LeBron James News: Pro Sports Daily

A coach on the floor, could LeBron James someday be a coach on the bench?

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March 14

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"During his second season in the league, LeBron James was starting to figure out his place. When things weren't going well on the floor, he often would yell over to the coaching staff that certain things needed to be fixed. By his fourth season, James was routinely offering suggestions on in-game strategies and adjustments within huddles and the locker room. Now in his seventh season, it is commonplace for James to have ongoing discussions with coach Mike Brown about who should be in the game, which defense the team should be in and where other players on the court should and shouldn't be. Brown has fostered this, even if he's routinely mocked for it, because his philosophy is to get the ..."

LeBron James says Boston Celtics aren't reeling, but waiting for the playoffs

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March 14

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"LeBron James knows the Boston Celtics better than any rival team in the league. And as he studies his opponent for Sunday afternoon's national television matinee, he sees the traits of a possum and a snake in the grass. It has been in vogue lately to write off the Celtics, especially after two recent 20-point home losses and a stunning home defeat to the lowly New Jersey Nets. James, though, sees something else. "To me, the Celtics look bored with the regular season," James said. "I'm not saying they've tanked the regular season, I'm just saying an experienced team like Boston has so much talent, they know how to win in the playoffs. Just looking at them, they look like they're ready ..."

Jordan's No. 23 Just Isn't the Retiring Type

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March 14

New York Times

columnist Gerorge Vecsey

"By virtually all accounts, LeBron James is an admirable adult who will bring honor to whatever team signs him for next season. Lately, he has been suggesting that every N.B.A. team retire No. 23 in homage to Michael Jordan. It sounded to me like a bad idea, but James does have solid company in Pat Riley, who has already retired Jordan's number. James had every right to seek permission to switch to No. 6 from No. 23 next season, which he did recently - filing the paperwork that lifted hopes for every Cleveland Cavaliers fan in existence. By league rules, James needed to take this bureaucratic step only if he stayed with his current team, a prospect that has caused the sun to shine (and ..."

James comes back after resting ankle

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March 13

Camden Courier-Post

"LeBron James took a week off to rest his sore ankle, taking advantage of a break in the schedule as the Cavaliers had only two games since last Friday. That put his return against the 76ers Friday. But James could have sat out one more game. The Cavaliers are playing the Celtics on Sunday, which would seem like a much more important game than playing against the Sixers. James was asked if he considered getting a few more days of rest before returning Sunday against the Celtics. "It doesn't matter if it was the Sixers or my son's team," James said in reference to his 5-year-old son LeBron Jr. "I was playing (Friday)." Cavs coach Mike Brown said the week off was merely a rare opportunity for ..."

LeBron not one to take things sitting down

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March 12

Akron Beacon Journal

"Known for nibbling his fingernails to release nervous energy, it's difficult to imagine LeBron James willingly taking a week off from basketball. But in light of a sore ankle and assorted bumps and bruises, James actually sat on the bench and relaxed. He's thankful it was for just two games. ''It's not often you get a week off and only miss two games, so we took advantage of it,'' James said Thursday. It wasn't without James making it known that he wanted to play Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks and after putting on sweats for warm-ups Monday against the San Antonio Spurs. ''I'm always a guy who wants to play every game,'' James said. ''Now, looking back on it, I think it was the right ..."

Cavaliers' LeBron James ready to get back on the court after week off

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March 12

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"LeBron James was thrilled to hit the practice court Thursday and is looking forward to returning to action tonight at Philadelphia. The Cavs' star sat out games against Milwaukee and San Antonio to rest nagging injuries. "I was excited about practice," James said. "I'm always one to practice. I never sit out a practice. Definitely a little more excited today, being that I've been out a week. I'm looking forward to [tonight]." Though James will play, Antawn Jamison likely will not because of stiffness in his left knee, according to Cavs coach Mike Brown. "There's a good chance Antawn will not play in Philly, a real good chance," Brown said. Jamison said Wednesday he would be ready for ..."

