CLEVELAND, OH. – LeBron James was presented his second consecutive NBA MVP, joining nine other NBA players who have won the award in back-to-back seasons.Those familiar names are Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash and Bill Russell.

Three of those stars, Russell, Chamberlain and Bird actually took the trophy home three times in a row.

James’ win comes at the heels of a season where he compiled the most impressive stats of his 7-year career that included 29.7 PPG, 7.3 rebounds and 8.6assists.NBA Commissioner David Stern presented the hardware to James Sunday at the University of Akron.

The Cavs star received 116 of a possible 123 first-place votes blowing away all the other candidates. Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant came in second but was picked first on only four ballots.

One piece of the puzzle for James’ career that remains missing is an NBA Championship. The Cavs have surrounded James with several different player combinations and have yet to find the right mix to bring Cleveland its first NBA Championship.

The most recent group includes Shaquille O’Neal who has won titles for the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. The Cavs are considered by many as this year’s favorite after winning 61 games this season snagging the top seed in the playoffs.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™

Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James put on a show in a 113-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

After scoring only five points in the first half, James came out after the break and took over the game, finishing with a triple-double; 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. It was James’ 4th triple double of the season.

Fifteen of those points would come in the 4th quarter during a 22-10 game finishing run.

The win improved the Cavs record to (53-15) while the Pistons who were a force over the past decade fell to a dismal (23-45). The Pistons continue their spiral and have dropped three in a row and eight out of the last ten games.

James, who added a nice piece of hardware to his cabinet after winning the NBA MVP award in 2009, still is in pursuit of an NBA title. James is a free agent after this season and the organization has brought in several players over the years trying to find the right chemistry to bring a title to Cleveland.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™ 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Not even a month has transpired since Mike Dunleavy relieved himself of one of his Clippers positions. He stepped down as coach but stayed on as the team’s GM, hoping it would make matters better. It didn’t.The team didn’t pick up its play for interim coach Kim Hughes. They went from seven to 14 games under .500 after the switch and are no where near being respectable, never mind a playoff contender.

On Tuesday, via written statement the team announced it had severed ties with Dunleavy: “The Clippers want to win now,” read the team’s statement. “This transition, in full conjunction with a full commitment to dedicate unlimited resources, is designed to accomplish that objective.

Yahoo! Sports reported on Wednesday that the team was informed after its 113-87 road loss in Orlando and Chris Kaman, the team’s center barely shrugged his shoulders.

Leaving aside the rampant speculation that with both coach and GM positions open the team is ripe for the picking, exactly who would want to pick it?

As Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times wrote this morning, it won’t be above some to suggest that LeBron James could sweep into town, choose men to fill the jobs and make LA his personal playground.

The one position that isn’t open and still might be the stumbling block to making any changes to the team is that of owner. But at this point, without someone to blame, Donald Sterling might have left himself exposed to be named as the root of all that is problematic.

No one is left as a buffer. Gone since last year is Elgin Baylor, GM for decades who exited with sad stories to tell about what he characterized as racial discrimination and disrespect for his position. Dunleavy whose tenure with the team extends some seven seasons has been shown the door.

Will anything make a difference in what has been called the Clippers Curse? They have a basis for a good team n place despite Dunleavy’s trade deadline move to dump the league’s best rebounder, Marcus Camby.

To quote Hillel the Elder, if not now, when?

Paula Duffy is a national sports columnist for Examiner.com and the Huffington Post and regularly comments on sports/legal matters for radio affiliates of ESPN and Fox Sports. She founded the sports information site, Incidental Contact, is the author of a line of audio books designed for sports novices and in her spare time practices law in Los Angeles. 

© 2010 Sports Climax^TM

It was reported that Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James filed the necessary paperwork to wear a uniform sporting the No. 6, foregoing the No. 23 that he has worn throughout his NBA career.

Here’s the wrinkle: he only has to ask permission if he stays with the same team. Should he move teams he picks whatever he wants when he reaches his destination.

The report noted that he wants to leave the No. 23 for Michael Jordan’s legacy but of course it fails to explain the timing of it all. So there’s that guessing game going on among Cavalier fans which I’m sure is fascinating.

But, as morning dawns in Los Angeles today, Lakers star Kobe Bryant has now heard the news, the man who switched his number from No. 8 to his old high school No. 24. And he did it after winning three NBA championships, long into his career.

