On my television, there was nothing but Michael Jordan-related programming watched Friday afternoon.
Even all Facebook status updates were tied to His Airness, and any of the 207 friends that receive my updates can back that up.
It’s finally official: Michael Jordan can now put the words Hall of Famer in front of his name.
The day itself was historic, as Sept. 11, 2009 was the eight-year anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks. But I’ll always remember that day — and specifically the night before — differently than most people.
News broke Sept. 10, 2001 that Jordan was expected to announce his return to the game of basketball the next day. I vividly remember watching KCAL9 excited because that’s the effect basketball, and sports in general, has always had in my life.
But obviously, much more important events took myself and the entire world by surprise that day.
Eight years later, Jordan again took a backseat but it wasn’t as directly obvious or Earth shattering. It was in his acceptance speech and his ability to remember minor details, stories and people that fueled his competitive spirit.
The tributes started, fittingly, with longtime teammate Scottie Pippen. Without hesitation, Jordan pointed out how Pippen was visible in all the highlights the Hall of Fame and TV audience watched before he took the stage.
Jordan then recalled his early days and first encounter with soon-to-be college roommate Buzz Peterson; his relationships with coaches Dean Smith, Doug Collins and Phil Jackson; the feuds and friendly rivalries with the New York Knicks, Pat Riley, Charles Oakley, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and the rest of the challenges along the way.
He even took time to acknowledge, and not surprisingly dispute, his relationship with former Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause. Jordan brought up the absurd notion Krause had: “Players don’t win championships; organizations do.”
The greatest player of all-time still displayed the stubborn attitude that helped him guide the Bulls to six NBA championships. Jordan even had fun with former Utah Jazz guard Bryon Russell, who is best known for being on the wrong end of Jordan’s final shot in a Chicago uniform.
“... I think I can shut you down ...,” he recalled Russell saying.
Just another person in the long line of foolish players who thought they could become the Jordan stopper.
He had a knack for leaving his audience wanting more and wondering whether he could still compete at the highest level. From his first, second and third retirement to the final words of his speech, the hints were always there.
Just before he walked off the stage, Jordan joked about possibly playing at 50, saying: “Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.”
Vintage MJ.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The King quiets the doubters with Game 2 heroics
LeBron James keeps adding to Nike’s simple four-word ad campaign highlighted by a gigantic billboard in downtown Cleveland.
James made the billboard come to life at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday night.
“The Chosen One” — how much more true could that be for his hungry hometown? — made 20,562 fans at The Q lose their minds with a series-changing, game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer to even the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals at 1-1.
But it didn’t come without a scare.
Hedo Turkoglu continued to shoot well and delivered a go-ahead jumper from inside the foul line with a second to play.
TNT’s shot of a little boy in a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey standing at courtside with his hands on his head in disbelief represented another generation of Clevelanders being groomed to watch heartbreak after heartbreak unfold.
Turkoglu made one mistake, however. He left time on the clock.
James, just 24 years old, has heard the rumblings that he’s not a big shot maker — and even taker. That was certainly the talk after Game 1, despite a 20-of-30 shooting performance and a career playoff-high 49 points, when James passed the ball down the stretch. It’s funny how people will find any little bit of a “flaw” to bring down a man that has done more at this stage of his career than any person to ever play the game of basketball.
Yes, that was directed at you Lakers fans and Kobe Bryant apologists.
But then, with one shot that will be forever replayed long after the Akron-native finishes his career, James added to his growing legacy and may have rewritten one for the city of Cleveland.
“The Shot” suddenly was given a new connotation.
This time, No. 23 was playing Cleveland’s hero.
We are definitely all witnesses.
James made the billboard come to life at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday night.
“The Chosen One” — how much more true could that be for his hungry hometown? — made 20,562 fans at The Q lose their minds with a series-changing, game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer to even the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals at 1-1.
But it didn’t come without a scare.
Hedo Turkoglu continued to shoot well and delivered a go-ahead jumper from inside the foul line with a second to play.
TNT’s shot of a little boy in a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey standing at courtside with his hands on his head in disbelief represented another generation of Clevelanders being groomed to watch heartbreak after heartbreak unfold.
Turkoglu made one mistake, however. He left time on the clock.
James, just 24 years old, has heard the rumblings that he’s not a big shot maker — and even taker. That was certainly the talk after Game 1, despite a 20-of-30 shooting performance and a career playoff-high 49 points, when James passed the ball down the stretch. It’s funny how people will find any little bit of a “flaw” to bring down a man that has done more at this stage of his career than any person to ever play the game of basketball.
