Just when you were thinking it was safe to put the shovels and scrapers away, it's time for another snow-covered edition of Saturday Scorecard. On to the notes...

King James: Considering the circumstances, there didn't seem to be much of a buzz in town leading up to the Bucks' game against Cleveland Friday night at the Bradley Center.

It might be be different next time.

LeBron James, in our book the most exciting player in the NBA and possibly the best "bang-for-your-ticket-dollar" athlete in pro sports," put on an unforgettable show when he scored 55 points - the most ever by a Bucks opponent in Milwaukee - to lift his team to a 111-103 victory.

"We tried multiple people on him," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said of James, who made 16 of 29 shots, 8 of 11 three-pointers and 15 of 22 free throws. "The problem was in the third when he really got it going, it wasn't after our baskets and so we couldn't even get our defense back and set to even have options to run and double-team or anything like that. He was coming at us full speed and rising up. It was very difficult right there to stop him."

James scored 25 points in the first half, then nearly matched that by tying his own franchise record with 24 in the third quarter. He scored 16 points in a three-minute stretch that included eight field goals, six of them from way behind the arc.

"I just got in a zone; I just kept on going at it, man," James said. "Every shot I made, we needed it. That stretch is probably top two for me, this performance and in the Palace in Game 5 (of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals)."

In a league that has been struggling to replace Michael Jordan since the Jumpman retired for good, James is emerging as the heavyweight champ. Kobe Bryant is a spectacular player whose offense evokes memories of Michael Jordan, but he can't match James' combination of size, power and ability to incorporate his teammates into the action.

Though it may sound selfish or sappy, like channeling Johnny's deathbed speech when he urged Pony Boy to "Stay gold," in "The Outsiders," we have three wishes for James' future.

1. Win a title. We know you're amazing, but you need at least one ring to validate your greatness in the eyes of the masses.

2.Stay in Cleveland. The story is better if you spurn the bright lights of a bigger city and stay in your home state. It gives hope to smaller markets like Milwaukee.

3. Stay pure. It can't be easy in your age category and income bracket, but please steer clear of scandal. If you go drinking, get a driver. If you get married, stay faithful. If they offer you performance-enhancers, just say no. In an age when other sports' marquee players are defrocked -- Michael Vick and A-Rod come to mind and some obscure Montreal Canadiens are on deck --- we need someone to carry the mantle of being a role model.

I know it's asking a lot, but James -- for now, at least -- seems capable of bearing up under the pressure.

 Page 1 of 2 (view all on one page)

Next >>

Post a comment / write a review.