Ballin’: LeBron is Freewheelin’
NBA January 31st. 2008, 10:42am
Golden State 116, New Orleans 103: You knew with all the pub the Hornets were getting lately, that they were due for a loss, even if this one came at home, against a team that had lost the night before in Houston. Baron Davis led the Warriors’ offensive orgy (52 percent shooting, 13 three’s) with 23 points and nine assists. Chris Paul had 28 points and 12 assists. Biedrins!
Cleveland 84, Portland 83: LeBron was absolutely magnificent, outscoring the Blazers in the fourth quarter and converting the game-winning basket with less than a second left (on a filthy reverse layup) to cap another amazing night. The Cavs trailed by 11 with four minutes left and then James nailed three straight triples. He scored 37 points, and no other Cavs hit double figures. If he’s not there already, give him another year – a taller, stronger version of Michael Jordan.
Utah 100, New York 89: The Knicks haven’t been pushovers on this road trip so far, but they also haven’t won (0-3). We probably should have gone with the Clippers home win in which rookie Al Thornton scored a career-high 33 points, but we wanted to remind you: Zach Randolph returns home to Portland Friday. Big fun!
Minnesota 83, Chicago 67: This has to be a new low for the Bulls, which is stunning, considering the T-Wolves scored a mere eight points in the first quarter and Joakim Noah just went out for American Idol. They could not contain that fierce tandem of Al Jefferson (26-20) and Ryan Gomes (25-10). First the Bears, and now this abortion? Rough year in Chicago sports.
Orlando 107, Miami 91: A new streak of futility begins for the Heat – consecutive loses by 15 or more. Hedo had 27-12 and Dwight had 16-13 in the rout.
74 Responses to “Ballin’: LeBron is Freewheelin’”
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January 31st, 2008 at 10:46 am
TBL: The Knicks haven’t been pushovers on this road trip so far
I guess continually losing by double digits isn’t be a push over.
Glad you didn’t include that Wizards game, they played dead last night, no Caron Butler but still, everyone still think they should trade Gilbert? With Gil the Wiz wouldn’t be losing by 30+ points on the road like they have been.
Also, please don’t compare LeBron to Michael Jordan, maybe in a few years, but not yet.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:48 am
He may not be Jordan yet, but the man has to be looked at as one of the best players in recent history.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:48 am
please stop with the comparison of Lebron to Michael. I can see the comparison of Kobe to Michael: but i think your better of comparing Lebron to Kobe. A stronger, taller Kobe but lebron still doesnt play defense. i just think you need at least a couple rings for an argument.
not much to brag about with the Magic. They beat the worst team in the league. But Dwight is in the slam dunk contest and should win. Kiss the rim dunk is going to be better than the sticker at the top of the backboard last year
January 31st, 2008 at 10:48 am
I’ll never look at that Dylan album cover again without thinking of Vanilla Sky.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:50 am
I think after the 5th time of watching Vanilla Sky on cable I finally understood what the fuck was going on.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:50 am
he is the best player in the nba hands down…sunday and last night are 2 recent examples
January 31st, 2008 at 10:51 am
Probably the last really good Cruise movie. Too bad the Thetans went bad for Joel Goodson.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:52 am
mavs vs celts tonight as a championship series preview……..who ya got???
January 31st, 2008 at 10:54 am
i agree that the lebron-mj talk is ridiculous at this point, but the kid is 23 years old and already looks unstoppable. his 4th quarter scoring is unreal.
the cavs had NO business winning that game last night.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:55 am
irish…lebron doesnt play defense? have you watched a cavs game this year?
January 31st, 2008 at 10:56 am
Michael at 23 lost in the first round of the playoffs. MJ won his first Championship at 27 years old. MJ had an all star and all nba defender playing along aside him when he won.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:57 am
Look if LeBron wins 6 championships in ten years (two of which he is out of the league for gambling… alledgedly) then you can say he is THE SAME as MJ, not even better. Until then, this argument is just not based in reality. LeBron has not won a single championship. He has loads of talent, sure, but he is one Livingston monent away from being Bo Jackson… God forbid, but let us not forget Bo.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:57 am
People are always saying “talk to me after 6 rings, bla bla”, dude is 23, Jordan didn’t have a ring until he was like 28. If you can’t see that this guy is going to rule the world for the next 10-15 years then you’re blind. His shot is finally coming around, he plays better D than he gets credit for. He’s freaking toying with people…and hes 23.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:58 am
not to his potential spencer. its hard to miss a fucking cavs game every night on tnt or espn.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:59 am
Best player in the NBA right now, I don’t think I would argue with anymore, the way he can take over a game is amazing. I didn’t watch the game closely but every time I checked the Cavs were down 8 or 10 and then all of the sudden I turn it and they are down 2, so I watched the rest.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:01 am
Thanks COOP for being a VOR.
