ShareThisIn the NBA free-agency process, there has to be a first shoe to drop. This summer's star attraction is LeBron James, but don't expect his shoe to drop anytime soon.
On July 1, teams can commence negotiating with the most significant free-agent class in NBA history, and this year's sacred cow figures to milk as much attention as he can.
Fanhouse has reported James has an elaborate scheme to hog the spotlight during his courting. According to a source, James had discussions with Nike to create a new shoe for every visit during his free-agency tour. The date of each visit will be printed on the shoe.
James already has scripted his itinerary. He will first go to New York and visit with the Knicks, then will spend time with the New Jersey Nets. After that will be Chicago and the Bulls.
Depending on how discussions progress with teams in those respective cities -- and the level of public interest -- James then will decide whether to visit Miami and meet with the Heat, and possibly Los Angeles to meet with the Clippers.
If James drags his feet during the process, other Tier 1 free-agent candidates like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer and possibly Dirk Nowitzki could be held in limbo.
Other prominent free agents will keep their options open and react to where James goes. Normally, teams dictate who they sign. This summer, James has the control and teams will have to react accordingly.
There is no deadline for a free agent to sign. They are free to sign through the end of the season. That won't happen with James, who no doubt will be featured in a marketing barrage that includes new shoes, a new number (No. 6 rather than No. 23) and possibly a new jersey.
This long delay will likely be for nothing. The prediction here is James goes nowhere and re-signs with the Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, the public has no July 1 deadline and has been courting James for months:
-- New Yorkers filled a moving truck parked in front of Madison Square Garden with knick-knacks for James in hopes of convincing him to sign with the Knicks. Now big-time New York City celebrities are stepping up.
"We are in the process of assembling a committee of friends of the Knicks who are many of the city's most successful winners and leaders (and) who have thrived in the world's greatest city," said a Knicks spokesman. "The enthusiastic response we have received from so many people wanting to help has been overwhelming and we look forward to working with this committee in various ways to show free agents that there is no better place to play and to win than in the world's most famous arena and in New York City."
Committee members include Donald Trump, Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, Tracy Morgan, Boomer Esiason and Spike Lee. Also expected to join are past New York athletes Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Phil Simms, Mark Messier and John McEnroe.
-- "Scores" gentlemen's club in New York City said James will receive the following if he signs with the Knicks: 1. A free lifetime of dances; 2. A "LeBron James Day" when all dancers will wear his jersey; 3. Free food for life at the club's steakhouse.
-- A Dallas Maverick fan started a website to try and convince James to play with Jason Kidd and Nowitzki. The site includes a superb video plea and fan-submitted art.
-- Michael Symon, a native of Cleveland and one of the Food Network's Iron Chefs, has offered to go to James' house once a month and cook a meal for his family and friends if he re-signs with the Cavaliers.
-- A billboard has been posted at the corner of Grand Avenue and LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago to help lure James to the Bulls. The billboard was funded by donations in support of A.J. Barthold, the founder of sendlebrontochicago.com.
Since it launched May 9, the site has received attention from all over the world, including ESPN and Sports Illustrated, and has thousands of followers on Facebook and Twitter.
"The site is getting all sorts of hits from China," the 28-year-old Barthold said. "I have no idea what they're saying."
-- President Obama, a former junior senator from Illinois, has said he would like to see James in a Bulls uniform next season.
(Contact John Rohde at jrohde(at)opubco.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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