In one of the most anticipated announcements in recent sports history, LeBron James stated his intentions of signing with the Miami Heat. The acquisition of James, alongside other star free-agent acquisitions of Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade makes the Heat the runaway winners of the free-agency period.

James’ decision to sign with the Heat says a great deal about his desire to be a winner. From an outsider’s perspective, I assumed that James would sign with a team that would be a winner – but also one that he would be the clearcut leader of the franchise. This won’t necessarily be the case as he joins the Heat. While James’ style of play is certainly not a selfish one, playing alongside two stars has the possibility to dilute his shine. Now you might not see James going off for 30 every night any more (OK, maybe every other night), but he has a rare opportunity to create a truly special and dynamic team with Bosh and Wade.

James might be even more dangerous on the Heat than he ever has been, as he has never had such talented players to pass the ball to. Imagine defenses collapsing on a slashing James, only to have him drop a pass to a slashing Wade or Bosh for a baseline jackhammer. The alternative is that defenses don’t leave Wade or Bosh to go double-team James, freeing him up for advantageous one-on-one situations. Playing alongside Wade and Bosh will allow James to focus on the intangibles more than ever before. He’ll be a fantastic facilitator and great teammate in Miami, and this trio will bring the level of excitement and power up a big notch in the Eastern Conference.

As the Cavs fall out of the elite group in the East, the Celtics continue to age, and Orlando works to hone their winning formula, the Heat are instantly at the forefront of title contenders. I don’t care who they put around the trio – the Heat will be in the discussion once the postseason comes around. The Heat will hope to round their squad out with proven, veteran players who are willing to sign for the veteran’s minimum for a true chance at winning a title. Given Pat Riley’s success in signing all three of the most-coveted free-agents, I don’t doubt his ability to surround them with a strong supporting cast.

Amidst all this excitement, I can’t imagine how depressing it must be to be a Cavs fan right now. James has been the heart and soul of Cleveland sports since he has been in the league, and has been their shining ray of hope for a championship. Seeing James leave must feel like getting dumped by your supermodel girlfriend who you just got engaged to. I can only imagine how loud the ragestorm of boos will be in Cleveland for the first time James visits Quicken Loans Arena as a member of the Heat – and likely for the rest of his career.

But in the end, James chose the promise of winning over the comfort of home, and he chose a chance for collective greatness over individual accolades.

Even without knowing what the final makeup of their team will be, do you think the Heat’s new power trio makes them the Eastern Conference favorite?

The dominoes have indeed begun to fall. Today brought major free-agent news, as both Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh announced that they would be joining forces in Miami. Carlos Boozer is packing up his bags and leaving for Chicago, adding to an already formidable core. With Amar’e Stoudemire headed to New York, all of the superstar free-agents of 2010 are accounted for. Except for LeBron James, who will make his decision in an ESPN television special tomorrow night.

While James is the last one to commit, his decision will have major repercussions on the landscape of the league for years to come. His decision could potentially shift some real power and relevancy to a team that has underachieved in recent history – such as New York, Chicago, or Miami (sorry Nets and Clippers fans, I just don’t see it happening for you). Or, James can continue his tenure as the state of Ohio’s pride and joy, and make it his mission to bring a title to Cleveland, a city that seems to never catch a break in the world of sports.

Ultimately, James needs to decide what is the most important to him. Is it winning? Is it continuing to build his personal brand and marketing appeal? Is it having a meaningful legacy – and if so – what does that mean to him? If it is just championships he wants, will he be satisfied doing it with the help of other mega-stars and not by willing a team to a title through his own personal brilliance? There is an endless amount of variables for James as he makes his decision.

The way I see it, if James joins either the Bulls or Heat, they are overnight title contenders.

MIAMI

With the Heat, playing alongside Wade and Bosh would easily be one of the most talented trios of superstars to play together in the history of the game. The slashing ability and sheer athleticism that Wade and James could put on the court together would make them an unstoppable force on the offensive end. Add Bosh into the mix, and you have one of the most versatile big men in the game who has the authority to draw a double team and free-up some pressure off of his comrades. As one of the best passers in the game, and often with a pass-first mentality, I do think James can coexist with other star players. Add in the youth of this trio, and you’re looking at a dynasty in the making. While they won’t have much money left over to pull in a supporting cast, anyone would look good playing alongside James, Wade and Bosh.

CHICAGO

Say James decides the Bulls are the best fit for him. The Bulls probably have the best full team in place that James could go to at this point. With Boozer and Joakim Noah, they have a mean and bruising frontcourt that will be a force on the glass. They have one of the best young point-guards in Derrick Rose, and let’s not forget about Luol Deng who regained some of his form last year and put together a solid season. This is an athletic and physical group of players with a good mixture of upside and veteran experience. If James joins Chicago, I believe they would have an upper-hand in overall talent over the Wade and Bosh combo in Miami.

