Contributed by Short Fuze & Nasa.

Short Fuze:

Ok, let me just start off by saying that I won't lie to you and say that I wasn't amped about this free agency period, because I was. I thought the Bulls had a legit shot at "the big three". When we first signed Carlos Boozer I was kind of let down, after sitting on it a couple days, I feel like we are a better team. Not championship ready like some people are talking (yes that's actually happening), but I am convinced that those people are just seeing a name and the large number of dollars in the equation.

I also won't tell you that I didn't have my tv tuned into ESPN, because I did. Mostly, to make of fun them for dick riding LeBron enough that they where willing to give him an hour and a half to announce something he already knew. I don't buy it for a minute that those three didn't have this planned out. With that said, I can't say that I am mad at them for doing what they are doing, but let's be real here, a lot of shit hit the fan last night.

1) I feel terrible for the people of Cleveland. Not necessarily because LeBron left, because at the end of the day he can do what he wants. But, by the way he did it. Was it necessary to go on national tv and rip a cities heart out? No. I am sure they knew it was coming, but the way it was done compounded the situation. I am sure that if he announced his decision on a quieter level people would have forgave him over time. He is the new Art Modell. And keep in mind that this is coming from a huge Bulls fan that that hated the Cavs almost as much as I hated the Knicks or Pistons.

2) What happened to loyalty? The way LeBron went about letting the other teams know his decision by not letting them know, is ridiculous and immature. For him not to let the Cavs know until the last minute is damn bogus. What makes it worse is, he is from Ohio. You would think he had more class than that. Seven years have been erased in 30 seconds of speech. I don't blame them for burning his jersey. I don't blame Dan Gilbert for writing the letter, although I don't agree with some of the things he said. Miami will win a title before Cleveland, let's be realistic. With that said, will I respect that ring? No. The Heat are the Yankees to me now, they bought their ring.

3) What happened to wanting to beat the best? I don't blame anyone for wanting to win, but what happened to earning it? I am not going to say that MJ didn't have Pippen or that Magic didn't Kareem or Worthy or Larry didn't have Parrish or McHale, but the difference is those duos and trios became great together not separately. And they made their teams better. I rooted for LeBron and the Cavs this year, I wanted to see them win. The Cavs put pieces around him. He choked.
This Heat team is already being handed the title and they will win at some point, but I hope they fail this year. This team is bad for the NBA and I am sure David Stern is beating off to the thought of all the marketing opportunities at hand.

4) Where does this take the NBA? It's pretty obvious that the power shifted last night. A team like this can't be good. It takes away the excitement of the best players beating each other and having those epic series that everyone talks about for years. If The Lakers and Heat wind up playing for the title at some point and the Heat beat the Lakers, can the NBA be that thrilled? The beauty of this league has been the torch passing. Larry and Magic beating up on each other, Isiah beating Magic, MJ beating Isiah, then it was supposed to be LeBron beating Kobe. While that still may happen, it won't be the same. I just can't and won't take that ring seriously.

5)  As a fan, I lost a little respect for the "big three". It goes back to the competition aspect. I enjoy good teams to beat other good teams. While it remains to be seen how many titles the Heat will win, I am sure it will be more than one. Sometimes the term "if you can't be them join them" isn't always a good thing. So now all we are going to hear about for the next few months is speculation, odds and breakdowns on how great this team is going to be. I am not looking forward to that. I also not looking forward to all the assholes that are going to run the Heat in 2k11. It was bad enough that you had to play the Lakers half the time. Call me a hater, but I rooting against the Heat and if they wind up playing the Lakers...Go Kobe!! (never thought I would say that)

Nasa:

I'll try to keep this brief, since Short Fuze basically said it all.  There was only one thing I disagree with.  David Stern can't be happy about this, and if he is, he's a fucking moron.

Lebron James has basically ruined the NBA's product.  The league is built on the back of player personalities going head to head.  Reggie vs. the Knicks, Kobe vs. the Celtics, MJ vs. everybody.  Even teams like the Rockets and Spurs that were more subdued had Hakeem and Tim Duncan.  You had the greats facing the greats.  Now you do not.  Now you have a league of "have nots".

I'm a Pacers fan, why do I need to watch NBA basketball anymore?  Lakers and Heat, maybe the Celtics compete.  Put it in the books, game over, thanks a lot 2010-11 season.  Lebron has made "have nots" in New York, New Jersey, Toronto, Cleveland, Chicago and other locations with this choice.  Those teams will all suffer (with the rest of) to varying degrees, but if you think any of them have a PRAYER of winning a championship, please call me ASAP because I want to place a bet with you.

Another issue with Lebron in Miami, and why it kills the NBA, is now you will have a situation where every time Wade hits a game winner it damages Lebron and vice versa.  Their statistical achievements will both suffer and lesser players on lesser teams will take away shine from where it belongs.  You will never see a great Wade vs. Lebron moment now.  Your 2nd and 3rd player are in the same city, even when you get into jersey sales it hurts, why would you need both of their jerseys from the same team?  Even if you are a legit Heat fan?  And Miami, oh by the way, is a soulless city with no history of sports tradition.  Miami is STILL mostly retirees with no interest in basketball.  In addition, it is a nationally isolated city.  Not in a major market and not in the middle of the country.  Double FAIL.  Picture if the Yankees played in Phoenix or if the Cowboys played in Portland.  Would the MLB or NFL be happy with that?  I don't think so.

Of course they will sell out reagardless, that's not my point.  The level of passion in your fan base is what sells your product, not a bunch of coat hangers in the crowd.  Even the sports bars ESPN filmed last night, that were supposedly in Miami, looked half empty with like 2 guys cheering and everyone else shrugging.  Please.

Finally, to Lebron.  You are a sham.  You will NEVER be considered great.  Wade has his ring with a semi-washed up Shaq and a bunch of role players.  What do you have?  You have 7 years of bullshit.  You showed your lack of passion this year, and your willingness to NOT beat anybody, as I talked about during the playoffs, is on full display by you joining a team where the pressure isn't solely on you.  Dan Gilbert nailed it on the head when he said you "want to get into Heaven without dying first".  Wow, that is a tombstone worthy quote right there.  My respect for Dan Gilbert has SKYROCKETED.

I am now a fan that I hate most.  I'm waiting for Big East basketball to start because I'd rather watch the college product (as corrupt as it is).  Fuck the NBA!