You Talkin' to Me? LeBron James' TV spectacular

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Fitzpatrick, Frank

Subject: King James

Hey. Look at this. Team Talkin' is back together. It's been a while since we've done this. Take it slow. You wouldn't want to pull a hammy.

What do you make of ESPN holding an hourlong special Thursday so LeBron James can pledge his basketball allegiance to a team on national television?

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Gonzalez, John; Fitzpatrick, Frank

Subject: King James

I am so sick of LeBron James. I mean really, who does he think he is? What does he think he's done? He hasn't won squat. He's not king of anything. And yet James' people approached ESPN about doing an hourlong special on his decision, and ESPN, of course, said yes. I'll tune in for the final five minutes to see where James is going, but that's it. Otherwise, I couldn't care less.

And I hope James goes back to Cleveland, where he belongs.

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: King James

If anyone remained out there who still doubted that ESPN is in bed with pro sports, this should disabuse them of this notion. Shameful.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Fitzpatrick, Frank

Subject: King James

Remember when Geraldo held that TV special to reveal what was inside Al Capone's vault? All that hype and when he finally cracked it open . . . nothing was inside. That's sort of how I feel about this. The speculation - wondering where the other LBJ might land - is the fun. But once we learn where he's going, once he opens up the safe and tells us, all that ends, and everyone will realize the pomp was way overblown relative to the payoff.

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Gonzalez, John; Fitzpatrick, Frank

Subject: King James

And I think that's especially true if he goes back to Cleveland. Now, if he signs with Miami, that's a different story, because that would be so interesting to see him, Wade, and Bosh together. It would be their own little boys' club, and the hows and whys of that decision would be as compelling as the pregame drama.

What would really be great is to have representatives of all the teams who've courted LeBron in attendance, so he could break the news live and in person, his own version of Survivor. It would never happen, but could you imagine the look on Pat Riley's face if LeBron said he wasn't going to Miami?

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: King James

Isn't this what high school kids do on signing day? He should have outgrown these childish impulses by now.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Fitzpatrick, Frank

Subject: King James

Quiet with the "childish impulses" stuff, Fitz. Mind your surroundings.