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James ready to get back on the court after week off

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March 12

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"LeBron James was thrilled to hit the practice court Thursday and is looking forward to returning to action tonight at Philadelphia. The Cavs' star sat out games against Milwaukee and San Antonio to rest nagging injuries. "I was excited about practice," James said. "I'm always one to practice. I never sit out a practice. Definitely a little more excited today, being that I've been out a week. I'm looking forward to [tonight]." Though James will play, Antawn Jamison likely will not because of stiffness in his left knee, according to Cavs coach Mike Brown. "There's a good chance Antawn will not play in Philly, a real good chance," Brown said. Jamison said Wednesday he would be ready for ..."

Cavaliers hoping for Friday return for James, wait on Jamison

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March 11

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Antawn Jamison and LeBron James headlined a group of Cavs who did not practice on Wednesday. Mo Williams, Anderson Varejao and Anthony Parker also did not practice with a variety of injuries. Shaquille O'Neal continues to rehab his right thumb out of town. While James is expected to play Friday at Philadelphia, Jamison is listed as day-to-day with stiffness in his left knee that forced him out of Monday's game against San Antonio. He said he has a cyst in the knee that fills with fluid periodically. While he's not sure about Friday's gam, he said he would play Sunday when Boston visits here. "It's something that occurred earlier in the season,'' Jamison said of the cyst. "With proper ..."

Cavs prosper without LeBron

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March 10

Akron Beacon Journal

"In one respect, the Cavaliers players who got the chance to participate in the victory Monday against the San Antonio Spurs proved something to themselves — they can win without LeBron James. They gutted out a game in which they trailed going into the fourth quarter and buckled down and played defense the way coach Mike Brown likes, holding the Spurs to just 26 percent shooting in the quarter on 7-of-27 shooting. Overall they held the Spurs to just 42 percent shooting for the game on 35-of-84 shooting. Brown said that he wanted to see two things without James in the lineup — effort and trust. By their own admission when James was scratched just before game time against the Milwaukee Bucks, ..."

Antawn Jamison is day-to-day after MRI exam; LeBron James expected to play Friday

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March 10

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Cavaliers finally got some good injury news on Tuesday. An MRI on Antawn Jamison's left knee at the Cleveland Clinic revealed nothing serious. Jamison was pulled from the Cavs' 97-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter when the back of the knee tightened up. Jamison said he's been bothered by soreness in the knee earlier this season and was able to get through it with treatment."

LeBron's rest will continue until Friday

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March 9

Akron Beacon Journal

"LeBron James tried to sneak onto the court to take practice shots Monday in preparation for the game against the San Antonio Spurs, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. ''I asked him: 'What are you doing?' '' Brown said. ''Game-time decision. Game-time decision? Right?'' James apparently asked. Not quite. After getting the hopes up of assistant coaches, the Cavs faced their second game without its superstar leader as Brown sat James to rest him. This means that James, who rolled his ankle against the Detroit Pistons last Friday, will get a week to rest it, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Although the Cavs looked out of sync offensively against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, point guard ..."

Cavaliers say LeBron James's status will be a game-time decision

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March 8

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Cavaliers say LeBron James's status will be a game-time decision tonight when the Cavs play host to the San Antonio Spurs at Quicken Loans Arena. James tweaked his right ankle in Friday's victory over Detroit and was held out of Saturday's loss in Milwaukee. Coach Mike Brown said it was his decision to hold James out on Saturday, more for overall rest than just for his ankle, and Brown hinted at the time that he might keep James out again on Monday to give him more rest."

LeBron finally allowed to relax

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March 7

Akron Beacon Journal

"Cavaliers forward LeBron James was scratched from Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks to give him some much-deserved rest. On Friday night, James became the Cleveland franchise's leader in minutes played, but didn't get to run that total up. It's the first game that he's missed all season. ''He's played a lot of minutes for us and I just felt it would be good for him and the team to hold him out,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. In one respect, it's a big loss for the Cavs in that James tends to dominate the Bucks. The Cavs are 17-8 against the Bucks since James came into the NBA. He averages 30.1 points per game against them. ''He's a competitive person; he wants to be out there,'' ..."

