South Beach is starting to seem like the South Pacific because for the last half-dozen games, including five in Miami, LeBron James has been hotter than an active volcano. Over a six-game span - all Heat wins - LeBron is shooting a lava-like 71.7% from the field. Last night, he became the first player in league history to score 30 or more and shoot 60% or higher in six straight tilts. The highlight was charring Charlotte by burning the Bobcats for 13 baskets on 14 attempts, nearly 93%, the numeric equivalent of nitroglycerin. It's as if LeBron's been bathing in baking soda, vinegar and warm water.* "I'm at a loss for words," he confessed afterwords. Leave that to us, LeBron; we've come up with one to describe you: Magma-nificent.
Michael Jordan hits the half-century mark on Sunday, coincidentally the same day as this year's All-Star Game. All week, ESPN has been airing pithy pieces praising "His Airness," which is a bit backwards. The network would rather reminisce about greatness that was, instead of reveling in the greatness that is going on now, right in front of us. It's likely that unless the championship count evens out, LJ won't be appreciated on the level of MJ. So it is that Jordan gets to stick out his trademark tongue at an athlete he never played against.
*See, Mom and Dad, we were paying attention during our middle school science fair, not just giggling at the styrofoam model of Uranus.
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