Women Buys Lebron James Pendant For 5 Dollars - Real value is Thousands.

Akron Woman Finds Out LeBron James Pendant Worth Thousands

When Vaneisha Robinson bought a diamond studded pendant in the shape of LeBron James' number 23 jersey at a yard sale four years ago, she thought it was costume jewelry.

"I used to go to high school with it around my neck, not knowing the value of it," Robinson said.

Robinson got curious about the pendant's value a few months ago when she noticed the diamonds were set in the same way real ones are. She took it to a local jewelry store for a once-over.

"They tested the diamonds and they told me that it was real and that I should invest in getting it certified," Robinson said.

Robinson, 20, who is an amateur boxer, saved $200 to pay for a certified appraisal by the International Gemological Institute. The pendant she paid $5 for four years ago is worth nearly $10,000. She's put the jewelry up for sale on eBay.

Despite the backlash caused by James' decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and play for the Miami heat, Robinson believes the pendant will sell for top dollar.

"LeBron James (sic) brand will never die out," she said.

"If he got a ring it might go up in value. You never know."

source

Manila Lebron James: Udonis Haslem re-signs with the Miami Heat .

Joins Wade, Lebron James and Chrish Bosh as the Miami Heat starts to chase the NBA RING.

Haslem turned down a lucrative contract offers and will sign a five-year contract with the Miami Heat. Udonis Haslem will received $20 million.

He was quoted in miamiherald.com saying:

"It was an opportunity to win, an opportunity to be close to my mother, with her illness, and an opportunity to be a part of something special," he said. "I've never been in this for the money. I would be changing my DNA if I changed just for money."

With the result of his signing with the Miami Heat, Dyane Wade, Lebron James and Chrish Bosh will have a formidable and dependable role player.

Watch some of the NBA Highlight Videos of Haslem:

Agent: Zydrunas Ilgauskas agrees to sign with Heat, follow LeBron James to Miami

Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Agent: Zydrunas Ilgauskas agrees to sign with Heat, follow LeBron James to Miami
By Tim Reynolds (CP)

MIAMI — Zydrunas Ilgauskas has dealt Cleveland another blow by planning to follow LeBron James to the Miami Heat.

The veteran centre, who started playing for Cleveland in 1997 and has never suited up for another NBA team, expects to sign a two-year contract with the Heat later this week, agent Herb Rudoy said Tuesday. The two-year deal would come with a player option for the second season, Rudoy said.

"We've agreed to agree," Rudoy said.

Ilgauskas' decision became known less than a week after James — who played a role in recruiting the 7-foot-3 Lithuanian to South Florida — sparked outrage and outcry in Cleveland by going on a made-for-television special and saying he was joining the Heat.

This departure won't generate the same reaction from Clevelanders, but it'll hurt nonetheless.

Ilgauskas was a fan favourite for more than a decade, and when he returned to the Cavs after getting traded to the Washington Wizards this past season, a sellout crowd welcomed him with huge signs bearing the letter "Z'' — his moniker. Ilgauskas never played for the Wizards, quickly getting bought out and then returning to Cleveland after a 30-day waiting period.

Playing with James again was a major factor in Ilgauskas' decision.

"LeBron was very encouraging and explained the whole situation," Ilgauskas told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "And, obviously, he's my friend, and him being there made it a lot easier to choose."

On his Twitter feed, James quickly welcomed Ilgauskas to Miami.

"Glad u are joining me in South Beach my friend. Also thanks for the encouraging words big fella," James wrote.

The Heat had no immediate comment. They had talks about acquiring Ilgauskas when he was available this past season after the trade to Washington and buyout that followed.

Ilgauskas is the Cavs' career leader in games played, blocked shots and rebounds. He was drafted by the club in 1996 and overcame serious foot injuries that nearly ended his career.

He's just the latest name to join what shapes up as a serious title contender in Miami, joining not only James but Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem and presumably Mike Miller, who agreed to a deal late last week that remains unsigned. Agent Arn Tellem wrote on his blog Monday that Miller will play in Miami.

It's still possible Ilgauskas accepts a one-year deal, though his preference is the multi-year arrangement. Continue reading here...

Hitler Reacts to LeBron James Leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers

Watch how Hitler reacts to LBJ Decision. I can't stop laughing and keep on watching it. Enjoy the video.