Yes, that was directed at you Lakers fans and Kobe Bryant apologists.
But then, with one shot that will be forever replayed long after the Akron-native finishes his career, James added to his growing legacy and may have rewritten one for the city of Cleveland.
“The Shot” suddenly was given a new connotation.
This time, No. 23 was playing Cleveland’s hero.
We are definitely all witnesses.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Was it ever in doubt? King gets crowned
The debate is over. LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world.James received 109 of 121 first-place votes to run away with the NBA's Most Valuable Player award Monday.
Face it Lakers fans, Kobe Bryant is second best.
Forget about the offensive capabilities when comparing the two superstars. Look at the impact on the defensive end of the floor.
The Cleveland Cavaliers' forward finished second in the voting to Dwight Howard for the league's Defensive Player of the Year award this season. It's not a stretch to think James will own that award at least once before his career is over.
The only debate left is how much hardware will the 24-year-old phenom accumulate between now and the end of his career? Five MVPs and three NBA championships is well within his reach, barring any unforeseen career-ending injuries.
Considering James has already played six seasons and he's just now entering his prime, the Akron-native could very well own any significant NBA record he wishes if he doesn't retire first.
The King's throne is attracting a few more witnesses.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Former LBSU hurler shines in tribute to fallen teammate
Sports connects people from different walks of life
Former Long Beach State pitcher Jered Weaver was supposed to help fellow teammate Nick Adenhart move in with him Sunday.
Instead, the Los Angeles Angels starter had to figure out how to pitch and grieve for his teammate at the same time Friday night at Angel Stadium.
Adenhart, 22, was killed in a hit-and-run car accident just past midnight in Fullerton Thursday that also took the lives of two others — including Cal State Fullerton student Courtney Stewart, 20, and Manhattan Beach resident Henry Nigel Pearson, 25. Former CSUF catcher Jon Wilhite, 24, was also in the vehicle and is listed in critical condition at UCI Medical Center.
The Angels postponed Thursday’s scheduled contest.
Weaver honored Adenhart with 6 2/3 dazzling innings against the Boston Red Sox, allowing just an unearned run on four hits while striking out eight in a 6-3 victory. Before disappearing into the Angels dugout, Weaver left to a standing ovation and pointed to the heavens in memory of Adenhart.
The 6-foot-7 right-hander was visibly carrying a heavy heart along with his teammates and the crowd of 41,385. Weaver, who usually draws his grandparents names on the dirt on the back of the mound before every start, etched "N.A." on the hill Adenhart showcased his potential Wednesday night.
Making just his fourth career start, the rookie threw six scoreless innings and struck out five against the Oakland Athletics in what would be his final Major League appearance. It was easily the best performance of his young career.
In times of tragedy, baseball — and life, in general — has a magical way of bringing meaning to prior events. Adenhart reportedly told his father to make sure to fly out for his start — and he did — because he felt something special was going to happen.
A St. Louis Cardinals fan, as well as an Angels fan, that immediately had me thinking about the days pitcher Darryl Kile and Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck died.
Kile pitched the Cardinals into first place in the National League Central Division on June 18, 2002 — the same night Buck would die. Four days later, Kile didn’t report to Wrigley Field in Chicago and was found dead in his hotel room.
Adenhart’s death also brought back memories of Josh Hancock, another Cardinals pitcher who was killed in a drunk driving accident in 2007.
Despite experiencing those past similar tragedies with the teams I root for, Friday night wasn’t any easier to deal with.
It started early in the pregame broadcast when Angels fans were shown paying tribute at the spontaneous memorial, which was decorated with candles, flowers and handmade signs, located at the home plate gate entrance of the ballpark. Then, just before the first pitch, players from both teams stood on the first- and third-base lines in the infield and a video tribute to Adenhart played on the big screen beyond right field.
Angels pitcher John Lackey and center fielder Torii Hunter held Adenhart’s jersey with their heads bowed during a moment of silence.
As the players ran out to their positions, Hunter couldn’t help but touch the image he was looking at on the wall in center. It was of Adenhart and his No. 34, which the Angels will also wear a patch of over the heart of their jerseys for the remainder of the season. Weaver did the same during pregame warm-ups, taking a knee to say a prayer.
The reminders around the ballpark didn’t stop there.
