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LeBron James News & Rumors

Wade, LeBron in as All-Stars; Barkley: Bosh should start
"Chris Bosh will have to wait a week, but he's already found himself in an All-Star debate. While, as expected, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were announced Thursday as All-Star Game starters in the final tabulation of fan voting, the remaining member of the Miami Heat's Big Three will have to wait until next Thursday, when voting among conference coaches for reserves is announced. James and Wade are joined in the Eastern Conference starting lineup by Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony."
LeBron James leaves door open for dunk contest
"To say LeBron James' dunking juices are stirring would be an understatement. Two days after the fact, he still was talking Wednesday about what Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin did Monday night to Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins. So could this finally be it, the year James takes his dunks to the show level and enters the dunking contest during All-Star Weekend in Orlando, perhaps to go one-on-one against Griffin? "I don't know. I'll be on the fence every year about it," he said following the Miami Heat's shootaround at the Bradley Center, in advance of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks."
Bucks storm back, down Heat 105-97 despite LeBron's 40
"LeBron James had it all at the start. So did the Miami Heat. Then it all went away. Did it ever. Up 18 early after a 24-point first quarter by James, the Heat imploded in the second half of what became a 105-97 loss Wednesday night to the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center, one of the ugliest moments in the Heat's Big Three era. "What that second half showed, is we still have a long way to go as a ballclub," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "It can go the other way quickly if you don't stay close to your identity." The Heat didn't even come close to doing that, wasting what turned into a season-high 40-point effort by James. He previous high had been 37 on Christmas Day against the Los"
LeBron says chemistry with Wade, 'at an all-time high'
"The tag-team approach is back. And now no one is talking about LeBron James or Dwyane Wade being better by themselves. Not when they're playing this well in tandem. Not after these past three games. With Wade back from the sprained right ankle that kept him out for six games, James and Wade have regained their common stride in victories against the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Hornets, part of the five-game winning streak the Heat carry into Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. "It is at an all-time high right now, honestly," James said of the chemistry between the two. "It is just a chemistry that we have. Last year was a blueprint for us. It is not like"
Heat surge past Hornets 109-95 behind James, Wade
"With the Hornets in town, the buzz was gone. No, this was not the electric atmosphere of Sunday afternoon, when the Miami Heat made a rare regular-season statement with their decision over the Chicago Bulls. Instead, it opened as every bit the struggle of the second night of the Heat's previous two home-and-home back-to-back sets. Languid. Lethargic. Listless. With New Orleans making 10 of its first 11 shots. The difference is unlike those games against the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, the Heat found their second wind and used it to blow past the West-worst Hornets 109-95 Monday night at AmericanAirlines Arena."
Miami Heat's LeBron James bikes to work to avoid marathon traffic
"With the ING Miami Marathon backing up traffic Sunday, fans were advised to seek alternate routes to get to Sunday's game against Chicago. LeBron James took that advice to heart. Rather than driving, James biked about 40 minutes from his house to AmericanAirlines Arena before Sunday's game. James said he had biked to games "a few" times before. "You guys drove here?" James asked media after the game. "You guys are crazy.""
LeBron shuts down Rose at end of MVP matchup
"What a day. What a game. What a stage for the one real rivalry in the East — Heat vs. Bulls — that delivered such full-court emotion, Chicago guard Derrick Rose stood by his locker afterward and … What the … What's he … Tears? 'Give me one,'' Rose said, eyes welling up, of the two foul shots he missed with 22.7 seconds left in the Heat's 97-93 win. "I missed both of those. … Come on." A year ago, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra admitted players were crying in the locker room after a loss to Chicago to offer how much they cared. The idea became another laughtrack of that Heat time. Crygate, it was labeled."
