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LBJ’s MVP Season Keeps Rolling PDF Print E-mail
Written by Bobby Ciafardini   
Wednesday, 03 March 2010

  

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LeBron James finished with 26 points, including several dunks. PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

East Rutherford, NJ – The LeBron James Road Show cruised down the New Jersey Turnpike Wednesday night for a quick stop at the Izod Center.

James, the leading candidate for NBA Most Valuable Player, illustrated why he is the No. 1 show in the league. It was hard to say what his greater achievement was.

Was it his 26 points and 14 assists – one shy of his career record in a 111-92 victory over the Nets?

Or was the fact that his presence inside the building helped New Jersey, the team with the worst attendance in the league, draw 17,502?

While that’s debatable, one thing’s for sure: The King played his last game at the Izod Center as a Cleveland Cavalier. It’s the last time No. 23 will suit up across the way from Giants Stadium.

After all, the Nets are heading to Newark next season to play their home games at the Prudential Center – also known as “The Rock” – and then there’s the chance that James could be a Net himself next fall, complete with his new No. 6 uniform after informing the league of his jersey change, honoring the legendary Michael Jordan.

“I played here when they were really good,” James said of his memories of the Izod Center. “My rookie year they had Jason Kidd and were a really strong team. I think it’s a really good franchise though, and they have a bright future.”

One that includes LeBron James Road Show?      

Only time will tell.

The fans certainly didn’t make LeBron feel welcome in the Garden State. They booed him when he politely dunked two first-half fastbreaks instead of throwing down thunderous jams.

“I guess that’s how much they love you when they boo you,” James said.

James led the Cavaliers (48-14) to their fifth straight win. The victory completed a two-game sweep of the Knicks and Nets over the past three days. Both teams will have plenty of cap space to make a run at James this summer when he enters free agency on July 1.

You could say James put on an addition for the Knicks and Nets this week. The Nets didn’t like the outcome Wednesday night, but from the sounds of things, they’d welcome LeBron with open arms next season.

“I have seen him enough, seen him on television and a number of times in person and he keeps getting better and better,” Nets interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe said.

James orchestrated another NBA symphony on the hardwood, finding a way to get everyone involved.

J.J. Hickson netted 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, replacing the injured Shaquille O’Neal for the second straight game. Recently acquired Antawn Jamison added 19 points while Mo Williams chipped in 16.

“He tries to get other people involved and gets a ton of assists in the first quarter, then looks to be more aggressive as the game goes on,” Nets guard Devin Harris explained afterward of James. “No different than tonight.”

The Nets (6-54) were paced by Brook Lopez. The center finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Lopez said New Jersey’s early 20-point deficit was difficult to overcome. He also blamed himself for the team’s poor start.  

“That deficit killed us. I wasn’t finishing well. I hurt my team. There were a number of shots right by the rim that just rolled out.”

“When you fall behind 20 against the best team in the NBA, face it, it’s going to be tough,” Nets rookie Terrence Williams said. “We got it down to 11 a couple of times and couldn’t get over the hump. Credit to them. They made tough shots and LeBron made plays for them.”

The Nets never got closer than 11 points after being outscored 35-15 in the opening 12 minutes.

NOTES: Cleveland is 22-10 on the road, having won 13 of its last 17 games…The Nets, who were eliminated from playoff contention when Miami won on Tuesday night, are 3-27 at home…Brook Lopez tallied his 26th double-double…Terrence Williams set a new career-high with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting.



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