The NBA's In's and Out's

The ins and outs of the NBA can be found right here.

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Disappointing Start in Cleveland

Since Lebron James has returned to Cleveland for this season and those to come he has stated that this first year and the next few would be building years.

He knew, and made sure everyone else knew, the Cav's weren't expecting a championship right away. But James also made it known that they would work hard and put in all that effort to make that championship happen even if it was this year.

From the start of this season, it doesn't look like that championship will be anytime soon. The season the Cav's have started out 1-3. 

95-90 in the loss to the Knicks

114-108 in overtime win against the Bulls

101-82 loss to the Blazers

102-100 loss to Utah

James admitted to ESPN that in two of their losses he tried to assume the roll of a "set-up-man" which gave the Cav's two losses instead of like in their win where he was aggressive like we all know him to be.

James also feels that their offense is lacking. With the bringing in of so many top players and then putting them all in a line up together, players will tend to back off. They just need to build team chemistry and that will come. That is something that can not be rushed.

Needless to say the Cav's are not worried about now or the future  They know and expect greatness and it will come soon enough.

Issac Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images

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His First Game At Home

Tonight on Thursday October 30th, 2015 at 8pm LeBron James will play his first game back in Cleveland.

In 2003 LeBron James was drafted to the Cleveland Cavaliers. His hometown team. The hometown all-star from Akron Ohio was the fans savior. The be all end all. In James' first seven years in the NBA he led the Cavs to a 349-225 win-loss record.

James then left in 2010 to go and join the Miami Heat and be part of the "Big 3" along with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. While in Miami they appeared in the playoffs 3-5 seasons.

James then decided, as he has gotten older and matured through the game the place he belonged to be playing at was in his hometown Cleveland. This past summer James wrote a letter about why he made this decision. When he chose to go to Miami he had a big obnoxious press conference and he was ridiculed for that for a long time. "For me, I know all of us shouldn't take this moment for granted," James said, "This letter helped James gain back the respect of those people."

LeBrons Letter: I'm Coming Home

Tonight James will play his first game of his second stint in Cleveland. The fans have been awaiting this day for such a long time, and so has James. No one can begin to try to foreshadow what will happen tonight. James told ESPN he feels this will be a night like no other. "This is probably one of the biggest sporting events that is up there ever."

People that are not even Cav's fans are excited for this night. "I love LeBron, I always have," said Utica College student Rob Tutin. "He is the King, he is the best player in the NBA, and tonight’s game is going to be one for the record books."

This picture is the picture that was placed with LeBrons article on Sports Illustrated online.

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BREAKING NEWS: Steve Nash Out For The Season

ESPN reported on October 23 at 10 pm that Steve Nash, 40, will be out for the remainder of the season. The Lakers guard will mis the season due to a recurring back injury. 

A week before the start of what would have been Nash's 19th season, both his camp and the Lakers camp made the combined decision. This decision follows a season in which Nash only appeared in 15 games due to nerve irritation. Nash only appeared in three of the Lakers preseason games before feeling the back pain resurface. 

Lakers fans have faith in the veteran guard. "I think Steve will take the same route that Kobe took. Take the year off to get healthy and then come back for a final year to show everyone he still has it and to go out playing not hurt," said Kelcei Edmonds

Since 2012 when the Lakers made a trade of four draft picks to obtain Nash, he has only played 65 games. The NBA's oldest active player, is due more than $9 million this season. Nash is the greatest Canadian player to ever play in the NBA, and a top guard in his generation.

Noah Graham /NBAE via Getty Images

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Kevin Durant to miss start of season

Monday October 13th, the Oklahoma City Thunder found out they would have to start the season without their MVP on the court. Kevin Durant was diagnosed with a fracture on the bone of his small toe in his right foot. This is known as a Jones Fracture. Durant will be out for an unknown length of time.

On Thursday October 16th Durant underwent a successful surgery. His surgery was at a clinic in North Carolina. Both Durant and his representatives felt that surgery was a must. In six- weeks he will be further evaluated to find out a definite time frame of absence. 

The Thunder begin their season Oct. 29 in Portland. The six-week recovery could have Durant in the starting line up forr the start of December. With about 65 games remaining, a big chunk of the season, the Thunder may still have a chance.

Durant has only been out for a maximum seven games and that was because of a sprained ankle. This six-week period for Durant is just the second injure he has taken time out of the game for. Compared to the rest of the NBA Kevin Durant ranks first in minutes played and points scored since 2007. 

Durant watching from the sideline in '08 with the sprained ankle

Getty Images

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5-Year-Old JP Gibson Plays for the Utah Jazz

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Utah Jazz Grant a Wish

On Monday October 6th, the Utah Jazz signed 5-year-old JP Gibson do a one day contract. Gibson was signed as a free-agent guard for the special intrasquad scrimmage. 

Gibson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Gibson was accompanied by his parents and two year old sister. The family was hosted by the Jazz and photographer Jon Diaz's "Anything Can Be" project, which creates storybooks for children with cancer about their dreams and wishes. 

Gibson entered the scrimmage, got the ball dribbled through the whole team until he met Rudy Gobert in the lane who hoisted him up so he could slam it down. The Jazz team all ran to give him high fives and congratulations. 

ESPN reported, "JP loves most sports, but basketball is definitely his favorite," Megan Gibson, JP’s mother, said in a statement released by the Jazz. "When he was just over a year old, he would sit with my husband, Josh, watching games. He started insisting on shooting hoops for an hour each night before bedtime when he was just 15 months old. He knows he has to be 6 before he can play Junior Jazz, and he reminds us all the time that he can't wait until he's 6."

