NBA returns for a break-neck finish
LeBron James, Steph Curry and the rest of the NBA have had a chance to catch their collective breath, kick their feet up for a few days and rest up after a frenetic first three-and-ahalf months of the season.
The big stars had their fun in New Orleans. Those who weren't chosen for the All-Star game got away for some beach time. Coaches and executives took the time to engage in self-scouting and trade talks to figure out how they want to approach the last two months of the regular season.
When play resumes tonight, a few hours after the trade deadline expires, it will be a break-neck, sixweek sprint to the finish.
The eight seed in the Western Conference is up for grabs as well as pretty much every seed in the East. The jockeying for position could turn the final hours before the deadline into a frenzy.
And though the league has been idle for a week, it will not look the same when the games return.
DeMarcus Cousins moved from Sacramento to New Orleans in a stunning trade. Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson cleaned house with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Houston Rockets have fortified their bench by adding Lou Williams and big-name stars like Jimmy Butler, Paul George and Derrick Rose are waiting to see if they will be on the move as well.
And let's not forget Carmelo Anthony, though the Knicks' All-Star has final say-so in a move.
With all the chaos and uncertainty flying around, James said there is no reason to panic in Cleveland.
He assured Cavaliers fans before the break that the team was going to be just fine even if it wasn't able to make any more moves, but injuries to Kevin Love and J.R. Smith have given other teams in the East confidence that the No. 1 seed can be had.
"As long as I'm in the lineup, we've got a chance," James said after it was announced that Love would miss six to eight weeks to recover from knee surgery. "We're good. Kev is out for an extended period of time. JR's been out. But I'm in the lineup, obviously we've got a chance against anybody."
Hard to argue with the logic, considering James has appeared in six straight NBA Finals. But that won't stop the Celtics, Wizards and Raptors from giving chase. Boston is in second place, just two wins behind Cleveland, the surging Wizards have rocketed up the standings and are in third and the fourth-place Raptors just acquired Serge Ibaka to bolster their defense and climb back into the hunt.