In a single half, the Detroit Pistons taught LeBron James everything he needs to know about defense in the playoffs — and finished off yet another series comeback.

While Detroit moves on to its fourth straight Eastern Conference finals, the 21-year-old Cleveland Cavaliers superstar is left to ponder his dizzying lesson.

“They trapped me, they went under screens, they went over screens,” said James, who was held to one second-half field goal Sunday in the Cavs’ 79-61 Game 7 loss to Detroit. “I’ve seen almost every defense that I could possibly see for the rest of my career in this series.

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There’s a river of positive energy flowing through the Cavaliers organization right now and its biggest dividend could come this summer.

Spurred on by limitless playoff potential and the satisfaction of achievement from this breakout season, all signs point to LeBron James quickly and happily signing a five-year contract extension in the offseason.

The team will officially offer the deal, worth around $75 million, on July 1 and James can sign it any time between July 12 and Oct. 31. With Team USA training for the FIBA World Championships set for July 19 in Las Vegas, then an Asian tour and the competition itself set to eat up all of August and some of September, it would be prudent for James to get the deal done.

He said Wednesday he’s almost overwhelmed by how fast the team has developed around him and it has led to a very positive take on the franchise’s future.

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Larry Hughes walked off the practice floor Saturday dripping with sweat and itching to play.

He’ll get his chance in Game 7.

Cleveland’s guard, who returned to the club Friday after missing three games in the Detroit series following the death of his younger brother, is expected to play in Sunday’s decisive game at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Hughes dressed for Game 6 but didn’t see any action in Cleveland’s 84-82 loss. However, Hughes’ presence was an emotional lift for the Cavs, who traveled to St. Louis to attend Justin Hughes’ funeral Tuesday.

Now, Hughes is hoping to give his team a boost on the court.

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CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James doesn’t believe in second place. In at least one MVP race, he tied for first.

James, who finished a distant runner-up to Steve Nash for NBA Most Valuable Player, has been named the league’s co-MVP along with the Phoenix guard by the Sporting News, which has been giving out the award since 1958.

The magazine sent a ballot to every team, instructing them to have their coach, general manager, assistant GM or player personnel director pick the league’s top player for the 2005-06 season.

Of the 28 ballots cast, James and Nash each received eight first-place votes. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dirk Nowitzki got six apiece.

“We usually break the tie,” said Stan McNeal, managing editor of The Sporting News. “But this year it seemed like a tie was the way to go because the voting was close.”

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown was pleased to hear that James was selected by those closest to the game.

“That’s fantastic,” Brown said. “It’s deserving and it says a lot to be voted for by the guys you are facing in the league, and by the guys who are trying to game plan for you on a daily basis.”

In addition, Dallas’ Avery Johnson was voted coach of the year; New Orleans guard Chris Paul was selected as the top rookie and San Antonio center Tim Duncan joined James, Nash, Nowitzki and Bryant on the Sporting News first-team All-NBA selections.

Paul received 27 of 28-first place votes. Teams were not permitted to vote for their own player.

Nash won the NBA’s MVP award by a much larger margin than was expected.

The Suns playmaker got 57 first-place votes and 924 points overall from a panel of 125 sports writers and broadcasters in the United States and Canada. James had 16 first-place votes and 688 points overall.

Nash averaged 18.8 points, 10.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the field and 92 percent from the foul line for the Suns, who went 54-28 despite being without injured star Amare Stoudemire and after trading Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson.

James averaged 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists — only the fourth player in history to reach those numbers — during the regular season while leading the Cavs to 50 wins and their first playoff appearance since 1998.

James wasn’t miffed at losing to Nash, but he didn’t find any satisfaction in being runner-up, either.

“I don’t believe in second,” he said. “I don’t like second.”

The magazine will formally announce the award winners on Tuesday.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was named to the All-NBA First Team today by the NBA. He becomes the youngest player in NBA history to earn All-NBA first team honors and the second player in franchise history to be named to the All-NBA First team. James led all players in All-NBA first place votes (116) and total points (610).

