Hoopsworld Free-Agent Breakdown Magnifies Basketball Revolution

This all happened didn't quite happen overnight, but it feels that way. Hoopsworld.com, an in-depth source for all things NBA basketball, rated the Top 10 free agents and the status of their free agency. Will they stay on their team, or leave for a new one? Will they resist a team's lower offer, or know they can't nab the money they want anywhere?

Hoopsworld introduces a new, not-so-freshing option, to this NBA fan anyway. European clubs. Europe has been on a basketball high for some time, but the notion that LeBron, for example, might leap across the pond to play for Olympiacos is daunting. Why? Because there are outstanding advantages for each player that considers European ball. First, how Hoopsworld evaluates the advantages:

"On the other hand, what if - as our own Steve Kyler suggested - Olympiacos offered LeBron $50 million tax-free?

What if LeBron decided the pressure of the whole "Witness" campaign, which set expectations for his career so high he has to win a title and MVP to even begin to realize his imagined potential, just isn't worth it? What if he decides that being incredibly wealthy (even by pro athlete standards) is better than wallowing in mediocrity, which is largely brought about by the size of his own contract? There is no salary cap in Europe . . .and did I mention no tax? Instead of pulling in half of whatever the Cavs offer, LeBron could rake in all of his European paycheck. They'd even provide a house, transportation, and plane tickets home."

Yes, money would be most players' motivation. But, the tax breaks and benefits are so overwhelming that buying up LeBron might be feasible. Plus, as Hoopsworld notes, Lebron would be that much more of an international hero.

And, to run on my own tangent, consider the shift in how the fan views you, the NBA player who's just joined a European league. Your game will instantly look better. Europeans will see you struggle in footage of your NBA career, but you'll blow by most of the defenses in Europe. You won't be beat off the dribble nearly as often. The fans will respect your game that much more - whether you're Josh Childress, Karl Landry...or LeBron James. Any player's game would flash brighter. Well at least until so many players come that...the competition evens between European and American leagues? Lord, I hope we don't see that day.

See the noted Hoopsworld pieces:

Lebron to Olympiacos

Free Agent Top 10

Madison Square Garden a.k.a The Inferno

God bless journalists and the absent-minded people we often confront. Most times we can overcome roadblocks, but this is something:

Now The Knicks Are Pummeling The Reporters

In November, we told you about the pure bliss that went into being a beat reporter following the New York Knicks. (Note: We are employing The Sarcasm there.) But covering the Knicks doesn't just involve hating yourself and your choice of career; it can actively mean being beaten up by security.

Some New York Giants players were interviewed by media at halftime of the Knicks-Celtics game yesterday, but when reporters tried to talk to a fan who was being ejected -- you'd be amazed how often this is happening at Knicks games right now -- matters went dangerously awry.

I would estimate that a dozen ushers surrounded the three reporters, including myself, physically blocking our path and berating us for not listening to their orders, not "respecting" them and not letting them do their jobs. I explained that, in truth, it was the other way around. The security staff was keeping us from doing our jobs. One reporter was physically restrained and had his credential torn off his neck.

I've gotten to know a few ushers and security people at the Garden over the past couple of years, and like them. But I don't envy their jobs. I don't envy anyone who has to work in this place, under these conditions. It's sad, really, is the best way I can put it.

Honestly, this might be one of the most depressing sentences we've ever read in sports journalism: "I don't envy anyone who has to work in this place, under these conditions." Sigh. For months, we've encouraged the Knicks to hang onto 2007 SHOTY winner Isiah Thomas for raw entertainment value. But we dunno; he's turning that place into a toxic swamp. Maybe we should get him out of there before the Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers arrive.

Clip of the Day

Bear with me. I'm a little more than a week through my final semester of school, but will try to keep posting as much as possible.

Here's a Clip of the Day for the last week or so - and it's worth that many. This is one of the funniest YouTube videos I've seen.

Enjoy ya boi, Bo Ryan, do SOULJA BOY.