AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)—LeBron James was shaky early and spectacular late.
James had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season, lifting the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 113-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.
“Every point, rebound and assist was needed,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said.
The final score was relatively lopsided, but the game wasn’t. There were 10 lead changes and 21 ties, the last one with 4:44 left.
The Cavs closed the game by outscoring Detroit 19-7, thanks in large part to James.
He set up Mo Williams for a tiebreaking 3-pointer with a sharp pass from the top of the key to the right corner, then grabbed a rebound, charged up the court and made a drop pass to Anderson Varejao for a five-point cushion.
The Pistons wouldn’t go away, pulling within three points three times, before James blocked a shot and made consecutive jumpers to seal the win.
“The guy’s not human,” said Detroit’s Will Bynum, adding he thought James got away with goaltending on his layup with 1 1/2 minutes left. “When he gets rolling, you just want to try to stop his teammates and hope that’s enough.”
Those teammates led the way when the superstar had as many turnovers (three) as points late in the first quarter and just five points at halftime.
Williams finished with 20 points, Antawn Jamison had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and reserve Jawad Williams added 10 points.
James missed 10-of-15 shots over the first three quarters and was 5 for 7 in the final one as he added four assists and three rebounds to his total for his 28th career triple-double.
“In the fourth quarter, we made our mark,” he said. “That’s closeout time for me.”
He said triple-doubles are “absolutely” his favorite accomplishment other than winning.
“That means you’re doing everything your team needs to win basketball games,” James said. “That is one of the best things you can have as an individual.”
Adding to his highlight reel, James had a three-point play that ended with a layup after Tayshaun Prince’s foul just inside the 3-point line.
“I’m not surprised by any call in the NBA any more, but you also have to give him some credit,” Bynum said. “There’s probably no one else on Earth who could have even gotten a shot off like that.”
Cleveland has won four in a row and lost only one of its last 11 games, improving to an NBA-best 53-15.
Richard Hamilton had 24 points and was one of six Pistons who scored in double figures.
Detroit has dropped lost three straight and 10 of 12.
The Pistons, unlike recent games, were very competitive until James took over in the fourth quarter.
“We were trying to redeem ourselves, so this is very frustrating,” said Charlie Villanueva, who scored 16 points. “It’s encouraging to see us compete like this, but it is still another loss.”
Prince had 15 points and matched a season high with eight assists, Bynum had 12 points, rookie Jonas Jerebko scored 10 points and Jason Maxiell had 10 points and 15 rebounds.
The score was tied after the first quarter, the Pistons led by two at halftime and by one entering the final period.
“We know we can play with any team in the league, and tonight proved that again,” Bynum said. “We just have to play like this and finish the games.”
source Yahoo Sports
Read more...
Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers sever ties
Labels:
LA Clippers,
Mike Dunleavy,
NBA News
0
comments
Mike Dunleavy and the Los Angeles Clippers parted company for good Tuesday, barely a month after he relinquished his head coaching duties to focus solely on being general manager.
Now that arrangement is over, with the team announcing his departure in an e-mailed statement. Assistant general manager Neil Olshey will take over Dunleavy’s job.
“The team has simply not made sufficient progress during Dunleavy’s seven-year tenure,” the statement said. “The Clippers want to win now. This transition, in conjunction with a full commitment to dedicate unlimited resources, is designed to accomplish that objective.”
The Clippers were 12th in the Western Conference standings with a 25-38 record going into Tuesday night’s game at Orlando.
Dunleavy stepped down as head coach on Feb. 4, and was replaced by assistant Kim Hughes.
At the time, Dunleavy said, “I thought, ‘It’s time for me to give somebody else a shot, you’re burnt out on this.”’
Olshey had been serving as assistant GM since before the 2008-09 season. Previously, he was director of player development, assistant coach and director of player personnel.
The team said he played an important role in several transactions, including deals that brought Marcus Camby, Rasual Butler, Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw and Drew Gooden to the Clippers. Olshey also was part of the planning for the team’s last four NBA drafts, including obtaining Blake Griffin as the No. 1 overall pick last season.
Griffin has missed this season because of injury.
The move comes with the Clippers having significant salary cap space in hopes of luring a top free agent this summer.
In 6 1/2 seasons as coach, Dunleavy was 215-325, and Los Angeles made the playoffs just once in his first six seasons, getting within one game of the Western Conference finals in 2006. The Clippers haven’t been back to the playoffs since, winning just 42 games in the past two seasons.
