the Chicago Bulls.   Why is this relevant especially at this critical juncture in the NBA finals?  Well it's simple: Tom Thibodeau.  He will be coaching the Bulls next season.  Carlos Boozer was just on Sportscenter.  He was asked how much a coach matters when you decide on a team and obviously matters a lot.   He said and without the exact quote I may be a little off:  "It matters a lot because your goal is to go in there and win a championship."  Please correct me if I made any egregious errors.  He also said about Lebron (again paraphrasing): "He is going to set the tone in the free agent market.  He will go somewhere and some other guys may follow." His tone visibly rose a pitch when he said that.  I'm no expert but it seems like he would be one of those guys would follow Lebron or would sign somewhere and Lebron would follow seeing the pieces in place.  

If you want to win a championship.  Chicago would be the place to go.  Tommy T has won one championship as an assistant and may win another in the coming weeks.  He was essential in managing all of the egos on the  08 Celtics allowing them to win that title.   My prediction is: Thibodeau's hiring will attract 2 big name free agents in Lebron James and Carlos Boozer.  And one current Celtic will follow him to Chicago that being Ray Allen.

Lebron James wants to be placed on the Pantheon of greatness with Michael Jordan.  In order to do so he has realized that he needs to start winning titles as soon as next season.  The fluidity of the situation in Cleveland makes his resigning there unlikely.  Since the Cav's dismissal from the playoffs, Chicago has emerged as the front runner for his services.  Lebron respects people that stand up to him and aren't intimidated by his talents.  Tom Thibodeau is one of those guys.  That and TT's one (hopefully two) championships show Lebron that this is a guy who can get it done.  Lebron is close with Derrick Rose as well which tips the scale even more in Chicago's favor.  

Carlos Boozer is a very intelligent guy, one of the more articulate NBA guys I've seen interviewed on ESPN. Despite his professed loyalty to Utah his deepest desire is to win a NBA title.  After his teams humiliation at the hands of the Lakers and their inability to sign both him and Paul Millsap to contracts he is understandably looking east.  Lebron signing in Chicago with the current pieces that are already in place would make it easy for him to accept their offer.  

Danny Ainge isn't going to resign Ray to a contract.  He already tried to trade him this winter.  Win or lose after these Finals Ray's days in Boston are done.  Ray has always been the most reluctant of the Big 3.  He doesn't like Garnett or Pierce and he knows that with this aging core won't contend for another championship.  If Lebron, and Boozer/ Bosh were to go Chicago I could see TT making an offer.  Ray and he have a mutual respect for one another as it was Thibodeau who made Ray into a solid defender in 08.  Ray has an ego and he wants another ring or two to solidify his HOF bid.  A revamped Windy City lineup and a former coach would make it a great place for him to go.

A hypothetical Chicago 2011 lineup:

PG: Rose

SG: Allen

SF: Lebron

PF: Boozer

C: Noah

Defensively Thibodeau will mold this team into a fearsome unit better than his Celts versions.  The athleticism and speed of Rose and Lebron on the help will create hell for opponents.  The hustle and physicality of their front 3 will make every shot difficult for opposing bigs.  

Offensively Lebron now has a solid secondary scorer in Rose and great 3rd and 4th options in Boozer and Allen.  Lebron and Rose's frequent drives to the basket will open up many high percentage looks for Noah and Boozer and tons of open 3's for Ray.  

Please post comments below. Don't be shy

On today's "Sportsnation" Colin Cowhero said that Albert Pujols is the tougher out than the Babe.  He said that the Babe was "overrated"  and that in "1915 it was easier to hit since there were no relief pitchers". The Babe wasn't a fulltime hitter in 1915. This guy is ridiculous.  First he works for Espn he should know Babe Ruth's favorite brand of beer nevermind when he started to be a fulltime hitter.  Another reason why Espn should be blacked out across America they hire idiots.  Erin Andrews can stay on the air though

Yesterday we watched as Pierre and Mike the two lovable broadcasters from NBC argued over the place of fighting in the NHL.  Personally i started bleeding from the eardrums as soon as Pierre Mcguire starting speaking.  Fighting belongs in the NHL .  Its a way for the game to attract fans, and it keeps the Sean Avery's and Colton Orr's of this world honest.    If those broadcasters argue like that every weekend its no small wonder that NBC has terrible ratings for the NHL..  But anyway enough of my ranting heres the poll:

Please leave comments discuss

According to MLBTR http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/01/braves-offer-fo.html

Derek Lowe is close to a deal with the Braves.   Its time to get busy.  The young guys like Hughes, IPK, Aceves, and Coke.  Haven't proven that they can pitch in the Major Leagues.  If I'm Brian Cashman and company I make three moves right now. 

1. Send Andy a new offer.  1 year 12 million dollars and give him a five day ultimatum. 
   
2. Sign Ben Sheets  to a 2 year 28 million dollar deal.  With a club option on the second year.
3. This is only if Sheets and Pettitte reject their offers.  Jon Garland 2 years 15 million.  With a club option on the second year.

Reasons for the fifth starter.  in 17 starts last year Hughes and Kennedy didn't get a win. Aceves early success is consistent to that of Darrell Rasner's early success last year.  A tell tale sign of that is the 4 HR in four starts.  Coke is an effective reliever keep him there/

Please feel free to react, discuss do whatever