Stay together. Well, that’s at least what the top executives in Cleveland should prioritize anyway.

In case you didn’t know, the Cleveland Cavaliers were booted out of the 2009 NBA Playoffs by the Orlando Magic, losing in the Eastern Conference Finals 4-2 after coming into this series with an unblemished postseason record of 8-0.

Yes, the Cleveland Cavaliers were sweeping everybody in sight, sweeping the Detroit Pistons in the first round before sweeping the Atlanta Hawks in the second one. But when they got to face the Orlando Magic, for some reason, the Cavs just couldn’t figure out how to stop this team.

Hell, the Cavaliers would’ve been swept for crying out loud if it wasn’t for LeBron James making a miracle three-point shot at the buzzer in Game 2. Yes, Orlando was just that dominant for Cleveland. And now that the Cavaliers; the team with the best overall record of the regular season, the team with the NBA Coach of the Year on their sideline and the team led by the NBA Most Valuable Player of the Year, GONE, keeping the team’s nucleus in the offseason should be their top priority.

There have been speculations that the Cavaliers failing to make the 2009 NBA Finals will have an impact on James’ decision whether he’ll stay in Cleveland or succumb to the bright lights of New York City.

You see, the New York Knicks have been salivating over the idea of getting LeBron James to play for them. And while James hasn’t made any decisions on his future yet, some figured this exit from the postseason will finally push James to the brink.

But as far as James is concerned, he just wants to move on.

”I’m great. I feel great about this situation that’s going on,” James said. ”You want to continue to get better, that’s all you can ask. We got better and I feel this team will be better next season. You don’t want to take a step backward. I think we went forward from the Boston series [a Game 7 loss in the semis] last year.”

The Cavaliers can offer James a contract extension on July 18, but James hasn’t even given any thought of signing shit yet.

”I don’t know,” James said when asked if he’ll sign. ”I haven’t thought about it just yet. I’m just going to take time off from basketball and not think about contracts or the game period. I’ll relax with my family we’ll figure out once it comes from them.”

Which team will win the 2009 NBA Finals? Bet on Bodog sportsbook now.

Los Angeles Lakers 2.20

Orlando Magic 4.50

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Los Angeles Lakers Orlando Magic