Is that a Heisman pose?

Lebron James is probably headed to Miami to form a super-team, say reports published by Newsday, ESPN and Yahoo! Here’s ESPN’s report:

All indications are that LeBron James is leaning toward signing with the Miami Heat on Thursday night, according to several sources with knowledge of the situation.

Barring a late change of heart, sources say James has decided to join fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form a potential NBA powerhouse. 

James will make his announcement from the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, Conn., during an hourlong special called “The Decision” on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET Thursday. Sales of sponsorship for the program will go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Chris Paul, one of James’ best friends, has urged him to stay in Cleveland and let new Cavaliers coach Byron Scott coach him, according to sources. With such strong sentiment around him to not go to Miami, it’s possible James could alter his decision.

James’ family and friends are divided over his decision to play in Miami, according to sources. Opinions range from understanding his desire to play with All-Star teammates, to feeling he is selling himself short by joining Wade’s team, to concerns that playing on such a power-packed squad will hurt his brand even if he wins championships.

James worked hard to help the Cavaliers improve their roster, sources said. He tried to sell Bosh on the idea of going to Cleveland, but the 6-foot-11 forward was adamant he did not want to play in northeast Ohio.

While sources close to James insist his heart is in Cleveland and remaining with the Cavaliers was his preferred choice, they say he had concerns about signing a six-year deal there and ending up “31 years old, with bad knees and no title.”

A few thoughts:

1) I’ll believe this when Lebron announces it tonight. Lebron and his camp are fully capable of leaking false news in order to create more hype about “The Decision.” As if it needs any more.

2) I could never imagine Lebron at 31 years old with bad knees and no title.

3) If Lebron does sign with Miami, the Heat are going to have to surround the newest Big Three with veteran minimum guys. People are going to clamor that the team might not be deep enough to win a title. I’m here to remind you that it won’t matter.

Assuming Bosh doesn’t have a sign-and-trade coming, the Heat would have a starting lineup of Wade/James/Bosh/Beasley/Chalmers. The backups? Who cares. Sign me, my three dogs and my grandmother as a second unit and we couldn’t blow the leads Wade and James will get. But if they sign Kurt Thomas, Kyle Korver, T-Mac, Anthony Carter and Juwan Howard or five guys similar to that, all of a sudden that bench ain’t too atrocious. And ”not too atrocious” is all the bench would need to be.

If Lebron actually signs in Miami, I’ll undoubtedly have nightmares all offseason. But if I lived in Miami-Wade County, I wouldn’t count my Lebron before it hatches.

P.S. – Stephen A. Smith is reporting that Stephen A. Smith might have been right all along.

If J.J. Redick signed with the C's, it wouldn't exactly be a shocker. Get it?

The Celtics are looking into acquiring J.J. Redick with their mid-level exception, and will be dangling Rasheed Wallace’s contract in hopes of luring an impact big man. (Yahoo!)

Wallace has yet to file retirement papers, so the $6.32 million owed him next season and $6.79 million in 2011-12 would come off a team’s books after Wallace is traded to them. They could do a deal and not take on his money. Ainge is trying to use the Wallace contract to bring back a power forward or center to replace Wallace and the injured Kendrick Perkins.

The Celtics could then use their midlevel exception for a different player. Several sources believe that Ainge’s target is Orlando’s J.J. Redick, who is a restricted free agent.

Boston has strong interest in Brad Miller in free agency and could try to acquire Dallas center Erick Dampier.

The problem with going after Redick is that he’s a restricted free agent. Armed with only the mid-level exception, I don’t know if Boston will be able to draw him away from Orlando. The Magic will have the option to match any offer Redick receives.

If Dampier and Miller don’t work out, Rasheed’s contract and Glen Davis could be packaged together to bring Eddy Curry to the Celtics. Curry would add a proven big man scorer to start while Perkins is injured and then be a reliable reserve once Perk comes back.

By the way, just kidding on the Curry idea. Sorry if you just smashed your head through your computer screen in disgust. Did you really think the Celtics and I were that fucking stupid? Did you?

In a moment of all seriousness, the Celtics HAVE to be targeting Kyle Korver and Rasual Butler, right? Two veteran’s minimum possibilities who would both help. Sounds good to me, and should sound good to Danny. Of the two, Butler’s my pick — he’s not allergic to defense. But Korver’s shooting makes you overlook his inability to guard people, even if that inability is painfully obvious at all times he’s on the court. If it doesn’t exactly seem like I’m giving Korver a ringing endorsement, I’m not. But if you can pick up a deadeye shooter for the veteran’s minimum (and one who isn’t a walking cadaver — *coughcough* Michael Finley *coughcough*), then you’ve GOT to do it.

I wonder if the Celtics will also look to acquire Brendan Haywood with Sheed’s contract. The Mavs are reportedly open to a sign-and-trade including Haywood.