BBWAA Pitches a Shutout for the 2013 MLB Hall of Fame

Jan. 9, 2013
By Anthony Tripicchio

No player will get into Cooperstown this summer without buying a ticket. 

That was the edict from 569 ballots cast by the Baseball Writers Association of America Wednesday afternoon as none of the eligible players received the necessary 75 percent of the vote for election.

While there are several candidates who have achieved benchmarks that would automatically trigger admission in the minds of many, rampant steroid use over the last 20 years has irreversibly tainted the era.

Stonewalling all players from that time period is a misguided approach. No one forgets who wins NCAA championships when they are revoked years later due to scandal and this is the same principle.

With that in mind, here is my list of who should have been voted into the Hall of Fame today:

1. Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza is the greatest hitting catcher of all-time. That line alone warrants him entry to the Hall of Fame.

The statistical evidence of his worthiness is abundant. Piazza won 10 silver sluggers and hit 396 home runs as a catcher, the most of any catcher in history. In addition to batting .300 nine times, Piazza had five seasons of 100 RBIs. His 8.7 in offensive wins above replacement (WAR) in 1997 ranked first in the NL and he finished in the top five four separate times in the category.

Suspicions of steroid use halted his induction, but they shouldn’t because they’ve never been substantiated. Although his throwing was a liability behind the plate, it is a minor blemish when you consider his career-long dominance offensively at a physically demanding position.

2. Roger Clemens

3. Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are inextricably linked as perennial all-stars who vaulted their careers to legendary status through the use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). The saddest aspect of their omission is the fact that both would have been obvious first ballot Hall-of-Famers without the tedious PED controversies.

Bonds’ numbers are comical. He won seven NL MVPs, the most ever, eight gold gloves, 12 silver sluggers, had 15 years of OPS over 1.000, 11 years with a batting average over .300, 12 years of 100 RBIs and scored 100 runs 12 times. He holds the career records for homers and walks and is third in runs scored. I could go on for days, but I think you get the point.

Clemens feats are also stunning. He has seven Cy Youngs, an AL MVP, five 20-win seasons, 12 years of 200 strikeouts and led the league in ERA seven times. His career totals earn him third place in strikeouts, seventh in games started and ninth in wins.

To have a Hall of Fame without these two is beyond ridiculous. They brought this scrutiny on themselves, without question, but they are the preeminent players of their tarnished generation.

Their guilt doesn't erase the numbers or our memories of the type of players they were.

4. Curt Schilling

Yes, Curt Schilling's numbers won't bowl you over at first glance as the three names above him on this list do. However, once you dig a little deeper you find merit for his enshrinement.

Though 216 career wins leave him well short of the elusive 300 milestone, he did secure three 20-win seasons. Schilling is 15th all-time in strikeouts and second in strikeout-to-walk ratio. A big game pitcher, Schilling was 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 19 career playoff starts. He is third in post-season winning percentage and fifth in strikeouts. His ascendant performance in the 2001 World Series earned him a Co-MVP with fellow ace Randy Johnson as they defeated the Yankees in seven games.

Further, Schilling was top five in his league in WAR three times and WHIP nine times. This guy was a dynamic power pitcher with a unique blend of control that we rarely see.

5. Tim Raines

Leadoff hitters need love too. Barring Rickey Henderson, you won't find many that did it better than Tim Raines. Raines, a switch hitter, batted .300 seven times, scored 100 runs six times and won the NL batting title in 1986. He led the league in stolen bases four times and runs scored twice.

A remarkably efficient thief, Raines is second all-time in stolen base percentage with a 84.7 percent success rate (minimum 300 attempts). Six times his OBP was in the league's top five. Overall WAR slotted him in the top eight in five separate seasons. Demonstrating tremendous bat control, Raines walked more than he struck out in his career and it wasn't close (1330 BBs, 960 strikeouts).

He epitomized everything a leadoff man should be.
 

6. Edgar Martinez

Regardless of not playing the field, Edgar Martinez’s accomplishments are undeniable. Martinez won two AL batting titles, led the league in OBP three times and had an OPS exceeding 1.000 an astounding five times. He hit .300 in 10 full seasons, drove in 100 runs six times and scored 100 runs five times.

His reputation preceding him, Martinez was feared at the plate throughout his illustrious career. Although he wasn’t a prolific home run hitter, he was a doubles machine. They don’t make line-drive hitters like him anymore.