During the 2005-06 season, James became just the fourth player in NBA history to average at least 31.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists for an entire season (31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists). He ranked third in the league in scoring, 12th in assists per game and 15th in steals per game (1.56). He recorded five triple-doubles during the season (second best in the league) and scored 30 or more points in 49 games.

This season, James was voted MVP of the 2006 NBA All-Star Game after being named an All-Star starter for the second consecutive season. He finished second behind Steve Nash in the NBA MVP voting with 688 total points. He earned Eastern Conference Player of the Month awards in November and March and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on five occasions, becoming the first player in NBA history to win the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award in three consecutive weeks (for weeks ending March 20, March 27 and April 2).

At the age of 21 years, 138 days, James is the youngest player in NBA history to be named to the All-NBA First Team. Max Zaslofsky was 21 years, five months old when he was named to the All-NBA First Team as a rookie in the 1946-47 season.

James joins Mark Price as the only Cavaliers to earn All-NBA first team honors. Price was named to the All-NBA First Team following the 1992-93 season. James was an All-NBA Second Team selection last season. James is joined on the All-NBA First Team by Phoenix’s Steve Nash, Los Angeles’ Kobe Bryant, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki and Miami’s Shaquille O’Neal.

The 126-member voting panel of writers and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada consisted of national media members and members from each of the league’s 30 teams who regularly cover the NBA. The media voted for All-NBA First, Second and Third Teams by position with points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates took a solemn break from their playoff series Tuesday to attend the funeral of the 20-year-old brother of guard Larry Hughes.

The Cavaliers flew to St. Louis after beating the Detroit Pistons 74-72 Monday night to even the best-of-seven second-round playoff series at 2-2. Hughes has missed the past two games — both wins — to be with his family following Justin Hughes’ death last week.

Hundreds of people attended the service for Justin Hughes, who was born with a heart defect and had a transplant in 1997. The brothers were close — Larry Hughes chose to play his lone season of college basketball, in 1997-98, at Saint Louis University in part to stay near his brother.

In a program for the funeral service, the elder Hughes wrote a tribute to his brother: “I am my brother’s keeper. My life is his world. His life is my everything.”

The Cavaliers arrived together by bus at the New Sunnymount Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis. Most of the team sat in the first few rows of the church, and during his sermon, the Rev. N.E. Owens thanked them for their support.

The team then traveled to suburban Detroit for Game 5 on Wednesday night. Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said Tuesday afternoon that there was no timetable for Hughes’ return.

Cavaliers guard Flip Murray said players hugged Larry Hughes and his mother at the service.

“We went there to show our condolences and wish the best for him and his family,” Murray said at the team’s hotel.

Guard Damon Jones added: “It’s a tough situation, but it was good for us to be there for him and his family.”

In addition to missing the two playoff games, Larry Hughes missed 45 regular-season games with a finger injury.

The Cavaliers have worn black bands on the left shoulders of their uniforms as a memorial to Justin Hughes, who attended a few games in Cleveland this season. James and Jones wore sweat bands with Larry Hughes’ No. 32 as well.

James came in second place for the MVP award. Steve Nash — the maestro of the fast, frenetic Phoenix Suns — beat James by a comfortable margin in results announced Sunday. Nash received 57 first-place votes and 924 points overall from a panel of 125 sports writers and broadcasters in the United States and Canada. James had 16 first-place votes and 688 points overall. But at 21, though, James knows he will have many more opportunities.

“It would have been nice of course to put another trophy in my house, in my showcase,” he said from Auburn Hills, Mich., before the Cavaliers played the Detroit Pistons. “But it’s something I’m going to keep working hard for. I can’t dwell on not being named MVP.”

The wildly entertaining first round series between the Cavs and Wiz came to an end Friday. Once again, finishing in thrilling OT fashion. Lebron had made winning shots in Games 3 and 5, and it was obvious who was going to take the final shot. But Lebron got double-teamed, and the ball swung to the hardly-used Damon Jones, who hit the perfect jumper from the baseline.

