OJ Mayo is basketball person

We felt really bad for TJ Potato during the draft last night.

You really just hate to see anyone get drafted by the Timberwolves, especially someone who’s a budding corporation and such.

TJ looked crushed, and rightly so – MINN is for guys who are just gonna disappear anyway, like the 27 guys in the first round of this draft not named Rose/Beasley/Potato.

Luckily, during DRAFT II: AFTERDRAFT, our young glasses-wearer was traded to Memphis, where we’re 15% less sad for him.

Since absolutely nothing else about this draft will ever matter (except that CHI/MEM now have excess PGs to trade to CLE), let’s focus on a discussion we had lasterday with not one, but two people, in various forms: LeBron to the Nets in 2010.

You see, at this point, any time anyone on the Nets ties their shoe, it’s reason for 150 articles about how it’s a sign that LeBron is going there when his free agency hits – travelling to Brooklyn to be the savior in their new arena that still isn’t being built, nor has agreements in place to be built, although it’s been “imminent” for 6 years.

Richard Jefferson gets traded to MIL for garbage – LeBron to the Nets! Yes, because LeBron wants to play in a non-existent building for a team consisting of Devin Harris, Tall Chinese Guy #2, and the Short Haired Frankenstein Twin.

All so he can hang out with Jay-Z more. Because all Jay-Z, owner of a hearty 5% (2%?) of the team, does is sit around at Nets HQ waiting to hang out with LeBron.

It’s simply not realistic, and this isn’t because we’re a Cleveland fan – remember, we soured on LeBron two years ago during the Malaise season. Let’s run it down, AGAIN:

1) LBJ’s focus is on China (and the global market). The Chinese market doesn’t care if he plays in NJ, NY, or CLE. The money will be the same.

2) LeBron is human, and he is from Akron, and he does like it there, from everything we know. He appears to care about his family more than basketball/business.

3) The Cavs are better than the Nets, and are clearly better run than the Nets. They’re also poised to make huge moves and have space next summer wrt the salary cap, so the big overhaul/acquisition is in position to happen right here and now. And he does want to win*, not just hang out with Jay-Z, which he can do all the time, anyway.

4) History/legacy-wise, bringing the city of Cleveland its first championship in 50+ years is far more significant than anything he could do for the Nets. Doubly so since he’s from there.

*This sums up our current feelings on LeBron. During the Malaise season, you may remember that we thought he might be a more talented Vince Carter. We’ve since amended that to something equally as gruesome – he’s kinda A-Rod to us. LeBron wants to win, but only because it’s good for the brand, not because he internally needs to.

The loss to the Celtics in Game 7 was great evidence for this – we believe a correct paraphrasing of his statement is, “The loss is fine; it was great to be a part of a historic battle with Paul Pierce that will be remembered,” or something to that effect.

We could be wrong, who knows. He’s young still. It’s just not want we want from our athletes. We may come around again on him again.

POOR TJ POTATO!