The Decision 2012: Stubborn Brooks Could Cost OKC Championship

June 16, 2012
By Anthony Tripicchio

Oklahoma City head coach Scott Brooks will determine the 2012 NBA champion.

After a year of searching for the proper combination, Miami has finally found the right mix in its starting lineup of Chris Bosh, Shane Battier, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers. To counter Miami’s speed and agility, Brooks needs to sit one of his bigs in order to avoid handing James his first title.

Kendrick Perkins was acquired to defend Lakers’ center Andrew Bynum in the post. Against Miami, matchups do not allow for Oklahoma City to play both Perkins and Serge Ibaka together.

 

 

Notice how Miami head coach Eric Spoelstra has buried Joel Anthony, his best post defender, in the Finals because there’s no one for him to guard. Brooks doesn’t have to dismiss Perkins to the same extent, but Nick Collison and Ibaka are better suited to play major minutes against the Heat’s small lineup.

Thunder Coach Scott Brooks

Slow starts have plagued the Thunder in each of the first two games as Shane Battier has relished his mismatch against Ibaka and drained open 3-point attempts.  Ibaka, the league’s most prolific shot blocker, excels as a help defender but lacks the lateral quickness to be as effective on the ball against perimeter players. With Ibaka drawn away from protecting the paint, driving lanes have opened for Wade and James.

In the first quarter of Game 2, Miami cruised to a 16-2 lead before Brooks lifted Ibaka for James Harden with 5:13 to play. By this point, Battier had already hit two threes and Wade, James and Bosh totaled four layups and dunks.

Game 1 wasn’t much different besides Udonis Haslem starting for Bosh. Battier chastised the Thunder with three 3-pointers and was instrumental in generating a 20-12 Heat advantage in the contest’s first seven minutes prior to Harden and Collison checking in.

Brooks has tacitly acknowledged that the Thunder’s preferred quintet excludes Perkins because he’s been glued to the bench throughout the fourth quarters of each game. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City decisively won the fourth quarter 31-21 in Game 1 and 29-22 in Game 2 with Collison manning the middle.

Collison may not appear to be physically imposing, but his defensive awareness is unrivaled and he’s consistently an outstanding help defender. Although he’s not a shot blocker, Collison draws vital charges and also alters the shots of penetrators with his impeccable positioning.

Perkins should be replaced by Harden or Collison in the lineup. Harden provides an impactful offensive punch, while Collison presents an alternative if Brooks would rather keep his sixth man on the bench. Either of the two would be improvements over Ibaka in one-on-one situations against Battier.

Derek Fisher offers another veteran option, yet the noteworthy size discrepancy between him and Battier tabs him as an unlikely candidate to check Battier. Defensive assignments would be comprised of Ibaka on Bosh, Kevin Durant on James, Thabo Sefolosha on Battier, Russell Westbrook on Wade and Fisher on Chalmers in that scenario.

This isn’t the time to be preoccupied with placating Perkins’ ego. Oklahoma City must put its best lineup on the floor in the first quarter just as it does in the fourth. Brooks’ intransigence handicaps his team and jeopardizes the Thunder’s chance of celebrating with the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Unless Brooks acquiesces and modifies his group at tipoff, the man who took his talents to South Beach will bring a championship there as well.

***

Durant refused to take the bait when the media asked if James fouled him on his controversial baseline jumper with the Thunder trailing 98-96 in the waning seconds of Game 2.

“I missed the shot,” Durant said, making no excuses.

Durant’s 33 points in the fourth quarters of the first two games are the most of any player’s inaugural appearance in the Finals since the NBA and ABA merged in 1976.

Knicks Plan to Ride MTA Towards Glory Road

Dec. 28, 2011

By Anthony Tripicchio

Sanity reigns at Madison Square Garden. No, that is not a misprint.

Following a decade marred by dreadful front office decisions, the New York Knicks are inching closer to championship contention. Elite scorers Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire are now complemented by a pivot who camouflages their weaknesses.

Not only has interim GM Glen Grunwald secured a player who will eradicate many defensive lapses, the acquisition will hold culpable parties accountable (a winning principle neglected far too long by Knicks coaching staffs).

The addition of Tyson Chandler gives the franchise its first formidable defensive presence since Patrick Ewing and his cast of frontcourt enforcers. Dikembe Mutombo, although a renowned shot blocker and intimidator, was past his prime and relegated to part-time duty during his one year stint in New York for the 2003-04 season.

