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LeBron James visits the Knicks Friday night in a game that is perhaps not as important as people who spend too much time in close proximity to the I-95 corridor think it is. Madison Square Garden has some solid history, sure, but as a majority of SportsNation would attest, we're not talking about the Coliseum in Rome (more like Kennedy Arena in Rome, N.Y.).

Nevertheless, with the Cavaliers off to a 3-3 start and looking like a team little better than the versions that came up short in recent seasons, a visit to the Big Apple will rev up the engines of speculation when it comes to LeBron's future plans. NBA.com blogger Sam Smith made a bold prediction this week, suggesting LeBron will end up playing alongside Kobe Bryant with the Lakers. To which we say, it's about time Phil Jackson gets some talent to work with. But could the game's two biggest stars really coexist?

• Vote: Is Shaq to blame in Cleveland, and where will LeBron play next season?
• Your Rankings: Where are the Cavaliers and Knicks in your NBA Power Rankings?
• Week's chat wraps: Chad Ford | David Thorpe | ESPN Dallas on Mavericks

Paul (NYC)

LeBron is not an aging vet signing a 1 yr deal, meaning 2011, 2012, 2013, etc. are just as important as 2010. Therefore we should be talking about not just teams' 2010 rosters/cap space, but also 2011, as well as the power structures (gm/coach) and financial stability of potential franchises LeBron may actually be interested in.

Chad Ford

Yup. And that's why I believe the Cavs misplayed their hand. They have been consumed with winning short term instead of putting in place a young core that can keep the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals for the next decade. I'm still not convinced that LeBron will bolt. But if he does, that will be the reason. Great players want to play with other great players. That's why the Dream Team has been so appealing to veterans. If LeBron can find a great situation (a big if) I think he bolts. At a cursory glance, the Clippers might be the best long term fit ... can you imagine LeBron with Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin and Chris Kaman? Full transcript

Lakers fans are understandably excited about the new season, and the defending champs are a popular choice to repeat among bloggers in the ESPN.com community.

"I've never been more excited for the opening of any season, any sport," blogs kurtnaphansen. "The combination of being on the heels of the Lakers winning the NBA championship, of all the trash talk from Cavs, Celtics, Magic, Spurs and even Blazers fans, and of a very new interesting development with the addition of Sheed to Boston, Shaq to Cleveland and Artest to LA."

Below are fan blogs and predictions about the season, which tipped off this week. Click through to respond. If you don't already have an ESPN profile, create one now and start blogging.

More fan blogs

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Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd have no doubts about the "SportsNation" TV bullpen.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

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  Is Game 2 a must-win for the Yankees?

  CC Sabathia pitched well, but not well enough to preserve home-field advantage. Now it is up to A.J. Burnett against Pedro Martinez.

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  If you are a Cavs fan, how are you feeling after your team's 0-2 start?

  There's no shame in losing to the Celtics, but the Raptors? And shouldn't Shaq learn the plays before becoming a sheriff's deputy?

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  Is Jeff Fisher starting Vince Young a good idea or a bad idea?

  Young is 0-of-5 passing with one interception in two brief appearances this season. Of course, the team is 0-6 with Kerry Collins starting.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd have finalized their rosters and hung the bunting for "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Are the Celtics going to win the NBA title?
Boston started well with a win in Cleveland against the Cavs, who have their own title aspirations. Is the first game predictive of the entire season?

Are the Phillies being disrespected heading into the World Series?
Only one of the experts on ESPN.com is picking Philadelphia to win. National sentiment, including in Vegas, favors the Yankees over the defending champs.

Is it time for fans of bad teams to root for better draft positioning?
The Titans, Rams and Bucs are winless. Seven others have one or two wins. Miracles happen, but a high draft pick is more likely than a playoff spot.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

• Vote: What's your take on the season's opening night?
• Beyond the Nation: Cleveland Plain Dealer on Shaq's assesment.
• Chats: NBA Insider David Thorpe, 12 ET | Chad Ford's Tuesday wrap

Posting his NBA predictions minutes before the season's opening tip, SportsNation blogger Dukeyanks1515 pegged the Cavaliers as the best of the Eastern Conference, two spots ahead of the Celtics. Oops. (We'll cut him some slack; he also had the Wizards No. 5 in the East and the Mavericks No. 7 in the West, predictions which look downright prescient after Gilbert Arenas torched Mark Cuban's team in a 102-91 win).

As Tuesday debuts go, Shaquille O'Neal's was rather less successful than, say, the new Michael Jackson movie. Actually, it was less successful than Randy Foye's first game with the Wizards. O'Neal put up 10 points, 10 rebounds and one block in 29 minutes, and the Cavaliers dropped a 95-89 decision to the Celtics. But whether Shaq actually improves the Cavaliers is just one question we've got after the first night of games. Also on the agenda:

• Is Gilbert Arenas one the five best players in the league when healthy? Vote
• Would you rather have Andrew Bynum or Greg Oden for the next decade? Vote
• Did Ron Artest or Rasheed Wallace look like a better fit in victory? Vote

“

C's have the better bench now, which is why it was a relatively easy win tonight. When is Cleveland going to bring in a real PG for Lebron? Mo Williams is garbage; an undersized SG pretending to play PG. He can't set up his teammates, he gets exposed defensively, and if his shot isn't going down, then what's his value?

