Category Archives: Uncategorized

GREAT AGAIN?

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October 2, 2018 Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey. He never walked out. Indeed, over time it became clear that he had been brutally slaughtered, and his body dismembered with saws by Saudi government agents. The President of the United States defended not the American resident journalist Khashoggi, but the Saudis, emphasizing the monetary value of the U.S./Saudi relationship. He continued to provide advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia. Republican support and popularity with his base did not suffer at all.

The Turks, however took note. Turkey was already very aware of the power of money within the Trump Administration. The former National Security Adviser, Mike Flynn had been on Turkey’s payroll as a “consultant”. Flynn had failed to disclose his status as a foreign agent for Turkey, or his role in the conspiracy to kidnap Turkish cleric Fathullah Gulen from the United States and secret him off to Turkey, likely for a fate not dissimilar to that of Khashoggi. Seeing Trump’s continued approval of the Saudis and Flynn, Turkey’s ruler, Recep Erdogan decided to push for an end to American protection in Syria of the Kurds, whom Turkey wanted displaced and weakened. To the astonishment of many, President Trump ordered the withdrawal of U.S. troops, leaving the Kurds, who had fought side by side with Americans against the Islamic State abandoned and fleeing for their very lives from Turks and Russians. Trump’s support never wavered.

Even as an investigation of President Trump’s relationships with Russia, led by Robert Mueller yielded potentially damaging details, and his documented and witnessed blackmail of Ukraine for investigations of enemies in exchange for desperately needed weapons led to his impeachment in the House of Representatives, the Republican led Senate held him free and harmless, weakening Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression and cowering Trump’s domestic rivals as Bill Barr, more a Trump consigliere than an Attorney General, began helping Trump allies and investigating investigators.

Emboldened, President Trump’s exertion of his power and disdain for the rule of law escalated, along with his overt racism. So did his open embrace of Vladimir Putin. He railed against N.A.T.O. allies, announced withdrawal of American troops from Germany, and insisted that Russia be readmitted to the G8 (now G7) despite its annexation of Crimea, invasion of Ukraine, and poisoning of Russian exiles in England. North Korea’s Kim Jung Un became disgusted that even as Trump publicly courted his friendship as well, he was unable to extract such tangible benefits as the Saudis, Turks, and Russians.

Perhaps the most interested observer of all was President Xi Jinping of China. Economically and militarily, China continues to emerge as the primary rival of the United States for world supremacy. Accordingly, Mr. Trump regularly ignites his base with anti Chinese rhetoric. Their personal interactions though are quite different from the rhetoric. Trump even asked Xi Jinping for help in Trump’s reelection effort in the form of investigations of his rival Joe Biden, and a successfully concluded trade deal to bolster the U.S. economy. Astutely, Xi Jinping mentioned the prison camps in construction in China to house the Uyghurs and other minorities. Mr. Trump expressed comfort with it all. Seizing on this compromise of the moral high ground, China began publicly denouncing U.S. hypocrisy on human rights, and oppressive measures in Hong Kong.

The most grievous action however involves Mr. Putin. It is now revealed that he offered and paid bounties to Taliban in Afghanistan to kill American troops. President Trump, despite this being in his President’s Daily Briefings claims to have been unaware of it while in frequent friendly phone calls with Mr. Putin, inviting him to Washington, D.C., and campaigning for Russian reentry to G8.

A cadre of former Trump Administration officials, including former Chief of Staff John Kelly, former Secretary of Defense James Mattis, former Secretary of State Rex Tillis, and former National Security Adviser John Bolton have denounced President Trump’s discourse with foreign leaders as injurious to the national security of the United States, but his Republican and base support remain strong. Legions of Americans are dying due to his mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, and his advocacy of mass gatherings with resistance to face coverings even as te sicknesses become more pervasive. Still wherever he goes there is a welcoming sea of adoring fans in red baseball caps bearing his trademark phrase, “Make America Great Again”.

Assault On American Values

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Below is a list of offenses by the President of the United States in full view of the world that are shocking given his broad support in a country called leader of the free world and a nation of laws. Sadly it isn’t even a complete list.
1. Kids detained in cages.
2. Daily barrage of lies.
3. Misapplication of funds designated for defense but used for his border wall.
4. Constant trips to his golf resorts at taxpayer expense with inflated rates charged to Secret Service.
5. Defiance of oversight and constitutional separation of powers.
6. Courtship of despots and denigration of allies of the USA.
7. Use of the Attorney General to reward friends and punish rivals.
8. Shameful abandonment of Kurdish allies on the battlefield.
9. Siding with Russia over USA Intelligence Agencies.
10. Massive loss of life due to mismanagement of coronavirus pandemic.
11. Public advocacy of violence against political opponents and the press.
12. Mocking women when they allege sexual misconduct.
13. Politicizing face covers during pandemic, costing lives to be lost.
14. Constant attempts to deprive citizens of health insurance.
15. Advocacy of voter suppression.
16. Racist statements, practices, and policies.
17. Entreating and extorting foreign political and electoral help.
18. Defiance of legal subpoenas and ongoing obstruction of justice.
19. Denying government employment on the basis of demanding personal loyalty.
20. Brutalizing peaceful protesters to enable a photo op holding a bible upside down.
Shame on all of us.

Confederate Statues?

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I can’t recall why I asked the question. We were standing around near the stereo in my Nashville condo, having drinks before dinner, listening to the Doobie Brothers. Trisha and Diane worked with me at Ford Credit. On this evening, I was meeting their husbands for the first time. The condo sat in Printers Alley opposite the Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, a popular tourist destination.
Nashville holds a special place in my heart. As African Americans my wife, son, and I encountered less racism there than in New York or Michigan. Our guests that evening were all Caucasian, unimportant to us, but salient to this story.
“Trisha,” I inquired “what do you know about the Civil War?” She replied “I know we won.”
For a couple of seconds, her husband, a Tennessee native, stiffened, then joined the rest of us in laughter at Trisha’s innocent insensitivity. Diane and her husband, like Trisha’s husband are native Tennesseans. Trisha, my wife, and I are “Yankees”.
“It’s not that simple,” I amusedly advised Trisha. The current controversy over confederate statues is one example of its lack of simplicity. Many people are understandably fed up with these symbols of slavery and white supremacy towering over us in public squares. While I concur, having lived and socialized in Hagerstown, Maryland Jacksonville, Florida and Nashville, Tennessee I’ve come to appreciate that every guy with a rebel flag on his cap or belt buckle doesn’t wish me enslaved nor intimidated. Nor did I seek to insult them wearing my N.Y. Yankees cap or my X cap in remembrance of Malcolm. I don’t suggest that I have all the answers, but I do have an opinion. Here it goes.
There should be museums in the South acknowledging the memory of those who fought and sometimes died for a cause that they believed in. If your forebears fell at Antietam, they’re no less loved by you than mine who fell there as well. Calling confederates traitors is wrong, as wrong as having their statues symbolically lording over citizens in public plazas.

I.T. and the New Look Cavs

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I just read an article by Isaiah Thomas entitled “This Is For Boston”. It was the heartfelt outpouring of emotions from a little guy who has always fought against the odds, persevered by his will and skill, and thought he’d found a home with the Celtics. It broke his heart to find himself traded, again, and it broke mine reading his account of when it happened and what the experience was like for him.

Anyone who hasn’t read that article should. It gives a very human account for the disruption in one’s life brought about by sudden, unanticipated change. Most people aren’t in the N.B.A. But still most people know the trauma of the plant closing, or reducing staff, or being fired or laid off. There’s the stark realization, the uncertainty, the cognitive dissonance. And then, there’s the acceptance: then the objective analysis. I.T. walks us through those processes in his recognition that the Celtics had let him go. Whether or not one feels that the business decision to go with Kyrie Irving makes sense, one has to sympathize if not empathize with I.T. If you saw him compete for the Celtics, its much easier to do.

