THROUGH THE WIRE: TUESDAY (01/25/10)

24. Just when things where going so well for the San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan became a concern. During a game against the Warriors, Texas state's Golden boy left briefly with a quoted, "hyperflexed left knee." still the injury isn't regarded to be anything more than a Duncan, cringe-worthy scare. After the T-Bot's knee buckled he returned to action. The guy really is a machine, he's not about to buckle under the pressure, especially when things are going so well. Just like the game, which San An won, 113-102 with Timmy's sweet 16.

48. It gets better for San Antonio however, much better. Their legendary coach Gregg Popovich will take Phil Jackson's seat in more ways then one as he will coach the Western team in this years All-Star game at the Lakers STAPLES Centre. This will be the second time that Greg will pop up to coach the leagues best out West. With the best record in the conference, Popovich is honored with the teams helm and it's fully deserved for one of the greatest coaches ever. He is fourth most winningest in L history and he has been the Western coach of the month every month this season. Look for him to win big with both of the Wests best.

82. The West's best are clicking right now but the beasts of the East are having even more injury problems. It may not be Texas but the Miami superfriends are going to have to focus on their lone-star LeBron James for awhile. Dwyane Wade may be looking cool in tinted glasses right now but migraines are still making his playing time a little less rosy. While Bosh is still not blooming due to a sprained left ankle that has been niggling him for a fortnight. Looks like Mike Miller will have to step it up again, especially with bench burner Eddie House also on the chilling list with another sprained ankle. So as the rest of the Heat take care of business Wade and Bosh will take care of the tweets.

O.T. It only took 0.5 seconds for New Orleans, David West to weather the Oklahoma City Thunder's storm...free agent Garrett Temple has got 10 days to show the Milwaukee Bucks all he's worth with career averages of 4.6 points and 1.1 rebounds in around 12 minutes a game, this guy makes the most of his time. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

CANDOR, CADENCE & CANDACE

She's not got next, she has right now.

By Tim David Harvey

CANDOR:: can-dor Frankness or sincerity of expression; openness.

Let's be frank and fair here. Hype will always, eventually die down. It's a given. From Christopher Nolan directions to Kanye West outbursts, we'll anticipate, be excited, love every minute in it's moment and then ultimately move on and go about our day. That's the relationship between the common man and this machine called hype. This is especially true in the talent laden, promised haven of the basketball world. Even when hype is justified and major and not Harold Minor it will still calm down. Trophies will be polished and award shows will be tidied up and turned back into function rooms. Sad, but hey that's just the way it goes. Even some of the best guys in the NBA have to become free agents or go through some sort of change to re-establish a buzz. Just look at LeBron and Carmelo. It's not that any of these guys have lost any heat (pun not intended) but people in this entertainment consumer society are always looking for that new, hot thing.

So the worlds most underrated league and the worlds most underrated female sporting talent definitely don't stand a chance between Youtube and on demand networks making it virtually impossible to not watch exactly what you want, when you need. Still the WNBA should 'expect great' fans, boy do they deserve it. This isn't glorified Netball, you've seen the adverts and if you haven't you should really watch. This writer doesn't need to tell you how great it is, you should see for yourself. u need look no further then Candace Parker to see standout talent either.

CADENCE: ca-dence. Balanced, rhythmic flow, as of poetry or oratory.

Parkers game is like poetry. Flowing with perfect rhythm, balance and poise, while singing with the loudest noise. The Los Angeles Sparks number three has been playing big like a Laker for three years now. Sure her hands haven't touched a championship trophy yet, but they have caught, consecutive dunks and received not only a MVP, but the passing of the torch from WNBA legend Lisa Leslie. It was a pleasure to watch the master and the apprentice together, in their all too short time together but now the teacher is gone, the student is graduating to her own legend.

Sure you've probably heard all this hype before, Basketball's next great hope. Well the hype may have taken a hiatus, but why should it? Candace is current and now, established and proud. The LeBron of the WNBA, to Lisa Leslie's Kobe. A leader, no longer raw talent but still getting fresher. Like Michelle Wie in Golf or the Williams sisters in Tennis, Parker is showing that sports is not just a mans world. It'd be nothing without a woman and the promise of Candace's potential is screaming this notion loud like James Brown. Now get up off your ass and see what this writer means.