Chandler’s most favorable comparison may be Marcus Camby. Although they arrived in New York with varying levels of experience, both players bring rebounding and interior defense to the table.

Despite Chandler’s six blocks in the season opener, Camby is a superior shot blocker while Chandler is a more efficient offensive player. Chandler, cognizant of his limitations, will score on put backs and dunks rather than pretending to be someone he’s not. In his reassuring words, he “came here to defend.”

Brittle and frail in his younger years, Camby missed 99 games in four years as a Knick. Camby, immature in the early stages of his career, was physically and mentally unprepared to accept the demanding role of defensive court general. After being shipped to Denver with Mark Jackson and rookie Nene Hilario for Antonio McDyess, a trade that cemented the Knicks as a perennial loser, Camby flourished. He led the league in blocked shots per game in three consecutive years and was top five in rebounding three times.

Chandler encountered similar adversity from the outset of his career in Chicago. Like Camby, Chandler was a disappointment who failed to meet lofty expectations on a miserable team. He was reborn in New Orleans where he terrorized the glass and Chris Paul threw him countless alley-oops. A forgettable year in Charlotte followed, but led him to Dallas where Dirk Nowitzki credited him for changing the defensive culture of a notoriously soft team.
Chandler was the missing ingredient of a champion. Obliterated in its first two games this season, Dallas might still believe that: The Knicks certainly do.

Although Chandler fills a gargantuan void, there are pitfalls to obtaining him as the Knicks did.

First, the new collective bargaining agreement provided each team with an amnesty provision. Put in place in order to rid teams of woebegone contracts that strangled salary caps, the amnesty provision allows teams to waive a player and completely erase his contract from the cap. While the team is required to fulfill its obligation to the amnestied player with deferred payments, the added flexibility allows the team to discard a mistake and improve immediately.

Amar’e Stoudemire, signed through 2014-15, rejuvenated the franchise with his stellar play last season and laid the groundwork for more highly-sought pieces to join him. However, his health is a serious question mark over the full term of his deal and a substantial injury to him would cripple the Knicks title chances. With the amnesty provision, the Knicks could have protected themselves against such misfortune.

Rather than save it as insurance for Stoudemire, the Knicks chose to use it on veteran point guard Chauncey Billups. Billups, whose one year option was exercised in March by Donnie Walsh, was amnestied to make room for Chandler. Had the Knicks transitioned more seamlessly to Grunwald in the front office, perhaps they could have declined Billups’ option, signed Chandler and saved the amnesty provision for a rainy day.

Another alternative would have been to keep Billups for this season, let him walk as a free agent and pursue Dwight Howard or Deron Williams for 2012-13. Granted, this plan would leave them with size and rebounding deficiencies in the short-term and compel them to continue chasing an elusive utopian team.

Now the Knicks core is set, for better or worse. No more marquis moves will be made in the next few years, just supplementary parts shifted around the exemplary frontline.

Losing Billups left the Knicks shorthanded in the backcourt. Toney Douglas is not a pure point guard and Landry Fields struggled to find his way after the Anthony trade last year. Baron Davis, who’s out of action for another three to seven weeks with a herniated disk, is expected to play a significant role when he returns. First round draft pick Iman Shumpert may be the team’s best perimeter defender, but his erratic shooting will hinder his offensive consistency. Shumpert sprained a ligament in his right knee on Sunday and is sidelined two to four weeks.

While ignored by the media, Chandler is a durability concern. In his last three years alone, he’s sacrificed 86 games due to injury. He’s been healthier than Camby throughout his career, but that won’t earn him iron-man status. Since the Knicks are so thin, they can ill-afford to be without Chandler for any extended period.

Chandler is exactly the kind of player they needed; a no nonsense guy who will do the dirty work and require none of the glory that stars routinely desire. Opening a four-year window of contention, the clock is ticking on the Knicks.

In 2011-12, they should finish within the top four in the conference and win a playoff round at the very least. If not, Mike D’Antoni’s time is up.

Melodrama: Dolan Sounds Sirens for Anthony

Feb. 18, 2011

By Anthony Tripicchio

The New York Knicks just pushed the panic button.

