While We’re Waiting… LeBron vs. Wade, Browns Free Agent News, and the Future of Andy Marte

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar. 

“I’ve long held that this team is the one you don’t want to see in the playoffs, and tonight was a reminder. They have a great shot at the 4 seed, and as long as Atlanta doesn’t go anywhere and the Cavs maintain pace, we’re looking at a very likely Wade vs. LeBron matchup in the semifinals. Which would honestly be the best thing all year. These two go at one another in a very unique way. Maybe they’re courting one another. Maybe they like putting on a show. But there’s something that happens when these two step on the floor, the same thing that’s been missing between LeBron and Kobe. They’re friends, contemporaries, paired icons of a generation, and the idea of them battling back and forth, LeBron with Delonte at his side, Wade with Beasley, is almost too good of an idea to be true.” [Matt Moore/Hardwood Paroxysm]

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The future of Andy Marte: “It is hard to envision the Indians actually sending Marte to Columbus, but if this scenario is to take place he would go to Columbus and be a bench player filling in at third base, first base and designated hitter. But if this happens, when you consider you already have Brown at first, and then Marte on the bench able to play first and designated hitter, it pretty much means Aubrey and Head could be considered redundant and one would not make the team. Aubrey would be released, or Head would open in Double-A Akron instead.” [Tony Lastoria/Indians Prospect Insider]

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While we all wait to see if LeBron James holds his word on next year’s Slam Dunk contest, Vince Grzegorek sits down with the first ever winner: No. 22 himself, Larry Nance.  He even offers LBJ some advice on taking home next year’s trophy. [Vince Grzegorek/Cleveland Scene]

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A little free agent talk: “Of the four AFC North teams, finding the best match for the Browns was the most difficult. Following last week’s trade of former Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., it’s clear this team is starting over. Therefore, Cleveland is more interested in draft picks than big-name acquisitions in free agency. With that said, eight-year cornerback Hank Poteat would be the ideal fit for Cleveland. He’s cheap, experienced and most importantly he is a favorite of new Browns coach Eric Mangini, who coached Poteat with the Jets.” [James Walker/ESPN]

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More points, please: “After browsing the likes of Antoine Vermette, Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore, Howson returned home Sunday and watched his team score one goal for the third consecutive game, a 3-1 loss in Vancouver. It was a western Canadian road swing that emphasized why the Jackets have been in the market for a scoring center or at least a top-six forward.  Whether he’s able to negotiate a deal or not, the Jackets must find a way to score more than three goals in a week if they are to secure a playoff spot. They get another opportunity tonight against the Los Angeles Kings in Nationwide Arena.” [Tom Reed/Columbus Dispatch]