Coveted NBA free agent LeBron James will sign with the Miami Heat, according to an announcement James made on ESPN just moments ago. The star forward had been courted by the Nets, Knicks, Bulls, Heat, Clippers, and by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in the days after free agency began at midnight on July 1. Read more...

For the final act of the drama that has captured the imagination of basketball fans around the world, LeBron James plans to announce his decision live on ESPN at 9 on Thursday night. The arrangement, first reported by ESPN, was confirmed by a person close to James, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on James’s behalf. Read more...

The Knicks just finished pitching LeBron James. Their main selling point: You could make a billion dollars playing in New York. You can't earn anything close to that anywhere else. To make the case, they commissioned a study from marketing consultant Interbrand (See the powerpoint below--hit "full screen" to view.) that says LeBron could earn close to $1 billion over his lifetime in salary and endorsements. Read more...

The Washington Wizards selected John Wall with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Thursday as they quickly began rebuilding their backcourt. The SEC player of the year is the first Kentucky player ever chosen first overall. "It's a big honor," Wall told ESPN after his selection. Read more...

Purple and gold confetti raining down upon him, Kobe Bryant hopped up on the scorer's table, shook his fists and extended five fingers. When he hopped down, Boston's legendary Hall of Fame center Bill Russell was waiting to shake his hand. A Game 7 classic -- and this time, it finally went the Lakers' way.

Bryant, the Finals MVP, scored 23 points despite 6-of-24 shooting, and the Lakers won their 16th NBA championship Thursday night, dramatically rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Celtics 83-79 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Read more...

Kobe Bryant was up to his old tricks tonight. His strong play put the L.A. Lakers up on the Boston Celtics 1-0 in the NBA Finals. The game was played in L.A. Game two will also be played in L.A., with the following two games played in Boston.

From Digital Sports Daily --- Following LeBron James and the Cavaliers' exit from the 2010 NBA Playoffs Thursday night, Chad Ford of ESPN reports that three NBA general managers believe James will leave the Cavs. Two of those believe that he will sign with the Chicago Bulls bringining along his good friend, current University of Kentucky coach John Calipari.

One told Ford, "I think the Bulls are really going to go for it. Look for them to offer the Cavs Luol Deng in a sign-and-trade for LeBron. That will allow them to retain most of their cap space. Then they'll go after Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh as well."

Read more on Digital Sports Daily.

From The AP --- His team down by 27 points and a promising season suddenly in peril, LeBron James walked off the floor to a smattering of boos and rows of empty seats. If this was goodbye Cleveland, it wasn't the send-off he imagined. The Boston Celtics have pushed the two-time MVP and the Cavaliers dangerously close to an early start to the Summer of LeBron.

Read the rest on Google News.

Shaquille O'Neal Accused of making death threats. The basketball star's ex-wife says he used their son to threaten her boyfriend. 

Happy Easter from Your Daily Slice!

From Hoophype.com

Sources close to Phil Jackson say LeBron James has expressed interest in joining the Los Angeles Lakers. "LeBron wants to win. He's a smart guy, and Phil loves LeBron, absolutely LOVES him," according to the report. Obviously, there is way too much involved with a situation like this for one blurb, but if the report holds water then look for this to become a big storyline in the upcoming days.