LeBron James 2010

LBJ 2010 – it’s the goal of many teams in the NBA but only realistic by some. A little less than a year from now Cavs star LeBron James will have made a decision and signed a contract with a team for well over $100 million. Whichever team he signs with will be getting a LeBron James who will be transitioning into his prime about two or three years into the contact. It’s scary to think we haven’t seen the best of LeBron James yet.

Where will LeBron land in 2010? The three front-runners right now have to be the Cavs, Knicks and Nets (only if they move to Brooklyn) in that order. Beyond those three teams I have no idea. Could Miami go after LeBron if Wade leaves or maybe even if Wade stays? I wouldn’t count on it. Lebron wants to be a billion dollar athlete and that kind of money can’t be made in many NBA cities.

It will be interesting now that Russion billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov is taking over the majority ownership of the Nets. If Prokhorov can get the Nets to Brooklyn then the Knicks and Nets may be in a dead heat for Lebron behind Cleveland because money won’t be an issue anymore for the Nets. Prokhorov’s pockets are deeper than cablevision’s. The Nets also have Jay-Z to help lure Lebron in. Donnie Walsh must be scared to death that Prokhorov is taking over the Nets. Without Prokhorov, the Nets chances of moving to Brooklyn are slim and their chances of getting LeBron are none. Prokhorov’s presence with the Nets not only changes the landscape in New York area basketball but changes the landscape in the entire NBA.

My gut feeling tells me LeBron will say goodbye to Cleveland and head to the big apple. If the Nets move to Brooklyn, It’s a toss-up which team he’ll go to. The Brooklyn Nets would be very enticing. If the Nets can’t get to Brooklyn then I believe we’ll be seeing LBJ at MSG for years to come.

Russian Billionaire Interested in Nets

Just a few weeks ago Bruce Ratner released the design for Atlantic Yards, the project in Brooklyn that would host the Nets along with high-rise housing and other facilities. Now Mikhail Prokhorov, Russia’s richest man, may aid in the Nets’ move to Brooklyn. The Russian billionaire would takeover the Nets and give them the finances needed to build the Atlantic Yards project and make the move to Brooklyn.

Prokhorov has confirmed interest in the Nets and has sent out a proposal to existing Nets shareholders. Prokhorov would give the Nets the financial assets needed to make the move to Brooklyn but there are still other obstacles that would need to be hurdled in order for the Nets to make the move.

Atlantic Yards Design

Bruce Ratner has unveiled the designs for Atlantic Yards, the project that is centered around the Barclays Center which is the proposed Brooklyn basketball arena that would be home to the Nets.  

In a statement found on BarclaysCenter.com, Bruce Ratner said, “The Barclays Center will quickly become an iconic part of the Brooklyn landscape.  The design is elegant and intimate and also a bold architectural statement that will nicely complement the surrounding buildings and neighborhoods. The Barclays Center will be innovative in its look and use of materials, including weathered steel and glass, and will be the best place in the world to watch a basketball game and other forms of sports and entertainment.”

Construction is expected to begin toward the end of this year and the Nets are anticipating to move in for the 2011-2012 season.  

For more information on Atlantic Yards and the Barclays Center go to http://www.barclayscenter.com/