:::NBA pOwEr:::

The story of Automoblox

2010-08-28T09:47:00.001-07:00

Patrick Calello tells the story of how Automoblox (a wooden car toy) came about. Lots of business lessons to be gleaned from this one.

Mr. Ling, one of the partners from the injection molding factory, picked up Henry and me at our hotel. Henry was quick to inform Mr. Ling that he did not speak Cantonese, the local language. This deception positioned Henry as a spy for me, pretending to not understand the conversations between my agent, Lenny, the molder, Mr. Ling, and the tool maker. After a short while, Henry pulled me aside and advised me to get my business out of Swift Tread as swiftly as possible. He overheard the toolmaker tell Mr. Ling that there was nothing else he could do to adjust the mold. Henry also learned that my agent, Vinnie -- who was supposed to have my interests at heart -- was really protecting the interests of the molder.

My three-year-old son has four Automoblox cars. He loves them and plays with them as much as all his other toys and books combined. (via hello typepad)

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Was Mo Williams Calling LeBron Spoiled?

2009-05-31T05:12:00.000-07:00

LeBron James didn't stick around Saturday night to speak with anyone about the fall of his Cleveland Cavaliers, leaving the point guard who failed him to speak in his behalf.

King James might not be happy this morning with how he was portrayed -- Mo Williams made him sound like a spoiled child.

Williams meant well when he started talking about the frustration that James was feeling, and why after James showered, he put on his headphones, ignored everyone around him, then walked to the team bus without talking.

see details: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/31/was-mo-williams-calling-lebron-spoiled/

Magic mull return of Jameer Nelson for NBA Finals

2009-05-31T05:07:00.000-07:00

"The Magic are encouraged by Jameer Nelson's rehabilitation so much that they will evaluate the possibility of the all-star playing in the NBA Finals against the Lakers, the Sentinel has learned. Magic President Bob Vander Weide said the team is exploring whether Nelson can return after undergoing shoulder surgery Feb. 19. He hasn't played since he was injured Feb. 3 against the Dallas Mavericks. Although Nelson wouldn't be in prime condition, Vander Weide said, "the chance to get an all-star point guard on the floor for 15 minutes a game ... you'd have to look at that." The Magic had ruled him out for the season and the playoffs, and as late as a week and a half ago General Manager Otis ..."

see details: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-sportsmagic-cavaliers-notes-31053109may31,0,4909212.story

NBA Finals Schedule 2009: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic

2009-05-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

The schedule for the 2009 NBA Finals is set, and it doesn't include LeBron James. Will powerhouse Dwight Howard lead the Orlando Magic to their very first championship? Or will Kobe Bryant and the Lakers pull it off after missing out on the crown last season? Tune in to find out and check back with NBA FanHouse for coverage throughout the Finals.

2009 NBA Finals Schedule

No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 3 Orlando Magic
- Game 1: Thursday, June 4 - Orlando at L.A. - 9PM ET on ABC
- Game 2: Sunday, June 7 - Orlando at L.A. - 8PM ET on ABC
- Game 3: Tuesday, June 9 - L.A. at Orlando - 9PM ET on ABC
- Game 4: Thursday, June 11 - L.A. at Orlando - 9PM ET on ABC
- Game 5*: Sunday, June 14 - L.A. at Orlando - 8PM ET on ABC
- Game 6*: Tuesday, June 16 - Orlando at L.A. - 9PM ET on ABC
- Game 7*: Thursday, June 18 - Orlando at L.A. - 9PM ET on ABC

source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/31/nba-finals-schedule-2009-los-angeles-lakers-vs-orlando-magic/

