STORY OF THE WEEK
JAMES HAS THE EDGE IN MVP RACE
The debate has been waged this season over who is better: Kobe Bryant or LeBron James. And with both players dominating while leading their teams to the top spots in their respective conferences, they have distinguished themselves as the top contenders in the MVP race.
Miami’s Dwyane Wade, the league’s leading scorer, is also having a dazzling season.
But with Bryant’s Lakers at 55-14, James’ Cavaliers at 57-13 and the Heat at 38-32, Wade’s MVP worthiness pales in comparison with his counterparts’.
For the majority of the season the Lakers have had the better record and also own a 2-0 record against the Cavaliers.
But in the last 2 1/2 weeks, the Cavaliers, winners of nine straight, have surpassed the Lakers in the race for homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.
It’s becoming clear that James is making the most valuable contribution. His statistics the most well-rounded, impressive performance in a season since Michael Jordan’s 1988-89 campaign (32.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 2.9 steals), but James has faced the stiffest challenge.
The Cavaliers last season finished 45-37 — good enough for fourth in the East. They have basically the same roster as they did last year, aside for the addition of point guard Mo Williams. And the East has become more competitive this year with Orlando, Atlanta and Miami all improving.
Take James off Cleveland’s roster, and the Cavaliers would struggle to finish .500. Williams is a formidable talent, but he has only five games of playoff experience in his six-year career and was never an All-Star until he became James’ teammate. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is a solid center, but injuries have limited him to 53 games this season. Ben Wallace — before going on the injured list —no longer has his four-time defensive player of the year form.
How about the Lakers without Bryant? Everything centers around Bryant, but the Lakers have a more talented roster with Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher. That quartet is enough to contend for a lower-tier playoff spot.
And there you have it. Kobe is the more polished player — but in the case of value, James wins out.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Using a four-game winning streak, Yao Ming and the Rockets improved their record to 47-25 and overtook the San Antonio Spurs for first place in the Southwest Division. The latest win was an 87-85 victory Sunday over the Spurs.
Like last season, when they responded to Tracy McGrady’s injury with an electrifying run, the Rockets again have continued their production — and possibly have improved — since T-Mac was lost for the season 20 games ago. And that also has come despite trading away point guard Rafer Alston. Part of the reason has been the steady progress of second-year point guard Aaron Brooks, who has averaged 13.8 points and 4.3 assists as starter. And a bigger lineup of Yao and forwards Shane Battier, Ron Artest and Luis Scola also has served the Rockets well.
POWER RANKINGS
1. LAKERS (55-14)
They have the second-best record, but a 2-0 mark over Cleveland gives them a slim edge.
2. CAVALIERS (57-13)
LBJ and Co. continue to pull away from Eastern Conference pack, winning nine straight.
3. CELTICS (54-18)
With Garnett back on the floor, Boston will try to reel in Cleveland, but that’s not likely.
4. MAGIC (52-18)
So much for the East’s second spot. Orlando couldn’t take advantage of Garnett’s absence.
5. ROCKETS (47-25)
Four straight wins and a leapfrog of the Spurs — maybe this is the focus Battier was looking for.
6. SPURS (45-24)
Time’s running out for Ginobili and Duncan to get right before the postseason begins.
7. HORNETS (44-25)
Winners of three straight, the Hornets are fighting and hoping for a continued Spurs slide.
8. HAWKS (42-29)
After going 7-0 on homestand, they lost at Cleveland. Next up: at home vs. Spurs, Celtics and Lakers.
9. TRAIL BLAZERS (44-27)
Blazers drop from fifth in the West to seventh following a 2-2 week with losses at Cleveland and Philadelphia.
10. JAZZ (43-26)
Upcoming road schedule — at Suns, Blazers, Nuggets, Hornets, Mavericks, Spurs and Lakers — isn’t kind.
LOTTERY WATCH
SCOUTS: IT’S NOT EVEN CLOSE
Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin stood head and shoulders above his fellow draft prospects even before the NCAA tournament began. But since the Big Dance tipped off last week, Griffin has look as impressive as ever, and the rest of the 2009 NBA Draft hopefuls have looked rather… meh.
In his first game of the tournament, Griffin thumped Morgan State for 28 points and 13 rebounds. He then abused Michigan with a 33-point, 17-rebound performance that advanced Oklahoma to the Sweet 16.
Said an NBA scout: Griffin is “so much better than everyone else.”
THE BOTTOM FIVE
Team Record L 10 Pct.*
Sacramento 15-55 2-8 25.0
Washington 16-56 2-8 19.9
L.A. Clippers 17-54 2-8 15.6
Memphis 17-53 1-9 11.9
Minnesota 20-51 2-8 8.8
* Chances of landing No. 1 pick
TROPHY TRACKER
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
1. Derrick Rose; His numbers (16.5 ppg, 6.2 apg) almost mirror Chris Paul’s rookie stats (16.1 points, 7.8 assists).
2. O.J. Mayo; He continues to lead the rookie scoring race with 18.4 ppg.
3. Brook Lopez; With 12.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.8 bpg, he has Greg Oden beat.
COACH OF THE YEAR
1. Larry Brown; Charlotte continues to stay in pursuit of the final playoff spot.
2. Mike Brown;The Cavaliers overtake the Lakers for the league’s best record.
3. Rick Adelman; Houston keeps rolling and overtakes San Antonio in race for second in the West.
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