If Mark Martin keeps winning like this, even he might have to concede that he is racing for a Sprint Cup championship.
Martin, 50, won for the second time in the last four races, outlasting Jimmie Johnson in a wreck-filled show at Darlington Raceway on Saturday night.
“Once we got out front, man, it was just easy,” Martin said. “The car was awesome.”
Martin’s only other Darlington win was in the 1993 Southern 500, a 16-year stretch.
Martin led the final 46 laps in his 37th career Sprint Cup victory. He had to show as much patience as speed, handling a record 17 cautions on Darlington’s two-year-old pavement.
The wrecks surpassed the previous high of 15 set in Darlington’s spring race 14 years ago, and more than doubled the eight of last year.
Johnson wrecked in qualifying and had to start 42nd. He made it all the way to Martin’s bumper before settling for second.
Tony Stewart, who finished third, said, “This is one of the most difficult places we run.”
Ryan Newman, Stewart’s teammate, was fourth, followed by the points leader Jeff Gordon. Brad Keselowski, in seventh, put all four Hendrick cars in the top seven.
CASTRONEVES WINS INDY POLE Less than a month after being acquitted of charges of tax evasion, Helio Castroneves was right where he wanted to be, back in the cockpit and on the pole for the Indianapolis 500.
On a windy day full of strategic guesses on when to qualify and when to stay off the track, Castroneves took a big gamble, voiding a fast qualifying effort from earlier in the day and knocking his Penske Racing teammate Ryan Briscoe off the pole.
Castroneves’s four-lap average of 224.864 miles per hour on the two-and-a-half-mile oval came with less than two hours remaining in the six-hour opening round of time trials for the May 24 race.
MAYFIELD SUSPENDED Jeremy Mayfield was suspended indefinitely by Nascar for failing a random drug test, becoming the first driver to violate a toughened policy that went into effect this season. Mayfield tested positive for a banned substance last weekend at Richmond International Raceway.
The Nascar spokesman Jim Hunter would not reveal what substance Mayfield used but said it was not alcohol-related.
Nascar also indefinitely suspended Tony Martin, a crew member for the car John Andretti drove, and Ben Williams, a crew member for the Nationwide Series car Matt Kenseth drove, for failed tests at Richmond.
by the associated press
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Saturday, May 09, 2009
Cavaliers to 97-82 win with King James with 47
ATLANTA (AP)—The Cleveland Cavaliers were actually being challenged.
Finally, LeBron James(notes) had seen enough.
James scored 47 points in his best game yet of these playoffs, leading the Cavaliers to the brink of their second straight postseason sweep with a 97-82 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.
“He took the ball, put it in his hands and said he was going to score for us, so I told him, ‘OK,”’ Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. “I just told everybody else, ‘Let’s defend.”’
Back home after two blowout losses in Cleveland, the Hawks put up their best fight of the series. It didn’t matter, not against King James. They now find themselves just one defeat away from calling it a season, the Cavaliers pushing out to another 3-0 lead after breezing past Detroit in the opening round.
Cleveland kept up its dominating run through the playoffs, setting an NBA record with its seventh straight double-figure win to eclipse the mark set by the 2004 Indiana Pacers. The only solace for the Hawks: They stopped Cleveland’s streak of 20-point playoff wins at three.
The Hawks were only down 47-46 at the halftime, and they surged back into their first second-half lead of the series with a 13-0 run in the third quarter. But Zaza Pachulia(notes) got ejected for arguing a foul call—acting as though he might attack the officials—and Atlanta faded away down the stretch.
James eclipsed his previous high in these playoffs of 38 points vs. the Pistons, and finished just one off his best playoff performance ever, a 48-point night against Detroit while leading Cleveland to its first trip ever to the NBA finals.
They appear to be on the way again, especially with the league’s MVP leading the way.
James hit a running 13-footer to send the Cavaliers to the final period with a 72-65 lead. If the Hawks had any thoughts of a comeback, James quickly erased them.
