February 2012

All-Star game recap

It was a very high scoring All-Star game which was pretty close as usual and in fact it was the twelfth time the All-Star game has been decided by 3 points or more. One of the highlights of this All-Star game was that Kobe Bryant surpassed Michael Jordan’s total number of points in All-Star appearances and did it in fine fashion with a dunk in the third quarter.

All three of the Miami Heat’s Big Three were in the game with Dwayne Wade and LeBron James being starters. James matched the game’s MVP Kevin Durant with his 36 points and led a fourth quarter rally with some big time shots. After being trumped by Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks these past few weeks, the Miami Heat have started making headlines again. The main thing that everyone is buzzing about is James’ attempted pass to Dwayne Wade that was intercepted by Blake Griffin.

Secondly, Dwayne Wade’s foul on Kobe Bryant that had Kobe bleeding from his nose and he is now said to be diagnosed with a concussion. Wade did apologize to Kobe afterwards and stated that he did not expect that the foul would cause so much trouble for Bryant.

Does LeBron James becoming the league MVP mean anything?

"I was actually not happy with him leaving Cleveland and going to the Miami Heat."

LeBron James has had a sensational season so far and the Miami Heat are on top of the Eastern Conference with a 27-7 record halfway through this shortened NBA season. I think the only competition King James has is from Kevin Durant whose Oklahoma City Thunder is also atop the Western Conference with a matching 27-7 record.

I agree with most of the critics and basketball experts that it really doesn’t mean anything what LeBron James does in the regular season. But that doesn’t take away what he has been doing on a consistent basis this season with an amazing all-round game.

I was actually not happy with him leaving Cleveland and going to the Miami Heat. But I have since felt that he made a good basketball decision and it was evident in the Heat’s trip to the NBA Finals last season which was the first time its Big Three played together. This was impressive in my book and I only expect greater things to come this season.

The Linderella Story

"The Knicks are back in playoff contention and Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire seem to be thrilled about LINsanity"

With LINsanity taking the Big Apple by storm and having the Knicks winning the 5 games that Jeremy Lin started, the stock price of Madison Square Garden company has hit an all-time high since it started issuing stock back in January 2010.

The stock market star will be in action against the Toronto Raptors in a sold out Air Canada Center where people are greatly anticipating taking a first look at the sensation that has hit New York and the NBA.[1] The Linderella story as it has come to be known is really amazing as he was actually reported to have been sleeping on his brother’s couch in New York City and also teammate Landry Fields home while he was looking for a place when the Knicks were exploring his uncertain contract options.[1]

All-Star Starters: Eastern Conference

I posted about the starters for the Western Conference last week and now I want to talk about the all-star starters for the Eastern Conference.

Dwayne Wade (SG)

With his seventh straight start in the All-Star game, D-Wade is one of two Miami Heat players that will start on February 26. This member of the Heat Big Three was also MVP of the 2010 All-Star game.

Derrick Rose (PG)

Averaging 23 points per game, Derrick Rose makes his third appearance in the backcourt of the All-Star game. I really feel that the East has the edge at the point guard spot even though Paul is seen as a hard worker and a better point guard by some experts. Rose is more exciting to watch and that is why he was the third leading vote getter overall.

LeBron James (SF)

Dwayne Wade is not the only member of the Miami Heat Big Three to be an MVP in the All-Star game as LeBron James has two of them in 2006 and 2008. James is having a very good season with a career high shooting percentage of 55 percent and a 12 games of at least 30 points.

Carmelo Anthony (PF)

There seems to be a bit of debate going on about whether it should have been Chris Bosh that should have been voted in instead. But Anthony seems to be doing his part to right the Knicks boat and make them playoffs contenders once again.

Dwight Howard (C)

With 1.6 million votes, Superman is the leading vote getter overall and beat Kobe by about 45,000 votes. This dominant center is averaging 15 rebounds a game which is the most in the NBA.

All-Star Starters: Western Conference

The City of Angels has four starters in this month’s All-Star game with the Lakers with a guard and a center and the Clippers with a guard and an explosive forward.

Kobe Bryant (SG)

This is the fourteenth straight appearance for Kobe Bryant with every one of them as a starter. This pretty automatic given his highest points per game in the NBA of 30 points and 4 games of at least 40 points. He has a chance to increase his 4 All-Star game MVPs which is one ahead of MJ, Oscar and Shaq and tied with Bob Pettit.

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