The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT July 21, 2010

If you started to get into the business of awarding championships based on what a team looks like on paper instead of a field, then I've probably crowned my fair share of false champions over the years.

Regardless if it's a professional, collegiate or high school team, just because a team possesses more talent than they know what to do with, doesn't mean they are a lock to win a title.

JUST WEEKS ago, when the NBA free agency period opened, the Miami Heat emerged as a big winner, landing Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James.

After those three took in nearly 300 million dollars in salary, the Heat will be looking to sign some role players and rookies to help come in and fill out their roster.

Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem have already agreed to take a pay cut to join the team in the fall, as did Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who signed a deal on Saturday.

What I don't understand is how, even after nearly losing Wade and playing only a couple of times with Bosh and James, they have suddenly been handed the Eastern Conference title.

Did they cancel the playoffs, award the Heat the East and put the Lakers in the finals for the fourth straight year out West?

Regardless of who else Miami adds to its roster, the Heat should be a tough team to beat, but until they show that they can start winning some games, that other big three in Boston will prefer that all attempts come through them first.

WHEN THE 2010 baseball season began, it seemed as though this was going to be the year for the Seattle Mariners.

Who was going to argue? The addition of Cliff Lee and Chone Figgins, along with the return of Ken Griffey Jr., was expected to put the Mariners into the playoffs.

Not only are two of the three gone, but it seems that once Griffey retired from baseball three days after Memorial Day, the Mariners' playoff chances disappeared with him.

Lee has since been dealt to the Texas Rangers and the Mariners continue to take on water in the American League West.

It was a nice thought to see the Mariners possibly contend for a World Series, but another year at the drawing board won't be so bad.

THIS WEEK, five teams will compete in the Class AA Area A tournament at Post Falls High to earn two berths to the state tournament the following weekend in Boise.

Lewis-Clark, Coeur d'Alene, Prairie, Trail and Rocky Mountain of Cranbrook will vie for just a couple spots.

When it comes to baseball, you have to expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to a loser-out situation.

Stranger things have happened this season, such as a spring sports season with no spring weather and a winter sports season with no snow.

But if you are in the mood to see some of the best baseball teams in the area can offer, you won't have to look anywhere else.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via e-mail at [email protected].