He hit a jumper near the courtside seat and slapped his hands in delight with just over 8 minutes remaining. On Cleveland’s next possession, James stood out near the half-court line, barking instructions at his teammates. Delonte West(notes) and Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) both popped out to set picks, and James weaved his way through the Atlanta defense before pulling up to launch a floater just off the foul lane.
Nothing but net.
James repeated the same drill from the opposite side, only this time he cut along the baseline, drawing virtually every Atlanta player his way, before dumping off to a wide-open Ilgauskas under the basket. The Hawks had no choice but to hack the big man as he went up to shoot, stopping the layup but sending him to the foul line.
“LeBron was just out of his mind tonight,” Atlanta’s Josh Smith(notes) said.
Indeed, while James was a virtual one-man show, he kept his teammates involved by dishing out eight assists. If that wasn’t enough, he led Cleveland to a dominant performance on the boards, 46-23, with a game-high 12 rebounds.
Finally, with 44 seconds remaining, James’ work was done. He went off to a big ovation from the smattering of Cleveland fans who hung around to chant, “MVP! MVP! MVP!”
James has been incredibly efficient in this series, playing 108 minutes and scoring 108 points.
Atlanta was hardly in position to challenge the Cavaliers, who had the league’s best record during the regular season (66-16). When factoring in that three starters—Joe Johnson(notes), Al Horford(notes) and Marvin Williams(notes)—were hurting, there seemed little chance of Atlanta challenging the Cavaliers.
But they did for nearly three quarters. Though Pachulia’s ejection seemed to take any life out of the raucous crowd—and the home team. The Hawks were outscored 31-17 after the emotional Georgian was tossed.
“I thought it was an offensive foul,” Pachulia said. “Maybe I overreacted.”
Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered anyway.
James was 15 of 25 from the field, went 5 of 10 outside the 3-point arc (even banking in one), and wound up making more free throws—12 of 16—than the entire Hawks’ team attempted (7 of 11).
“He’s not the MVP for nothing,” Pachulia said. “He’s the best player in the league. He knows when to push the gas. That’s what he did.”
Johnson, who didn’t decide until game time that he was healthy enough to play, led the Hawks with 21 points. Smith added 18 and Flip Murray(notes) 17.
Ilgauskas scored 14, West had 12 and Mo Williams(notes) 11 for the Cavaliers
by the associated press
Finally, LeBron James(notes) had seen enough.
James scored 47 points in his best game yet of these playoffs, leading the Cavaliers to the brink of their second straight postseason sweep with a 97-82 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.
“He took the ball, put it in his hands and said he was going to score for us, so I told him, ‘OK,”’ Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. “I just told everybody else, ‘Let’s defend.”’
Back home after two blowout losses in Cleveland, the Hawks put up their best fight of the series. It didn’t matter, not against King James. They now find themselves just one defeat away from calling it a season, the Cavaliers pushing out to another 3-0 lead after breezing past Detroit in the opening round.
Cleveland kept up its dominating run through the playoffs, setting an NBA record with its seventh straight double-figure win to eclipse the mark set by the 2004 Indiana Pacers. The only solace for the Hawks: They stopped Cleveland’s streak of 20-point playoff wins at three.
The Hawks were only down 47-46 at the halftime, and they surged back into their first second-half lead of the series with a 13-0 run in the third quarter. But Zaza Pachulia(notes) got ejected for arguing a foul call—acting as though he might attack the officials—and Atlanta faded away down the stretch.
James eclipsed his previous high in these playoffs of 38 points vs. the Pistons, and finished just one off his best playoff performance ever, a 48-point night against Detroit while leading Cleveland to its first trip ever to the NBA finals.
They appear to be on the way again, especially with the league’s MVP leading the way.
James hit a running 13-footer to send the Cavaliers to the final period with a 72-65 lead. If the Hawks had any thoughts of a comeback, James quickly erased them.
He hit a jumper near the courtside seat and slapped his hands in delight with just over 8 minutes remaining. On Cleveland’s next possession, James stood out near the half-court line, barking instructions at his teammates. Delonte West(notes) and Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) both popped out to set picks, and James weaved his way through the Atlanta defense before pulling up to launch a floater just off the foul lane.
