HoopsHype.com Rumors

Chris Tomasson: Dwyane Wade on LeBron’s free-throw form: “It’s been documented LeBron changes his technique every three games.’’ Twitter @christomasson

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade 

Chris Tomasson: LeBron on OKC: “You can’t replace Russell Westbrook. He’s an Olympian and if he continues on the path he’s on he’s a future Hall of Famer." Twitter @christomasson

Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook 

LeBron says “pretty cool’’ that Chris “Birdman’’ Andersen has unique personality and people want to look like him: “I think he’s character of his own,’’ James said. “Anytime you can have people off the floor that want to look like you, want to dress like you, want to get your haircut like you, that means you have a great personality and you have your own swag about yourself. I think it’s pretty cool.’’ Sulia

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Chris Andersen 

Kevin Durant leads all NBA players in career commercial appearances with 63 at last count, according to standings calculated by HoopsHype. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is second with 42 and Miami's LeBron James is third with 39. In team rankings, OKC ranks third with 88 total commercials, trailing the Los Angeles Lakers with 125 and the Miami Heat with 91. Russell Westbrook is second among Thunder players with 11 commercials, followed by Serge Ibaka (six), Nick Collison, Kendrick Perkins and Thabo Sefolosha (two each), Kevin Martin and Reggie Jackson (one each). Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Kendrick Perkins, Nick Collison, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Martin, Serge Ibaka, Thabo Sefolosha, Reggie Jackson, Commercials 

Ethan J. Skolnick: LeBron on Wade: "I can go on and on about how great he is. I really don't care for the trash talk that he receives." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Wade said he took a "mental day" yesterday. Said LeBron told him before the game: "I need one from you." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade 

Tim Bontemps: LeBron James: "Tonight we gave everything we have. I have no energy left." Twitter @TimBontemps

Miami Heat, LeBron James 

Chris Tomasson: LeBron James was asked about being 2nd on SI's list of highest-paid athletes. "That has nothing to do with basketball,'' James bristled. Twitter @christomasson

Miami Heat, LeBron James 

Thirteen NBA stars are among 2013′s Fortunate 50, a Sports Illustrated ranking of the top-50 highest-earning professional athletes compiled by Daniel Roberts. LeBron James leads the way among basketball players, ranking No. 2 overall on the list with a salary of $17.5 million and estimated endorsements worth $39 million, giving him a total take of $56.5 million. James, who boasts endorsement deals with Nike and Samsung, trailed only boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather on the list after ranking No. 5 overall in 2012. SI.com

Miami Heat, LeBron James 

Chris Tomasson: Erik Spoelstra on LeBron trying to become 90, 50, 40 guy in shooting percentages; "I wouldn't put any ceiling on him in any category.'' Twitter @christomasson

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Erik Spoelstra 

Tom Withers: According to SI's "Fortunate 50," LeBron James projected to earn $56.5 million this year. Second on list to Floyd Mayweather's $90 million. Twitter @twithersAP

Miami Heat, LeBron James 

KC Johnson: Nate Robinson said he hurt his left shoulder when he fell on that trap where LeBron James went in for breakaway dunk. Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nate Robinson, Injuries 

Jeff Zillgitt: When I asked LeBron James last week about how he scans a boxscore, he said, "I don’t have to look at my fouls because it’s usually at zero." Twitter @JeffZillgitt

Miami Heat, LeBron James 

Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen and Miami Heat forward LeBron James, winner of the 2012-13 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award, headline the 2012-13 NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced today. Allen totaled 53 points overall and James tallied 52. Each player received 25 First Team votes. NBA.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Tony Allen 

Eric Koreen: NBA 1st-team all defence: LeBron, Ibaka, Chandler + Noah (tie), Allen, Paul. 2nd team: Duncan, George, M. Gasol, Bradley, Conley. Twitter @ekoreen

LeBron James, Chris Paul, Paul George, Avery Bradley, Tyson Chandler, Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Joakim Noah, Tim Duncan, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka 

Finally, Wade offered some perspective, a reminder about what exactly he chose to give up when he arrived at that very profound decision to put a team’s success above individual glory. “If y’all remember my press conference after we lost to Boston that year, I said this first-round exit is not happening again,” Wade said to reporters. “And that was a series where I could shoot at any point I wanted, but that didn’t feel good. That didn’t complete me. So, I have to think about that when I get to the point where I have one shot in the first half. When I have to calm myself down a little bit.” Miami Herald

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade 

A few minutes later, Chicago forward Carlos Boozer had finished complaining about a noncall inside when James dribbled into the Miami forecourt. Mohammed tried to grab James to prevent a transition basket. James extended an arm to create space and sent Mohammed tumbling to the floor. “I seen him hawking me down for a long time, and I seen him come with one of those club fouls, which was unnecessary,” James said. “I basically just tried to protect myself, stand my ground.” New York Times

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Carlos Boozer, Nazr Mohammed 

James reacted to the technical with disbelief, pointing his index fingers at his chest as if to say, who, me? That is when Mohammed went after him. James said that no opponent had ever shoved him as hard or as far. “It definitely surprised me that he pushed me like that,” James said. New York Times

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed 

The playoff series between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat has been more physical than usual, but this play makes no sense. After wrapping LeBron James up and drawing a technical foul on LeBron, veteran Bulls forward Nazr Mohammed shoved James to the ground. Mohammed was subsequently tossed, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. For The Win

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

Tim Bontemps: LeBron on why he didn't come back at Nazr after push: "If I get kicked out and Nazr Mohammed gets kicked out at the same time, who wins?" Twitter @TimBontemps

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees