King of clang: LeBron looking lame at line lately

Basketball Betting Lines

02/05/2007 -

CLEVELAND (AP) - His royal image is being tarnished with almost every trip to the foul line. From 15 feet, LeBron James has become the King of clang.

In his last 10 games, Cleveland's All-Star forward has made just 59 of 98 free throws, Shaq-like statistics that have dropped his average from the line to 68 percent - 7 points below his career average.

``Right now,'' he said. ``I'm in Strugglesville.''

This is a disturbing trend for James and the Cavaliers, who have been the NBA's worst free-throw shooting team (68 percent) most of the season. Until the team starts making more fouls shots they will continue to blow leads and give away victories. Not exactly the stuff of a title contender.

James is determined to fix the biggest flaw in his otherwise impeccable game.

``I'm just trying to make them,'' he said. ``I've shot in the high 70s my whole career and in the 80s in high school. It has never been a problem for me, and it's not going to be a problem now. I just have to go up there and make them.''

Easier said than done.

James, just 20-for-38 in his past five games, has spent extra time after practice working with Cavaliers assistant coach Chris Jent on his poor foul shooting. Jent has made some fundamental adjustments to James' shot, but so far the results aren't showing.

``We're just trying to change how much time he is at the line, make it more of a rhythm shot,'' Jent said. ``We haven't done much more than that, it's him trying to find a comfortable routine.

``Free-throw shooting is so much mental that the routine part of it is important so your body feels comfortable. Right now, we're trying to find that comfort level and sometimes when that happens, you regress before you progress. For him, it's kind of a hard time right now.''

James' misses are magnified because of how often he gets to the line, and when he gets there.

Of the 16 players who had attempted 300 free throws entering Monday's games, he ranked 13th in free-throw percentage, ahead of only San Antonio's Tim Duncan (64 percent), Orlando's Dwight Howard (62) and New York's Eddy Curry (61) - all big men.

And among the league's superstars and possible MVP candidates, James ranks far behind Dirk Nowitzki (91), Steve Nash (88), Kobe Bryant (86), Gilbert Arenas (84) and Dwyane Wade (81). Even 7-foot-6 Yao Ming (87 percent) shoots his free throws better than James.

If he doesn't improve, teams may be more inclined to foul him late in games, knowing the pressure might shake his already wobbly confidence.

When he steps to the line, James said he doesn't think of anything other than making his shots. There are no meditation or relaxation techniques.

``I just want to get up there and make them and hurry up and get off the free-throw line,'' he said.

Part of James' problem could be that he's spending more time at the line than might be necessary.

His foul-line ritual is to kiss one wristband, then the other - a tribute to his mother, Gloria, and girlfriend, Savannah - before focusing on the basket and shooting. Lately, more often than not, he smacks the ball off the rim.

``I'm trying to find a groove,'' he said. ``I just have to stick with the routine I've been doing lately and get better.''

The lack of accuracy has nothing to do with physical limitations. His hands aren't too big - an excuse offered for Shaquille O'Neal - and he's not coming off an injury like Ohio State center Greg Oden, who has had to shoot free throws left handed following surgery on his right wrist.

The problem, James admits, has crept into his mind.

``It can be mental sometimes, and right now it is,'' he said. ``At practice, I don't miss. I get in the game, and I miss.''

In a nationally televised loss last week at Miami, James missed three free throws in less than 18 seconds during a crucial juncture of the fourth quarter, including one that would have tied the score with 44.8 seconds remaining.

He finished 3-for-8 from the line, a bad night made worse because it came in the same game that Wade made 23 of 24 free throws, dropping his first 21 in a row.

Jent is confident that once James gets his routine down, his free throws will go down, too.

``He's got touch. He's got perception and he has the ability to shoot the ball,'' he said. ``It's just being comfortable at the line. Right now, he's not comfortable.''

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Wwwalpscasino Basketball Betting News

<< Super Bowl TV Ratings
NEW YORK (AP) -Super Bowl television ratings and shares, including network (both NBC and CBS televised the first Super Bowl). The rating represents the percentage of televisions tuned in to a program. The share is the percentage of televisions on at

<< Reinfeldt could be Titans' next GM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -The Tennessee Titans promised they would take their time searching for a new general manager, and they have done just that. Now a month after Floyd Reese resigned, owner Bud Adams may have his man.Adams' top candidate is Mike

<< Morgan State coach charged with misdemeanor assault
FARMVILLE, Va. (AP) -Morgan State basketball coach Todd Bozeman was charged with misdemeanor assault after an argument with a restaurant employee following a close loss to Longwood.Bozeman also is being charged with curse and abuse, Sgt. Pam Wilson

<< Bulls-Jazz Preview
The Utah Jazz know they are a better team with All-Star forward Carlos Boozer in the lineup. They also know they can win without him.The Jazz try to make it three straight wins against some of the league's top teams on Monday when they host the Chic