Last month, Dunleavy said, “I wanted to stay with this organization, see things through, one way or the other. I would have rather done it as a successful coach, but on the other hand, I can see ahead. It was going to be a tough struggle all the way through.”
source yahoo.com
Read more...
Now that arrangement is over, with the team announcing his departure in an e-mailed statement. Assistant general manager Neil Olshey will take over Dunleavy’s job.
“The team has simply not made sufficient progress during Dunleavy’s seven-year tenure,” the statement said. “The Clippers want to win now. This transition, in conjunction with a full commitment to dedicate unlimited resources, is designed to accomplish that objective.”
The Clippers were 12th in the Western Conference standings with a 25-38 record going into Tuesday night’s game at Orlando.
Dunleavy stepped down as head coach on Feb. 4, and was replaced by assistant Kim Hughes.
At the time, Dunleavy said, “I thought, ‘It’s time for me to give somebody else a shot, you’re burnt out on this.”’
Olshey had been serving as assistant GM since before the 2008-09 season. Previously, he was director of player development, assistant coach and director of player personnel.
The team said he played an important role in several transactions, including deals that brought Marcus Camby, Rasual Butler, Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw and Drew Gooden to the Clippers. Olshey also was part of the planning for the team’s last four NBA drafts, including obtaining Blake Griffin as the No. 1 overall pick last season.
Griffin has missed this season because of injury.
The move comes with the Clippers having significant salary cap space in hopes of luring a top free agent this summer.
In 6 1/2 seasons as coach, Dunleavy was 215-325, and Los Angeles made the playoffs just once in his first six seasons, getting within one game of the Western Conference finals in 2006. The Clippers haven’t been back to the playoffs since, winning just 42 games in the past two seasons.
Last month, Dunleavy said, “I wanted to stay with this organization, see things through, one way or the other. I would have rather done it as a successful coach, but on the other hand, I can see ahead. It was going to be a tough struggle all the way through.”
source yahoo.com
Read more...
LeBron’s M.J. tribute is all about business
Labels:
Kobe Bryant,
Lebron James,
NBA News
0
comments
LeBron James isn’t honoring the greatness of No. 23, but manipulating Michael Jordan’s marketing savvy. The changing of his jersey number as a nod to M.J.’s basketball career is a purely fictional cover story. It’s a tribute to Jordan all right, but more like a cynical ode to his business sense. James wants to grow his global brand and push product; flooding the market with a fresh jersey number does the job.
Between now and then, James ought to spare us the fantasy that moving from No. 23 to No. 6 is about anyone or anything else.
All about Michael?
This is all about LeBron.
When LeBron James should be most concerned with taking Kobe Bryant’s(notes) NBA title, he’s making a bid for his standing as the No. 1 seller of NBA jerseys. James watched Bryant make the switch from No. 8 to No. 24 and how it moved him to the top of the list. For the past two seasons, James has finished second to Bryant. No more, James decided. Kobe gave him the blueprint for selling out stock, and now LeBron’s embraced it.
Looking back, Bryant never tried to turn his jersey change into some magnanimous gesture. He switched numbers, and that was that. He wanted to sell jerseys, and he did. He never pretended it was a genuflection to anything but commerce.
Somehow, James has boxed himself with this ridiculous story about how no one should ever wear No. 23, and he’s the first to give it up and maybe everyone else should follow him. This was met with a roll of the eyes, with everyone asking: Wait, you’re giving up No. 23 to take … No. 6?
What about Bill Russell and his 11 NBA championships? Jordan, the greatest ever, cleared a path for the worldly basketball star. But Russell was a black star in turbulent Boston in the 1960s. He anchored the greatest dynasty in the sport’s history, and they’ll remember him as the most dominant defensive player to ever live. In the end, James and everyone else understand this has nothing to do with Jordan or Russell, with No. 23 or No. 6. This is business, and he’s insulting everyone’s intelligence suggesting it’s something else.
The idea that James is honoring Jordan is, well, pure mythology. In a lot of ways, LeBron’s working to distance himself from him. Truth be told, they are rivals far more than confidants. With different lines of shoes, they are competing for power within Nike. They’ll be competing in the Eastern Conference, where the Charlotte Bobcats have beaten the Cavaliers two of three times this season and could be an opening-round opponent. They’ll be competing in collective bargaining talks, owner versus player.
