February 6
Akron Beacon Journal
columnist George M. Thomas
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Who is LeBron James most like? Is he another Michael Jordan? Or Magic Johnson? Or Oscar Robertson? Those questions have been around James for nearly 10 years. In the first 36 days of 2010, it's clear that James might be a bit of each of those players. He earned the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Month on Wednesday for the third consecutive month. If you go back to the final two months of the 2008-09 season, he has won the award five months in a row. In January, James averaged 30.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.5 assists. Stellar numbers, no doubt, but it's the way he produced those statistics that has some bringing back these comparisons. With the Cavs missing guards Mo Williams and ..."
February 5
Cleveland Plain Dealer
columnist Bill Livingston
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Asked why he guarded Dwyane Wade at the end of their classic showdown a week-and a half ago, LeBron James said, "Anything else would be uncivilized." Asked before the rematch at The Q on Thursday what he would do without James at the end of games, Cavs coach Mike Brown said anything else would be unthinkable. "I haven't even thought about that," Brown said, feigning shock. The coach then ran his fingers around the loose-fitting collar of the sweat-suit top he was wearing, as if it had suddenly constricted. "Whew! Getting hot in here, isn't it?" Brown said, smiling and fanning himself with one hand. The Heat was on again Thursday night. When they threw the ball up for the center jump, the ..."
February 5
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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One day, but certainly not these days, Dwyane Wade will not have to feel like he has to do it all. That's when the Miami Heat guard will stop running all over the court on defense chasing steals (and courting foul trouble) and when he won't continue to try to dribble through double- and triple-teams. But that day won't come with this lineup, not when three fellow starters are combining for two total points in the first half. So, instead, the frustration will grow, as it did with Thursday's 102-86 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers that left the Heat 0-3 against Cleveland and two games below .500. "The competition's been better than us," Wade said. "It's realistic. You've got to be realistic. ..."
February 3
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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To say the Grizzlies were tripping over themselves in a desperate attempt to function on offense would have been inaccurate because that requires movement in the same direction. And to say the Griz spent most of Tuesday night sleepwalking through their fourth game in five nights would have been a compliment because that calls for energy. The Grizzlies were without symmetry or much spring in their step. The Cleveland Cavaliers had no sympathy. Memphis trailed by 12 points after the first quarter in Quicken Loans Arena. The Griz were down 18 at halftime. And their deficit swelled to as many as 28 in a game the Griz never led before losing, 105-89, to the Cavaliers. "They did a good job of ..."
February 2
Cleveland Plain Dealer
columnist Bill Livingston
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Clothes once made the man, but now they make the bucks. In search of new revenue streams, the Cavaliers have unleashed a geyser of new jerseys in the last two seasons. They are not a threat to the 384 ghastly color combinations in helmets, jerseys and pants from which the University of Oregon football team can select, often, apparently, by throwing darts at a color wheel. Sports apparel giant Nike, the Ducks' Uniform Fairy, has given a disbelieving public conglomerations of white, lime green, lemon yellow, black, steel and carbon. The last two shades are where "gray" goes when it wants a friskier synonym than "leaden" and a more optimistic one than "ashen." But, given Nike's central role ..."
January 31
Akron Beacon Journal
columnist Patrick McManamon
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The time of year is coming when the Internet and NBA world will buzz of trade rumors. Already they have swirled about the Cavaliers, with Antawn Jamison and Amar'e Stoudemire rumored to possibly be heading to Cleveland. Both are good players. Both have a lot of talent. And Jamison especially brings a lot of intangibles to the court. What should the Cavs do? Nothing. Take the calls, listen to offers, nod knowingly, jot an item or two down on a yellow legal pad (always a sign of intelligence), then do nothing. Keep the team as is. Because it is just fine as it is. Yes, there's always room for improvement, and the Cavs could decide to do something. That's groovy - provided they don't trade a ..."
January 31
Cleveland Plain Dealer
columnist Bill Livingston
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It was the greatest week in the life of The Greatest. I'm borrowing the nickname from Muhammad Ali and giving it to LeBron James, just as either he or his posse borrowed "King James" from English history and gave it to the fellow they thought was the most deserving. The Cavaliers' forward/guard/king of Cleveland hearts made game-winning plays late in three straight games against teams led by Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade. He stifled Durant and Wade personally with memorable last-second defensive plays -- a block of Durant's drive, then a strong "contest" of Wade's jumper. Of the three rivals, Bryant had the best excuse. He still has a splint on a finger of his shooting hand, ..."
January 30
Akron Beacon Journal
columnist Patrick McManamon
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Mike Brown calls him ''the big fella.'' But Shaquille O'Neal used to call himself ''the Big Aristotle.'' So when O'Neal dispenses wisdom it's smart to listen. Because it comes with impact, and import. About 11 games ago, O'Neal pulled aside the league's reigning and soon-to-be-repeat MVP and offered some advice. ''I said,'' O'Neal recalled Friday, ''You know what? I heard somebody said that Kobe [Bryant] will never let his team lose. He has that will. ''I know you have that, but now it's time for you to show that you have that.'' O'Neal said that little message - ''I'm like that big brother that's been there'' - provided the impetus for an 11-game stretch of LeBron James excellence that ..."