Almost one month ago to the day, we discussed the potential of Larry Hughes was pegged to return back to Cleveland. This curio of sorts originated from Chicago Bulls beat writer Sam Smith. In the post, we said the following:
If there was a Mount Rushmore of NBA [scribes], I’m not exactly sure who would all be on it. What I can tell you, though, is that one name that would probably get some consideration (in some circles) is Sam Smith. The former Chicago Tribune writer who covered the Bulls beat in the MJ era and currently writes exclusively for the Chicago Bulls’ official site (Bulls.com) probably earned his most fame for writing his essential must-read book “The Jordan Rules.”
Smith has undoubtedly had his name in NBA fan ears for quite some time, and deservedly so. But then there is this:
Unfortunately, it seems these days Smith is more interested in ruffling feathers and spreading (seemingly) baseless rumors. In particular, he loves to take shots at LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Said “shots” focused primarily around Smith’s obesession with the number of fouls being called on James. The beat writer for the Chicago Bulls took the time to go back through box scores of another team’s player and counted how many times James had been whistled for a violation.
Furthermore, Smith decided to claim that “some NBA people” feel that Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant is actually better than James and that James himself “isn’t the best thing to ever happen in anyone’s life.” You know, as if this thinking has actually been stated as fact.
Well, if that was not enough, Smith is back for more LeBron-based rumor-starting wholesomeness. The latest, you ask? James will be heading to Los Angeles next season to play along side Kobe Bryant.
You got it. Los Angeles. In fact, Smith is “fairly sure” that this will happen.
[Going] to the Lakers makes all the sense in the world, and, at least to my view, fits LeBron better than it would other players of his caliber. Of which there’s basically only Kobe Bryant.
I’ve heard this scenario from some NBA people…
There we go again with “some NBA people.”
And since Michael Jordan is no longer around for the Bulls beat writer on which to focus his attention, we can use Jordan’s name in comparison to James and his future.
I strongly question the Cavs roster and decision making to help make LeBron a champion. Michael Jordan was able to accept the lack of titles into the late 1980s because the Bulls were improving and going farther each season. It appears the Cavs are backsliding.
The remainder of the article focuses solely on stuff which Smith feels to be true. Baseless thoughts with some salary cap numbers thrown in for good measure. Oh, and of course the whole “everyone wants to play in L.A.” argument – wait for it – because of the weather.
We have given Yahoo!’s Adian Wojnarowski some heat in the past for his relentless focus on LeBron James. Woj has made it a hobby to spread narrow-minded rumors about James, using a lot of the same thought that Smith has displayed time and time again. But the thing is, Wojnarowski is a national basketball columnist; he is not a team beat writer.
When Brian Windhorst writes about other teams, it is typically in a brief “news and notes” segment and only comes on Sundays. Sure, he has used the New York Knicks as a reference in salary cap talks, but only because James is their primary focus.
We are four games into the 2009-10 season and this is the second article (of mention) that Smith has penned about LeBron James.
We continue to abide by the thinking that James truly has no firm commitment at this point when it comes to 2010. And with that said, regardless of how many outlandish, throwing something against the wall only to see what sticks-type rumors Smith wants to use to fill his word-requirements for the Bulls, he has even less of an idea as to what is actually going on inside the head of the reigning MVP.
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