LeBron James will take on all challenges to end the season. (USATSI)
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LeBron James told reporters Wednesday that he doesn't plan to take any games off for the Miami Heat before the end of the regular season to rest.
James says he plans on playing the remaining eight games as long as he stays healthy. After making that statement, he promptly "knocked on wood" at his locker with hopes of avoiding injury."I have no choice," James said. "I don't plan on sitting out any of these eight games unless something happens. I'm going to be in the lineup."
via Miami Heat: Forward LeBron James says he play all the remaining regular season games - Sun Sentinel.
The Heat have a half-game lead on Indiana for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They face one another April 11th in what could decide home court advantage between the two. Indiana has a relatively soft schedule coming up with Atlanta and Milwaukee around a game in Toronto.
So the Heat could use James to lock this thing up. Then again, worrying about such things has never been their M.O.. After all, they're unlikely to catch San Antonio so there's a good chance that if they get past the Pacers they'll still be on the road. They don't lack for confidence in taking a series without home court.
Meanwhile, James has had more minor injuries this year than normal. His troublesome elbow flared up, he's had significant problems with his back, and he broke his nose earlier this season. I wouldn't be surprised if despite what James says, he misses a few, especially if the Heat get some distance on Indiana for the top spot.
Meanwhile, Ray Allen was back with the team after missing nealy a week with both stomach and head viruses. Allen's probably going to be drained or a while, and Dwyane Wade will likely take some games off to rest up. This further complicates things with James. Not only is he playing through, but he's going to shoulder the load with Wade and Allen likely taking time off?
It's something to watch as we get closer to the playoffs.
Basketball Hot News
Mark Cuban funding study on athletes using HGH
Mark Cuban has been pushing for the NBA to consider allowing HGH use.
Not content to leave the issue for the league to study – a route that surely would have slowly led nowhere – Cuban has taken to funding the medical research.
Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com:
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is putting his money where his mouth on studying the potential benefits of human growth hormone use for athletes recovering from injuries.
Cuban said Thursday he has made a significant financial commitment to fund a potential university study on the issue.
Cuban didn’t give many details, including the school or a timeline, because the study still needs government approval.
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It will be years before the NBA ever allows HGH in any circumstances. It could be years until Cuban’s study even gets off the ground.
And shifting league-wide opinion could be an even larger mountain to climb.
Our societal lines on performance-enhancers are arbitrary, but also deep-seated. Proposing changes for only injuries is a good way to begin the discussion, as injury recovery – again, for arbitrary reasons – is viewed differently by many. If that becomes accepted, maybe HGH would become passable as a common training method.
HGH use must clear many obstacles before the NBA approves it, but this Cuban-backed research is a small step in that direction.
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