Next on our list of previews to hit is our very own Cleveland Cavaliers, and we may have to skip it and do it last.
A few reasons for that.
One, we’ve been busy with Who Shot Mamba?, and have like 200 articles and blog posts bookmarked we need to get around to reading. (Today is the day to hit that – we’re here for you all day long btw.)
Two, we need to give people like happy-go-lucky commenter Boney time to draft his response to our Cavs preview – the one where he bitterly knocks the Cavs down while irrationally touting the potential of the Pistons.
Anyway, to hold you over, let’s see what LeBron James thinks his squad can do this year, and check in on his training camp activities.
Not only has James been doing it by talking and with his commanding presence, he’s been doing it on the floor. And not just because he makes the most baskets.
During five-on-five drills open to the media, James has been digging into his defensive stance, showing heretofore unseen practice intensity. When it comes to the end of workout wind sprints, it is No. 23 at the head of the pack nearly every time.
“This isn’t about pacing ourselves or just trying to make the playoffs anymore,” James said. “I’m trying to win a championship here.”
Oh, well that’s pretty cool.
And not just the title part – the defense is actually what we’re focused on. We’ve said already on various message boards that the intensity of the playoffs was going to transfer over to this season, and we’d be seeing an all-new LeBron. Looks like we’re right again. (403 times in a row, not counting that one time with the thing with the bagel industry and the spatulas.)
Also of note is LeBron’s nonchalance with regard to the new roundie. While people like Rasheed Wallace are complaining about the ball (when not complaining about his coach), LeBron is keeping it simple, making peace with the beleagured new orb.
“It has a fake leather material, but it’s a basketball. I’ve probably played with 20,000 different ones in my life,” James said. “I’ll put it in the hole.”
Oh, and if that’s not enough of a “well, that sounds mighty swell” situation, go read John Hollinger’s Cleveland preview, wherein he sticks the wine and gold in the Finals. (The NBA Finals.)
(What’s great is that if the Sheed-LeBron quotes were reversed, we’d find a way to justify Lebron’s while cracking on Sheed for admitting to how many balls he’s played with.)
{ 4 comments }
I heart LeBron. I mean, I would heart him even more if he played man-to-man defense all-game, every game.
I think that was the point of what he’s saying though. It’s coing this year! Can’t wait.
Thanks for the name drop in the post. I doubt I irrationally bash the men in whine, I just put them where they belong for right now. 3rd or 4th best in the Eastern Conference is where they are, possibly better this year.
As for the Pistons, you want to keep doubting them. They’ve been up at the top of the division the men of whine have been for the last 6 years, and still nothing’s changed except for one aging “superstar”. I won’t go any further though, because I don’t want you to think I’m attacking you.
Thanks for the love…I don’t want to hear about how Damon Jones doesn’t like the new basketball when he re-injures his heel again.
That would be awesome and probably worth a few wins in-and-of itself.
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