Posts Tagged ‘LeBron James’

NBA conference finals quick preview

- May 19th, 2013

I did pretty well in Round 2 (4-0, in fact and was bang on with Heat in 5 and Spurs in 6) bringing my playoff series prediction record to 10-2. But as we move to the NBA’s final four, here’s where it gets at least a bit trickier.

Eastern Conference Final

Miami vs. Indiana

This one should be closer than you’d think. It’s a superteam vs. an expertly constructed, balanced group that excels because of contributions from everybody.

Miami doesn’t really have an answer for Roy Hibbert, who has been playing some fantastic basketball throughout this post-season, but LeBron James makes a bigger difference than anybody in the league, and that’s why the Heat will prevail. Yes, the superb Paul George will slow James down a bit if matched up with him, but I see LeBron and Dwyane Wade getting Hibbert into foul trouble.

David West vs. Chris Bosh also will be an interesting matchup. Don’t expect Bosh to dominate, West will give him a challenge at both ends.

It’s too bad George Hill isn’t 100% healthy (even though he passed his concussion tests), because he’s a guy that could really give the Pacers a boost.

This is going to be a battle and this Indiana group probably knocks off last year’s Miami squad, but with Ray Allen and Chris Andersen providing lots of help off of the bench this year and James continuing the ascent that began with his dominating finals performance, Miami has enough to survive. They might be tested as much here as in the final though.

Heat in 7

Western Conference final

Spurs vs. Grizzlies

I’ve made a habit of counting out the Spurs in recent years – and regretting it – but, here I go again. The Grizzlies will upset the Spurs again. Marc Gasol is playing at a spectacular level and even though Tim Duncan has the best chance of just about anybody of neutralizing him, Zach Randolph will be there to pick up the slack and Tiago Splitter isn’t going to be stopping Z-Bo.

In a long, brutal series, which this one will be, I like Memphis’ youth over San Antonio’s vast experience. I’m not sure Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili will be healthy enough in the latter half of the series after the pounding they will take to get the Spurs through. Early on in the series, Gasol will deter that backcourt from entering the lane and Tony Allen will make life tough for Manu.

The main reason for doubt is Memphis’ lack of a closer and Parker and Ginobili’s history of coming up huge in the biggest moments. Plus, homecourt advantage always helps and the Grizzlies don’t have a particularly fearsome bench.

The Spurs have the experience edge, but Gasol is an international champion and Tayshaun Prince has brought Memphis a proven winner with veteran savvy to help counter-act San Antonio’s pedigree. Prince has faced the Spurs on the biggest stage before and helped frustrate them with his defence.

Don’t expect high-scoring games and the Spurs might make me look foolish again, but:

Grizzlies in 6

 

 

 

 

 

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Raptors at Heat Points Per Game:

- April 19th, 2012

So, that LeBron James guy is pretty good. Dwane Casey wants his Raptors to put on weight in the off-season in order to match up with guys like LeBron, but the thing is, not many people can do that. More realistically, the Raptors need to bulk up to match up with other players – nobody matches up with LeBron.

That said, Casey is urging his team to “throw the first punch” every night for the rest of this season (come out and perform well in the first quarter) and the team is doing that more often than not, including against Miami on Wednesday, which is a good sign.

- James Johnson continued his resurgence offensively with another good game, though his defence has slipped significantly from how good it was earlier this year.

- That LeBron buzzer beater play was something to see. One of the more entertaining plays to go against the Raptors this season.

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Finals wrapup

- June 13th, 2011

So this is how it ends.

Not with a bang, but with a whimper.

Or something like that. Hard to believe LeBron James checked out so thoroughly in the NBA final.

Congrats to the Mavs, a solid team with enviable depth. Consider, Dallas overcame the loss of Caron Butler, its rock-solid two-way small forward, backup centre and decent inside presence at both ends Brendan Haywood, and the man most thought would be its next star, Roddy Beaubois.

Have to believe Dwane Casey’s price just went up. Will the Raptors meet his price?

Casey is deservedly getting his props, especially with the way Dallas’ zone completely discombobulated the Heat.

