Howlin' T-Wolf

Even though Howlin’ T-Wolf exclusively monitors our beloved Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s hard to filter out main stream media no matter what. And what is more main stream than tonight’s ESPN special “The Decision” starring no other than Lebron James.

Let’s get to the bottom-line: Lebron’s decision was not the “right one.” By that I mean that his decision to join D-Wade and CB4 in South Beach was not popular by demand nor the easily predictable climax to a classic American fairy tale like many were expecting this to be. Lebron was supposed to stay home, for the fans of Cleveland and the fans of the NBA. But instead the Heat are now the Yankees of the NBA, and rightfully so. A lot of New Yorkers retire down there, you know. So now they get to cheer on their Yankees and Heat to plenty of titles in the next five years.

But what’s done is done, right?

Lebron’s decision tonight goes deeper than just switching teams for the next few seasons. This decision made an impact on literally everyone in the NBA world tonight. From New York Knickerbocker fans to Los Angeles Clipper fans, each and every team, and fans respectively, across the nation felt the impact of tonight’s events, whether they are aware of it or not. Somehow, some way, some day it’ll affect all.

Who am I referring to be saying all? Well, let’s start with the “King’s” hometown: Akron.

Cleveland/Akron:

Watching the video of Lebron’s jersey being burned in the streets of Akron was more powerful than words can describe. And it should be. They had the most emotions invested into this situation and they have the right to be angry at the outcome. I mean, it sucks!

Bill Simmons said in his piece “Countdown to Lebronocalypse” that he hopes “[Lebron] remembers to wipe the blood off the knife after he pulls it from Cleveland’s back.” How true is this after tonight? Lebron went on national television and tarnished his hometown-kid legacy by embarrassing them to death (I think it’s Lebron James, in the kitchen, with a knife…You solved the mystery!) choosing his friends over family in the end. Now that’s cold.

It makes me think of what could have happened if Joe Mauer didn’t sign an extension this year with the Twins and walked away to the Yankees scotch free. Riots would fill the streets and his name would never be mentioned again in the Twin Cities. He would even have to stay home for road series’ in Minny. He wouldn’t be welcomed back with open arms.

Lebron’s going to know that feeling more than anyone and it will stick to his conscious like old gum under a table.

The team’s that lost the Lebronpalooza:

Congratulations, Knicks. You now have Ama’re Stoudemire and you’re still not a playoff team.

Chicago, you made a good run, but if you thought desperately signing Carlos Boozer at the last second would sway Lebron from playing with his friends in Miami, you had it wrong.

How come Lebron didn’t choose his other buddy in New Jersey, Jay-Z? Oh, yeah. Because there was a 6-foot-7 russian owner looming over him, putting the pressure to his stomach with a gun (I mean that literally) to turn the Nets around in just a few seasons.

Clippers? Did they ever really have a shot?

All these teams gave it a whirl but it came down to comradery. Lebron wanted to play with his friends. Simple enough. When he says “It wasn’t about the money,” it’s true because otherwise he’d still be with Cleveland and everyone would be happy — he would’ve made more there. All those other teams had to offer was money, but they didn’t have enough to bring his two amigos into town with him unlike Heat. Bravo, Miami. You just spent your way from being a mediocre team to a championship contender. Like I said, the Yankees of the NBA which means the most hated and loved team in the nation.

Also note that the Heat will be crazy good at the 3-on-3 super video game NBA Jam next year. The other teams that missed out, not so much. Just sayin’.

NBA fans across the nation:

If you’re anything but a Heat or Lakers fan, buckle up because the next six years or so may be hell. Could it be possible to see those two teams in six straight finals? Probably.

Probably the worst wrap of all this is the fact that the NBA is now run by just a few teams. Tonight’s decision costed probably 25 teams a chance at a championship for the next six years, and it’s sad. Miami, LA, Boston, Okla. City and Orlando are primed to dominate the league for five years and beyond, in my opinion. We’re talking millions of fans that will be cheering their teams on during the regular season but might as well throw in the towel when they have to face one of those five teams in the playoffs. Since the post-season will be run by just a handful of teams or so for the next five or six years, it eliminates the opportunities for potential underdogs to go on a magical run that is oh-so familiar in collegiate ball. I’m an NCAA fan now.

I will say tonight’s events will prove that the “bandwagon effect” is America’s forte. Twitter and Facebook will be surging with “Welp, I’m a Heat fan now!” And believe me, it’ll only get worse.

Rivalries:

Today on ESPN, they were showing some old clips of Lakers vs. Celtics; Magic vs. Bird. Now I wasn’t old enough to see it live but I do understand the rivalry that took place in those match-ups and what it meant to the game and those team’s fans. Rivalries are what keep this league seriously competitive and now that three of the game’s best will be playing together, who’s going to rival them?

Instead of having each of these guy’s — meaning Bosh, James and Wade — on separate teams, all competing for a championship against each other in entertaining, fun-filled 7-game series’ that go down to the very last second, we get to watch them potentially steam roll inferior squads in four games.

In my outspoken opinion, this disgraces what competition means in the NBA. No longer will friendly rivalries be apart of the game for the next few years, but hey, watching all-star games is fun too, I guess.

The Wolves:

Believe it or not, Lebron’s decision affected us too. As I posted earlier, the Wolves acquired former 2nd overall pick Michael Beasley for just a 2nd round pick in 2011. But that’s not the only way this hit the Wolves.

We’re in a rebuilding process that is likely to take 2-3 years, but with the Heat primed to rule the league for years to come, what’s the point anymore?

I’m not saying I’m giving up complete hope, but realistically it’s hard to say that the Wolves could get to that point of what Kahn wanted. 2-3 years, the big three is still in Miami. 4-5, same scenario. It could take years before the Wolves, or any other team for that matter, to become championship contenders.

NBA: The Brand:

NBA was starting to gain steam. Even Jay Mariotti had the nerve to say on ESPN’s Around The Horn that basketball has surpassed baseball as America’s #2 favorite sport. And I believe him.

The last two out of three NBA finals brought us the old time rivalry of Boston vs. LA. This year’s free agency was more publicized than baseball or anything this summer. Even the World Cup (We’re only talking about America here, not the world).

The list goes on and on about why the NBA was becoming a name brand in America. It went through some down years, but the arrival of the “King” and others elevated the NBA to a level it hadn’t seen since the days of Michael Jordan.

But considering all the factors involved and effected by this “decision,” the NBA took a serious hit on it’s brand name tonight. A lack of rivalries and now an assumed decrease in competition, the NBA as we know could get very boring to watch for many fans, especially those who stay devoted to their squads and don’t hop aboard the “bandwagon” I spoke of earlier. If things turn out the way they seem, it just won’t be fun to watch anymore.

All hope is not lost for the NBA and its fans, but it definitely took a big hit tonight. In all aspects of NBA basketball and the Cleveland, Ohio area, Lebron’s decision tonight decided the fate of many for potentially a considerable amount of time. Some were effected positively, but many negatively. It just fascinates me that one man’s decision of where to play basketball can throw this country into such a tussle.

Pfft, America..