Is anyone else extremely bothered by the fact that the NBA off-season is dominating the sports headlines?  I understand that this year’s free-agent class’ decisions will redefine the NBA for the next several years, but do I need it shoved into my face every 15 seconds?  Obviously with big names like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer and that guard/forward from Cleveland (I just can’t remember his name), every team and fan is going head-over-heels in the hopes of landing at least one of these guys.

"Come play on MY team guys! I have already won a championship."

So I guess my first problem would be that coverage for this started immediately after the Lakers defeated the Celtics in the championship.  Unless you lived in L.A., the analysis of the NBA free-agent period began during the Lakers locker-room celebration.  I mean I didn’t mind (I despise the Lakers), but I don’t need someone reporting on how LeBron James, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh are all friends or what they are doing every single minute of every single day.

For all those people who complain about the NFL Draft coverage: this puts that to shame.  ESPN had mock signings, former coaches breaking down how it would work if certain players went to certain teams, video game demonstrations of how successful those teams would be, former GMs showing how those teams would have to balance out their salaries, and fan-reactions if certain players were acquired by their beloved team.

Give me a break.  Finally the day came when these players actually could sign with a team, and the picture became a bit clearer.  Wade and Bosh are teaming up in Miami; Boozer is headed to the Bulls, and Stoudemire is on his way to the Knicks.  This was news; I didn’t have any problems with this being broadcast all over the sports nation.  However, I did find it a little odd that every player had to deal with the “Are you planning on reaching out to LeBron James?” question about two questions into their respective interviews.

Then came the real head-scratcher.   ESPN agreed to run a 3-hour SportsCenter edition including an hour-long segment at the end entitled “The Decision,” which would be dedicated to LBJ’s free-agent decision (at LeBron’s request, in the name of charity though…of course).  I never thought ESPN could top “Favre-Watch” (which aired every day, two years ago during the NFL off-season), but they found a way with this.

"Please don't make me have to play in Cleveland...PLEASE!"

Now, I understand that James came to ESPN with the idea and they jumped all over it (because that is what a sports station should do), but how in love with yourself do you have to be to plan an hour long segment on national TV for two or three words? And then give it a dramatic title too?  How much of an ego-stroke is it to have your free-agent signing decision scheduled?  Not like a mandatory signing-day or an announcement—a set time and place, and then turn it into a show.  I remember when Jordan decided to come back and he announced it by simply stating, “I’m back.”  Or, if you want to make an argument about how technology has changed the way the sports world is reported on, how about tweeting about it like Kevin Durant just did about his extension?  I know he knows all about Twitter (thanks to ESPN and its keen reporting skills alerting me that James recently opened a Twitter account).

Which brings me to my final point: when did LeBron get to the status that would warrant such coverage?  I know he is an NBA freak – arguably the best there is – but how many championships has “The Chosen One” racked up in the seven years he has been playing?  The guy is great, don’t get me wrong, but he has done nothing except prove he is an amazing individual.  He has no team accolades and the team is supposed to be what this is all about.

Not only that, but he has no real option that should warrant that sort of coverage.  If he decided to come to Miami and join Wade and Bosh, it was be ridiculous.  Three superstars uniting to achieve one goal: a championship.  However, he would always be remembered as the greatest basketball player ever who NEEDED other superstars to win a title.  Sure Jordan had Pippen, Rodman and the rest of that awesome team, but there was only one “Jordan” on that squad, not two.  New Jersey and New York (even with the recent addition of Stoudemire) both stink.  They have plenty of money, but zero talent and there are only so many free agents this season to choose from.  So they are both rebuilding projects and he would be entering the same situation – or worse – than he was walking away from in Cleveland.  If he goes with Boozer to Chicago, he will be LeBron in MJ’s town.  Even if he wins two or three titles, they aren’t taking that Jordan statue down and erecting one of “King James” (and yes, he is that vain to let that hinder his decision).

"I WANT YOU to help me win a championship!

Cleveland is his best bet.  They need to make some serious moves this year, and the next two or three, but they have the money to and if he wins there he can be a legend.  So in my opinion, this free-agency thing is a waste of time.  It doesn’t matter where LeBron goes because he won’t have a real shot unless he crosses his fingers and prays for help while staying in Cleveland.  The real story is Wade and Bosh joining forces (because they could easily dominate the East over the next few years), not LeBron and his “decision,” and it takes about 15 minutes to cover it, not two months.

Besides, if these guys really only cared about winning, why didn’t any of them show any interest in playing with Dwight Howard and the Magic?  You know those teams would have gladly re-worked their finances to lock-up one of them.  So please quit wasting my time with all this coverage and analysis over free-agency (especially with LeBron, at least until he wins one…if he ever does)—just feed me baseball highlights and wake me if the Sixers sign one of these guys.