It’s time to resurrect my favorite column, where we wrap up the week in the NBA. Filled with thoughts, opinions and reflections, it’s almost as if someone cares. This week we saw a unification of three powers as Chris Bosh and LeBron James joined Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. The story obviously revolved around, quite literally, “the decision” as to where James would sign. As we are plenty aware, it came at the expense of the heartbreak of an entire state. As I take a step back and have allowed my emotions to cool, I think I understand to a greater degree why the agitation ran so high. Most basketball fans grew up with the Bird/Magic rivalry and were swept into the modern era with Michael Jordan. We would all be wealthy this week if we had a dime for every time we heard some variant of the phrase “LeBron is no Jordan”. I’ve slowly started to realize our disappointment is not actually with the first name in the statement, but the latter. Since the famous shot and Jordan walking into the sunset, we’ve craved for someone to fill the void he left in our hearts. We’ve been through Iverson, McGrady, LeBron, Wade, and Kobe, yet none have come close. It’s more than a game to us, we hung on Jordan’s every word. He gave his all night in and night out, and was rewarded with not only MVPs, but championships. He gave us something to root for. His athleticism was unparalleled, competitiveness unrivaled, and passion was unprecedented. We’re only partially upset because James left. We’re primarily melancholy and bitter because the quest to find Jordan’s heir apparent must wait another generation.

Though I will blindly try to not contradict myself two sentences later, the NBA’s future may not reside on the hot beaches of SoBe. Does 100 W. Reno Ave ring a bell to you? It doesn’t have the cache of Madison Square Garden, the history of Boston’s north end, or the celebrity of the Staples Center. This street is in Oklahoma City, home of the Thunder. Kevin Durant has agreed to a five-year extension worth nearly $86 million. Durant, in Orlando helping the OKC summer-league team, announced the signing on Twitter last Wednesday. To tweet, “Exstension for 5 more years wit the thunder….God Is Great, me and my family came a long way…I love yall man forreal, this a blessing!”. Only 21 years of age, Durant has seen his annual scoring average increase from 20 as a rookie, 25 as a sophomore, and 30 to lead the league last year. Keep an eye towards the trail of tears, you’ll be hearing a lot more of this club in the future.

Several free agent signings and commitments occurred in the past week. Mike Miller will join the Super Friends in Miami, and rumor has it LeBron’s old buddy from the Cavs Zydrunas Ilgauskas is considering joining the club for the veteran’s minimum. In a year where large contracts are being doled out at an alarming rate, it will be shocking to see starters accept the veteran’s minimum to join the squad. Ilgauskus has made a pretty penny over his career, and would likely be able to instantly come in and start on this team. Few players in the league can say that, and it remains to be seen if it will come true. Juwan Howard, yes that Juwan Howard, is also rumored amongst the suitors for the Super Friends entourage. Perhaps Ray Jackson and Jimmy King are willing to play for the vet’s minimum as well.

What becomes of Gotham City? Surprisingly, the Knicks roster actually looks a lot better than one would expect after the huge whiffs on the open market. After inking Amar’e Stoudemire to a long term deal, the Knicks made one of the most underrated trades of the offseason. Shipping forward David Lee in a sign and trade to Golden State, the Knicks received in return forwards Anthony Randolph and Ronny Turiaf, and guard Kelenna Azubuike. Randolph is already inked as the starting power forward in New York, while Turiaf is a nice rotational big. Aubuike, when healthy, is a solid scoring option and good energy player off the bench. The Knicks signed Raymond Felton to a three year contract, and though some consider this a stop gap, Felton can play. He’s more in the mold of a combo guard, but has veteran experience and was considered one of the top options in free agency to run the point. The Knicks should start a lineup of Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Randolph, and Stoudemire. Not quite the lineup Knicks fans were expecting after the vaunted summer of 2010, but a significant upgrade on the previous year. I’d expect New York to at least be able to crack the .500 win mark, a statement that seemed pretty shaky two weeks ago.

As the weekend fades away...

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