Nothing but net.
James repeated the same drill from the opposite side, only this time he cut along the baseline, drawing virtually every Atlanta player his way, before dumping off to a wide-open Ilgauskas under the basket. The Hawks had no choice but to hack the big man as he went up to shoot, stopping the layup but sending him to the foul line.
“LeBron was just out of his mind tonight,” Atlanta’s Josh Smith(notes) said.
Indeed, while James was a virtual one-man show, he kept his teammates involved by dishing out eight assists. If that wasn’t enough, he led Cleveland to a dominant performance on the boards, 46-23, with a game-high 12 rebounds.
Finally, with 44 seconds remaining, James’ work was done. He went off to a big ovation from the smattering of Cleveland fans who hung around to chant, “MVP! MVP! MVP!”
James has been incredibly efficient in this series, playing 108 minutes and scoring 108 points.
Atlanta was hardly in position to challenge the Cavaliers, who had the league’s best record during the regular season (66-16). When factoring in that three starters—Joe Johnson(notes), Al Horford(notes) and Marvin Williams(notes)—were hurting, there seemed little chance of Atlanta challenging the Cavaliers.
But they did for nearly three quarters. Though Pachulia’s ejection seemed to take any life out of the raucous crowd—and the home team. The Hawks were outscored 31-17 after the emotional Georgian was tossed.
“I thought it was an offensive foul,” Pachulia said. “Maybe I overreacted.”
Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered anyway.
James was 15 of 25 from the field, went 5 of 10 outside the 3-point arc (even banking in one), and wound up making more free throws—12 of 16—than the entire Hawks’ team attempted (7 of 11).
“He’s not the MVP for nothing,” Pachulia said. “He’s the best player in the league. He knows when to push the gas. That’s what he did.”
Johnson, who didn’t decide until game time that he was healthy enough to play, led the Hawks with 21 points. Smith added 18 and Flip Murray(notes) 17.
Ilgauskas scored 14, West had 12 and Mo Williams(notes) 11 for the Cavaliers
by the associated press
NBA playoffs 2009 and Superman
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic seems to be at its best when it’s shorthanded.
Dwight Howard had 17 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks as Orlando beat Boston 117-96 on Friday night for a 2-1 series lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal.
Rashard Lewis had 28 points, and Hedo Turkoglu scored 24 for Orlando, which played without starting point guard Rafer Alston. He was suspended by the NBA for slapping Eddie House in the back of the head in Game 2.
Paul Pierce broke out of his series slump to score 27 points, and Rajon Rondo added 15 for the defending champion Celtics, who trimmed a 20-point deficit to seven before the Magic regained control.
Game 4 is Sunday in Orlando.
It’s the second time this postseason the Magic won with a starter suspended.
Howard lost his cool and elbowed Samuel Dalembert in the head to draw a suspension for Game 6 of their first-round series against Philadelphia — but Orlando still eliminated the 76ers with a blowout.
This time, the Magic’s big man made sure a teammate wasn’t missed.
The defensive player of the year had four blocks in the first half to turn the Celtics into a jumpshooting team, much as the Magic did to win Game 1. On the first play of the second quarter, Howard soared so high he had to brace his left hand against the backboard so he wouldn’t smack his head, swatting Stephon Marbury’s layup into the stands.
It was no different on offense.
Howard sprinted down the middle of the lane; took a pass from the wing by J.J. Redick; and gripped the ball with two hands for a thunderous dunk and 43-31 lead. The Magic would eventually by 14 points in the period.
The Magic took a 20-point lead early in the third quarter before Howard picked up his fourth foul, and the Celtics ended the period on a 12-2 run capped by a breakaway dunk by Rondo.
After Boston trimmed the deficit to seven in the fourth, center Kendrick Perkins lost his cool. Perkins was called for a flagrant one foul with 10:15 to play for an elbow on Mickael Pietrus. Replays showed Perkins’ elbow hit Pietrus in the chin while the two battled for position away from the ball.