Related Article(s) NBA.News:
Lebron James to play in Miami.

LeBron James: Loved, hated, misunderstood

LeBron James' decision to join the Heat has been ripped from coast to coast (except in Miami). Here's why it was both rational and gutsy.

By Dan LeBatard
dlebatard@MiamiHerald.com

Maybe you didn't hear it above the poison and passion. Maybe you couldn't see it amid the fame and flashbulbs. Maybe the ego excess and general overindulgence made clarity impossible no matter how many hundreds of TV hours of droning dissection were devoted to the cause. But both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade said something interesting and identical when trying to explain the decision they made in joining forces with the Miami Heat. They both volunteered, out of nowhere, that the choice they made was not at all emotional.

Head over heart, in other words. That's not often where sports reside. James and Wade were being clinical, practical, reasoned. But every hostility that engulfed James after his choice was the opposite of that -- not only soaked in emotion but overwhelmed by it. Hatred. Fury. Envy. And name-calling from coast to coast. One NBA coach referred to James as a ``fraud.'' Cleveland's crazed owner called him a coward traitor in a raging public letter. These are visceral reflexes, and reflexes are rarely logical. One is not thinking clearly when setting fire to an expensive jersey, but the first word in ``fanatical'' is always ``fan,'' and fanatical is not a logical state of mind. So James went from one of the country's most beloved athletes to one of its most reviled in a single hour of flatulent television, a fall from grace faster than that of Tiger Woods, and for a crime I'm having some difficulty identifying.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/11/1725091/lebron-james-loved-hated-misunderstood.html?asset_id=Miami%20Heat%20Welcome%20Party&asset_type=html_module#ixzz0tNrVW45e

Lebron James Decision Video:

Lebron James - to play in Miami Heat and twitter trend.

Lebron James an NBA Free agent announce Thursday that he will play with the Miami Heat. With this move, the Miami Heat will parade a Big Three on Oct 2010 when NBA season opens. The Heat also hoping that this move will give them a NBA Championship. Lebron James will also switch number from 23 to 6.

In side note: Lebron James is topping the trend in twitter.com. Here are some of the remarks of the twitter users about Lebron James Decision:

bigE01 BREAKING NEWS: Lebron James joins "Jersey Shore" and his new name is "The Decision" !

CNNNewsource Cleveland fans light LeBron James jersey on fire after James' decision to go to Miami. Live pics on CH 2. 20 minutes ago via web

BreakingNews LeBron James decision: Miami Heat, NBA reigning 2-time MVP tells world on hourlong ESPN show http://bit.ly/d239JU
 
ChicagoNewz LeBron James will join the Miami Heat: LeBron James has at last announced his decision. He's headed to Miami to j... http://bit.ly/cVX0jZ
 
ParkerH602 With The Lebron James Decision, Miami just made the Fab 3 look like The 3 Ninjas
 
bgamble RT@KillaCam10 "This was a hard decision because of how LOYAL I am."LeBron James demonstrating that he doesn't know what the word loyal means

Former Knick Charles Oakley says it's Chicago or Miami for LeBron James, not New York

by Frank Isola
source nydailynews.com

Don't kid yourself. Number 23 is as good as gone.

And it has nothing to do with LeBron James announcing months ago that he was changing his uniform number from 23 to 6.

"Chicago or Miami," says Charles Oakley, the former Knicks power forward. "Not New York. He's leaving."

Oakley has become a friend/mentor to the NBA's two-time MVP over the last few years. They have an Ohio connection - Oakley owns a home in the Cleveland suburbs - as well as a world-famous connection. Oakley is best friends with James' idol, Michael Jordan. (LeBron is changing his number to honor Jordan.)

And if James signs a free agent contract with the Bulls or Heat in July, the Knicks may regret the day they never followed through with their plan to offer Oakley a job as a big-man coach. Oakley's relationship with his former club ranges from cordial to estranged, and having him so close to the most prized free agent in nearly 20 years could be a detriment to the Knicks instead of an advantage.

"He wants to go someplace where he can win," Oakley said following Cleveland's Game 5 loss on Tuesday. "He's been in the league, what, seven or eight years? It's time for him to get over the hump."

James has said repeatedly that winning is all that matters to him and that he will choose the team that gives him the best chance to win multiple championships. That may or may not be in Cleveland.

Late Thursday in Boston, James removed his best-selling Cavaliers jersey for the last time in the tunnel leading to the visiting team's locker room. In an instant, James was free at last.

It was a symbolic gesture from a player whose carefully constructed image took as much of a beating this week as his team. Now, instead of competing for an NBA championship, James becomes the trophy, and signing him is the game the Cavs, Knicks, Nets, Heat, Bulls - and yes, even the Clippers - are playing.

Not since Shaquille O'Neal left Orlando to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers has there been a more sought-after free agent. Despite his disappointing performance against Boston in the last three games of the Eastern Conference semis, James is still a superstar talent whose best years are ahead of him. Everyone has an opinion on which uniform he will wear next and just about everyone agrees that that decision could alter the history of the NBA for the next 10 years.

"He's the face of basketball," says Boston forward Kevin Garnett. "It's gonna be the talk of the summer. Everyone is gonna be tuned in."

Every theory about James' next move has been debated, and all of them sound plausible. The most repeated scenario has James signing a three-year contract extension in order to bring Cleveland its first pro sports title since 1964.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/2010/05/15/2010-05-15_oakley_feels_its_23_skidoo.html#ixzz0nzsti38R

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Boston Celtics eliminates Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kevin Garnet carries the Celtics to the Eastern Conference finals against the Orlando Magic. He scored 22 pts in 11-19 fgs and added 10 rebounds in leading the Celtics against the Cavs, 94-85. Lebron James scored 27 pts but he had 9 turnovers.

It is the second straight year that Lebron James season ends in a lossing cause. The question now is will Lebron stays in Cleveland? Maybe yes or maybe no. But I think Cavs should replace their coach, Mike Brown is a great coach during NBA regular season but he is awful during the playoff. Lebron James deserved to stay in Cavaliers but he need a great coach that inspires the team during NBA playoffs.

For Boston, their championship form is back and Orlando Magic will be in trouble. It will be a great Eastern Conference Finals series that will start on Sunday afternoon.

Game Recap


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LeBron James plays poorly in a big game? So did Jordan

By DAN LE BATARD
dlebatard@MiamiHerald.com

A very important player in a very important basketball game once went 3 for 18. He took eight three-pointers and missed every one. His team lost by 35 points. History does not remember him as a choker or afraid or not quite ready for the throne, even though he had this game on the largest stage -- in the NBA Finals. No, history remembers him as Michael Jordan.

Why did LeBron James miss 11 of his 14 shots in a Game 5 disaster against Boston Tuesday night?

I don't know.

That's a terrible answer, of course. It has no depth or wisdom. Humans, in general, are curious and want explanations. And sports fans and media members, specifically, really stink at accepting ``I don't know.'' The all-you-can-eat ESPN beast must be fed theories and analysis round-the-clock, and ``I don't know'' is hardly ever on the menu. It is easier to condemn James by saying that this kind of game would have never happened to an assassin like Jordan while ignoring that this kind of game did happen to an assassin like Jordan.

But there has to be a reason James stunk, right?

Well, no, there doesn't.

Fooled By Randomness, one of the smartest books ever written, explains how sometimes humans see patterns where there is just random noise. And rarely do you see it done more often and with more zealotry than in sports, where everything from an athlete's greatness to his strength to his character gets measured by the whims of good or bad bounces, good or bad days.

Combine this kind of James performance with the absence of a good explanation, and what gets unleashed like a thousand rodeo bulls are all the intangibles. You know, things that can't be seen or measured. If it can't be proven, it is hard to disprove, too, so James today lacks ``heart'' or ``will'' or ``clutch'' or ``killer instinct'' or ``leadership'' or whatever unseen else you'd like to place next to this result without a proper rebuttal from the scoreboard. You can also opine that James was terrible because the Celtics prayed to an evil leprechaun.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/12/1626618/lebron-james-plays-poorly-in-a.html#ixzz0nmA6RJfH

NBA Playoff semifinals match-up

NBA Quarter finals is almost complete. Only the Hawks-Bucks series extends to a game 7 on Sunday. That means Orlando Magic has all the time to rest and scout their possible opponents. But I think either Hawks or Bucks, they will still advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Cavaliers vs Celtics
Prediction: Cavaliers 4-3

Celtics is still Celtics. They match up well with the Cavaliers but I still pick Lebron James and the Cavaliers. With the addition of Shaq and Jamison, Cavaliers will have all the firepower to dominate the Celtics. For the Celtics, in order them to win this series, Rajon Rando should play well. He, I think is the X-factor. Every time Rando distribute the ball well, the Celtics rolls easily to a victory. But Lebron James will cruise to the NBA Finals, he has two MVP tucked in his belt, only left is that elusive ring. James is motivated to get it.

San Antonio Spurs vs Phoenix Suns
Prediction: Spurs 4-2

Spurs proves that they can still win a series by beating the second seeded Dallas Mavericks. Despite their aging star, they outrun and out hustle the Mavericks. This time they will be tested with the Phoenix Suns. Amare Stoudamire is a beast inside and will cause a lot of head aches to the Spurs. But I think Spurs will win this series because of their fundamental defense.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz
Prediction: Lakers 4-2

Utah Jazz has done a great job in eliminating the Denver Nuggets. Despite their injuries to key players, they still manage to win a series. But this time around, I think luck is not on their side. Lakers has all the luxury of every position especially their twin towers Gasol and Bynum plus Kobe Bryant. For the Jazz, CJ Miles should play well if they want to advance. Lakers in 6 games.

Lebron James will be name NBA MVP

Lebron James will be crown as a King of NBA players this seasom. Its his second MVP awards and second straight season that he get this award. This season James averaged 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists and he will receive the trophy Sunday at University of Akron.

Dwyane Wade was quoted at Washingtonpost.com saying:
"I don't think anyone deserved it over LeBron. LeBron could get it every year. It's his award to lose. That's how it is with certain players. Jordan didn't win it every year. Jordan could have won it every year. But the criteria was apparently a little different."

The official votes has not been release yet but I'm sure it will be a one side result. James is the 10th player to win consecutive MVP awards. He joins Bill Russel, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Moses Malone, Larry Bird, Magic Johson, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan and Steve Nash.

Rejuvenated Celtics ready for LeBron, Cavs

Following yearlong plan perfectly, former champs won't be a pushover

The Boston Celtics said all along the object wasn’t to win the Eastern Conference or set any regular-season records. It was to have everybody healthy and ready for a playoff run and another shot at a title.

We didn’t believe them, not really. It sounded too much like Pee-wee Herman crashing his bike and popping up to say, “I meant to do that.”

But we can believe them now, not because of anything they said, but because of the way they swatted away the Miami Heat in five games in the opening round of the playoffs. This was a fourth-seeded Boston team against a fifth-seeded Miami squad, but it looked more like a No. 1 against a No. 8, as complete a mismatch as we’ve seen in the first round.

Read More at nbcsports.msnbc.com

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Thunder Roars in Oklahoma http://streamnbawadelebronkobe.blogspot.com/2010/04/thunder-roars-in-oklahoma-while-lakers.html

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Utah Jazz steals one in Denver.

Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz
Series tied: 1-1

Deron Williams carried the Utah Jazz in notching their first win of the series against the Denver Nuggets, 114-111. Williams scored 33 points and tallied 14 assists while Carlos Boozer added 20 points and 15 rebounds to compensate the loss to injury of their two playoff veterans Okur and Kirilenko. Chauncey Billups 3 point attempt missed at the buzzer and almost got in, that should have tied the game.

“We can’t just give up on the season just because we don’t have those guys out here,” Williams said.



Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls
Series: Cavs leads 2-0

James scored 40 points, 15 in the fourth quarter as the Cavaliers cruised to a 2-0 lead against the Chicago Bulls,112-102.

“They were telling me I can’t make jump shots,” James said. “They asked me to shoot a jumper so I did that. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.”

“They call me the closer every time I come in in the fourth quarter,” James said. “It’s my time to put the game away or do what I do best and that’s try to close the game the right way.”




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NBA 2010 Playoffs 16 teams, 1 goal

Who will succeed? 16 teams left with 1 goal in mind, NBA Champions.
First round of NBA playoffs will start on April 17, 2010. Pick your team now.