But business is business. I remember Ray Allen, part of the Big 3 with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, and how he was treated when Rajon Rondo disrespected him, and Avery Bradley pushed him for his position on the team. I recall the constant trade talk involving him. I also recall the reaction when Ray left for Miami. There was much animus toward Ray Allen, especially because he left and joined the dreaded rivals, led by Lebron James. Pierce and Garnett treated him like the reincarnation of Benedict Arnold, traitor. But Ray made an assessment, and took the opportunity he felt best for he and his family. It worked out for Ray Allen. He won another championship in Miami, and was an integral part of that championship run. He walked into a back-up role, accepted it, and excelled in it. One of my favorite photos is of Paul Pierce walking behind Ray Allen, complaining about a foul call, as Ray strode confidently to his team’s huddle.

Business is business. The Celtics have sent I.T. packing, just as they did Amir Johnson, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Kelly Olynyk, and anyone else who didn’t fit the needs in their business plan. When that happens, you think about Lebron having left Cleveland. You think about D. Wade having left Miami. You think about Kevin Durant having left OKC, and for the dreaded Warriors no less! It is less offensive when you think about it. Its business.

I’m a Cleveland fan: a Lebron fan. I wasn’t pleased to see Kyrie leaving, and still don’t agree with his decision to do so. But I respect Kyrie’s business decision to seek the optimal business opportunity for his personal brand. I have also gained insight into the man for whom he was traded. I have mad respect for I.T. now, and look forward to the time when he is rehabilitated, and in the rotation for Cleveland.

What do I want to see? I want to see a trade, Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye, and the Net pick from Boston all to the New Orleans Pelicans for Boogie Cousins. I want D. Wade to get a buy out from Chicago, and sign with the Cavs. And I want to see I.T. putting his heart and soul on the line for the Cavs just as he did for the Celtics. Think about that lineup. At the point Isaiah Thomas/D. Rose. At shooting guard D. Wade/J.R. Smith. At center Boogie Cousins/Tristan Thomas. At power forward Kevin Love/Jae Crowder. At small forward Lebron James/Kyle Korver. By the way, you still have Jeff Green, Cedi Osman, Jose Calderon, Richard Jefferson, Ante Zicic, and Kay Felder on the outside of that rotation, looking in. If the Golden State Warriors can handle that, they truly are a super team. Personally, I won’t bet against all that talent, nor against the will and skill of Isaiah Thomas.

The “Trump Russia Thing”

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During the 2016 Presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton suggested, to the chagrin of Donald Trump, that he might be a puppet of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Of course, Mr. Trump was indignant; but it did seem strange that he not only suggested that he would have closer relations with Russia, but appeared never willing to criticize Russia in any way. Rather than a narrative, I will herein mention 20 facts that individually are suspicious; combined they are chilling, but not to congressional Republicans nor to the hordes of Trump supporters believing he will “Make America Great Again”.