But while he deserves the credit, it might be getting a bit overstated in that Miami is a team that can’t really shoot from the outside (Mario Chalmers and Eddie House being notable exceptions) and lives to get inside. Casey and the Mavs went with the type of defence best suited to stop a team like Miami. It wasn’t magic, it was common sense. That’s not to say Casey won’t make a fine choice in whatever city he ends up in. All signs say he will.

Until they got by Chicago, I thought Miami’s reign at the top of the NBA would commence next season. I thought they’d take a year to figure things out before they ran roughshod on the NBA. But once they beat Chicago I thought they had it figured out and would get it done this year.

Can’t say I’m upset I was wrong.

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Quick thoughts on Game 3 of finals and congrats to latest Canadian star prospect Anthony Bennett

- June 5th, 2011

Will get to the finals in a minute but first …

Canadian basketball fans should get to know the name Anthony Bennett. He’s yet another stud Canadian prospect making noise. I was a bit late on Bennett, but have been told all year he’s the next big thing after the current crop playing in the NCAA and the players who went to the McDonald’s All-American and Nike games.

Bennett is a 6-8, 230 pound power forward from Brampton (very similar size to Brampton’s Tristan Thompson who is expected to become the highest drafted Canadian ever later this month).

Like Thompson, Bennett plays for Findlay Prep in Nevada.

Graduating Findlay player Myck Kabongo won MVP at last year’s Pangos Camp, a very highly regarded prospects camp in the U.S., while Bennett was named co-MVP this time around thanks to some tremendous performances.

Currently ranked 46th by ESPN in the class of 2012, most believe it is just a matter of time before he cracks the top 20, or higher.

As for the finals, some quick thoughts:

Dirk continues to be spectacular. Very few teams go to a big man in the clutch these days and even historically. Karl Malone was the guy for Utah and I can’t think of too many more examples at the moment.

That’s traditionally the time for swingmen or point guards to shine, so it’s pretty amazing how Dirk seems to score the last 10-15 points for Dallas in big games. He’s an all-time great.

Said in my piece in Monday’s paper that LeBron might get all the attention, but Dwyane Wade is the guy you want in the playoffs. He’s a killer. Not just on offence, where he’s brilliant, unless he goes into three-point chucking mode, but also defensively, where he’s an absolute terror – unless he’s outsmarted by Jason Kidd.

Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem continue to play underrated roles for the soon-to-be-champion Heat. They don’t show up much on the statsheet, but they’re invaluable.

Mario Chalmers, a guy Miami didn’t really want the past two years, is really earning his keep. Chalmers is nailing big shots like he did while at Kansas.

Shawn Marion is doing a solid job on James but Dallas can’t afford another 4-12 effort out of Marion. Somebody besides Dirk and Jason Terry needs to light it up for the Mavericks on Tuesday if they are to make this a series again.

These finals have been a treat for basketball fans.

Strange night for Chris Bosh. Started pretty well. Was awful in the second and third quarters. A bit better in the fourth until stinking it up late … but hit the game-winner.

One final thought. Dwayne Casey is doing a great job. He’s basically the defensive coordinator for Dallas and the team is buying in to what he is selling. Rick Carlisle has been fantastic as well, but I’d be shocked if Casey doesn’t get a head coaching job for next season, either in Toronto or elsewhere.

It is not easy to hold the powerful Heat well south of 50% shooting. Casey has helped make it happen.

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Wade makes it a trio

- February 17th, 2011

To date the backlash of the big three deciding to hook up in Miami at whatever cost to their old franchises has been felt mostly by the two new newbies to South Beach.
That would be LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
James’ name is mud in his home state of Ohio. Likewise Chris Bosh learned Wednesday night just how unpopular his exit from Toronto made him after seven years in front of a previously adoring fan base.
Wade? He goes into Cleveland or Toronto and he gets cheered.
Wade admitted he realized this was done as much to mock his new teammates as in appreciation of his own game.
“That’s like a slap in the face,” Wade said. “We go back to Cleveland and I get cheered. We come here and I get cheered. That’s a slap in the face to these guys,” Wade said indicating Bosh and James beside him.
Then Wade, in a few words, joined Bosh and James among the ranks of the unpopular in both Toronto and Cleveland.
“It’s not I’m happy I didn’t have to go anywhere,” Wade said. “It’s just the decision that was made. Miami is just the better city. I’m not saying anything about Toronto but it wasn’t a focal point of mine. I wouldn’t come here and about Cleveland? I wouldn’t go there either. Miami was just the better city.”
Even James, the guy who thought it would be a good idea to go on nation-wide television and announce he was leaving his home to play in Miami saw that for the mistake for it was.
He buried his face in his hands and shook his head as Wade giggled nervously.
We don’t think Wade will have to worry himself about being cheered in either Toronto or Cleveland any time soon.
— Mike Ganter

