So what did everyone think of LeBron's decision to ditch Cleveland for the sunny surroundings of Miami last week?  At least he won't have to deal with the high income taxes in the northern cities he was considering:

Because Florida is a rare state with no income tax, James will actually take home more money as a member of the Heat than he would have received from any of the other franchises bidding a higher price for his services.

Maybe more economics than narcissism?  We may never know.

Now, for the news:

• DeMarcus Cousins Ain't No Joke - Sactown Royalty

  He [DeMarcus Cousins] owned the paint during the five-on-five drills and scrimmages. A lot of great rebounders do their work with positioning and hands. Guys like Kevin Love, Jon Brockman and even Carlos Boozer move laterally and fight for rebounds which essentially become loose balls once they fall below the rim. Cousins can do that, and came up with plenty of rebounds in what were effectively scrums, especially during a five-on-five drill in which a coach fired up an errant shot and the 10 players fought for possession.

  The Big Cuz is not playing around.  He is coming for your soul.

• NBA Las Vegas Summer League Day 3: John Wall Finally Makes His Debut - SBNation.com

  There is, however, one major exception to this rule: whenever the number one pick in the NBA Draft makes his debut, the place fills up. It happened last year with Los Angeles Clippers No. 1 pick Blake Griffin. Today, it will happen with Wizards rookie John Wall.

  It will be fun to see what Wall can do.

• FANpeeps: Has Calipari Ruined Kentucky's Image?

   

  Since taking the job, academics have went bad, John Wall and Eric Bledsoe both face recruiting violations, and on top of that, Calipari was dissed by a rapper named J. Cole.
  
  Not that the diss is relevant to basketball but it just shows how much of a hated figure he is, on-and-off the court.
  
  Now no disrespect to Calipari, but the image of Kentucky has been ruined because of him.

  Heh.  Now this is funny.  Did you know that former NCAA players could face "recruiting violations?"  I didn't know that.  Neither does the NCAA, so this guy had better tell them that they need to start doing their jobs.  I won't even ask where he got his information.

  J. Cole (whoever he is) disses Calipari.  Drake (even I have heard of him) loves him.  Who wins that exchange?

  The "image of Kentucky" has been ruined?  How can you ruin the image of a team that is seen by its detractors as a racist NCAA scofflaw who's fans care only about winning at all costs?  Is there something worse than that?  If so, I'd like to hear it.

  You can't make this stuff up.

• A moment in memory of Melvin Turpin - Card Chronicle

  Thanks, Mike.

• Opposing Views: 2010 NBA Orlando Summer League Recap: Day 5

  Daniel Orton – ORL: Completed his unimpressive week going 1-7 from the floor with 0 rebounds in 20 minutes. Averaged 15% shooting (as a center!), 1.8 rebounds and 2.4 turnovers for the week. Not really much else to say.

  Indeed.  Not much else.

• Los Angeles Clippers sign first round picks Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Bledsoe

  The Los Angeles Clippers inked deals today with their two first round draft choices, No. 8 overall selection, Al-Farouq Aminu, and the No. 18 overall pick, Eric Bledsoe.

• Wizards Insider - John Wall ready for his Wizards debut

  Wall has displayed an improved jump shot and blazing speed through the first few days of mini-camp, but he realizes that things will be slightly different when he hits the floor against other teams. "The key is getting out here and playing at this type of the speed. Everything is boom-boom-boom, back and forth," Wall said. "It's a whole difference speed. It's 24 seconds, so you have to go back and forth pretty quickly. It's important for me to get out there and get in shape and prepare for this speed. The key is to keep getting better and learning as much as I can."

• Future Hoop Stars in Louisville - FOX41.com
• UK recruiting notes: 'No reason to hate' LeBron | KentuckySports.com

• Louisville basketball under NCAA investigation - Kentucky Sports Network

  Heh.

• Gilchrist Leads USA to Title Game
• DeMarcus Cousins cracked a tooth and cut his lip after being accidentally hit by Steven Hill during yesterday's practice
• Western Kentucky University hired former UK player Allen Edwards as an assistant coach
• Selecting best of U.S. Select team no easy task - Beyond the Arc - NBC Sports
• Kentucky Sports Radio " Blog Archive " It’s Boogie time