NBA

LeBron James has been drawing a lot of comparisons to the all-time greats as of late. His recent six-game streak of scoring 30 points while shooting 60 percent from the field is one piece of evidence that we are witnessing an all-time great entering his prime. "King James" has raised his level of play to such a level of excellence that his NBA peers simply cannot match.

If he is above comparison to most current NBA superstars, then the next logical place to weigh and compare his greatness to is the past. After finally winning that elusive first championship ring last season, he is drawing more comparisons to all-time greats Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson instead of current rivals Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. 

James has a long way to go before matching Jordan or Magic, but there is one all-time great that he could legitimately surpass in the next couple of seasons: Larry Bird. This should be the primary target for LeBron as overtaking Bird would elevate the "King" to a new title: the greatest small forward to ever play the game.

The Lakers and the Clippers tip off tonight. The Lakers and the Clippers are coming off wins in their last game. Both teams would like to go into All-Star Game with round three of this epic hometown saga. Everyone knows the Lakers possess championships while the Clippers are seeking their first, but this season, the story has taken wings of change in Clipper land.

Will we see the new Lakers’ team that was built for another championship, or at least the one who has shown glimpses of their potential on occasion? The Lakers appear to be accepting the fact that they are still working on chemistry. They are making a few runs in games, showing some brilliance, yet losing tonight to the Clippers would be . . . or will they flip the switch and play for the win?

The Lakers and the Clippers tip off tonight. The Lakers and the Clippers are coming off wins in their last game. Both teams would like to go into All-Star Game with round three of this epic hometown saga. Everyone knows the Lakers possess championships while the Clippers are seeking their first, but this season, the story has taken wings of change in Clipper land.

Will we see the new Lakers’ team that was built for another championship, or at least the one who has shown glimpses of their potential on occasion? The Lakers appear to be accepting the fact that they are still working on chemistry. They are making a few runs in games, showing some brilliance, yet losing tonight to the Clippers would be . . . or will they flip the switch and play for the win?

In the end, it was hardly worth Dwight Howard bothering to play at all. The Boston Celtics destroyed the Los Angeles Lakers in what was an exceptional display of teamwork and an unbelievable team spirit. A stark contrast to this Lakers team. All the talk, all day, was of Howard and Kobe again. Bryant had called Howard out for not playing through the pain of the shoulder injury he is currently possessing. This whole situation has now become a ridiculous sideshow in an already chaos-filled season for one of the Pre-season favourites for an NBA title. Bryant seems to be pushing Howard more than he's been before in his career. It is also apparent that Howard isn't responding to it at all well. Howard has had things all his own way throughout his career, he was the Centre of attention in Orlando and could basically do as he pleased there with no real repercussions, as was demonstrated with his behaviour in the Stan Van Gundy situation that saw his then Head Coach fired. The Magic chose to keep Howard in his comfort zone rather that upsetting their prized possession.

 

As strong as the Chicago Bulls are on defense, the offense has been another story entirely. Thus, it’s little surprise that the Bulls are considering an upgrade prior to the February 21 trade deadline.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls initiated talks with the Toronto Raptors about acquiring former No. 1 draft pick Andrea Bargnani in exchange for power forward Carlos Boozer. The Raptors have already shown a willingness to pull the trigger on big-ticket deals, having acquired Rudy Gay from Memphis in a three-team trade last week.

Whether or not Toronto turns out to show some interest in the pricey Boozer—or in a possible sidebar deal swapping backup point guards Nate Robinson and John Lucas III—is hardly relevant. There are few players in the NBA who would be worse fits in Chicago than Bargnani, and it’s mind-boggling that Bulls management isn’t acutely aware of that fact.