They’ve never been close, although Jordan has never been overly generous with the next generation of NBA icons. He’ll show those players within the Jordan Brand some attention, but his interaction with LeBron and Kobe mostly stems from professional courtesy. Jordan is still protective of his legacy as the greatest player ever, and he’s never been terribly motivated to lend a hand in the overtaking of that.
Around the time James started with his bit about retiring Jordan’s number, Jordan sat with Pat Riley in Miami for a Cavs-Heat game in November. It didn’t go unnoticed to those sitting around them how often James would peer over, searching for some kind of approval from Jordan. He’d make a play and glance over – and it was probably no accident that Jordan offered little to no response. After all, Jordan was there to promote Dwyane Wade(notes) as an endorser to his line of shoes, so James was treated as afterthought.
“He’s always looked for that approval from Michael,” one Jordan associate says, “and I don’t know that he’s ever really gotten it – or ever will.”
So James filed paperwork with the NBA prior to the Wednesday deadline, and should he stay with the Cavaliers he’ll wear his Olympic team No. 6 next season. Should he leave, he can wear whatever he wants. Between now and then, no one else will care much about how many jerseys he sells, about how far he surpasses Bryant on the NBA’s list in 2011.
For all his fascination with global branding, with empire building, peddling jerseys doesn’t move LeBron closer to Jordan and Bryant and Russell. Only championships do.
This time, the Cavs have delivered James the supporting cast to do it. No more excuses. James comes armed for the Lakers now. He comes with his legacy on the line, measured in one indisputable and defining way: Before he beats him in the NBA Store, LeBron James needs to beat Kobe Bryant in the NBA Finals.
source YahooSports
Read more...
Between now and then, James ought to spare us the fantasy that moving from No. 23 to No. 6 is about anyone or anything else.
All about Michael?
This is all about LeBron.
When LeBron James should be most concerned with taking Kobe Bryant’s(notes) NBA title, he’s making a bid for his standing as the No. 1 seller of NBA jerseys. James watched Bryant make the switch from No. 8 to No. 24 and how it moved him to the top of the list. For the past two seasons, James has finished second to Bryant. No more, James decided. Kobe gave him the blueprint for selling out stock, and now LeBron’s embraced it.
Looking back, Bryant never tried to turn his jersey change into some magnanimous gesture. He switched numbers, and that was that. He wanted to sell jerseys, and he did. He never pretended it was a genuflection to anything but commerce.
Somehow, James has boxed himself with this ridiculous story about how no one should ever wear No. 23, and he’s the first to give it up and maybe everyone else should follow him. This was met with a roll of the eyes, with everyone asking: Wait, you’re giving up No. 23 to take … No. 6?
What about Bill Russell and his 11 NBA championships? Jordan, the greatest ever, cleared a path for the worldly basketball star. But Russell was a black star in turbulent Boston in the 1960s. He anchored the greatest dynasty in the sport’s history, and they’ll remember him as the most dominant defensive player to ever live. In the end, James and everyone else understand this has nothing to do with Jordan or Russell, with No. 23 or No. 6. This is business, and he’s insulting everyone’s intelligence suggesting it’s something else.
The idea that James is honoring Jordan is, well, pure mythology. In a lot of ways, LeBron’s working to distance himself from him. Truth be told, they are rivals far more than confidants. With different lines of shoes, they are competing for power within Nike. They’ll be competing in the Eastern Conference, where the Charlotte Bobcats have beaten the Cavaliers two of three times this season and could be an opening-round opponent. They’ll be competing in collective bargaining talks, owner versus player.
They’ve never been close, although Jordan has never been overly generous with the next generation of NBA icons. He’ll show those players within the Jordan Brand some attention, but his interaction with LeBron and Kobe mostly stems from professional courtesy. Jordan is still protective of his legacy as the greatest player ever, and he’s never been terribly motivated to lend a hand in the overtaking of that.
Around the time James started with his bit about retiring Jordan’s number, Jordan sat with Pat Riley in Miami for a Cavs-Heat game in November. It didn’t go unnoticed to those sitting around them how often James would peer over, searching for some kind of approval from Jordan. He’d make a play and glance over – and it was probably no accident that Jordan offered little to no response. After all, Jordan was there to promote Dwyane Wade(notes) as an endorser to his line of shoes, so James was treated as afterthought.