Eastern Conference

Cleveland Cavaliers(1) vs Chicago Bulls(8)
regular season: (2-2)
prediction: Cavaliers in 6th - I believe its Lebron's time to reach the NBA Finals

Orlando Magic(2) vs Charlotte Bobcats(7)
regular season: Magic lead 3-1
prediction: Orlando in 5th - Dwight Howard is the factor

Atlanta Hawks(3) vs Milwaukee Bucks(6)
regular season: Hawks lead(2-1)
prediction: Hawks in 5th because of Andrew Bogut absence.

Boston Celtics(4) vs Miami Heat(5)
regular season: Celtics lead(3-0)
prediction: Celtics in 7th - watch Wade but Boston's big three will still the difference

Western Conference

Los Angeles Lakers(1) vs Oklahoma City Thunder(8)
regular season: Lakers lead(3-1)
prediction: Lakers in 6th - length and versatility is too much for the Thunder

Dallas Mavericks(2) vs San Antonio Spurs(7)
regular season: Dallas leads(3-1)
prediction: Mavericks in 6th - deep bench

Phoenix Suns(3) vs Portland Trailblazers(6)
regular season: Portland leads(2-1)
prediction: Suns in 6th - because of Brandon Roy's injury

Denver Nuggets(4) vs Utah Jazz(5)
regular season: Nuggets lead(3-1)
prediction: Nuggets in 7th - experience will be the factor

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NBA Round Up: Josh Smith buzzer beater

Josh Smith buzzer beater dunk carries Atlanta Hawks past Orlando Magic 86-84

Atlanta Hawks clinched their third straight trip to the playoffs. Thanks to the buzzer beater dunk of Josh Smith. Officialls review it and the dunk went in with 0.01 seconds remaining.

“I knew it was close,” Smith said. “I just crashed it. I looked and the ball was there. Joe’s a good shooter, and I knew it wouldn’t be much off.”



Atlanta snapped a six-game losing streak against the Magic dating back to the opener of the 2008-09 season.

Charlotte Bobcats rout Minesota Timberwolves 108-95
Jackson hit 4 of 6 from the three point line and scored 37 points to help the Bobcats. Jackson revealed that he was being bothered by a bruised ligament in his left index fingers.
Al Jefferson led the Timberwolves, 26 points and they end their road trip this season with a disappointing 5-32 record.

Wizards loss 13th straight
Danny Granger scored 31 points to help the Indiana Pacers hand Washington Wizards its 13th straight game loss. The last time the Wizards won was against New Jersey Nets last Feb 28, 2010.

Coach Flip Saunders response about their consecutive losses.

“I don’t think our guys are looking at that,” he said. “We’re looking at trying to be competitive and look ahead. The reason we’re getting beat right now is because other teams are better than us. We’re not very good right now.”

Utah Jazz beats Toronto Raptors 113-87
The Raptors experienced their second straight game blowout loss at home. Deron Williams helps the Jazz with his 18 points and 16 assists. Raptors missed the service of Hedo Turkoglo in the second half due to stomach virus.

Celtics back in the playoffs
The Boston Celtics beat the Denver Nuggets 113-99 and clinched their playoffs spot. Paul Pierce lead the Boston Celtics with 27 points. Pierce rebounded from the 5 points performance against the Denver last Feb. 21.

“The Paul Pierce you saw out in Denver wasn’t the Paul Pierce that usually shows up to play,” he said. “Right now I’m as healthy as I’ve been all year and this is our time to start playing well.”

New Jersey Nets Win
Lopez helps Nets in their quest to avoid the stigma as the NBA's worst team. Lopez scored 26 points and carried the team, beating the Sacramento Kings 93-79.

Philadelphia 76ers beats Milwaukee Bucks 101-86
Rokie Jrue Holiday scored 15 points and had seven assists as the Sixers stun the Bucks.

Thunder beats Rockets 122-104
James Harden returned in the lineup for the Thunder after two weeks of absence. He help the Thunder with his 23 points, together with Durant who scored 25 points carried the Thunder over the Rockets.

“I just wanted to come out and get my swag back like it was before I left,” said Harden, who had his fourth 20-point game of the season and his first since Dec. 7

Cavs slip past over Hornets 105-92
Behind the good performance of Lebron James, the Cavs beat the Hornest and stays at the top of NBA standing. James scored 38 points on 15 of 22 shooting. He even turned his left ankle in the final seconds of the first half. At the second half, he started and did not show any sign of ill effect.

