ESPN - Deron Williams turned 28 on Tuesday, so the Brooklyn Nets decided to park a massive sign in front of his Manhattan house to wish him a happy birthday.  Deron Williams has narrowed down his choice of teams to the Nets and Mavericks. Where will he end up?  Williams’ wife, Amy, tweeted a picture of the black and white sign, which reads, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY DERON! from your Brooklyn family” and features the Nets’ new logo.  The Nets are hoping to give Williams an even better present on July 1 when he becomes a free agent: a max contract extension.

This is why I could never be a GM or an owner or anything like that.    Because I could never do this.   I could never gravel at another man’s feet to let me pay him 100 million dollars. Like Mikhail Prokhorov owns all of Russia.  JayZ is a music mogul.  And this is what they are reduced to?  Sending giant Happy Birthday cards so Deron Williams will stay in Brooklyn.   I just couldn’t do it.  Like if the fact I’m willing to pay you 100 million isn’t enough to convince you to stay than go fuck yourself.   I’m not going to beg.  Can’t do it.   Won’t do it.   Yet this is the day and age we live in now.  It’s the Lebronification of society.  It’s not good enough to just offer a guy the most money and try to win.   You have to coddle him, make him feel special, treat him like a 3rd grader and woo him with love and shiny displays of affection.  Whole thing makes me want to puke.