People were saying about Michael when he was 23 avg 37 5 5 how he would never win like Magic.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:02 am
irish…i wasnt trying to be a dick. anyways, the cavs arent on natl tv that often. at least not compared to the lakers or heat.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:03 am
i know spencer i know how you love your boy
January 31st, 2008 at 11:03 am
So glad people are talking about Vanilla Sky – one of the most underrated movies of the last 10 years. It is a polarizing flick, but it totally rocks. I know Cruise is a douche, but the movie rocks. I just wasted 10 minutes searching You Tube for a great clip but since it’s a remake, the best ones are foreign.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:05 am
just link up what Cameron diaz said about swallowing. That should be enough
January 31st, 2008 at 11:10 am
I will argue with the Lebron vs. MJ comparisons from a different angle, in that they are just different players. They are both amazing, but Lebron is his own player. He has his own unique abilities that aren’t directly comparable to MJ. He is more physically overpowering and athletic (maybe the most of any athlete the NBA has ever had), is unstoppable going towards the basket, is incredibly quick, makes great passes, is a great rebounder, etc. From a success perspective, maybe you can compare the two, but in regards to them as a player, I think they are both too different for that. Kobe is more of an MJ type player than is Lebron. Lebron is almost incomparable to anyone else. He is redefining the position. Now his success down the road remains to be seen….
January 31st, 2008 at 11:10 am
In re Vanilla Sky- what is the line you yell when you need assistance?
January 31st, 2008 at 11:11 am
And Penelope Cruz was in the original as well, titled “Abre los Oyos.” Open Your Eyes.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:12 am
Tech support!
January 31st, 2008 at 11:13 am
That’s it!!!!!!!!
January 31st, 2008 at 11:14 am
No talk of Philly absolutely demoralizing Milwaukee? Granted, neither team is playing for much, but Philly castrated the Bucks last night.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:15 am
The LeBron/MJ comparisons make me think that those people never really watched MJ play. There will never be anybody close to MJ, ever again. Never.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:16 am
Yeah, it’s dumb to compare anyone to MJ, and tired, also. But LeBron can get to the hoop like no other, he’s grown into his jumper, and clearly, he has cultivated that nasty finishing streak that Jordan had.
The key is he’s got 2 inches and what, 25 lbs on MJ? Because of that, he already has the post-up game. He’s got shit for teammates, yet dragged them to the finals last year.
It’ll be difficult to deny this comparison if he gets to the finals again, EVEN if they lose to Phoenix/SA/whomever. Because right now, NOBODY expects him to get past Boston/Detroit.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:16 am
philly is about to get castrated friday at home playing the best road team in the NBA
January 31st, 2008 at 11:19 am
The only valid point in any comparison between MJ and LeBron is that they have similar career paths.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:19 am
Sean Jean, can’t be said any better.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:21 am
actually philly is playing the FIFTH best road team in the NBA.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:24 am
“Grown into his jumper”, and by that you mean a horrible three point shooter, right? MJ always made clutch shots (not game winning lay-ups) and was pretty much money from the free-throw line. No comparision.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:24 am
mmmmustard thanks for the correction. first to fifth in less than a week huh
January 31st, 2008 at 11:27 am
no problem irish. its amazing what you can find out by looking at the stats. ha
January 31st, 2008 at 11:27 am
you would think i would no every magic stat. im slacking
January 31st, 2008 at 11:28 am
way off topic, but has anyone noticed that mjd has been at yahoo? they dont seem to be using him very well.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:29 am
does anyone else think he spends maybe three more years with the cavs? i just dont see the nba letting a marquee player play in a small market
January 31st, 2008 at 11:34 am
i think that all depends on the cavs front office and their ability to get some players around him. the end of next season the cavs have a lot of money available so we will see…
January 31st, 2008 at 11:36 am
As a Blazer fan, last night’s game makes me very excited to get Oden back next year. We still don’t have a great perimeter defender, but it would be nice to have some bulk in the middle besides Przybilla.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:36 am
What is the NBA going to do about it? Lebron either chooses to stay or he doesn’t. Everyone talked about him not signing after his rookie deal was up. The decision is totally Lebrons.
