Good Riddance

"I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!" - Michael Corleone

Chris Paul has taken on the Fredo title. As news comes out that Chris Paul is demanding a trade, I can't help but feel betrayed for what he has done. Basketball was my first love. I fell in love with Michael Jordan, but when he left, I left as well. I switched full-time to football and felt the stinging failure of the Saints organization. It took a miracle performance by Dwyane Wade in the NBA Finals to pull me back through.

Wade's Finals performance reminded me of why I loved the NBA in the first place. I have always been in awe of the things these players are capable of. The individual talent and spectacle always played to my desire to be a star as well. After the 2006 NBA Finals, I decided to start watching basketball again, specifically the hometown Hornets. Unfortunately, though they were still the New Orleans Hornets, they were playing in Oklahoma City. I still watched as a young star in the making, Chris Paul, won Rookie of the Year, and continued to develop a rapport with power forward David West. I transferred to Tulane in the fall of 2007 and became a season ticket holder for the New Orleans Hornets. All through 2007, I went on a journey following Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, and the crew to a 56 win season and a number two seed in the Western Conference. We lost in the second round, in a game seven to the spurs, but I knew something special was developing.

In the years that followed, the Hornets only underwhelmed making the playoffs in 2008 and missing them in 2009. During this time, I kept the faith with Chris Paul. I knew he was talented enough to take this team to a higher level. I knew that he would be able to make everyone around him better. I knew that he could bring New Orleans it's first basketball title. The only problem is Chris Paul doesn't know that.

The trade demands from Chris Paul hurt every New Orleans resident, no matter what their basketball affiliation. Chris Paul has been lauded in the media for his dedication to the city of New Orleans and the community work he has done. Now, Paul has ruined all of the goodwill that he earned. New Orleans is a loyal city. People returned after Katrina and kept up the traditions, no matter how difficult it was. This city is resilient and never backs away from a challenge. We follow our sports teams, through thick and thin, especially after losing them due to Katrina. None of these traits describe Paul anymore.

Say what you will about Lebron James, but his decision was at least acceptable. He was a free agent and went to the place that would give him the best chance to win. Chris Paul is demanding a trade, and frankly, I cannot support him. I have been the biggest Chris Paul supporter I know. While many of my friends have said trade Paul, I demanded we try and keep him to build around him. I have lost all respect for Paul because of this move. I know people like KG did it to move to Boston, but Garnett was an older player, and the Wolves were far away from winning. It was only two years ago that the Hornets were the #2 seed! Paul is still in his prime. To do this to the city of New Orleans is classless, Chris. You said that Oklahoma City was a great place to play, and I bet you wish'd you'd stayed there. We still filled the arena and sold out games! There was a death sentence for the Hornets if we did not fill out the stadium, but New Orleanians came out in droves for you! We don't want to watch David West or Okafor. Every fan in the house was there for you, Chris and you failed us.

I used to say that the race between you and Drew Brees for King of New Orleans was a close one. You were closer to winning a title. You were one of the biggest stars in the NBA. The Saints were merely .500 teams and looked to be talented but going nowhere. I just knew that you were going to be the one that came out on top. Then something strange happened, Drew Brees showed dedication that we loved. He kept his head down, kept working, and helped to make his team better. He volunteered all around New Orleans and truly embraced the culture. He is one of a very few athletes to even live among us. Drew Brees did everything right, especially trust his organization, and it paid off for him. I thought that's what you would do Chris. Instead, you went all titty-baby on us and decided to leave. Well good luck, and good riddance. If this trade goes through, I'll cherish the past and curse your future.

The Indecision

As I sat and watched Lebron James confirm all suspicions, I couldn't help but feel odd about the entire decision. From Lebron's standpoint, the decision makes perfect sense: he has always wanted to win a championship. All throughout history, every champion has had at least two superstars or two excellent players on the team. Jordan/Pippen, Magic/Kareem, Bird/McHale, etc. Only recently though, with a proliferation of talent in the NBA, the model seems to have changed to a three player system. Think about the teams that have been very good recently. The Celtics had Garnett, Allen, and Pierce. The Magic had Howard, Lewis, and Turkoglu/Carter. The Lakers had Kobe, Odom, and Gasol. These teams were designed to fit around these trios. Lebron knew this and never saw himself getting the help in Cleveland.

It has been said before, but it must be said again, Cleveland never proved itself to be the team that Lebron would win championships on. Whether it be inept management making the wrong moves, or the karma of fnas booing the team after playoff losses, the city was too emotionally daaged and too many mistakes were made to go back. Cleveland had 7 years to put even one superstar around Lebron and they always chose the easy route with a third-tier player or a washed up has-been. Lebron saw the writing on the walls and decided to get out before he lost any more of his youth.

Now that Lebron has gone to the Heat, their chances of winning a title have increased dramatically. Lebron, Wade and Bosh will coexist and prove that this was the right decision. The fast breaks are going to be ridiculous with this team. Bron Bron and Dwyane were both in the top 10 in steals last year. If each player keeps those numbers up, and has the other running the floor to finish, they migh tbe the most fun team to watch. Lebron will change his game to fit the system. He can be an NBA chameleon, but must improve his jump shot. I think that all three players recognize that Wade is the leader of this team. They know he is the only one to have won things at all different levels. The two will cowtow to Lord Wade and all will be right in the world.

Still though, I cannot get used to the images of Lebron James over the Heat logo. I knew that Chris Broussard was right when he said Lebron was going to Miami for the next season but I guess I didn't believe it. I know Lebron is getting killed from all angles for this but he shouldn't be. The decision he made was the right one. The only thing I would have done differently is I would have called the Cavaliers first. Have some class Lebron and talk to your previous employers. They supported far better than they should have. I understand wanting to keep the suspense aspect but call the others teams too. Quit stringing the teams along as if your were a high school boy toying with a girls emotions. You have grown from that, you are a man now. In this sense, you should have acted like one.

I love Dwyane Wade. Always have always will. I hated Lebron James. Now that the two have teamed up, I have no idea how to feel.