In the latest chapter of the unrelenting Carmelo Anthony saga, the Knicks reportedly offered Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Eddy Curry's expiring contract and a first round pick (to be acquired for Anthony Randolph) to Denver in exchange for Anthony and Chauncey Billups.

Additional players such as Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman may also go to the Knicks for salary cap purposes.

For a team that was the overwhelming favorite to acquire Anthony all along, this desperation move has James Dolan's fingerprints all over it.

Dolan, the Knicks' bumbling owner, is poised to make the swap despite opposition from team president Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D'Antoni, according to the New York Daily News.

Still not a championship contender if this trade is executed, the Knicks can't act as if Anthony is the final piece to the puzzle. Yet, Dolan is willing to surrender most of their assets as if they're a finished product.

You don't win a title in the NBA without an interior defender and rebounder: the Knicks don't have one. After this deal is consummated, New York will have minimal maneuverability until after the 2011-2012 season when Dwight Howard, Deron Williams and Chris Paul are slated to become free agents.

Even then, however, it's no lock that they'll have cap room to sign a max player under the new collective bargaining agreement once Anthony has signed his three year, $65 million extension.

Make no mistake, New York should make a concerted effort to lure Anthony before Thursday's trade deadline, but it should be on its own terms. Chandler, Felton, Curry, and a first round pick is more than enough to sacrifice considering Denver's predicament.

Chandler, 23, has a lot of upside but will have to be paid substantially as a restricted free agent at year's end and therefore is expendable. Felton played exceptionally for stretches in the first half, is an excellent defender, and a soldier more than willing to fight through injury. Curry's contract provides cap relief and a first round pick enables Denver to add to its young corps.

The Knicks maintained leverage throughout the year in negotiations for Anthony because it's common knowledge that his preferred destination is The World's Most Famous Arena. Rather than allow Walsh to do his job, though, Dolan has abdicated all bargaining power and acquiesced to nearly all Denver's demands.

Dolan is undoubtedly petrified by the specter of the Nets landing Anthony and invading his turf with a marquee player to feature on billboards this time.

That could be construed as a rational concern if it weren't for the fact that the Nets and Nuggets have already agreed upon an Anthony trade on three separate occasions in the past five months. Twice, Anthony has refused to sign an extension with New Jersey and he's shown nothing to indicate that his stance has changed now.

Anthony wants no part of the Nets and the right play is to call his bluff.

Unless Denver is willing to be reasonable, the Knicks should step away from the table, allow the Nuggets to accept the rumored Nets' deal, and dare Anthony to sign his coveted extension with them.

I'm betting, as various reports including Newsday's Alan Hahn suggest, he won't put pen to paper if he's traded to New Jersey.

If Anthony does sign in New Jersey, he's demonstrating that his first priority is cash, not winning. As a 26-year-old star that's made about $100 million in his career already, it's time for Anthony to put winning above all else.

Imploding the Knicks' nucleus in order to get to Gotham won't get him championships either.

New York Yankees Clinch Playoff Berth, Setup Pitching for Postseason

Oct. 1, 2010

By Anthony Tripicchio

For the 15th time in 16 years, the Yankees are going to the playoffs.

After CC Sabathia delivered 8 1/3 innings of one-run ball for his league-leading 21st victory Tuesday night, the Yankees immediately put their postseason plans into motion.

The old axiom says you win with pitching and defense and the Yankees need to do some juggling to lineup their most dependable starters for the first round.

Andy Pettitte, who was originally slated to start Wednesday in Toronto, is due to take the mound in the first game of a doubleheader tomorrow in Boston after the rainout tonight. As a result, Pettitte will be on his regular four days rest for Game 2 of the ALDS, when he'll presumably pitch, on Thursday.

Girardi will have to be more creative to prepare undisputed ace Sabathia for Game 1 on Wednesday, but has confirmed that the Cy Young candidate will indeed open the series. In fact, that's all Girardi will reveal about his playoff rotation right now as he cites uncertainty surrounding the opponent and setting for the Yankees in the ALDS.

Despite Girardi's reticence about officially announcing his intentions, the Yankees are compelled to employ just three starters in the first round. Sabathia is a workhorse and thrived in the playoffs last year on short rest so the Yankees expect more of the same this time around.

The schedule calls for Sabathia to pitch on three days rest in Game 4, with Pettitte or Phil Hughes (whoever starts Game 2) on a normal turn for a decisive Game 5.

