The truth is, sadly, we are.

As much as LeBron has been bashed for announcing that he’ll make his announcement during a one hour live special on ESPN Thursday, we’ll all tune in. Is it because we think of this as the Jersey Shore of NBA free agency — the train wreck we can’t turn away from? Or, is it because we really care about what he has to say and don’t want to be the only ones to miss out on the historic announcement.

And, make no mistakes, this is historic. History will look back at this as the first time a free agent held a national prime time television special to announce his intentions. And, LeBron will add to the circus. This won’t be your run-of-the-mill announcement. Plus, you’ll likely see a reality TV series come out later this summer that documents the LBJ Derby.

Expect graphics and slideshows explaining why he’s chosen his city. Expect the actors from Miami Vice or The Drew Carey Show in studio performing a live skit showing us why the city the chosen one has chosen should get down on their hands and knees and buy LeBron merchandise from Lebronjames.com yesterday.

Will leBron James be tearing the Cavs jerseys off of the nation's kids tomorrow? Only time will tell if the NBA will see a spike in Cavs or Heat jerseys.

LeBron’s gone about this free agency period unlike anyone else because he wanted to do the best for his brand identity. Creating suspense will create greater opportunities to pump up his bank account and ego. How else do you explain ESPN telling us sources say LBJ will announce his playing destination on ESPN?

However, this has backfired and King James’ image will take a knock in the eyes of most Americans. He’s already become a laughingstock on Twitter. Respected NBA Blogs such as InsideHoops.com have tweeted that James “just got up and ate breakfast.” Once King James launched his Twitter account, he had hundreds of thousands of followers before a single tweet. He even dubbed himself “King of Akron.”

He quickly became a trending topic on Twitter as people cracked jokes about what his first tweet would be. He ended up saying hello and thanking Chris Paul for getting him to join the Twitterverse.

But, it’s so much more than that. He’s acted like he’s entitled and made no bones about it. Consider:

• James made the Knicks, Nets, Bulls, Cavs, Heat and Clippers go to Cleveland to make their pitch at the base of his throne. He was concerned with what the teams could do for him. He didn’t care about the facilities or environment/team culture. You can only get a true sense of that when meeting in a team’s facilities. Sure. he plays in each city every year, but it’s different when you’re just visiting. Wade and Bosh followed James’ example.
• LBJ has acted like the GM of each team. Now, it’s not his fault teams like the Knicks say “what you want, we’ll do. You pick your supporting cast.” However, that’s the perception people have gained. Seriously, this era of free agency is making GMs look as pertinent to NBA teams as cashiers in a self-checkout lane at the supermarket.
• Bron Bron relaunching his web site during all the attention.
• Rumors circulating about when and how he;s announce the Decision Heard Round the World.
• The ESPN prime time special announcement.

LeBron has used this free agency period to enhance his brand identity. The end result may be that he's hurt it more than helped it.

LeBron has become an mass media attention whore. The only people that can truly enjoy and appreciate the James’ circus are BP Oil and Brett Favre. The media attention James has received has pushed those two into the rearview mirror. It’s pretty sad when an NBA free agent racks up more time in the public conscience than a national environmental disaster.

People are sick of LeBron and the way he’s carried out the process in a way that makes him look like the self-serving, narcissistic youth of today. Even Buzz Bissinger, the author of his book, has ripped Lebron on Twitter. Bissinger says he was duped and that he doesn’t even know the man now.

Is it LeBron’s fault? No. It’s ours for pumping his head with hot air from the time he was in high school with things such as ESPN broadcasts during his senior year.

Still, LeBron has had no issues with taking every opportunity to make this period about himself. For that, his image in the present has suffered.

Of course, actually winning a championship will cure everything.

SI.com’s Don Banks has always been one our favorites, and today we like him that much more. He lists the top 10 free agents in the NFL and predicts where they will sign and says where the players should sign.

Among the free agents is Darren Sproles. While Banks thinks the diminutive speedster will ultimately land in Washington, he says Philly is the right fit for him and his skill set. Your DailyPhiladelphia said as much earlier this week.

Should Darren Sproles go to Washington, or join the upper level of the NFC East?

Sproles has the perfect make up to explode in the Eagles offense, and would be the ideal change-of-pace back to compliment LeSean McCoy. Sproles is too small to be a true featured back, but would run the screen pass exceptionally well, and gain big time yards when in the open field.

Banks also indicated the Eagles could be suitors foe free agent safety Antrel Rolle. While he is likely headed back to Arizona, Rolle is an up-and-coming young safety. He’s the type of guy the Eagles usually target in free agency.

If the Birds can land both of these guys for the price it would take to get Julius Peppers, we’re all for having the former North Carolina Tar Heel head elsewhere.

Jason Avant always had the body type of a mini T.O. This year, he finally stepped up and displayed the talent to go over the middle and make spectacular catches in traffic.

The fourth year player out of Michigan will never win a footrace against Jon Runyan, but he displayed incredible toughness and concentration in the slot time and time again during the 2009 campaign.

He became one of Donovan McNabb’s reliable targets, setting career highs in receptions (41), yards (587) and touchdowns (3).

Avant is the perfect slot receiver in an offense featuring DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Mackin and Brent Celek. However, he is now a free agent and the Eagles need to decide whether or not to bring him back, and at what price.

Whether or not the NFL and NFLPA agree to a new CBA or not will play a role in Avant’s situation. Without a new deal, Avant is a restricted free agent. If they agree to a new deal, which seems unlikely at this point, Avant would be an unrestricted free agent.

