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Here’s the 15-minute interview my girl, Rachel Nichols of ESPN, did with LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade after James and Bosh decided to join Wade in Miami to play for the Heat.
On the eve of two-time NBA MVP LeBron James being able to declare himself a free agent July 1, I asked basketball fans in Erie one simple question Tuesday.
Should James stay in Cleveland with the Cavaliers or go elsewhere?
Here’s what they said.
He's not considered the game's top player today, but Kobe Bryant is hearing "MVP" chants during the playoffs. He's seven wins away from winning his fifth championship ring.
Although Kobe Bryant is only 31 years old, he’s a 13-year veteran and has played in 1021 regular-season games, 186 playoff games.
So he’s not an old man, but after the wear and tear of playing that many games not including his run with Team USA for the 2008 Summer Olympics, Bryant is no longer a young pup with no facial hair, either.
However, Bryant looked like the man teams hate to see come playoff time in putting up 40 points for the Los Angels Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
The Lakers won, 128-107. Game 2 is Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Dwight Howard and the Magic the only team to sweep a first round series this season.
With only one more first round series remaining (Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference ) a conference semifinal series beginning tonight (Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference) , let’s look at see how I fared in my opening round NBA playoff predictions.
Eastern Conference
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Chicago Bulls
Series result: Cavaliers win series, 4-1
Rankin prediction: Cavaliers, 4-1
Final word: Bulls just didn’t have enough to overtake LeBron James and the top-seeded Cavs.
(2) Orlando Magic vs. (7) Charlotte Bobcats
Series result: Magic win series, 4-0
Rankin prediction: Magic, 4-2
Final word: Even with Dwight Howard a non factor offensively, Orlando was good enough to sweep the Bobcats.
“He probably started this season maybe the fourth, third, fifth best point guard in the league, but right now, he’s definitely in the top one or two best point guards this season.” – LeBron James talking about Derrick Rose after Tuesday’s Game 5.
The Chicago Bulls have one of the game's most dynamic talents in point guard Derrick Rose.
The NBA playoffs are planting a seed in Derrick Rose that’s going to grow into something the league won’t be able to contain.
Having now been bounced from the postseason in his first two years in the NBA, Rose is going to reach a point when enough is enough.
When that time comes, look out.
“These are things that you just learn from,” said Rose, who averaged 26.2 points and 7.2 assists against the Cavaliers in the playoffs. Cleveland won the Eastern Conference first round series, 4-1. “And if I get put in that situation again, I’ll know what to do.”
Overall, I wasn’t impressed.
Maybe because I put so much faith in the Slam Dunk Contest, but NBA All-Star Weekend wasn’t all that this year. Especially the Slam Dunk Contest.
Shannon Brown let me down. Big time.
Now just because it all took place in the new ginormous Cowboys Stadium with the Hulk-Size HD Flat Screen doesn’t make it the greatest show on earth. However, having 109,000 people – the largest crowd ever to watch a basketball game – at Sunday’s All-Star game was impressive.
I know. I sound like a hater.
I’m not. Just wanted more.
Kobe Bryant called it luck.
True, but when you fade to the left and hit a straight-on 3-pointer off the glass at the buzzer over Dwyane Wade to give your team a 108-107 win over the Miami Heat to complete a 17-point fourth quarter, that’s greatness as well.
The Black Mamba is still the best player in the NBA. Not LeBron. Not Melo. Not D-Wade.
Kobe. Period.
Instead of NYC, columnist Sam Smith believes LeBron may join Kobe Bryant in L.A.
With the Cleveland Cavaliers playing at the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden tonight on ESPN (8 p.m.), it gives reason to discuss the possibility of LeBron James playing for the Knicks or the New Jersey Nets after this season.
James will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. Just for argument sake, check out Sam Smith’s column on the idea that James may head to Los Angeles to join Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.
Now, the question isn’t will or will he not go. It’s more of should he go.
My take?
According to news reports, LeBron James will claim his first NBA MVP award.
LeBron James will be named the 2009 NBA MVP later today, several news services have reported.
No surprise here. The NBA has announced a press conference for today at 4 p.m. at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio where James went to high school.
In a three-man race for the honor, James, who is in his sixth season, had a better year than Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade and the Cleveland Cavaliers finished the regular season with the NBA’s best record at 66-16.
James averaged 28.4 points, 7.6. rebounds and 7.2 assists. James also finished second behind Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard for league defensive player of the year honors this season.
Now can he finish this thing off and lead the Cavaliers to an NBA title this year?
Just remember this?
When Karl Malone, Charles Barkley and other guys won the MVP award, it inspired that guy named Michael Jordan. So when Jordan faced Barkley and Malone in the NBA Finals, he crushed them.
Don’t think Bryant wouldn’t relish in that same situation if he and James meet in the finals this year.
Just keep that in mind.
Will D-Wade will Miami to a Game 7 triumph?
Miami. Atlanta.
Who will take it?
The Heat have the best player in the series in superstar Dwyane Wade, but the Hawks will play Sunday’s Game 7 at home. D-Wade has been having back spasm problems, but he scored 41 points in Game 6.
Miami is coming off a blowout win in Game 6, but the last time it played in Atlanta, it got roasted by the Hawks.
The winner will face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals beginning Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena.
