Yesterday was an exciting day in the NBA. The first six games of the day were decided by four points or less. I don’t normally post these highlight videos, but there were two game winners at the end that are worth a look.
I love watching the home crowd (even an NBA crowd) when their team hits a game winner.
There’s no doubt that LeBron James is having the best season of his young career. It’s not so much that his numbers are better — it’s the Cavs’ winning ways that have LeBron atop the short list for this year’s MVP. He even has the vote of the player who’s in second place (at least on my list).
Bryant seemed mildly uncomfortable when asked for his MVP choice near the season’s halfway point.
“LeBron,” he said. “Leave me alone about that stuff.”
He then expanded upon his thoughts.
“I’m a big fan of his, obviously,” he said. “I just think the world of him. Playing with him this summer [at the Beijing Olympics], and seeing his work ethic and what he’s about, I just think he’s terrific.”
It probably kills the competitor in Kobe to admit that, but it just goes to show the nature of the MVP race right now. LeBron has improved defensively, is superior in most statistical measures, and he has guided his team to a great record despite not having as much help as Kobe does.
Tonight’s game at the Staples Center should be a good one. I hope we are treated to more than a handful of possessions where the two superstars guard each other.
MLK Day is a great day for basketball action as the NBA has games going all day. I’d recommend watching the Nuggets/Rockets at 2 PM, flipping between the Pitt/Syracuse game and the Suns/Celtics at 7 PM and 8 PM, respectively, and capping the night with the Cavs/Lakers tilt at 10:30 PM. Don’t forget that the Australian Open starts today — coverage is on ESPN2 and the Tennis Channel.
All times ET…
NBA
Mon, 2 PM: Nuggets @ Rockets (NBA TV)
Mon, 8 PM: Suns @ Celtics (TNT)
Mon, 10:30 PM: Cavs @ Lakers (TNT)
Wed, 7:30 PM: Celtics @ Heat
Wed, 8:30 PM: Jazz @ Rockets (NBA TV)
Wed, 10 PM: Cavs @ Blazers
Thurs, 8 PM: Celtics @ Magic (TNT)
College Hoops
Mon, 7 PM: #8 Syracuse @ #4 Pittsburgh (ESPN)
Wed, 7 PM: #21 Villanova @ #3 UConn (ESPN)
Wed, 9 PM: #9 Clemson @ #6 North Carolina (ESPN)
Thurs, 7 PM: #18 Purdue @ #20 Minnesota (E360)
NHL
Mon, 8 PM: Wild @ Blackhawks (Versus)
Tues, 7:30 PM: Capitals @ Senators (Versus)
Tues, 10:30 PM: Canucks @ Sharks (TSN)
Wed, 7:30 PM: Bruins @ Maple Leafs (TSN)
There were five top 20 matchups on Saturday, and although there weren’t any buzzer beaters, there were some good games. Here are a few random thoughts…
– What is CBS thinking having Gus Johnson in the studio? He’s a capable in the halftime show, but he should be at the gym calling a game.
– #8 Syracuse blew out #13 Notre Dame, 93-74. The Big East is deep again this season and any win will be tough, especially on the road. Six Orangemen scored in double figures, led by Arinze Onuaku’s 19 points. Luke Harangody scored 25 points, but was a miserable 9-28 from the field.
– #2 Duke beat #12 Georgetown at home, 76-67. This game was close at the start, but a late first half run put the Blue Devils ahead, 40-29. From there, Duke simply managed its lead. G’Town cut it to five with 0:46 to play, but Duke made its free throws and coasted to the win. Gerald Henderson led the Dookies with 23 points and is looking more and more like an NBA talent.
– #3 Wake Forest won at #9 Clemson, 78-68. There was a great atmosphere at Littlejohn Coliseum, but the Demon Deacons passed the ball really well down the stretch to fend off the pesky Tigers. Clemson cut the lead to 61-60 with 4:54 to play, but Wake went on a 10-1 run over the next two and a half minutes to essentially put the game away. Jeff Teague led Wake with 24 points and five dimes.
– #15 Arizona State went into Pauley Pavilion and upended #7 UCLA in overtime, 61-58. Former North Carolina State head coach Herb Sendek has the Sun Devils playing solid basketball. They aren’t a very balanced team; James Harden (24 points) and Jeff Pendergraph (18 points) scored 42 of the team’s 61 points. UCLA simply couldn’t figure out the ASU zone in the second half, and didn’t score a single point for the last eight minutes of regulation. Including the extra period, the Bruins scored a total of four points in 13 minutes. Ouch.
– #20 Louisville upended #1 Pittsburgh, 69-63. Like I said earlier, winning on the road in the Big East isn’t going to be easy this season. There are a lot of good teams with strong home courts. Terrence Williams (20 points, seven rebounds, four assists) led the way for the Cardinals, and Earl Clark posted a double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds) on his birthday. It looks like Duke will be the #1 team in the nation come Monday, at least in the ESPN poll.
Big weekend of sports kicks…um…tips off tonight with a great NBA doubleheader on ESPN. The league’s top four MVP candidates — LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard — will all be in action. Saturday is a huge day in college basketball with no fewer than five top 25 matchups featuring nine of the top 15 teams in the country. Of course, Sunday features a pair of NFL Championship Games.
Oh, there are a couple of hockey games on too…
All times ET…
NFL
Sun, 3 PM: Eagles @ Cardinals (FOX)
Sun, 6:30 PM: Ravens @ Steelers (CBS)
College Hoops
Sat, 12 PM: #13 Notre Dame @ #8 Syracuse (ESPN)
Sat, 1:30 PM: #12 Georgetown @ #2 Duke (CBS)
Sat, 3:30 PM: #3 Wake Forest @ #9 Clemson (ABC)
Sat, 3:45 PM: #15 Arizona St. @ #7 UCLA (CBS)
Sat, 6 PM: #1 Pittsburgh @ #20 Louisville (ESPN)
NBA
Fri, 8 PM: Hornets @ Cavs (ESPN)
Fri, 10:30 PM: Magic @ Lakers (ESPN)
NHL
Fri, 9:30 PM: Oilers @ Avalanche (TSN)
Sat, 10 PM: Coyotes @ Flames (CBC)
Sun, 12:30 PM: Rangers @ Penguins (NBC)
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