know if you have a “great” agent? Easy, if you were able to answer all 10 questions without looking at your health insurance policy, you have a “great” agent. If you were able to answer the majority of questions, you may have a “good” agent. However, if you were only able to answer a few questions, chances are you have a “bad” agent. Insurance agents are no different than any other professional. There are some insurance agents that really care about the clients they work with, and there are other agents that avoid answering questions and duck client phone calls when a message is left about unpaid claims or skyrocketing health insurance rates.

Remember, your health insurance purchase is just as important as purchasing a house or a car, if not more important. So don't be afraid to ask your insurance agent a lot of questions to make sure that you understand what your health plan does and does not cover. If you don't feel comfortable with the type of coverage that your agent suggests or if you think the price is too high, ask your agent if s/he can select a comparable plan so you can make a side by side comparison before you purchase. And, most importantly, read all of the “fine print” in your health plan brochure and when you receive your policy, take the time to read through your policy during your 10-day free look period.

If you can't understand something, or aren't quite sure what the asterisk (*) next to the benefit description really means in terms of your coverage, call your agent or contact the insurance company to ask for further clarification.

Furthermore, take the time to perform your own due diligence. For example, if you research MEGA Life and Health or the Midwest National Life insurance company, endorsed by the National Association for the Self Employed (NASE), you will find that there have been 14 class action lawsuits brought against these companies since 1995. So ask yourself, “Is this a company that I would trust to pay my health insurance claims?

Additionally, find out if your agent is a “captive” agent or an insurance “broker.” “Captive” agents can only offer ONE insurance company's products.” Independent” agents or insurance “brokers” can offer you a variety of different insurance plans from many different insurance companies. A “captive” agent may recommend a health plan that doesn't exactly meet your needs because that is the only plan s/he can sell. An “independent” agent or insurance “broker” can usually offer you a variety of different insurance products from many quality carriers and can often customize a plan to meet your specific insurance needs and budget.

Over the years, I have developed strong, trusting relationships with my clients because of my insurance expertise and the level of personal service that I provide. This is one of the primary reasons that I do not recommend buying health insurance on the Internet. In my opinion, there are too many variables that Internet insurance buyers do not often take into consideration. I am a firm believer that a health insurance purchase requires the level of expertise and personal attention that only an insurance professional can provide. And, since it does not cost a penny more to purchase your health insurance through an agent or broker, my advice would be to use Ebay and Amazon for your less important purchases and to use a knowledgeable, ethical and reputable independent agent or broker for one of the most important purchases you will ever make….your health insurance policy.

Lastly, if you have any concerns about an insurance company, contact your state's Department of Insurance BEFORE you buy your policy. Your state's Department of Insurance can tell you if the insurance company is registered in your state and can also tell you if there have been any complaints against that company that have been filed by policy holders. If you suspect that your agent is trying to sell you a fraudulent insurance policy, (e.g. you have to become a member of a union to qualify for coverage) or isn't being honest with you, your state's Department of Insurance can also check to see if your agent is licensed and whether or not there has ever been any disciplinary action previously taken against that agent.

In closing, I hope I have given you enough information so you can become an INFORMED insurance consumer. However, I remain convinced that the following words of wisdom still go along way: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!” and “If you only buy on price, you get what you pay for!”

©2007 Small Business Insurance Services, Inc. http://www.smallbusinessinsuranceservices.com

C. Steven Tucker, is the President of Small Business Insurance Services, Inc. and has been a Licensed Mult-State Insurance Broker serving the small business and self-employed market for over a decade. Mr. Tucker believes an informed insurance consumer makes the best health insurance purchasing decisions. Mr. Tucker has written several articles that focus on small business health insurance, which can be read on a number of web sites. Mr. Tucker's blog can be read at http://www.smallbusinessinsuranceservices.vox.com If you have general questions regarding health insurance, or you are in the market to purchase a health insurance plan, you can contact Mr. Tucker through his web site at http://www.smallbusinessinsuranceservices.com, via Email at smallbusinssvcs@aol.com or by plone, toll-free at 1-866-SBIS123 (724-7123) Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C._Steven_Tucker

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Great HD DVD Players Ideas

Written on July 11, 2010 – 10:48 am | by preenough

Are you in the market for a home theater DVD player? Have you considered an inexpensive HD player? They are fast becoming much more common today.