The series was true battle between two superstars: Lebron and Gilbert, but in the end it was too much Lebron. Lebron also won the mental game when he trash-talked with Gilbert with 15 seconds remaining, and distracting him enough to miss both free throws!

Probably the most entertaining and exciting first round series so far! Props to Arenas and Wiz for putting up such a good fight. But in the end, it was too much Lebron…

Lebron’s Line: 53 mins, 32 pts (15-25), 7 Rebs, 7 Assists, distracting Gilbert Arenas at the foul line — priceless

Cleveland 114, Washington 113, OT

By JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer May 6, 2006

WASHINGTON (AP) — LeBron James played 53 minutes. Damon Jones played 14 seconds.

James provided the gamesmanship. Jones provided the game-winner.

That combination has the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.

James scored 32 points, made two key blocks, survived a nasty collision with Brendan Haywood, and — perhaps, most importantly — did some talking to Gilbert Arenas at the free throw line late in overtime. Arenas missed both attempts, setting up Jones’ 17-foot baseline jumper with 4.8 seconds remaining in the Cavaliers’ 114-113 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.

“Damon Jones, self-proclaimed ‘Best Shooter in the Universe,’ hit a dagger,” James said.

The Cavaliers won the series 4-2, their first series win since 1993, when James was 8 years old. They also won two road games in a playoff series for the first time in franchise history. They will have little time to celebrate before opening the second round at Detroit on Sunday.

“This is probably one of the best feelings I’ve had in a long time,” James said. “I didn’t want to come here and just be happy to be in the playoffs.”

James made the winning shots in Games 3 and 5 in a series that included three one-point Cleveland victories, including the last two in overtime, but it was Jones’ turn in the spotlight for the finale. Marginalized by the return of Larry Hughes and the emergence of Flip Murray, Jones had been a bit player in the series. He had scored only three points and played less than 24 total minutes.

But one thing Jones can do is shoot. He was put in the game as an alternative in case James couldn’t get a decent shot. With James drawing a double-team, Jones got the ball and took advantage.

“I was going to either be the hero or the goat,” Jones said. “Tonight I was the hero so I’m glad. That’s why I’m smiling.”

Keeping with the knife-edge emotion of the series, Game 6 was tense and tight once the Cavaliers overcame the Wizards’ 14-point first-quarter lead. For 24 minutes — from early in the second quarter to early in the fourth — neither team led by more than five points.

The Wizards then blew a seven-point led with 4:48 to play in regulation and needed Arenas’ 30-footer with 2.3 seconds to play to send the game to overtime. Arenas, whose duels with James made the series compelling, finished with 36 points — but he missed the two vital free throws with his team leading by one with 15 seconds remaining in overtime. James did his best to distract Arenas by saying something between the two attempts.

“I told him if he missed both of those free throws, the game was over,” James said.

Arenas’ account was a little different. He said James told him: “If you miss this, you know who’s hitting the game-winner.”

Whatever. The point is that Arenas, who so badly wanted to match James’ heroics, missed when it mattered most.

“It is hard to swallow,” Arenas said. “You feel you let your team down. … I missed ‘em. An 80-percent free-throw shooter and you miss two. One of them nights. The basketball gods wasn’t with us in this series. We lose three games on game-winning shots.”

James shot 15-for-25 and had seven rebounds, seven assists and five turnovers. Donyell Marshall scored a season-high 28 points, and Murray had 21 for the Cavaliers.

Antonio Daniels scored 22 for the Wizards. Caron Butler had 18 points and 20 rebounds. Antawn Jamison was in foul trouble much of the night and finished with 15 points.

Coach Eddie Jordan has often said the Wizards can handle adversity but not prosperity — they regularly overcome daunting deficits but often blow big leads. Their 24-10 edge was built on 9-for-12 shooting, but the Cavaliers needed only six minutes to tie the game in a run highlighted by James’ block on Arenas.