Pietrus made the free throws, and the Magic built another 20-point lead that put the game out of reach.
by the associated press
Dwight Howard had 17 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks as Orlando beat Boston 117-96 on Friday night for a 2-1 series lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal.
Rashard Lewis had 28 points, and Hedo Turkoglu scored 24 for Orlando, which played without starting point guard Rafer Alston. He was suspended by the NBA for slapping Eddie House in the back of the head in Game 2.
Paul Pierce broke out of his series slump to score 27 points, and Rajon Rondo added 15 for the defending champion Celtics, who trimmed a 20-point deficit to seven before the Magic regained control.
Game 4 is Sunday in Orlando.
It’s the second time this postseason the Magic won with a starter suspended.
Howard lost his cool and elbowed Samuel Dalembert in the head to draw a suspension for Game 6 of their first-round series against Philadelphia — but Orlando still eliminated the 76ers with a blowout.
This time, the Magic’s big man made sure a teammate wasn’t missed.
The defensive player of the year had four blocks in the first half to turn the Celtics into a jumpshooting team, much as the Magic did to win Game 1. On the first play of the second quarter, Howard soared so high he had to brace his left hand against the backboard so he wouldn’t smack his head, swatting Stephon Marbury’s layup into the stands.
It was no different on offense.
Howard sprinted down the middle of the lane; took a pass from the wing by J.J. Redick; and gripped the ball with two hands for a thunderous dunk and 43-31 lead. The Magic would eventually by 14 points in the period.
The Magic took a 20-point lead early in the third quarter before Howard picked up his fourth foul, and the Celtics ended the period on a 12-2 run capped by a breakaway dunk by Rondo.
After Boston trimmed the deficit to seven in the fourth, center Kendrick Perkins lost his cool. Perkins was called for a flagrant one foul with 10:15 to play for an elbow on Mickael Pietrus. Replays showed Perkins’ elbow hit Pietrus in the chin while the two battled for position away from the ball.
Pietrus made the free throws, and the Magic built another 20-point lead that put the game out of reach.
by the associated press
Friday, May 08, 2009
Cavaliers 105, Hawks 85
CLEVELAND — From his corner cubicle in Cleveland’s locker room, LeBron James kept his eyes riveted on the flat-screen TV. He wanted to see every replay.
There was his no-look pass to Wally Szczerbiak. There was his reverse dunk in the final seconds of the first quarter. And then there was his majestic, step-back 3-pointer to beat the halftime horn.
Seeing it on tape for the first time, James smiled, stood and repeated his arm-swinging gesture.
It’s all easy. Maybe too easy.
James scored 27 points, ending the first and second quarters with last-second baskets, and Mo Williams added 15 points as the untested Cavaliers overpowered the Atlanta Hawks 105-85 on Thursday night to open a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal.
"I’m having fun,” James said. "I’m having a ball.”
Now a perfect 6-0 in the postseason, the Cavaliers tied a league record by winning their sixth consecutive playoff game by double digits. The only other team to do it was the 2004 Indiana Pacers. Cleveland also matched the 1986 Los Angeles Lakers by winning three straight games by at least 20 points in a postseason.
"I don’t want to say I’m surprised,” James said of Cleveland’s playoff dominance. "We’re just a really good team. We’re really confident and we believe in each other.”
Maurice Evans scored 16 points and Mike Bibby had 11 for the Hawks, who were missing center Al Horford and forward Marvin Williams because of injuries. If that wasn’t bad enough, leading scorer Joe Johnson rolled his right ankle in the third quarter and did not return.
His status for Game 3 on Saturday wasn’t known.
by the associated press
There was his no-look pass to Wally Szczerbiak. There was his reverse dunk in the final seconds of the first quarter. And then there was his majestic, step-back 3-pointer to beat the halftime horn.
Seeing it on tape for the first time, James smiled, stood and repeated his arm-swinging gesture.
It’s all easy. Maybe too easy.
James scored 27 points, ending the first and second quarters with last-second baskets, and Mo Williams added 15 points as the untested Cavaliers overpowered the Atlanta Hawks 105-85 on Thursday night to open a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal.