Lakers beat the Nuggets to earn another trip to the NBA Finals

2009-05-30T04:06:00.000-07:00

"The Los Angeles Lakers are going back to the NBA Finals. The Denver Nuggets are done for the season. With precision on offense, with solid defense, with drive and determination, and with Kobe Bryant taking charge, the Lakers took apart the Nuggets, winning 119-92 in Game 6 to clinch the Western Conference finals, 4-2. Bryant had 35 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. His three-pointer right in the face of J.R. Smith gave the Lakers a 101-82 lead and forced Denver Coach George Karl to call a timeout. Bryant walked to the Lakers bench with 6:13 left, knowing that the Lakers were headed to the Finals for the second consecutive year. They had been called soft when the Boston Celtics ..."

see details: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers30-2009may30,0,5975109.story

James says Olympics, not playoffs, pose the greatest pressure

2009-05-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

"For years, LeBron James has said he doesn't believe in pressure as a disarming answer to any question that includes the word itself. Of course this isn't true. In fact, he's somewhat of an expert. With that understanding, when James was asked to compare the Cavs' situation heading into Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals down 3-1 to the Orlando Magic to the stress of trying to win a gold medal in last summer's Olympics, he said the pressure levels aren't close. "I definitely feel the pressure was bigger with the Olympics than it is here," said James, who has been in contact with Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski several times during the playoffs. "A lot of people may say different, but ..."

see details: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/05/cavaliers_insider_20.html

Brown opts to remain in NBA draft

2009-05-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

"Xavier junior Derrick Brown is staying in the NBA draft, a fact new coach Chris Mack has known for a few weeks. With Mack watching from the stands, Brown told ESPN.com after Thursday's first session at the NBA draft combine in Chicago, "I'm not going back to school." Brown said he graduated and the coaching move of Sean Miller to Arizona and the elevation of Mack from assistant to head coach had little effect on his decision. "I feel I was going to do this regardless," said Brown. "Coach Miller is my guy." Brown said his versatility as a 6-foot-8 forward is something "NBA teams need." "This is something we've know for three or four weeks," said Mack of Brown's decision. "I've been in his ..."

see details: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4213690&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlin

Derrick Rose's grade was changed at Simeon High

2009-05-29T05:11:00.000-07:00

"A teacher handed Derrick Rose a "D" in the last semester of his senior year at Simeon High School. But by the time the University of Memphis got the future Bulls star's transcript, the "D" had been boosted to "C." Rose was one of four Simeon athletes who benefited from a one-month grade boost in June 2007, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday. The grade changes were outlined in a 2008 report by the Chicago Public Schools inspector general, a report that did not name Simeon or Rose. However, sources said, Rose was among four Simeon basketball players whose grades were temporarily inflated after their graduation -- just long enough for them to be reflected on transcripts sent to ..."

see details: http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1596666,derrick-rose-simeon-grades-cheat-memphis.article

The season continues: James' brilliant fourth quarter keeps Cavaliers alive

2009-05-29T05:07:00.000-07:00

"The Cavaliers made several statements on Thursday night. The most important may have been the one they made to themselves. They can beat the Orlando Magic, a concept that has seemed doubtful at times during this rocky Eastern Conference finals. They can do it playing their own way, even if it means having to absorb body blows and intense and sometimes unrelenting pressure. The Cavs took what they hope is their first step in a comeback by out-battling the Magic, 112-102, in Game 5 at The Q. It was a high-scoring game that saw an early 22-point lead turn into an 8-point deficit with stunning swiftness, not your typical Cavs effort. But it also showed just what it is going to take to ..."

see details: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/05/the_season_continues_james_bri.html

LeBron James Stands Alone in Game 5

2009-05-28T22:31:00.000-07:00

LeBron James just wasn't ready yet for the season to end, willing his Cleveland Cavaliers to a Game 5 victory Thursday night to keep this Eastern Conference final alive.

There was nothing complex about Cleveland's fourth quarter strategy against the Orlando Magic. It was give the ball to James at the top of the key, step back and see what wonder he could create.

It was all LeBron, all the time down the stretch. And it was impressive – even by the highest MVP standards.

As good as 37 points, 14 rebounds and 17 assists may sound for James, his fourth-quarter flourish was even more impressive in this 112-102 victory. James either scored or assisted in 32 of the 34 points in the fourth.