Heat survive blood feud with Bulls 97-93 behind James' 35
"Playoffs in January? About as close as you're going to get in the NBA. On a day the NFL and NHL offered gloried exhibitions of All-Star triteness, the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls offered true grit Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena. "For a regular-season game, that's probably as intense as you'll find," Heat forward Shane Battier said. "It had intensity, to say the least." Get the FREE Miami Hoops iPhone and Android app Playoffs in January? You bet, all the way to the finish of a 97-93 Heat victory that sent a message from both sides to the rest of the Eastern Conference that there is us and then everybody else. "In many regards," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, "it was a typical"
Heat's LeBron: Knicks need time to gel
"LeBron James compared the Miami Dream Team's slow start last season to the Knicks' current malaise, but stopped short of calling them contenders for the Eastern Conference title. "It takes time,'' James said Wednesday night from Detroit. "It's never going to work right overnight, and we were the prime example of that. It took us time. We were 9-8 at one point, but it took us even longer after that to become a good team, to know each other, to learn each other, what works for each other, what don't work. I think they're going through the same thing right now but people want results now. That's just the league and the world we leave in.''"
Cleveland return in LeBron's future?
"Playing against the Cavaliers will always be special for Miami's LeBron James, even if he ever tried to deny it. So far, he hasn't done that — and that alone should really tell you something. James just has too much history with his hometown franchise to treat Miami vs. Cleveland as just another game. That includes everything from his upbringing in nearby Akron to the Cavaliers selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2003. You know the rest. It was all sunshine and roses for both James and Cavs fans and now James is said to feel largely unwelcome in Cleveland — and disappointed because of it. Those close to him say its affected him greatly on occasion. Even boos in other cities bugged"
This time LeBron James finishes, as Heat hold off Pistons
"This time LeBron James was finishing. On the court. At the foul line. Whatever it took. And this time, Erik Spoelstra, who has taken such pride this lockout-compacted season in measuring the minutes of his star forward, wasn't about to get in the way. So with Dwyane Wade sidelined yet again, and with the too-young-to-know-any-better Detroit Pistons mounting an unexpected challenge, Spoelstra stepped back."
LeBron James back in do-everything mode for Wade-less Miami Heat
"LeBron James is playing some of his best basketball since joining the Miami Heat a season ago. All it took was an injury to the superstar who helped woo him from Cleveland in the first place. It's foolish to suggest the Heat are a better team with Dwyane Wade out of the lineup -- although a 6-1 record in his absence is eye-opening. But with the shooting guard nursing a sprained right ankle, James has returned to the role in which he's most accustomed -- being his team's undisputed No. 1 option. He's dominating the ball and the running the Heat offense from the wing, something Cavaliers' fans watched for seven seasons at The Q. They will likely see it again Tuesday night as the Heat (11-5)"
LeBron's proteges face him on court
"Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson were just a couple of high school basketball stars the first time they met LeBron James. Thompson attended the Nike skills academy in Akron before his senior year and Irving was even younger the first time James showed interest in him. When one of the greatest players on the planet starts calling high school kids, they generally embrace the opportunity. Only now it has evolved into something a little more complicated."
Miami Heat's LeBron James, Lakers' Kobe Bryant are like two passing ships
"You know those moments when you'd give almost any amount of money to be on an NBA basketball court just to hear what's being said? One of those happened Thursday night at AmericanAirlines Arena. It wasn't when LeBron James almost flattened Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria in the first half. That brief exchange probably went something like this: LeBron: "Sorry, dude who I don't know." Loria: "Ouch.""
Miami Heat's LeBron James dazzles while Kobe Bryant fizzles
"Miami's Freedom Tower was all lit up in Miami Heat red and Miami's basketball fans were all glammed up in anticipation of the big game. The Los Angeles Lakers were in town. That could mean only one thing: A marquee matchup between two of the NBA's celebrated teams and their two celebrity stars, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Thursday's game would be a continuation of a cross-country rivalry that started when Shaquille O'Neal forsook Bryant, gave the Big Adios to Hollywood and moved to the Magic City."
LeBron, Heat leave Lakers, Kobe feeling ill with 98-87 victory
"LeBron James balked at the implication going in, that this somehow was himself vs. Kobe Bryant, even with Miami Heat teammate Dwyane Wade again sidelined by a balky right ankle. James then nearly made the debate moot when he missed the morning shootaround with flu symptoms. Ultimately, James found himself with ample support, in a 98-87 victory Thursday night over the Los Angeles Lakers that lifted the Heat to 5-0 in Wade's absence this season and 10-4 overall. "I just wanted to be there for my teammates," he said, after finishing with 31 points, eight rebound and eight assists."
LeBron owns night against Kobe
"There was this fascinating scene at the end of the first half that spoke of the larger night and, beyond that, to the season the Heat wants to play out. LeBron James was guarded by Kobe Bryant, just as you'd want, as the night asked. Bryant recently said only Chris Paul and Derrick Rose were clutch players in his mold. That's not the stage LeBron wants a debate to be on just now. Kobe has a career portfolio for winning big moments. LeBron is defined by his Dallas disappearance until the next Finals."
LeBron James, despite illness, leads Miami Heat over Los Angeles Lakers
"LeBron James began the day sick as a dog. Better than being Kobe Bryant, who ended it that way. Playing without Dwyane Wade and a less-than-healthy James, the Heat dominated Bryant and his Lakers 98-87 on Thursday night at AmericanAirlines Arena. James missed shoot around Thursday morning with flulike symptoms but turned in one of his best performances of the season, scoring 31 points to go along with eight rebounds and eight assists. The Heat held the Lakers to less than 40 percent shooting through the game's first three quarters and improved to 5-0 this season in games without Wade, who missed his second game in a row with a sprained ankle. The Heat is 3-0 against the Lakers during the"
LeBron James (flu) a game-time decision for Heat-Lakers showdown
"The Miami Heat may be without two of their Big Three. As many expected, Dwyane Wade will not play Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers because of a sprained right ankle. But LeBron James may also not be available. The Heat forward will be a game-time decision, as he left shootaround early with the flu. James played through the same sickness in Tuesday's victory over the San Antonio Spurs, but his health began to regress Wednesday night. "He didn't feel good last night," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He feels a little bit more like he did two days ago. That bug has been going around.""
James, Bosh, Miller lead Miami Heat's comeback against Spurs
"The Heat is getting used to winning without Dwyane Wade. Miami is 4-0 this season in games without Wade, who missed Tuesday's 120-98 victory against the San Antonio Spurs with a sprained ankle. The Heat, which snapped a three-game losing streak, struggled through the first half at AmericanAirlines Arena but then came to life in the third and fourth quarters behind dazzling shooting efforts from LeBron James and Mike Miller. James, who played despite flu-like symptoms, led the Heat with 33 points on 12-of-21 shooting. He shot 1 of 6 to begin the game but caught fire in the second and third quarters. James was 11 of 15 from the field and 4 of 5 from three-point range the second half."
Former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown says he doesn't believe LeBron James quit against Boston Celtics in 2010 playoffs
"Mike Brown says he's never watched a replay of the most scrutinized game in Cavaliers history -- Game 5 of the 2010 playoff series against the Boston Celtics. In fact, the new Los Angles Lakers coach has not reviewed any of that series, Brown said, one that ultimately led to his dismissal as coach of the Cavs and LeBron James' departure from Cleveland. Before Friday night's game against his old team in Staples Center, Brown reflected on his time with the Cavaliers and the superstar who both enriched him and also helped cost him a job after two seasons of 60-plus wins. Brown said he doesn't believe James quit in the controversial Game 5 vs. the Celtics, but added: "You would have to ask him"
LeBron James on Tim Tebow: 'I root for guys like that'
"His beloved Dallas Cowboys did not make the playoffs, and that stings for LeBron James. But he'll always have Tim Tebow. Saying he can relate to the Denver Broncos quarterback on so many levels, James said Friday he has found himself keeping an eye on the former University of Florida star, who faces the New England Patriots on Saturday night in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.' "Honestly, I've been paying attention to Tebow all year, even while I was watching the Cowboys," James said Friday at Pepsi Center, prior to his Miami Heat playing the Denver Nuggets. "I love to see what a guy can do when his back is up against a wall, when everybody is counting him out." Asked why, James"
So exactly how many steps is LeBron allowed?