Hughes has logged a career-high 175 1/3 innings, meeting his regular season innings limit. Though Hughes' 4.96 post-All-Star break ERA is distressing, he's thrown back to back quality starts to complete his season with a commendable 17 wins.

The lefthanded mainstay in the Yankees rotation, Pettitte, was on pace to record the best season of his illustrious career before being saddled with a groin pull. It sidelined him two months and since he was activated from the DL, he's started twice with mixed results. It's safe to say he's built enough equity with the Yankees' brass to be entrusted with precious playoff starts.

Sabathia, Pettitte and Hughes are the only worthy candidates while AJ Burnett and Javier Vazquez continue to languish through a myriad of struggles. Expect Burnett, however, to be given the ball in the ALCS if the Yankees advance.

Burnett still has three years left on his massive contract beyond this year and the Yankees must instill confidence in the right-hander if they plan to get any return on their investment going forward. However, no one can justify Burnett garnering a first round start based on his inconsistent performance and a schedule conducive to skipping him.

Meanwhile, Vazquez was an ill-conceived acquisition and he will most certainly be wearing another uniform next season as his torturous second tenure in pinstripes mercifully comes to its conclusion. Vazquez's latest disastrous outing in Toronto should cement his exclusion from the playoff roster.

Build a Bridge: The Yankees Should Deal for Joakim Soria

July 26, 2010
By Anthony Tripicchio

Trade speculation surrounding the Yankees in recent days has centered on starting pitching, but their most pressing need is bullpen help.

With Joba Chamberlain continuing to falter in the all important eighth inning role and his ERA approaching six, memories of his dominance are fading fast. Joakim Soria, one of the most underrated closers in baseball, is available and can solve the eighth inning dilemma as well as succeed Mariano Rivera whenever he rides off into the sunset.

Despite Chamberlain's struggles, he still has value on the market as evidenced by Arizona demanding him from the Yanks in Dan Haren trade talks.

Chamberlain's velocity has returned and, although his slider is nowhere near as sharp, his performance issues could be a result of being used as a human yo-yo, vacillating from the bullpen to the rotation and back over the years.

Meanwhile, Soria has established himself as a lights out closer for the beleaguered Royals as he saved a career-high 42 games for Kansas City in 2008. He's averaging 10.58 strikeouts per nine innings and has maintained impeccable control throughout his career.

Soria won't come cheap and Chamberlain would likely have to be a starting point in negotiations. The Yanks were unwilling to included the enigmatic Chamberlain in the Haren trade, but should not hesitate to do so in this scenario.

As opposed to Haren, Soria is in the midst of a very affordable contract. Soria is making $3 million this season and is due $4 million in 2011. Afterwards, he has three club option years for $6 million in 2012, $8 million in 2013, and $8.75 million in 2014.

Since Rivera is still effective as ever, Soria may not get the opportunity to close for the Yanks until 2013, but because setup men are so vital to playoff success, acquiring him would be a shrewd move. Also, he isn't paid like an elite closer until 2013 which makes the indefinite waiting period much more tolerable for the Yanks as they carry a super setup man.

Chamberlain, Ivan Nova, and one of the many impressive young arms the Yankees possess in the low minors might be enough to land Soria. While it's a steep price to pay, it's well worth it to fortify the bullpen immediately and answer the omnipresent question of who will replace the invaluable Rivera when he's done.


While the health of Andy Pettitte is a concern, Pettitte has said he feels better of late and has been lobbying the Yankees to return earlier than originally anticipated. The Yankees should remain cautious with Pettitte as their comfortable hold on a playoff spot allows them to do so.

If Pettitte is back by late August as scheduled, the Yankees will not require another starting pitcher anyway. Further, passing on adding another starter would enable the Yanks to leave Phil Hughes in the rotation all season to avoid the recurring nightmare that they're experiencing with Chamberlain.

Hughes is blossoming this year as a frontline starter and should not be toyed with. Even though he ran into a wall of sorts after May, Hughes is working through his issues and should be allowed to do so while remaining in the rotation. The innings limitation is enough of an obstacle to overcome without questioning his role too.

One criticism of Soria is the lack of experience he's had pitching in big games and the playoffs. He's surmounted every challenge put before him and is still just 26-years-old. Although some fail under the bright lights, Soria is certainly worth the risk.

Who could resist the possibility of recreating Rivera to John Wetteland 14 years later?

