BASKETBALL

In the NBA, the free agency news is heating up.

First up, the New York Knicks have decided to make sure they got some goods in case they didn’t get LeBron.  Well, they went ahead and signed former Phoenix Suns star Amar’e Stoudemire to a 5-year deal.  Stoudemire is a very good player, but has been injury plagued over the years.  He just had a good season, but one must wonder how much of his success is due to the incredible play of two-time MVP Steve Nash.  The Knicks don’t have that kind of player or leadership, and this might not work out for New York.

However, Stoudemire is already campaigning to get some other stars to New York.  Reportedly, Stoudemire has put the word out to Tony Parker and Carmelo Anthony that they should join him in the big apple.  After all, Carmelo is a New Yorker, having played his college ball at Syracuse.  New Yorkers would love and embrace him.  We’ll see how the NY situation pans out.

And speaking of New York, they are still very much alive in the LeBron hunt.  And here’s why:  LeBron has told the media that he will make his decision on Thursday.  However, he doesn’t intend to make this announcement quietly.  He wants a special on ESPN to announce the “winning” team, and also wants to sell sponsorship against the special.  The sponsorship proceeds would go to the Boys and Girls Club, so you have to congratulate LeBron for trying to make something good with all this attention he’s receiving.

As for where he will choose, that’s anybody’s guess.  New York and Chicago are very much alive, as are the Miami Heat.  Sure, there’s always a chance he stays in Cleveland, a strong chance in fact, but Chris Bosh, whom LeBron wanted as a teammate, said he won’t play in Cleveland.  Therefore, if James does stay in his hometown, there is a strong possibility that he won’t grab a championship there.

SOCCER

And in World Cup soccer, the Netherlands were hoping to make it to the World Cup Final.  They just needed to beat the nagging, but surging Uruguay team, who has shocked everyone by making it to the semifinal.  After all, Uruguay was in the same group as #1 seed France and #2 seed Mexico.  They weren’t even supposed to get to the second round, so you can bet these guys have no fear.  Well, fearlessness isn’t enough in World Cup play — you have to be perfect.  The game was tied at 1-1 going into the half, but 2 fantastic goals from the Netherlands would be all they would need to reach the World Cup Finals.  Now they await the winner of Spain/Germany Wednesday.  Netherlands 3, Uruguay 2.