"I’m having fun,” James said. "I’m having a ball.”
Now a perfect 6-0 in the postseason, the Cavaliers tied a league record by winning their sixth consecutive playoff game by double digits. The only other team to do it was the 2004 Indiana Pacers. Cleveland also matched the 1986 Los Angeles Lakers by winning three straight games by at least 20 points in a postseason.
"I don’t want to say I’m surprised,” James said of Cleveland’s playoff dominance. "We’re just a really good team. We’re really confident and we believe in each other.”
Maurice Evans scored 16 points and Mike Bibby had 11 for the Hawks, who were missing center Al Horford and forward Marvin Williams because of injuries. If that wasn’t bad enough, leading scorer Joe Johnson rolled his right ankle in the third quarter and did not return.
His status for Game 3 on Saturday wasn’t known.
by the associated press
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Celtics 112, Magic 94
BOSTON — Rajon Rondo had 15 points, 18 assists and 11 rebounds for his third triple-double of the playoffs, and Eddie House scored a career high-shattering 31 points on Wednesday night to lead the Boston Celtics to a 112-94 victory over the Orlando Magic and even the Eastern Conference semifinalsDwight Howard had 12 points and 12 rebounds and Rashard Lewis had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, who stole Game 1 and home-court advantage Monday night despite blowing almost all of a 28-point lead late in the game.
Game 3 is Friday night in Orlando.
Rondo had 12 assists without a turnover at the half and finished one assist short of his career high. The only time the 6-1 point guard has had more than 18 assists was the triple-overtime Game 6 of the first-round series against Chicago in which he played 57 1/2 minutes.
"He picked up where he left off last game,” House said of Rondo. "He had a lot of energy on both ends of the court.”
Ray Allen scored 22 points and Kendrick Perkins had 16 points and nine rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who avoided heading to Orlando down 0-2 and assured themselves of at least one more game in Boston.
Paul Pierce of the Celtics scored three points in 16 minutes, hitting a 3-pointer for the first basket of the game, but he picked up two fouls in 50 seconds early in the first quarter and headed to the bench. He played just 2 more minutes in the second quarter before picking up his third foul, and lasted 4:07 into the third before drawing his fourth and sitting back down.
By the time he came back in — to give House a rest — Boston was nursing a double-digit lead in the last 4 minutes and the crowd was chanting "Eddie!” for the backup who helped them open a 26-point lead and coast to victory.
House went 11 for 14 from the field, making all four of his 3-point attempts and adding four 2-pointers from at least 20 feet in 27 minutes — the most he’s played in a playoff game since he was a rookie with Miami in 2001. In the last three games, House is 18 for 24 from the field and 10 for 12 from 3-point range.
Game 3 is Friday night in Orlando.
Rondo had 12 assists without a turnover at the half and finished one assist short of his career high. The only time the 6-1 point guard has had more than 18 assists was the triple-overtime Game 6 of the first-round series against Chicago in which he played 57 1/2 minutes.
"He picked up where he left off last game,” House said of Rondo. "He had a lot of energy on both ends of the court.”
Ray Allen scored 22 points and Kendrick Perkins had 16 points and nine rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who avoided heading to Orlando down 0-2 and assured themselves of at least one more game in Boston.
Paul Pierce of the Celtics scored three points in 16 minutes, hitting a 3-pointer for the first basket of the game, but he picked up two fouls in 50 seconds early in the first quarter and headed to the bench. He played just 2 more minutes in the second quarter before picking up his third foul, and lasted 4:07 into the third before drawing his fourth and sitting back down.
By the time he came back in — to give House a rest — Boston was nursing a double-digit lead in the last 4 minutes and the crowd was chanting "Eddie!” for the backup who helped them open a 26-point lead and coast to victory.
