What is the LeBron Karma Tweet?
No denying that LeBron is one of the greatest talents in the NBA. But it is now also hard to ignore the fact that when he opens his mouth, it’s usually to insert his foot. After his old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, got taking to the woodshed by the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday 112-57, LeBron made the following tweet.

LeBron Karma Tweet

Really? You’re taunting the team you left high and dry? The same team that handcuffed themselves with garbage contracts to appease you?

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Rajon Rondo is powering the Boston Celtics again. Held out for 6 games with lingering injuries (hamstring, ankle sprain, plantar fasciitis), Rondo returned on Sunday to help Boston cruise past the Toronto Raptors 93-79 in Canada. Though his performance was anything but stellar (4 points, 8 assists, 5 turnovers in 33 minutes), the calming influence of Rondo makes this Celtics team go.

Another night, another win with Rondo back in the starting lineup. Monday’s victim was the Minnesota Timberwolves. Though a hard fought battle that came down to the wire, the Celtics eeked out a 96-93 victory, despite the monster 12 point, 24 rebound performance from Kevin Love. Rajon Rondo did his playmaking thing with 6 points and 16 assists in nearly 35 minutes of action. Paul Pierce apparently had forgotten that Rondo was back. In the first half, Pierce was passing up shots to try to get other players involved. Doc Rivers had to remind Pierce that Rondo was back.

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were huge for the Celtics when Rondo was out. Pierce transitioned to playmaker and Ray Allen put more of the offense on his shoulder. Kevin Garnett was a beast, but his injury prompted Rivers to bring back Rondo — ready or not. Rajon Rondo still leads the league in assists and is showing his MVP-type value to Boston. With Rondo (and a healthy Garnett), few teams if any are better than Boston. Sans Rondo, Boston is a team that struggles at times to create a flowing offense. Nate Robinson has done his best, but he is simply not the same point guard as Rajon.

The Cleveland Cavaliers got kicked in the teeth over the summer when their native son, LeBron James, announced on national television that he would not be staying in Cleveland, but rather “taking his talents to South Beach.” As you might have guessed, every red-blooded Clevelander has had December 2nd marked on their calendar since the NBA released the 2010-11 basketball schedule.

LeBron James Returns to Cleveland on December 2, 2010

Maybe only one game (or two) so far this season have brought with it an enormous Superbowl-type hype with it. The opening tip between Boston and Miami felt like a Game 7. The first Orlando v. Miami game also had something special, until the blowout of the second half. These games were hyped because everyone wanted to see how Miami measured up against the NBA heavyweights.

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Deron Williams normally saves his best for the playoffs. But in the last few weeks, he has shown the NBA that he can turn it on anytime he wants.

The Utah Jazz completed a memorable East Coast road trip sweep when they knocked off Miami, Orlando, and Atlanta in consecutive games. They just added the a Lakers scalp to their war chest after a come-from-behind victory in Utah last night. The Jazz, led by 29 points from All-Star guard Deron Williams, trailed most of the game, but made big shots down the stretch to pull out a 102-96 victory.

Earl Watson and Ronnie Price added some punch from the bench when it was clear that the starters were not bringing the energy early. Andre Kirilenko, Al Jefferson, and Paul Millsap also put up good performances. And the Jazz stayed cool in the fourth quarter despite a 14-point explosion from Kobe Bryant. Good defense by Kirilenko and a 3 by Deron Williams helped hold off a 31 point performance by Kobe and a 21 point, 11 rebound night for Pau Gasol.

It was more than just a win for the Jazz. The win helped take the sting out of the year-ending series loss the Jazz suffered against the Lakers and put Utah back on the championship map. This after Utah lost Boozer, Wesley Matthews, Ronnie Brewer, and Kyle Korver to free agency. The development of Paul Millsap and the defensive presence of Al Jefferson has created a new look Jazz team.

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The weight of heavy expectations can burden even the best of us. Was it really possible for Obama to solve all of the domestic and foreign problems in the US within 2 years? Probably not. But the expectations of the American President pale in comparison to what was expected of the Dynamic Three-O of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat. Anything less than a championship in season one is an utter disaster.

Miami opened its season against the veteran Boston Celtics is a game that was only close the first two minutes. Miami was humbled by a well-oiled Celtics machine that is to big down low and too smart on the bench to give in to the Miami Heat hype. Fast forward to game 14 and the Heat are a pedestrian 8-6, a game and a half behind Orlando and tied with a suddenly-swooning Atlanta team.

What happened to the 72 win possibility for the Miami Heat?

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Who would have thought that the OKC Thunder could win without Kevin Durant. Add to the mix that Jeff Green is also injured and the Oklahoma City Thunder are playing on the road against Boston and Milwaukee, they have to lose, right? Wrong!

Russell Westbrook has been an absolute beast the entire season. With Durant and Green on the shelf, he has carried more of the offensive load himself. James Harden has also picked up the slack and the Thunder are getting good production from Serge Ibaka down low. The real key to the success of Oklahoma City has been their free throw shooting. Averaging in the mid 80s as a team, OKC makes you pay dearly anytime you foul them. They were able to get into the bonus quickly against Boston and that was all she wrote. Additionally, the All-NBA defender Rajon Rondo had a tough time slowing down the lightning quick Westbrook. Westbrook could get to the hoop almost at will until the Celtics started zoning and trapping him. Final score in Boston: OKC 89 – BOS 84.

Much the same story in Milwaukee but it was James Harden who helped carry the load as the Thunder got by the Bucks 82-81. Harden had 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 three pointers. Westbrook closed the game out by making two free throws with 7.3 seconds left. Looking ahead, you have to like the Thunder’s chances when they get healthy. A confident James Harden only strengthens this squad. In the last few games he has rediscovered his shooting form. When Cole Aldrich and Nick Collison are added to the mix, you finally get some solid rebounding and low post moves.

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