"First of all, let's get past the exaggeration. LeBron James did not take 42 steps before getting to the foul line in the closing seconds of regulation Wednesday. Five or six are closer to reality. But, as the video above shows, that was quite a stroll at the end of regulation for the Heat forward against the Clippers. Because James could not make his free throws, the issue became moot."
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony 1-2 in All-Star voting for East forwards
"Carmelo Anthony is almost assured of starting the All-Star Game alongside his good friend LeBron James. The first fan voting results were released on Thursday by the NBA with LeBron and Melo running 1 and 2 among the Eastern Conference forwards. In fact, Anthony's teammate, Amar'e Stoudemire, is third behind Melo by more than 300,000 votes. Among centers, Tyson Chandler is third behind Orlando's Dwight Howard and Chicago's Joakim Noah. In fact, Chandler trails Howard by nearly 700,000 votes. Fan voting ends on Jan. 31. The remaining seven players will be selected by the head coaches of their respective conferences."
Barkley questions LeBron
"Fresh off his appearance on "Saturday Night Live," Charles Barkley changed mediums Wednesday, but continued with a familiar theme: LeBron James as passive superstar. Asked on Chicago's "Waddle & Silvy Show" about the Heat forward failing to even attempt a single shot in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors, Barkley said it was just more of the same. "I think LeBron James' personality is he just defers," he told the ESPN radio affiliate. Barkley said it was no surprise that when Dwyane Wade returned from a three-game absence due to a bruised left foot, James' scoring total went down."
LeBron James again named NBA East Player of Week
"For the second time in as many weeks of this late-starting NBA season, Miami Heat forward LeBron James has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant took the Western Conference honor for games played Jan. 2 through Jan. 8. James, who also won the conference honor for the season's first week, helped the Heat to a 3-1 week, leading the Heat in scoring each game. Over the four games, he averaged 31 points on .607 shooting, along with 9.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.33 steals. Heat power forward Chris Bosh was among other nominees for the East honor."
LeBron James' early scoring binge enough to finish off Nets
"The announcement that Dwyane Wade would be unable to go came about 45 minutes before tipoff. The fact that LeBron James again was good to go came during the first quarter. Over. And over. And over again. A game after both Miami Heat stars sat out Thursday's triple-overtime victory against the Atlanta Hawks, the return of James was enough Saturday night in a 101-90 victory over the New Jersey Nets at the Prudential Center. "Once I said I was going to give it a go, then it was back to business," James said."
LeBron's dominance overcomes Wade's absence in 118-83 Heat rout
"Through the prism of the Big Three, sometimes the little things can go unnoticed. But with Dwyane Wade sidelined Wednesday with a bruised left foot, his teammates, including one in particular, found themselves with a greater portion of the canvas to take stock of themselves. So James Jones, starting in place of Wade, stepped into a series of silky 3-pointers, Chris Bosh took a more aggressive bent in getting to the line, and LeBron James filled out the box score. Boy did he ever."
Miami Heat's LeBron James may not play Thursday against Hawks
"Heat forward LeBron James is questionable for Thursday's game against the Hawks after spraining his ankle in the third quarter Wednesday. James went down hard on a drive to the basket against the Pacers and writhed in pain for several minutes before walking off the injury. He remained in the game but could be unavailable against Atlanta. "It's OK right now," James said after the Heat's 118-83 victory against the Pacers. "It's always the next day. That's the way you know how it's going to be going forward. With this flight, it may swell a little bit on the plane.""