LeBron James Alienates a Nation, Hurts NBA

July 9, 2010
By Anthony Tripicchio

If LeBron James' goal was to eliminate himself from contention as the greatest of all-time, he's succeeded. He's no longer in the ballpark.

James' sickening decision to sign with Miami proves that he is devoid of the leadership characteristics and competitive fire that all the immortal players possess. In fact, James' choice clearly demonstrates insecurities in his ability to win on his own with a conventional unit.

Put to rest the comparisons to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Not only are those guys legendary players, they maximized every last drop of their potential by embracing challenges, not running from them like James.

Sure, both Jordan and Bryant had stretches of immaturity in their youths but they each had epiphanies eventually and realized their duties to lead on the court and make teammates better in order to be great. Orchestrating collusion to assemble a perennial powerhouse doesn't qualify.

If this dog and pony show James dragged us through is any indication, that reawakening is a long way off for him. He may never see the light.

Kevin Durant, a top four NBA player in his own right, has a deeper understanding of the burden a superstar must carry than James already and he's four years his junior at 21-years-old. Durant refreshingly announced that he agreed to a five-year max extension with Oklahoma City on Wednesday with little fanfare.

Durant could have had every team in the league worshipping him in a degrading recruiting process like James did, but instead decided that he's going to finish what he started with the Thunder. He should be applauded for being as grounded as an immensely gifted player can be and prioritizing his team over publicity and attention for himself.

The truly phenomenal player doesn't need to be coddled and constantly reminded of his greatness. He goes out and proves it to people every day if, for no other reason, he knows no other alternative.

Don't bet against the Thunder in the future.

Quitting in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Boston doesn't look like an aberration for James anymore: It looks like another indictment of his character.

Tantalizing opportunities existed in New York and New Jersey while James could have opted to verify the validity of his "Loyalty" tattoo by staying home in Cleveland. Tabbing any of those three teams as his destination would have been logical, inspiring, and exciting for the NBA.

Dismiss Chicago because of the Jordan complex (anything less than six titles is unacceptable by comparison and winning one wouldn't endear himself to the fan base like it would elsewhere) and the rumblings that Derrick Rose wasn't enthralled with the idea of playing with James. Cast aside the Clippers because they live in Bryant's building and well, they're the Clippers. Carving out a legacy in either of those locales would have been a near impossibility, even for James.

Miami doesn't work either.

No matter how many titles James wins in Miami, the Heat is and always will be Dwyane Wade's team. James is riding shotgun rather than behind the wheel, where he belongs. Meanwhile, Chris Bosh is the hyperactive, giddy kid in the backseat that you can't keep quiet.

You'd expect Bosh to be elated about the situation and no one can fault him for his defection from Toronto to a potential juggernaut on South Beach. The difference is that he's incapable of winning a championship as the No. 1 option.

The talents of LeBron James, however, are unmatched by any player in the history of the league and as a result, he is held to a higher standard. James will never be tested in Miami the way he should have to be to win titles. He, therefore, has no incentive to augment his game by ameliorating his free throw shooting, perimeter shooting, and post arsenal.

Meaning, in other words, James may have reached his peak at 25. It's a sobering and depressing thought for a career which had limitless possibilities.

Although he'll be fine on the court, James may not comprehend the magnitude of how many fans he's alienated and instantly turned against him. He has a thin skin and the vitriol will no doubt affect him in some fashion.

Since Cleveland's majority owner Dan Gilbert isn't above berating James in an open letter to Cavs fans, that should indicate some of the palpable animosity around the country.

The Heat is set to add a vital missing ingredient to the mix with the addition of sharp shooter Mike Miller. With Miller in the mix to space the floor for the dynamic dribble drives of James and Wade, the Heat has no excuse for winning any less than 70 games this season. The South Beach Superstars have brought these seemingly outrageous expectations on themselves.

James will regret this decision in the long run. Aside from the legacy that he's tarnished, James will need to forfeit individual accomplishments for the betterment of the team. Forget winning multiple scoring titles and MVPs on this team; Miami is not constructed for him to do so.

I'm not sure he's ready to sacrifice all that especially when he recognizes that he's despised by so many who once adored him.

Simply being along for a championship ride shouldn't satisfy a player of his caliber. It wasn't enough for Jordan and Bryant, and it's not sufficient for Durant either.

Why not suit up Dan Marino with a roster spot while you're at it? God knows he needs a ring too.