“He’s always looked for that approval from Michael,” one Jordan associate says, “and I don’t know that he’s ever really gotten it – or ever will.”
So James filed paperwork with the NBA prior to the Wednesday deadline, and should he stay with the Cavaliers he’ll wear his Olympic team No. 6 next season. Should he leave, he can wear whatever he wants. Between now and then, no one else will care much about how many jerseys he sells, about how far he surpasses Bryant on the NBA’s list in 2011.
For all his fascination with global branding, with empire building, peddling jerseys doesn’t move LeBron closer to Jordan and Bryant and Russell. Only championships do.
This time, the Cavs have delivered James the supporting cast to do it. No more excuses. James comes armed for the Lakers now. He comes with his legacy on the line, measured in one indisputable and defining way: Before he beats him in the NBA Store, LeBron James needs to beat Kobe Bryant in the NBA Finals.
source YahooSports
Read more...
LeBron James is going to be in a new jersey next year
Labels:
Lebron James,
NBA Jersey,
NBA News
0
comments
After first floating the idea in November, LeBron James will be following through on his plan to honor the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, by changing his uniform number from 23 to 6. The paperwork for the change was filed Monday, just in time to beat the Wednesday deadline.
"I've done it," LeBron told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I already sent it in. I'm going to be No. 6." Now, the league just has to approve the switch, which they will because LeBron's new jersey is sure to be a best-seller, just like when Kobe Bryant switched from 8 to 24 or Andray Blatche from 32 to 7. OK, that last one might not have had jerseys flying off shelves.
While LeBron's tribute is pretty cool, it also seems a little off to me. I'm not going to dispute the greatness of Michael Jordan, but there have been some pretty legendary number 6's in NBA history. Guys you may have heard of like Bill Russell and Julius Erving. And also Bonzi Wells, but that's a different story.
Furthermore, LeBron's new number means he'll need a new symbol from Nike, as his current "Crown" design prominently features the number 23. Perhaps, in another ode to Jordan, James will make his "Dunkman" character his primary logo. Up to this point, "Dunkman" has been featured on his shoes, but usually in out of the way places such as the soles. It'll be interesting to see what happens as LeBron's current logo has appeared on all his clothes, shoes, and even Ohio State's uniforms.
This should also be an encouraging sign to fans of the Cavaliers. Were he planning on leaving, there would be no need to petition the league to wear a new number as he'd be wearing an entirely new jersey anyways. LeBron asking for a number change is a way of saying he's at least considering staying in Cleveland. However, we should also mention that 23 is retired in Miami. Start theorizing about conspiracies.
Considering it's just a guy switching numbers, there's a lot to think about here. So much, in fact, that I can't find a way to fit in a Cedric Ceballos joke. Wait, that just did it.
Source bdl
Read more...
"I've done it," LeBron told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I already sent it in. I'm going to be No. 6." Now, the league just has to approve the switch, which they will because LeBron's new jersey is sure to be a best-seller, just like when Kobe Bryant switched from 8 to 24 or Andray Blatche from 32 to 7. OK, that last one might not have had jerseys flying off shelves.
While LeBron's tribute is pretty cool, it also seems a little off to me. I'm not going to dispute the greatness of Michael Jordan, but there have been some pretty legendary number 6's in NBA history. Guys you may have heard of like Bill Russell and Julius Erving. And also Bonzi Wells, but that's a different story.
Furthermore, LeBron's new number means he'll need a new symbol from Nike, as his current "Crown" design prominently features the number 23. Perhaps, in another ode to Jordan, James will make his "Dunkman" character his primary logo. Up to this point, "Dunkman" has been featured on his shoes, but usually in out of the way places such as the soles. It'll be interesting to see what happens as LeBron's current logo has appeared on all his clothes, shoes, and even Ohio State's uniforms.
This should also be an encouraging sign to fans of the Cavaliers. Were he planning on leaving, there would be no need to petition the league to wear a new number as he'd be wearing an entirely new jersey anyways. LeBron asking for a number change is a way of saying he's at least considering staying in Cleveland. However, we should also mention that 23 is retired in Miami. Start theorizing about conspiracies.
Considering it's just a guy switching numbers, there's a lot to think about here. So much, in fact, that I can't find a way to fit in a Cedric Ceballos joke. Wait, that just did it.
Source bdl
Read more...