Cavaliers 112, Magic 102: Recap | Box Score
Magic Lead 3-2 | Next Game: Saturday @ Orlando, 8:30 PM ET

If he wasn't scoring, he was making sure one of his teammates did when it mattered most. While everyone marveled at this one-man show, and the Magic kept waiting for him to wear down, he never faltered.

It wasn't like he was playing point guard and moving the ball. It was James holding the ball like it was a last possession, waiting to make his final move. Except, he did it from start to finish of the fourth quarter.

"You never want to disappoint the home crowd. It was win or go home,'' James said. "You have to do everything sometimes.''....................

see details: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/29/lebron-james-stands-alone-in-game-5/

RoundCast: Karl's Strategy Backfires

2009-05-28T03:49:00.000-07:00

In Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, George Karl made sure that Kobe Bryant wouldn't be the one to beat the Nuggets all by himself. Karl sent two defenders at Kobe as soon as he got the ball, which was a pretty big change from the way he chose to defend Bryant through the first four games of the series.

Will Brinson and I discussed the change in philosophy, as well as the fact that Denver's bench players (we're looking at you, J.R. Smith and Chris Andersen) were largely ineffective as the Lakers went on to take a three games to two lead in the series.

All that, plus some thoughts on the probability of the Magic being able to close out the Cavs in Game 5..............

see details: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/28/roundcast-karls-strategy-backfires/#cont

Quality, then control for Lakers

2009-05-28T03:43:00.000-07:00

The Lakers didn't need to be rougher or tougher in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Denver Nuggets. They didn't need to slug anyone in the nose to make amends for a lackluster result 48 hours earlier.

No, the Lakers merely needed to move the ball smartly around the court. They needed to take and make open shots. They needed to rebound better and play defense with more determination. They needed to play like title contenders again.

Mission accomplished.

The Lakers regained control of the series with a 103-94 victory Wednesday night at Staples Center that moved them within one win of a second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. They can advance with a victory in Game 6 on Friday in Denver.

If a Game 7 is necessary, it will be Sunday at Staples Center.

"It means we responded to the challenge," Kobe Bryant said. "Denver is a tough team, and the way they beat us in Game 4, I think there were alot of people having doubts. But we did a good job to respond to the challenge."

The teams were deadlocked at the end of the first, second and third quarters, only the fourth time in NBA playoff history that's happened. Oddly enough, the Lakers have been involved in all four games, most recently in 1964 against the St. Louis Hawks.

It was tied 25-all at the end of the first quarter, 56-all at halftime, then 76-all at the end of three quarters. The Lakers then opened the fourth quarter by going on an 11-0 run, building an 87-76 lead after Shannon Brown's jump shot.

The Lakers, who had 11 consecutive defensive stops during a stretch that spanned from near the end of the third quarter into the fourth, maintained a modest lead the rest of the way. The Lakers outscored the Nuggets 27-18 in the final period.

"Some of those stops I was amazed at," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We were hustling, working really hard. We left guys open for shots (but) we were still able to recover to get back to guys who were taking shots."

Bryant scored a team-leading 22 points on 6-for-13 shooting in 45 minutes. He also had five rebounds and a team-leading eight assists.

Bryant played more of a set-up role than in recent games, as per the Lakers' game plan.

"That's what we asked him to do," Jackson said of Bryant's pass-first mentality. "He probably could have had more (assists) if we had hit some more shots."

Lamar Odom added 19 points, a team-leading 14 rebounds and a playoff career-high-tying four blocks in a reserve role. Pau Gasol had 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in 45 minutes, and Trevor Ariza and Derek Fisher each scored 12 points.

"I think this was one of our best games of the year," Odom said two nights after the Lakers suffered a 120-101 loss to the Nuggets in Game 4 at Denver.