HD technology in DVD's is still quiet new, but the flood of these players into today's market has made the competition very intense. There are still $2,000 HD DVD players but now you only have to spend $300 or less to get a one, and it will bring you the exact same HD movies right into your home.

These players turn your current home entertainment area into a real home theater. HD seems to be standard these days, and it's a good thing because watching movies at home seemed a bit lagging, that is until the HD DVD technology came along.

Before this, it seemed that no matter how awesome your HD TV was, playing movies on your home theater DVD player was restricted with low-definition quality. You had to order the HD movies off your satellite or cable provider, and we all know that's just not the same.

The amount of titles which are available in HD is going to keep your inexpensive players very busy. Right now there are literally thousands of movie titles available. Before to much longer, this is going to be a preferred format for all DVD's.

Right now, this transition is in full swing. With this holiday season, I guaranty that more family members and friends will be asking for the HD DVD's only. This is just like the switch that happened with VHS to DVD and the cassette tapes to the CD's.

You are going to want an inexpensive HD DVD player for your home theater system. Everyone will enjoy watching these true to life movies on your home theater system.

A home theater DVD player is a big choice to make, but if you want a really high quality viewing experience then it might be in your best interest to switch over to an HD player.

You can save the most money by purchasing a player online, you will also find the largest selection of players.

Make sure to visit Home Theater Electronics for the best reviews on all types of players, projectors, televisions and more. Also, get some great ideas for Home Theater Rooms Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_J

Tags: Blu-Ray Player, DVD Player, HD DVD Player, HD DVD PLAYERS

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Lebron James leaves Cavaliers to go to heat

Written on July 10, 2010 – 8:01 pm | by preenough

here is another Contributor

All three network evening news broadcasts saw their ratings decline in the second quarter, the New York Times' Bill Carter notes.

Both ABC and CBS saw their lowest-rated second quarters on record (since 1987), and NBC saw its lowest-rated Q2 since 2007.

NBC's “Nightly News with Brian Williams” maintained its first-place position, averaging 7.620 million total viewers/2.260 million A25-54 viewers for the quarter, while ABC's “World News with Diane Sawyer” placed second with 6.990 million total viewers/1.980 million A25-54 viewers and CBS's “Evening News with Katie Couric” placed third with 5.210 million total viewers/1.600 million A25-54 viewers..

One bright spot, Carter notes: while Williams was down 5% and Sawyer down about 4% from a year ago in both categories, Couric lost only 30,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo (despite a 6% drop in total viewers).

The quarterly win was Williams' 11th consecutive quarter atop the evening news ratings.

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The new details were included in several pages of search warrant records and affidavits that a Charlottesville Circuit Court judge ordered unsealed after a legal challenge by four news organizations: The Associated Press, the Daily Progress, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and The Washington Post.
Story continues below

In one of the documents, Huguely told police Love was wearing a black T-shirt during their confrontation and he believes she was still wearing it when he left her apartment. Witnesses told police the senior from Cockeysville, Md., was wearing only underwear when they found her. Crime scene photographs showed a black T-shirt on the floor near Love's body.

Police did not initially collect the shirt, and documents show it was not found in a subsequent search.

In addition to the stained bedding and towels, police seized hairs, the damaged bedroom door, swabs of red stains, a purse, electronics and a note in a desk drawer at Love's apartment.

A letter addressed to Love was confiscated at Huguely's home, and at least two handwritten notes were seized along with a camera and a cell phone during a search of the Chevrolet Tahoe he was driving. The contents of the notes and the letter were not among the released materials. Huguely told police he and Yeardley had been involved in a relationship that had ended.

Authorities also took scrapings from under Huguely's fingernails and hair samples from his head and legs. They used cotton swabs to collect cells from inside Huguely's cheeks for DNA samples, the records show, and seized various items of clothing – including a red-stained lacrosse T-shirt and the shorts with his passport and keys to the Tahoe in the pockets.

Other items taken from Huguely's home include rugs, a shower curtain, a notebook and two laptop computers. Police said Huguely told them he took a computer from Love's apartment, and they recovered it after he told them where they could find it. Huguely told police he and Love had exchanged e-mail messages shortly before he went to her apartment.

Internet and cell phone records that were the subject of a separate search warrant remain sealed.