The sequence began when Arenas stole a pass near midcourt and drove for a dunk, but James challenged the shot and both players crashed to the floor. When no foul was called, Jordan screamed and kicked the ball. He and Arenas were assessed technicals, and Jordan was restrained by Daniels and two assistant coaches.

James had another run-in in the fourth quarter, when the side of his head collided with the upper body of Haywood with 9:59 to play. Haywood was called for a foul but not a flagrant one — there appeared to be nothing malicious about the contact — yet James was on his hands and knees for about a half-minute while Cleveland called timeout.

James missed both free throws — amazingly, his first attempts of the game — and committed a turnover on Cleveland’s next possession.

He eventually recovered. James sprawled on the floor to retrieve a rebound with 1:10 to play. James also blocked Jamison’s layup from behind, setting up a fast break that led to a pair of free throws that gave the Cavaliers their first lead of the fourth quarter.

In the extra period, Butler made two free throws with 30 seconds left to give the Wizards a one-point lead. The Cavaliers were working to try to retake the lead when Eric Snow launched a crosscourt pass that flew over the head of Murray and over Washington’s bench.

Arenas then missed the free throws before Jones — who has played for 10 teams in eight seasons — came through.

“It was definitely frustrating for a guy who played big minutes a year ago and to come into a situation where you’re not playing as much,” Jones said. “But I’m a professional, and coming into this situation, I came here for a reason and that was to win basketball games.”

That’s just what he did.

Notes

The Cavaliers had never won a Game 6, going 0-4 all-time until Friday. … Butler mistakenly took the free throw after the flagrant foul involving Haywood, so Haywood had to retake the free throw later in the quarter. … The Cavaliers have won seven consecutive one-point games. … James has set at least 15 franchise records in the series. Perhaps the most telling is his 182 total points through five games, easily surpassing Brad Daugherty’s mark of 158 set over seven games in the 1992 Eastern Conference finals.

It was a see-saw battle between two All-Stars. Lebron would score, but Gilbert would fire right back. It came down to OT, with the Cavs down by one…

James tiptoed along the baseline and muscled through traffic for the layup with 0.9 seconds left in overtime, giving the Cleveland Cavaliers a 121-120 victory over the Washington Wizards and a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series

Arenas scored 44 points, but James outdueled him with 45 points. The last time two players scored 40 points in a playoff game was Game 1 of the 2001 finals when Allen Iverson had 48 and Shaquille O’Neal had 44 in the 76ers’ 107-101 overtime victory.

Lebron’s Line: 45 Pts (14-23), 7 Rebs, 6 Assists

Cleveland 121, Washington 120, OT

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer May 4, 2006

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James now has his signature shot. Until further notice, “The Layup” defines his growing greatness.

James tiptoed along the baseline and muscled through traffic for the layup with 0.9 seconds left in overtime, giving the Cleveland Cavaliers a 121-120 victory over the Washington Wizards and a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night.

With the Cavs down by one, James, who finished with 45 points, grabbed an inbounds pass from Larry Hughes with 3 seconds to go. Nearly trapped in the corner, he delicately slid past Antawn Jamison and knifed inside.

As Michael Ruffin, Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood collapsed around him, James rose in the lane and softly dropped in his game-winning layup, sending a sellout crowd of 20,562 into a frenzy.

“I had enough room on the baseline,” said James, who added seven rebounds and six assists. “If I wore an 18 or 19 size shoe, I wouldn’t have made it. But I wear a 16 and was able to tightrope that baseline to get a layup.”

Arenas, who matched James bucket for bucket and had 44 points, was way off with a desperation heave at the buzzer. The Wizards still had two timeouts left, but failed to call one after James’ basket.

The best-of-seven series, which has been bogged down by whining from both teams and some questionable officiating, returns to Washington for Game 6 on Friday night.

“If we can go to Washington and close it out, it will be one of my biggest basketball thrills,” James said.

Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said the plan was not to put James on the line. If he was going to win it, he would have to earn it.

“He made something out of nothing which is what great players do,” Jordan said. “A lot of normal guys miss that.”