NEW YORK

And then there is New York. They have all of the glamour, glitz and bright lights that James could ever hope for. It’s one of the most passionate basketball cities in the world, and James’ contribution would be wholly appreciated in the Big Apple. The state of their roster is also uncertain, but one thing is for sure – he would have a top-tier big man in Stoudemire to work in tandem with. I can imagine classic battles in the Eastern Conference between James and Stoudemire’s Knicks and Wade and Bosh’s Heat. However, I’m skeptical that if James couldn’t get over the hump with his solid group in Cleveland that he’ll be able to do more with less in New York. That being said, if he could turn New York into a champion, he would take his global celebrity to an astronomical level.

CLEVELAND

But amidst all this speculation, James might just decide that home is where the heart is. The Cavaliers have a distinct advantage in that James has unfinished business in Cleveland. For someone whose whole existence as a basketball player has been rooted in the state of Ohio, James has always had a goal of winning an NBA championship in his home state. To leave now just wouldn’t seem right. While the Cavs have had disappointing postseason runs in the past two seasons, let’s not forget that they also strung together two 60+ win seasons.  Let’s also not forget that James led the Cavs to the NBA Finals back in 2007 only to lose to a then-elite San Antonio Spurs team. My point is, winning a championship in Cleveland is not beyond the realm of possibility if James stays. If he does, they will continue to surround him with top-tier complementary players that will give him a real shot at being a contender. And what better legacy to leave than one of loyalty, greatness, and a championship for a place that has meant so much for him?

James has a number of fantastic opportunities at hand, but his final decision will tell a lot about what he truly values as a player. Where do you think he will end up?

Former NBA fan-favorite Manute Bol died today in a Virginia hospital, where he was being treated for severe kidney trouble and a skin condition known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. He was 47 years old.

Bol, one of the tallest NBA players ever at 7′7″, was as widely known for his charisma as his shot-blocking prowess. In his ten-year career Bol played for Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami, and amassed over 2,000 blocked shots over his career. I’ll never forget this iconic picture of him standing alongside Mugsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history.

After his 10-year career in the NBA, Bol dedicated his life to serving as an activist for numerous causes for his war-ravaged nation of birth, Sudan. He eventually founded Sudan Sunrise, a humanitarian group that promotes reconciliation in an attempt to end violence in Sudan. On the Sudan Sunrise website, Executive Director Tom Prichard posted a note about Bol’s death saying “Sudan and the world have lost a hero and an example for all of us.”

What will you remember most about Manute Bol?

You might have heard…this Summer’s free-agent crop is going to be one of the best of all time. Of course, we’re all familiar with the headliners: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer, Dirk Nowitzki, David Lee, etc. But the talent doesn’t end with these players, and teams who aren’t able to land one of these marquee names will have plenty left to pursue to improve their teams. Let’s take a look at some of the second-tier players who will be available this offseason:

Ray Allen (Unrestricted) – Allen is aging, but as last night’s record-setting (eight three-pointers) outing demonstrates he is still one of the premier shooters in the game. If it weren’t for the abundance of talent and unselfish team-concept that Boston has in place, Allen would likely still be putting up All-Star numbers and be considered to be a prized free agent. I’ve always dreamed of the damage that Allen could do in the run-and-gun system in Phoenix – it sure made Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson look better-than-advertised. You know that a Steve Nash and Ray Allen backcourt could be a thing of beauty.

Luis Scola (Restricted) – Does your team need a physical power-forward with solid low-post skills and a sweet mid-range jumpshot? Scola certainly could fit that bill. While Yao Ming has been out, Scola has often had to match up with much bigger players, and has done so admirably. He has great big-game experience from his international play, and is the type of player who doesn’t back down from anybody. Scola is also solid on the glass, and would make a great addition to most teams’ frontcourt. You will, however, have to put up with his long, wet hair if your team acquires him – but that’s a small price to pay.

Rudy Gay (Restricted) – While it’s rumored that Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley will do what he has to do to keep Rudy Gay in Memphis, he will be a prime target for many teams this off-season. He is a high-impact wing player who is nearly “go-to player” status, but won’t demand nearly as much money as the solidified stars in the league. There have already been rumblings that the Minnesota Timberwolves will make a hard run at acquiring the high-flying Gay. If your team needs a boost in scoring help, they could do worse than adding this 20 ppg stud.