Sure Tamika Catchings may have the best right now tag, the Seattle Storm may have the championship and Diana Taurasi may have the legend and that hot like fire ESPN cover, but Candace has the future and the world of basketball in her hands, whether your handing it to her or not. A star player and one of the greatest, her best is yet to come. With Tina Thompson and Delisha Milton-Jones also plugging the Sparks, parade routes may be a regular traffic problem in downtown Los Angeles soon, look out for that red, double decker London bus. As the wheels of her career go round and round, the WNBA's CP3 is going to travel further and further up the ladder of greatness. Besides she's already a potent 20 and 10 threat, at 6,4. Sure WNBA ball is a short woman's game (Shaq would make them all look like kids) but Candace is still putting up power numbers that her power, potential, post man husband, Shelden Williams can't deliver right now (no offence, it's the bench). This Basketball's his and hers are in different leagues sure, but who would you pick in a one on one? Her big brother two, Anthony may be an off the bench great, but Candace is off the chain. Sure her Basketball family is linked with greatness but she commands the top.

CANDACE: can-dace. Basketball beauty, the genetic make-up of a true star.

You see Candace aint playing...oh wait a minute yes she is. With the WNBA season being a Summer fixture like extra classes, Candace has taken her basketball studies overseas. Taking the Brandon Jennings route, (but in different ways) Parker is making up time that would otherwise be lost by playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg of Russia. Just like B.J. before and Shaq and whoever else next (with the impending, potential NBA lockout), Candace doesn't need the money, but she does need the playing time. Why, because any great player, established like Shaq or establishing like Jennings need to constantly hone their game to be the best they can be, whatever the talent. Sure Candace could heave up 100 made shots before she leaves the gym in the warmth and familiarity of Los Angeles, but nothing beats real, competitive action, or the rise of international ball for that matter. It did wonders for Brandon Jennings when age restrictions prevented his seasoning in the league and now it's going to expand the world-wide appeal of one of the best female athletes even more. Candace is no slouch overseas either, exporting her talents on a nightly basis. Playing just like she does in the States increasing her status over two leagues. She's making her point, or should I say points two, dropping more 23's than the Chicago Bulls gift shop.

Sure the fresh feeling of Candace Parker's hype may not have been left out a little too long, but what does that change? There is nothing raw or in the refrigerator about this cool, cold player. She's as hot as the forecasts predicted on and off the court. Ever since her 34 point debut this girl has been putting up numbers Shaq size and now at 24 with a family and a legacy, this woman's work and best years are still ahead. This former WNBA Rookie Of The Year and MVP, is already in the elite company of NBA legends, Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld. If you drop the W, Parker still loses nothing and with all that she's achieved and her extra curricula, European vacation, Candace is chasing and gaining even more. Male or female, it doesn't matter, this talented Naismith and Wooden award winner is Basketball. Anyone who doesn't believe that should bounce.

THROUGH THE WIRE: MONDAY (01/24/10)

24. It looks like Carmelo Anthony isn't the only one leaving contract offers on the table. After the New Jersey deal died last week across the Hudson, the New York Knicks have an offer for Denver. The Knicks who are hoping to craft a superteam of their own to rival their rivals Miami with Stoudemire, Carmelo and hopefully Chris Paul. They have presented Denver with these Knick nuggets, impressive swingman Wilson Chandler, Landry Fields, the expiring contract of Eddy Curry and possibly tlaent Anthony Randolph for a first round pick. Denver however have gone one better then Carmelo by not just leaving this contract on the table, but pushing it off, rejecting the Knicks deal. Chicago and Houston also are looking to be part of the 'Melo mayhem. As for the Knicks, they better try again or wait for the offseason, where Carmelo could end up playing out and being a free agent. Still, right now we ask you. Who's in control in this situation? Sond off!

48. Anthony Randolph may not be part of a Denver/New York deal but he's still looks like he could be trading places like Eddie Murphy. This raw talent is in hot demand by the Portland Trail Blazers who are missing more than a couple of players. This talented forward is out of the rotation but could go full circle for a roster spot out west. Portland however are only offering lottery picks. Sll don't gamble on New York keeping this guy past February 24th's trade deadline.

82. Some of the Miami Heats's superfriends are injured and out cold right now. Good for them one of their biggest free agent signings, not presented with fireworks has returned himself from injury with a boom. Mike Miller shot the lights out and dropped 32 on his return to play against Toronto. The Heat iced the Raptors 120-103 thanks to strong play from the former Rookie Of The Yaer who also rebounded from injury and ill-for with 10 boards. With Wade out of action with Bosh, it was Miller's time and as Mike stepped up Wade posted "Dwyane who?" on his Twitter, how about a re-tweet Chris?

