Forum » g Robinson. In fact, I think it is a blessing in disguise and mi

CLEVELAND - The sold-out arena buzzed with 20,000 fans decked out in matching gold T-shirts. Darius Garland Jersey . There was a national TV audience, two high-profile teams and All-Stars all over the floor.It felt like the playoffs in January. LeBron James played as if it was June.James scored 34 points, including the first eight in the fourth quarter, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-98 on Sunday for their sixth straight win.James made a pair of 3-pointers and a nasty fade-away jumper to give the Cavs a 91-80 lead. Later, the four-time MVP fed Kevin Love for a 3-pointer with 3:38 left that put the Thunder away.The Cavs, who seemed to be unraveling two weeks ago during a six-game losing streak, are now 6-1 since James returned after missing eight games with a strained back and knee.After going scoreless in the third quarter, James scored 12 in the fourth as the Cavs kept their momentum rolling.Were a confident bunch, James said. But for us, were a humble bunch. Its one game versus a very experienced team, a very talented team, a very good team thats been together for a while. It shows that we can match up with some of the high-calibre teams.Love added 19 points and 13 rebounds, Kyrie Irving scored 21 and J.R. Smith had 14 as the Cavs concluded a 4-0 homestand. Reserve Tristan Thompson grabbed 16 rebounds.Kevin Durant scored 32 with nine assists and Russell Westbrook had 22 points for the Thunder, who went 3-2 on their longest road trip this season. Dion Waiters, acquired from Cleveland in a three-way trade earlier this month, added 14, but the Thunder shot only 39 per cent and couldnt get big shots to go down.We were a couple of possessions away from really turning the game to a different outcome, Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. Give them credit. Theyre playing good basketball right now and they have three great players.James sat out Clevelands previous game at Oklahoma City on Dec. 11 with a sore left knee, and Brooks was hoping he wouldnt have to see No. 23 again.I want him to miss tonights game too, Brooks said with a laugh before the opening tip. I want every advantage I can get. Hes not missing it, is he?Unfortunately for the Thunder, and the rest of the league, James is back to playing like himself after the two-week health break. He is averaging 30.3 points in his past seven games, attacking the rim with renewed vengeance. His flurry early in the fourth was capped by a long 3 over Waiters, and James punctuated the shot with a menacing glare toward Oklahoma Citys bench.The matchup between the NBAs past two MVPs — and teams expected to contend for the title — had a playoff-like vibe. Both teams played as if there was more at stake. There were highlight-reel worthy dunks, hard fouls and some trash talking.Waiters was booed when he came in as a sub in the first quarter. Cavs fans didnt appreciate his recent comments that he didnt touch the ball enough when he was in Cleveland.I didnt pay any mind to that, said Waiters, who hugged James following the game. It is what it is. Boos, no boos. I cant focus on that kind of stuff.STOPPERSThe Cavs have held their past four opponents under 100 points.The defence sparks the offence, James said. Thats going to be the staple for our season. When we defend, the offence comes a lot easier.TIP-INSThunder: C Kendrick Perkins started for Steven Adams, who was slowed by a migraine headache. Perkins fouled out in the final minutes. ... Oklahoma City is one of just nine teams in league history to be nine games under .500 in the first half of the season before climbing to .500 by the midway point (through 41 games).Cavaliers: The Cavs are 13-0 at home when scoring at least 100. ... A prolific scorer in his own right, Smith marveled at the 37-point third quarter Golden States Klay Thompson pulled off the other night. 13 for 13 in the third, 9 for 9 from 3, 37 (points), unbelievable, Smith said. He should have just walked off the court in the third with the old Larry Bird, one finger up, Ill see you all in the locker room, man, Im hitting the showers.UP NEXTThunder: Host Timberwolves on Monday.Cavaliers: At Detroit on Tuesday. Cedi Osman Jersey . The (35-35-10) Jets have 80 points and are also playing .500 hockey on home ice this season with a 17-17-6 record. Michael Hutchinson will start his second straight game in goal. Tyrone Hill Cavaliers Jersey . The D-Backs came into being in 1998 and appear destined to finish second in the AL West after the Tsunami that is the Los Angeles Dodgers swept over them. I thought it might be interesting to see what the D-backs have done over their 16 years compared to what the Blue Jays have done over their past 16 campaigns. https://www.thecavalierslockerroom.com/Brad-Daugherty-City-Edition-Jersey/ . So heres what I do when I want to get into the baseball mood—I delve into "The Baseball Project".Ed note: The Whitecaps formally introduced Carl Robinson as their new head coach Monday, December 16. The Vancouver Whitecaps have found a replacement for head coach Martin Rennie, who was fired at the end of the 2013 MLS season. And they didnt have to look very far. Rennies former assistant coach, Carl Robinson, will be officially announced as Vancouvers new head coach on Monday, bringing an end to the clubs six-week search for Rennies replacement. This will be Robinsons first job as a head coach after serving the past two seasons as an assistant coach in Vancouver. I knew Robinson as a player when we were on opposite sides of the Old Farm derby in England; I played for Ipswich Town, while Robinson played for our biggest rivals, Norwich City. He was a difficult opponent to play against, and someone who was clearly a leader on and off the field. He never suffered fools and was never afraid to call someone out if they werent performing up to the required standards. He had a very strong tactical understanding of the game as a player, and the fact that he has taken this and other leadership skills into his career as a coach is not a surprise. Robinson didnt jump straight into a head coaching position after calling time on his playing career, though. It was a transition he took gradually, taking the time to educate himself and gain experience as an assistant coach first. He holds the UEFA Pro license - the highest coaching license awarded by Europes governing body. One of Robinsons strengths as a coach is his conviction; he has a clear philosophy about how he wants the game to be played and he believes in his coaching ability. He is, however, open-minded; he is the first to admit that he still has a great deal to learn. Robinson relates very well to younger players, something that will be important for the Whitecaps, who have stated their desire to see more young players graduate from their academy to their first team. Players like Russell Teibert have already made that breakthrough, but others - like Sam Adekugbe, Bryce Alderson, Marco Bustos and Kianz Froese - are expected to do the same in years to come. Alec Burks Cavaliers Jersey. Critics will argue that being the head coach requires a different approach to being an assistant, that you sometimes need to be ruthless with players when you are the man in charge. They will suggest that Robinson might have a difficult time making the transition from being someone the players look to as a friend to being someone who now holds their professional aspirations in his hands. Those critics dont know Robinson very well, though. He wont change the way he interacts with the players - because he wont have to. He has always been a straight talker, and even as an assistant coach was never afraid to offer players praise or constructive criticism, depending on what was required. This is one of the reasons that so many Whitecaps players wanted Robinson as Rennies replacement in the first place - he is honest with them. As a player, more than anything you want your coach to be honest with you. If you know where you stand, what you need to do to get in the first team and what you need to do to stay there, youre happy. Because playing time is the currency that means the most to players. There wont be any mind games with Robinson. Players wont be strung along, taken advantage of or treated poorly. Every player will know exactly where they stand with him, and those that arent pulling their weight will know what areas of their game they need to improve to warrant more playing time. He wont keep everyone happy (no coach ever does) but the players will get nothing but honesty from Robinson, which means he will earn their respect. Critics will suggest that Robinson was third or fourth choice for the Whitecaps, that Bob Bradley and Jason Kreis were always their preferred options, and that Robinson is simply the best of the rest. Those critics might be right - but that doesnt mean the Whitecaps have made the wrong decision hiring Robinson. In fact, I think it is a blessing in disguise and might just be the best decision theyve ever made. ' ' '