With LeBron James sitting, Cleveland Cavaliers are sitting ducks for Milwaukee Bucks, 92-85

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March 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"It already was going to be a tough game. Then Cavaliers coach Mike Brown made it tougher. Brown elected to rest LeBron James -- and hinted he might do it again Monday when the San Antonio Spurs visit The Q. The coach denied it had anything to do with the fact that James rolled his ankle in Friday's victory over Detroit. But without their leader, the shorthanded Cavaliers, who already were missing Shaquille O'Neal after his right thumb surgery, just didn't have enough left against the resurgent Milwaukee Bucks. Antawn Jamison had 30 points -- his high since joining the Cavs -- and Delonte West added a season-high 27, but Milwaukee snapped Cleveland's six-game winning streak with a 92-85 ..."

LeBron James pal William Wesley reportedly considers becoming agent

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March 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Worldwide Wes to be agent? Sports Illustrated had an interesting report Friday that had plenty of NBA and college basketball insiders scratching their heads and sending e-mails and texts around. SI.com's Seth Davis reported that a confidant of LeBron James and a well-known behind-the-scenes operator in player recruitment and management circles, William "Wes" Wesley, is in talks to become an agent. Davis reported said Wesley is close to joining the massive Creative Artists Agency, which represents top actors and athletes, to represent NBA and college coaches. James' agent and Wesley lifelong friend Leon Rose works for CAA. Rose and Wesley sat in the front row next to the Cavs bench ..."

Cavs lose without James, coach says he might not play again on Monday

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March 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"It already was going to be a tough game. Then Cavaliers coach Mike Brown made it tougher. Brown elected to rest LeBron James -- and hinted he might do it again Monday when the San Antonio Spurs visit The Q. The coach denied it had anything to do with the fact that James rolled his ankle in Friday's victory over Detroit. But without their leader, the shorthanded Cavaliers, who already were missing Shaquille O'Neal after his right thumb surgery, just didn't have enough left against the resurgent Milwaukee Bucks. Antawn Jamison had 30 points -- his high since joining the Cavs -- and Delonte West added a season-high 27, but Milwaukee snapped Cleveland's six-game winning streak with a 92-85 ..."

LeBron too much for Pistons

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March 6

Detroit Free Press

"LeBron James had 40 points and 13 rebounds as the Cavaliers beat Pistons, 99-92, tonight in Cleveland. Rodney Stuckey suffered an apparent seizure during a time-out late in the third quarter. The game was delayed for about 10 minutes. He was carted off the court on a stretcher and was taken to a local hospital. ESPN reports he was concusion and his vital signs were stable. The Pistons led, 67-61, with 2:30 to play in the third when Stuckey left the game. Cleveland then went on a 14-3 run to take a 75-70 lead with 10:35 to play in the fourth. Stuckey had eight points and 10 assists in 25 minutes before he left the game. Detroit cut the led to four on a Charlie Villanueva three-pointer ..."

It's far-fetched, but Lakers could be fit for a King

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March 4

L.A. Daily News

columnist Vincent Bonsignore

"LeBron James playing for the Lakers next year is such a far-fetched, preposterous, outlandish fantasy we have no other choice but to completely and utterly embrace it. And we have every right to, every reason to, because this is Hollywood. Crazy, whimsical dreams like this come true all the time for the Lakers. Just look at their history. They acquired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the greatest player in the game at the time, from Milwaukee for four players in 1975. They lucked into Magic Johnson and James Worthy after acquiring draft picks (which turned out to be No.1s overall) from lowly Utah and Cleveland. The Lakers have always been fortunate like that, and probably always will be. It's part of ..."