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LeBron is a supervillain; Raptor sign and trade for Bosh likely Friday; Cleveland owner’s letter was awesome

- July 9th, 2010

First, can’t believe LeBron actually did it. He is now LeDarth to me. One of the biggest sports villains ever. Sorry Cleveland fans.

What a great letter by Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert though:

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn.  And “who” we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day….

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue….

- -

Dan Gilbert

Majority Owner

Cleveland Cavaliers

Good luck with the championship part and you probably shouldn’t have enabled the guy for so long, but otherewise, great job.

Yahoo! is reporting via Twitter it looks like a Bosh sign and trade probably happens Friday. Toronto gets a TPE and a pick or two. Bryan Colangelo needs to get his own pick back and needs to not waste the TPE on an average player or two in order for the Raptors to come out of this whole thing in half decent shape.

Still, I think they are in trouble.

Finally, Michael Beasley has been traded to Minnesota. That opens up space for the Heat to go after a free agent like Mike Miller.

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On Kleiza and LeBron

- July 8th, 2010

It appears Linas Kleiza is going to be a Raptor. Bryan Colangelo has been pursuing him for a long time. I doubt Denver wants to pay Carmelo Anthony’s backup $5 million a season for the next four years.

Kleiza is a good player. An effective piece. But if he’s a starter and you want to be a good team, he better be your fifth-best starter or you’re not good enough, period. If he’s coming off the bench, that’s a little bit too much money for my liking, but it’s not a complete disaster.

Kleiza was one of the top players in Europe last season (Euroleague leading scorer). He rebounds, defends and gets after it. The Raptors need as many players like that as possible. This move makes a lot more sense if a Hedo Turkoglu deal is on the horizon. There aren’t enough minutes for Kleiza, Turkoglu and Sonny Weems.

But even if Turk is moved, I still have a problem with this signing. Why? You’ll have to read my column in the Sun Friday to find out.

As for LeBron. This whole thing makes me sick. Unless he stays in Cleveland, I am very down on this whole process. If he jilts Cleveland during this one-hour “extravaganza” LeBron will become the biggest villain in sports history. The NBA’s Darth Vader, if you will.

I still think he stays put, but at this point, will concede that belief stems more from hopefulness than logic. All signs point to Miami, but I won’t believe it until I see it. I’m not sure LeBron, the man trying to become the biggest brand in sports, will really cut off so many potential buyers of what he’s selling by leaving Cleveland.

Yes, some haters still buy things, but many more don’t. Selling the Bron brand becomes much easier if he stays in Cleveland for a couple years, wins a ring and then leaves for greener pastures.

When Bryan Colangelo wants a player he isn’t afraid to pay up to get him.

The Raptors have signed forward Linas Kleiza to a four-year, $20-million U.S. offer sheet.

The Denver Nuggets — who own Kleiza’s rights even though he most recently played in Greece — now have seven days to match the offer. It is highly unlikely they will do so.

Kleiza, a 6-foot-8, 245 pound small forward with a nice shooting touch, is a productive player who Colangelo hoped to acquire last season. Kleiza can play the three and four, and even spot minutes at shooting guard in a pinch.

He is an aggressive, chippy player in the mold of ex-Raptor Jorge Garbajosa.

Kleiza spent three seasons with Denver after being acquired in a draft night deal for Jarrett Jack, averaging 8.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in 19 minutes per game.

The Lithuanian spent last season with Olympiacos Piraeus in Greece averaging a Euroleague high 17 points a night, along with seven rebounds.