LeBron James in his comfort zone
"Maybe there is something to this "I'm a new man" thing LeBron James has been touting since before the season started.A cynic would say — and who around LeBron James isn't a cynic these days — that it was merely a convenient excuse for LeBron to say he was approaching the game incorrectly, and it's what caused him to fail in the most crucial of moments.What does it matter if you're happy or stressed when you have got Jason Kidd on your back and you still decide to shoot a step-back jumper rather than take advantage of your size? Basketball instincts should take over there, anyway. And even his own head coach constantly complimented his team for being able to compartmentalize all of their"
LeBron engaged, pops question on New Year's Eve
"A lot of memories have been made since Dwyane Wade and LeBron James decided to team up to play on the Miami Heat. And just after the clock struck midnight to bring in the new year on Sunday morning, the duo did it again at the Shelborne Hotel in South Beach. As James' friends, family and teammates turned to one another to say, "Happy New Year," the All-Star forward picked up an engagement ring from Wade, who was in charge of holding it until that moment. James then dropped to one knee and proposed to longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson, who said yes. "It was real cool," James said. "It was an opportunity for me with my personal life, so it was good. My girl, she's very excited." Brinson"
LeBron engaged, pops question on New Year's Eve
"A far more engaging personality in his second season with the Miami Heat, LeBron James took that premise to a higher level Saturday. A James representative confirmed Sunday to the Sun Sentinel that the All-Star forward is now engaged to his longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson. James celebrated both New Year's Eve and his 27th birthday, which was Friday, with a Saturday celebration on South Beach. That is when he popped the question. James and Brinson, his high-school sweetheart, have two young sons, 7-year-old LeBron Jr. and 4-year-old Bryce."
LeBron James has a winning birthday
"LeBron James turned 27 on Friday and celebrated his birthday with a victory against the Timberwolves. James has played on his birthday five times during his nine-year career, but Friday was just his second victory on Dec.?30. While his teams historically haven't faired well on his birthday, James has averaged more than 35 points per game. "My birthday and my mom's birthday are the two days I feel real, real good about playing basketball," James said. James and the Heat returned to Miami immediately following Friday's game, and the team will enjoy an off day on New Year's Eve. The Heat plays a home back-to-back against Charlotte and Atlanta on Sunday and Monday. James will be celebrating"
New Year's presents a dual threat for LeBron, Heat
"Well this certainly is an imposing combination, perhaps even more imposing than the Heat's Big Three: A Saturday's New Year's Eve party on South Beach that also is doubling as LeBron James' birthday party, with the Heat forward turning 27 Friday. According to the New York Post, James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and their significant others will be among the 50 or so at the Shelborne Hotel, with a post-dinner Lauryn Hill concert to follow. But it's what follows New Year's Eve that could limit the revelry. The Heat not only have back-to-back home games on Sunday and Monday, against the Charlotte Bobcats and Atlanta Hawks, but then leave later in the week for a weeklong coast-to-coast trip that"
James comes through on his birthday in 103-101 win over 'Wolves
"Memo to Miami Heat operations department: Next time use more force with the NBA office to schedule LeBron James' birthday as a home game. The AmericanAirlines Arena crowd deserves better than being deprived of such theatrics. Once again offering his birthday best, this time on the day he turned 27, James helped the Heat overcome a gimpy Dwyane Wade and shaky foul shooting to match the franchise's best-ever start at 4-0, with a 103-101 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. "They gave us everything we could handle," said coach Erik Spoelstra, who actually might have been the Heat's star of the game for the play he drew up for a sidelines out-of-bounds set with 6 seconds"
Lebron James, Dwayne Wade yet to attempt three pointers
"With bags of ice wrapped around both of his knees, LeBron James toed the three-point arc inside a Minneapolis health club Thursday and called for the ball."Let me see that ball," James said. "Let me see if I still got it."Swish. James then turned and smirked at a few reporters covering the Heat's optional practice session between road games against Charlotte and Minnesota."What?" James said rhetorically, opening his arms in a playful gesture. "I still got my trademark."Minutes earlier, James had been explaining the reason why he has just as many three-point attempts this season — zero — as center Joel Anthony. In the Heat's first three games, neither James nor Dwyane Wade has attempted a"
