Sources: Ray Allen prefers to play

After briefly considering retirement following the Miami Heat's loss in the NBA Finals, Ray Allen is leaning toward returning for a 19th season in the NBA, according to sources.

Allen has a desire continue playing alongside LeBron James, whom he developed a close relationship with during their two seasons together in Miami, whether it is with the Heat or another team. James and Allen vacationed together last week after the Heat were beaten in the NBA Finals by the San Antonio Spurs.

James notified the Heat Tuesday that he is opting out of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Both James and Allen will be unrestricted free agents. Miami's Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh could choose to opt out as well. Neither has announced their plans.

"No news here yet," Wade said Tuesday.

Allen, who will turn 39 on July 20, played 79 games in the regular season and all 20 postseason games, averaging 9.3 points on 41 percent shooting.

After the Heat lost in Game 5 of the Finals, Allen said he felt good about his career and had a clear mind as he faced his summer options.

"One thing is for certain, to [make a retirement decision] on my terms is the most important thing," Allen said. "Whether that is me retiring, staying here or going somewhere else, it will be on my terms. I've made it to this point and I felt great that I have the choice to make it for myself."

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

I'll be pretty upset if the Bulls land LeBron.

The championship just wouldn't feel the same

Lebron should just sign 2 year deals with random teams for the rest of his career. I think the best way to prove just how great he is would be to take 5 or 6 different teams to the NBA finals. And not big name teams. Teams like Milwaukee, Memphis, Minnesota, Phoenix, ect.

Lebron should just sign 2 year deals with random teams for the rest of his career. I think the best way to prove just how great he is would be to take 5 or 6 different teams to the NBA finals. And not big name teams. Teams like Milwaukee, Memphis, Minnesota, Phoenix, ect.

It will never happen. Just like soccer will never surpass anything in the U.S. in spite of its demographics.

Yes it is.

I'm a big dumb shitlib baby

I'm a big dumb shitlib baby

The majority of America couldn't name a current baseball player, but most everybody knows a handful of hoops players.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Do you really think that's true? And how many people watch baseball on computers or smartphones, MLB At-Bat?

I'm a big dumb shitlib baby

I don't want to get deep into a sport vs sport thing, but I don't think asserting basketball players are more recognizable/popular than baseball players is the same as saying, therefore, one is more liked than the other. The NBA has long capitalized on the general photogenic nature of its players due to the lack of obstructions like helmets or hats. So perhaps nba players being more popular is more of a marketing than sport achievement. That being said, aside from south America, the NBA/basketball probably has made deeper inroads overseas.

I certainly don't think the NBA is a niche sport. It might seem that way in a city like Chicago where the Bears dominate and there are two baseball teams. In LA, for example, the Lakers are easily the hottest ticket in town. I do see a HUGE demographic difference between the fan bases.

Los Angeles may be the only place that is true for a multi-sport town though.

How can the NBA be a niche sport when one its best players is arguably the most globally recognized athlete ever?

There are globally recognized skiiers and track stars too.

Not to the degree MJ is/was. Anyway that the NBA is probably on par or just ahead/behind of the MLB in American viewership puts the niche argument to bed.

The greatest player in a sport is almost always world famous, unless it is a sport like ping pong.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Anyway that the NBA is probably on par or just ahead/behind of the MLB in American viewership puts the niche argument to bed.

The majority of America couldn't name a current baseball player, but most everybody knows a handful of hoops players.

Again, that has to do with marketing. That's why you have a guy like dan bernstein jizzing over LeBron James. He doesn't jizz over Mike Trout or Peyton Manning. Baseball is a different kind of game, steeped in loyalty to particular teams. Sure the hardcore fan will watch the playoffs and World Series, but for most people when their team is done, the season is over. A basketball fan watches regardless, just to see the spectacular bodies.

So are you saying most people who attend baseball games or watch on TV are lifelong devotees of the game and their local teams, while basketball's attendance and ratings.are due mainly to marketing? A sports fan base can be an amalgamation of die hards/traditionalists/whatever and the causal admirer of the 360 dunk or long ball.

Anyway, if you think more people watch NBA basketball than major league baseball, you're simply wrong.

I don't think that. Without having the numbers (does anyone?) I assume they are similar.