House went 11 for 14 from the field, making all four of his 3-point attempts and adding four 2-pointers from at least 20 feet in 27 minutes — the most he’s played in a playoff game since he was a rookie with Miami in 2001. In the last three games, House is 18 for 24 from the field and 10 for 12 from 3-point range.
by the associated press
Monday, May 04, 2009
Dallas staffer paralyzed
IRVING, Texas — A Dallas Cowboys scouting assistant was permanently paralyzed from the waist down after his spine was severed during the collapse of the team’s tent-like practice structure in a severe storm.
The team announced Rich Behm was in stable condition at Parkland Hospital on Sunday after surgery to stabilize a fracture to the thoracic spine.
The 33-year-old Behm was among a dozen people hurt in the accident Saturday, and was one of three Cowboys staffers who remained hospitalized.
Joe DeCamillis, 43, the team’s special teams coach, sustained a fracture of one of his cervical vertebrae without paralysis. He was in stable condition and scheduled for surgery today.
Assistant athletic trainer Greg Gaither, 35, had surgery Saturday night to repair a fracture to the tibia and fibula in his right leg. He is expected to be released from the hospital later this week.
"To the Behm family we extend our love, comfort, and the full support of every person and resource within the organization,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "Rich is a courageous member of our family and someone for whom we care deeply. We ask for all friends and fans of the Dallas Cowboys to join us in embracing him and his family with their thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.”
Behm has a brother who also works in the Cowboys organization.
Jones, who was attending the Kentucky Derby on Saturday when the accident occurred, didn’t stop to talk to media outside the team’s Valley Ranch headquarters when he arrived or left.
After arriving at the facility Sunday morning, Jones surveyed the mangled mess. He had a somber look on his face and his hands tucked in his pockets.
Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said Jones spent "considerable time” Saturday night and Sunday visiting those in the hospital.
by the associated press
The team announced Rich Behm was in stable condition at Parkland Hospital on Sunday after surgery to stabilize a fracture to the thoracic spine.
The 33-year-old Behm was among a dozen people hurt in the accident Saturday, and was one of three Cowboys staffers who remained hospitalized.
Joe DeCamillis, 43, the team’s special teams coach, sustained a fracture of one of his cervical vertebrae without paralysis. He was in stable condition and scheduled for surgery today.
Assistant athletic trainer Greg Gaither, 35, had surgery Saturday night to repair a fracture to the tibia and fibula in his right leg. He is expected to be released from the hospital later this week.
"To the Behm family we extend our love, comfort, and the full support of every person and resource within the organization,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "Rich is a courageous member of our family and someone for whom we care deeply. We ask for all friends and fans of the Dallas Cowboys to join us in embracing him and his family with their thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.”
Behm has a brother who also works in the Cowboys organization.
Jones, who was attending the Kentucky Derby on Saturday when the accident occurred, didn’t stop to talk to media outside the team’s Valley Ranch headquarters when he arrived or left.
After arriving at the facility Sunday morning, Jones surveyed the mangled mess. He had a somber look on his face and his hands tucked in his pockets.
Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said Jones spent "considerable time” Saturday night and Sunday visiting those in the hospital.
by the associated press
LeBron James is your MVP
AKRON, Ohio (AP) — On one of the biggest days of his life, LeBron James took the long way home. Once inside his hometown's city limits, James pulled his high-powered Ferrari off I-77 and drove the back roads to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, his alma mater.
Turning on Maple Street, he went past his first house on Hickory. Then, it was past the one on Silver Street, where his mother, Gloria, began raising him by herself. James visited The Boondocks, where he and his friends first dribbled on the playgrounds.
James retraced the steps on Monday. His path to NBA superstardom.
An unstoppable offensive force who became an elite defender this season, James claimed the league MVP, receiving the award in the gym where he first became a star.
"This is a place where all my dreams started and where I thought they could become real," James said. "There's really not a better place."
The Ohio kid anointed King James as a teenager has a new crown.
An MVP vote some expected to be close was another slam dunk by James. He received 109 of a possible 121 first-place votes to easily outdistance Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. James totaled 1,172 points in balloting by media members in the U.S. and Canada.
Bryant, last year's winner, got two first-place votes and finished with 698 points. Miami guard Dwyane Wade was third with 680 points and was named first on seven ballots. Orlando center Dwight Howard (328) was fourth followed by New Orleans guard Chris Paul (192).