Carmelo Anthony led Denver with 31 points on 9-for-23 shooting. Kenyon Martin and Chauncey Billups added 12 apiece for the Nuggets, who shot only 38.6 percent compared to 48.7 percent for the Lakers."

see details: http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_12465710

Surgery spurs Kevin Garnett

2009-05-27T05:19:00.000-07:00

"There were no unexpected obstacles for team physician Dr. Brian McKeon when he entered Kevin Garnett's right knee yesterday - which means the 2009-10 Celtics season has started off on the right foot.

Spurs were removed during the procedure at New England Baptist Hospital, and McKeon, assisted by Drs. Michael Belkin and John Richmond, were obviously pleased to find no structural damage.

"They didn't have to touch the tendon," Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said in a telephone interview. "They never thought they would.

"There were really no surprises throughout the procedure. They just went and cleaned out some wear and tear and got rid of the spur in the back of the leg."

Garnett played just four games after straining the knee Feb. 19 at Utah. He was unable to go in the postseason as the Celts were eliminated in the second round.

In a statement from the team, Ainge said, "After this successful surgery, Kevin can now begin to focus on rehabilitating his knee, returning to top physical shape and fully preparing for the 2009-10 season."

Added coach Doc Rivers in the release, "I expect Kevin to return to active duty in full force and be that consummate two-way professional that he has shown all of us throughout his fantastic NBA career."

The fact that Garnett and the Celtics are not active now in the NBA playoffs has followers of the team wishing a decision made before the season could be revisited. Garnett's spurs showed up then, but they were not deemed a significant problem."

see details: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2009_05_27_Surgery_spurs_Kevin_Garnett:_Takes_first_step_toward_2009-10/

Orlando Magic one win away from Finals after beating Cleveland Cavaliers

2009-05-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

Appropriately enough, a living, breathing 7-foot timeline of the franchise's past and present sat a few feet from the court.

The Orlando Magic crept within one victory on Tuesday night of making it to the NBA Finals, their first appearance since a certain onlooker named Shaquille O'Neal led the team to the title round in 1995.

In a fiercely played classic, the Magic defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-114 in overtime at Amway Arena to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

The Magic now have three chances to knock out the league's best regular-season team and end the club's 13-year dry spell, much of it coming after Shaq exited as a free agent a year after being swept in the title round by the Houston Rockets.

Dwight Howard, often viewed as the second coming of Shaq, scored 10 of the Magic's 16 points in OT.

The Magic seized home-court advantage from the top-seeded Cavs in Game 1, and can oust them from the best-of-seven series in Game 5 on Thursday night at Quicken Loan Arena.

A loss to Cleveland would have tied the series at 2-2, giving the Cavs two of three remaining games at home.

Ousting LeBron James won't be easy. He will not go quietly, probably placing little stock in this historical trend that says this thing's over: Teams that go ahead 3-1 in seven-game series have advanced 95.6 percent of the time.

"When you have a guy like him on the other side of the court, you're a long, long way from it being over," Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said.

After James' 3-pointer, Rashard Lewis made just 1 of 2 free throws for a 116-114 lead with 3.2 seconds on the clock. James tried to duplicate his Game 2 heroics, but this 3-pointer at the buzzer missed."

see details: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-sportsmagic-game4-27052709may27,0,6353521.story

Insider-trading suit against Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has first hearing today

2009-05-27T02:21:00.000-07:00

"Mark Cuban's lawyers are about to get their first day in court to convince a federal judge that an insider trading lawsuit against their client should be thrown out.

A hearing on a motion to dismiss the civil case is scheduled for today. In November, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused Cuban of trading on insider information in a Canadian company called Mamma.com in 2004.

The SEC says Cuban sold his shares in the company after receiving confidential information about a company plan to sell additional shares in a private offering. Cuban dodged a $750,000 loss by selling his shares, the SEC says.