Business pitch could lure LeBron

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March 4

New York Post

columnist George Willis

"LeBron James' on- court skills were in full display last night at the Meadowlands, where his array of dunks and jump shots produced 26 points as the Cavaliers whipped the Nets, 111-92. Those skills will be in high demand when James becomes a free agent this summer when plenty of teams like the Knicks and Nets will be bidding for his services. But if there's any real chance of him leaving Cleveland and making this area his new residence, it might be better to appeal to LeBron James the businessman than the basketball player. James fancies himself as sports' next business mogul. Already earning nearly $30 million annually in endorsements, he gets financial advice from Warren Buffett and has ..."

LeBron James puts on show as Cleveland Cavaliers cruise to 111-92 win over New Jersey Nets

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March 4

New York Daily News

"LeBron James's agent, Leon Rose, was sitting in the front-row seats right next to the Nets' bench Wednesday night, and after what he witnessed, that may be as close as the Nets get to negotiating with him. Like the Knicks a couple of nights before, the Nets failed in their bid to impress James one last time. Even though they kept it closer than the 31-point debacle the Knicks experienced on Monday, the Nets still allowed the Cavaliers to cruise to a 111-92 win at the Meadowlands. James will not visit the arena again, as the Nets will make a temporary move to Newark next season on their way to Brooklyn. The Nets are hoping that James will be with them when they move into their new homes, ..."

Great Fun With the Guessing Game

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March 4

New York Times

"It has been a good week for the LeBron James tea-leaf-reading club, chock full of hints, innuendo and breathless intrigue. LeBron is changing his jersey number! LeBron attended the Jay-Z show at Madison Square Garden! A disgruntled Nets guard whose agent also represents LeBron said LeBron might have already decided where he will sign this summer! For those keeping score, the jersey change means James is staying in Cleveland; the Jay-Z concert means he is coming to New York; and the commentary by the disgruntled Nets guard means nothing discernible, but may mean that James will not sign with the Nets. Amid all of this winking, nodding and subtle plotting, James found time to rout the Knicks ..."

'King' to Nets? Maybe in a few years

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March 3

New York Post

columnist George Willis

"In theory, the Nets are a lot like the Knicks and all the other NBA teams that have purged their rosters of talent and payroll in order to increase cap space with the hope of signing a big-time free agent this summer. And just like the Knicks, the name at the top of the Nets' wish list is LeBron James, who pays his final regular-season visit to the Izod Center tonight. But what should be a quasi-recruiting tool will only enforce the reasons James isn't about to sign with the Nets come July 1, despite his cozy relationship with part owner Jay-Z. In fact, the Nets' best chance of landing James won't come this summer, but maybe three or four years from now, when the contract he's about to ..."

It's LeBron James or else for the Knicks

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March 2

Bergen Record

columnist Steve Adamek

"What if LeBron doesn't sign with the Knicks this summer? Or Dwyane Wade? Or Chris Bosh? What if Donnie Walsh has to choose from Joe Johnson, Amar'e Stoudemire, Rudy Gay (a restricted free agent) and the Summer of 2010's "leftovers"? Should he go all in then? Would his 2010 cap-clearing strategy be a failure if he doesn't sign one (if not two) of the "big fish?" Or should he save some coin until 2011, when Carmelo Anthony heads a less-deep free agent class? We know what most fans think: LeBron James had better be wearing No. 23 in white when the Knicks open next season at the Garden. They didn't deal with two seasons of misery — a whole decade of it, actually — for Joe Johnson and Rudy Gay. ..."

James' response to T-Mac e-mail about coming to NY: LOL

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March 2

New York Post

"Tracy McGrady has already e-mailed LeBron James an overture to join him in New York next season. But James will have to see more from T-Mac for his New York presence to be a draw. Following McGrady's listless six-point, 25-minute performance, James saw the rust. "He looked like a guy who hasn't played much," James said after the Cavaliers crushed the Knicks 124-93 last night. "It doesn't matter how much rehab you do, how much working out you do. You have to be out on the court, because game-time stamina is totally different. He's still shooting extremely well. He still can play point forward as he always had. But he's still getting his legs back. The last 20 games will help him, help him a ..."