In the dugout, Adenhart’s jersey hang beside the batting helmets. The rookie’s locker remained in the clubhouse and will reportedly be for the remainder of the season. The Angels played with 24 men on the active roster, instead of the maximum 25.
The one memory that remained visible throughout Fox Sports Net’s telecast was Adenhart’s No. 34 painted on the back of the mound.
It was only fitting his roommate Weaver took the mound in the team’s return to the field.
Former Long Beach State pitcher Jered Weaver was supposed to help fellow teammate Nick Adenhart move in with him Sunday.
Instead, the Los Angeles Angels starter had to figure out how to pitch and grieve for his teammate at the same time Friday night at Angel Stadium.
Adenhart, 22, was killed in a hit-and-run car accident just past midnight in Fullerton Thursday that also took the lives of two others — including Cal State Fullerton student Courtney Stewart, 20, and Manhattan Beach resident Henry Nigel Pearson, 25. Former CSUF catcher Jon Wilhite, 24, was also in the vehicle and is listed in critical condition at UCI Medical Center.
The Angels postponed Thursday’s scheduled contest.
Weaver honored Adenhart with 6 2/3 dazzling innings against the Boston Red Sox, allowing just an unearned run on four hits while striking out eight in a 6-3 victory. Before disappearing into the Angels dugout, Weaver left to a standing ovation and pointed to the heavens in memory of Adenhart.
The 6-foot-7 right-hander was visibly carrying a heavy heart along with his teammates and the crowd of 41,385. Weaver, who usually draws his grandparents names on the dirt on the back of the mound before every start, etched "N.A." on the hill Adenhart showcased his potential Wednesday night.
Making just his fourth career start, the rookie threw six scoreless innings and struck out five against the Oakland Athletics in what would be his final Major League appearance. It was easily the best performance of his young career.
In times of tragedy, baseball — and life, in general — has a magical way of bringing meaning to prior events. Adenhart reportedly told his father to make sure to fly out for his start — and he did — because he felt something special was going to happen.
A St. Louis Cardinals fan, as well as an Angels fan, that immediately had me thinking about the days pitcher Darryl Kile and Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck died.
Kile pitched the Cardinals into first place in the National League Central Division on June 18, 2002 — the same night Buck would die. Four days later, Kile didn’t report to Wrigley Field in Chicago and was found dead in his hotel room.
Adenhart’s death also brought back memories of Josh Hancock, another Cardinals pitcher who was killed in a drunk driving accident in 2007.
Despite experiencing those past similar tragedies with the teams I root for, Friday night wasn’t any easier to deal with.
It started early in the pregame broadcast when Angels fans were shown paying tribute at the spontaneous memorial, which was decorated with candles, flowers and handmade signs, located at the home plate gate entrance of the ballpark. Then, just before the first pitch, players from both teams stood on the first- and third-base lines in the infield and a video tribute to Adenhart played on the big screen beyond right field.
Angels pitcher John Lackey and center fielder Torii Hunter held Adenhart’s jersey with their heads bowed during a moment of silence.
As the players ran out to their positions, Hunter couldn’t help but touch the image he was looking at on the wall in center. It was of Adenhart and his No. 34, which the Angels will also wear a patch of over the heart of their jerseys for the remainder of the season. Weaver did the same during pregame warm-ups, taking a knee to say a prayer.
The reminders around the ballpark didn’t stop there.
In the dugout, Adenhart’s jersey hang beside the batting helmets. The rookie’s locker remained in the clubhouse and will reportedly be for the remainder of the season. The Angels played with 24 men on the active roster, instead of the maximum 25.
The one memory that remained visible throughout Fox Sports Net’s telecast was Adenhart’s No. 34 painted on the back of the mound.
It was only fitting his roommate Weaver took the mound in the team’s return to the field.
Friday, January 9, 2009
LeBron's most dominant performance yet
LeBron James has had higher scoring games and other statistical performances before.
But the Cleveland Cavaliers' 98-83 win over the reeling Boston Celtics was highlighted by a dominance on both ends of the floor that James had yet to unleash in the previous five seasons of his career.
Even if it was just a regular season game.
The Akron, Ohio native torched the defending NBA champions for 38 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals, three blocks and hounded Paul Pierce all over the Quicken Loans Arena floor.
Whether it was sticking a hand in the passing lane or flying in for a block from the weak side, James' defensive intensity was at an all-time high. Even the things that won't make SportsCenter's Top 10 plays were revealing the growth of the NBA's brightest star.