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Tags: james cleveland, lebron james

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Lebron James leaves Hometown Cavs for Miami Heat

Written on July 10, 2010 – 4:20 am | by preenough

As we are approaching 2010 free agency, we are finally ready for the madness.

The biggest fish in this free agent frenzy certainly is LeBron James, and recently we’ve been hearing many potential destinations for the King, most notably Chicago and Miami.

However, I will prove that the best situation for LeBron James is with the New York Knicks.

LeBron James is the biggest free agent in NBA history, and whichever team is landing him could presumably be the favorites to win the NBA finals next season.

LeBron, however, is not only looking to win next season, but looking to establish an all time great legacy that will rival that of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant.

Believe it or not, going to Chicago will prevent LeBron James from doing so.

Chicago has some major question marks.

Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf has never payed the luxury tax, and will have to if he plans to build a winning core that will last.

Let’s say the Bulls sign LeBron James and Chris Bosh to max contracts. Soon Derrick Rose will become a free agent and demand a max contract as well.

Remember Reinsdorf is the owner who broke up the Bulls dynasty due to not wanting to commit to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen through the twilight of their careers.

Reinsdorf will eventually face a similar situation when Rose and Noah are eligible for new contracts.

Knicks owner James Dolan has shown consistently that he’s willing to commit money and pay the luxury tax.

Dolan even shelled out major money towards some bad teams in contrast to Reinsdorf who wasn’t even willing to keep a dynasty together.

The Knicks unlike the Bulls have a plan that goes past 2010 free agency.

While both the Knicks and Bulls can sell LeBron on the prospect of playing alongside a superstar, preferably Chris Bosh, the Knicks can sell LeBron on the future past 2010.

After this season Eddie Curry’s contract comes off the books and the Knicks will have the cap space to make a run at a Carmelo Anthony.

The Knicks could also use Eddie Curry’s contract in a trade for a player like Chris Paul, or Carmelo Anthony if Anthony decides to leave Denver, or a floor general like Tony Parker.

It could take time but the Knicks can sell LeBron on the fact that they can build a long-term winner.

The prospect that is the summer of 2011 is something no other team can make to LeBron James.

The Bulls currently have a solid nucleus in Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Luol Deng, but that nucleus doesn’t fit with LeBron.

Derrick Rose has never played off the ball, and like LeBron Rose is most dominant when he has the ball in his hands, looking to score or make plays.

I don’t know if Rose can play off the ball and be a knockout shooter. Rose will have to reduce his role, and he is still learning how to be a lead guard in the NBA.

The Bulls also have no shooters. They traded away their best shooter Kirk Hinrich in order to free up cap space for LeBron.

The Knicks have Danilo Gallinari, one of the best shooters in the NBA.

Gallinari shot 38 percent from behind the arc, he was second in the NBA in 3 pointers made, and he’s only 21 years old. LeBron James likes to penetrate and Gallinari is a perfect knock down shooter to play with LeBron.

With the Knicks, LeBron could assume the role of playmaker in Mike D’Antoni’s offense and run an offense similar to Pat Riley’s “Showtime” with the Lakers.

LeBron James, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and a big man like Chris Bosh would provide one of the most explosive offenses in the league, one good enough to come out of what looks like a watered down Eastern conference.

Then you add the fact that the Knicks will have the cap space to acquire marquee names in 2011, or trade for another superstar, the team would then have a core that can last long-term, and the ultimate goal for LeBron is to build a long term contender that will help him establish an all time legacy.

The Chicago Bulls recently hired former Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau.

While Thibodeau was the orchestrator of the Celtics stingy defense, he has no familiarity with LeBron James in contrast to Mike D’Antoni who spent much time with LeBron because D’Antoni was on the USA basketball coaching staff.

Thibodeau is an unproven head coach who has never coached an NBA game. Yes, LeBron preaches defense and Thibodeau is a defensive minded coach, but LeBron James knows nothing about Tom Thibodeau.

LeBron has a solid relationship with Mike D’Antoni, and would fit well in his system.

Reality is that the Knicks have much more to offer than the Bulls when it comes to the bigger picture.

The Knicks have the chance to get better in 2011, plus they have many players coming off the books in 2012.

The Bulls can promise immediate success, but with the Bulls, the pieces don’t fit, and it won’t allow LeBron James to build an all time legacy.

LeBron James fits perfectly in a city like New York, a big time player like LeBron would embrace the city of New York.

LeBron is friends with Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia who told James about the prospect of playing in New York.

If LeBron wins in New York, he will own the city and enhance his status as a global icon.

This is in stark contrast to Chicago where no one will replace Michael Jordan, and Miami where the fans lack the passion of the inhabitants of the world’s most famous arena.

This decision could be the biggest in NBA history.

LeBron James will consider all his options but New York is the best long-term option.

The Knicks have been waiting over two years for this moment, and after a decade of bad basketball the fans expect to see a winner next season.

The Knicks brass will go out to visit LeBron James in Akron, and the King expects to make a decision around July 5th.

LeBron James is looking to go to a place where he can win multiple titles and enhance his status as a global icon.

New York is the best fit.

 

 

 

 

 

LeBron James has made his decision and he chose the Miami Heat. Now in earnest the LeBron backlash can begin.

In the history of sports perhaps no athlete has destroyed their image in just eight days, barring being arrested. In just 24 hours no sports network has sold their soul to the devil quicker than ESPN for airing “The Decision”.

The backlash that will hit LeBron will also land on ESPN. Mainly, on ESPN for helping him drag out this decision and go on national television to rip the heart out of Cleveland and his home state of Ohio.

No athlete in the history of sports has enjoyed a love-fest from the media and fans, like LeBron has enjoyed for a player with no championship rings. Now that he has ripped the heart out of his home state and the team that drafted him, the love-fest will end.

For two years, James has more than likely known he was going to leave. He just strung the city of Cleveland along while he bid his time to free agency.

After being bounced in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009 and the second round of the NBA playoffs in 2010, the die was cast for LeBron to leave. LeBron’s last two seasons in Cleveland saw the Cavaliers with the best record in the East and James won two MVPs.

But Cleveland could not get past the Orlando Magic in 2009 and the Boston Celtics in 2010. The weight of those defeats fell on James; much like the finals defeat in 2007 fell on him as well.

That is the kind of heat (no pun intended) that superstars have to take. Much like Kobe and Shaq had to take the heat for their loss in the NBA finals to the Detroit Pistons.

Several questions come to the forefront since LeBron made his decision. The first question is that is James the great player we think he is if he cannot win a title without the help of Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh?

There is no question that Wade is a great player. He is the only player of this trio to have a NBA title.

Bosh on the other hand has not done much in his seven year NBA career. Before you go nuts, Bosh has only two playoff appearances and he led his former team the Toronto Raptors to one .500 season and one season with an above .500 record.

The media or fans cannot declare a player a superstar with a record like Bosh. Also Bosh has led his team to two playoff appearances but was bounced in the first round both times.

If LeBron wins a title with the Heat can he really call himself the “King” anymore? Most of the NBA’s greatest players won a championship with the team that drafted them.

Michael Jordan made the Chicago Bulls by winning six titles there, Larry Bird restored the Boston Celtics by winning three titles there, and Magic Johnson bought back the luster to Los Angeles winning five championships there. Well you get my point.

These players can truly call themselves “King” of their cities and during their playing days of the NBA. That is something LeBron will not be able to say.

Now the title of king must be bestowed on D-Wade. Because Wade, like a true king had LeBron and Bosh come to him and not the other way around.

Some credit, no matter how bad you hate LeBron; you will have to admit is that he did not go for the money. For once an athlete that said winning titles was their main goal did not go to the team that could pay them the most money.   

But in all fairness the NBA’s salary cap does not allow for that. The only way James would make the most money he could is by staying in Cleveland.

That being said there was a fair amount of a chance that LeBron could win a title in Cleveland if the team had been retooled. James might have been able to take the money and the titles if he stayed with the Cavaliers.

James actions and comments during his special “The Decision” when asked about fans in Cleveland burning his jersey, shows just how out of touch he is. How can LeBron not realize how much he hurt the fans in his home state?

Unless you are a Miami Heat fan, the LeBron-a-backlash will be on full force for the next couple of years. Media people and fans in New York, New Jersey, Chicago and most of all in Cleveland will rip LeBron.

Mainly he will get ripped for his arrogance and how he led everyone on for the last two years. James has brought this on himself and by proxy has lumped Bosh and Wade in with him.

Unlike the thinking of the ESPN talking heads, the Miami Heat has no other choice but to win the NBA title next season. There is no way that you can bring in the LeBron, Bosh and resign D-Wade and not win a championship.

There is no way that the lack of championship in year one of the El Tri cannot been seen as a complete failure. If LeBron could not handle the pressure of leading the Cavaliers to a title how will he handle the failure a huge not winning a title in year one with Wade and Bosh.

One thing is for certain, the NBA landscape has changed. The Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics, the last two teams to win the East, now face a major threat to their dominance of the East.

For all those thinking the cupboard is bare in Miami, if the Heat signs their draft picks they will have a nice roster in the making. The Heat drafted three college seniors in the second round of the draft.

In the second round Miami drafted Dexter Pittman out of Texas, Da’Sean Butler out of West Virginia, and Jarvis Varnado out of Mississippi State. Pittman became a dominate center in the Big-12 after dropping nearly 100 pounds of weight.

Butler will be battling back from an injury sustained in the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and will not be available in year one of El Tri. Varnado became the NCAA leader in shot-blocking and the only NCAA player to ever have 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 blocks in his senior year.

As long as the Magic have Dwight Howard and the Celtics have their big three they will not just roll over and let the Heat take the East. The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of a threepeat and the fourth threepeat of Phil Jackson’s career.

The Heat could be the team to derail that goal but Kobe Bryant knows what it takes to win a championship. That is something only D-Wade knows in Miami.

LeBron better start winning rings or the backlash will not be confined to just a few. It will be a full blown epidemic from coast to coast.

Duke James has turned his back on his home and now turned off most of the country over the last eight days. It will be interesting to see if this backlash hits the companies LeBron endorsees.

James better win a championship quick or he and those companies just might find out. 

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James leaves Cleveland picks up Miami Heat

Written on July 10, 2010 – 4:19 am | by preenough

At least we can all be thankful this will be over soon.

What a pathetic display this has been – and what a bunch of liars and/or fools just about everyone involved has been.

LeBron James has forever damaged his legacy by originating this ridiculous spectacle. Having a one-hour special to announce his choice of a new team is revolting. I will not be watching because ultimately the only interesting information will be available on any news outlet – and that info would be where he will be signing.

Which will be Miami.

Why? Look at yesterday's news conference with Wade and Bosh on Pravda – I mean, ESPN. While Wade is wearing a T-shirt which says “Miami-Wade County” (nauseating), he and Bosh debased themselves by claiming this was “a basketball decision” and it was “not about the money.” I know that it is “not about the money” because that was said about eight times by each guy.

Which of course means it is about the money.

Because if it were a “basketball decision,” Wade and Bosh would have signed with the Bulls. They would have fit in perfectly and created a super-team in Chicago.

But that would have made LeBron unhappy.

The only way this is a “basketball decision” is if LeBron signs in Miami.

And that is where Michael Wilbon disgraced himself yesterday. Wilbon, a Chicago guy, should have heard Wade and Bosh saying this was a “basketball decision” and said, “If so, why wouldn't you sign in Chicago, unless LeBron is coming to Miami, too?”

Supporting cast in Chicago: Rose, Noah, Gibson, Deng, etc.

Supporting cast in Miami: Mario Chalmers and (possibly) Michael Beasley, although for Bosh to get his max deal, the prevailing thought is Beasley has to leave.

I hope Toronto does not take Beasley in a sign-and-trade and instead settles for draft picks and a trade exception, because Miami has to get rid of Beasley to make it possible for LeBron to show up. Otherwise, the Heat will be using up all but about $3 million of the new cap, and would still have no center and no bench. But they will have “The Three Amigos,”  although I think “The Three Stooges” is more appropriate.

So how could it be a “basketball decision” to join a roster that is almost vacant?

Ironically, LeBron will have to take less money if Wade and Bosh get max deals, so I am sure LeBron has told them they have to take pay cuts so he is getting paid the most (maybe as much as Wade, but the most) – which is also pathetic.

Equally pathetic is ESPN having breaking news that ESPN will be having a special on LeBron's announcement. Grotesque.

If LeBron does not choose Miami, then Wade and Bosh are unbelievable liars because then it absolutely could not be a “basketball decision” in any way, shape, or form.

Lastly, LeBron having a one-hour special to turn his nose up at Cleveland is awful.

The big winner this week? Kevin Durant, who quietly signed an extension with Oklahoma City. He has class.

Everyone else involved in this mess does not. I'm most disappointed with Wilbon, who came off so poorly yesterday that he looked like one of those fake interviewers on an infomercial. Kathie Lee Gifford hits harder during interviews.

I'm just glad it is about to be over. And then I will go back to watching NFL football and college basketball because if Miami wins, they should. If they don't, the Three Stooges failed. Either way, why watch the NBA?

 

With early morning news that Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have agreed to contracts with the Miami Heat, The Chicago Bulls have agreed to a contract for 5 years worth 80 million with Carlos Boozer.

So it begins, has the signing of Carlos Boozer attracted LeBron? Boozer left the Cavaliers in 2004 because of the situation with LeBron and ownership. The twist now comes as can LeBron and Boozer put the past aside and form a dominant dynasty in Chicago? 

In the 1990's the Bulls led by Michael Jordan and his sidekick Scottie Pippen won 6 titles, two three-peats (MJ took 2 years off to play baseball) and when the Bulls got their meeting with LeBron part of the package they gave him was a picture of a shadow from the MJ statue that is right outside the United Center, and underneath the picture there was a caption that read: “Can you fill these?”

So, the Bulls who have an All-Star point guard in Derrick Rose, a future All-Star in Joakim Noah a reliable option at the small forward spot in Luol Deng have now added a veteran powerful post player in Carlos Boozer.

The twist to all of this is that LeBron can sign with the Bulls at a max deal. This means the Bulls would not have to move any more pieces, LeBron would get his dough and it would be Game On in the Eastern Conference. If LeBron wants a ring his best chance is to sign with the Bulls and LeBron and the Bulls organization would have to thank Carlos Boozer.

Carlos Boozer did not sign a max deal and now there is a bigger possibility of LeBron joining the Bulls. We all thought that with the Amar'e signing LeBron could be headed to New York but there simply isn't enough pieces to get a ring right away. If LeBron is tied to home and wants more money, he'll stay in Cleveland, but will his chances of getting a title improve? I believe not, and Bulls fans hope not. 

In the biggest sports announcement of possibly all time, LeBron will announce his decision on ESPN at 9pm EST on a one hour special called “The Decision”.

So what's it gonna be LeBron, Chicago? New York? New Jersey? Cleveland? Miami? New Jersey and Miami seem like a long shot and I believe his final three are New York, Cleveland and Chicago. 

On national television, LeBron will break many hearts in many cities across the NBA—he can sign with only one team and it comes down to what does LeBron want? Cities, teams and fans can throw the world at LeBron but its up to you King James, and the Bulls hope their recent acquisition of “Booze” can lure you up.

So the question re-asks itself if you sign with the Bulls: Can you fill Michael's shoes? 

Question asked, Answer to be announced Thursday July 8th, 2010 9 PM EST on ESPN. “The Decision” may shift the whole NBA world, and the Bulls have now become a nice attractive option for LeBron to sign there.

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Tags: james cleveland, lebron james

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James leaves Cavs to go to Miami Heat

Written on July 10, 2010 – 4:19 am | by preenough

LeBron has decided but questions remain.

by Adam Sweeney

The inmates have officially taken over the asylum and we handed them the keys.

Thursday night, LeBron James, a player whose talent level and hype seems to know no limits, took the term heartbreaker to a new level by making the announcement that he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to head to South Beach with the Miami Heat in a television special. With that decision comes hyperbole to no end, as ESPN has already stated the trio of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh is one of the great trios of all time before they even played as a team in an NBA game together. But if James has become an addict of celebrity, and it certainly appears that way, then we are the ultimate enablers. This isn’t a LeBron James hate article. If anything, we put the needle in his hand.

Anyone who needs proof that America can’t get enough of the summer LeBron-athon needs to look at the SLAMonline website. The top four features all involved LeBron James. No, the irony of this article in itself is not lost on me. I feed the beast just as much as the next fan. It’s a matter of supply and demand when it comes to sports coverage. We recognize what you want to see and then slam it down your throat until you pick another flavor. Now swallow your poison.

There is nothing wrong with LeBron James choosing to go for a ring. It’s common knowledge that you can’t win a title without two to three exceptional players. Jordan had Pippen. Kareem had Magic. Kobe had Shaq and Gasol. Now LeBron has his co-pilots. The black eye to James comes in how he conducted the entire process, right up to the ultimate “Decision.”

If LeBron wants to add another sponsor in his quest for world domination, maybe Gold Bond Medicated Powder would be happy to throw themselves at his feet. It is really the only practical choice, seeing as the poor guy must be chafing from how many teams and fans rode his jock so hard, as if James needs more money. The “selflessness” of James when it comes to taking less money is laughable. He still stands to make over $80-100 million in this contract if he wants. The big money comes from endorsements. Don’t forget that James, Bosh and Wade are all Nike guys. The real winners in this choice may be Phil Knight, CEO of Nike, and the Swoosh symbol. Let’s also not forget about the Don, Pat Riley, who pulled a great sell job to make this happen.

The Cleveland Cavaliers shouldn’t blame themselves. They did everything they could to help James get a championship. The sad truth is that you are who you are. Cleveland just isn’t a top-tier city or franchise. James was not selfless or naïve enough to think he could win a championship on his own. Had Chris Bosh wanted to play in C-Town there is no doubt James would have stayed. That wasn’t happening and so James was left with little choice but to leave. Cleveland lost their high school sweetheart and now gets to look at the love letters and highlight videos of the “LeBron years” in the aftermath. You can always break out the Mark Price and Shawn Kemp jerseys, Ohio. Cough. And please don’t feel bad for the New York Knicks or any team besides Cleveland that lost in the LeBron sweepstakes. They cut off their nose to spite their face. The results are to be expected. They are now a bloody and ugly mess.

Still, there is contradiction in The Chosen One’s pick. James stated that a team isn’t built around just three guys but his decision screams otherwise. Yes, Wade and Bosh are two of the 20 best players in the game but what else does Miami have? The best choice in terms of depth was Chicago, especially once they grabbed Carlos Boozer. Somebody strike while the iron is hot and print a picture of the aforementioned trio that says “Friends first” or “Miami Thrice.” (Props to my friend Nick for the latter nickname.) This is what James is saying with his pick. Going to Miami says that he thinks superstar egos can co-exist and winning matters but don’t say that he chose the best team scenario. It simply isn’t true.

It would be foolish to crown James a champion, though haven’t we all been doing that since he was a high school phenom? Expectations don’t always equate to reality. The Heat still have to fill their roster out around the new “Big Three.” Don’t forget about the Steve Kerrs, Michael Coopers and Robert Horrys of the world. Mike Miller, who now looks ready to come along, gives them a much needed shooter. Can Pat Riley lure other veterans in to the fray? The kneejerk answer is a definitive yes. But don’t underestimate the egos of NBA players. How many true impact players want to sit on the bench and play ten minutes at best a night? We will see.

What made James’ situation novel was the polarity involved. The most unique physical specimen in basketball came from the trenches of Ohio to carry the hopes and hearts of the most jaded sports city in America. We haven’t seen a hometown boy more hyped up since Anakin Skywalker rolled out of Tatooine in Star Wars. Now it’s James who has seemingly turned to the dark side.

The made-for-TV special could not have been any more audacious if they had carried James in to the room on a throne. Was it really necessary to title a press conference concerning an athlete’s deliberation over free agency “The Decision?” Harry S. Truman deliberating over dropping the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima is a decision. This circus show should have been called “Just tell us already!”

James had to be aware of what he was doing to Cleveland by making his decision in to a spectacle. Offering up the show’s profits to the Boys & Girls Club smelled both of desperation and self-preservation. I kept waiting for LeBron to kiss a baby and say, “Don’t forget that I’m a good person, Cleveland.” The bleachers filled with children served as a false backdrop to a stage where James has now changed from hero to villain In the eyes of many. The Miami Heat have now become the Empire, an odd juxtaposition to the superpowers of teams with tradition like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Any rebellious team who takes down King James and his roundball table will be respected.

The never-ending conversation of who is the greatest of all time also has turned itself on its head. James has shown that rings overcome loyalty, which shows that he is aware of his place in history. Kobe Bryant’s last two titles have seemed to erase the memories of hoop fans everywhere. Anyone who says Bryant wouldn’t have dragged this situation out forget his temper tantrums thrown on sports radio and his infamous statement about Andrew Bynum in a mall. It’s funny how winning changes history.

