The New York Times-20080127-Off the Dribble- -Sports Desk-
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Off the Dribble; [Sports Desk]
Full Text (531 words)Cleveland Is Rocking
The Cavaliers went into Dec. 11 with a disappointing 9-12 record and a six-game losing streak. But LeBron James, below, returned that night after missing six games with a sprained finger and forward Anderson Varejao made his first appearance after missing the first 21 games of the season in a contract dispute. Cleveland beat the Pacers, 118-105. We back now, James said after the victory.
Those words have proved prophetic. The Cavaliers have gone 14-7 since -- including 9-2 this month -- and are the hottest team in the Eastern Conference. James leads the league with an average of 29.5 points a game and is averaging career highs in assists (7.4) and rebounds (7.6) to emerge as a leading M.V.P. candidate.
This week, Cleveland will visit the Lakers on Sunday afternoon and the surprising Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.
Crowded Out West
While the Celtics have had a lock on the top spot in the Eastern Conference, there has been considerably more fluidity in the Western Conference. A number of teams have led the West; as of Friday night, only five games separate the first and eighth teams in the standings.
Compare that with the East, where 16 1/2 games separate the first and eighth teams. After New Orleans defeated Portland, 96-81, last Wednesday, it took over the top spot in the West, joining Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio and the Lakers as teams that led the conference in January.
This week, there are two particularly intriguing Western Conference clashes: the Nuggets at the Hornets on Monday and the Spurs at the Suns on Thursday.
Missing the Mark
The debate preceding the 2005 draft centered on which frontcourt player should be selected No. 1: Utah's Andrew Bogut or North Carolina's Marvin Williams. The Bucks decided on Bogut, who has been a solid contributor. Williams went to the Hawks and after a rough start is starting to produce. But it is probable that both teams would like a second chance at that draft.
The latest star to emerge from the class is forward Danny Granger, who played for New Mexico and fell to the Pacers at No. 17. Over a five-game stretch that ended last week, he averaged 25.2 points a game, bringing his season average to 17.6.
Even more impressive than Granger is the talent that has emerged in the backcourt. The Jazz took Deron Williams right after Marvin Williams was selected, and he led Utah deep into the playoffs last season. He is averaging 19.2 points and 9.3 assists this season. The Hornets selected Chris Paul, who has emerged as possibly the game's next great point guard. He is averaging 20.6 points and 10.5 assists. Even the second round produced a star guard, with Monta Ellis being selected with the 40th pick by the Warriors.FRED BIERMAN and BENJAMIN HOFFMAN
[Illustration]PHOTOS (PHOTOGRAPH BY EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY; RONALD MARTINEZ/GETTY IMAGES)QUOTE: 'I don't know if we can play any better than that.' PAT RILEY, the Heat coach, above, after Thursday's 90-89 loss to the Spurs. It was the Heat's 15th straight loss, two short of the franchise record. The Heat ended the skid Saturday with a 98-96 win over Indiana.