#6 LeBron James

[C47]

I'll just leave this here....

[King Taharqa]

LeBron James bear-hugs a fan that hit a half-court shot worth $75,000

Away from the cameras, NBA players hit half court shots all the time. They try them in practice, sometimes on a coach’s dare to try and end practice with a miraculous 47-footer, and they’re often successful. In public, though? With 20,000-strong watching and other stakes on the line? The shots don’t fall too often. Especially when you shoot them hook-style, instead of the typical two-handed approach.

The Miami Heat were already up by an 84-68 score entering the fourth quarter, when one fan tried the rolling hook approach to nailing a half-court shot. The prize for sinking it was $75,000. What Michael Drysch didn’t know, should he stick the 47-footer, was that he’d get something more memorable than cash if his bomb went in:

Away from the cameras, NBA players hit half court shots all the time. They try them in practice, sometimes on a coach’s dare to try and end practice with a miraculous 47-footer, and they’re often successful. In public, though? With 20,000-strong watching and other stakes on the line? The shots don’t fall too often. Especially when you shoot them hook-style, instead of the typical two-handed approach.

The Miami Heat were already up by an 84-68 score entering the fourth quarter, when one fan tried the rolling hook approach to nailing a half-court shot. The prize for sinking it was $75,000. What Michael Drysch didn’t know, should he stick the 47-footer, was that he’d get something more memorable than cash if his bomb went in:

Fantastic.

Drysch will get his $75,000, but he’ll also happily be forever known as the dude that LeBron James bear-hugged in the middle of an NBA game. LBJ doesn’t typically bear-hug Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and especially not Chris Andersen. Michael Drysch, however, got the treatment. And deservedly so. Nice touch, sir.

that Drysch is a 50-year old computer technician from McHenry, Illinois; a small town near the Illinois and Wisconsin border. Ira Winderman, reporting for the Sun-Sentinel, also passed along a few quotes from the clutch and clutching pair of half-court huggers:

"Ecstatic. Euphoric. Wonderful," Drysch said. "I put some spin on it.

''Nice way to meet somebody. I can't believe it.''

A good night made even better.

"That," James said, "was awesome."

[…]

"That was awesome, man," James said. "I was excited for him. When he wound up like that, I was like, 'Oh no, there's no way.' And then when I saw it in the air, I was like, 'Oh, that's got a chance.' I was happy to be a part of that."

And, as Wade pointed out, it was with no practice, no warmup.

"You kind of get jealous," he said. "The place erupted. It was like when we won the Finals."

Asked what James said amid their embrace, Drysch said, "He just said, 'It was a great shot.' Maybe I'll be an assistant coach/mascot."

As for his earnings, he said it would go to paying bills and getting his car fixed.

Also, on top of the $75,000 Drysch earned, Carmex (a lip balm company that is badly needed on the Illinois/Wisconsin border; perhaps not so much in South Beach) matched Drysch’s winnings with a $75,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America – a foundation near and dear to LeBron James’ heart.

Game in hand, hero in building, the Heat went on to outscore the Detroit Pistons by a 26-20 count in the fourth quarter to build towards a 110-88 win. James finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in only 33 minutes, but he missed his only three-point attempt of the contest.

Perhaps Michael Drysch can lend some guidance or tips to LeBron. He only charges $75,000 per session.

http://sports.yahoo....20771--nba.html

[JGib23]

King T- I disagree with you on almost everything you post... But, LeBrons reaction was awesome. That was pure joy and happiness, it wasn't anything that a PR guy told him to do, it was honest, heart felt reaction and it was my favorite LeBron highlight I've ever seen.

It would be great to have him in a Charlotte Hornets jersey when his contract expires.

[King Taharqa]

King at the White House

Out of uniform and looking dapper, Miami Heat players were honored Monday at the White House by President Barack Obama, a basketball fan who gushed over the play of team stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

In the packed East Room of the White House just before 2 p.m., Obama recapped the team’s road to victory in last year’s NBA championship, as 25 players, Coach Erik Spoelstra and team owner Micky Arison stood behind him.

He singled out James’ performance during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, describing it “as one of the best in basketball history.”

He also kidded Wade about his outfit, a gray suit worn with stylish-sneakers. At one point, James asked the president if he could say a few words.

“Hey, it’s your world, man,” the president answered.

