By Peter Sblendorio

Sports Editor

Duo of NBA stars making impact on new teams

Following the 2010 offseason that saw a number of top flight free agents resign with their previous teams, the three biggest stars top switch teams have made immediate impacts with their respective clubs.

LeBron James, the pearl of last summer’s free agent class, has not had trouble scoring alongside fellow superstars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in his first two games on the Heat. James came out in his first game and scored 31 points, the most ever a player has scored in his Miami debut. Despite the Heat losing that game, James looked right at home, and once his teammates all learn how to play with each other, Miami should be a force in the East.

Bosh has also paid quick dividends for the Heat in two games. Expected to be no more than Miami’s third option, Bosh has averaged a respectable 11.5 points so far and has grabbed 7.5 boards per game. Still, the Heat may need a little more from Bosh the rest of the way for them to reach elite status

In New York, Amar’e Stoudemire also had a promising first game, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a winning effort. While it will take more than Stoudemire to make the Knicks a contender again, he gave the fans a glimpse of why he was given the biggest annual salary of all the 2010 free agents. New York could be on its way up with the addition of more talent (Carmelo Anthony, anyone?), and the Knicks new forward will be a big part of that.

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