Left Field Lite: All the king’s agents and all the king’s men couldn’t put the franchise back together again.

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See? Even LeBron James is confused about where he’ll land.

Well folks, tonight’s the night: LeBron’s decision night, brought to you by Nike, Powerade, and anyone else who wants to jump in on the deal. With every team with a speck of cap room making their moves in order to sign King James, the world is abuzz with ideas of what LeBron’s new  (or old) jersey will look like, and surely what headband will match best.

But amidst all this excitement, has anyone thought about the backlash for the team and players who aren’t fortunate enough to land the king?

Dwayne Jones signs with Phoenix Suns

Former Saint Joseph’s forward Dwayne Jones was signed by the Phoenix Suns today, giving the fifth seed in the NBA’s Western Conference depth in the low post for the final five games of the regular season and the playoffs.

Jones, a 2005 graduate of St. Joe’s, made 48 starts this season for the Austin Toros in the NBA Development League, averaging 17.6 points and a league-leading 16.0 rebounds per game. He had 44 double-doubles on the season and scored in double-figures on all but two occasions.

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He was named to the Western Conference All-Stars and scored 13 points and grabbed seven boards in the All-Star game in February.

He passed a physical with the Suns today, and will be available to play in Wednesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.

Hot Reads: February 1, 2010

After a brief, one-week hiatus thanks to three St. Joe’s men’s basketball games in five days, and the subsequent wrist exhaustion, we’re back to give you the best articles in brief.

After a distinctly underwhelming Pro Bowl (hey, at least Mario Williams managed two sacks in that defensive masquerade) that did somehow squeak out strong ratings, it’s Super Bowl week! Bring on the lame coverage over-dissecting each angle, and created several erroneous ones of their own, until you’re so nauseated you don’t even care who wins!!

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In the way of interesting coverage, this year’s BCS Championship Game has opened up the now obligatory questioning of back-up quarterbacks heading into each big game from here to kingdom come (thank you Marcell Dareus). I’m sure Colt McCoy is thrilled that his lasting legacy to this point is as the moniker for quarterbacks injured in big games. Of course, no coverage of Super Bowl XLIV would be complete without delving into the Manning family lineage.

Sixers’ Practice on Hawk Hill

Here are some photos of the Sixers workout at St. Joe’s this afternoon. (photos by Sam Koch ’11)

Delonte West arrested on gun charges

Former Saint Joseph’s men’s basketball star Delonte West, ’05, was arrested last night on weapons charges in Maryland.

West had a stellar season with Cleveland last year after three exceptional years on Hawk Hill.

West, who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, was riding his motorcycle on the Capitol Beltway in Upper Marlboro,Prince George’s County at around 10 p.m. when he was pulled over for speeding after cutting off an officer. West was searched and found to be in possession of two loaded handguns, one in his pocket and one strapped to his leg, as well as a loaded shotgun in a guitar case slung on his back. A police spokeswoman told the Associated Press that West was cooperative throughout the process. He was released on bail early Friday morning.

Maryland law prohibits the carrying of a concealed weapon and the transporting of loaded guns.

“We have been in communication with Delonte and his family,” said Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry in a statement. “We are gathering more information and will not have further comment until the appropriate time.”

West was the second leading-scorer on St. Joe’s 2003-04 “perfect season”, averaging 18.9 points and 6.7 assists per game in the nation’s best backcourt alongside Jameer Nelson, ’04.

He was drafted by Boston with the 24th pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and is set to enter his sixth season in the league. After three years with Boston, he was traded to Seattle and subsequently to Cleveland, where he just completed his first full season as a Cavalier.

He established himself as a starter in Cleveland this year, averaging 11.7 points and 3.5 assists per game while shooting a hair under 40 percent from three-point range. He missed 18 games last season with a fractured wrist, and was sent home by the Cavs last year during training camp for a mood disorder which he was at one time receiving treatment for.

He has been an important figure in the renovation of the Fieldhouse and the new Ramsay Basketball Center. The men’s basketball team lounge is named in his honor.

– Matthew De George ’10