The race was never in doubt. It was James all along.
"I'm 24 years old and I'm receiving this award, I never thought it would happen this fast," he said, standing under three state title banners he helped win for the Fighting Irish. "I never dreamed about being MVP, but if I said I didn't enjoy this award I'd be lying. Hard work pays off and dreams do come true."
James is the first Cavaliers player to win the award. He averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season, his sixth as a pro. He also finished second in voting for defensive player of the year, making him perhaps the league's most dominant two-way player since Michael Jordan.
Along with a trophy, James was given a new car, which he donated to a local charity.
After learning he won, James knew he wanted to share it with family and friends. He knew there was only one place to do it: At his beloved St. V., the school where he was a high school phenom.
As James — who got a police escort for the final miles — drove up about an hour before the ceremony in his metallic gray $225,000 car with W1TNES vanity license plates, a crowd chanting "M-V-P" rushed into the street outside the school.
The scene was more civil later when James took the stage and was serenaded by hundreds of students sitting in the same bleachers he used to.
The setting was fitting for James, who earlier this year had the words "Loyalty" and "Family" tattooed vertically along his rib cage.
In the past, the MVP trophy has been presented at team practice facilities or arenas. But James wanted a special location.
League spokesman Brian McIntyre said the intimate ceremony was unlike any before.
"When he heard what LeBron wanted to do, we gave it about a second's thought, and said that's a great idea," he said. "This was wonderful."
James credited his Cavaliers teammates, who attended the ceremony along with coach Mike Brown, for raising their games in Cleveland's best season ever. The Cavs went 66-16, 39-2 at home and earned the top seed in the playoffs — a franchise first.
"Individual accolades come when team success happens," James said. "You look at those 14 guys over there, I got the award because of them. They put in the work."
James invited his teammates to the podium and presented each with an expensive camera.
"This award is going to be like the both of ours, but I'm going to keep it at my house," he cracked.
At 24 years, 106 days on the final day of the regular season, James is the youngest player to win the award since Moses Malone (24 years, 16 days) in 1978-79. Wes Unseld was 23 when he won it in 1968-69.
James vied all season for MVP honors with Bryant and Wade, his teammates on the U.S. gold medalist Olympic team last summer.
"He deserved it," Wade said. "I said all year, I thought LeBron was the MVP of this league. He's a guy who every year is going to be in that conversation. ... He showed it all year, especially with his team's success."
Focused from the start, the 6-foot-8, 250-pound James sharpened his already formidable skills this season.
He started a career-high 81 games and set personal bests in field-goal (49) and free-throw (79) percentages as well as blocks (93). James became the second player to post five straight seasons of at least 27 points, six rebounds and six assists. The other is Robertson, whose versatile game is the one to which James' is most often compared.
James nearly averaged a triple-double — 32 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists — as the top-seeded Cavaliers breezed through the first round of the playoffs, sweeping Detroit in four games. Cleveland hosts the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 on Tuesday.
"My mission hasn't been completed," James said. "I still I have a lot of things I want to do this season. I want to have another celebration in June."
With his longtime girlfriend, Savannah, and their two sons sitting up front, James thanked his family, friends and former teammates during a touching speech. Promising not to cry, he spoke fondly of his mom, who struggled to raise her only son.
"I don't know how you did it," James said.
Better than anyone, Gloria James understood her son's trip through his old neighborhoods.
"It didn't surprise me," she said. "He has never forgotten where he came from."
Soon, it was time for James to head home, a place he never left.
by the associated press
Turning on Maple Street, he went past his first house on Hickory. Then, it was past the one on Silver Street, where his mother, Gloria, began raising him by herself. James visited The Boondocks, where he and his friends first dribbled on the playgrounds.
James retraced the steps on Monday. His path to NBA superstardom.
An unstoppable offensive force who became an elite defender this season, James claimed the league MVP, receiving the award in the gym where he first became a star.