Bobcats owner-to-be Jordan takes hands-on approach
Labels:
Michael Jordan,
NBA News
0
comments
One of Michael Jordan’s first acts since reaching a deal to buy the Charlotte Bobcats: losing two games of H-O-R-S-E to guard Gerald Henderson.
A trash-talking Jordan attended the Bobcats’ shootaround Monday morning before their game against Dallas, challenging the rookie Henderson to a shooting competition after the workout.
It may be a sign of a more hands-on approach for Jordan, who agreed late Friday to buy the Bobcats from owner Bob Johnson. Jordan has been a part-owner with the final say on basketball decisions since 2006, but has rarely attended practices.
The former NBA superstar spent time near the end of the workout talking with coach Larry Brown and general manager Rod Higgins. Higgins said Jordan decided against signing guard Larry Hughes, but wouldn’t rule out signing a guard to add depth as they try to reach the playoffs.
While Jordan declined to speak to reporters, he did plenty of talking on the court.
Needling Henderson relentlessly for being from Duke, the North Carolina product kept clanging jumpers off the rim as Henderson quickly won the first shooting game.
But then Jordan, wearing jeans and sneakers, started getting hot. He hit a free throw with his eyes closed to take the lead in the second game.
“What do you think, I just dunked my whole career?” Jordan asked Henderson after making a 3.
Henderson remained stone-faced when Jordan hit another outside jumper.
“You’ve got to miss eventually,” Henderson told him.
“That’s what Cleveland said,” replied Jordan, referring to his last-second shot for Chicago in 1989 to win a playoff series over the Cavaliers.
But Jordan did start missing, and Henderson, who has played little this season, started making shots. Teammate Gerald Wallace even started calling him Kobe Bryant.
“He didn’t want to go a third game,” Henderson said of Jordan. “I don’t know, maybe he’s going to get back in the gym and get off the golf course.”
It was part of a lighthearted atmosphere as Jordan prepares to take control of the money-losing team in his home state. NBA commissioner David Stern indicated the sale could be approved by the end of the month.
“There are no secrets that Michael brought all of us in here in our current capacities,” Higgins said. “I think things now will hopefully keep moving in the right direction.”
Added Henderson: “With him buying the team a few days ago, it brings a different spirit to everything we’re doing. It’s good to have him around.”
Source YahooSports
Read more...
A trash-talking Jordan attended the Bobcats’ shootaround Monday morning before their game against Dallas, challenging the rookie Henderson to a shooting competition after the workout.
It may be a sign of a more hands-on approach for Jordan, who agreed late Friday to buy the Bobcats from owner Bob Johnson. Jordan has been a part-owner with the final say on basketball decisions since 2006, but has rarely attended practices.
The former NBA superstar spent time near the end of the workout talking with coach Larry Brown and general manager Rod Higgins. Higgins said Jordan decided against signing guard Larry Hughes, but wouldn’t rule out signing a guard to add depth as they try to reach the playoffs.
While Jordan declined to speak to reporters, he did plenty of talking on the court.
Needling Henderson relentlessly for being from Duke, the North Carolina product kept clanging jumpers off the rim as Henderson quickly won the first shooting game.
But then Jordan, wearing jeans and sneakers, started getting hot. He hit a free throw with his eyes closed to take the lead in the second game.
“What do you think, I just dunked my whole career?” Jordan asked Henderson after making a 3.
Henderson remained stone-faced when Jordan hit another outside jumper.
“You’ve got to miss eventually,” Henderson told him.
“That’s what Cleveland said,” replied Jordan, referring to his last-second shot for Chicago in 1989 to win a playoff series over the Cavaliers.
But Jordan did start missing, and Henderson, who has played little this season, started making shots. Teammate Gerald Wallace even started calling him Kobe Bryant.
“He didn’t want to go a third game,” Henderson said of Jordan. “I don’t know, maybe he’s going to get back in the gym and get off the golf course.”
It was part of a lighthearted atmosphere as Jordan prepares to take control of the money-losing team in his home state. NBA commissioner David Stern indicated the sale could be approved by the end of the month.
“There are no secrets that Michael brought all of us in here in our current capacities,” Higgins said. “I think things now will hopefully keep moving in the right direction.”
Added Henderson: “With him buying the team a few days ago, it brings a different spirit to everything we’re doing. It’s good to have him around.”
Source YahooSports
Read more...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)