LeBron James finds himself living free of the 3s
""Yeah," LeBron James said with a smile, "I do." The question at Thursday's optional Miami Heat workout at the Target Center was whether he still remembered how to shoot 3-pointers. Through three games, and a very conscious effort, he has yet to attempt a single 3-pointer. Last season, by contrast, he attempted 279, an average of 3 1/2 per game. This season, James said he's not even practicing them on a regular basis. "I've cut back a lot," he said. "I still work on it and still shoot it. It's not part of my everyday workout, though." That doesn't mean the weapon has been removed from his arsenal. "I don't know if I'll be able to go a whole season without shooting a 3," he said with a"
LeBron's presence easily felt this time
"LeBron James had nearly six months to reflect on his performance in the NBA Finals last season.The 2011-2012 campaign couldn't get here fast enough for the seven-time All-Star."I didn't talk to anybody or do anything for three weeks," he said. "I just moped around and let it all sink in until it was time to refocus.""I was glad I was able to get up out of it and get back to work."James indeed got back to work on Sunday, scorching Dallas for 37 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals.Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said leading up to the game that the Heat would lean more toward an aggressive style of play, giving James and the Heat's other stars more freedom in lieu of a"
James, Wade power Heat past Mavericks 105-94 in opener
"That victory the Miami Heat were looking for last June in Dallas? They found it Sunday. That additional element to make the game easier? They apparently have found that, as well. Doing to the Dallas Mavericks' championship celebration what the Mavericks did to their 2011 championship hopes, the Heat got the best of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to roll to a 105-94 season-opening Christmas Day rout Sunday at American Airlines Center. "It was a good, business, professional win for us tonight to get this thing started," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We understand this is going to be a wild journey." Celebrities: See who is courtside at the Finals In a game played at a decidedly non-playoff pace,"
After NBA Finals failures, Miami Heat's LeBron James taking game to post
"Think back to the Finals failures that stand out most. The LeBron James step-back jumper from the baseline when all that stood between him and the basket was a 6-4 Jason Kidd. LeBron's awkward post-up attempt against the even smaller J.J. Barea that resulted in an offensive foul. Go back even farther to the regular-season failures in game-winning situations. The swatted attempt against Amare Stoudemire and the Knicks. LeBron's difficult lefty layup attempt over Joakim Noah in the torturous loss to the Bulls. Nothing about those moments looked comfortable for LeBron. He's among the most intimidating presences in the league, with maybe only Dwight Howard and Blake Griffin even comparable,"
Is LeBron dominating the offense too much?
"Q: There is no better defense for Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh than LeBron James dominating the ball and forcing shots. The Heat will never be the team that they can be until they play as a team on the offensive end of the floor. He won't hit those forced jumpers more than one night out of three, at best. He is such a good passer that he could be so much more. -- Ron. A: Which is why I would think more structure in the offense would be a good thing. Wednesday, even though only an exhibition, raised concerns. I think breaking LeBron of old habits isn't going to be as easy as occasionally stationing him in the post."
LeBron James on Dwight Howard: "He ain't going through what I went through."
"LeBron James didn't want to hear anything about the similarities between himself and Dwight Howard. When I suggested that Dwight's situation is akin to what LeBron went through in Cleveland, LeBron swatted my question away like I was Muggsy Bogues trying to take him to the hole. "He (Dwight) ain't going through what I went through," LeBron said at the Miami Heat's shoot-around Wednesday morning in preparation for the preseason finale against the Magic Wednesday night. "Don't say that. … He's nowhere near going through what I went through." When I asked him to explain, LeBron replied. "I'll let you figure that out. … If you don't know, you might be doing the wrong job.""
