Original 6 and new Big 3

[playstation]

Original six?
Sean Deveney /
Posted: 2 days ago

We've seen these skills before, but never displayed like this -- a bevy of young players converging on breakout seasons. Drawing from the past and succeeding in the present, they seem to have limitless futures.

LeBron James, SF, Cavaliers

Then

Think it's impossible for LeBron James to lead this relatively unknown group of Cavaliers to a championship this season? Don't tell that to Hall of Fame guard Rick Barry, who led the unheralded Warriors to a stunning sweep of the Bullets in 1975. Barry averaged 28.2 points, 6.1 assists and 5.5 rebounds in that postseason, one of the great playoff performances in history. "He's phenomenal," Barry says. "I am just astonished that a young man of his age can see the game, understand the game the way he does. When I was young, Jerry West told me that the best years of my career would be between 28 and 32 because you still have physical ability, but you become a lot smarter. And he was right -- I was 31 when we won the championship. I look at LeBron at age 20, and I can't even imagine where he'll be at 28. I watched him get a triple double against the Warriors, and it was just effortless. That's the difference with him. The only guy you can compare him to is Michael Jordan because that is the talent level we're talking about. But Michael, at this point in his career, was not even close to where LeBron is, physically or mentally. Not even close. The only difference is Michael was a better defender. But Michael forced the game early on in his career. He did not understand how to make it easy on himself and his team until later. LeBron already knows how to let the game come to him."


Now

James has done everything this season for the Cavaliers, averaging 25.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.6 assists. He has addressed questions about his defense and his perimeter shooting -- he is shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 37.3 percent on 3-pointers -- and almost single-handedly has lifted the Cavs into first place in the Central Division.

Next

Cleveland has gotten good performances from Jeff McInnis, Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, but this team will go only as far as James can take it. He spent the summer playing in the Olympics, and he ranks fourth in the league in minutes per game, so late-season fatigue is a concern (much as it was for James and the Cavs last year). Cleveland will have a difficult time holding off the defending champion Pistons, as well as the recuperating Pacers, in the Central, but the team has no major road trips left and has a friendly second half schedule. A playoff spot is a near guarantee. If James is to prove he already is ahead of Jordan, as Barry says, he will have to do so in the postseason.

Dwyane Wade, SG, Heat

Then

Nuggets legend Alex English knows something about sweet-scoring wing men -- he was one of the league's best during his 15-year NBA career. So when he sees Dwyane Wade, he recognizes a great scorer and athlete in the mold of David Thompson and Marques Johnson, only with better ballhandling skills: "He's one of those guys who has an uncanny knack of getting to the basket. He's a great athlete. He also has the passion. I don't think he can settle for being a good player. He's going to do what it takes to be an All-NBA-type player. He's somewhat like Marques Johnson, although Marques was bigger. Marques wasn't a long-distance shooter, but he could slash through defenders and he could explode at the basket like Wade."

Now

After a promising rookie year, Wade has exploded this season, ranking in the league's top 10 in scoring (23.4 points per game) and assists (7.6). He is an extraordinary leaper -- he blocks 1.0 shots per game despite standing only 6-4 -- and thanks to his speed and dunking ability, he's already among the most exciting players to watch.

Next

Wade's play has been bolstered by the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal in Miami, and that combination has pushed the team to the top of the East. Wade has developed a nice midrange jumper to go with his slashing ability. But the Heat will need consistency from the rest of the lineup, especially from its perimeter shooters, to make good on its championship dreams.

Tony Parker, PG, Spurs

Then

The thing that impresses three-time NBA champion point guard Dennis Johnson about Tony Parker is that he has the smarts and temperament to be a champion. Oh, and he has the kind of skill that reminds Johnson of Gus Williams, Johnson's teammate with the Sonics: "First off, he is a smart point guard -- running (Gregg) Popovich's offense takes a hell of a lot. And Pop keys on him more than anyone because he is the guy who has to set it all up. But he is such a quick point guard, too, it's almost impossible for players to stay in front of him. Gus Williams played a lot like that, with that kind of quickness, though Gus was a better player in the open court than Tony is. But Tony knows how to use his quickness in the halfcourt, and he has really worked on his jumper."

Now

Parker, 22, is averaging 15.1 points and career bests in assists (6.1), rebounds (3.6) and shooting (49.0 percent), though he still takes the brunt of Popovich's criticism. Along with backcourt mate Manu Ginobili, Parker has helped get the Spurs on the fast break more and boost the team's scoring average to 96.9 points.

Next

The question with Parker remains: Can he do it in the playoffs? He was on a roll through the first six games of the playoffs last year, then flamed out as the Spurs lost four straight to the Lakers. Parker's talent is unquestionable, but he is running a team expected to win a title, which brings a lot of pressure.

Amare Stoudemire, C, Suns

Then

Nate Thurmond, one of the greatest defensive players in league history and one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players, has faced some fearsome big men, such as Elvin Hayes and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Keeping up with Amare Stoudemire, he admits, would be difficult. "His level of athleticism for a guy his size is amazing. He looks like a guy who never leaves the gym -- he came in, out of high school, with a ready-made body. That's a key for him. He's been able to just work on his game because his body was ready for all the physical contact you take in the paint. Now, you watch his footwork, and to me, his spin moves are akin to Hakeem Olajuwon's. He is that fluid. But he is so ferocious in attacking the basket, that makes him different from Hakeem. What they have in common is the one thing that every great player has: desire. He has the desire to be the best, and that's why you see his game get better all the time."

Now

Stoudemire, 22, has improved this season despite being out of position at center. He has added better ballhandling and a nice 15-foot jumper to his repertoire. He's second in the league in shooting (57.4 percent), fourth in scoring (26.1 points per game) and, undoubtedly, leads the league in power dunking.

Next

The Suns have been one of the biggest surprises in the league, thanks primarily to the rapport between point guard Steve Nash and Stoudemire. With its nonstop attacking offense, Phoenix figures to remain near the top of the West and could secure the top seed in the playoffs. When the pace slows as it typically does in the playoffs, Stoudemire's shooting and finishing ability in halfcourt sets will become even more important, as will his ability to protect the paint defensively.

Gilbert Arenas, PG, Wizards

Then

Former All-Star guard Phil Chenier is a link to the great Washington teams of the 1970s, and he says guard Gilbert Arenas can help lead the Wizards to greatness of their own: "He's one of the quickest players in the league, but the thing is, he is so strong for his size. I have seen him blow by his defender, get picked up by a big man, take a hit that would have knocked down most other guards and still finish the play. He goes to the free throw line a lot because of that. He is stronger than Tiny Archibald was and much faster than Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier. The best guy to compare him to would be Jo Jo White because he is the same kind of guard who can give you different speeds and still be strong with the ball."

Now

Arenas, 23, has become a top-notch scorer with impressive shooting range and is averaging 24.3 points and 5.0 assists. He has yielded some of the playmaking load to shooting guard Larry Hughes, which has helped Arenas focus on piling up points.

Next

The Wizards have been good enough to challenge the Heat in the Southeast Division, thanks to a fun, fast-paced offense with three weapons -- Arenas, Hughes and Antawn Jamison. Hughes is out with a broken thumb and is expected to return later this month. The interior defense is spotty, but the Wizards still figure to be in the thick of the playoff race and even could wind up with home-court advantage in the first round. Not bad for a team that has not won a playoff series since 1981-82.

Chris Bosh, PF, Raptors

Then

During nearly 50 years in and around the NBA, Tom Heinsohn has carved out an impressive legacy as a player (eight titles), coach (two titles) and broadcaster (23 years). He also knows something about being overlooked -- Heinsohn was nearly cut from the Celtics before his rookie year. In that respect, he has something in common with Raptors big man Chris Bosh, who also is often overlooked. Bosh reminds many of forward Larry Nance, but Heinsohn disagrees. "I think he'll be better than Larry Nance. I think he will really dominate. There are not a lot of teams that have big people. He's very quick, with long arms. He can shoot, rebound -- he's very competitive. If he plays for a team with a running style, he'll really be something special because he can get up and down the floor."

Now

Bosh, 20, has improved steadily over his first two seasons, learning to play in the post and also solidifying his status as a sweet-shooting lefty. Entering the week, Bosh was averaging 17.6 points and 9.1 rebounds since the Raptors traded Vince Carter on December 17.

Next

The Raptors are not going to win the East, but playing in the weak Atlantic Division, the team has carved out a chance to make the playoffs -- mostly thanks to Bosh. Toronto has switched its emphasis to Bosh's inside scoring, backed by the perimeter play of Morris Peterson, and the team started the new year with an 8-4 run

 

[playstation]

Big 3:

James and Co. ready to fill shoes of Jordan and Co.?
By David DuPree, USA TODAY
The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday in Denver could be the coming-out party for the new face (and faces) of the league — the trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Amare Stoudemire.

By Matt York, AP

Besides being exciting and photogenic with positive images, they are winners. And the fact that they are rising to stardom together brings back memories of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan— who together made the 1980s and 1990s a special time for the league.

"With us three, the NBA is back," Stoudemire says. "That's great for the game and for the fans."

Johnson, Bird and Jordan gave a boost to the NBA at a time when its Finals was a tape-delayed broadcast. The ascension of James, Wade and Stoudemire comes as the league continues to recover from the November player-fan brawl at Detroit.

"They're just what the NBA needs," says Johnson, part-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and a TNT basketball analyst. "They love the game, and it shows in the way they play it, and their teams are winning. You just can't help but be excited by these guys."

Representing the NBA's next generation is just part of the deal, Stoudemire says. "All it does is make you want to become a better player. There's no pressure."

Others have done an admirable job of trying to revive the NBA's magic — including Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal. Individually they have had their moments. But they have not been linked to generate the buzz that engulfed Johnson, Bird and Jordan.

For the new kids on the block, as it was for their predecessors, their talents are being noticed even more because their teams are winning.

• Stoudemire plays on the highest-scoring team in the last 10 years, the Phoenix Suns — the only team in the league with three players chosen for the All-Star Game.

• Wade has teamed with O'Neal to turn the Miami Heat into the best team in the Eastern Conference and an NBA title contender.

• James and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been at or near the top of the Central Division all season.
The LeBron James file

Age: 20 (born Dec. 30, 1984)
Height: 6-8
Weight: 242
High school: St. Vincent- St. Mary (Akron, Ohio)
College: None
Family: Mother, Gloria, gave birth to him when she was 16; has a son born Oct. 6. He carefully guards the privacy of the mother and child, but being a father, he says, "is the best thing that ever happened to me. It has made me more humble."

How he became a Cavalier: Was the first overall pick of the 2003 draft.

The comic book: Has his own DC comic book, featuring James competing in an underground basketball tournament controlled by a clandestine organization.

The shoes: Nike Air Zoom LeBron II.

The money: Gordon and George Gund bought the Cavaliers from Ted Stepien in 1983 for $20 million. The franchise was worth $222 million in 2003 before James was drafted and sold last week for $375 million to Dan Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans, the nation's largest online mortgage company. James has a $90 million contract with Nike and other endorsement deals worth about $10 million. He earns $4.3 million from the Cavaliers in the second year of his four-year, $18.8 million rookie contract.

The attendance: The season before James arrived, the Cavaliers were last (29th) in the league in home attendance (11,497) and 27th in road attendance (16,080). This season they are seventh in home attendance (18,636) and fourth in road attendance (17,810).

