LeBron f'd around and got a triple-double... and some prognostications

Before I begin, I would like to say that New York finally has a team to be proud of in the Knicks. They're not "there" yet, but they do play hard, and they definitely have some good pieces to build around.

But they did not want to get into the history books in this way.

The Knicks have given up two legendary performances in their past two games. Obviously I touched on Kobe Bryant's 61 during my last post, and I thought that was amazing. These days I'd rather listen to talk radio on my way to work and school than the same three T-Pain songs in constant rotation, and the talk was that Bryant put those numbers up as a challenge to LeBron James. While that may have been true, I dismissed it as just a night where Kobe was truly unguardable against a horrific defensive team, and even if it was a "statement" to James, I didn't expect him to take it too personally.

Wrong. Oh so wrong.

52 points. 10 rebounds. 11 assists. I'm not big on neo text-savvy language, but WTF!?

Bryant's 61 was nice, historic even. But, considering the fact that the last person to score 50+ with a triple-double was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975, I'd say Bron-Bron wins*.

Bryant may be the most complete offensive player in the NBA today, but if James doesn't win the MVP this year then something is wrong.

By the way, in case you weren't paying attention, #24 dropped 36 last night.

And, more important than everything I've typed thus far, the Mavs have won four straight, slowly creeping up the Western Conference charts. Is it any coincidence that they're 4-0 since Jason Kidd started calling the plays on offense?

Predictions for the next few days:

Los Angeles Lakers/Boston Celtics(tonight)- "It'll be one for the ages," boasts Ray Allen. Truer cliches have never been spoken. I know that Bryant has been playing with a chip on his shoulder since Bynum went down, but the Celts have been hotter than Kim Kardasian(courtesy of flickr before they shut me down) in biker shorts, PLUS they have the game at their place. Celts by eight to ten.

Dallas Mavericks/Utah Jazz(tonight)- Tough road test for the Mavs, but I like their chances against a Jazz team who can't seem to stay healthy. Mavs by five plus.


Memphis Tigers/Gonzaga Bulldogs- Should be a competitive game, probably the last real resume builder for both teams headed into March as I don't see either team losing more than one game in conference if any. I think the 'Zags have a ton more talent, plus they have the benefit of having this one at their place. The Tigers have too much youth in the back-court to win in such a hostile environment. 'Zags by ten plus.

Notre Dame/UCLA- No way the Fighting Irish should be on the bubble, not with the amount of talent they have. Yet, the "B" word and Notre Dame are starting to show up in the same sentence. I get the feeling that a step outside of that dreaded Big East box will be a good thing for them, mainly because the Bruins don't really have an answer for Luke Harangody. Irish by six or less.


Lakers/Cleveland(Sunday)- If ABC was salivating about the ratings possibilities when they initially scheduled this game, then they must be on the threshold of ecstacy waiting for it now after what they've done this week. Tough one for the Cavs, who if they hold to form will come into that game unbeaten at home. They can't go the whole season unbeaten at their place. Lakers in a close one.


So, there you have it, just in case I don't get back to a computer between now and Monday (which is probably about right).

Off to sportswriting.




*note: Apparently they took away 'Bron's triple-double, saying they mistakenly identified one of his rebounds. Okay, so hed 52, 11 and 9. So what, LBJ was still better.