Jermaine O’Neal (Unrestricted) – It wasn’t all that long ago that Jermaine O’Neal was one of the premiere centers in the league. Nagging injuries have slowed down O’Neal considerably, even frequently sitting out of games due to swelling in his knees. Although he is a shell of his former self, the fact of the matter is that truly versatile and talented big men are a rare commodity in this league. If O’Neal can stay even remotely healthy, he can be a boost to a team. He does a little bit of everything in the paint, and can even step out to mid-range a bit. He’s averaged just about 13 points and 7 rebounds per game in each of the last four seasons, and I think those are numbers you can expect to see him continue. At just 31-years old, he still has some tread left on the tires.

John Salmons (Early Termination Option) – Salmons was one of the key difference-makers in the Milwaukee Bucks’ remarkable season this year. Filling the big (injury-riddled) shoes of Michael Redd isn’t an easy task, but Salmons did it in stride. In fact, after the Bucks acquired Salmons, Milwaukee finished out the season with an impressive 22-8 record. He not only gave them an added scoring punch, he also improved their perimeter defense – a surefire way to get on the good side of coach Scott Skiles. Given how high his stock is right now, Salmons will almost certainly opt out of his contract in search of a more lucrative deal. While the Bucks will make a push to keep him, they’ll have to decide how they envision Salmons fitting into their long-term goals, and then decide what he’s worth to them.

Al Harrington (Unrestricted) – The whole New York Knicks free-agent situation is cloudy at best until they find out if they’ve got the goods to lure LeBron James to the Big Apple. Only then will New York know how much money they have to work with to resign any of their ten unrestricted free agents. Among them is Al Harrington, who has the capability to be a source of instant offense in the right system. He’s been a consistent scorer for most of his career, often taking advantage of slower forwards or defenders who can’t check him on the perimeter. Although he averaged nearly 18 ppg this season, he took on more of a bench role and could be looking to be a more integral part of a team.

Kwame Brown, Darko Milicic, Adam Morrison (Who Cares?) – I just thought I’d point out that any of these gems could be had for the right price. It’s your team’s chance to snag a former #1, #2 or #3 draft pick for pennies on the dollar. Milicic still holds one of my favorite NBA moments of the last five years. Who knows, maybe they have some untapped potential left in them? In all seriousness, I’d love to see Morrison get a fair shot at things, but I’m not holding out much hope.

Here’s the full list of upcoming free agents. What player are you hoping ends up on your team?

Michael Beasley’s hairstyle has typically been close-cropped or in cornrows (above) since he’s been on the NBA scene. Most of Beasley’s personal fashion expressions have been through his tattoos, such as this summer’s “Supercool Beas” shoulder tat (excuse the dime bag in the bottom-right corner). But apparently the tattoos just weren’t bringing enough funk to his game, as he’s ditched the cornrows in favor of one of the most impressive afros in recent NBA history. Josh Childress and old-school Ben Wallace would be proud.

Are you feeling the new ‘fro? Let me know in the poll below.

Kobe Bryant on the Lakers’ disconcerting loss against the Cavaliers (from PE.com):

“They played harder than we did. It’s as simple as that,” Kobe Bryant said. “They came out and outworked us. It’s a good wakeup call for us.”

LeBron James on the Cavs’ convincing win over the Lakers (from ESPN.com):

“It wasn’t about sending a message to them, it was about sending a message to ourselves and seeing how we match up with the best team in the NBA at this point. It was a good road win for us. I think it ranks up there, just because of the caliber of the team and the caliber of the players they have.”

Michael Beasley on the possibility of Dwyane Wade leaving the Miami Heat this Summer (from NY Daily News)

“He’s got to do what’s best for him…I wouldn’t say it’s a slap at us if he comes here. But I don’t want to think about him leaving. It will be weird without him.”

Shaquille O’Neal on handling boos from the crowd, after receiving a mixed response from the fans in L.A. (from ESPN):

“I’ve been in the league long enough that boos don’t bother me. I first got booed in Brownsville, Texas, and the worst booing I had was in Starkville, Miss., so if you can handle boos from Brownsville to Starkville, you can handle boos anywhere.”

Brandon Roy on the Blazers’ recent resurgence (from OregonLive):

“We’re playing, not thinking. I think early in the season we thought about the expectations instead of just playing loose and free. Now, it’s like we’ve lost the expectations and we have found we are loose.”

Stan Van Gundy on the NBA’s binge of marquee games on Christmas (from the Orlando Sentinel):

“I know this: I won’t watch one second of any of the other four games today. I have no interest whatsoever. I’m a big basketball guy, but this is a day to spend time with your family. That’s not a great advertisement for Stan Van Gundy and the NBA, but I actually feel sorry for people that have nothing better to do on Christmas Day than watch an NBA game.”