And though Stoudemire and Wade are exciting parts of the Suns and the Heat, there's no question James' star shines the brightest. Garnett, the league's reigning MVP, calls James "The Gift." "A gift for Cleveland, and a gift for the league," Garnett says.

Natural maturity

It's not James' high-flying dunks or his uncanny court vision to seemingly know where everyone is at all times that sets him apart.

What it is, more than anything else, is an intangible — maturity.

He has become a father, dealt with off-court controversy and gone from being the wide-eyed teenage phenom naively taking the NBA by storm to being touted as the best player in the league.

James doesn't talk trash, smiles a lot, seldom says anything to officials and throws his wristbands and headband to fans after games — even on the road.

"You have to be a fan of his for two reasons," says former NBA star Charles Barkley, now a TNT commentator. "He's lived up to the hype, and he's delivered. Not even Michael Jordan came into the league with the hype that LeBron came in with.

"A lot of guys put in his situation would be overwhelmed, but he's not."

James, who recently turned 20 and is in only his second season, could very well be on his way to becoming the NBA's best player.

"He's special," Cavaliers coach Paul Silas says. "He's concerned with team. He's concerned with winning. He understands what it's all about and goes about it in the right manner. He just gets it."

James says he is simply doing his job. "I'm just trying to be myself and trying to focus on playing the best game for the Cleveland Cavaliers every night and do things the right way."

James has made the Cavaliers, who did not make the playoffs last season, a top team in the NBA.

Statistically, James is in a stratosphere despite playing 18 games with a face mask because of a broken cheekbone. Going into All-Star week he was shooting 48.9% from the field and averaging 25.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 2.34 steals, making him the only player averaging at least 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. No one else averages as much as 25, six and six.

He's doing all this in an era in which players are coming into the league younger and younger and when doing things the right way isn't always that easy.

"His maturity, in the sense that he really understands the responsibility he has as a big-time, money basketball player to bring it every night, is what sets him apart," says San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who will coach the West All-Stars. "I think that separates him and puts him in a category with the Michaels, the Larrys and the Magics who competed every single night like that. He just seems to know all sorts of things kids just don't know."

That knowledge helped James remain focused when he found himself at the center of an off-court controversy. A Nike "Chamber of Fear" ad campaign that featured James battling a cartoon kung fu master and dragons has been banned in China for what the State Administration for Radio, Film and Television said didn't uphold the national dignity and respect the culture of the country.

James, who says he looks forward to playing in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, says the ads were made specifically to appeal to youngsters and he had no idea they would be considered offensive. "It wasn't intended to hurt anybody or any culture," he says.

Olympics were humbling

Part of his determination this season was derived from the tough lesson he received during the Athens Olympics playing for Larry Brown.

"He was dying," says Popovich, Brown's top assistant coach with the bronze medal Olympic team. "He wanted to be on the floor so badly he couldn't stand it. But he handled it. There are a lot of guys six years older than him, 10 years older than him — there's no way they could have handled it.

"But when he got on the court, there was no residue of sulking or anything like that. He was just, 'Bam,' 100%. That really impressed me."

Although James averaged 11.4 minutes a game, the fourth fewest on the team, he worked as hard as anyone, never hung his head, practiced hard and always encouraged his teammates.

"The Olympic experience really helped him," Silas says. "What it did most was that he had to play defense in order to play at all. So that helped him be conscious of defense."

James says he learned a lot but concedes not playing much was a humbling experience.

"It made me more focused," he says. "It made me hungry to get back and put on a Cavaliers uniform because I knew I was going to play and contribute and do the things I do."

Seattle SuperSonics guard Ray Allen, a Western Conference All-Star, says James always seems to make the right plays and never seems to force things.

"He always looks like the best player on the floor most nights," Allen says.

And if James is the best player on the floor Sunday, his All-Star teammates are in for a treat, says Cleveland's Jeff McInnis, who has firsthand experience.

"You can't really appreciate him fully until you play with him," McInnis says.