Cuban's lawyers have not conceded that Cuban agreed to keep the information confidential. But Tuesday's hearing will focus on their motion to dismiss the case based on the contention that Cuban owed no fiduciary duty not to trade on the information........."

see details: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/052409dntexcuban.28fb0e8.html

Denver views Game 5 as the all-important game in series with Lakers

2009-05-27T02:18:00.000-07:00

"The Denver Nuggets view tonight's Game 5 at Staples Center as all-important in the best-of-seven series against the Lakers. Why? Because the Lakers have the home-court advantage, and if the series, which is tied at 2-2, happens to go to seven games, the Nuggets know the difficulty most NBA teams have faced of trying to win on the road in the deciding game. "My focus to them is [tonight's] game is our must-win game, almost as much as" Game 4 was, Denver Coach George Karl said Tuesday before his team watched film of Monday night's impressive victory over the Lakers. "We right now have, I think, made somewhat of a move. The challenge then is [for the Lakers] to try to figure us out a little ..."

see details: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nuggets27-2009may27,0,2336200.story

Down, nearly out: Magic's 3-point onslaught pushes Cavaliers to brink, 116-114, in OT

2009-05-27T02:14:00.000-07:00

"For the slightest of moments, when the ball was just a few precious feet from the basket, it looked like LeBron James had one-upped himself. Only this time the law of averages, even superstar averages, caught up. His prayer from somewhere around 35 feet went unanswered at the overtime horn of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. The fact that the Cavaliers were in position to need what would have qualified as another career shot to win a game says it all. James' near miss made it another near miss for the Cavs, 116-114, in overtime at Amway Arena. The Orlando Magic, who seem be to relentless in their playmaking and talent pool, are now just one victory away from representing the East ..."

see details: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/05/magics_3point_onslaught_puts_c.html

RoundCast: LeBron Done in Cleveland?

2009-05-27T02:10:00.000-07:00

Bloggers knee-jerking on the phone + roundtable style = RoundCast.

Okay, we might be overstating it, but the fact of the matter is that a spectacularly played Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final led Moore, Watson and I to discuss LeBron James' future ... both immediate and long term.

After Cleveland managed to take last night's game into overtime, the Magic then reversed the fortunes of this series with a strong overtime period before putting the Cavaliers in a do-or-die situation. Unfortunately, that's a scenario that involves Mo Williams "not being horrible" and "being a man of his word." We take him to task, naturally.

see details: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/27/roundcast-lebron-done-in-cleveland/

Magic Closing Book on Cavs

2009-05-27T02:08:00.000-07:00

ORLANDO -- The wonderfully-hyped, LeBron James Magical Ride to the NBA Finals is on life support now. His box of miracles may be empty.

The Orlando Magic have too many weapons to overcome. The 3-point shower is coming from all sides.

The Magic took an almost insurmountable 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals with a 116-114 overtime victory Tuesday night. The series resumes Thursday in Cleveland, but the prospects are not good for the Cavaliers.

In NBA conference final history, there have been 47 times in which one team has led a series 3-1. The team with the lead has prevailed in 44 of them. For Cleveland, it's only a matter of time now.

Magic 116, Cavaliers 114: Box Score | Howard Close to Suspension
Magic Lead 3-1 | Next Game: Thursday @ Cleveland, 8:30 PM ET

"We've got to have the killer instinct if we want to win a championship," said Magic center Dwight Howard. "We're not done yet. We've got to finish it.''

While James had another brilliant game -- 44 points and 12 rebounds – he was a facing a myriad of scorers on the other side. As good as he is, it's like fighting off an army........

see details: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/27/magic-closing-book-on-cavs/

Dwight Howard Close to Suspension

2009-05-27T01:18:00.000-07:00

ORLANDO -- Dwight Howard promised everyone he could control himself going into Game 4 of this Eastern Conference final against Cleveland.

Well, he lied.

Howard played well Tuesday night – dominated overtime in this 116-114 victory – and he left Amway Arena one victory away from a trip to the NBA Finals.

Yet the dark cloud over his head has grown more ominous. Howard received his sixth technical foul of this post season Tuesday, leaving him one away from an automatic one-game suspension that will follow him until this season ends.

The fear now is that the threat of a suspension will restrict the emotional play that often makes him so dominant. Or the Magic will be playing a game in the NBA Finals without him.

Howard was called for his technical Tuesday for taunting Cavs center Anderson Varejao, who had tried to wrap up Howard with a high bear hug, only to have the Magic center dunk over him anyway. Varejao was called for a personal foul. Howard got a technical because he paused over Varejao and flexed his muscles.

The technical irked both Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and Howard.

"You do start to feel like he's a marked man. That's a pretty tough technical foul to get,'' Van Gundy said. "You start to feel like they really are looking for him. Varejao grabs him by the shoulders going up. To me, that's a bigger problem than him making noises when he makes the basket. I guess there is no problem grabbing a guy by the neck, but if you celebrate the basket, that's a bigger problem.''

Howard, who got a technical in Game 3 for saying something toward the Cavs bench, said he was surprised by the technical Tuesday, especially after promising that he would keep his mouth shut and his elbow in to avoid one.

"All I was doing was playing with emotion,'' Howard said. "I wasn't taunting anyone. It was a tough play. He grabbed me around the neck, but I made the shot anyway. I understand the consequences. I might really have to use the duct tape [on my mouth] now.''

see details: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/27/dwight-howard-close-to-suspension/

Rafer Alston Orlando's Unlikely Hero

2009-05-27T01:15:00.000-07:00

ORLANDO -- Rafter Alston doesn't shoot the ball well every night.

But he sure knows how to pick his spots.

Alston became one of the unlikely heroes Tuesday night when the Magic beat the Cavs, 116-114, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final, delivering a career playoff high 26 points.

The Cavs made the same mistake that Philadelphia made in the first round and Boston made in the second round, leaving Alston open to help defensively on the Magic stars. And as usual, Alston made them pay, bringing back memories of his playground days when he become the legendary "Skip-to-my-Lou.''

He made 10 of 17 shots and six of 12 from 3-point range, scoring 20 of his points in the second half after playing only nine minutes because in the first half because of early foul trouble.

He scored the Magic's first 10 points in the second half, keeping them close when the Cavs threatened to run away.

"It fueled us when I came out strong after halftime because we were able to thrive off that,'' he said. "I'm probably not the most consistent one we have making threes, but tonight was my night.''

Alston had similar games against Philadelphia and Boston. In Game 6 of the first round, when the Magic closed out the Sixers, Alston hit 8 of 16 shots for 21 points. In Game 7 against Boston, he hit three of seven 3-pointers for 15 points. In the Magic's Game 3 victory over Cleveland on Sunday, he hit six of 13 shots for 18 points.

"It's been a challenge for me, all throughout the playoffs,'' he said. "Philadelphia dared me to shoot it, and I burned them. Boston dared me to shoot it, and I burned them, too, at their place. This is a make-and-miss league. Right now I'm able to knock them down.''

Alston was the Magic's mid-season pickup from Houston after they lost Jameer Nelson for the season because of his shoulder injury. At times, he has struggled with his shot. He is shooting 40 percent from the field. During the regular season, he made only 38 percent of his shots.

"You can almost taste it, this opportunity to get to the Finals. We understand we have to win one more, and it's not going to be easy,'' he said. "We're enjoying this ride, but we also understand we've got some work to do yet.''

see details: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/27/rafer-alston-orlandos-unlikely-hero/

Losing Won't Tarnish LeBron's Legacy

2009-05-27T01:13:00.000-07:00

ORLANDO – There is now a 95.6 percent chance LeBron James will not make the NBA Finals. If you think that makes him a failure, there's a 100 percent chance you are wrong.

I don't want to turn Cleveland 's Game 4 loss into a LeBron gush-fest, but you could almost hear the haters warming up in the bullpen Tuesday night. Before you start throwing high hard ones at James, take it from someone who knows.

