One of the more amusing things I have seen with regard to the LeBronathon is having ESPN commentators demanding "perspective" from Cleveland fans (who are angry with LeBron for leaving the Cavs to join the Miami Globetrotters.) In a world with perspective, there would not be an ESPN. Or an NBA. Or a LeBron James. In a world with perspective, no one would care about sports at all.

I say this as an irrational and insatiable sports fan, as regular readers are aware. The LeBron Brand, the ESPN brand, the major sports, are all dependent upon the irrationality of sports fans. It is simply ridiculous to chide Cleveland fans for exhibiting the type of irrationality that is necessary for anyone to actually care about sports. The type of irrationality that is necessary for these commentators to even have jobs.

A lack of perspective from these folks.

Speaking for me only

Lebron James has a one hour special on ESPN tonight to announce his decision on where he will be playing for the next 5 or 6 years. This spectacle will cap one of the most absurd processes ever seen.

A man seemingly obsessed with his "brand," LeBron James has bungled this about as badly as could be done. "The Decision" was a terrible, terrible idea. And if it culminates, as many are now reporting, with LeBron abandoning Cleveland and joining the Miami Globetrotters (where Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh already reside), James will become one of the most reviled sports figures in the United States. In short, James and his new team would be the figures everyone will root against. And not in a New York Yankee sort of way.

If he does this, LeBron will have done something I would not have thought possible - he would have made Kobe Bryant the most popular figure in the NBA. And if the Lakers beat the Miami Globetrotters next year, Kobe Bryant becomes a folk hero.

This afternoon brings the most anticipated game of the World Cup yet - Spain v. Germany.

Germany (3 time champions, 7 time Finalist) destroyed the rudderless Argentinians, who recklessly threw away their chances in the World Cup by naming Maradona as their coach. But all credit to Germany, which has been the best team in the World Cup. But 20 year old star forward Thomas Muller is unavailable today due to an unmerited yellow card (a handball that wasn't)in the game with Argentina. This is a huge loss for Germany.

Spain, as it has throughout its World Cup history (never been to a Final) has underachieved, dragged down by the poor performance of their center-forward Fernando Torres. Torres, clearly off form due to slow recovery from a serious injury, should have been benched a while ago. Spanish coach del Bosque won't do it. Thank God for David Villa - the best player in the tournament, who has put in all but one of Spain's goals so far.

On form, Germany should win - they have been the best team in the tournament. But Spain has the potential to reach higher than any other team. If they play their A game, they can win. History and current form points to Germany. Hard to go against that. I like Germany in this game (though I will be rooting for the mother country Spain.)

On paper, Netherlands is the clear favorite. For that reason, I am picking Uruguay.

In the Tour de France, the cobbles punished. Andy Schleck, with the strong assistance of Fabian Cancellara, rode his way back into strong contention, gaining 1 minute, 9 seconds on Contador (he was 40 second behind coming in), who did well today. Schelck's brother Frank broke his collarbone and is out. Cadel Evans also was at the front and leads Contador as well. Lance Armstrong was 2 minutes, 8 seconds behind Schleck and Evans and about a minute behind Contador.

Open Thread.

The World Cup went WWE this week when Argentina, particularly its insane coach Maradona, and Germany (who knew the Germans liked to talk trash?) spent the past few days exchanging insults.

The cards will be out early for this must see game. I like Argentina.

Spain plays Paraguay in the afternoon.

Before we get to the preview of the USA's knockout game in the Round of 16 with Ghana, let's take one last moment to savor Landon Donovan's stoppage time goal against Algeria that got the USA through.

Here is a link to the video. And here is a link to Andres Cantor's classic call.

On the flip, a preview of today's 2:30 p.m. game.

Goal by Donovan in stoppage time for USA saves our World Cup. 1-0 USA. USA wins Group C. England also qualifies.

These games will be played simultaneously but I will try and keep up with both.

First news - the USA starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Tim Howard. Defenders: Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein (in for Gooch). Midfielders: Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Maurice Edu (gets the start after fine performance as sub vs. Slovenia), Clint Dempsey. Forwards: Herculez Gomez (in for suspended Findley), Jozy Altidore.

Bornstein??? Gooch must be hurt. Gooch at 80% is better than Bornstein at 200%. Anyway, live blog on the flip.

GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!

A win over Algeria today would put the USA into the round of 16. The USA is considered the better side. In the world FIFA rankings, USA is 14th and Algeria is 30th. The USA has had better results offensively than Algeria, who is yet to score a goal in its 2 World Cup games. However, USA has given up 3 goals and Algeria only 1.

Algeria looked a competent side against England and Slovenia, but neither of those teams seems especially strong to me. Algeria's Karim Ziani looked the best player on the field against England. But again, does that sya more about England than Algeria?

My view of how the USA should play this game tacticially is similar to my view of how they should have played against Slovenia. I'll repeat my advice on the flip.

FINAL 2-2. Great comeback win even though it goes in the books as a 2-2 draw. Now to root for Algeria against England.. What a terrible referee.

For a series that is going 7, this has been a nondescript and uninteresting series. Perhaps it has do with not having a rooting interest (dislike both teams.) But I've watched the games and they have simply been boring.

The other problem for me is I detest the announcers, particularly Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. My gawd are they awful.

I suppose the Lakers will probably win tonight. I can't say that I care much either way.

Open Thread.

Is it an exaggeration to say that the USA's game with Slovenia tomorrow is its most important since its knockout round win over Mexico in 2002? I do not think so.

Off of a lucky draw with England in its first match, the USA can virtually assure itself of getting through to the round of 16 with a win over Slovenia tomorrow. A loss would almost certainly knock them out. A draw would force a USA win in its third game, against Algeria to even have a chance to go through.

Should the USA win this game? Yes. Because the USA should win, this becomes a huge, pressure filled game. I hope Bob Bradley puts the right team on the field. I thought he did not in the game against England. On the flip,what I think Bradley should do.

Argentina has already scored against South Korea, Greece faces Nigeria and France plays Mexico in a potential knockout game.

I like Greece and France.

Open Thread.