James praised his team and expressed excitement at being at the White House.

“Mama, I made it!” he said.

http://www.miamihera...ouse-event.html

[King Taharqa]

MIAMI (AP)—LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to score 30 points and shoot at least 60 percent in six straight games, and the Miami Heat held off the Portland Trail Blazers 117-104 on Tuesday night.

“I’m at a loss for words,” James said in a televised postgame interview. “Like I say over and over, I know the history of the game. I know how many unbelievable players who came through the ranks, who paved the way for me and my teammates. And for me to be in the record books by myself with such a stat—any stat—it’s big-time.”

James has made 70 of his past 96 shots, over the past six-plus games. According to the Heat, only Adrian Dantley and Moses Malone had done the 30-point, 60-percent streak in five straight outings before James joined the club.

Now he stands alone.

Heat have won all 6 games during this streak. LeBron has scored at least 20 points in all 49 of his games this year except 1, a January 10th loss to the Blazers. He had 15 that night. 28 years old and already a first ballot HOFer, how many athletes can say that? Looks like King is well on his way to his 4th MVP award in 5 years.

[ZB1224]

Heat have won all 6 games during this streak. LeBron has scored at least 20 points in all 49 of his games this year except 1, a January 10th loss to the Blazers. He had 15 that night. 28 years old and already a first ballot HOFer, how many athletes can say that? Looks like King is well on his way to his 4th MVP award in 5 years.

I agree that LeBron is amazing and easily a 1st ballot HOF'er at 28 years old, but I'm not sure that he is "well on his way to his 4th MVP award in 5 years". He has a lot of competition this season.

[ZB1224]

He's now shooting 56% this season and scoring 27 ppg, as well as averaging 8.1 rpg and 6.9 apg. Just wow.

[King Taharqa]

He's now shooting 56% this season and scoring 27 ppg, as well as averaging 8.1 rpg and 6.9 apg. Just wow.

LeBron is also shooting 42% from 3 point range. His team is a few games a top the eastern conference. I'd say his 4th MVP is a shoe in at this point. Someone has to prove they are more valuable than him.

[Kevin Greene]

Lebron is definately at the peak of his career.

Regular Season MVP,HOF, blah, blah, blah

Only thing that matters now is multiples of Championships.

He said he would have them when he came to Miami.

Anything less than 4 titles is failure.

[Manos]

The way Lebron is playing right now is unfair. If he keeps this up through the playoffs he will cruise to a second title. Not to mention more awards to go with the ring.

[King Taharqa]

In 2013, LeBron sweeps Kobe (including a 39 point, 8 assist performance in his house) and sweeps Durant (including a 39 point, 12 rebound, 7 assist performance in his house). Seems it was just a short time ago dudes were proclaiming both were better and had more 'killer instinct' than James. The Heat have beat OKC 6 straight times including the Finals, and LeBron has won 13 of his last 15 matchups with the Lakers.

[YoungPanthers89]

He aight

[CarolinaPride5]

Kobe Bryant. 34 years old, 17 seasons. Just made this guy in his prime forever humbled...

So damn awesome to see Kobe handle LBJ so easily. Force him left like MJ said dude can't do anything... I honestly think leBron was scared as hell those last 5 minutes Kobe was breaking him down.

Even today I don't think LeBron would come close to Kobe 1 on 1...

& hey MJ you were right BTW by saying Kobe > LeBron.

[King Taharqa]

Kobe Bryant. 34 years old, 17 seasons. Just made this guy in his prime forever humbled...

So damn awesome to see Kobe handle LBJ so easily. Force him left like MJ said dude can't do anything... I honestly think leBron was scared as hell those last 5 minutes Kobe was breaking him down.

Even today I don't think LeBron would come close to Kobe 1 on 1...

& hey MJ you were right BTW by saying Kobe > LeBron.

You know its sad when Kobe fans are jumping up and down over him blocking LeBron in an exhibition game where no defense is being played. This is the equivalent to a lineman bragging bout sacks in the pro bowl. Just in case you forgot....

just last week...

2/10/13 LeBron James 32 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists HEAT WIN over Lakers 107-97

1/17/13 LeBron James 39 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists HEAT WIN (in Staples) over Lakers 99-90

Kobe cant do nothing wit LeBron, (much less win against him) when the game counts. Thats why he'll be watching LeBron from home this May & June.