Is he smiling, using that knowing grin he sports when something confirms what he thought would happen? Or is he shaking his head wondering what the heck he’s got to do to keep that distance himself from his fellow super star.

Paula Duffy is a national sports columnist for Examiner.com and the Huffington Post and regularly comments on sports/legal matters for radio affiliates of ESPN and Fox Sports. She founded the sports information site, Incidental Contact, is the author of a line of audio books designed for sports novices and in her spare time practices law in Los Angeles. 

A record-setting crowd of 108,713 jammed into Cowboys Stadium Sunday to watch the NBA Eastern Conference squeak out a 141-139 victory over the West.

Originally designed and listed to support a capacity of 35,000 fans for basketball and 80,000 for football, most of the fans had to watch the game on the giant screen to even have a clue what was happening on the court.

This game went down to the final seconds and ironically it was Dallas native Chris Bosh who scored the winning points, sinking free throws with just five seconds left.

The West got one more possession but Carmelo Anthony, who had a game-high 27 for the West, bounced a 3-pointer off the rim at the buzzer that would have won it.

Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade led the East with 28 points and 11 assists took home the MVP honors.

“I’ve had a little luck in Dallas. Of course, 2006 is very, very memorable, something I dreamed of doing for a long time, winning the NBA championship and I was lucky enough and blessed enough to win the MVP there,” Wade said. “To come and do it again is special.”

Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James added 25 for the East and was in awe of the size of the crowd.

“To be in front of 108,000 fans, that was actually what it was, that was not a false number. You could look up in the stands, and there was not a seat open,” said James. “To be part of history is something that you always wish and dream for.”

The players spent their shoot-around trying to adjust to the gigantic stadium background which is so different from the standard size arenas they normally play in.

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

CHICAGO – NBA referees let the league know what they thought of the latest contract offer when they voted 57-0 against it at their meeting in the Windy City Wednesday night.

That vote led to further discussions but after those hit a brick wall, the referees were sent home and both sides went to impasse.

NBA referees being sent home. What an awesome concept! How many times have we fantasized about that.

If this group of zebras are sent packing during the start of the season would we even notice the difference?

NBA refs have become notorious for calling fouls on anyone who gets within arm’s length of stars like Dwyane Wade and LeBron James and they appear willing to extend their summer to fight for their cause.

OK, the term ‘arm’s length’ is an exaggeration, well sort of; depends what tape or highlight reel you choose to look at and fighting for a cause is usually a strong, admirable characteristic depends on the details.

It appears the major disagreement stems around some retirement issues. I guess ex-referee and whistle-blower Tim Donaghy’s living conditions in jail are not quite up to par with the union’s idea of retirement. Donaghy is in jail where he belongs after fixing several NBA games over a several year period.

The performance of the zebras in all major sports have caused fans and media to scream “Fix!” but none as often as the NBA who many times end up with playoff match-ups that supply the best ratings.

After NFL referee Ed Hochuli blew a call in the final seconds of a game last year, he ‘manned up’ and admitted he made a mistake. When highlight reels are burning up the airways with questionable NBA calls that determine a crucial game’s outcome, the league’s officials and refs normally go about their business and withhold comments or admissions of any kind.

This same group of officials are certainly speaking out loud and clear now though; with that lopsided vote of 57-0.

Lead union negotiator Lamell McMorris sounded pessimistic concerning any quick resolution. “It looks like a lockout is both imminent and unavoidable,” McMorris said. “We have suspended dialogue again today. We’ve been in constant communication, but it’s not going to happen.” The union also presented a memo showing how statistically the number of fines and suspensions did increase the last time fill-in refs were used. 

“I am not optimistic,” lead NBA negotiator Rich Buchanan added.

A lockout appears likely at this point but how bad would the league and fans actually suffer with fill-in referees in NBA games? Would the quality of the officiating suffer or even be noticeable?

Before you answer, check out a last-minute Lebron gift granted by the referees, ponder it over a last-minute freebie handed to Dywane Wade then make your decision.

