Game: Cavs (41-11) vs. New Jersey Nets (4-46)
Broadcast:
TV: FSOhio
WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM).
Starters:
Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson(F); Shaquille O’Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Mo Williams (G).
New Jersey: Javis Hayes (F); Yi Jianlian (F); Brook Lopez (C); Courtney Lee (G); Devin Harris (G).
Injured:
Cavs: Delonte West (left ring finger) – QUESTIONABLE. Leon Powe (left knee surgery); Mo Williams (left shoulder sprain) – OUT.
Nets: Devin Harris (mild left shoulder strain); Yi Jianlian (sore right shoulder) – QUESTIONABLE. Javis Hayes (bruised left shin) – PROBABLE.
Officials: Tony Brothers, David Guthrie and Haywoode Workman.
Forget the Nets record. This year they’ve played the Cavaliers tough in two games that the Cavs eventually pulled out. What could possibly make this a rout? The fact that Devin Harris and Yi Jianlian could miss the game
Conversely what could make this close or turn into a Cavs loss? If they for some reason look past the Nets, which is a real possibility. Don’t shake your head; don’t laugh. They almost blew a 23-point lead against the Knicks the other night in echos of the earlier part of the season.
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The New York Daily News’ Mike Lupica couldn’t do it in a Christmas Day column, but a colleague, Frank Isola, the New York Knicks beat writer for the same paper, wrote about what most New Yorkers are afraid to admit: their chances of getting LeBron James in free agency may not be that great.
The worst-kept secret in sports is that James, a pending free agent, is the Knicks’ primary target starting July 1. The best thing the Knicks have to offer is Madison Square Garden and endless marketing opportunities – although James appears to be doing pretty well in the marketing department while wearing a Cavs uniform.
Indeed, the Knicks looked hapless Saturday night during the game’s first half and were only allowed back into the game because the Cavs grew complacent. Anyone who is objective, has to ask why James would want to head east.
If all they’re offering is Madison Square Garden, allow me to be the first to say: the Garden is a great place to visit – twice a year.
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Cleveland Cavaliers,
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Don’t expect LeBron James to drag out his free agent experience come the summertime.
He sounds as if he plans to make that decision soon after the July 1 opening so that he can concentrate on the FIBA World Championship in Turkey this summer. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told AOL Fanhouse that he was confident that James would return to Team USA.
When asked if he was closer to making a decision about his participation James said:
‘’I’ve got a really busy schedule and you guys already know my schedule what’s got to happen this summer,’’ he said. ‘’Once I take care of business I’ll be able to give a better commitment to the team.’’
He has a narrow window to take care of that business. Although Colangelo said that James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, should he participate, wouldn’t have to participate in the Las Vegas minicamp July 22-25, they would most certainly need to be in for the team’s training camp beginning Aug. 10.
‘’I’m looking forward to getting back to that team and being with those guys,’’ James said. ‘’ It’s a really strong team that we have at USA Basketball.’’
The World Championships begin Aug. 28 in Turkey.
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pro basketball,
Turkey
Post-mortem: Cavs 113, Knicks 106
In a nutshell: Coach Mike Brown didn’t like the way Saturday’s game played out – even with a win. The Cavs didn’t play Cleveland basketball. They outshot the Knicks instead.
They allowed New York to shoot 53 percent from the floor and that lack of defense cost them a 22-point lead, making the game too close for comfort.
”I didn’t know if we would make shots or miss shots, but nobody was stopping anybody in the first half. We didn’t get the lead because we were making stops. We got the lead because ‘Bron had a great first quarter and we made shots. We shot 66 percent from the field and scored 74 points.’ Brown said.
James’ efforts entertained, but Brown said he had a sneaking suspicion that something could go wrong.
”No, it wasn’t my type of half,” he said of the first half. ” It was fun to watch because LeBron went crazy knocking shots down. It’s always good to see from a fan’s standpoint or the media standpoint….But, no that’s not my kind of half. Neither half was. But sometimes you live with it.”
That about sums it up. Fun to watch, but don’t let it happen too often, Brown seee saying.
Game: Cavs (40-11) vs. New York Knicks (19-30)
Broadcast:
TV: FSOhio
Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM)
Starters:
Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson(F); Shaquille O’Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Daniel Gibson (G).
Knicks: Danilo Gallinari (F); Jared Jeffries (F); David Lee (C); Wilson Chandler (G); Nate Robinson (G).
Injured:
Cavs: Leon Powe (left knee surgery), Delonte West (left ring finger); Mo Williams (left shoulder sprain) – OUT.
Knicks: Eddie Curry (left knee surgery) – OUT.
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Bennie Adams, Phil Robinson.
Knicks are 1-4 in their last five games including a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Friday night.
Shaquille O’Neal will face a stiff challenge against David Lee, who is averaging 19.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Cavs are on a defensive tear of late holding opponents to under 90 points in the past four games. The Knicks average 101 per game.
It’s no secret that Mike D’Antoni likes running the floor, and the Cavs have the horses to keep up. In the only meeting between these two teams this year, the Cavs beat the Knicks 100-91. It wasn’t that close.
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Cavs 102, Heat 86.
In a nutshell:
Here’s where everyone should ask themselves “Is there nothing LeBron James can’t do on the basketball court?”