O.T. There will be no Bird call for Denver who will miss Chris Anderson today. The Birdman is flapping with injury...Portlands Brandon Roy however is looking optimistic after surgery on both his knees. He expects to be back this season, still with all that cartilage damage do his legs have anything left?...meanwhile with all the inuries in the league right now somethings got to give like a Big Boi and Mary J. Blige song. A battered and bruised Eric Gordon believes the league is getting too physical and this stocky, strong guard is no shrinking violet. Maybe with these comments and his lower-back contusion, suffered against Golden State, this warrior has pinpointed the problem? TIM DAVID HARVEY.

THROUGH THE WIRE: TUESDAY

24. Derek Fisher couldnt recreate his clutch magic against the Clippers this weekend but he was up to his old tricks against Oklahoma hitting big buckets and threes. He scored a season-high, 15 points en route to the Lake Show's 101-94 win against Oklahoma City. Pau and Kobe also helped weather the Thunder, both collecting 21 points. The Lakers won their eigth of nine as Russell Westbrook (32 points and 12 assists) and Kevin Durant's (24 points)strong play wasn't enough. The team that almost beat the Lakers in the playoffs last year, showed they could still match up to the Lakers in this regular season game. Phil Jackson had a lot of respect for his opponent but also appreciated his own team saying, ."It's a good win for us. Our intensity was right on a back-to-back night. We had the energy necessary to win against a young and very active team."

48. The other Los Angeles team really are making a name for themselves and this is thank to their big rookie, Blake Griffin. After beating the Lakers the Clippers won again thanks to Blake's huge game. With a career-high 47 points and 14 rebounds, Griffin showed his offensive skill set with dunks, hooks and three-pointers. Behind this rooks grown man performance the Clips beat the Indiana Pacers 114-107. L.A. and Blake's 7 point win over the Pacers helped write off even more critics, "It's cool because all I hear is, 'He can dunk and jumps high,' " Griffin said silencing those who thought he and his team where limited. With his 33rd double, double this season Blake capped off an incredible run of form for him and his team. His new nickname should be, 'monster', because that's what he's playing like.

82. There's something about the Atlanta Hawks and guys named Wilkins. The ATL unit have signed swingman Damien Wilkins to a second, straight 10-day contract. D. Wilkins has played 17 games and is averaging 2.4 points per game. I guess the Hawks are liking their latest Wilkins, who is supplementing well in reserve for injured Joe Johnson. Maybe they should extend his contract to a full-time gig. He is Hawk legend Damien Wilkins nephew after all.

O.T. Russell Westbrook is hot right now, once again being named the Western Conference Player Of The Week. Derrick Rose took the honors in the East...more on the Miami Heat injuries. Bosh will sit out of the next game while LeBron will be a game time decision...in other injury news Brandon Roy has had the surgery on both his knees. Portlands new nickname should be the pain-Blazers. Get well soon Roy. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

THROUGH THE WIRE: MONDAY

24. The last time these twin city teams met on the same (Clipper's turn) floor Derek Fisher hit a clutch lay-up to win the game. This time he was almost hit in the face as he tried to break up a scuffle to close out the game. The Lakers where obviously frustrated as this weekend it was the Clip show who owned STAPLES in more ways than one. As their 99-92 victory over the Lakers came to a head, Lamar Odom got into a shoving match with Blake Griffin after battling for a rebound, which also saw Ron Artest and Baron Davis get into it. All four players where ejected as this battle of Los Angeles rivalry intensifies. The hotter this Griffin/Gordon/Davis tandem Clipper team gets, the more heated this same city/same building rivalry gets. The Clippers have won 9 of their last 13 games and may soon rival the New York Knicks in the improvement scales. Kobe had 27 for the Lakers and Bynum a double, 18 and 13. Gasol however was held to an opposite, 13 and 8 as he was also whistled out the game for fouling out. The Clips were all fire though as in a great guarded game, Eric Gordon scored 30 points and Baron Davis had 14 and 8 assists. While Blake Griffin dunked and muscled his way to 18 points and 15 rebounds. Now that's strength from the young underdog.

48. Just when things were going great for Miami's superfriends kryptonite has hit voltron, but don't worry these heroes will rise again. LeBron James, Dywane Wade and Chris Bosh just all sat out of practice Monday for what Wade dubbed, "Heat history". This indeed was the first time all three sat out-bar a few shots. Wade was looking after a sore knee, while Bosh and James joined what seems like everyone else in the league with ankle injuries. All three however aren't looking at serious problems but want to stay fresh for an upcoming road trip that will be a real excursion, not in the sense of their opponents, but their time between games with gaps of around 5 to 6 days. Hope you like hotel rooms guys.

