S.I.'s Fortune 50

Sports Illustrated released their annual report of the richest athletes for 2009. Topping the list yet again was Tiger Woods with over $90 million. LeBron was fourth on the list, and the highest ranked NFL player was Peyton Manning at number 8. The most obvious point we can deduce from this list is that if you are on the Yankees you have a good chance of being one of the richest sports people in the world. 

Find the whole article here at S.I.'s website.

LeBron Owes Cleveland Nothing

The NBA is a business and this was a business move. Do you think Cleveland would act differently to a well loved and devoted player? Well they didn't. After being a fan favorite for 14 years they ditched Zydrunas Ilgauskas in a trade for Antown Jamison. They simply traded him away for a better player, a business move any team would make.

After Big Z was bought out of his contract by the Wizards he sat around not playing. Then Shaq went down with any injury and Cleveland scrambled to find another big man. Who did they turn to? Reliable ol' Big Z. He easily accepted their low salary offer because at least it was a job.

Mr. Professional, aka the most ridiculously uncouth owner in the NBA, Dan Gilbert, basically said "Hey Big Z, thanks for being the most loved player on the team for 14 years until LeBron took over, now get out...Oh crap one of our many mercenary players went down with and injury? Big Z come back we need you!"

What's the point of this story? LeBron treated the Cavaliers the same way they treat their players. No matter how special or loved they are, this is a sports business that is about winning and money. So go ahead and bitch LeBron out Cleveland, but you know you would do the same thing.


Side note: Big Z has signed with the Heat. I find that hilarious.
Side note 2: Don't worry Clevendars, there will be a rebuttal about why LeBron is a raging cunt coming soon.

NBA Thursday Night Smackraw

"Sources" have announced that LeBron will have a 1 hour special Thursday night at 9 ET on ESPN to announce what team he is going to. Who does this guy think he is, Brett Favre?

Also, Bosh has said he does not want to go to the Cavs so tough luck Cleveland with getting LeBron back. Chris Broussard, the man with the sources, said "the Bulls and Knicks are not dead yet."

NBA Free Agency Update

What we know so far:

• Everyone is meeting with everybody. 
• Rudy Gay is reportedly signing a long term deal to stay on the Grizzlies
• Joe Johnson is reportedly signing a long term deal to stay on the Hawks
• Paul Pierce may or may not have signed a deal to stay on the Celtics
• The "big free agents" will know their destination within the next few days
• Amar'e Stoudemire is reportedly close to signing a 5 year deal with the Knicks!
• The Knicks met with Dwyane Wade after talking with Amar'e and Wade has said he is "intrigued" 

2010 NBA Free Agency Preview

Note: These are not opinions of where we think players will/should go, they are just what we have heard.

The biggest free agency period in NBA history is only a little more than a day away. At Midnight Thursday morning EST, or 9 PM in the West, players and teams can start negotiating contracts. Not until a week later on July 8th can players actually sign any contracts. A complete breakdown of what we know about each star is after the break.