Apparently the answer is no. The Cavs were without all three of their point guards as Daniel Gibson missed the first half to be with his fiancee who had been admitted to the hospital. Gibson is engaged to R&B singer Keyshia Cole and they are expecting a child.
James played the first half point and ran the team magnificently, scoring 19 points in the process and getting his teammates involved. By the end of the first half, eight Cavs had scored in the game.
But playing the point also allowed him to drive the ball more and it showed in the stat line he went to the foul line a total of 21 times. He sank 17 of those free throw shots.
Once Gibson entered the game in second half, James was free to play more like observers are used to seeing.
Gibson ran his streak of scoring into double figures to seven and Shaquille O’Neal continued to play aggressively around the basket.
Game: Cavs (40-11) vs. Miami Heat (24-26)
Broadcast:
TV: TNT
Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM)
Starters:
Cavs: LeBron James (F); J.J. Hickson(F); Shaquille O’Neal (C); Anthony Parker (G); Daniel Gibson (G).
Heat: Quentin Richardson (F); Michael Beasley (F); Jermaine O’Neal (C); Dwyane Wade (G); Rafer Alston (G).
Injured:
Cavs: Leon Powe (left knee surgery), Delonte West (left ring finger), Mo Williams (sprained left shoulder) – OUT.
Heat: Mario Chalmers (sprained left thumb).
Officials: Bob Delaney, Brian Forte, Ed Malloy.
The last game was a squeaker with the Cavs pulling the game out courtesy of a steal by LeBron James. The Cavs looked and played a bit sluggishly from the outset, trailing for most of the game. Daniel Gibson, Anderson Varejao and Shaquille O’Neal played well, but the rest of the team struggled.
The highlight of course, was the duel on both sides of the court between Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. In each of the two meetings between the teams, both players have scored in the 30s. If James has any rivalry – friendly or otherwise – with anyone in the NBA, it’s with Wade. Given those past two games, there’s little reason to expect otherwise tonight.
Once again, Gibson’s and O’Neal’s play will be integral to a Cavs win as they go for their 10th win in a row – their first double-digit win streak of the year.
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Shaquille O'Neal
Just when the New York Knicks thought they were done with Isiah Thomas – the former NBA great has been living in college basketball purgatory coaching Florida International – the former New York Knicks guru had to voice his opinion on LeBron James’ potential free agency.
For the record, Zeke, as he was known during his plaing days, is all for James migrating to the Big Apple once he can become a free agent. Then perhaps James can turn the Knicks around and make the starving fans of New York forget how Thomas single handedly turned it into the Washington Generals of the NBA.
Thankfully, several New York writers understand the importance of his endorsement.
From Josh Alper of NBC New York:
You have to wonder, though, if they really want to have Isiah Thomas as part of their marketing campaign. The man who proved that the Knicks were not too big to fail is certainly the kind of person whose advice you listen to with a smile and a nod of the head before doing the exact opposite.
From Will Leitch of New York Magazine:
Florida International head coach Isiah Thomas, whom we vaguely remember hanging around here at some point (mostly in spastic flashbacks scored by Creedence Clearwater Revival songs), has decided he wants to help the Knicks. He’s decided he’s going to talk to LeBron James for us.
Here’s the question: do you really want to take career advice from this guy?
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irony,
Isiah Thomas,
LeBron James,
NBA,
New York Knicks,
pro basketball
LeBron James is three-for-three in the NBA season.
He’s won the January Eastern Conference Player of the Month for the third consecutive time this season and fifth consecutive time dating back to last season.
James’ production in the month of January with Mo Williams and Delonte West injured made it difficult to not choose him.
He led the Cavs to a league best 12-3 record for the month averaging 30.7 points (first for the month) on 50 percent shooting, 7.3 rebounds and 8.5 (second) assists per game. He scored 20 or more points in 14-of-15 games this season. James also recorded 1.6 steals per game, the fifth best in the league for January.
Some James highlights:
- Jan. 10 @ Portland: Totaled 41 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a 106-94 win over the Trail Blazers.
- Jan. 11 @ Golden State: Led Cleveland with 37 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, four blocks and two steals in a 117-114 win over the Warriors.
- Jan. 19 vs. Toronto: Recorded 28 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds, three blocks and three steals in a 108-100 win over the Raptors.
- Jan. 29 @ Indiana: Posted 22 points, nine rebounds and season highs of 13 assists and four blocks and added two steals in a 94-73 win over the Pacers.
- Jan. 31 vs. L.A. Clippers: Tallied 32 points and 11 assists in a 114-89 win over the Clippers.
The New Orleans Hornets’ point guard Chris Paul won the award for the Western Conference.
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More Than a Game, the documentary about LeBron James and the Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary boys basketball team and their two years in the spotlight, hit video store shelves this week and Time Warner Cable will air a special on cable channel 23, the NEON Network, every Tuesday and Thursday in February at 7:30 p.m. featuring Cleveland Plain Dealer Cavs beat writer Brian Windhorst, St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Dru Joyce II and writer-director Kristopher Belman. The show, which is hosted by Les Levine, will also be available on Local on Demand channel 501 under the ‘’sports’ tab.
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Cleveland Cavaliers,
LeBron James,
More Than a Game,
movie,
NBA,
pro basketball
