Don't forget about LeBron and Kemba and the NBA.

    The NCAA men's basketball tournament is consuming. But I saw compelling basketball Monday night that had nothing to do with seeds or brackets.

     The Charlotte Bobcats beat Washington 119-114 in an old school up and down back and forth NBA game. Gerald Henderson was outstanding for Charlotte, and Josh McRoberts again was good. McRoberts can pass, score and rebound, and he understands.

      But it was Kemba Walker who made the game his. As the Bobcats made their game-clinching run Walker took a charge, was knocked to the court and jumped up smiling. He stole the ball. He hit a pretty jumper off the glass. He twice went to the basket like a crazed pinball, bouncing around bigger defenders for layups.

      Leading the Bobcats to a home victory against the Wizards is not the same as leading Connecticut to the national championship. But for a Monday night it's not bad.

       Later Monday, Miami rallied for a 105-103 road victory against Boston. I watched Jeff Green play for Georgetown in the NCAA tournament and thought, this guy is going to be good. He was Monday. He scored a career high 43 points for Boston and he scored them efficiently, taking only 21 field goal attempts.

      But Dwayne Wade turned humble for Miami, looking for LeBron rather than looking to score. James, in turn, made his usual array of dazzling passes and scored when he needed to, which in the last couple minutes was almost every time he had the ball. He scored 37 and had a game-high 12 assists.

     Miami has now won 23 straight. The streak generates considerable attention and lets fans know that, even in March, the NBA is still here.

 

 

Comments

[big gulps]

NBA stinks.....but nice try.

[BringBackTheBuz]

Actually ESPN did a Poll at the beginning of the year and the NBA was more popular then College. NBA is on the rise again thanks to Lebron.

[Tim]

Fun Bobcats game. Was great to get home and catch the end of Heat game. It was a pretty good Monday.

[Dan]

As great as college basketball is for three weeks, including the conference tourney, the quality of play in the NBA is absurdly better. Don't even tell me they don't play defense, or can't shoot, because if you want it then you know that's not true. I love both brands of basketball also, and take off work for the NCAA Tourney.

[TherealJD]

Ditto for me Tim. Also went to the game and had a great time. Walked to Epicentre to catch the end of the Heat/Celtics game. Good Monday indeed.

[BringBackTheBuz]

That Bobcats game was a blast, the block Hendo had was insane live!

[Nick]

I'm an NBA fan, but they have to work on their officiating. It's almost not fun to watch when the stars get every call. Don't get me started on continuation... you get fouled at the three point line and continue for a layup +1. And then there's traveling...

[Big Bad John]

Today's college basketball stinks compared to college basketball in the '70s, '80s, and early '90s. NBA is by far better. The good college players are gone to the NBA after 1 year. High school games are more fun to watch than NCAA basketball. I'd rather watch any 'CATS game than the god awful NCAA tournament. College basketball has lost it's way.

[Bobcat Bucks]

Anybody who doesn't like the NBA is an idiot.

[David]

Great Great game. Don't care if they win if they play that style of basketball. It was like Nuggets game. Lots of fast break action. Really enjoyed it.

[chris in union county]

Charlotte Bobcats (Hornets) 2018-19 NBA Champs !!!

[TJ]

I don't care if it's Junior high girls, (no offense intended...) basketball is fun to watch anytime, anywhere. Though I've said for years the 3 weeks in March are some of the best sports viewing of the year...