Larry Hughes scored 24 points, Eric Snow had 18, including six in overtime, and Flip Murray added 12 for the Cavaliers, who blew a seven-point lead late in regulation and nearly gave up their home-court advantage for the second time in the series.

Jamison had 32 points, Caron Butler 20 and Antonio Daniels 13 for the Wizards, who stole a Game 5 at Chicago in the first round last year in the playoffs and nearly did it again.

James, who fouled out Jared Jeffries late in regulation, gave Butler his sixth personal foul with 25 seconds left. James made both free throws — he went 17-for-18 from the line — to give the Cavaliers a 119-118 lead.

But Arenas, who scored eight points in the overtime, was fouled on a drive to the hoop by Murray and made two free throws with 3.6 seconds left, setting up James’ final shot.

Cleveland’s star, who won Game 3 with a last-second drive, had missed a jumper at the end of regulation that would have won it, but he made sure he was closer to the basket for this attempt, a layup that moves to the top of his already superlative-laden resume.

“We thought we did a great job cutting off that baseline,” Arenas said. “He made an athletic move. He hit his first game-winner in the playoffs.”

Arenas paused, then corrected himself.

“Second,” he said.

It was the kind of play Michael Jordan used to make, and the kind James has been delivering for most of his basketball life.

“The last play,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said, shaking his head. “What an aggressive drive. He knew we needed the basket. They ran three guys at him and he found a way to get to the rim and score the basket.”

The Cavaliers seemed to have Game 5 wrapped up, leading 107-100 when James, who scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, made two free throws with 1:18 left.

But Daniels completed a three-point play and Butler forced a turnover before scoring twice underneath as Washington fought back to tie it 107-all on Butler’s layup with 7.5 seconds remaining.

James spent the final 6:53 of the third quarter sitting angrily on the bench after picking up his fourth foul. Referee Joe Forte called a block on James, who tried to slide in front of Arenas on a drive.

James bounced off the floor to argue and then walked to the Cavs bench palming the ball and looking as if he might take it home with him. He stood during his first minute of his seclusion cheering for the Cavs, who were down 64-63 when he left but outscored the Wizards 22-17 to take an 85-81 lead into the fourth.

The Cavaliers shot 61 percent from the field in the first half but only led 52-51.

Arenas scored 20 points in the first 16 minutes. However, the Cavaliers adjusted and held him without a field goal over the final 8:22 after they began running a second defender at the guard as soon as he touched the ball.

James divulged part of Cleveland’s game plan before tipoff, saying he was going to get the ball early to Hughes, who came in averaging just 10.3 points in the playoffs. James made good on the promise as Hughes scored 11 points in the opening quarter.

He also got leveled on a drive by Wizards backup center Etan Thomas, who was called for a flagrant 1 foul and set off a heated discussion between the teams.

There was the usual beef with the officials, too, as each side objected to calls they felt should go the other way.

Before the game, James joked that he wasn’t getting any preferential treatment from officials.

“I’m supposed to be the kid in this league,” he said. “But I’m treated like a grown man.”

The last time two players scored 40 points in a playoff game was Game 1 of the 2001 finals when Allen Iverson of Philadelphia had 48 and Shaquille O’Neal of the Lakers had 44 in the 76ers’ 107-101 overtime victory.

Notes

NBA commissioner David Stern has enjoyed being a witness to James’ first playoffs. “Everyone knows he’s great,” he said. “Now’s a chance to see how good the team is — the contribution he makes to his team. It’s sort of a rite of passage in the world of basketball, and that’s fun to watch.” … Cavs F Luke Jackson will undergo his second back operation in less than two years on Thursday to repair a herniated disc. Jackson, the 10th overall pick in the 2004 draft, has played in just 46 games in his first two NBA seasons because of injuries.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Dressed down in black, LeBron James left practice on Tuesday sporting a baseball cap stitched with a jeweled royal crown and wearing one of those popular “Witness” T-shirts.

Maybe he should hand a few out to his teammates.

Because the Cavaliers have been onlookers for much of the past two weeks.

In his first NBA playoffs, James has carried Cleveland’s scoring load — alone.

