True Colors of LeBron and Kobe Shine Through

For all of the LeBron haters out there, let’s just remember that his team was down 15 when he came into the game with 7 minutes left.
Let’s remember the 3 or 4 UNBELIEVABLE shots he hit to bring his team back into the game.
Let’s remember that Dwyane Wade dropped a laughably easy pass on a breakaway that would have given his team the first lead of the game.
Let’s also remember that Deron Williams nearly air-balled a wide open look that also would have given his team the lead.
BUT…
(And this is a big but…)
Once again, LeBron sprinted away from the moment at the end of the game.
TWICE.
AND…
(And this is a HUGE and…)
Kobe called him out on it.
Kobe Bryant punked out LeBron on national television, and LeBron stood there and took it like the little brother.
If you watch the final few minutes closely, a few things jump out at you.
1. Kobe switched over to guard LeBron at about the 2:00 mark. Interestingly enough, LeBron took ZERO shots in the last two minutes.
Why is this a big deal? Because anybody who watches the NBA knows that at this point, Kobe has absolutely no business guarding LeBron. But there he was, taking up the challenge. And not only was he picking him up, he was pressuring him out on the floor.
And as soon as Kobe stood up to LeBron…The Chosen One started deferring to everybody else.
And yes, LeBron lovers, I understand that Michael Jordan made passes to Paxson and Kerr at the end of games. Simply taking the final shot doesn’t mean you made the right play.
But again, in an All-Star game, the most important things that we learn are about the mental makeup of players. LeBron shrunk from the moment as soon as Kobe began guarding him. Interesting.
2. Secondly, there’s the final two plays that everybody is talking about.
You have heard both angles:
LeBron’s fans blame Deron Williams for missing and Tom Thibedeau for making him pass the ball in.
LeBron’s haters say that LeBron should have shot the ball in both instances and this proves he’s not clutch.
But for me, the most telling thing about both plays is LeBron’s body language.
Watch him as soon as he passes to Deron Williams. He stands there, motionless, basically announcing to the world that his job was done.
“Look, everyone. I made a good pass! It’s on you now, Deron.”
Bad Basketball. Cowardly. Not Clutch. It was all of those things.
Do you remember in 1998 against the Pacers in Game 7 when Jordan couldn’t shoot the ball, so he began attacking the basket at will in order to get to the free throw line? No matter what it took…Jordan was winning that game.
The same thing happened in Game 7 of the NBA Finals two years ago with Kobe. He was a dreadful 6 for 24, but he found other ways to win. He grabbed offensive rebounds, and no matter what would not let his team lose.
Do you think Jordan or Kobe would have chilled near half-court while a three-pointer was headed to the basket with 7 seconds left while his team was trailing?
Not in your life.
But THEN!!!!
The East got the rebound, and Deron Williams frantically got the ball to LeBron as fast as he could.
Here is his moment. The play that the coach called didn’t work. Now it’s time for the great ones to improvise.
6 seconds. Down only two. All the options were in play. He had a one on one with his biggest rival.
And he made a pass that junior highers know is stupid.
But again, watch LeBron’s body language. He dribbled away from the basket. He lazily made a one-handed baseball pass all the way across the court. When it was intercepted, he stood there…defeated.
3. And FINALLY…(and this is a massive finally)…there was the Kobe Jedi Mind Trick.
When LeBron got the ball back from Deron Williams, the whole world saw Kobe get into his grill. He was talking to him. Shouting something. It looked as if he was daring him to shoot the ball. (Come to find out, that’s EXACTLY what was going on).
LeBron shrunk. He turned the ball over. AND KOBE LET HIM HEAR IT.

Kobe Bryant gives LeBron James a piece of his mind after James declined to shoot in the final seconds of Sunday night's All-Star Game in Orlando. (Gary W. Green, Orlando Sentinel via Cleveland.com)
He stood there, defiantly yelling in The Chosen One’s face. ”COME ON MAN!!!! YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST!!! YOU HAVE TO WANT THAT SHOT!!! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PASS IN THAT SITUATION!?!?”
LeBron stood there like a whipped puppy…and took his beating from his master.
Blake missed. Blake made. The East still had a shot.
As LeBron walked out onto the court, Jedi Master Kobe met him. But LeBron kept walking…across the court…all the way to the sideline. And Kobe couldn’t believe it.
The mind tricks started again. ”ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU’RE PASSING IT UP AGAIN? YOU DON’T WANT THIS SHOT? COME ON MAN!!!! I WANT YOU TO TAKE THE SHOT!!! THE WHOLE WORLD WANTS YOU TO TAKE THE SHOT!!! WHY ARE YOU STILL WALKING?!?!?”
It was almost sad, really.
Kobe, the ultimate competitor, just wanted LeBron to take the chance. Really, he just wanted LeBron to WANT the chance. And he refused.
It wasn’t just that LeBron passed on the opportunity…it was the fact that Kobe knew he would and fearlessly called him out on it.
It was very Jordanesque really.
I haven’t seen a mind trick like that since Jordan made fun of Drexler SO MUCH during Dream Team practice that Clyde actually showed up with two left shoes to practice one day and chose to play in them because he didn’t want Jordan to make fun of him for it.
Kobe was STILL the alpha dog. Durant, CP3, Wade, and others were fighting for it. LeBron was just the ref. He threw the ball into the air for everyone else to fight over it. He took himself out of the game.
What Does This Say About LeBron?

Now whether or not you agree with my retelling of the story, let me just ask you this one question:
Would anybody ever have DARED to talk to Jordan like that? Or Kobe? Or Bird?
Good grief…would anybody have ever DARED to talk to Reggie Miller like that?
Have you ever seen a player this great in ANY sport that is SO DISRESPECTED by his peers?
Did DeShawn Stevenson make a shirt for Kobe after whipping them in the playoffs?
No….
And that’s the largest NO of all.

And the reviews just keep coming in......



Let's take a quick vote: What do you think comes easier for LeBron James: getting the ball to go into the basket time and again -- or getting simple concepts through his skull?

Hmm, only four of you are logged into Skype (and only three of you are at least partially clothed), so we can't count this as a scientific poll. But sadly, the end of Sunday night's NBA All-Star Game seems to show us that James is capable of just-good-enough greatness, but still can't make the leap to MJ-greatness.

On paper, James and Kevin Durant made the same contribution for their respective All-Star teams -- each scored 36 points. Yet Durant was crowned MVP, while James was the goat. Not a good goat that eats your moldy garbage for you, either. One of those sports goats that makes you wonder when James will ever get it.

Thanks to James' improbable, freewheeling gift turnover in the final seconds of the East's 152-149 defeat, LeBron is the subject of another round of "He'll never do anything great in crunch time" humiliation.

But imagine: What if LeBron hit a 3-pointer and forced overtime? He had already hit six 3-pointers, and a seventh would have been an All-Star Game record (which, hello, is exactly the sort of stat MVP voters love to take into consideration). That's 39 points on the night. (NOTE TO READERS: Insert golf clap here.)

Then, what if he scored at least four points in OT? That's 43 points, which would have broken Wilt Chamberlain's 50-year-old All-Star Game record. (NOTE TO READERS: Insert rousing standing ovation here.)

It's another prime example of how James is supposedly incapable of performing heroics by himself, how The Chosen One feels compelled to choose other people to do the dirty work of nailing the baskets that count. (NOTE TO READERS: Here's where you BOOOOOOOO!)

But maybe a fake award will boost James' confidence. We hereby declare that the Page 2 NBA All-Star MVP honors will be shared by Durant and James, just as Shaq and Kobe shared the real All-Star MVP award in Phoenix in 2009.

Here's the catch: We won't make two trophies. There can be only one, and whoever wins this year's NBA Finals between the Thunder and Heat gets dibs.

Howard’s moaning irks Magic fans
Last Updated: 3:28 AM, February 28, 2012

Posted: 1:25 AM, February 28, 2012


More Print Peter Vecsey


Meanwhile, back at the trading post, some deals may actually be getting close to finalization and the Lakers are in middle of them. They’re determined to acquire a point guard sooner than two weeks from now. If it’s a multi-player transaction, Pau Gasol will be sacrificed. Should the Magic change their mind about accepting Andrew Bynum for Howard (Pau’s inclusion might do it), Jameer Nelson would almost have to be part of the package unless an above-average ball-handler can be obtained elsewhere.



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That someone could be Ramon Sessions ($4.2 million/$4.5 million). The Lakers are doing some fast talking to the Cavaliers, who are swamped by calls, as are the Kings. Sacramento leads the league in cap room, $9.4 million, whereas Cleveland has $7.1 million. Teams want them to take contracts for draft picks so they can maneuver.

For example, the Raptors are trying to move Leandro Barbosa’s expiring contract ($7.6 million) in hopes of signing restricted free agent Wilson Chandler to a financial arrangement Denver might be reluctant to match. The Nuggets undeniably appreciate Chandler’s on and off-court qualities, but is he good enough to start at small forward? Hence, they’re not forced to go overboard as long as they’re bidding against themselves.


AP
HOWARD’S END: Fans of the Magic are tiring of Dwight Howard’s petulance and many don’t care if he’s traded or exits Orlando via free agency after the season.
The Lakers, also in dire need of a legitimate scoring threat at small forward, have genuine interest in Michael Beasley, but it’s doubtful they’ll use the $8.9 million trade exception (from Lamar Odom being shipped to Dallas) to acquire him because of the increased luxury tax consequences stemming from the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman recently committed to boosting Derrick Williams’ minutes, making Beasley extraneous. Minnesota is pushing hard to relocate his $6.2 million expiring contract and have the Nets and Celtics leaning.

According to suspect reports, Kyle Lowry and Raymond Felton are additional caretakers the Lakers covet. While it can’t be complicated to get the Blazers to give up Felton, who radically regressed this season (10. 2 points, 6.2 assists, 25 percent from three, 37 percent overall), why would L.A. want someone struggling so badly?

Regarding the Rockets, as much as I like Pau, why would you surrender someone having a season of near All-Star proportions (career highs in points, 15.6 and assists, 7.6) along with Luis Scola, who’s almost as good as Gasol and twice as tough?Houston general manager Daryl Morey admittedly made one monster mistake when he waived Jeremy Lin (surely you didn’t think I could write a column without mentioning his name) so I guess he’s certainly capable of making another one … except he repudiates the story.

A strong case could be made the Warriors have the league’s worst starting center and small forward. At the very least, Andris Biedrins and Dorell Wright are in the heart of the discussion. Thankfully, Mark Jackson has Ekpe Udoh and Brandon Rush in reserve. Let us pray you know that’s a joke.

Obviously, Golden State is in the hunt for a big man on infertile plains. Chris Kaman ($12.7 million) might be it. Yes, he can score and rebound in double figures when he’s fit and fully functioning. But it doesn’t make sense to relinquish an asset to rescue a player no other team wants and nobody likes to play with.

At least nobody wanted Kaman until Mike Dunleavy’s group became the favorite to buy the Hornets. If you recall, the former Clippers coach/president was the one who drafted the 7-footer and re-signed him for major money. In that case, the Warriors might luck out.

There are renewed rumblings about the Warriors possibly getting Brook Lopez from the Nets in a multi-team deal involving Howard. That would cost them big time, though; Monta Ellis would be part of the Magic’s compensation.

Seems to me Dwyane Wade earned a one-game suspension for breaking Kobe Bryant’s nose in the All-Star Game. In essence, he said his hard foul was payback for Bryant fouling him twice. “I didn’t try to draw blood,” Wade said, “but he’s still ahead by one.” Case closed.

This just in from a Texas source, who’s hearing Odom is trying to get a buyout. “Don’t be surprised if the Mavs oblige. He’s just not happy in Dallas. Maybe his wife is making him.”

peter.vecsey@nypost.com



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I picked up some tickets (great seats) to see the Cavs in Denver next week. I'm working in Taos but I'll be on days off and I still live up in Co. for now. I'm looking forward to seeing these guys, I hope they bring their A game to Denver.

I cover the New York Giants for CBSsports.com in my other life. It’s not something I like to discuss on HOOPSWORLD because I don’t want to give the impression that I’m more focused on one sport more than the other (writing in the first person in any circumstance is uncomfortable, actually) and there are rarely moments when the two sports intersect. However, upon seeing Cleveland Cavaliers rookie forward Tristan Thompson, I couldn’t help but think of my first impressions of Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.

The 6-5, 278-pound terror registered 16.5 sacks en route to a Super Bowl title in 2011, but as an unpolished rookie in 2010, he was just giving glimpses of his ability. That’s because, in spite of his overwhelming athletic gifts, Pierre-Paul was still learning how to fit into a scheme. His arms were exceedingly long for his height; he was faster off the ball than any player unfortunate enough to try and block him; but for all of these advantages, Pierre-Paul was never dominant.

And then, suddenly, he was.

Thompson’s body, while longer, holds many of the same characteristics as Pierre-Paul’s. At 6-9, his 7-1 wingspan makes him look like a pterodactyl. Thompson is among the most-athletic players at his size, thanks to his 35-inch max vertical. He can run, bang and out-reach with the best of them, but for right now, Thompson is still just a bit player getting less than 20 MPG on a sub-.500 team. The tools, which were questioned when the Cavs chose Thompson above highly rated center Jonas Valanciunas, are there. It’s just a matter of whether Thompson can undergo a similar transformation that Pierre-Paul did prior to the 2011 season.

In short, Thompson is waiting to go from athlete to basketball player.

“I went to Texas so I definitely look up to LeMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Garnett and Amar’e Stoudemire even,” Thompson told HOOPSWORLD when asked whose game he hopes to emulate. “Those guys get up and down the floor so looking at those guys’ games and trying to steal a couple things from them is always beneficial for me.”

So what if the comparisons seem farfetched? Thompson has the same tools of a young Garnett, Aldridge or Stoudemire. And while it’s unlikely he’ll ever develop the mid-range jumper that Aldridge and Garnett have in their arsenal or Stoudemire’s ability to play the high pick and roll, Thompson is beginning to show glimmers of an offensive game.

The left-hander can score a baby-hook shot with either arm and promises to clean up more around the rim as his playing time increases. He’ll never be a jump shooter, so that’s an area he’d do well to ignore completely (). Thompson’s best offensive attribute is his ability to run the floor and when a team has a young point guard like Kyrie Irving, that’s a tremendous attribute.

“Whenever you’re on a fast break you’re putting pressure on the other team’s defense so I think any team out running on the fast (break) is deadly so the more we get out and get some fast break opportunities makes it easier on us,” he said.

Anderson Varejao’s wrist injury has pushed Thompson into more minutes off the bench over the last nine games and Thompson has responded by averaging 7.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG and 1.4 BPG in just 23.2 MPG.

“They were a great stretch for me,” Thompson said of his recent string of games. “I’m so fortunate Andy’s down right now, so guys like myself, Semih (Erden) and Samardo (Samuels) have to step up so just coming in and playing hard and just giving our team an extra spark off the bench.”

He’s still shooting poorly from the field (41.5% over that span) and struggling from the line (45.6% for the season), but the simple act of recognizing his strengths and weaknesses could turn him into a double-double machine. The fact that Thompson is attempting just 6.8 field goals per game while averaging nearly three free throws is an indication that his athleticism forces opponents to foul him. When he’s setting for jumpers (even if they’re in the paint) Thompson isn’t putting that pressure on defenses. When he’s moving toward the hoop, however, Thompson turns into Dwight Howard—foul him, or else.

“Just doing what coach wants us to do,” Thompson said when asked why he’s focused on moving toward the hoop. “For bigs, definitely screening and rolling hard and (putting) pressure on the defense when we roll to the rim, so I’m going to continue doing that and it’s working out pretty well for us.”

Getting a big man’s momentum flowing toward the hoop is largely the responsibility of the point guard. A good one can hit his picker in stride on his way to the basket, and that’s exactly what Thompson has in Irving.