Heat teammates at ease with Wade, Bosh, LeBron star system
"Lights! Camera! Dwyane Wade! LeBron James! Chris Bosh! At the podium on media day. In front of the photographers. Celebrities: See who is courtside at the Finals And amid daily media throngs after practice. The others? You can find them to the side, often alone, waiting for the Miami Heat star attractions to finish their mega media obligations. "We," power forward Udonis Haslem said, "work on the bus and make sure it keeps working." While it could be debated whether the Miami Heat started the latest incarnation of the NBA's "Big Three" trend, what's become clear is that teams aren't necessarily viewed as "teams" anymore, but rather as core players and the rest of the roster."
Miami Heat's LeBron James happy to back down now
"For all the talent and offense on the Heat's roster last season, there was one noticeable flaw. The team simply didn't score enough points in the paint. The expectation going into this season was to solve the problem through free agency. Didn't happen. The market for big men was limited and the Heat's budget didn't allow for competitive spending. Instead of buying a solution, the Heat is hoping a little creativity can provide an answer. And by creativity, we mean LeBron James."
For Miami Heat's LeBron James, destination is title or bust
"The new LeBron says he is the old LeBron. The LeBron who melted in the NBA Finals was an imposter, but the real LeBron is back. In a State of LeBron address on Monday, LeBron James declared that he has worked through the vitriol and angst of last season and is ready to take the Heat to a championship. James, looking relaxed and fit on a day when Heat players spent a couple hours posing for pictures and doing numerous interviews, is prepared to shoulder even higher expectations this year. So are his teammates. The trial run, which ended with a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, is over. The getting-used-to-each-other wrinkles have been ironed out. The celebratory hoopla about the phenomenal"
LeBron James says 'I'm back to being myself' after playing out of anger last season
"After the Mavericks shut the door, LeBron James shut it down for a spell. He returned to Akron, Ohio, spending a few weeks out of sight, far from the white hot spotlight. It was during this July stretch, sources close to the Heat star say, when James started to see another sort of light, when he came to fully recognize that he shouldn't play another season from the same dark place as he had the last. That he shouldn't play out of anger anymore. That he shouldn't play to make the sneering stop, or prove the doubters wrong. That he shouldn't play in response to hate. That he should get back to playing simply out of love for something that had long ago unconditionally earned it: the game."
Trading Dwight Howard for LeBron James makes sense
"The Magic will be asking the world for Dwight Howard now that he clearly wants to move on. When you have the league's most-coveted free agent and, arguably, its best player, you should. Otis Smith wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't. Smith has given Howard's agent permission to speak with three teams (Lakers, Nets and Mavericks) and bring back a deal for his consideration. Sadly, Howard wants out, period. It's deja Shaq. The Magic will look beyond Dwight's shopping list. They should try to trade him for another superstar. The only thing these teams can say to Smith is "no," right? Sounds absurd? A fantasy basketball trade? But aren't stars on the move and joining forces everywhere? Why"
LeBron James is back with a new smile
"There's one opening question about the Heat this year, and it isn't about Chris Bosh's 10 added pounds, what Shane Battier brings or if Eddy Curry can rediscover his path with this franchise. The question is about LeBron James. Dwyane Wade took the first swing at it after the first practice Friday. Wade talked about comfort, trust and relationships. He said how LeBron likes to laugh and didn't much last year. Wade said, "We all know he's a talented guy. It's all about getting comfortable with the Miami way. … He's got to be the type of person that's made him successful. I don't think he was that last year." Finally, at a pause in Wade's good and lengthy answer, LeBron said, "You know I'm"
Leaner Dwyane Wade steps forward in defense of LeBron James, Chris Bosh
"Among the Big Three, he was the one who was here first. To a degree, that puts Dwyane Wade in a different place with the Miami Heat than LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Wednesday, at the media launch event for his Jordan Fly Wade 2 sneaker, Wade spoke very much as a team captain, the lone member of the team's Big Three with such a designation. During a relaxed interview conducted in the bleachers of a gym in downtown Miami, Wade offered his thoughts about James' tumultuous year, Bosh's growth as an equal partner in the team's postseason success, and how he has stepped back when it comes to recruiting and the free agency of backcourt partner Mario Chalmers. He also spoke two days before"