1. To handle the numerous inquiries into Russian connections, President Trump has hired attorney Marc Kasowitz. Mr. Kasowitz represents OJSC Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank in U.S. civil court disputes.
2. Trump’s “leading candidate” to replace Jim Comey as F.B.I. Director is Joe Lieberman, an associate at Mr. Kasowitz’ law firm.
3. Law firm Morgan Lewis was named Russia Law Firm of the Year 2016 for their extensive ties to Russia. Trump turned to them to get a certified letter which he claims proves he has no business ties to Russia.
4. Trump fired F.B.I. Director Comey after Comey refused to pledge loyalty to Trump, rejected Trump’s request to stop investigating former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn’s Russian connections, and refused to end the investigation of the Trump campaign’s possible collusion with Russia in hacking and other influences on the U.S. election.
5. Mr. Trump maintains communication with Mike Flynn after reluctantly firing him, advising Flynn to “stay strong” under intense investigation, as Flynn has sought immunity and fifth amendment protections.
6. Mike Flynn was removed due to not declaring then lying about his interactions with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak.
7. Jared Kushner, Trump Senior Adviser and son in law had undisclosed meetings with Russian Ambassador Kislyak along with Mike Flynn, and with Sergey Gorkov, head of Russian state owned bank Vnesheconmbank, which has been under sanctions since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.
8. The day after firing Jim Comey as F.B.I. Director for continuing to investigate “the Russia thing and Trump”, the President at Vladimir Putin’s request hosts Russian Foreign Minister Sergy Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak in the White House, brags to them about relieving pressure on himself about his Russian connections in doing so, and divulges highly secret intelligence to the Russians, possibly endangering an agent of the U.S. ally who provided the intelligence. U.S. media was excluded from the meeting, but Russian were not, and Vladimir Putin offered to provide transcripts if needed.
9. Mr. Trump asked the Director of National Intelligence and the National Security Adviser to deny that there is evidence of Trump campaign collusion with Russia in the 2016 election, even though the matter is under investigation.
10. Devin Nunes, Head of the House Intelligence Committee and Richard Burr, Head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, at the behest of the White House call media outlets to discredit news stories about contacts between the Trump campaign team ad Russians, while these committees are investigating just that.
11. Mr. Nunes pulls a stunt with White House staff, pretending the take data he actually got from those staffers to the White House in an attempt to validate Mr. Trump’s discredited assertion that former President Obama wiretapped President Trump.
12. Due to his behavior, Mr. Nunes has to recuse himself from the Russian investigations.
13. Attorney General Jeff Sessions also has to recuse himself because he was part of the Trump campaign being investigated, and he like others did not properly divulge his meeting with Russian Ambassador Kislyak.
14. Mr. Trump defends Vladimir Putin constantly while denouncing the U.S. intelligence agencies who unanimously conclude that Russia was behind the hacking and misinformation efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. Presidential elections, including Wikileaks activities. He even compares them to Nazis.
15. Even though warned about Mike Flynn by President Obama who had fired Flynn, and being told by Flynn about his foreign entanglements, Mr. Trump hired Flynn as National Security Adviser and had Flynn getting the Presidential Daily Intelligence Briefings. After Acting Attorney General Sally Yates went to the White House to warn that Flynn had lied to the F.B.I. about his Russian contacts, he remained in position with unlimited access for another 18 days.
16. Vice President Michael Pence denied knowing about Mr. Flynn’s foreign payments and lobbying even though the Trump Transition Team, headed by Pence, got a letter from Rep. Elijah Cummings about these matters, and Flynn himself had informed the Trump Transition Team that he was under investigation for his work on behalf of Turkey.
17. Mike Flynn’s lobbying client in Turkey actually had business dealings in Russia, and worked with an executive in Russian oil companies on Turkish lobbying projects.
18. Former British MI6 agent Christopher Steele compiled a dossier on Donald Trump which concluded that Trump is under Russian influence. Much in the dossier has been proven accurate.
19. Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort was paid by former Russian ally Ukraine to influence U.S. attitudes toward Ukraine ties to Russia. The Republican Party platform deleted language critical of Russia’s actions in the Ukraine reportedly at the insistence of the Trump campaign.
20. Carter Page, former adviser to the Trump campaign and a constant advocate for warmer relations with Russia visited Russia during the campaign, and met with Russian Ambassador Kislyak during the Republican convention. He is evasive about why he is under investigation Similarly, Roger Stone, another Trump associate visited Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and seemed to have pre-knowledge of what Wikileaks would reveal.

This is just a partial list. Concerning?