82. Congratulations are in order for Vince Carter who has reached 20,000th points for his career. The recently acquired, Phoenix Sun is only the 37th player in league history to do this (and the eighth active). As Vince climbs the scoring charts he shows he is still a potent force in the L, even though he constantly gets written off my disgruntled fans and critics who think he's all hops and no yeast. Still through all this get Carter hate, this better talent of the league keeps his love for the game going, dunking, scoring and achieving. Good on him. Well done.

O.T. On the 25th anniversary of MLK day, the NBA and the world remembers an extraordinary, genuine iconic, historical figure, Martin Luther King Jnr. Thank you and rest in peace...also to mark this day Willie Mays and NBA Hall of Famers Willis Reed and Lenny Wilkens were honored by the Memphis Grizzlies as they received the 'National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award'. An honor that recognises the athletes who have made significant contributions to civil and human rights in the world. Congratulations and appreciations are in order...Joakim Noah hopes to return to the Chicago Bulls soon...while the Houston Rockets veterans will have to carry their own bags for awhile as they have assigned rookie guard, Ishmael Smith to the D-League...now I know you want to know about Carmelo. Well he insists he'll still be a Nugget this week, while his Denver team have granted a meeting between the player and New Jersey. A meeting Net coach, Avery Johnson knows nothing about. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

WADE'S WORLD 2

Looking after number one...or in this case number 3.

By Tim David Harvey



LeBron James made league, sports business and hater history by taking his talents to South Beach this Summer, while feeling the love in Florida but catching hell in Cleveland all at the same time. Using the same pen as Chris Bosh, James inked Miami's championship promise and the Heat's future threat. Still there was another big contact signed that very week. Sure it didn't come with a new jersey like maybe Carmelo Anthony, but it came with loyalty and respect. It was all about family and the catalyst of adding even more relatives to this portrait. When the name Dwyane Wade was signed on the dotted line, this super-future was certified.

Sure 'The Heatles' would be nothing without their Paul McCartney, but they really wouldn't be s*** without their John Lennon, their founder, Dwyane Wade (and just for the record Chris Bosh is no Ringo Starr). It all begun and could have ended with him. Imagine! Dwyane Wade's wheelchair to stair lift rise back from league purgatory to playoff victory really made Miami more than just a desirable location for holiday makers during Spring break. D was and still is the centrepiece to the birth and rise of this big three. With Wade and the Heat's resurgence the Heat re-tooled to re-try to relive 2006 Championship renaissance. Two players and two regular season months later it all came together as critics arguments fell apart. Now things look even brighter in South Beach. 'Here Comes The Sun'.



LeBron's decision points where (for some) as unwelcome as George Bush's autobiography. Still as the hate boiled, LeBron's love for the game didn't simmer...neither did his talents. As he led this Miami side, he racked up the triple doubles, 'Player Of The Week' honors and 'Where Amazing Happens' moments. Still as James now relishes this villain role, let's not forget about Miami's original hero in a flash. Their real undisputed leader, a real Larry O'Brien heavyweight already holding a championship belt. "FLASH! AH, AH!"

Until LeBron takes the Heat to places Wade can't it's Dwyane's team. With that being said however, it isn't about rivalry there in Miami. The hate is left outside like the competition. LeBron and Dwyane (and Chris) will work together for their classics and their dominance like Lennon and McCartney wrote for theirs. Voltron doesn't form without all it's components. Kobe isn't scared of anyone, but he certainly isn't afraid of one man. Still years back, the one man who was able to run rings around Kobe, season after season, Christmas Day after Christmas Day was Wade. It will be Dwyane's presence two that helps give Miami the gift it really wants. To beat the Lakers and everyone else this year, when last Christmas is permanently in the rear view and next December 25Th is still around six months away.



Sure everyone from blogging critics (except this one) to NBA legends have written James off. From soundbites to rap lyrics, people have bitten and put a wrap on the love for LeBron. Rocks have been thrown at the throne and billboards have come hurtling down like derelict buildings. Still, LeBron isn't the only guy to have been unfairly written off. Chris Bosh knows all too much about this injustice, but that's for another article (look it up. It's here). Dwyane Wade has also felt the lead of the ever changing perspective of a critics pencil. As a matter of fact, so have every player suiting up in the red, white and black. Still, just like his two 'superfriends' Wade's criticism comes with little ground. Look at everything this guy has made up and overcome over the years. From the cellar to a championship, and all the way back down the hill and potentially all the way up again.

