Potential Eastern All-Star Lineup

When the all-stars gear up to play the annual game in the Staples Center next center fans are still voting for the starting lineup and as of today, Derrick Rose surpased Rondo for second place only trailing Dwayne Wade for the top spot in guard voting. Coaches get to add the reserves but if it were up to me, this would be the starting lineup for the Eastern Conference:

• PG - Derrick Rose - Leading candidate for MVP for the first place Central Bulls.
• SG - Dwayne Wade - What other shooting guard is better
• SF - LeBron James - Best overall player in the League....hands down!!!!!
• PF - Amare Stoudamire - Playing in the top market has led made him and MVP candidate for the improved Knicks.
• C -   Jokim Noah - Scoring and rebounding has improved each season. Top five in rebounding before hand surgery.

2010 NBA Free Agents

With the NBA free agency period beginning in 24 hours, not only is this the greatest free agency class in NBA history sports history period. Never have there been so many franchises attempting to dump salary for the rights to land a LeBron, D-Wade, Stoudamire, Boozer, and many more star quality power. With Paul Pierce opting out of his deal in Boston I will predict where the top 10 free agents will most likely land. I predict Pierce will re-sign with Boston similar to what A-Rod did with the Yankees.

1. LeBron James - Ohio player finally leaves the nest and arrives in Chicago and fills the void to but the young Bulls over to top to Eastern Conference supremacy.
2. Dwyane Wade - South Beach or Homecoming...My prediction is that the 2006 NBA Finals returns home. 
3. Chris Bosh - Not Toronto...Chicago or Miami are the likely destination for the lefty Texan 20-10 power forward. 
4. Dirk Nowitzki - Hard to imagine the 2007 MVP playing elsewhere. He stays with Mark Cuban. 
5. Amar'e Stoudamire - Miami to possibly team with D-Wade assuming he stays otherwise a reunion with Coach D in New York. 
6. Carlos Boozer - Staying in Utah is the best move but teaming with LeBron wherever he lands seems more fitting. Just like 5 years ago, it's all about the highest bidder. 
7. Joe Johnson - Just like Phoenix 5 years ago, the highest bidder will land this dynamic shooting guard.
8. Paul Pierce - A-Rod move...The Truth will get a better payday from the Celtics for less years. 
9. Ray Allen - Pure shooting guard will probably stay with Boston but the Bulls should make a run as Jesus still has game.
10. David Lee - Former Florida Gator has turned into a nice 20-10 guy for the Knicks. Too soon to tell but expect Lee to play for a contender in the Western Conference when the season starts. 

Mark Jackson Screwed Again - More Offseason Moves

Last week The Minnesota Timberwolves hired Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis over ESPN - ABC analyst Mark Jackson. Another NBA season gone by another team passing over Mark Jackson. The #2 assist leader of all-time would have been a perfect hire for the Timberwolves for three reasons because:

• Mark Jackson is not that far removed from the game and can relate to today's players
• Jackson would have taught Johnny Flynn or Ricky Rubio how to run the point in the NBA
• Minnesota is a young team that has an uptempo style which was Mark Jackson's style

I have nothing against Kurt Rambis, he'll turn Kevin Love and Al Jefferson into better power forwards but my personal choice is Mark Jackson.

It's good to see Maurice Cheeks back in the NBA this time with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The former Blazers and Sixers coach has been around the League over 30 years therefore Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook should take serious notes. I also hope this works out for Shaun Livingston, he deserves it.

Quentin Richardson has been traded again to the Miami Heat. The good news is that Q has fellow south side native Dwyane Wade as a teammate.

After learning the power forward game from Kevin Garnett for 2 years, Leon Powe feels he's learned enough and signed with the Clevaland Cavaliers. Still new to the League Powe, Powe will continue his big man education with Professor Shaquille O'Neal and Big Z.

Still two months until preseason I'm stuck watching replays of the 2009 season on NBA TV.

Stay tune as I talk about summer ball in Chicago in my next blog.