” -- dinosaurworld

“

It's one game and according to Celtic's fans they have already won the NBA championship. They fail to realize that two of our starters are new to the system and it will take them awhile to get acquainted. There was some sloppy play by the Cavs that will be corrected as time goes on.

” -- eatthegator

• Your team-by-team predictions: Eastern Conference | Western Conference
• More predictions: Pick each division, conference and overall champion | Award winners
• Your Power Rankings: Which teams start the season in your top 10?

We understand it's going to take most of SportsNation some time to warm up to the long NBA season -- only a third of voters are more interested in tonight's opener between the Cavaliers and Celtics than Wednesday's World Series opener. But there are some people for whom today is more or a less a national holiday.

For SportsNation blogger bonafide, tonight's showdown in Cleveland is a good chance to see the two teams undeservedly stealing the spotlight from the Magic. And Chad Ford agrees. Did he mention he's on Twitter?

• "Consider that Orlando has improved drastically at PG (Nelson for Alston), and SG (Carter for Lee) and has added additional defensive toughness in Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, and Jason Williams to a team that was already #1 in the league at defensive efficiency while stealing sharp shooter Ryan Anderson in the Carter deal.

  The only thing that can slow the Magic down is injuries. With the talent and coaching on this team they are my overwhelming favorites to win the Larry O'Brien trophy come June.

  Maybe, just maybe, they will finally get some respect then." Read bonafide's full post.

Terry Finisterre (Castries, St Lucia)

I like your Twitterdiciton - Magic over Lakers for the chip. Is ORL really MORE flexible than last season?

Chad Ford

I think they got much deeper. I think VC is an upgrade over Turkoglu but the addition of Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson and a healthy Jameer Nelson makes them, in my opinion, the most dangerous team in the league ... not only for this season, but for a long, long time. Full transcript.

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd will be waving their pennants on "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

If Terrelle Pryor could choose again, where would you tell him to go?
Ohio State's quarterback has been in the news all week. Would he have been better off going to Michigan out of high school?

What do you think of NBA players fighting in the preseason?
The Celtics and Cavs, warming up for their battle in the East this season, brawled in their final preseason game.

What do you think of Richard Seymour's Raiders playoffs prediction?
Oakland is 2-4 but only one game out of the wild-card chase. Despite the coach and quarterback turmoil, Seymour is confident in his teammates.

What do you think of a showy two-point conversion in a blowout?
QB Will Briscoe completed a behind-the-back pass for a two-point conversion against Zachary in a 58-0 romp in Louisiana high school football.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

The battery of Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd has a better ERA during the afternoon episodes of "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

If he trained, would LeBron be a better WR than Braylon Edwards?
You've seen the LeBron in a Browns uniform commercial. You've seen Edwards traded away. Now complete the Cleveland fantasy football picture.

Whom would you pick first for a playoff series?
Derek Jeter had a clutch HR to start the Yankees' postseason scoring. Albert Pujols was intentionally walked anytime the Dodgers saw danger.

Are the Red Sox in the Angels' heads?
The Angels have lost 12 of their past 13 postseason games against the Red Sox. "Last year was last year," said Torii Hunter when asked about it.

Does toughness run in families?
Eli Manning missed practice for a second straight day. Will he play against the Raiders? Dad Archie and brother Peyton have been known to play hurt.

Does Braylon Edwards make the Jets a serious Super Bowl contender?
Edwards, wearing a white No. 17 Jets jersey, caught passes from rookie Mark Sanchez and backups Erik Ainge and Kevin O'Connell in drills Thursday.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd tee off for a $10 million paycheck on "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Should the Nets be on LeBron James' short list?
The King hasn't said anything recently to cause us to doubt his Cleveland loyalties, but the Nets are getting a new Russian billionaire owner.

Would you hire a former great player to coach your team?
Wayne Gretzky is the latest superstar player to fare poorly in management. His record in Phoenix: 143-161-24 with no playoff appearances.

Who has been more impressive this season?
The Cardinals are on the verge of wrapping up the NL Central. Have you been more impressed with Albert Pujols or St. Louis' pitching?

Do you enjoy player trash talk?
Randy Moss and the Jets defense are exchanging off-field barbs. We see the talking, even if we can't hear what the players are saying, almost every game.

Do you like Jay Leno's new show?
Many of the critics have been unkind to the former "Tonight Show" host in his new, earlier time on NBC. What's your take on Leno?

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd always shake hands before stepping on the set of "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPNEWS at 4 p.m. and ESPN2 at midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Would you let Shaq spank you on your birthday?
In a hands-on interview, Shaq administered the birthday spanking for radio host "Money" from the "Petros & Money Show."

Should LeGarrette Blount be kicked off the Oregon football team?
Replays of the Oregon running back's punching Boise State linebacker Byron Hout after the Ducks' loss will be shown all season.

Are the Eagles too consumed with Michael Vick?
He'll be eligible in Week 3. In his final preseason game, Vick ran for a 2-yard touchdown, was sacked four times, lost a fumble and was intercepted.

Should Oklahoma State and Georgia shake hands before their football game?
The Cowboys won't have a team handshake with the Bulldogs, citing concerns about incidents that might erupt during the display of sportsmanship.

What do you think of Tiger Woods' criticism of Ernie Els?
Els said he had a three-year plan for dethroning Tiger but hasn't won in his past 41 tournaments. Tiger said his opponent hasn't worked hard enough.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.