Feeding The Post: LeBron Open To Leaving

* Cleveland Cavaliers fans did not want to hear anymore talk of LeBron James leaving Cleveland when he becomes a free agent in 2010, but too bad It seems like a done deal that "the chosen one" is gone unless the Cavs can win a championship, and honestly, it's going to have to be potentially his last year with the team during the 2009-10 season. James says he just wants to win a championship and if Cleveland does it this year, but doesn't do in LBJ's walk year, he has an excuse to break out... because the Cavs didn't win for whatever reason. Either way, the rumors of LBJ leaving have been around for so long and going strong two seasons away that I don't see him staying in Ohio, other than to live during the offseason.

* Current Phoenix Sun, Shaquille O'Neal, says that he'd go back to the Los Angeles Lakers when he becomes a free agent after the 2009-10 season. Conveniently, current Lakers head coach Phil Jackson's contract runs out by then. Why convenient? Because Shaq blames Jackson for the ill will between himself and Kobe Bryant. But, does any of this speculation really matter? Nope, because it's still a while away and O'Neal isn't what he used to be, and is obviously at the latter end of his career.

* The New York Knicks selecting Danilo Gallinari just seems like another bad Knicks draft pick. Sure, it's hard to blame injuries on a player, but come on. The Knicks first round draft pick will not be back on an NBA court during a regular season game until January. Ever since the beginning I’ve been screaming for the Knicks to take Jerryd Bayless because the guy is perfect for D’Antoni’s system. Bayless was arguably the most athletic player in the draft and a complete offensive player - getting to the basket and hitting from the perimeter. As far as never being a true point guard, you might have a point there, but look at those that still succeeded - Allen Iverson, Gilbert Arenas, Monta Ellis, and current Knick (for now) Stephon Marbury - all shoot first guards, but still averaged a decent amount of assists regardless. And, Bayless DID average four dimes a game his last year at Arizona, which is not bad at all on the college level.

In a rebuilding year, I think you just have to take the best talent available and while I give props to Gallinari for doing so well in a tough Italian league, I just don’t see him being “tough” enough to make it here in the NBA, despite all of his determination. He just doesn’t have the build, athleticism, or anything that will make him stand out, such as Dirk was a tall perimeter threat, Drazen Petrovic can hit from anywhere, Arvydas Sabonis had ridiculous vision and instincts. And, soon enough, Ricky Rubio will be a phenom here because of his ability to pass and play defense. All of the aforementioned Euros might not have been ready athletically or physically, but they had that “something” about them.

Gallinari had nothing. I hated this pick almost as much as I hated Frederic Weis when Ron Artest was still available. Just a dumb move, but I guess the Knicks have time to waste and let Gallinari “develop” before 2010 hits us. Oh well.

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