The Eagles must bring back Jason Avant.

WHAT THE EAGLES SHOULD DO: If he is a restricted free agent, the Eagles must tender him a contract that would bring them at least a third round pick if her were to leave. Then, they will likely be able to match whatever he receives on the open market. In essence, they better bring him back. If he is an unrestricted free agent, they need to do everything in reason to bring him back. They’ve spent years trying to develop a slot receiver and finally have one. Unless a team comes in and blows Avant away with No. 2 receiver type money, the wideout needs to be in Eagles green next year. Nobody wants to see Reggie Brown ascend to that spot and Kevin Curtis is finished.

WHAT THE EAGLES WILL DO: They will tender him a contract as a restricted free agent. Andy Reid won’t let that guy walk if they can get him at a good price. As an unrestricted free agent, Avant will likely walk. The Eagles have never felt the need to pay their wide receivers a ton of money. With DeSean Jackson in line to get a major upgrade in pay and Reggie Brown still under contract, Reid and new GM Howie GeekRoseman won’t give Avant what he will command on the open market from a wideout-starved team such as the Raiders.

The safety signed a one-year deal as a free agent last offseason with hopes of competing for the starting strong safety position. He beat out slated starter Quintin Demps on the depth chart, partly due to injuries and partly due to bad play. However, rookie Macho Harris ended up winning the starting job out of camp.

Jones provided a veteran presence among the safeties and ended up starting nine games toward the end of the year. However, the ballhawker in Jones never really showed up as he registered just two picks on the year while registering 61 tackles. He had averaged nearly five interceptions a year his last three seasons.

Jones was solid but lackluster. The Eagles blitzing defense calls for someone with a little more intensity and now the Eagles have to decide whether or not to bring back Jones.

The Eagles have decisions to make at the safety position.

WHAT THE EAGLES SHOULD DO: Cut the strings and let Jones leave. He just doesn’t fit this system. With Macho Harris entering his second year, the Eagles need to go get a safety who can thrive in this system while teaching Harris and and Demps the ropes if the team believes those two have a future. They need someone like a Brian Dawkins. Yes, BDawk would have been the perfect mentor. Darren Sharper would be the perfect fit if you can lure him from New Orleans. He would fill the gap and allow you the chance to find out more about Harris and Demps.

WHAT THE EAGLES WILL DO: The Birds need help at safety, linebacker and along the defensive line. They value safeties more than linebackers so look for them to possibly go after Packers restricted free agent Nick Collins who is entering the prime of his career. The Birds have not historically gone after players who will cost them draft picks, however, maybe this is the time to do so. Remember, Joe Banner said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing each year. Outside of Harper, the Eagles may try to land Sharper, although we see that as a longshot. Our guess is the Birds go with the young guys and draft yet another safety.

Last year, that move was Raul Ibanez. What does this offseason have in store for the Phils? What do they need to do to stay on top of the NL and close the gap between them and the Yankees?

Following are a few thoughts, some obvious and others may shock you.

Could Shane Victorino be moved this offseason?

• Beef up the bullpen. Sign a guy as a set-up man who you can move to closer if needed. Brett Myers may be that guy. Also, resign Chan Ho Park and make get a lefty reliever in case JC Romero isn’t ready to go.

• Overhaul the starting rotation. Cliff Lee is here, and so is Cole Hamels. JA Happ figures to be the third guy. After that, are you comfortable with Joe Blanton and his increased wages due to arbitration? The Phils need to find legit guys to fill the back end of the rotation.
• Do not resign the Pedros. Martinez was a great guy for the role he filled. However, he can not be counted on to last a whole season and be effective. Resign him, and you are basically filling the 5th spot with Jamie Moyer. Again. Feliz is a vacuum at third, but he didn’t hit as well this year and is 34 years old. Adrian Beltre is four years younger and a decent defensive player. Maybe take a look at hime.
• Spend the money to get a legit infielder/bench guy. You need someone to take the pressure off of Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins. They are over 30 and need breaks during the season. One name thrown around in the media is Marco Scutaro from the Blue Jays. He just enjoyed a cfine season hitting .282 with 12 homers. He will cost more than Bruntlett, but can fill the role.
• Trade Jayson Werth or Shane Victorino for a starting pitcher. This is a huge gamble that many fans will question. However, this is exactly the type of move that Gillick was talking about, and it will help the payroll. The Phillies will not spend a lot more money, yet they have players who will see major bumps in arbitration this offseason. The fact is, after next year, you won’t keep both of these outfielders anyway. The values of those two players will never be higher and now is the time to bring up Michael Taylor. Platoon him with Ben Francisco in right to start the year. Taylor is a legit top-10 prospect with power. It’s only a matter of time until he is ready to play everyday. And, you still have Dominic Brown coming up through the ranks to take Ibanez’s spot in 2011 or 2012. The Phillies are set at outfield for the foreseeable future.
• If you are able to trade one of the outfielders, make a run for Joe Mauer at catcher. We all love Chooch, but he is what he is. Mauer is a legit weapon at the plate, and could ultimately make a move to first when he gets older and Ryan Howard leaves via free agency. Craig Biggio made a similar move to second midway through his career. (EDITED: Mauer is not a free agent until December 2010. The Phillies will not pursue him in a trade.)

The Phillies do have some tweaking to do, and will likely make a big move if Ruben Amaro stays with the Gillick formula. When that shoe drops, questions will be asked and heads will shake. However, how can you argue with a formula that has brought us two the doorstep of back-to-back world championships?