TRUMP and the ALT-RIGHT

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Paul Nehlen unsuccessfully challenged Paul Ryan, Republican Speaker of the House in Ryan’s Wisconsin primary bid for reelection. Although ultimately, under extreme pressure as the Republican Party’s candidate for the presidency, Trump endorsed Ryan, he initially refused to endorse Ryan while instead praising Mr. Nehlen.
A movement known as the Alt-Right championed Mr. Nehlen’s effort to unseat Mr. Ryan. Although not succeeding in that case, the Alt-Right achieved two stunning successes in 2014. Eric Cantor, then House Majority leader, was defeated in his reelection bid in Virginia by David Brat, an Alt-Right darling based on his strong anti-immigration stance. Subsequently, John Boehner was forced into retirement from his position as House Speaker largely as a result of Alt-Right reaction to him on the issue of immigration.
So what is this Alt-Right movement? Why are they so concerned about immigration, and what else do they care about?
The Alt-Right fancy themselves guardians of white identity and white culture. They see globalization and multiculturalism as threats to the divine whiteness of Europe and the U.S., thus their high priority around limiting immigration. People from the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America are viewed by the Alt-Right as diluting and polluting the whiteness of Euro-America. They consider Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany to be a race traitor due to her actions and positions in favor of immigration as thousands of folks from the Middle East seek refuge in Europe as they flee conflicts at home. Conversely, Briton Nigel Farage is an Alt-Right hero, having led the charge resulting in the United Kingdom voting to exit the European Union in large measure as a reaction to large scale immigration. At a rally in Mississippi Mr. Trump denounced Hillary Clinton as the Angela Merkel of the U.S., restated his resolve to “build the wall” to keep out immigrants, and introduced Mr. Farage with high praise.
Mr. Trump typically claims non-affiliation or unawareness when pressed about his support from white supremacists, an example being his claim not to have known who former Klansman David Duke was. He cannot deny affiliation with the Alt-Right credibly.
Trump’s major financial support comes from a Super PAC funded by hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and managed by Kellyanne Conway until she became Chairwoman of Mr. Trump’s campaign. Mr. Mercer also finances Breibart News, whose chairman, Stephen Bannon proclaims Breitbart the “platform for the Alt-Right. Stephen Bannon is now CEO of Donald Trump’s campaign.
So we see that the Alt-Right, having brought down establishment Republicans not sharing their rigid pro-white agenda are now committed to the making of a President.

Ray Rice Saga: How the NFL is Turning Tragedy into Travesty

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When we saw the initial TMZ video footage of Ray Rice dragging his then fiancé out of the elevator, everyone knew what had happened inside. Perhaps not every detail, but for a certainty we all knew (a) she was knocked out, and (b) Ray had done the knocking. That was an awful thing for him to do, inexcusable. His now wife, Janay, forgave him, publicly pled his case, married him, and has gone about trying to live life with the world knowing this happened, and the world surmising that it wasn’t the first time, while hoping it was the last time.

Enter the NFL. The response to this tragic circumstance outraged not just me, but everyone who does not agree with violence against women. The condemnation for a two game suspension as the consequence was swift and deafening. In response, Roger Goodell apologized on behalf of himself and the league, admitted he had gotten it wrong, and promised to review the NFL policies with respect to domestic violence. Nothing wrong with that, on the surface. Underlying that admission was the continued interest in the circumstances surrounding what we saw, i.e. what actually happened in the elevator. How could the NFL possibly think the world would return to weekly highlight footage and forget about the confrontation in that elevator?

Those taking a hard line on domestic violence were not satisfied with the apology, and unmoved by the marriage and seeming contrition with respect to the couple involved. Others, apologists for the cowardly act of exerting one’s physical strength against a woman, continued to suggest that the actual confrontation probably included mitigating circumstances to justify Ray’s actions. The NFL should have been worried out of its wits. Then, as would be the case, humor set it, and those reminded of the plight of one Jay Z evidenced in elevator footage of Solange’s onslaught – in an elevator – began to link Ray and Solange for the sake of a few laughs. Others weren’t laughing, among them, the folks at TMZ. They seized the opportunity to release the footage from inside the elevator. What that evidenced was the knockout punch and Janay’s succumbing to it, difficult to watch. Moreover, Ray’s attitude toward her was evidenced. He stepped over her, moving her limp body at one point with his foot. Were it not for the intervention of hotel security personnel, she might have even suffered the further indignity of the elevator door closing on her person. The outrage was immediate, and predictable.