“He’s a point guard, likes to get up and down and I’m a big that likes to run, a hybrid so setting screens, rolling lobs, that’s all stuff, I like doing so we compliment each other pretty well,” Thompson said.

“He makes it a little easier,” Thompson said when asked what it’s like sharing his rookie experience with Irving. “You have someone that’s going through the same thing as you, another rookie. It’s just fortunate that we’re both high picks so, but if he was one and I was seventeen it’s still the same thing. We go through the same things. The whole transition and what not, so it’s good to have someone else there with you that’s experiencing the same thing.”

Of course, Irving arrived to the NBA as a much more polished player despite having only 11 collegiate games under his belt. Thompson needs to make much greater strides to capitalize on his skill set. But just as in the case of Pierre-Paul, when that does happen, the effect will be sudden and positively lethal to opponents.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-pm-cav...medium=twitter

J.J. Hickson - F/C - Kings

The Kings are reportedly "trying with all their might" to trade J.J. Hickson before the March 15 deadline, though no deals are imminent.q
This is being reported by multiple news outlets, as Sacramento apparently isn't happy with Hickson's progress, or lack thereof, since they traded Omri Casspi to acquire him. If they do find a taker for Hickson, expect Jason Thompson and Chuck Hayes to each pick up extra playing time.

Source: ESPN.com Mar 2 - 3:53 PM

JJ for Omri was a deal that didn't do much for either team. Casspi is ok for 20 minutes a game on a nonplayoff team. Will he help out in the long run?

Great trade for the Cavs. Got rid of Hickson.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It was Clint Eastwood in the movie "Magnum Force," who introduced the phrase, "A man's got to know his limitations" into the pop culture lexicon.
It's a philosophy Tristan Thompson is embracing during his rookie season on the offensive end. The power forward averages 7.1 points per game, mostly on dunks, offensive-rebound conversions and the occasional baby hook. He rarely strays beyond five feet of the rim when shooting.
"I know what the team needs me to do and as of right now a big thing is not shooting a 15 footer," Thompson said.
But come off-season, the coaching staff wants to expand Thompson's offensive game and it plans to enlist the help of former Cavs All-Star Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Coach Byron Scott confirmed that Ilgauskas, named a special assistant to General Manager Chris Grant in January, will take part in training camp next season and work with the team's big men. Ilgauskas was not only good around the basket, but shot a solid mid-range jumper.
"He's a two-time All-Star," Thompson said. "He has been a great pro, he's been great for the city. In terms of knowing basketball, he's a great guy to look up to and learn from."
The Cavs will address their paucity of offensive options in the draft and possibly through trades. But Scott believes Thompson and Alonzo Gee are two players on the current roster who can be developed. Gee has made progress in his second season on his perimeter game. Scott wants the swingman to contribute some offense from the low block next season.
Thompson, the No. 4 overall pick, has shown promise as a defender, rebounder and shot blocker. His offensive game remains raw. While coaches work every practice with Thompson, Scott said specific points of emphasis will be drawn up for the summer. Due to the lockout, coaches had little contact with Thompson after he was drafted on June 23, 2011.
Thompson, who's shooting 42.6 percent from the floor, had an opportunity to train with San Antonio power forward Tim Duncan during the labor stoppage. They not only scrimmaged, Thompson said, but the future Hall of Famer offered some instruction on low-post play.
The Cavaliers rookie is confident he can add a mid-range and face-up jumper to his repertoire.
"I'm gifted athletically," Thompson said. "I don't want to toot my own horn, but if I'm able to turn and face and be a threat facing up with a jump shot, then it makes our team better."
Thompson shoots plenty of 15 footers in practice, he said, but is not comfortable enough to try them in games.
Irving bypasses Olympics: Kyrie Irving said Monday night he will not play for Australia in the Summer Olympics in London. Instead, he will stay with Team USA in hopes of making the 2016 American’ Olympic team.
Irving said he received confirmation that Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski -- for whom he played last season -- would be back to coach the Americans in four more years.
“It was the right decision,” Irving said. “I found out Coach K would be coaching in 2016. It made my decision so much easier to play for my coach again. That was the deciding factor.”
It was never clear whether Irving, who maintains dual citizenship, could have been cleared to play for Australia. He already had represented the Americans in junior competition and would have needed approval from FIBA. He will participate with the U.S. Select Team and should be a solid candidate for the 2016 team.
More Thompson: Scott has made an adjustment to the rookie's stance at the foul line where Thompson is shooting 46.4 percent. Thompson is now lining up just slightly left of the center at the line. He is 3-of-5 since making the switch.
Varejao update: Scott said center Anderson Varejao will have his fractured right wrist re-examined this week to determine when he might return. He suffered the injury on Feb. 10.
Varejao said Monday night his wrist feels much better, but that he still cannot grip a basketball in his right hand.