LeBron James files application for No. 6 jersey for the 2010-11 season

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March 2

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"LeBron James fans, get ready to make some room in your closet for No. 6 jerseys. James told The Plain Dealer on Monday that he's filed the paperwork with the NBA office to switch his jersey number from No. 23 to No. 6 next season. He had to make the decision this week, the deadline to make the request to the NBA is Wednesday. James first brought up the idea in November, saying he wanted to give up No. 23 out of respect to his hero, Michael Jordan. At that time he said he was "50/50" on switching to No. 6, his Olympic number and the day of the month his first son was born. That now seems to be 100 percent. "I've done it," James said. "I already sent it in. I'm going to be No. 6." The NBA ..."

Tracy McGrady puts out welcome mat for LeBron James

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March 1

Bergen Record

"Given the opportunity on July 1, and if the Knicks still want him after this season, Tracy McGrady gladly will do all he can to bring LeBron James to New York. But tonight in Cleveland, where the two teams meet for the final time this season, it won't be about trying to impress "King James," as McGrady called him Sunday, a first time for the newest Knick and the last time for his new team. That's because he and Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni doesn't believe that will matter. "Nobody knows what LeBron James is going to do but LeBron James," said McGrady, who expects to play tonight after sitting out the second half of Saturday's 120-109 loss to Memphis with stiffness and soreness in his ..."

McGrady on LeBron countdown

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March 1

New York Post

"Everyone has an opinion on whether LeBron James will leave Cleveland and head to the Knicks this summer. Tracy McGrady doesn't think they're worth too much. The Knicks are in Cleveland tonight to face James and the Cavaliers for the final time this season, and yesterday McGrady said he rejects the notion that the Knicks need to prove to James that they're a worthy destination. "Do I buy into it? No," he said. "Nobody knows what LeBron James is going to do but LeBron James. No. We can't control that. We have no control over that. The Knicks did what they had to do to try to make this franchise better, and that's clear some cap space to bring some players in here to turn this franchise ..."

Knicks set for final Cavs clash before LeBron frenzy

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March 1

New York Post

"Antawn Jamison knows why he was brought to Cleveland at the trade deadline -- to help win the franchise its first NBA championship and keep LeBron James a Cavalier. Pressure? Just a bit. Tonight at Quicken Loans Arena, the Knicks face King James for one last tango before he becomes a free agent July 1 and likely makes a recruiting visit to the Big Apple. Jamison will do his best to remind James tonight why he should stick to his hometown and spurn Broadway this summer. "I love it," Jamison said yesterday at the Cavs' practice facility built for LeBron, called Cleveland Clinic Courts. "I don't have a problem with it at all. It's the kind of pressure you want to have -- being the key to a ..."

New York Knicks' struggles could deter LeBron James from leaving Cavaliers

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March 1

New York Daily News

"The Knicks have Madison Square Garden to offer LeBron James as well the opportunity to possibly play alongside Chris Bosh or even Dwyane Wade. "This is a very attractive place to play," Tracy McGrady said. "You have the bright lights and big stage every night." But is it enough? When James likely becomes a free agent on July 1 and weighs his options, what will he really think of the Knicks once he gets past the bright lights and big city? It's a question that should concern team president Donnie Walsh as the Knicks face James in Cleveland Monday night for possibly - keep your fingers, crossed Knicks fans - the last time in a Cavaliers uniform. Walsh accomplished one goal this season by ..."

LeBron to play through pain

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February 28

Akron Beacon Journal

"Cavaliers fans let out a collective sigh of relief after LeBron James got up from a knee-to-thigh collision with a member of the Toronto Raptors. The collision left James laying on the floor in pain in the first quarter on Friday night. For the record, James and coach Mike Brown were right there with them. After absorbing the hit, James fell on the basketball to add insult to injury. ''Not a good day for me,'' James said. ''It is sore. It's one of those things that won't go away for a while. It will be a few days before I will be 100 percent.'' James missing time would have been another blow to the team, especially with center Shaquille O'Neal currently on the shelf with a sprained right ..."