“LeBron’s 6-8, and if you double team him, he’s going to throw over the defense. He can definitely see over the defense,” Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. “He can burn you either way. LeBron had an outstanding game but the guys around him played extremely well feeding off of the double teams … and the attention that he drew.”

Lakers won over Spurs 92-83
Behind Kobe Bryant 24 points, as the Lakers win seven straight. Artest also played a good defense in the second half that triggers the Lakers offense.
Manu Ginobili scored 24 points in a losing cause for the Spurs.

Warriors won over Grizzlies 128-110
Stephen Curry scored 30 points and the Warriors spoils Grizzlies bid of a playoff spot. He also had 11 assists. Grizzlies Zach Randolph scored 16 points but left the ball game in the third quarter with a sore ankle.

source

Lebron James is now the youngest player to reach 15,000 points

Lebron James becomes the youngest player to reach 15,000 points. He did it in a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. He surpass Kobe Bryant in this record. Lebron James reached the milestone at 25 years, 79 days in 506th games while Kobe Bryant was 27 years, 136 days and playing his 657th game, according to STATS LLC.

"There's not a milestone that I think he's going to attain that would shock me at all," coach Mike Brown said.

Lebron James missing milestone is getting the Championship ring. It's his ultimate goal. And come playoff time, we will see what will happen.

James files papers to switch from No. 23 to No. 6

by (AP)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The number on LeBron James' back will be different next season. The Cleveland Cavaliers can only hope the logo on the front of his jersey remains the same.

James has filed paperwork with the NBA to change his uniform number next season to No. 6 from No. 23, the league confirmed Tuesday. James said earlier this season he would be willing to give up No. 23 in an effort to have the NBA retire it in honor of Michael Jordan.

Paperwork had to be filed this week to request a number change for next season.

"All it does is back up LeBron's beliefs," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "He's a loyalty guy. When he believes in something, he sticks to his guns and he believes wholeheartedly in what he's doing."

James can become a free agent this summer. He would only need the league's approval to change numbers if he remains in Cleveland. Should he sign with another team, James would be allowed to choose any available number without needing approval.

He dismissed a question about his future shortly after the Cavaliers beat the Knicks 124-93 Monday night.

"I stopped answering free agent questions a long time ago," he said.

James, who declined interview requests on Tuesday, is going from one famous number to another. Julius Erving and Bill Russell both wore No. 6.

"The first thing I think of is Dr. J," Brown said.

James wore No. 6 with the U.S. Olympic team and wears it every day in practice. He isn't the first superstar to change numbers mid-career. Among others, Jordan briefly wore No. 45 after coming out of retirement with the Bulls, and Kobe Bryant more recently switched from No. 8 to No. 24.

"We remember the 8 on Kobe, but we also know the 24," Cavaliers point guard Mo Williams said. "After a year or two, people will look past the old number and let it rest with Jordan."

source: google.com/hostednews

Dwight Howard powers Orlando Magic to 101-95 win over Cavaliers, Shaq

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard had 22 points and 16 rebounds in a bruising battle with Shaquille O'Neal, and the Orlando Magic beat Cleveland 101-95 on Sunday for the Cavaliers' first three-game losing streak in two years.

Cleveland's skid comes on the heels of a 13-game win streak.

Howard was 8-for-13 shooting and added four blocks, and Vince Carter had eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Magic beat Cleveland for the first time this season.

O'Neal made his first eight shots and finished with 20 points, and LeBron James had 33 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who were eliminated by Orlando in last year's Eastern Conference finals.

The hoopla surrounding the Howard-Shaq squabble over the Superman nickname finally lived up to the billing, even though the drama in the end came on the perimeter.

Carter made a two-handed dunk over heavy traffic, and followed that with a layup over Antawn Jamison, pumping his fist to the crowd in celebration. Jameer Nelson came back with a 3-pointer to put the Magic ahead 96-88 with about 2 minutes to play.

O'Neal tipped in a missed shot, and Anthony Parker made a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to three. But after James missed a 3-pointer on Cleveland's next possession, Rashard Lewis made a 3 - from the same spot where he sent the Game 6 clincher into overtime last year - with 20.1 seconds remaining to seal the Magic's win.