Instead of patting the Knicks on the back for not being pushovers maybe TBL could mention that Utah, winners of 10 of 11 are the hottest team in basketball.
I wondered when the Jazz (remember they were in the WCFs last year) were going to wake up.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:38 am
i wouldnt put it past stern to put a gun to his head and tell him to move to a big city
January 31st, 2008 at 11:39 am
Work meeting but totally agree with Irish, the Cameron Diaz line is classic in that movie.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:40 am
there isnt some NBA conspiracy that says LBJ will play in la, chicago, or ny
January 31st, 2008 at 11:41 am
Well if that is the case can someone tell irish that Orlando is not a “big” city.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:42 am
But it has all those theme parks
January 31st, 2008 at 11:43 am
i doubt the knicks would be able to afford him anytime in the next six years with all their contracts, if somehow he ended up there it wouldnt be by anything other than conspiracy.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:44 am
And the guy who screwed Cruise over in that movie was…Earl!
January 31st, 2008 at 11:46 am
cool_rick is that peter boyle as lazlo or am i blind?
January 31st, 2008 at 11:46 am
Thanks for pointing out how terrible it has been to be a Chicago sports fan this year. However, at least we aren’t Miami.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:47 am
It does cool rick but the Magic shot was probably when Lebron signed his last contract when he was still interested in roller coasters and Mickey Mouse.
Based on how he chooses to drive Lebron will probably sign with a club team in Germany.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:47 am
Mr. Lazlow indeed. And yes it is Peter Boyle. Aside from the Karate Kid, it is the best movie ever made.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:48 am
clutch avatar, clutch.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:48 am
And, regarding Lebron, I don’t believe there’s any conspiracy…but I’m guessing LBJ needs to be in one of the major markets if he’s to move into the next level (i.e., MJ-land) for endorsements. Then again, Peyton Manning is on my TV every five minutes and he plays in Indy.
Regardless, it would suck to see Cleveland fans tortured yet again.
This coming from A) a Pittsburgher, and, B) someone who could care less about the NBA.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:50 am
i honestly dont think there is a conspiracy but i do think it would be for the nba’s benefit if he werent playing in cleveland when hes 28 unless they bring in another legitimate superstar
(could NOT care less people, come on
, sorry pet peave)
January 31st, 2008 at 11:57 am
(could NOT care less people, come on
, sorry pet peave)
January 31st, 2008 at 12:06 pm
But how is Cleveland going to “bring in” another superstar? They don’t have the assets to make a big move and Cleveland is not exactly a top destination.
The other problem is that they are going to have trouble developing a second superstar unless they get lucky in the draft with a big man. Lebron dominates the ball too much (not that he shouldn’t) for anyone else to be able to do enough to be regarded as a superstar.
This is a problem I see with them getting Kidd. Kidd is going to have the ball and that is going to take away from Lebron. Is Lebron’s game coming off picks and the such? No. And is Kidd’s game standing in the corner popping 3s? NO!
January 31st, 2008 at 12:07 pm
From your Knicks love as of late, I’m assuming you all are in the running for that open PR manager gig?
January 31st, 2008 at 12:10 pm
god damn meetings…anyways, yea, cleveland is a pretty small market, but at this point, what does it matter? everything is easily available and the world is shrinking rapidly so, really, market size isnt that big of an issue, at least in my opinion.
that said, if there really are clauses in his nike contract saying that he’ll be paid a shit-ton more if hes in NY, LA or Chi, then that changes everything.
personally, i just hope he stays and realizes that he has enough money that his family will never have to work ever. itd be sweet for him to stay in cleveland, but i realize that what i said above is just wishful thinking. he’s as good as gone, and i cant really hate him for it.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:10 pm
would have to be through the draft, its not like teams havent gotten lucky before. if they cant find a legit big man in the next five years through the draft thats not good. i just dont see any team with sideshow bob as one of their big guys being a contender to anyone in the west. i agree that kidd would be a bad fit (personally not to big on him in the first place)
January 31st, 2008 at 12:15 pm
i dont think varejao is the problem, its more that drew gooden is an absolute retard.
