Separating the wheat from the chaffe?

Recently a (R) Congressman said that we shouldn’t cover Michael Jackson because he was a pedophile, and child molester. Mind you Michael was found innocent by a jury of his peers. So why do some people still defile his name?

Could it be of his oft-cited shopping escapades in costume? Could it be his ultra secret desire to protect his children from the public? Or, maybe something more sinister, perhaps his racial background.

Whatever the reason behind the frequent castigation of Michael one thing is crystal clear, even in death he is hot topic! How else do you explain the insatiable coverage by the 24 hour news cycle with all things Michael Jackson?

IN the words of Al Sharpton, at his memorial service, he said it best; “Wasn’t nothing strange about your daddy, it was STRANGE what your daddy had to deal with!”

D wad3 & Free Agency

• If Wade extends this off-season, he would make $92 million over the next 5 seasons. He would become a free agent after the 2013/14 season at age 32.

• If Wade opts out and re-signs with the Heat, he would make $141 million ($92 million over the next seven seasons (over the first five seasons; $49 million the following two seasons). He would become a free agent after the 2015/16 season at age 34.

• If Wade opts out and re-signs with another team, he would make $112 million over the next six seasons ($90 million over the first five seasons; $22 million the following season). He would become a free agent after the 2014/15 season at age 33.

• If Wade opts in and re-signs with the Heat after the 2010/11 season, he could make $169 million over the next eight seasons ($93 million over the first five seasons; $77 million the following three seasons). He would become a free agent after the 2016/17 season at age 35. Consider this:

• A new, more restrictive CBA is likely to come into effect after the 2010/11 season. Although, like Shaquille & Garnett who had their contracts grand-fathered in were able to get 105% of their old $$ applied to their new deal. The CBA allows for this, so a newer restrictive CBA wouldn’t adversely affect Wade.

• Due to the restraints from the new salary cap & luxury tax threshold, the Heat cannot get the same value for (its over $40 million in expiring contracts) them in free agency next off-season as the team could via trade this off-season. This makes this off-season crucial for Wade & the team to add stars & role players around him.

• For example, the Heat could get back $23 million  of long-term value for Jermaine O’Neal in a trade this off-season. Next off-season, the Heat can only spend up to the projected $50 million salary cap in free agency. Since Wade and Beasley already command $22 million, the Heat would have $28 million to fill out the entire rest of the roster.