both because of their respective injury histories

LeBron James reportedly decided to opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat on Tuesday. Heres a few quick thoughts of what this Decision means to me. 1. CONTROL: Hes the best player by far on the planet so its his contractual right to exercise this clause and I agree with him. Old-timers and traditionalists might not like it but its the reality of pro sports in the 21st century. Great actors/actresses set the tone and select what movies/plays they want to perform in and who they want to work with and for and LeBron is at that level in the "sports/entertainment industry" that former NBA commissioner David Stern created with the emphasis on stars over teams. This is a creation of that. Right, wrong or indifferent - it is what it is. Hes negotiated and earned the right to reconsider and re-explore what hed like to do with his career. The man is serious about his game and is a student of the game and wants/needs some space here to evaluate. 2. MIAMI HEAT: We all saw them with our own eyes in the NBA Finals vs. the Spurs. The reality is that the current team as constructed needs major improvements or they wont challenge against the superior Western Conference teams for an NBA title. In addition, if an Eastern team like the Chicago Bulls gets back a healthy Derrick Rose and is able to acquire Kevin Love and/or Carmelo Anthony who is to say that theyre even the No. 1 contender in the East anymore? Do you honestly believe that Dwyane Wade is going to give you 70-75+ regular season games and four playoff rounds at a high level at $20 million per year? Is Chris Bosh still committed to playing in all areas of the game rather than just becoming a jump shooter? If Im LeBron I have my doubts. A few smart tweaks with Wade and Bosh sacrificing some money opens up the possibility of it all working again...yet its far from a sure thing. 3. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Owner Dan Gilbert blasted LeBron on the way out the door after "The Decision". Does LeBron forgive and forget? Does new GM David Griffin have the wherewithal/pedigree to pull off such a heist? He and Kyrie Irving together - not bad. They have the No. 1 Pick and some talented young guys they can package to move to Minnesota for Kevin Love. How does Irving, Love and LeBron sound to you? It would be a better Big Three at this point that the Miami version even though both Love and Irving have put up "numbers", yet still havent shown me yet that theyre truly special. What a return this would be. 4. OTHER SUITORS (Chicago, Houston, LA Lakers): Youll hear about all three and more in the hunt for the King. Needless to say, you put him on the Bulls or Rockets and theyre in the hunt for a title. The Lakers? Kobe and LeBron would be an interesting pairing but what does the rest of the roster look like? How long does Kobe hold up? Lots more questions than answers in LA. The rumour mill will surely be filled with gossip from all three of these spots. 5. TORONTO RAPTORS: Not saying this because its wishful thinking on my part. Seriously, why not? They desperately need a starting small forward. You put him with a re-signed Kyle Lowry, Demar DeRozan, a re-signed Patrick Patterson and Jonas Valanciunas with a re-signed Greivis Vasquez, Terrence Ross and Amir Johnson and Ill take my chances with anyone in the East. On a league-wide scale Im not scared by anyone with that crew on my side. You want hoops to grow in Toronto and across the country - go for it. Nothing to lose. Realistic? Maybe not but honestly thats not a bad eight-man core whatsoever. Obviously, the salary cap/luxury tax always comes into play but for a player of this magnitude you explore every possibility. It would actually be a very good team if it ever happened. Why not Toronto? Its about time we stick our chests out and go for it. I like the style of GM Masai Ujiri and CEO Tim Leiweke and this fits them if its a reasonable pursuit. Rob Gronkowski Jersey . Ozuna hit Reeds 2-2 pitch off the batters eye far above the 407-foot sign in straightaway centre. It was the fifth blown save in 25 tries for Reed (1-5) and the ninth home run the closer has allowed in 38 appearances. Nuno, acquired in the deal that sent Brandon McCarthy to the New York Yankees, gave up three hits, struck out a career-high seven and walked one in seven innings. Joejuan Williams Jersey .com) - The Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors are back in the great white north for a brief moment and will host the Dallas Mavericks Friday night from Air Canada Centre. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/1621p-byron-cowart-jersey-patriots.html . It certainly isnt a coincidence that Dwight Howard has scored at least 20 points in each game of the winning streak. Julian Edelman Jersey . Yoenis Cespedes proved he can play through a hurting right heel, giving Scott Kazmir and the As a spark with a pair of RBIs that helped spoil the Minnesota Twins home opener with an 8-3 victory on Monday. Houston Antwine Jersey .com) - The Miami Heat stopped a four-game losing streak last time out and thats the same length slide their opponents Wednesday night, the Denver Nuggets, will try to halt when the two teams meet at the Pepsi Center.ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – Drew Hutchison meant business when he arrived in Dunedin for spring training. He had a point to prove: hes back, and hes not worried about his surgically repaired elbow, as he enters what he hopes will be his first full season in the major leagues. "I expected make the team and now Im ready to go perform," said Hutchison after his final Grapefruit League start on March 27. Manager John Gibbons and pitching coach Pete Walker rave about Hutchisons poise. They love his mound presence. Theyve been thrilled with his bounce back from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery dating back to his appearances in the Arizona Fall League. Hutchison, a command and control pitcher, routinely pumped his fastball to the plate at 92-94 miles per hour, painting the corners along the way. "We like him," said manager John Gibbons. "Hes got a chance to be a real good one. Ever since he had the Tommy John hes thrown better than he was." Results in spring training often dont matter. With Hutchison, they did. He was competing for a roster spot. He needed to show the Blue Jays he was healthy and could be consistently effective. As a young player, just 23 years old, with options, he needed to drastically outperform veterans who were out of options. He accomplished all that with a 1.80 ERA and 0.800 WHIP in four Grapefruit League starts, and gets the nod in Tuesday nights second game of the season-opening series in Tampa Bay. Not that it surprises him. "I thought Id come into camp and do exactly what I did," said Hutchison. "Thats my expectation levell and thats what I feel I would be able to do.dddddddddddd" Hutchison often repeats variations of the word "expect." He has high expectations of himself, he expects to succeed; hes expecting a long and healthy career. He speaks with supreme confidence but without a hint of arrogance. Its all matter of fact. "I dont understand, at least from my perspective thats just the way Ive approached things and thats the way Ive always been," said Hutchison. "I expect that out of myself and now its time, spring trainings over and its time to go perform and win because thats what its all about." Whether Hutchisons approach translates into a successful season will be known only with the passage of time. Gibbons and Walker are looking for someone on which they can rely. The club has a reasonable idea of what to expect from R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle. It isnt clear what the Blue Jays will get from Hutchison and Brandon Morrow, both because of their respective injury histories and because neither has shown the ability, yet, to be a front-line starter over the course of a full season. "Hes a pitcher," said Gibbons. "It takes effort for him but hes kind of an effortless type guy. I think hes going to have a big, big year for us. I really do." Surely Hutchison must have had his doubts during the laborious rehab of his elbow? He insists he didnt. "Thats just the way Ive always been," said Hutchison. "I just expect a lot out of myself and I expect a high level from myself. Thats not to try to be, you know, thats just how I am." ' ' '