With Cleveland leading, 64-56, at the 2:23 mark in the third quarter, James greeted Pierce at the top of the key on an isolation play. James watched Pierce dribble around helplessly, almost made a steal with his active hands and held his ground as the NBA Finals MVP dished to Leon Powe, who threw up a wild runner with the shot clock running down.
James dazzled fans with a classic performance against the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward dropped 48 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the affair, which he accounted for Cleveland's final 25 points — and 29 of its last 30 — en route to a 109-107 double-overtime victory.
He topped that on Friday night.
As the Cavaliers also ran their perfect home record to 19-0, James may be in the process of topping the 2007 season in another way and leading Cleveland to its elusive NBA championship.
As the saying goes: Defense wins championships.
But the Cleveland Cavaliers' 98-83 win over the reeling Boston Celtics was highlighted by a dominance on both ends of the floor that James had yet to unleash in the previous five seasons of his career.
Even if it was just a regular season game.
The Akron, Ohio native torched the defending NBA champions for 38 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals, three blocks and hounded Paul Pierce all over the Quicken Loans Arena floor.
Whether it was sticking a hand in the passing lane or flying in for a block from the weak side, James' defensive intensity was at an all-time high. Even the things that won't make SportsCenter's Top 10 plays were revealing the growth of the NBA's brightest star.
With Cleveland leading, 64-56, at the 2:23 mark in the third quarter, James greeted Pierce at the top of the key on an isolation play. James watched Pierce dribble around helplessly, almost made a steal with his active hands and held his ground as the NBA Finals MVP dished to Leon Powe, who threw up a wild runner with the shot clock running down.
James dazzled fans with a classic performance against the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward dropped 48 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the affair, which he accounted for Cleveland's final 25 points — and 29 of its last 30 — en route to a 109-107 double-overtime victory.
He topped that on Friday night.
As the Cavaliers also ran their perfect home record to 19-0, James may be in the process of topping the 2007 season in another way and leading Cleveland to its elusive NBA championship.
As the saying goes: Defense wins championships.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Funny thing happened on the way to the Clippers game ...
I wasn't there with the person I was supposed to watch the Los Angeles Clippers/Dallas Mavericks game with Sunday.
Instead of a friend, it was my brother sitting in the seat next to me at the Staples Center.
...
9:59 a.m.: "I'll be at your house in about 20."
10:01 a.m.: "I don't know how to get to the game so you'll have to navigate. Please :)"
10:19 a.m.: "I'm at the corner of 236th and catskill."
Those were just Tiffany's three text messages. Four voicemails also were left, as well as a missed call from another friend in an attempt to get a hold of me.
Her last voicemail was at 10:59 a.m. and said she tried knocking on my door, wall and had already waited for me to wake up. Off she went to San Diego to her friend's place to watch her Dallas Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles in an attempt to make the playoffs. Little did I know I would feel bad about the result of that one, too.
I was supposed to be ready at 10:30 a.m. and I was the one who even set the time to leave.
That's right, I overslept. I don't even know if my alarm clock even went off because it sure didn't faze me.
Meanwhile, I had no idea this was happening or how I even fell asleep. For whatever reason, I had trouble sleeping the previous night and can remember seeing the clock read 4 a.m. at one point.
Oversleeping isn't new for me; just ask some of my teachers. Oversleeping for a sporting event is a first, however.
In my 24 years of existence, I've never missed — or even been late to — a game I personally purchased tickets for in advance.
So, at 11:33 a.m. I woke up — and yes, I vividly remember the exact time — looked at the clock and said, "Oh, shit."
You see, Tiffany had never been to a basketball game and it was her initial idea to go in the first place. That didn't help matters being the sports freak that I am, knowing how disappointed I would feel, at the very least, if something like that were to happen to me.
The call to explain matters wasn't one of my better moments.
"Tracy ..."
Surprisingly she didn't sound more mad throughout the conversation, but the start of the call wasn't one I want to replay. We've all used the tone of disappointment before. Hearing it sucks.
She offered to still pay $40 for the ticket she was never able to use, and in my head I was thinking: "What?! Hell no!"
I can't do that to anyone, let alone a friend. That's robbery, basically. Especially after I already wasted her time and gas.
My brother, who had just got home, asked if I still wanted to go and try to get there by at least the second quarter. Half asleep, I nonchalantly said yes and off we went.
