Instead of NYC, columnist Sam Smith believes LeBron may join Kobe Bryant in L.A.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers playing at the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden tonight on ESPN (8 p.m.), it gives reason to discuss the possibility of LeBron James playing for the Knicks or the New Jersey Nets after this season.

James will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. Just for argument sake, check out Sam Smith’s column on the idea that James may head to Los Angeles to join Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

Now, the question isn’t will or will he not go. It’s more of should he go.

My take?

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The Tulsa 66ers made it official.

High school players are now jumping to the D-League as Latavious Williams became the first player to not only go from high school to the D-League, but the 66ers took him with the 16th and final pick in the first round.

He’ll look to enter the NBA Draft next season as he can’t until his graduating class was out of school a year.

Just for the record, Tulsa doesn’t play the BayHawks in Erie this season. Both games are in Tulsa Jan. 17 and Jan. 19.

Go figure, but I’m intersted to see how the 6-foot, 8-inch youngster does. He’s was supposed to go Memphis, but didn’t qualify academically. Then he was supposed to go overseas in China and didn’t.

So let’s see how this route works for him.

The Erie BayHawks' first-round pick, Donell Taylor, left, played two seasons for the Washington Wizards.

Dea- day trades are always so zany, especially in a league few people ever keep track of them occurring.

I mean, how many people really knew the D-League did these type of things?

The Erie BayHawks not only drafted Donell Taylor with the second overall pick in Thursday’s D-League Draft, but they pulled off a trade in which they got Georgia Tech big man Alade Aminu for a player off their allocation list, forward Rob Kurz of Notre Dame.

Hmmmm.

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Latavious Williams is jumping from high school to the D-League.

Huh?

In the past, guys went straight from high school to the NBA, but now a player must attend college at least for one year or have their graduating class be out of school a year to enter the NBA draft.

So Williams, who is from Starkville, Miss., is in the D-League draft pool for Thursday’s draft. He’s the first player to go from high school to the D-League. He finished his prep career at Christian Life Center Academy in Humble, Texas.

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By season's end, Maureece Rice was playing as well as anyone in the D-League for the Erie BayHawks.

I understand why Maureece Rice isn’t one of Erie’s returning players for this season.

In between scoring at will on teams last season, Rice and I talked about how he had a daughter to support back in his hometown of Philadelphia.

With the D-League paying peanuts, Rice has opted to play in Mexico for now, Erie BayHawks coach John Treloar said. Rice may end up in Europe later this season.

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Paul Harris, who shared the backcourt with NBA first-round pick Jonny Flynn at Syracuse last season, is in the D-League draft pool.

The D-League announced Wednesday the list of available players for Thursday’s D-League Draft, which can be seen live on NBA TV beginning at 7 p.m.

With eight rounds and 16 teams, a total of 128 players will get drafted. There are 200 players in the draft pool.

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Just finished my game story.

It’s a wrap here in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers lost, 95-89, to the Boston Celtics in the season opener for both teams. The Celtics have proven players, the addition of Rasheed Wallace looked good and he really strengthens their bench.

The Celtics outscored the Cavaliers, 26-10, in bench points.

Thought Shaquille O’Neal looked OK. At least that’s what James said about O’Neal’s 5-for-11 effort. O’Neal started the game 3-for-3, which means he ended it shooting 2-for-8 from the field.

He left some shots short, but did grab 1o rebounds and actually didn’t play too bad of defense. Then again, no Cleveland player shot 50 percent from the field. James was 12-of-22.

In short, the offense needs work. Point blank. The defense is not bad, but then again, the Celtics are going to be hell to guard all year.

With four games in five days, it will be interesting to see how the Cavs look tomorrow at Toronto.

Good night. Got to hit the road.

Cleveland has closed within four, 83-79, with less than five minutes in the fourth quarter.

LeBron James is trying to put the Cavaliers on his back, but he’s had two costly turnovers in this comeback attempt.

As for Boston, look for Rasheed Wallace to come in for Kendrick Perkins, who can’t make open jump shots the Cavaliers are giving him.

Boston has started the second half on a 10-2 run to take a 61-47 lead, forcing Cleveland to call a timeout.

What you’ve got to look at is how Mo Williams has been ineffective as far as running the team. See, Delonte West would have better reign on the offense.

Then when Boston drives to the rim, Shaquille O’Neal is not quick enough to get to the play if it’s away from him.

That’s alarming right now. I know it’s the opener, but that’s got to be sewed up.

Boston 51, Cleveland 45

The Cavaliers lead by as many as 14 points in the first half only to trail by five at the break.

If I’m Cleveland, these are my concerns.

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