I just got home after watching the Cavs beat the Nuggets in a squeaker,100-99. I took my wife, and we had great seats that we paid half face value for 8 rows up above center court behind the team benches.

Kyrie was clutch at the end, after the Nuggets pretty much put the clamps on him for much of the game. Somehow when it came to crunch time he always had the ball in his hands, he found ways to get to the rim, and he converted when he got there. He had a hard time keeping up with Ty Lawson, who seemed a good bit quicker. Kyrie has a nice mix of size and agility even though he isn't the quickest guy out there. He seems to think his way into being in the right place at the right time, he zigs when the guy guarding him zags and once he gets a step he knows what to do around the rim.

Tristan Thomas got schooled some by guys like Harrington, Nene, and even Anderson, all of them made some nice veteran post moves on him at one time or another. But he plays hard and with athleticism. I do think he'll be a good one once he gets a few years of experience under his belt.

Jamison owned the Nuggets for much of the game, and it was easy to see why the Cavs wanted to keep him around. The Nuggets simply had no-one who could guard him. The Cavs would have gotten stomped if it weren't for his offense and veteran presence.

Gee was very impressive as well. Extremely explosive and athletic, nice outside shot, good defender, he brings the whole package to the table. I can see why Scott likes him.

Hollins plays hard but he just doesn't have the lower body strength to handle the likes of Nene or Harrington. Between him and Samuels (who sucks) it's amazing the Cavs were able to pull out a win on the road. If Varejao could have played I think the Cavs would have beaten the Nuggets fairly easily.

Nene, Lawson and Harrington are all top shelf players, and the Nuggets have some other nice young players. Bird Anderson is fun to watch, and he is a true veteran presence on the floor.

All in all a great time, and looking back it's just hard to believe the Cas somehow pulled out a win.

Gee seems to be a very nice addition. Scott tried to keep him out of the starting lineup so the second team would not be a dramatic dropoff from the first line. I see in the box score from last night that Gee's +/- was +20 while Casspi's was -19. Is Casspi really that bad or was his line due to the whole very weak second five?

Brian Windhorst ‏ @WindhorstESPN

Kyrie Irving has played 33 games. He's won 3 of them with late game-winners. He turns 20 in 2 weeks.

civ ollilavad wrote:Gee seems to be a very nice addition. Scott tried to keep him out of the starting lineup so the second team would not be a dramatic dropoff from the first line. I see in the box score from last night that Gee's +/- was +20 while Casspi's was -19. Is Casspi really that bad or was his line due to the whole very weak second five?

You're right about the second 5, there was a noticeable drop-off when they were on the floor. Sessions did little to impress last night. Gibson actually played fairly well in his minutes. As I said, Samuels sucked.

As for Casspi, he showed just a few flashes here and there. But for the most part not much. He was like a poor man's Gallinari, and that is pretty weak as Gallinari didn't do jack squat either. He got lost in the mix and on defense he got rubbed or picked off his man a lot. He did stroke maybe one nice 3 pointer, that's about the only good thing I can remember.

All game long it really seemed like Denver had us out-manned with talent and depth. But as I said, they had absolutely no answer for Jamison and he had his way most of the night. Him, Gee and Irving pretty much carried the team.

And I think Scott's coaching had quite a bit to do with their success as well.

Glad you got to see a great game, Mt.Fan!

Gee's dunk over two Nuggets was awesome. If any of you missed it go find the highlights of the game. Worth a couple minutes of your time.