OS: There is expected to be a big free agent season this summer. What is your opinion on high-profile players like Cleveland's LeBron James and Miami's Dwayne Wade potentially leaving teams they were drafted by?


SP: I think it's up to the players. For me, I'd like to see LeBron stay with the Cavs. He's definitely brought a lot of equity to their franchise and he has a huge fan base. I think that he will ultimately stay there. I think that's the best place for him and I think he realizes that team has been assembled to help him win a championship. They have a good team now, so there are no excuses now to turn your back and walk out the door. But I think the free agent market has always been a great way for teams that are not top teams to work their way up. But on the other hand, the players still have to go there and make that team better. It's not just about them going there and picking up all the money off the salary cap. Ultimately you want to see the team improve as well so you don't want to go after the people in free agency and lose all your salary because then you basically have a one man show.

OS: If you had your choice of one player that you could build your franchise around, who would it be?

SP: That's a difficult question. If you want to ask me that then I'm going to probably go after the best player in the game and that's going to be LeBron James. But I don't know if LeBron James fits with the Chicago Bulls. I don't know if I want Derrick Rose to give the ball up and let LeBron run the show. There are some great free agents out there. For me, you have to have the right fit. You just can't go and get the best player. You got to have chemistry in this game.

OS: How special of a player can Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard be?


SP: He's a very special player but I don't think he's going to win a championship until he gets another superstar to play alongside of him. A guy that's very consistent and has that drive, that's what it's going to take. I don't think that he can carry a team to a championship. He's not that great of a scorer, he's not a good shooter and he's not a good foul shooter. So in the latter parts of the game, as big as he is and as much athleticism as he has, that becomes very small when the game gets into crunch time. He's not the type of player that can dominate a game in the fourth quarter.

SQ_Crazies wrote: I completely agree with him about Howard. I've always said that Howard will never lead his team to a title--he needs major help to get there because he can't just take over games like some other guys can. It's harder to do from the post anyways, its just easier to defend.

Footwedge wrote: Scottie was probably shocked when the inferior Magic upset the heaviy favored Cavs last year.

LTrain23 wrote:

Footwedge wrote: Scottie was probably shocked when the inferior Magic upset the heaviy favored Cavs last year.

Wedgie, we get it. You think we were upset last year and this year we aren't as good..

SQ_Crazies wrote: Yeah, in all fairness to Dwight, he is still very young and he's been improving every year.

gibby08 wrote: Of course you liked his view on LeBron because he thinks he should stay in Cleveland.

BR1986FB wrote:
Larry Bird said the exact same thing in a recent interview. Outside of ESPN and Knicks/Nets fans, MOST people WANT to see him stay.

just_a_swimmer wrote:

SQ_Crazies wrote: Yeah, in all fairness to Dwight, he is still very young and he's been improving every year.

I have heard he has a good strong work ethic too. That will only help him.
I like the kid.