From the Utah Jazz Tweet of the signing.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF JP IN THE GAME BELOW !!

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The 2014-2015 Season Is Underway

Monday September 29th marked the start of the season has begun. NBA teams took part in Media days yesterday. Those included photo shoots of rookies and new comers as well as returning players. Tuesday was the start of preseason camps.

These media days were highly anticipated because of the big time trades and the lack of trades made this offseason. LeBron to Cleveland and Carmelo staying in NY were to main focuses this summer.

The NBA did a great job with scheduling big games. They knew what people wanted to see and they wanted this season to catch everyones eyes.

Christmas day will be one for the books. 

NY-Washington- Two teams that should be at the top of the eastern conference

OKC-San Antonio-Western Conference Finals matchup

Cleveland-MIami- LeBron returns home

Golden State-LA Clippers-Western Conference playoff matchup

This long anticipated NBA season is just around the corner. Preseason games being on Saturday October 4th as the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Miami Heat in Miami.

Preseason stretches until October 24th. The NBA takes a four day break before gearing up for the start of it all. Tuesday Oct. 28 the season kicks off with Orlando at New Orleans.

AP Photo/Mark Duncan

LeBron James knows he'll be the voice of the team, but he's willing to share ball duties with Kyrie Irving.

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The NBA Steers Clear of NFL Problems

Recently the NFL has dealt with a handful of incidents involving their athletes. These range from simple drug violations to domestic violence and child abuse.

The NFL has received a lot of back lash for their inadequate handling of these issues. Their policies have been exposed and now everyone is cracking down on how poorly they were made.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver was questioned about his feelings on how fellow professional league commissioner Roger Godell has handled these issues.

Silver stated that the NBA will "take a fresh look" at their domestic violence policies. He went on to say how these professional leagues all learn from one another. 

Since Silver has become the new commissioner of the NBA he has faced a bunch of issues and handled them extremely well. From issues with players to unruly owners. 

Something that Silver should be commended for is how he is looking out for the NBA and wants to continuously make it a better league. 

ESPN reported "The NBA has specific policies regarding violent misconduct and unlawful violence, which includes domestic violence. The current collective bargaining agreement calls for a minimum 10-game suspension and mandatory counseling for a conviction on a first offense."

As we look forward to this NBA season we will expect to see some rule changes and expect that any violations will be death with in a harsh manor.

Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports

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Gold comes home to USA

Sunday September 14th team USA brought home the gold. USA beat Serbia 129-92 in the championship game to win the FIBA World Championship.

Something that really stands out is that this team, yes comprised of NBA players and good ones at that, was not the USA team we all know. There was no Kobe, Carmelo, LeBron, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant. None of the staple names of the NBA were present. That is something that makes this win even better.

"I think it is good that the notable players do not participate. It keeps players from getting hurt and it also allows the younger players to get experience," said Junior Mary Miceli of Utica College.

Team USA bullied the competition. They won all nine games in convincing fashion. No team came within 21 points of beating the national team.

Kyrie Irving won the MVP as he pushed USA to the gold with 26 points and four assists. Following right behind him was James Harden who had a very good scoring tournament. He added 23 points.

With this championship win the US team has earned a berth to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

(Juanjo Martin/European Pressphoto Agency) Team USA after accepting their gold medals and their trophy.

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USA to the Final game….Is Gold in their future?

Thursday night in Spain the US team had another tough game but they came out on top and advanced to the championship game.

In Thursday's game Kyrie irving netted 18 points while Klay Thompson added 16 to help push the US past Lithuania in their 96-68 victory.

The team looks forward to Sunday when they will travel to Madrid and play the winner of the Serbia/France game. The US is an even heavier favorite to win the game and become the back to back Champions because of Frances' upset against Spain on Wednesday.

This game was one of the more physical games the Americans played in. DeMarcus Cousins reacted after it looked like he was elbowed in the neck by center Jonas Valanciunas of Lithuania. Cousins got ready to react as if he were going to punch Valanciunas. Because of this reaction Cousins received a technical foul.

You can cheer on the National team on sunday on ESPN when they take on either France or Serbia. They are in search of back to back FIBA World Championships.

Photo from David Ramos/ Getty Images 

Coach Mike Krzyzewski cheering on his team as they blow past Lithuania. 

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USA Basketball on Cruise Control

Today in Spain the USA national team continued their spectacular play in world cup play with a convincing 95-71 win over Ukraine.

  The rising star for team USA Anthony Davis continues to dominate the international competition. In today’s game Davis recorded 12 points and six rebounds. James Harden led team USA with 17 points and five assists to elevate the team to their third win. The USA is now 5-0 in the preliminary round.

  This game, unlike the preliminary games, was not an easy one. The US had to battle back to keep a 44-32 lead at half. Until the fourth quarter, when team USA outscored the Ukraine national team 26-17, the game was up for grabs. Team USA was slow to start the game. That slow start is following another slow start they had against New Zealand on Tuesday.

This win points straight to solid defense. Despite the slow start offensively, team USA’s defense was spot on from the opening tip. That great defense gave them the opportunity to convert when they were slow offensively. USA managed to net 32 points off of the Ukraine’s 19 turnovers. And the hard work on the offensive boards by Kenneth Faried and Anthony Davis combining for 14 rebounds they scored 22-second chance points.

On Saturday USA looks to take on Mexico (2-3), and are the No. 4 seed from Group D in the round of 16. 

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