eh, $30 mil will come off the books soon enough and then the next year, LH’s atrocious anchor-weighted contract will be gone so who knows, maybe the cavs can get lucky.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
plus, Ilgauskas is what, 32 or 33? hes got probably four or five years left so theyre definitely going to have to replace him, and unless dwayne jones somehow becomes a big time center, i think theyre going to have to go elsewhere
January 31st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
11mil a year combined between donyell marshall and eric snow isnt helping either. they do have alot of older guys so if they build young they could get a lot better who knows.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
all i know is, if danny ferry fucks this one up, he’s gonna have a hard time showing his face in cleveland.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:34 pm
@spencer – You wouldn’t be just a little pissed at LBJ if he bolted town? Much as I would love to see Terrelle Pryor stay in town and play for Pitt, I get that he’d be crazy not to go to one of the major programs (or even Michigan!). But, with Lebron…he’s a Cleveland (Northern Ohio) boy who already has more $ in the bank than he–or the next 10 generations of Lebrons could ever need. Unless the Cavs would go the way of the Clippers (I assume they still suck, as they have my whole lifetime), why on Earth would he need to leave his hometown?
January 31st, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I’m amazed at Irish’s statement that LeBron doesn’t play defense to his potential. With that kind of eye Irish, how are you not an assistant coach or scout? I mean if you see some blatant defect in LeBron’s defense that is so fixable…
January 31st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
412…eh, we’ve had practice at our stars leaving. the last cleveland athlete i was legitimately pissed off after their departure was manny ramirez. i was actually happy for jim thome (at the time, i thought he deserved a chance to win).
would i be pissed if lebrizzy left? no, id be more upset than anything. as lame as the bandwagon fans have been, the real sports fans here are desperate for ANYTHING. the scene after the cavs clinched the finals was one of the greatest experiences of my life and, without lebron, its just not happening.
he has no NEED to leave, but im a year older than he is, and FAR FAR FAR FAR less financially successful and i desperately want to get out of cleveland, so i assume he feels the same way. why would a guy with the world at his fingertips languish away in a depressed steel town when he could do anything anywhere?
im realisitic. i realize that LBJ, kellen winslow, braylon edwards, CC and grady sizemore are all about as good as gone. its the story of cleveland sports and im pretty conditioned to it by now. so ill just enjoy the current era, and if they leave, so be it.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
spencer, we have a better chance hanging on to the nfl players due to the salary cap…but cc and grady, and also eventually pronk and vic are goners….i hate baseball for that reason
i also am one who thinks that LBJ will resign here again
January 31st, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I was flabbergasted over the new Nike Lebron New York tribute shoes. If I were a Cavs fan, I would be pissed. What a slap in the face to the city of Cleveland.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Like this?
January 31st, 2008 at 2:04 pm
MJ always made clutch shots (not game winning lay-ups) and was pretty much money from the free-throw line. No comparision.
@Cool_rick: No offense, but that’s honestly one of the dumbest things I have ever read. Lebron is the most physically-gifted player the game has ever seen, and you’re implying that because he uses those gifts to blow by people and get EASY AS FUCK game winning layups, we should devalue his accomplishments? At Jordan’s peak as a shooter, he was 53-54%, which is amazingly good, no question about it. He didn’t suddenly become a magical jump shooter in the clutch. He was the same shooter. Don’t you think he would have much rather gone to the rim and stuffed it or made an easy lay-in? Why should Lebron, at this point in his career, even fucking consider adding a degree of difficult to his shots? A game winning shot is a game winning shot is a game winning shot, and we’ve seen Lebron have easy as hell game winning layups or dunks quite a few times in the playoffs (versus Washington twice, Detroit once) and multiple times in the regular season. If he can get to the rim where he’s like an 85-90% shooter, how can you rip him for not settling for 18-20 footers? That is incomprehensibly stupid.
Damn, I hate missing a good LBJ conversation. Fucking meetings.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Nick P…with lebron, its all about what people want. he’ll win a game on a last second shot, BUT, it wasnt a twisting 18-foot jumper. he’ll force kobe to go 1-6 in the 4th quarter, BUT, he could still be a better defender. he’ll take over games completely in the 4th quarter, BUT, hes still not clutch.
January 31st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Anyone else think LeBron traveled on that game-winner? Me and the NBA Rule book do…
(Just trying to piss Nick off)
January 31st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
You know, I’m obviously a Pistons fan, but it’s actually painful to watch the Bulls.
OK. I couldn’t event type that with a straight face. I LOVE IT! But I’m also pretty relieved that they won’t make the playoffs, especially in the 7th seed, since they’ve had our number all season.