LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are flying high. They had won 9 of their last 10 games to zoom into the lead in the Central Division with a 10-win, 3-loss slate to date. Last night, they lambasted the visiting Atlanta Hawks, 110-96.
Are the Cavs for real? And what makes the team thick this early in the season? It was evident that the reason behind their sudden transformation, from their former tag as up-and-coming to title contenders can be attributed to a transaction they made last summer. In a three-way deal with Oklahoma City and Milwaukee, the Cavs acquired point guard Maurice "Mo" Williams. Williams had been a revelation with Cleveland so far, as he currently averages 17.2 ppg and 4.6 apg in 13 outings.
Williams had been so effective tending the backcourt for the Cavs and is partly the reason why King James is off to a blazing start with his scintillating per game norms of 29.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 7.0 apg, respectively. LBJ23 had long been talking of the urgent need of a top-flight court general who could help them get over the hump and return to the NBA finals. It is still too early to tell but it seems Williams is the answer to King James' prayers for an outrageous season.
*****
The Golden State Warriors had finally let go of disgruntled power forward Al Harrington. Harrington had been hugging the limelight the past few weeks with his desire to leave the Bay City outfit. Last Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), Big Al's wish had been finally granted as he was traded to the New York Knicks for guard Jamal Crawford. The trade saw a rare occurence as both players are submitting identical scoring averages so far of 14.7 ppg. And both Harrington and Crawford will easily fit into their respective new team's styles of play. The Knicks and the Warriors are both well known for their open-court style of game.
In Crawford, the Warriors added another player with a scoring mentality (the team already boasts of high scoring duo of Corey Maggette and Stephen Jackson). With the Crawford trade, it seems the team did not cure their need for a big man with an intimidating presence in the paint. A Harrington trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Big Ben Wallace makes sense than adding another scoring guard. The Warriors are already loaded in the backcourt with CJ Watson, Marcus Williams, Jackson, Marco Belinelli and is waiting for the return of ace pointguard Monta Ellis this coming January. Chris Mullin and the other Warrior thinktanks could have patiently waited for the right deal to come than wasting an opportunity to land the team's immediate need.
*****
Vince Carter still loves the City of Toronto. Carter proved to the Raptor fans that he is far from being over the hill as he powered the New Jersey Nets to a thrilling 129-127 overtime win last Friday night (Saturday morning, Manila Time).
Carter pumped in 39 big points, made a crucial trifecta with 0.8 ticks left to send the game into overtime and then capped his amazing night with an incredible alleyhoop reverse dunk with a 2.1 seconds to go in the extension period to finish off his fomer team. It was really a statement game for the former Raptor ace as he drilled in the final 12 points of the Nets in the regulation.
The Toronto fans were nevertheless thrilled with Carter's exploits which brought back memories of his early days in the league while strutting his wares at the Air Canada Center. He is indeed truly "Half-man, Half-amazing!"
*****
I went to the airport for two consecutive days last week. But for purposes that were completely contrasting in nature. It was mixed emotions. I was excited to fetch up my wife, Lorna, who came from a 3-day business trip in Fuyong, China, last Thursday at Terminal-1, NAIA. But on a 360-degree turn around the following day, sadness creeped in, as I had to bade goodbye to my loving sister, Ate Sonia, on her return flight to Australia, last Friday at Terminal-2, NAIA, after a 2-week whirlwind-like vacation. I am so happy to see my wife back safely and on the other hand, I'm sad to see my sister go. Well, that's life. And on a positive note, I am looking forward for Ate Sonia's return next summer so that bonding can be renewed with rest of the family once again.
Are the Cavs for real? And what makes the team thick this early in the season? It was evident that the reason behind their sudden transformation, from their former tag as up-and-coming to title contenders can be attributed to a transaction they made last summer. In a three-way deal with Oklahoma City and Milwaukee, the Cavs acquired point guard Maurice "Mo" Williams. Williams had been a revelation with Cleveland so far, as he currently averages 17.2 ppg and 4.6 apg in 13 outings.
Williams had been so effective tending the backcourt for the Cavs and is partly the reason why King James is off to a blazing start with his scintillating per game norms of 29.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 7.0 apg, respectively. LBJ23 had long been talking of the urgent need of a top-flight court general who could help them get over the hump and return to the NBA finals. It is still too early to tell but it seems Williams is the answer to King James' prayers for an outrageous season.
*****
The Golden State Warriors had finally let go of disgruntled power forward Al Harrington. Harrington had been hugging the limelight the past few weeks with his desire to leave the Bay City outfit. Last Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), Big Al's wish had been finally granted as he was traded to the New York Knicks for guard Jamal Crawford. The trade saw a rare occurence as both players are submitting identical scoring averages so far of 14.7 ppg. And both Harrington and Crawford will easily fit into their respective new team's styles of play. The Knicks and the Warriors are both well known for their open-court style of game.
In Crawford, the Warriors added another player with a scoring mentality (the team already boasts of high scoring duo of Corey Maggette and Stephen Jackson). With the Crawford trade, it seems the team did not cure their need for a big man with an intimidating presence in the paint. A Harrington trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Big Ben Wallace makes sense than adding another scoring guard. The Warriors are already loaded in the backcourt with CJ Watson, Marcus Williams, Jackson, Marco Belinelli and is waiting for the return of ace pointguard Monta Ellis this coming January. Chris Mullin and the other Warrior thinktanks could have patiently waited for the right deal to come than wasting an opportunity to land the team's immediate need.
*****
Vince Carter still loves the City of Toronto. Carter proved to the Raptor fans that he is far from being over the hill as he powered the New Jersey Nets to a thrilling 129-127 overtime win last Friday night (Saturday morning, Manila Time).
Carter pumped in 39 big points, made a crucial trifecta with 0.8 ticks left to send the game into overtime and then capped his amazing night with an incredible alleyhoop reverse dunk with a 2.1 seconds to go in the extension period to finish off his fomer team. It was really a statement game for the former Raptor ace as he drilled in the final 12 points of the Nets in the regulation.
The Toronto fans were nevertheless thrilled with Carter's exploits which brought back memories of his early days in the league while strutting his wares at the Air Canada Center. He is indeed truly "Half-man, Half-amazing!"
*****
I went to the airport for two consecutive days last week. But for purposes that were completely contrasting in nature. It was mixed emotions. I was excited to fetch up my wife, Lorna, who came from a 3-day business trip in Fuyong, China, last Thursday at Terminal-1, NAIA. But on a 360-degree turn around the following day, sadness creeped in, as I had to bade goodbye to my loving sister, Ate Sonia, on her return flight to Australia, last Friday at Terminal-2, NAIA, after a 2-week whirlwind-like vacation. I am so happy to see my wife back safely and on the other hand, I'm sad to see my sister go. Well, that's life. And on a positive note, I am looking forward for Ate Sonia's return next summer so that bonding can be renewed with rest of the family once again.
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