The reaction of the Baltimore Ravens organization and the NFL were also predictable. First, the Ravens got rid of Ray Rice, cancelling his contract. On the heels of that, the NFL suspended him indefinitely. Rightly so, several players and other public personalities have spoken out, condemning his actions. The lone voice defending him is his wife, Janay. But she is hardly listened to. Some accuse her of being concerned only about the loss of money. Others accuse her of being an idiot who tolerates being trampled upon. Both disgust me. Who are we not to take this woman at her word that she loves this man, that he is a changed man, and that their struggle is to keep their family intact for the sake of themselves and their child? Moreover, how dare the NFL behave as though there is some surprise in what we see on that tape! Did anyone think there was a mystery third person in the elevator who struck her, or that she slipped on a cube of ice? We all knew what happened, and were outraged. The NFL was less outraged, witness the two game suspension they reacted with.

At this point, the debate will rage about who knew what when, who saw the tape, and such trivia. What is important is this; the NFL saw on tape a brutal assault, and determined a 2 game suspension to be the appropriate punishment. Had they said immediately, “You’re done for the year, Ray. You can apply for reinstatement next year, but for now your actions have been unacceptable, and you cannot play football this year in the NFL,”, the current debate would not be raging. That decision was the beginning of turning a tragedy into a travesty. They now complete the cycle by deflecting the consequences all onto the Rice family, upping the ante a day late, but not a dollar short. Shame on you, NFL. Shame on you. I guess if you can deny the physical damage to players damaged by concussions, their handling of this matter should surprise no one.

No Love? No Problem for Cavs.

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Minneapolis is driving a hard bargain in the Kevin Love negotiations, and it begs the question of what are the consequences should the deal not get done.  Many have suggested it is a deal too good for the Cavaliers to not do, and most have suggested that they shouldn’t let reluctance to part with Wiggins, their most recent top overall draft pick get in the way.  I cannot argue with the logic, as Kevin Love is clearly a talent worth coveting, and 20 point 10 rebound guarantees with a 6’10” All Star don’t become available every day.  However, if we reflect upon what the Cavs look like should they NOT do the deal, it may merit consideration.

Without Love, a projected starting line up for the Cavs would be Kyrie Irving at the point, Kevin Wiggins at shooting guard, Anderson Varejao at center, Tristan Thompson and Love’s position – power forward, and of course, Lebron James on the forward wing.  How would you like defensively to have Wiggins and James guarding the wings?

What would the second unit look like? Dion Waiters first off at shooting guard, Bennett – last year’s overall number one behind Tristan Thompson, Brendan Haywood behind Varejao, Mike Miller behind Lebron, and a nice young point guard back-up named Dellavedova behind Kyrie Irving.  Now you’re 10 deep, still haven’t accounted for James Jones, let alone Ray Allen should he come along.  Get my drift? Of course you would want to add a Kevin Love to the mix, but some pretty positive assets would come off the above accounting to make that happen.  Speaking of accounting, add up Thompson, Waiters, Bennett, and Wiggins, and you approximate what Kevin Love will cost you in salary.  Then throw in your first pick in next year’s draft.  I’m not sure I take that deal.  Those guys can compete as they stand.

Can Cleveland Win It All Next Season?

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I think they can.  They have a young, but seasoned back court in Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters, with 3 and 2 years in the league respectively.  They are from high quality, winning college programs at Duke and Syracuse, and can both hit the open jumper.  Their biggest adjustment was in asking Waiters to defer to Irving when he’s an inch taller at 6’4″, 32 pounds heavier, similar skill set, and confident from their practice sessions.  Neither will have a problem deferring to Lebron James. Arguably, that’s the best in the league at the 1, 2, and 3 positions.  The 4 (power forward) and 5 (center) are more challenging, but not at all horrible.  Anderson Varejao has 10 years in the league, experience playing with Lebron, and pulled down 9.7 rebounds per game last season. I would say that’s a respectable center position. The problem is, he’s the only center they have, and that needs to be rectified. But it can be, easily, via a trade. Tristan Thompson would be the weak link at the 4, but he won’t start.  I’m hoping they keep him, as he will be a high level sub off their bench. The Cavs are already working on a trade for Kevin Love, and if they get him at the 4, with Thompson behind him, they suddenly are powerful at the 1, 2, 3, AND 4, with a respectable 5 in Varejao.