All I could think about the entire game was how bizarre the day had already become. It was even more bizarre than my nightmare trip to Las Vegas the week before, which wasn't looking too bad in comparison. Watching the Mavs and Clippers play a futile version of basketball didn't help.
Looking around the crowd, I saw a few Cowboys jerseys and could only think of the friend I left stranded on my lawn.
With about four minutes left to play and the Clippers getting murdered by 15 points or so, I looked at my brother and we both had enough.
All this time, I still didn't know the score of the Cowboys/Eagles game since I wanted at least one good game to watch.
We decided to stop and eat at the Yard House near the Staples Center. I knew there were TVs in there, but I was seated with the view of another table and window directly across from me. TVs were on my left and right but not in proper position for me to see the score.
There were Cowboys fans watching the game at bar, however. I didn't notice any Eagles fans, or at least couldn't hear them if there were. I didn't hear the Cowboys fans either, though.
That's when I looked at the face of a Cowboys fan in a Darren Woodson jersey. He had no expression and was just watching the game like he was in a trance.
That's when I asked C.J., "Just wondering ... is the score close?"
He knew I didn't want to know the score but also knew I was really curious if the game was competitive, at least.
He shook his head no.
I then asked who was winning and he said, "Just look at the team celebrating."
Not wanting to go home and sit through another blowout, I looked at the TV.
Eagles 34, Cowboys 3 with 11:23 to play in the third quarter.
"Oh, shit."
Instead of a friend, it was my brother sitting in the seat next to me at the Staples Center.
...
9:59 a.m.: "I'll be at your house in about 20."
10:01 a.m.: "I don't know how to get to the game so you'll have to navigate. Please :)"
10:19 a.m.: "I'm at the corner of 236th and catskill."
Those were just Tiffany's three text messages. Four voicemails also were left, as well as a missed call from another friend in an attempt to get a hold of me.
Her last voicemail was at 10:59 a.m. and said she tried knocking on my door, wall and had already waited for me to wake up. Off she went to San Diego to her friend's place to watch her Dallas Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles in an attempt to make the playoffs. Little did I know I would feel bad about the result of that one, too.
I was supposed to be ready at 10:30 a.m. and I was the one who even set the time to leave.
That's right, I overslept. I don't even know if my alarm clock even went off because it sure didn't faze me.
Meanwhile, I had no idea this was happening or how I even fell asleep. For whatever reason, I had trouble sleeping the previous night and can remember seeing the clock read 4 a.m. at one point.
Oversleeping isn't new for me; just ask some of my teachers. Oversleeping for a sporting event is a first, however.
In my 24 years of existence, I've never missed — or even been late to — a game I personally purchased tickets for in advance.
So, at 11:33 a.m. I woke up — and yes, I vividly remember the exact time — looked at the clock and said, "Oh, shit."
You see, Tiffany had never been to a basketball game and it was her initial idea to go in the first place. That didn't help matters being the sports freak that I am, knowing how disappointed I would feel, at the very least, if something like that were to happen to me.
The call to explain matters wasn't one of my better moments.
"Tracy ..."
Surprisingly she didn't sound more mad throughout the conversation, but the start of the call wasn't one I want to replay. We've all used the tone of disappointment before. Hearing it sucks.
She offered to still pay $40 for the ticket she was never able to use, and in my head I was thinking: "What?! Hell no!"
I can't do that to anyone, let alone a friend. That's robbery, basically. Especially after I already wasted her time and gas.
My brother, who had just got home, asked if I still wanted to go and try to get there by at least the second quarter. Half asleep, I nonchalantly said yes and off we went.
All I could think about the entire game was how bizarre the day had already become. It was even more bizarre than my nightmare trip to Las Vegas the week before, which wasn't looking too bad in comparison. Watching the Mavs and Clippers play a futile version of basketball didn't help.
Looking around the crowd, I saw a few Cowboys jerseys and could only think of the friend I left stranded on my lawn.
With about four minutes left to play and the Clippers getting murdered by 15 points or so, I looked at my brother and we both had enough.
All this time, I still didn't know the score of the Cowboys/Eagles game since I wanted at least one good game to watch.
We decided to stop and eat at the Yard House near the Staples Center. I knew there were TVs in there, but I was seated with the view of another table and window directly across from me. TVs were on my left and right but not in proper position for me to see the score.
There were Cowboys fans watching the game at bar, however. I didn't notice any Eagles fans, or at least couldn't hear them if there were. I didn't hear the Cowboys fans either, though.