“We haven’t been able to give him enough help,” center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said, “especially at the end of the games.”a

James is averaging 34.3 points for the Cavaliers, who are tied 2-2 with the Washington Wizards heading into Game 5 of the best-of-seven series on Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

James’ scoring average, which is nearly three points higher than during the regular season, is more than the next three Cavs, Ilgauskas (11.8 points), Drew Gooden (11.3) and Larry Hughes (10.3), combined.

That imbalance aside, what’s more troubling for the Cavaliers is that when James isn’t hitting his shots or dominating, none of Cleveland’s other players — with the exception of Game 1 — has done stepped up enough.

Gooden (24 points in a Game 2 loss) is the only player other than James to score more than 20 points in a game. The Wizards, meanwhile, can usually count on their “Big 3″ of Gilbert Arenas (31.0), Caron Butler (18.3) and Antawn Jamison (17.0) for points.

But despite being alone atop the stat sheet, James isn’t worried about his teammates letting him down.

“Never. I feel like they’ll come through for me,” he said. “They’ve been there for me all year. We’re tied 2-2, so we’re in a comfortable spot — tied 2-2 with a team coming to our house. We feel awesome.”

Cleveland would feel a whole lot better if it hadn’t blown a 13-point lead in the third quarter and lost Game 4. The Cavaliers appeared to have things under control at halftime, building an 11-point lead behind 25 points from James.

Curiously, James was no factor in the third quarter. He missed his only three shots and spent most of the period either fighting off double teams or deferring to Larry Hughes, Flip Murray and Eric Snow to run Cleveland’s offense.

James may have been slowed by a fear of fouling out. He was whistled for four offensive fouls, but insists nothing can stop him completely.

“I’ll never change my aggressiveness,” he said. “I get six fouls and if that means I’m going to get six offensive fouls by me going to the hole, then it’s going to have to happen. I will not change my game.”

By the time James got back into the flow in Game 4, the Wizards were in control.

For whatever reason, Cavs coach Mike Brown never adjusted to Washington’s defense in the third. If James was struggling from the outside and being forced to one side of the floor by the Wizards, a simple solution would have been to post him up near the basket, where the 6-foot-8, 245-pound James is virtually unstoppable.

“A lot of that was my fault,” Brown said, falling on a sword like the one in the Cavaliers’ logo. “I got too caught up in the referees. I’ll take the blame on that. I didn’t put him down there. It’s my fault.”

While commendable, Brown’s admission that he was distracted by the officiating could be seen as another victory for Washington coach Eddie Jordan, who complained that James benefited from some favorable calls in Game 3 and spent the days leading into Game 4 lobbying in the media.

Jordan’s smartest move, though, may have been when he told his players at halftime of Game 4, to “go out and have fun” in the second half. Instead of running set plays, Jordan allowed the Wizards to freelance.

It worked once, and Jordan could try it again.

“It’s nothing I’m going to shy away from,” he said. “I think it was good for us. I think it can be good for us going into tomorrow’s game, because I think it adds another dimension to our offense.”

In this series, just as it was during the regular season, Washington’s main offensive threat has been Arenas, who scored 28 of his 34 points after halftime in Game 4. Arenas has been best down the stretch, scoring 59 of his 124 points in the fourth.

“In the fourth quarter, he does what he does best, he closes the game out,” Butler said. “That’s what stars do.”

And in this series, matching two rising Eastern Conference teams, the team’s respective stars — Arenas and James — have taken turns taking over.

Despite being a two-time All-Star and averaging 29.3 points per game, Arenas, and everyone else for that matter, has received second billing to James. But Arenas is making it known that there’s room for more than one superstar on this stage.

“I think Gilbert’s saying the right things — ‘We are all witnesses,”‘ said Jordan, referring to the catchphrase used in James’ sneaker ads. “It’s LeBron’s series, and we’re on TV because of LeBron, and it’s a good thing. It gives us a little bit of an edge. But we’re trying to win games, we’re not trying to showcase a guy.”