A sports blog by and for Midwest Sports Fans
Welcome to Today’s Best by MSF. This is our daily rundown of links, laughs, and lovely ladies that will help you get through your work day.
In today’s edition, Rachel McAdams goes public with a new boyfriend (who isn’t me…damnit), Adrian Wojnarowski takes it easy on LeBron (for once!), the moms of both LeBron and Dwyane Wade celebrate the Heat’s victory over the Celtics, and Dallas goes crazy about In & Out Burger. And a lot more.
In the 48 hour aftermath of the Cavs’ Game 6 loss to the Boston Celtics, two prominent rumors started to circulate through the paper-thin walls of the Interwebs.
The first rumor was not necessarily new, it just started to gain new steam: basically that LeBron and current Kentucky coach John Calipari were going to be a package deal wherever LeBron ends up playing next season. The close association of both to William “Worldwise Wes” Wesley had turned this whisper into a low murmur some time ago.
The second rumor was new, and while it is significantly more sensational, scintillating, and salacious, it is much, much easier to simply dismiss as baseless Internet chatter. That rumor, if you have not heard it, is that LeBron found out before Game 5 that teammate Delonte West was sleeping with Gloria James, LeBron’s mother.
Since I remain fascinated by this story despite multiple proclamations that I’m sick of it, I decided to dig a bit more into both this morning. What I found didn’t really surprise me.
First off, a hat tip to the best AM roundup of sports links on the web: The Big Lead.
The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 124-93 last night. That’s great, but it’s the Cavs and the Knicks so it’s not the result was ever really in question.
What will now be in question is whether LeBron James’ ridiculous dunk last night – which didn’t actually count – ends up being the most impressive dunk of the year.
There was much excitement in the air, and Playoff–like intensity at Quicken Loans Arena as the Cleveland Cavaliers took on the reigning NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers last night.
Fans of both teams eagerly awaited the rematch of current MVP Lebron James and former MVP Kobe Bryan, who last meet for a Cavs win on Christmas Day.
With the city of Cleveland’s pride on the line, and with last season’s heartbreaking Eastern Conference Championship loss still fresh in the mind of LeBron James and Cleveland fans, the Cavaliers got a redeeming 102-93 win over the Orlando Magic, last night.
Mo Williams, who previously struggled in the Conference Finals, found his shots this time around. He scored 22 points (9-9) in the first half of the game, and added 4 assists. Williams finished the game with 28 total points, 6 assists, and 1 rebound. Also, an aggressive LeBron James scored a season high 36 points, with 4 assists, and 8 rebounds.
Cleveland Cavaliers fans were excited on this Halloween Night to see Delonte West walk out of the locker room and onto the court with his team — for the first time this season.
Fans, dressed up as Ghosts, Ghouls, Goblins, Mummies, Cartoon Characters, Cavs Players, and Witches, all cheered as he did his shoot-around.
Those cheers spoke volumes to the Cavalier Organization, to Delonte West, and to his teammates. The cheers let them all know that Cavs fans gladly welcome the troubled West back into the fold.
Well this isn’t good.
Troubled Cavs guard Delonte West, who was recently arrested for gun possession in Maryland, reportedly skipped today’s first practice as the Cleveland Cavaliers opened training camp.
Here is the somewhat ominous quote from Mike Brown assessing the situation:
The Cleveland Cavaliers won their 8th straight game last night beating the New Jersey Nets 106-82. They are now 9-2 after going 1-2 in the first three games. The Cavs dominated on the boards in New Jersey and also had 8 blocks on defense. The big story of the night (as usual) was LeBron James, who scored his 11,000th point, beseeching Kobe Bryant as the youngest player ever to do so in the NBA.
James had 31 points 8 boards and 4 assists for Cleveland on the road in front of his buddy Jay-Z’s struggling New Jersey squad. He also had help. Newly acquired PG Mo Williams helped with 16 pts and 6 assists. Guard Delonte West also chimed in with 16 pts while going a perfect 4 for 4 from three point range.
This is exactly how I want to see the Cavs winning games. Defense, rebounding, LeBron James, and excellent outside shooting. While James hasn’t had much help on the offensive end of the court in his tenure in Cleveland, they have always played tough “D” and rebounded well.
King James has been dominating so far this year averaging 29.9 ppg, 8 rebounds a game and 7 dimes a game while getting a lot more help than in years previous from his supporting cast. I think that right now Cleveland is playing as well as any team in the Eastern Conference. I like that they can be physical, they hustle on D and they have a defined leader. I know Lebron James is 23; but, he’s been in the league so long already that he is just about 30 in basketball years.
LeBron James wants a championship badly and he has 2 years left in Cleveland. I hope that he can get a championship before his contract is up to help him really consider staying with the Cavs for his entire career. James told an ESPN reporter before the game, “I think you do what is best for you and you do what is best for your career,” when asked about his future in Cleveland. LeBron also made it clear that he wants to play for a franchise that gives him the chance to win multiple NBA championships.
I’m sure Cleveland fans would rather him say something like, “I’m from Northeast Ohio and I will never leave, not even if I’m being chased by a rabid Godzilla with a machine gun cock.” But, we will have to wait and see.
The Cavs must do everything that they can to keep him. LeBron James should get whatever he wants.He is the best player in the NBA and having him on your team automatically puts you in contention for an NBA championship.
[tags]lebron james, cleveland cavaliers, nba[/tags]
