LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to score 30 or more points in six consecutive games while shooting over 60% from the field. His numbers over these last six games are just plain sick. He is 66-92 from the field, a 72% clip. With a total of 185 points in those six contests, he has scored an average of 2.01 points PER SHOT! I do not want to hear the mention of “another candidate” for the MVP award this season. Last night, LeBron scored 30 points on 11-15 shooting to lead the Heat to a 117-104 victory over the Portland Trailblazers. Chris Bosh led the way for Miami with 32 points and 11 rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 24 points, and Ray Allen came off the bench to add 14 points. The win was Miami’s sixth in a row, and the team’s 1,000th win in their history. All was not rosy in the win, however, as forward Udonis Haslem had to leave the game in the first quarter with a leg contusion. His status is not yet determined. The Heat will be in Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder tomorrow night, the team’s final game before the All-Star break. Tomorrow’s game will tip off at 8:00 pm and will be broadcast on TNT.
In the rest of the NBA yesterday:
Toronto 109 Denver 108
Rudy Gay’s jumper with under five seconds left was the game winner for the Raptors. The shot was the second game-winning shot in three games for Gay.
Memphis 108 Sacramento 101
Marc Gasol led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds, Mike Conley had 22 points and 7 assists.
Utah 109 Oklahoma City 94
Al Jefferson scored 20 points, Paul Millsap added 18.
LA Lakers 91 Phoenix 85
Kobe Bryant went the entire first half without a field goal attempt, and made his only basket of the game with 2:10 left in the contest. Bryant dished out nine assists, eight of them in the first half. Dwight Howard scored 19 points and pulled down 18 rebounds.
Houston 116 Golden State 107
James Harden led the way with 27 points, one of seven Houston players in double figures.
TONIGHT’S GAMES:
Atlanta @ Orlando 7:00 pm
San Antonio @ Cleveland 7:00 pm
Charlotte @ Indiana 7:00 pm
Chicago @ Boston 7:30 pm NBA-TV
Denver @ Brooklyn 7:30 pm
Toronto @ New York 7:30 pm
Washington @ Detroit 7:30 pm
Philadelphia @ Milwaukee 8:00 pm
Portland @ New Orleans 8:00 pm
Utah @ Minnesota 8:00 pm
Sacramento @ Dallas 8:30 pm
Houston @ LA Clippers 10:30 pm NBA-TV
In college hoops, the #3 ranked University of Miami Hurricanes are in Tallahassee tonight to take on the Florida State Seminoles. Rivalry games are never easy, and the Canes need to stay focused and not take Leonard Hamilton’s team lightly. They will then be off to Clemson to face the Tigers on Sunday evening. Miami is 19-3 and 10-0 in the ACC, and have reeled off 11 consecutive wins.
FIU will be on the road in Troy to take on the Trojans tomorrow night, before returning home to take on Western Kentucky at the US Century Bank Arena on Saturday night.
In news around the NFL, sources tell me that the Miami Dolphins would be interested in trading for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin. The caveat being, of course, his health, his attitude, and the asking price. When healthy, Harvin is a true game-breaker, but the Vikings don’t have any intention of trading him for a song and a dance and the Dolphins will not be willing to give up the farm. I don’t see this as a true possibility. Just talk.
Here are two links from “THE PHINSIDER”, with in-depth looks at the possibilities at wide receiver (free agents). Keep in mind that the Fins are working to sign their own WR, Brian Hartline, to a contract.
If you missed the latest news on the possible renovations to the Seven Names Stadium, here is an interesting, yet sad, look at the possible Stadium upgrade, from a Broward County resident’s (moocher’s) point of view.
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Most Marlins fans would like to just forget 2012. In today’s “Where are they now?” quiz, does anybody out there remember the starting lineup and batting order for opening day last year? Tell you later, Alligator.
Spring Training is here! I will be bringing you analysis of all 30 teams over the next three weeks. One team from each league every day, in alphabetical order. Today, may I present to you the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox.