In the presence of royalty

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February 27

Toronto Sun

"The Raptors began the night by throwing rookie DeMar DeRozan at basketball's King. Sonny Weems was next, followed by Antoine Wright and a moment of anxiety when LeBron James was writhing in pain after bumping knees. The air inside the Air Canada Centre on Friday night was dripping in royalty, a buzz only King James can create. James doesn't have to take a shot or attempt a drive to the hole to have an impact when all that is required is his mere presence. Outside of Kobe Bryant, no player is capable of producing that feeling of occasion such as James. While the weather outside was frightful, the mood inside the ACC was magical, more akin to a playoff atmosphere than a regular-season tip. ..."

Media should take off its LeBron James blinders and start giving Dwight Howard some MVP love

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February 26

Orlando Sentinel

columnist Mike Bianchi

""Alpha dog pedigree, sidekick mindset." — ESPN's Bill Simmons on Dwight Howard "He should be the 21st century's Wilt Chamberlain. No NBA big man has Howard's athleticism and power. Yet, despite the protestations of Howard's apologists, he continues to underachieve for a man of such significant physical presence." — CBSsports.com's Mike Freeman on Dwight Howard "Become the alpha dog, not the tail-wagging, happy-go-lucky puppy." — Orlando Sentinel's George Diaz on Dwight Howard "Has a rabid alpha dog eaten the eyeballs of Simmons, Freeman and Diaz? These guys obviously are covering games while blind." — Me Seriously, you know what's amazing? That three columnists all criticized Howard within ..."

LeBron James sees Celtics putting up big fight

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February 26

Boston Herald

"The Cavaliers have other rivals that tweak their competitiveness, but it was clear speaking to him before last night's game - and on other occasions - that the Celtics are one of the more special foes. The emphasis each club places on defense pretty much assures an extra slice of intensity when they meet. "It's definitely physical every time we play against this team, because both teams, we base ourselves on defense and let everything else take care of itself afterwards," LeBron James said. "So that's when a lot of physical play happens." He said that before the Celtics put 31 points on the board in the first quarter and before Nate Robinson had a chance to inject himself into the ..."

LeBron James has a routine big night in Cavaliers' loss to Magic

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February 22

Orlando Sentinel

"Almost prophetically before the Magic's Sunday afternoon game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy addressed the problem that is LeBron James. If you get in his way, you get called for fouls. If you don't, he puts up big numbers. If you double-team him, he finds a teammate. "The one thing I'm confident in is we can win when he has huge nights," Van Gundy said. Or huge afternoons, as it were. James scored 33 points Sunday afternoon. But for the first time in the 2009-10 season, the Cavaliers lost 101-95 to the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena. "I thought LeBron did a nice job attacking tonight," Cleveland Coach Mike Brown said. "I thought there were a couple times when he ..."

New players delight as Bobcats rout LeBron, Cavaliers

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February 20

Gaston Gazette

"It would be hard to make a better first impression than newest Charlotte Bobcats Tyrus Thomas and Theo Ratliff did Friday night in a 110-93 rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Playing in front of a sellout crowd of 19,568 at Time Warner Cable Arena that included many local and national celebrities, Thomas and Ratliff provided a defensive spark in defeating the NBA's best team. The effort came just one day after the two players had been acquired in separate trades at the NBA trade deadline - and just three nights after the Bobcats had lost to the league-worst New Jersey Nets. "Our new players really helped," said Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson, who led all scorers with 29 points. "They brought ..."

After throwing in the towel, the Clippers can focus on LeBron James

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February 20

Los Angeles Times

columnist T.J. Simers

"The Clippers have made it official: They quit. This season is over, the final 28 games just exercise, the only thing of interest around here whether the franchise's plan to rock the sports world and lure LeBron James to Los Angeles is as outlandish as it sounds. They traded a bunch of guys for another bunch of guys, but it really doesn't matter who is coming here because eventually they will revert to Clippers form. In the short term, things would have looked a whole lot better had they just made a deal for a national anthem singer who can sing, not a good sign when a Clippers game begins on a down note and the players haven't even taken the floor. But nothing that happened here Wednesday ..."

