Heat’s James likely to wear clear mask Saturday

Will we see LeBron James with a different mask choice? (USATSI)

Did you get enough of LeBane James Thursday night when the Miami Heat destroyed the New York Knicks? Hopefully you did because we may not see LeBron James wearing the carbon fiber version of the protective mask we saw on Thursday. While the NBA hasn't banned black masks like we've seen James, Kobe Bryant, and Kyrie Irving wear, it appears they prefer to see players wear the clear masks like we're used to with Richard Hamilton's accessory choice.

That's why Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report tells us to not be surprised if James is wearing a clear mask Saturday when the Heat face the Orlando Magic.

Don't be surprised if LeBron wears a clear mask on Saturday. League has not banned the black mask, but prefers the clear. One is in works.

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) February 28, 2014

James had a phenomenal night in the dark mask, scoring 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting to go with four rebounds and four assists. That might have been him drawing power from the new mask or it might have been him playing against the Knicks' atrocious defense. Regardless, we'll have the opportunity to judge whether he plays better in a black mask or a clear mask soon enough.

Topics: Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Richard Hamilton, Miami Heat, NBA

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Steve Nash talks about stretch provision motivating his recovery (VIDEO)

You don’t get to be an NBA player, a professional athlete at an elite level, without some ego.

Steve Nash has one. Certainly not one that is out of control, but he knows his NBA career is winding down and he wants to leave the game on his terms. He wants to contribute.

In this second part of a Grantland documentary (part one is here) Nash talks about his road back from injury this season and how when he learned about the stretch provision of the new CBA — the Lakers could waive him this summer and rather than have his $9.7 million on the books next season the cap hit would be stretched out over three seasons, a third at a time). Nash talks about how learning that and knowing the Lakers were (and are) considering it pushed him in his recovery to take some chances to get back on the court.

There were some Lakers’ fans who selfishly hoped Nash wouldn’t return leading to a medical retirement, saving the Lakers any of Nash’s money on the cap next year. Was Nash thinking about himself and his desire to get back on the court? Yes. As he should have been. He doesn’t owe the Lakers franchise anything, they owe him because they agreed to the contract and even traded a first round pick next year to get him. Nash was never the most athletic guy in the league, he made himself into an MVP because of a serious drive — he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve like Kobe Bryant does, but Nash is as motivated and disciplined a player as you will see. The same fans that applaud what Kobe has done and continues to do to get back on the court should recognize that same drive in Nash and appreciate it.

The current feeling around Staples is the Lakers may not use the stretch provision on Nash — they are rebuilding, better to bite the bullet and just have him on the books for one season (likely another down season, depending on off-season moves) rather than keeping him on the books for years. The Lakers real target is the summer of 2015, this way Nash is off the books by then (and is a potential trade chip).