CHICAGO CUBS 61-101 Mgr. Dale Sveum
If you look up the word “rebuilding” in the dictionary, you will find the Chicago Cubs as the example. In the second year of the Theo Epstein era, the process is in motion. They have good starting pitching, with Matt Garza, Edwin Jackson, Scott Feldman, and Scott Baker joining Jeff Samardzija. However, Carlos Marmol is still penciled in to be their closer. If SS Starlin Castro continues to grow as a player, he and gold glove second baseman Darwin Barney will anchor a very good defense. Will they trade Alfonso Soriano, and/or Matt Garza? If they really feel they are closer to contending, then we may see them staying in the friendly confines a bit longer. This team could possibly end up being the most improved team in the national league in 2013.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX 85-77 Mgr. Robin Ventura
A surprise team last year, that spent almost 4 months in first place before finishing in second place, three games behind the Detroit Tigers. They need to replace catcher AJ Pierzynski, and they feel the answer is Tyler Flowers. Jeff Keppinger is another new arrival, and he is expected to replace Kevin Youkilis at third base. The White Sox should be a very entertaining team to watch on the offensive side of the ball, with Alex Rios, Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, and Dayan Viciedo. Will their pitching hold up?
TOMORROW: The Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians
In news around MLB,
The Cincinnati Reds and starter Mat Latos were sitting in the room designated for arbitration hearings when they were able to reach agreement on a new contract, a two-year deal worth $11.5 million.
The Seattle Mariners and pitcher Felix Hernandez were able to work around some issues concerning the health of his elbow and agreed to terms on the five-year extension that will keep him a Mariner through the 2019 season. Total dollars for Hernandez? $175 million - He is due $40.5 million on the remaining two years of his present contract, and will receive $134.5 million over the additional five years. Hernandez has a career record of 98-76 in eight seasons with the Mariners, with a 3.22 ERA. He turns 27 years old on April 8th.
In a sign that the apocalypse may be upon us, here is a link to “before and after” photos of SF Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, also known as “The Freak”. The “before” photo is last year at the Giants World Series parade, the “after” photo was upon arriving at spring training.
Regardless of what you read or hear, I am still told that MLB is continuing its efforts to try and “persuade” the Marlins ownership to sell the ball club, possibly to Governor Bush and his group. (Maybe a financial incentive?) We’ve already seen how MLB is willing to punish South Florida as long as Jeffrey Loria owns the team.
Dear Jeffrey Loria and minions:
You're still here?!?!? What do you mean, you still haven’t sold the team? What are you waiting for now? Valentine’s day? Easter? Next year’s HOF election? Haven't you done enough damage already? Baseball fans in South Florida need a Marlins owner that loves the game of baseball, and doesn’t just love owning a team. We need an owner that wants to win, not one that just treats it only as a money-making business.
Stay alert out there, Mr. Loria. Your window of opportunity to get out of town is opening up in just a few days. The five-year anniversary of the Marlins and Miami-Dade County agreement for the baseball stadium is coming up on February 21, 2013. After that time, the “penalty” for selling the team is only 5%, a mere pittance, based on a $250 million value of the team. You’ve already saved much more than that on the salary dump this season alone. Of course, you and your minions have already decided not to field a quality major league roster this coming season, hopefully setting up the sale of the team. (I’m sure MLB is willing to cough up the 5% just to get you out of their hair.)
We’ll continue to keep our fingers crossed and light a candle in the meantime.
Here’s the answer to today’s question: Most Marlins fans would like to just forget 2012. In today’s “Where are they now?” quiz, does anybody out there remember the starting lineup and batting order for opening day last year?
Jose Reyes SS Traded to Toronto
Emilio Bonifacio CF Traded to Toronto
Hanley Ramirez 3B Traded to LA Dodgers
Giancarlo Stanton RF Still a Marlin
Logan Morrison LF Still a Marlin
Gaby Sanchez 1B Traded to Pittsburgh
Omar Infante 2B Traded to Detroit
John Buck C Traded to Toronto, then to NY Mets
Josh Johnson P Traded to Toronto
Don’t miss my two “Descarga Deportiva” segments (for the Spanish-challenged, “Sports Jam Session”) every day, Monday through Friday, at 9:25 am and 12:15 pm on Radio Esperanza, 1550 AM or on the internet on www.miradioesperanza.com.
The 9:25 am segment on Radio Esperanza is brought to you by the fine folks at La Lechonera Products. The inventors of the original mojo criollo way back in 1970, also offer the BEST naranja agria (sour orange marinade) product on the market, along with the latest additions to the family - the SALSA PICANTE (hot sauces, both HOT and EXTRA HOT), SALSA DE ALITAS (Buffalo Wings Sauce) and the truly incredible SALSA PICANTE con AJO (Garlic Pepper Sauce - Sriracha). Look for all the La Lechonera products at Publix, Winn Dixie, Sedano’s, Presidente, and GFS. If they don’t have it where you shop, ask nicely the first time, then use whatever means necessary to make sure they start offering the complete line of products. Go to www.lalechoneraproducts.com and LIKE them on Facebook. Check out some great recipes!
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Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.
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