McGrady deal final piece for Knicks wooing James

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February 20

New York Post

"Donnie Walsh is "all in" for this summer. Short of building LeBron James a mansion overlooking the Hudson River, the Knicks president has done everything he can to make New York an attractive destination for the world's greatest player at yesterday's trade-deadline frenzy. Walsh opened up another $9.3 million of salary-cap space — giving the Knicks a projected total of $32 million to play with — in acquiring former superstar Tracy McGrady and Kings backup point guard Sergio Rodriguez yesterday in a three-team blockbuster with the Rockets and Kings. The mega-deal cost the Knicks rookie lottery pick Jordan Hill, a 2012 first-round pick (protected through No. 5) and Houston's right to swap ..."

Without James, Walsh still has plan for Knicks

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February 20

New York Post

"Knicks fans are focused on one player -- and one player only -- and Donnie Walsh knows it. "I wish that wasn't true because that's not the way I'm approaching it, but I understand it, of course," the Knicks president said this morning on WFAN, one day after clearing as much salary-cap room as he could for a run at LeBron James. But if the Knicks are unable to sign James as a free agent, there are so many other things Walsh can do -- even if it takes until the Summer of 2011. "I'm gonna do the best I can to get the best players as quick as I can," Walsh told morning host Craig Carton. With about $32 million in available cap room, that could mean signing two players this offseason from a ..."

Walsh: Challenge to add LeBron

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February 20

New York Post

"One day after he opened the door wide for LeBron James by clearing enough cap space for James to bring along a star companion, Knicks team president Donnie Walsh said yesterday it will still be a challenge to get the superstar. Referring to James, Walsh said on WFAN, "It's very difficult to get a guy to come out of his hometown if he's had success there.""

Tracking triple doubles by Lebron James; Thursday marks the 31st

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February 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The triple double by LeBron James on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets was the 31st of his career, and marked just the sixth time that he had a triple double in a losing effort. Including playoffs, the Cleveland Cavs are now 25-6 when James collects at least 10 points, rebounds and assists in a game."

Wade and LeBron could form Miami's own Dream Team

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February 19

Palm Beach Post

columnist Greg Stoda

""It's fantasy basketball. I don't play fantasy basketball." Heat coach Erik Spoelstra when asked Wednesday afternoon about the possibility of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade playing on the same NBA team beginning in the 2010-11 season. But what if the fantasy basketball team were Spoelstra's very own come to life? That's going to be Topic A when James and the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Heat tonight in AmericanAirlines Arena amidst speculation that he and Wade - both superstars of the highest order and summertime free agents-to-be - might become Miami teammates next season. Cue the calliope music, because the carnival is about to hit South Florida for an evening. Shaquille O'Neal, who ..."

Nuggets' Melo hits winner in LeBron's face

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February 19

Denver Post

"The game froze. Overtime. Tie game. Six seconds left. Carmelo Anthony. LeBron James. "I knew I wanted the ball," Denver's Anthony said. "I was going to get the ball, my teammates knew I was going to get the ball — and I made the shot." It was the shot of the season. In the Nuggets' 118-116 win Thursday night at Cleveland, the cold-blooded Anthony swished a 20-footer in James' face with 1.9 seconds left in overtime. James, of course, took the final shot on the other end. But his 3-point attempt clanked off the rim, and Cleveland's 13-game winning streak was history. Down in New Orleans, Team USA point guard Chris Paul tweeted: "That game wit Bron vs Melo jus now was the best head 2 head ..."

Deadline dealing makes New York Knicks contenders again, unless LeBron James balks

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February 19

New York Daily News

columnist Mitch Lawrence

"Tracy McGrady, who has never been out of the first round of the playoffs, has put the Knicks on course for a championship. Indirectly, we mean. As soon as the Knicks' three-way trade went through Thursday, McGrady's presence on the roster represented the difference between having room to sign only one superstar and having room for two. How big is the difference? With one maximum salary slot, you can have a playoff team. With two, you should be playing for championships. No longer in cap purgatory, the Knicks can wipe McGrady's $23 million off their books, giving them the space to make a play for LeBron James and Chris Bosh on July 1. "It gives us a lot of flexibility," team president ..."

New York Knicks put ball in LeBron James' court after clearing cap space for 2010 free agent class

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February 19

New York Daily News

columnist Frank Isola

"The ball, and perhaps the future of the Knicks, is now in LeBron James' hands. Donnie Walsh's master plan of landing James this summer received a huge boost Thursday when the Knicks president pulled off a blockbuster three-team, seven player deal with the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings. The Knicks received Tracy McGrady and his league-high $23 million expiring contract from the Rockets as well as Kings point guard Sergio Rodriguez. But the key component wasn't acquiring a former All-Star or a point guard who is an upgrade over Chris Duhon. The key piece to the trade was the Knicks' ability to send Jared Jeffries to Houston. Removing Jeffries' contract clears enough salary-cap space ..."

Hot commodities: Future NBA free agents unfazed by chatter

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February 16

USA Today

columnist J. Michael Falgoust

"When it comes to escaping, there aren't too many better on the court than Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh.But they can't elude the questions about their prospective free agency after this season, when they headline a star-studded class. Most players and coaches plead the fifth when asked if any recruiting went on behind the scenes during All-Star weekend. "Nah," Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said, before adjusting his tune. "But we talk. I think everybody dreams to always play with one or two of these guys out there." That came to fruition Sunday, with starters Wade and James as a running and gunning ..."

LeBron James is the greatest Cleveland Cavalier of all time, but who's No.2?

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February 16

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Who's No. 1? In this case, there can be no doubt. LeBron James is clearly the top player in Cavaliers history. Now, Nos. 2 through 40? Let's talk. As the Cavaliers celebrate their 40th season, this is the second in a series examining the Top 40 in a variety of categories. Yes, the word "top" is purposefully vague enough to justify almost anything. As we did in selecting the Top 40 games in Cavs history in January, Plain Dealer sportswriters Mary Schmitt Boyer, Dennis Manoloff and Mike Peticca, who together have followed the team for almost 90 years, put together a pool of candidates. Our only requirement was that players had to have played with the Cavs two full seasons. In order to make ..."

Wade, LeBron offer tease of possible future

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February 15

ESPN.com

"Since everything's bigger in Texas, as Dirk Nowitzki reminded the crowd before the start of the biggest All-Star Game ever, let's focus on another thing that became even bigger as a result of tonight: The idea of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James playing together in Miami next season. "I don't know if it would work," said Denver's Chauncey Billups in Friday's media session of the two potentially pairing up, but they sure seemed to function well together on Sunday. Wade scored 28 points, added 11 assists and five steals, and narrowly edged out Cowboys Stadium for Game MVP honors, while James added 25 points, six assists and five boards as the East held on for a dramatic 141-139 win over the ..."

Stoudemire deal may seal a Cavaliers title, and LeBron's return as well

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February 15

Cleveland Plain Dealer

columnist Bud Shaw

"Based on what the Cavaliers gave up for Shaquille O'Neal and the possible deal for Amar'e Stoudemire, Cavs Danny Ferry could be in line for Executive of the Year honors. Everywhere except Arizona, where he could face five-to-10 years for robbing the wagon train. Stoudemire joining the Cavs would be the story of two trades played out over nine months with the Cavs receiving a historic haul: Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, J.J. Hickson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and a couple of draft picks to Phoenix for O'Neal, Stoudemire and the strong possibility of Ilgauskas on the rebound 30 days later, as NBA rules allow. Ferry would like an answer from Phoenix soon to give him time to pursue something else if ..."