The Bulls have actual players that are good, an All Star, a future All Star, and all Rookie team forward.

As to your comparison, clearly that is off since more players in the NHL have played for the Islanders than have not and after hearing the awesome offseason strategy of Garth Snow for this offseason the % that has played (unhappily) for the Fishsticks will go up

Letting mediocre and bad players go should not be a damnation of management, other than why were they on the team in the first place. Also, continually fleecing the Knicks should be (and was by all Bulls fans) applauded. No one misses Zeke more than John Paxson.

The only player of note that they let go when he was good was Elton Brand and they traded him to get the 2nd pick in the draft. While that did not work out, it’s not like it was a salary dump. In the past 10 years the only salary dumps that come to mind were the recent ones for Salmons and Hinrich and they needed to do that to have a shot at this summer’s free agents, clearly worth the shot. And Salmons is now a free agent and they could re-sign him if they wanted to (but that won’t happen).

I finally found an advantage that the Knicks have over the other teams with cap space, and it will make you laugh. It’s Eddy Curry!!! His deal is finally expiring this year and the Knicks could end up with $11M in cap space for next summer to go after someone like Tony Parker or Tim Duncan. I would add Carmelo but he probably will either sign an extension or get traded so I doubt he would be available.

As to your other points, clearly #4 is more to be determined than a reality (though I admit the big middle finger to Dolan billboard across from MSG is a good indication and also pretty cool). And as for #1 and #2, there was this other player that won titles in Chicago who did pretty well for himself in both regards. The biggest market in the world China loves winners (and that is why Kobe outsells LeBron there by a mile). So as much as you may say #3 is only 1 factor it has a big impact on #1 and #2.

Of course, LeBron would actually have to win something with the Bulls (which would be the first non-MJ title for the team) for #1 and #2 to have a chance at applying whereas Prokorov could give him an aluminum mine on the Kamchatkan Pennisula just for signing with the Nets, so the Nets have a great argument for #1.

All in all I think he stays in Cleveland but if he leaves, I think the Bulls and Nets have the best shots at acquiring his services.

Of course, that is only one of the four reasons I put above, so even to concede that, there are still 3 others why I think he comes to the Nets – and none involve Jordan’s ghost (which I still think is a bit of the case but not even making the top 5 reasons).

Other than playing in the world’s most run down arena I can not think of a single thing the Knicks have over the other teams and including Dolan in the recruiting meeting is a death knell for that signing.

It’s amazing the Team USA was able to win with LeBron and Wade et al since most of those players need the ball in their hand. On the Cavs LeBron needed the ball in his hand as his team mates stunk, I am sure he would be happy to be able to take a few possessions off per quarter without having his team loose points every time he does.

At this point, it is a 3 team race between the Cavs (home town, $30 million), Bulls (best chance to win now and multiple titles) and Nets (decent roster and Prokorhov). The Knicks have as much chance as the Mavericks, or as much chance of me winning Take 5 today.

I don’t think LeBron will see it this way in the end, but I may be wrong.