Other Stories:

NBA Refs Demonstrate Why a Lock-out Could Be Disastrous

NBA Ref Donaghy Indicted

NFL Ref Hochuli Admits Blowing Call Late in Game

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

LeBron ‘King’ James gets the Sports Climax Bitch-Slap-of-the-Week after refusing to congratulate his opponents, storming off the court in Orlando and ignoring the media.

The King had just been dethroned–blown off the court 103-90 at Amway Arena by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Magic won that best-of-seven series four games to two.

James took a quick shower and exited the locker room without sharing any comments with the media. And yes that’s the same media he gave a warm welcome to after hitting a historic shot in Game 2 of the same series.

Double standards.

Poor sportsmanship?

LeBron denies it but his Cleveland’s hometown fans even think so.

For leaving that lasting impression of poor sportsmanship in the minds of many youngsters who don #23 Cavs jerseys to the games and around their neighborhoods, LeBron is crowned ‘King’ and receives the Sports Climax Bitch-Slap-of-the-Week.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax

ORLANDO – After NBA MVP LeBron James made his historic, buzzer-beating 3-pointer in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Orlando Magic, he was swamped by media and welcomed the hype and exposure.

After the astounding 96-95 victory James was ecstatic and sat with the media during post-game to continue the NBA’s ‘King James Infomercial’. “For me, a second is a long time,” James said. “For others, it’s very short. That is the biggest shot I’ve made in my career.”

With a millisecond left on the clock, James’ released the ball with a smooth flick of his wrist, sinking  the high-pressure, historic shot. Much of the media jumped on the opportunity to compare it to another famous NBA moment, Michael Jordan making “The Shot” against the Cavaliers years ago in a playoff game.

When asked about “The Shot” James replied, “That guy’s not in the league anymore. The other 23 is on the good side now.”

The King James infomercial was picking up steam, the media circus in overdrive.

James is the type of player that only comes along every quarter of a century and he is expected to sign the hugest contract in NBA or even sports history, one that may make A-Rod’s quarter-billion-dollar contract ($250 million) look like pocket change.

While LeBron speaks about how he would like to become the world’s first “billion dollar athlete” the media spends it’s time validating James’ monetary worth to the world, feeding fans and NBA organizations countless articles and coverage of his greatness, reminding them that “King James” is living up to his title.

Fast-forward to Game 6 of the same Eastern Conference Finals in Orlando at Amway Arena. This night offered no opportunity for heroics. On this night Dwight Howard and his Magic smoked James and the Cavaliers off the court, sending them packing for the season.

James stormed off the court carrying with him the burden of his poorest performance of the Eastern Conference Finals, a 28-point, 8-for-20 night.

The media, just as they did when James waltzed off the court after nailing his historic 3-pointer, filled the locker room ready to gather a few comments from NBA’s superstar.

Those recorders would have to wait another day as James’ responded with a quick shower, a headset full of music and a strut out to the team bus, ignoring the same people who have been most instrumental in promoting him throughout his career.

How do you suppose the writers at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, ESPN and NBA.com should feel? A little bitter and slighted maybe? 

James deserves the same recourse any other athlete would receive from the media after pulling a stunt like that. Normally a spokesman for the team, James left his teammates out to dry that night, deserting them and leaving them to face the music.

The response from the media should be to discontinue the ‘LeBron infomercial’, stopping all excessive promotion and start spreading the xposure around.

Dwight Howard said he, “was surprised” that James did not congratulate him after the game and quite frankly so was most everyone else.

James finally spoke to the media the following day claiming he is “not a bad sport.” Most say he is and you can add lack of class to that. In a recent poll taken at his hometown paper The Cleveland Plain Dealer a majority of Cavs fans said LeBron was indeed a bad sport while only 26% said LeBron was not a bad sport. And that is a poll from the hometown fans.

When asked about his bitter exit James asked why would he want to congratulate another player or team after his team was just “beaten up by them.”

Why? Because it’s good sportsmanship. It’s a positive message to all the youngsters who purchase his jerseys to wear to the games and around their neighborhoods.

How many times have we seen King James mingling with his opponents and accepting congratulatory remarks and handshakes after “beating them up.” James appears to have a double standard and it is embarrassing for the Cavaliers organization although they will never admit it.

Admitting it could possibly hinder the team’s chances of re-signing the MVP.

The media on the other hand has the professional responsibility to direct a huge spotlight on the topic.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax