Posts Tagged ‘New York’

Free agent fever is hitting a new high and the only known cure seems to be more LeBron coverage.  Is King James leaving Cleveland for New York or Miami?

Everyone from New York’s Mayor Bloomberg to LA’s media mogul, David Geffen has wooed him but LeBron still hasn’t dropped any hints as to where he’s leaning.

Fact is; LeBron could turn either of the Knicks or the Heat into a basketball powerhouse with his arrival.  But the man is a self-described competitor who desperately wants a ring.  He needs a strong team that can seal the deal at the Finals next year.

LeBron’s consolation prize for losing the basketball semifinals a few weeks ago had been to steal attention away from the Lakers and Celtics.  That he clearly enjoyed all the coverage since then suggests that James also wants to grow his share of the NBA spotlight.  So while a fat deal with the Clippers would have been nice for the bottom line, it’s no surprise that he dropped the possibility. What global sports icon would want to share the LA stage with Kobe Bryant, anyway?

LeBron already owns Cleveland and they Cavs no doubt have another strong season ahead.  Maybe that’s why he claims Cleveland still has an “edge” when it comes to his next contract.

So what will it be when the King makes his announcement tomorrow night on ESPN’s The Decision?

Cars are our passion and after checking out the man’s garage for some insight, we’re pretty confident that LeBron James is headed to the New York Knicks.

The King may have traded in the Hummer that earned him so much controversy years ago but he still maintains a love for flashy, expensive cars.  Parked in his driveway right now is a $1.1 million fleet that includes a Maybach 57S, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Mercedes S63 AMG, and Ferrari F430 Spider.

Each car is confident and in-your-face powerful, just like their owner.  But the thing that stands out for us is the basketball star’s affinity for big sedans.

Most NBA players have driveways full of sport utility vehicles and luxury coupes.  LeBron’s garage is instead full of decadent luxury cars – the kind of stately rides that you’d expect to see bankers and financiers rolling around in on their way to Wall Street.

Big luxury sedans are practically indigenous to Manhattan.  They have a subtle, powerful presence that’s perfectly in step with New York’s business elite and old money society.

Cleveland has its Escalades and Miami has its Porsches, but Gothamites love the drama of arriving in a sleek black sedan.

That LeBron has a garage full of stretch four-doors says to us that he aspires to chauffer-driven glamour.  And a chauffeured car is definitely the way to get around crowded New York.  Just ask the Chosen One’s Big Apple buddy and fellow Maybach enthusiast, Jay-Z.

As for that Ferrari F430 Spyder, we suspect it would make a perfect toy for weekends in the Hamptons.

Let’s put it this way: LeBron may be speaking fondly of Cleveland but his fleet of cars is shouting New York.

Move over Audi A3 and Volvo C30 – there’s a new luxury hatchback in town. It’s called the CT200h and Lexus claims that it will be the only dedicated hybrid in its class when it comes to market in early 2011.

If you’re wondering why Lexus is choosing to cram yet another vehicle into the affordable end of its lineup, you’re not alone. After all, Lexus already offers the IS250 / IS350 performance sedans, the ES350 luxury sedan, and the HS250h hybrid sedan. So why add another player?

For the answer, look to Europe where Lexus has been eager to expand its market share. The CT200h, with its spacious hatchback bodystyle and high fuel economy, is the company’s first major attempt to court buyers across the pond.

Here in the States, the CT200h makes far less sense. It has to slot into an already-crowded hybrid lineup with only a few thousand dollars to separate it from the larger HS250h sedan above and the Toyota Prius below.

In fact, the CT200h appears to share much of its equipment with its little brother. Details are still coming in, but the 1.8-liter Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain and advanced Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system appear to have been lifted straight from the Prius.

What you do get with the CT200h, however, is a unique body and some nifty techno-tricks, like four adjustable driving modes and a new soft-touch synthetic upholstery called NuLuxe™ (traditional leather will be an option). Lexus claims that the new model will, “excite eco-conscious, young consumers and symbolize urban luxury living.”

With so little difference in price, performance, and MPG between the company’s dedicated hybrid models, the CT200h will have a difficult role to play. Will the fresh sheetmetal and eco-friendly upholstery be enough to impress American customers without cannibalizing sales from the Prius or HS250h?