Despite no title, LeBron wins Male Athlete of Year
LeBron James went to the NBA Finals for the eighth consecutive year. He changed addresses again, leaving his Cleveland home for the second time to join the Los Angeles Lakers in the biggest move of free agency over the summer. He remained arguably the dominant player in the basketball, adding even more glitz on a legacy that reached epic status long ago.
It was, by any measure, a fantastic year for James.
And even without a title, it may have been his most significant year. For the third time, James has been selected as The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year after 2018 saw him continue to excel on the court, open the “I Promise” school for at-risk children in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and further use his voice as an activist who bristled at being told to “shut up and dribble.”
“I would describe it as a success because I was able to inspire so many people throughout the year,” James said. “I got to go back to China, to Paris, to Berlin, I opened up a school. And all these kids I was able to see, all over the world and in my hometown, I was able to inspire, to make them think they can be so much more than what they think they’re capable of being. That was my outlook for 2018.”
James received 78 points in balloting by U.S. editors and news directors announced Thursday, while Boston Red Sox star Mookie Betts was second with 46. Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals was third, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fourth and Triple Crown winner Justify was fifth.
On the court, James remained dominant. He averaged 28.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.4 assists in 2018 between his time with the Cavaliers and Lakers, playing in 102 games through Thursday.
“In addition to being on everyone’s short list as one of the league’s all-time greatest players, LeBron is among the hardest working players and is a thoughtful and impactful leader,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “He serves on the executive committee of the Players Association even as he builds an impressive media company of his own. And what’s most inspiring, and no surprise given his talent and focus, is how he’s done all of this while embracing his unique opportunity to positively impact communities in need.”
James becomes the third man to win the award at least three times, joining Lance Armstrong (a fourtime winner from 2002 through 2005), Tiger Woods (1997, 1999, 2000 and 2006) and Michael Jordan (1991, 1992 and 1993).
LEBRON SITS, ENDS LONG
STREAK » James was held out of the Lakers’ game against the Sacramento Kings with a groin injury, ending his consecutive games played streak at 156. James was injured during the Lakers’ 127-101 victory over two-time defending NBA champion Golden State on Christmas when he slipped while going for a loose ball.
An MRI showed that James suffered a left groin strain rather than a tear, but no timetable has been set for his return. Lakers coach Luke Walton said the team will take a cautious approach with the four-time MVP.
“It’s one of those things we want to make sure he’s healthy before we get him back out there,” Walton said. “That could be an injury where if you come back too early you re-injure it and then you’re out longer.”
James has played in every game since the final game of the 2016-17 regular season, when he sat out to rest. HARDEN SCORES 45 IN WIN OVER CELTICS » James Harden had 45 points and six assists, and Clint Capela added 24 points and 18 rebounds as the Houston Rockets beat the Boston Celtics 127-113 for their eighth win in nine games.
Harden has scored at least 30 points in eight straight games, the longest such streak since Russell Westbrook had eight straight 30-point games in November 2016. Harden has scored at least 35 points in six straight games, the longest streak since Carmelo Anthony had six straight in April 2013.
College football
MURRAY SAYS HE WILL BE READY » Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray has no doubt he will play Saturday, despite being slowed by an illness in recent days. Murray appeared at Orange Bowl media day Thursday, still coughing and sniffling a bit. He has not missed any practice time but was absent from his scheduled media availability on Wednesday because the illness popped up.
Murray said he’s feeling fine, and that he’s surprised it took him so long to get sick after his hectic December schedule of travel and other responsibilities. He said he started feeling under the weather earlier this week, and said he’s doing all he can to be 100 percent by kickoff of the game against Alabama on Saturday night. SUSPENSION FOR CLEMSON’S LAWRENCE CONFIRMED » The final ruling on the three Clemson players facing a suspension for the Cotton Bowl came down, and it is bad news for the Tigers.
Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, tight end Braden Galloway and offensive lineman Zach Giella will miss the matchup against Notre Dame after failing drug tests.
All three players had a trace of ostarine found in their systems. Clemson was notified last Thursday that the players had failed a drug test. Their “B” samples were examined after the “A” sample was found to have ostarine in it, and the NCAA informed Clemson of the results of the “B” samples on Thursday. It was the same as the “A” samples and all three players are suspended for the College Football Playoff semifinal.
“This evening, Clemson Athletics received confirmation from the NCAA of suspensions for tight end Braden Galloway, offensive lineman Zach Giella and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, all three of whom will be unavailable for Saturday’s game against Notre Dame,” Clemson said in a statement. “The athletic department will have no further comment on the matter this evening as it considers all of our options, including appeals.”
Lawrence is the biggest loss for the Tigers as the junior defensive tackle is a three-time All-ACC performer. He was named firstteam All-ACC each of the past two years. WIMBUSH TRANSFER? » Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said quarterback Brandon Wimbush has taken the steps necessary to transfer after this season, but no final decision has been made. At Notre Dame’s Cotton Bowl media day session, Wimbush declined to talk about specifics, saying he was focused on preparing for the Fighting Irish’s game against Clemson on Saturday. Wimbush did acknowledge he has decisions to make about his future and would make them with his family after the season.
Kelly said he and the senior quarterback have had two conversations the coach called “preliminary in nature.” ALABAMA PLAYERS OUT » Alabama coach Nick Saban said three players suspended this week will not play the rest of this season, adding that their status beyond that is uncertain. Starting left guard Deonte Brown, tight end Kedrick James and offensive lineman Elliot Baker didn’t make the trip to Miami for Saturday’s game against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. BOWL GAMES » Daniel Jones threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns, T. J. Rahming caught 12 passes for 240 yards and two scores, and Duke blew past Temple 56-27 in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. Duke (8- 5) snapped a two- game losing streak by putting on an offensive show. The Blue Devils scored touchdowns on seven straight drives, flipping a 27-14 deficit in the second quarter to a 56-27 lead by midway through the fourth. Jones’ five touchdown passes and 423 yards passing both set Independence Bowl records. So did Duke’s 56 points. Temple (8- 5) lost for just the second time in its past eight games. ... Jonathan Taylor ran for 205 yards and a touchdown and topped the 2,000-yard season mark to help Wisconsin rout Miami 35- 3 in a chilly Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York.
Baseball
TWINS LAND SIX-TIME ALLSTAR NELSON CRUZ » The Minnesota Twins continued their quest for power during the offseason by agreeing to terms with veteran designated hitter Nelson Cruz, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Cruz, 38, has 203 home runs over the past five seasons, more than any other player in baseball.
During that time, Cruz hit at least 40 homers in a season three times. Cruz also had three 100-RBI seasons over the past five years.
Hockey
CANADA BEATS SWITZERLAND IN WORLD JUNIORS » MacKenzie Entwistle and Noah Dobson scored second-period goals, and Canada held off Switzerland 3-2 in the world junior hockey championship to improve to 2- 0 in Group A play in Vancouver, British Columbia. The United States opened play Wednesday night with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia.