CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LeBron James was in New York Wednesday night to accept his Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award, but you can make a case King James can’t get the Big Apple off his brain.
The Knicks have emerged as one of the biggest threats to knocking the championship crown off his head. The Knicks and the Heat square off in their rematch Thursday night at AmericanAirlines Arena. Coach Mike Woodson’s new juggernaut (13-4) enters the showdown with the best record in the Eastern Conference, after their thrilling 100-98 victory over Bobcats.
James, who swept the Knicks out of the playoffs last spring in a 4-1 first-round landslide, knows Carmelo Anthony’s club is nipping at their heels and are in the championship conversation. The Knicks beat the Heat, 104-84, on Nov. 2 at the Garden in the club’s season opener. Some blamed Miami’s lopsided loss to a lack of focus, and they were caught up in the mayhem in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
James never has really given the Knicks their due before now and probably realizes the banged-up Heat looked vulnerable after their shocking 105-101 loss to the league-worst Wizards Tuesday.
“It’s going to be fun,’’ James said. “It’s a team that is looking to get to a point where they can win a championship and we’re trying to defend our championship. It will be electrifying in our arena. We know that it always is with the Knicks and the Heat.’’
James got his first title last June and his buddy Anthony has taken notice of his peer’s sudden success in what matters most — winning.
Getting a chance to see James’ greatness daily during July and August at the Olympic training camp and in London during the Summer Games clearly has changed Anthony’s view on basketball.
The Heat know these Knicks are different, especially Anthony, and the early results have been less bluster, more results.
“We have to own it right now [losing to Washington], not just brush it off as a game that we let go because we didn’t put ourselves in the best position to give ourselves an opportunity to win,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “But we have to move on Thursday and get ready for the Knicks. We know that they’ll be motivated coming into our building.’’
Anthony is having an MVP-type season not just because he’s scoring at will inside and outside but he’s doing everything on the court. He’s defending, rebounding, moving the ball and being efficient. He’s coming off an NBA Player of the Week Award and has been as vital as any player so far.
Bobcats rookie coach Mike Dunlap, who faced Anthony last night, coached him at Denver as an assistant under George Karl from 2006 to 2008 and sees a distinct change in his determination.
“Where I see the difference is that his sense of urgency is greater because he knows the sands of time run on you,’’ Dunlap said yesterday before the game. “And he’s at that period of his life where he’s much more serious. I could see it in his disposition. He was always professional but there’s a seriousness to his professionalism now.’’
Dunlap, who has the Bobcats already matching their win total last season (7), got along well with Anthony in Denver. He said Anthony has improved in intangible ways since last look.
“He sees the game in slow motion much, much more now,’’ Dunlap said. “People throw every scheme at him and his recognition — like an NFL quarterback, what will Andrew Luck be in three years? [Anthony] sees the game now where he seems much calmer.”
Dunlap also said Anthony’s game stacks up well against Kevin Durant.
“[He’s] much more physical on the block,” Dunlap said. “And how he gets to the free throw line is different. What he’ll do in his post-up game, if he sees any kind of mismatch, you put length on him, he’ll pop off that block and bring that length out, turn for a faceup and abuse it.
“When he sees a small on him or guy he has power on, he’s going right in to the tip of the rim and either makes it or gets to the free-throw line. I really understand his game and how he does it.’’
The Heat (12-4) are a mess too injury-wise. They are without starting power forward Shane Battier (strained knee ligament), and point guard Mario Chalmers left the Washington game with an injured hand. Backup point guard Norris Cole also is out.
“It will be a good game for us coming off a loss being back at home,’’ Dwyane Wade said. “We have two point guards out, we had a couple of guys get banged up, so hopefully we have guys feeling pretty good about that game. It’s a game we all look forward to. Obviously, we want to play better. So it’s a good time for it.’’