He notched a career-best 41 points during the 2007-08 season and was outstanding in Denver’s short, four-game playoff that year, averaging 14 points and 6 rebounds on 54% shooting.

It is unclear how Kleiza will fit in with the Raptors unless further moves are made.

Small forward Hedo Turkoglu is expected to have an increased role, unless the Raptors somehow find a way to move his brutal deal, and another swingman, Sonny Weems, is also expected to see heavy minutes following a breakout final two months of 2009-10.

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Bosh to Miami done, but will Colangelo play ball?

- July 7th, 2010

As was widely expected, Chris Bosh will be joining Dwyane Wade as a member of the Miami Heat.

ESPN’s Chris Broussard first reported the package deal.

What still remains unclear, is whether Bosh will sign outright when contracts can officially be announced or will he go via sign & trade, gaining the Raptors something in return and gifting Bosh with an extra year and $30 million US over the life of his contract.

The Raptors have not yet heard anything official, so this leaked announcement screams posturing. Miami desperately wants Toronto to take on Michael Beasley in order to open up more room in an attempt to stun the entire league by also adding LeBron James.

Without moving Beasley, Miami cannot offer Wade, Bosh and James the true max. All of them would have to consider taking less money.

Cleveland has said it will not sign & trade James if he chooses to leave, so he would be taking less by signing in Miami anyways.

Bryan Colangelo is sitting at the poker table again. As he was when he made the poor Jermaine O’Neal for Shawn Marion transactions a couple of years ago which ended up providing the Heat with the cap room it is now using to pair Wade with Bosh, along, possibly, with James.

Colangelo either loses the franchise leader in most categories for nothing, or takes Beasley, the Raptors’next non-lottery first and possibly more + a TPE back. But in doing so, Colangelo would be making a lot of people around the league very unhappy – never his style of doing business – since only the Raptors can make a Wade-Bosh-James triumvirate possible unless the trio accepts less money. All three taking less money to play together and putting their egos aside to work together seemed preposterous even 24 hours ago and I still say 70-30 it doesn’t happen. But it is now a realistic possibility.

Interesting times indeed.

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Izzo to Cavs this early doesn’t make sense

- June 10th, 2010

So, this Tom Izzo stuff is pretty crazy huh?

What I don’t get, is how could he possibly make a decision now? There is no way LeBron James, attention seeker that he is, has made a free agency decision this early. Would Izzo really try to rebuild the Cavs without LeBron? Even for $6 million, it seems unlikely to me given all that he has built at Michigan State.

Izzo is, in my books, the fourth or fifth-best basketball coach in the world (Pop, Phil, Coach K would be ahead of him) and he has turned MSU into a powerhouse. He knows what happens to college coaches once they hit the league, they flame out horribly.

I don’t think he goes to Cleveland unless LeBron commits soon and I don’t see that happening so I don’t see Izzo becoming the next coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But if he did … suddenly Cleveland is the destination for Chris Bosh with an unseemly package led by J.J. Hickson likely heading back the other way.

Bargnani update

Have received a lot of e-mails based  on the line I wrote the other day about everyone being available except for Andrea Bargnani. That doesn’t mean the Raptors are having a fire sale or are unhappy with DeMar DeRozan or Sonny Weems. It means if they can get an elite player and the cost is one of those two or picking a player for a team at 13, they might do it.

Do they use an asset to get rid of Turkoglu or Calderon? Hopefully not, that would be very short-term thinking and would just add to the hole the franchise is digging by giving away assets in order to improve slightly (Roy Hibbert for Jermaine O’Neal, picks for Shawn Marion, etc.)

With Bosh all but gone, they have no choice but to keep Bargnani. Despite his faults, he is a talented young big who should only get better. Bryan Colangelo has said on a number of occassions that Bargnani has a fair contract. I take that to mean other GM’s would like to trade for him. It could also mean he can’t get the right value for him so will keep him. That’s also what could be happening here.

Colangelo has hitched his wagon to Bargnani. It is probably going to cost him Bosh. Unless he gets an insane offer for Bargnani, Andrea will be a Raptor for a long time.

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