In King James’ quest to grasp the Holy Grail of public opinion, he has also lowered his respective ceiling in the G.O.A.T. conversation. James can’t win in this situation. Critics will say LeBron can’t win it by himself without superstars around him if he wins in Miami. “He had to acquiesce to Dwyane Wade to do it,” they will say. If he fails to get a title with the Heat, which is a real possibility, he will move ahead of players like Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley and Karl Malone in terms of great players who couldn’t earn a ring. Is it an unfair paradox? Maybe, but LeBron has made his own bed by dragging teams along on a two-year courtship.

The true greats of the NBA stayed at home. Michael Jordan stuck in Chicago during the prime of his career. Magic Johnson did it. Paul Pierce is now a Boston hero because he held down the fort in the wake of despair. The consensus philosophy also lies in the fact that to be the best you beat the best. You don’t join them. James could have been a legend by staying in Cleveland or winning a title in New York because he would have done it alone. What this says about James’ legacy remains to be seen. Titles seem probable to come but the Association’s greatest? That’s a title that seems to be getting away from James.

LeBron James made the most fitting choice for who he has become now. He has brought a hurricane of controversy, urban legend and expectations to South Beach. Get ready, Miami. Change is coming. We have to wait and see if it will end with championship parties on the beach or a hangover even Mike Tyson couldn’t knock out. You know that we will be watching every overexposed step of the way.

As all of America now knows — Miami and Cleveland especially — superstar basketball player LeBron James is joining the Heat, effectively ending his longtime relationship with the Cavaliers. Needless to say, the people of Cleveland did not take the news well. Like a jaded ex, Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert publicly denounced James' decision and called his former player's choice “selfish,” “heartless” and “callous.” Ouch.

As heated reactions from Cavaliers fans continue to flow in, we here on the Movies Blog team can't help ourselves from viewing LeBron and Cleveland's breakup through a cinematic lens. After the jump, check out five on-screen breakups that LeBron's brutal Cleveland departure brings to mind!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
It's hard to say which party fits into which character in this breakup. On one hand, LeBron certainly left the Cavaliers naked and vulnerable like the titular Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) did to Peter Bretter (Jason Segal). But on the other hand, Gilbert's promise to win an NBA title before the “self-declared former King” reminds us of the infamous scene where the two character try to one up each other through sex. Either way, something tells us the LeBron-Cleveland breakup won't resolve itself with a Dracula puppet musical.

(500) Days of Summer
This movie surprisingly fits really, really well into this analogy. In the film, Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) dates Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) for hundreds of days before Summer breaks up with Tom seemingly out of nowhere. The movie goes on to explore Tom's heartbreak, anger and depression over the next several hundred days before he moves on and finds someone else perfect for him. In other words, while “Summer” may have walked out on Cleveland, in the end, maybe the city will find their “Autumn” — just as long as “she” can shoot three-pointers blindfolded while spinning in circles.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Okay, so maybe things will never get better between LeBron and the Cavaliers. The Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet-starring “Eternal Sunshine” offers an interesting solution to the problem: simply erase their entire memory of their time together. While such a solution worked out in the end for Joel and Clementine, I think it would get a bit awkward when fans keep asking LeBron about his time with the Cavaliers and he realizes he can't remember the last seven years of his life.

War of the Roses
Here's the worst case scenario in the LeBron-Cleveland breakup: after a terrible divorce, Oliver (Michael Douglas) and Barbara (Kathleen Turner) spend the majority of “War of the Roses” attempting to destroy the other's life. It starts with simple humiliation before completely derailing into violence that eventually leads to both characters' deaths. So, yeah, let's hope that LeBron and the Cavaliers manage to avoid a similarly gruesome fate. That would be bad.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith
After John (Brad Pitt) and Jane Smith (Angelina Jolie) discover that they're both secretly spies working for competing agencies, the married couple proceed to kick the ever-loving tar out of each other. After nearly destroying the house with bullets, knives and fists, the two end up having hardcore makeup sex, which further damages the house but serves to repair their relationship. So, hey, maybe things will turn out alright for LeBron and Cleveland after all — they just need to kick each other around for a while then meet up in the future for a passionate one-night stand. Boom, problem solved!

Which breakup outcome are you hoping for regarding LeBron's split from Cleveland? You tell us in the comments section and on Twitter!

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