"This is a place where all my dreams started and where I thought they could become real," James said. "There's really not a better place."
The Ohio kid anointed King James as a teenager has a new crown.
An MVP vote some expected to be close was another slam dunk by James. He received 109 of a possible 121 first-place votes to easily outdistance Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. James totaled 1,172 points in balloting by media members in the U.S. and Canada.
Bryant, last year's winner, got two first-place votes and finished with 698 points. Miami guard Dwyane Wade was third with 680 points and was named first on seven ballots. Orlando center Dwight Howard (328) was fourth followed by New Orleans guard Chris Paul (192).
The race was never in doubt. It was James all along.
"I'm 24 years old and I'm receiving this award, I never thought it would happen this fast," he said, standing under three state title banners he helped win for the Fighting Irish. "I never dreamed about being MVP, but if I said I didn't enjoy this award I'd be lying. Hard work pays off and dreams do come true."
James is the first Cavaliers player to win the award. He averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season, his sixth as a pro. He also finished second in voting for defensive player of the year, making him perhaps the league's most dominant two-way player since Michael Jordan.
Along with a trophy, James was given a new car, which he donated to a local charity.
After learning he won, James knew he wanted to share it with family and friends. He knew there was only one place to do it: At his beloved St. V., the school where he was a high school phenom.
As James — who got a police escort for the final miles — drove up about an hour before the ceremony in his metallic gray $225,000 car with W1TNES vanity license plates, a crowd chanting "M-V-P" rushed into the street outside the school.
The scene was more civil later when James took the stage and was serenaded by hundreds of students sitting in the same bleachers he used to.
The setting was fitting for James, who earlier this year had the words "Loyalty" and "Family" tattooed vertically along his rib cage.
In the past, the MVP trophy has been presented at team practice facilities or arenas. But James wanted a special location.
League spokesman Brian McIntyre said the intimate ceremony was unlike any before.
"When he heard what LeBron wanted to do, we gave it about a second's thought, and said that's a great idea," he said. "This was wonderful."
James credited his Cavaliers teammates, who attended the ceremony along with coach Mike Brown, for raising their games in Cleveland's best season ever. The Cavs went 66-16, 39-2 at home and earned the top seed in the playoffs — a franchise first.
"Individual accolades come when team success happens," James said. "You look at those 14 guys over there, I got the award because of them. They put in the work."
James invited his teammates to the podium and presented each with an expensive camera.
"This award is going to be like the both of ours, but I'm going to keep it at my house," he cracked.
At 24 years, 106 days on the final day of the regular season, James is the youngest player to win the award since Moses Malone (24 years, 16 days) in 1978-79. Wes Unseld was 23 when he won it in 1968-69.
James vied all season for MVP honors with Bryant and Wade, his teammates on the U.S. gold medalist Olympic team last summer.
"He deserved it," Wade said. "I said all year, I thought LeBron was the MVP of this league. He's a guy who every year is going to be in that conversation. ... He showed it all year, especially with his team's success."
Focused from the start, the 6-foot-8, 250-pound James sharpened his already formidable skills this season.
He started a career-high 81 games and set personal bests in field-goal (49) and free-throw (79) percentages as well as blocks (93). James became the second player to post five straight seasons of at least 27 points, six rebounds and six assists. The other is Robertson, whose versatile game is the one to which James' is most often compared.
James nearly averaged a triple-double — 32 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists — as the top-seeded Cavaliers breezed through the first round of the playoffs, sweeping Detroit in four games. Cleveland hosts the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 on Tuesday.
"My mission hasn't been completed," James said. "I still I have a lot of things I want to do this season. I want to have another celebration in June."
With his longtime girlfriend, Savannah, and their two sons sitting up front, James thanked his family, friends and former teammates during a touching speech. Promising not to cry, he spoke fondly of his mom, who struggled to raise her only son.
"I don't know how you did it," James said.
Better than anyone, Gloria James understood her son's trip through his old neighborhoods.
"It didn't surprise me," she said. "He has never forgotten where he came from."
Soon, it was time for James to head home, a place he never left.
by the associated press
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