The two Canadian youngsters are not bad ballers, but Messrs. Wiggins and Bennett are likely gone in the Kevin Love deal.  I just hope to see a back-up 5 coming back to the Cavs in that deal.  And remember, Pau Gasol is still around, would love to play with Lebron, and has no anti-Cleveland bias.  The difficulty there is his history with the Lakers in L.A., and Phil Jackson in N.Y., making it difficult to grab him.  But if they could, just imagine for a second Kyrie Irving at the 1, Dion Waiters at the 2, Lebron James at the 3, Kevin Love at the 4, and Pau Gasol at the 5…..the ball constantly moving, and all of them capable of hitting the open jumper.  On the Cavs bench are a couple of guards, Joe Harris and Matt Delavedova who can do one thing really well, shoot.  Of course, there are a couple of veterans, Mike Miller and Ray Allen who have a better history of doing that, and are in the conversation whenever, wherever goes Lebron James.

So, sort through those possibilities if you will, and tell me, can Cleveland win it all next season?

How the Heat Lost Lebron to the Cavs

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There is no one thing that led to this “Decision” for Lebron.  At the risk of adding to the overuse of the term given the song’s airplay as well as the proliferation of videos on youtube, I will attribute the event to the term “Happy”.  Lebron wants to be happy, and this season in Miami was not so.  For starters, while Lebron and D. Wade are friends, Wade is family in Miami. Lebron is a friend of the family, nothing wrong with that, but its not the same.  I watched close up at a Heat/Pistons game, when Lebron was open at the top of the key, and held his hands out for the pass, which D. Wade, although having a man in his face, looked Lebron in the eye, then boldly took the contested jumper.  It wasn’t a big deal, just an example of Wade having more fun than James. As the Heat nurtured Wade’s sore knees, with James sometimes not knowing whether Wade would play until slightly before game time, James’ minutes kept piling up, and the family friend felt that the family was a bit inconsiderate.

Perhaps the most nagging negative was the decision to amnesty Mike Miller. The Big Three Era was built on mutual sacrifice, and the Heat’s releasing Miller for financial reasons was inconsistent with that.  Each time Lebron kicked to an open team mate during the Spurs series, and they missed, he thought of Mike Miller having played 82 solid games this year, and how it would have helped to stem the tide of Spur runs if Mike were there to drop a jumper or two.

Even less happy than Lebron were his friends and family, who had been royalty in Cleveland but were commoners in Miami.  When Pat Riley made the infamous “Get a grip…” speech, you can believe they unanimously exclaimed to Lebron, “Can you believe this guy?”  At the end of the day, the Heat rode Lebron this year, not the other way around, and a message like that would be best delivered privately or not at all.  More appropriate would be “Thanks for the huge effort, and my apologies that you didn’t have more help.  We can fix that.”  As it was, Lebron’s response to the challenge was an appropriate counterpoint, no more sacrifice, max contract required, and let’s see what kind of help you can get for me.  In other words, I did my job; now you do yours.

That opened a window of opportunity for Cleveland. What did they do with it? Down came the nasty letter about Lebron from their website. Off went the contracts necessary to open a max offer for Lebron. Out went the feelers to Minnesota about an acquisition of Kevin Love. And then there was the reaching out to the aforementioned, Mike Miller. For frosting on the cake, fresh off his family’s vacation with Lebron and his family, Ray Allen got a call as well.

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. The Heat created the opportunity, and the Cavs drove a Mack truck through it.