<< Max Lanier, former Cardinals pitcher, dies at 91
DUNELLON, Fla. (AP) -Max Lanier, who pitched in three consecutive World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals during World War II, has died. He was 91.He died last Tuesday and was buried with a Cardinals cap last weekend, son Hal Lanier, a former major

Redskins' Taylor added to Pro Bowl roster >>
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was added to the NFC's Pro Bowl roster Monday after Brian Dawkins of the Philadelphia Eagles withdrew because of personal reasons.Taylor, who will be making his first Pro Bowl appearance, was

Injured Reds closer Guardado takes minor league contract >>
CINCINNATI (AP) -Closer Eddie Guardado has marked his calendar.The 36-year-old reliever accepted a minor league contract Monday from the Cincinnati Reds, who are giving him a chance to work his way back from reconstructive elbow surgery. The left-ha

Oregon, Bellotti agree to 5-year contract extension >>
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -Oregon football coach Mike Bellotti has agreed to a five-year contract extension.The 56-year-old Bellotti gets a salary of $150,000 a year, with a guaranteed base of $650,000 in compensation that includes such things as car, count

Oregon >>
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Oregon football coach Mike Bellotti has agreed to a five-year contract extension.The 56-year-old Bellotti gets a salary of $150,000 a year, with a guaranteed base of $650,000 in compensation that includes such things as car, coun

Former Syracuse wide receiver J.J. Bedle found dead >>
KEYPORT, N.J. (AP) -Former Syracuse wide receiver J.J. Bedle, who starred here in high school, was found dead at his family's home in town, police said.Bedle, 21, was found Friday morning by a family member, according to police, who did not suspect

MySportsbook.com: NBA Championship Odds

With the playoffs about two months away, the top two teams in the Western Conference are the clear cut leaders to win the NBA Championship. The Dallas Mavericks have the best record in the NBA (44-9) and have been absolutely scorching since the second week of the season.  What makes the Mavs’ record more impressive is the fact that they dropped their first four games of the season.  Currently they have won 17 out of their last 18 and are MySportsbook.com’s favorite (2-1) to win it all.  Right behind the Mavs are the Pacific leading Phoenix Suns (39-13).  Last season, the Suns lost in the Conference Finals to non-other then the Mavericks four games to two.  Of course the Suns were without center Amare Stoudemire who has is averaging 19.9 PPG and 9.5 RPG since coming back from his knee injury.  Unlike the Mavs, the Suns have struggled a bit lately having lost their last three and four out of their last seven.  Of course the main reason for their three straight loses is due to the absence of two time MVP Steve Nash, who is out with a shoulder injury.  Heads-up, the Mavs have beaten the Suns in both of their meetings this season.

In the Eastern Conference, the Pistons (32-19) are the favorites to win it all at 6-1. The addition of Chris Webber seems to have been a good move for the Pistons.  Since coming over from the 76ers, Webber has averaged 13.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG and the Pistons are 11-4.  Even though the defending champion Heat are currently on the playoff making cusp, they are the Eastern Conference team that is getting the most action to win it all (9-1).  The fact that Shaquille O’Neal is back in the starting lineup after missing 39 games probably has something to do with this.  No doubt, Shaq makes a difference when in the lineup as their winning six out of their last seven would indicate.

Just because it is the All-Star break doesn’t mean that you can’t bet on NBA hoops this weekend.  Be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com to bet on who you think will cut down the nets this July. Also, be sure to check out all of the lines and props for All-Star weekend.  With the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry, there are plenty of ways to cash in on the NBA this weekend.

MySportsbook.com’s NBA Championship odds:

Atlanta Hawks 1000-1

Boston Celtics 5000-1

Charlotte Bobcats 5000-1

Chicago Bulls 20-1

Cleveland Cavaliers 20-1

Dallas Mavericks 2-1

Denver Nuggets 25-1

Detroit Pistons 6-1

Golden State Warriors 250-1

Houston Rockets 12-1

Indiana Pacers 60-1

Los Angeles Clippers 45-1

Memphis Grizzlies 5000-1

Miami Heat 9-1

Milwaukee Bucks 1000-1

Minnesota T-Wolves 200-1

New Jersey Nets 50-1

New Orleans Hornets 150-1

New York Knicks 150-1

Orlando Magic 75-1

Philadelphia 76ers 1000-1

Phoenix Suns 5-2

Portland TrailBlazers 1000-1

Sacramento Kings 250-1

San Antonio Spurs 9-1

Seattle Sonics 5000-1

Toronto Raptors 35-1

Utah Jazz 20-1

Washington Wizards 25-1

About MySportsbook.com:


MySportsbook.com  is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best online Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.