That's when I looked at the face of a Cowboys fan in a Darren Woodson jersey. He had no expression and was just watching the game like he was in a trance.
That's when I asked C.J., "Just wondering ... is the score close?"
He knew I didn't want to know the score but also knew I was really curious if the game was competitive, at least.
He shook his head no.
I then asked who was winning and he said, "Just look at the team celebrating."
Not wanting to go home and sit through another blowout, I looked at the TV.
Eagles 34, Cowboys 3 with 11:23 to play in the third quarter.
"Oh, shit."
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Cavs showing determination in regular season
The story the past three years for the Cleveland Cavaliers has been: Wait for the postseason to see them play their best basketball.
Well, LeBron James and Co. are already playing like it's May.
Cleveland (25-4) sits just one game behind the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics (27-4) for the best record in the Eastern Conference and the entire NBA.
It starts with James and the mission he's been on since Team USA captured a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
He showed the world his extra commitment at the defensive end of the floor and brought it back to Cleveland, which has already been one of the better defensive teams in the league the last few years.
Unlike past seasons, the Cavs haven't had to worry about injuries or missing personnel (see: Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic's holdouts at the beginning of last season). If anything, the team's roster was stronger than it was when they were eliminated by the Celtics in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The signing of point guard Mo Williams has been the other half of the difference. Now, James has a legitimate No. 2 option to defer to in the starting lineup and can play off the ball freely to get himself open — as opposed to running the point and creating on seemingly every possession.
The Cavs may not possess an attractive "Big Three" like Boston (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen) or the Los Angeles Lakers (Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum), but the numbers don't lie.
Through Saturday, Cleveland was averaging 102 points per game (seventh in the NBA) while allowing a league-low 89.2 per contest. That's a whopping +12.7-point differential; a full 3.1 points better than the second-best team (the Celtics).
The Cavs even had the most dominant nine-game stretch in NBA history. Between Nov. 22 and Dec. 9, Cleveland won each contest by at least 12 points or more — a new NBA record — and its average margin of victory was a staggering 21.5 points. During the streak, James could be found on the bench relaxing in the fourth quarter and rarely had to come back into the game.
The new flight No. 23 even has an outside shot of guiding his team to 72 wins or beyond, which the old No. 23 in Chicago did in the 1995-96 season (72-10 record) to set a new NBA best for wins in a season.
While that possibility is a still a longshot, another scenario looks more and more possible with each win: an NBA championship.
Maybe I need to retract my second paragraph. The Cavs are playing like it's June.
Well, LeBron James and Co. are already playing like it's May.
Cleveland (25-4) sits just one game behind the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics (27-4) for the best record in the Eastern Conference and the entire NBA.
It starts with James and the mission he's been on since Team USA captured a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
He showed the world his extra commitment at the defensive end of the floor and brought it back to Cleveland, which has already been one of the better defensive teams in the league the last few years.
Unlike past seasons, the Cavs haven't had to worry about injuries or missing personnel (see: Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic's holdouts at the beginning of last season). If anything, the team's roster was stronger than it was when they were eliminated by the Celtics in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The signing of point guard Mo Williams has been the other half of the difference. Now, James has a legitimate No. 2 option to defer to in the starting lineup and can play off the ball freely to get himself open — as opposed to running the point and creating on seemingly every possession.
The Cavs may not possess an attractive "Big Three" like Boston (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen) or the Los Angeles Lakers (Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum), but the numbers don't lie.
Through Saturday, Cleveland was averaging 102 points per game (seventh in the NBA) while allowing a league-low 89.2 per contest. That's a whopping +12.7-point differential; a full 3.1 points better than the second-best team (the Celtics).
The Cavs even had the most dominant nine-game stretch in NBA history. Between Nov. 22 and Dec. 9, Cleveland won each contest by at least 12 points or more — a new NBA record — and its average margin of victory was a staggering 21.5 points. During the streak, James could be found on the bench relaxing in the fourth quarter and rarely had to come back into the game.
The new flight No. 23 even has an outside shot of guiding his team to 72 wins or beyond, which the old No. 23 in Chicago did in the 1995-96 season (72-10 record) to set a new NBA best for wins in a season.
While that possibility is a still a longshot, another scenario looks more and more possible with each win: an NBA championship.
Maybe I need to retract my second paragraph. The Cavs are playing like it's June.
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