Until the last few minutes, though, it was Superman vs. Superman.

O'Neal has been known as the comic book superhero for most of his 17-year NBA career, and he had taken exception with Howard getting the same nickname. It didn't help that Howard has erased much of O'Neal's shadow in Orlando - where he spent four years in the mid-90s - and has restored the Magic to prominence.

The two put on quite a show.

O'Neal grabbed a rebound and caught Howard under the basket, hammering a powerful one-handed dunk over the young centre in the opening quarter. Shaq added a put-back dunk, an alley-oop tip and a three-point play over Howard all before the half in the first time this season that fouls didn't sideline the big men for significant time.

At the other end of the floor, Howard used his youth and agility to wiggle around O'Neal almost at will, slicing through the paint for layups and hook shots and making the elder centre sprint down the court. Howard also banked a jumpshot from the wing and his defensive presence helped Orlando go ahead 46-35 late in the second quarter.

Then James took over, scoring Cleveland's final 10 points of the half - the last coming on a three-point play over Matt Barnes with 1.1 seconds left - to trim the Magic's lead to six.

After starting his Cleveland career 0 for 12 from the field, Jamison made his first shot of the game, a layup with 7:29 remaining in the first quarter. He also made the first four baskets of the second half and finished with 19 points.

But he still doesn't know what it feels like to win with his new team.

source:canadian press

Cavaliers stumble, fall to Bobcats

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Stephen Jackson scored 29 points and the Charlotte Bobcats took advantage of Antawn Jamison’s miserable debut for Cleveland in a 110-93 victory Friday night to send the Cavaliers to their second straight loss.

Two days after being acquired from Washington, Jamison came off the bench and went 0 for 12 from the field. He was blocked five times and tossed up two airballs, while looking out of sync with his new teammates.

The Bobcats used a big run to end the third quarter to beat the Cavaliers, the team with the NBA’s best record, for a third straight time and take the series 3-1 in a possible first-round playoff preview.

LeBron James had 22 points and nine assists for Cleveland a night after being the first player in NBA history with at least 43 points, 13 rebounds, 15 assists, two steals and four blocks.

It wasn’t the way Jamison had envisioned the return to his hometown. At least he didn’t go scoreless.

While coach Mike Brown had pulled James and Shaquille O’Neal, Jamison hit two free throws with 41 seconds left for his only points.

By then the Cavs, who allowed the Bobcats to shoot 55 percent, had been run over by their surprising nemesis — who three days earlier lost at home to the NBA-worst New Jersey Nets.

Boris Diaw had 18 points and nine assists, Gerald Wallace had 17 points and eight rebounds and Tyrus Thomas had nine points and 12 rebounds a day after being acquired from Chicago as the Bobcats moved a game above .500.

Delonte West came off the bench to score 13 points for Cleveland. Mo Williams added 12 in his return to the starting lineup after being out with a shoulder injury, but he had only one assist. Shaquille O’Neal had 10 points and seven rebounds on 4-of-9 shooting.

A night after their 13-game winning streak was snapped by Denver while Jamison watched, coach Mike Brown announced before the game that Jamison would at least temporarily come off the bench.

J.J. Hickson kept his starting job at power forward, but Jamison checked in after the first timeout with 5:09 left in the first quarter.

It wasn’t pretty, as he promptly missed a 3-pointer and had another shot blocked by Theo Ratliff [stats], acquired by Charlotte a day earlier.

It didn’t get any better for Jamison in the first half, that ended tied at 50. Looking out of sync, a step slow and way off with his shot, Jamison was 0 for 8 with four of his shots blocked. He also tossed up two airballs, the last a 3-pointer attempt at the buzzer to end the first half.

The Bobcats were also working in their new players. Thomas, acquired to bolster their front court, made two key plays in the third quarter.

Thomas’ driving dunk and block of Anderson Varejao came in Charlotte’s 17-4 run that put Charlotte ahead 82-68 entering the fourth quarter.

James, who had a triple-double a night earlier but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer in a loss to Denver, hit 6 of 14 shots. He stepped on Diaw’s foot midway through the second quarter and hobbled to the bench. Read More

source:bostonherald.com