"I'm very proud of our guys to keep hanging in there with what he's doing in this series," Stan Van Gundy said.

Magic 116, Cavs 114: Recap | Box Score | Howard in Danger
Magic Lead 3-1 | Next Game: Thursday @ Cleveland, 8:30 PM ET

He was not talking about Zydrunas Ilgauskas. He was talking about the guy who is averaging 42.3 points a game. The guy who might have sent Van Gundy's uncle to his final resting place had the last shot gone in.

It didn't, and now the Cavaliers are one game away from having their 66-win season declared a failure. That will be laid on you-know-who's shoulders. It will go something like this:

see details: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/27/losing-wont-tarnish-lebrons-legacy/

Jayson Williams Busted After Bar Fight

2009-05-26T06:09:00.000-07:00

"Cops busted disgraced former basketball star Jayson Williams yesterday after the accused killer punched out another bar patron in North Carolina, police said. The dust-up outside the Ugly Monkey Party Bar in Raleigh at about 2 a.m. yesterday led to Williams' arrest on one count of simple assault. The former New Jersey Net was released on $1,000 bond. Williams, 41, and his alleged victim reportedly argued inside the club over a pushing-and-shoving incident. "He [Williams] was very cooperative during the investigation and very cooperative during the arrest," said police Capt. T.L. Earnhardt. Legal experts said the incident could have an impact on Williams' bail, as he awaits retrial in the ..."

see details: http://www.nypost.com/seven/05262009/news/regionalnews/jayson_busted_170990.htm

Dream Matchup of Kobe-LeBron Fading As Deeper Teams Rise

2009-05-26T05:19:00.000-07:00

DENVER -- For all the weird smack-talking from those Nike puppets, all the relentless marketing pushes by a sports-drink firm that suggests Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are on "a collision course," guess what? They might be headed for a Porsche-Hummer crash instead, which would be a colossal waste of ad-world brainpower and, when you consider the megastars excluded, our great entertainment loss in June.

No one is pondering a Denver vs. Orlando matchup, least of all ABC, which would watch in horror as a compelling postseason marked by fat cable ratings suddenly fades to black in the NBA Finals. "I'm sure the world does want Cleveland and the Lakers, the best two players in the world and the chance to see them in a seven-game series," said Nuggets star Chauncey Billups. "But I don't want to see it. And I'm trying my best to make sure it doesn't happen."

Nuggets 120, Lakers 101: Recap | Box Score

If Kobe and LeBron are the stars of the big show, they also share the same dilemma: They don't have enough help around them, unlike a team such as the Nuggets, who flashed the requisite skill, depth, energy and rebounding aggression to thrive Monday night even when their own star, Carmel-O Anthony, extended his rut to three full quarters and 11 minutes of a fourth without a basket -- an 0-for-14 vapor zone that finally ended just before halftime of Game 4. To be fair, he was dehydrated, fighting a stomach virus and playing on a sprained ankle.

details: http://jay-mariotti.fanhouse.com/2009/05/26/dream-matchup-of-kobe-lebron-fading-as-deeper-teams-rise/

Lakers seize up instead of seizing the day

2009-05-26T05:13:00.000-07:00

"Carmelo Anthony was limping, dehydrated and ineffective, but the Lakers were somehow in worse shape. Fatigue didn't stop the Lakers, but the Denver Nuggets definitely did, tying up the Western Conference finals with a 120-101 pounding in Game 4 Monday night at the Pepsi Center. Anthony's pregame stomach illness, coupled with a sprained right ankle suffered in the second quarter, gave the Lakers hope of taking an overwhelming series lead. But the distinction between hope and reality was as hard-hitting as the Denver altitude, the Lakers rarely challenging in the least-contested game of the series. Game 5 is Wednesday at Staples Center. The Nuggets devastated the Lakers in the rebounding ..."

see details: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-nuggets26-2009may26,0,5679891.story