The Banana Boat crew
Unless you had been living in one of those remote monasteries high up on the Himalayas for more than a decade, you should know by now this group of guys who likes to share a ride on a fruit-shaped sea craft while on holidays.
Bosom buddies Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and LeBron James had shown the world for several summers past how to enjoy their free times after a tiring basketball season. They go to some ritzy beach where the rich and famous bask and frolic and then cut across the waves on a banana boat pulled by a speed boat.
The off-season is always a good time to spin tales and speculations are ripe bordering on the impossible. The four NBA superstar boatmen of the banana craft, two of them sailing towards decline, have their individual rumors plotted to keep the interest of the fans in these months of inaction.
In theory, the Banana Boat crew can be potentially together and in a league now obsessed in a weapons race for super teams, the four friends on the playing court at the same time will be an attractive draw. With Carmelo and DWade reportedly in negotiations with their respective teams for a transfer and LeBron with an option to leave Cleveland after 2018, the plot becomes juicier and sweeter than the bananas from Davao.
Opting out of the final year of his deal with the Clippers, CP3 is now with Houston and fulfilled his desire to play with James Harden. This will also make him illegible to sign a 5-year, $205 million maximum contract extension with the Rockets next year. Things are looking brighter for Houston as CP3 is expected to ink the multi-million deal. At 32-years old, the proposed agreement, if pushed thru, would be stupid to ignore.
In the process of rebuilding, Chicago and D-Wade are expected to agree on a contract buyout in the following weeks and the Cavaliers are expected to pursue him. He and LeBron bonded well during their stint in Miami, giving the Heat back-to-back league titles. The possible reunion could be the lock to keep Bron within the confines of Cleveland.
Already 35, knee issues had hounded D-Wade throughout his career but despite the troubles, he still managed to contribute per game averages of 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists for the Bulls last season. If indeed he finds his way to Cleveland and Kyrie Irving stays, the Cavs will have a very solid backcourt with the recently added Derrick Rose.
As to Melo, several teams are reportedly interested in him - Houston, Portland, Oklahoma, New Orleans and yes, Cleveland and as per latest, the Knicks and the Rockets are on a lookout for a third team to get things done. Melo insists on his desire to go to Houston and is not interested in waiving his no-trade to go to Cleveland, Portland or any other team.
Houston’s Ryan Anderson is Melo’s major roadblock. The Knicks are not willing to assume the remaining 3 years and $60 million on his contract that’s why the Rockets need a third team to settle the deal. Assuming Melo changes location, Houston’s title bid improves.
Melo, Bron, D-Wade and CP3. The Banana Boat Crew. Together they will be a super team indeed, an aging super team. Whichever team succeeds in putting the four together will make league history as the most potent, ego-filled above-30 starting unit ever.