'Bron, 'Bron may have the celebrity endorsements, but Jay-Z or no Jay-Hova, Wade has started this new dynasty. LeBron may be the star of stars, but Wade is the recruiter of stars and the saviour of franchises. James may be league MVP, but Dwyane was the best All-Star this year. Just ask a record number of fans in Dallas. LeBron may have the dunks and triple doubles, but so does Wade running the court like 'Ironside', no matter the affliction. From basket, to basket. Offense to defence. Spring sneaker blocks to air-born-again dunks. Circus shots to clutch shots. Wade has a world of talent. He has it all. Strength and speed, vision and savvy, will and unselfishness. A man with star power but a team player also. A true two-guard. Not a shooting guard in a point guards body but a real swingman like the expensive jerseys. Authentic and real, beyond a champion. See the point?



Sure LeBron may tweet about how "Karma's a b****", but it's the Kings dawg that really is getting what comes around...in a good way two. LeBron can us Twitter to chirp back all he likes, (he's earned it) but it's Dwyane's character, across his NBA history timeline that really has earned him the full capacity of his just deserves. Wade has been through it all. From being a lottery pick on a post-Mourning franchise, who really thought they had punched their last ticket, to championship banners. From the downsizing of the big fella, to Pat Riley's slick exit upstairs. From Antoine Walker shaking the law instead of his shimmy, to 'The Glove' finally coming off. Wade's won and lost, saved a lot and paid the cost. Now he's boss. Time to fire back at the hate and trump the young apprentices.

Still, now with new friends, possibilities and hopes, this young fellas time really is now. He was before his time in '06 but now the clock still ticks in his favour. From the power of Bosh to the king's royal decree, Dwyane's next appointment could well be with Larry O'Brien. Sure no trophies have been engraved yet, but sometimes even the distant future already appears written. From 1 right through to 15, Miami can get it done. Still it's Miami's number trois that is the number one, first and foremost leader of their big three. As this Heat team show no signs of cooling down, the pressure will be on Wade to lead by his previous legacy and example. With everything this guy has done and will do however, the forecast is set for even hotter times in this boiler room of young talent in South Beach. Besides, D. Wade's been white hot ever since the American Airlines Arena gave out plain t-shirts before playoff games. Miami's two biggest purchases of the Summer may be what drives this Heat family to the championship, but still it's Daddy's favourite, Miami son that will have his hands on the steering wheel. Besides, it's Dwyane's world after all.

THROUGH THE WIRE: FRIDAY (01/14/10)

24. How many players do the Portland Trail Blazers want to lose to knee injuries? First and foremost over the last few years it was potential, franchise player Greg Oden, then more post players, then Jeff Pendergraph and then rookie Elliot Williams had surgery on both knees. Well now the Blazers real star player Brandon Roy is also having surgery on both his knees. If you think going down on one knee like an old romantic at Times Square on New Years is career threatening than try both. Brandon will have arthroscopic surgery next week and there is no timetable for his return but don't be surprised if he's done for the season. Still, however Brandon had similar surgery before the playoffs last year and made a remarkable return for a series against Phoenix. Roy is averaging 16.6 points per game this season but has missed 16 games due to knee soreness which is attributed to a lack of cartilage. At least the one thing this talent isn't lacking is toughness. Let's not count him out yet.

48. Brandon Roy isn't the only player suffering with injury, by far. Still, one new guy you can add to this list is Chris Anderson. The Birdman won't be spreading his wings anytime soon. Chris is expected to miss a week due to the need to rest a sore right knee and an ailing lower back. The Denver Nuggets, block party favourite has already missed the opening 13 games of this season after undergoing surgery to fix a torn patella tendon in that knee. Anderson also missed eight games after fracturing a bone in his back. The Birdman is averaging 5.0 points and 6.1 rebounds this season and without him things look to get even colder in the Mile High City. BRRRRRRRR!!!

82. It looks like the Minnesota Timberwolves loss is the Toronto Raptors 'Gaines'. After being waived by Minnesota to begin the year. Sundiata Gaines has inked a 10-day contract with the Canadian basketball franchise. The 6, 1, Georgia alumni point previously played for the Utah Jazz and the Idaho Stampede of the NBA's development league. Gaines is expected to make his Toronto debut tonight against the Pistons where he hopes to drive 10 days into a more permanent job.

O.T. Carmelo Anthony may have not have completed his best LeBron James impression yet, but his Nuggets routed James' Heat as The King sat out with an ankle injury...meanwhile it's expected this big 'Melo maneuver will happen next week as Denver, New Jersey and Detroit look to trade...also Kevin Garnett (a big franchise player no stranger to switching teams and their franchise futures) has returned to practice with his Celtics after overcoming his own ankle problems. TIM DAVID HARVEY.