The Orange County Register (Kevin Ding) reports: “The best player on the planet,” as Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called Kobe Bryant late Wednesday night, can’t wait to make the Earth move some more in 2010 and ’12. Bryant said Wednesday night he is willing to commit to play for USA Basketball in 2010 at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey in an attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London, where Bryant expects to go for the gold again. “The chance to represent your country, that’s not even a thought-process for me,” Bryant said Wednesday. “If they want me to be on it, I’m all game.” Bryant’s words should stabilize the U.S. ship at a time when many of Bryant’s teammates from the 2008 Olympic gold-medal team are choosing to be future international men of mystery.
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LeBron triple-double carries Cavs in Memphis
The AP reports: LeBron James had 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season, leading the Cavaliers to a 102-87 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night. With Zydrunas Ilgauskas sidelined by a fractured left ankle and Ben Wallace out with the flu, Cleveland was missing 40 percent of its starting lineup… Delonte West added 19 points and Mo Williams 16 for the Cavs. Anderson Varejao was held to seven points and four rebounds after averaging 16 points and eight boards the past four games in place of Ilgauskas… Kyle Lowry led the Grizzlies with a career-high 25 points, including 15 from the free throw line, and reserve Hakim Warrick had 16 points and seven rebounds. Rookie guard O.J. Mayo was limited to six points, a season-low. The Grizzlies also got 13 points in 13 minutes from Darius Miles, who signed a 10-day contract Saturday and is one game away from reaching the 10 appearances that would put the remaining $18 million of his salary back on Portland’s payroll.
Cavaliers sign Jawad Williams to 10-day contract
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Jawad Williams to a 10-day contract, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today.
Williams (6-9, 220 pounds) has played in three games this season with the Cavaliers. In four total minutes, Williams scored two points and recorded one steal. He was waived by the Cavaliers on January 7th.
The Cavaliers roster now stands at 15.
LeBron takes active scoring lead from Iverson
The Rocky Mountain News (Chris Tomasson) reports (via blog): After more than four years, Allen Iverson finally has been toppled from his throne. With the Detroit guard scoring just 11 points Saturday night at Utah, he relinquished the career active scoring average lead he had held since early in the 2004-05 season. The NBA’s active career scoring average is now Cleveland forward LeBron James, averaging 27.36 points per game. Iverson’s average dropped Saturday to 27.35. Early in the 2004-05 season, Iverson, then with Philadelphia, seized the active scoring average lead from Shaquille O’Neal, then with Miami. O’Neal had taken it over after Michael Jordan, the all-time leader, retired following the 2002-03 season.
Cavaliers rock Celtics 98-83
The AP reports: LeBron James scored 38 points, harassed Paul Pierce all over the floor and strengthened his case to be the league’s MVP front-runner as the Cavaliers, playing with a bottled-up intensity reserved for the playoffs, improved to 19-0 at home by beating the staggering Boston Celtics 98-83 on Friday night. James scored 23 in the second half. He added seven rebounds, six assists, four steals, three blocks and made Pierce’s life miserable for 35 minutes… Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo added 13 assists for the Celtics, who shot only 41 percent from the floor and didn’t have their usual swagger… Anderson Varejao scored 14 points and Mo Williams 13 for Cleveland, which avenged a season-opening road loss to the Celtics despite playing without injured center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
LeBron has easy night, Cavaliers rout Bobcats 111-81
The AP reports: LeBron James scored 21 points before grabbing an early seat on the bench, Mo Williams added 15 and Cleveland warmed up for its highly anticipated matchup with Boston by blowing out the Charlotte Bobcats 111-81 on Wednesday night, raising the Cavaliers’ record at home to 18-0… Daniel “Boobie” Gibson and Wally Szczerbiak scored 15 apiece and Anderson Varejao 14 as Cleveland shot 60 percent from the floor and improved to 28-6. Raymond Felton led Charlotte with 15 points and Gerald Wallace had 14 for the Bobcats, who went 0-3 against the Cavs this season losing by an average of 22 points per game.
Cavs waive Jawad Williams
The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived forward Jawad Williams, General Manager Danny Ferry announced today . Williams appeared in three games for Cleveland and scored two points and recorded one steal in four minutes.
If you have a reaction to this news, put it in this forum thread.
LeBron James crab dribble
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James, who is almost as athletic as InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner, recently claimed that a move he unleashed which appeared to possibly be a travel was a perfectly legal crab dribble.
The LeBron James crab dribble was against the Washington Wizards, whose players mocked the idea of a crab dribble in post-game interviews.
Below is a very funny crab dribble explanation video from a blog. Enjoy.
No walk in the park: James, Cavs lose to Wiz 80-77
The AP reports: LeBron James was whistled for taking an extra step while driving for a potential tying layup with 2.3 seconds left, and his Cleveland Cavaliers lost 80-77 to the Eastern Conference-worst Washington Wizards despite wiping out a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter. “Bad call,” said James, who compiled 30 points, 10 assists and six rebounds… Indeed, Washington’s Caron Butler—who scored 19 points and guarded James most of the game, including on that closing play—remembers that same move, without an official’s call, from one of the teams’ recent playoff meetings… Antawn Jamison led Washington with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while McGuire had 10 points and 10 rebounds for his first NBA double-double.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas out 2+ weeks
Cavaliers Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas underwent a follow-up examination of his left ankle at The Cleveland Clinic today.
He originally injured his left ankle during the December 10th game at Philadelphia. Since recovery from the injury had plateaued, another MRI and X-rays were performed. The original MRI taken immediately following the injury was consistent with a lateral ankle sprain.
The results of today’s MRI revealed a small chip fracture in the posteromedial talus of his left ankle, as well as the recovering sprain.
Ilgauskas will now undergo continued treatment including a period of left ankle immobilization to enhance healing over the next two weeks and his status will be updated after that as appropriate.