LeBron James has the cooties.

The Cleveland Cavs superstar has missed practice the last two days with the flu – - but is being treated as if he has the H1N1 virus.

Teammates Darnell Jackson and Coby Karl are also under the weather with the flu, but their health is on the back burner when King James is ill.

Unfortunately, this might be a disturbing trend during the 2009-10 NBA season as the H1N1 virus spreads throughout the world.

Ironically enough, James thinks he got the virus after getting a flu shot.

“If it’s going to happen, now is the best time,” James said. “I don’t wish anyone to be sick. I wish great health for everyone. But if this is the time the flu bug is going to hit our team, I’m glad it’s happening now.”

Get better, LeBron. And thanks for giving me one more reason NOT to get a flu shot.

You know the NBA season is right around the corner with the General Mangers are releasing their pre-season predicitions.

More than 60 percent of the GM’s feel the Los Angeles Lakers will repeat as NBA Championships in 2009-10 and 69 percent feel LeBron James will take home his second MVP trophy.

Below is a list of other predictions from the 30 GM’s in the NBA:

Which team will win NBA Finals 2010?

1. L.A. Lakers – 60.7%
2. Boston – 17.9%
3. Cleveland – 17.9%
4. San Antonio – 3.6%

Last year: L.A. Lakers – 46.2%

Which team will win the Eastern Conference?

1. Boston – 50.0%
2. Cleveland – 42.9%
3. Orlando – 7.1%

Last year: Boston – 74.1%

Which team will win the Western Conference?

1. L.A. Lakers – 75.9%
2. San Antonio – 24.1%

Last year: L.A. Lakers – 66.7%

Who will win the 2009-10 MVP?

1. LeBron James, Cleveland – 69.0%
2. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 17.2%
3. Dwight Howard, Orlando – 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Dwyane Wade, Miami

Last year: LeBron James – 55.6%

Which team made the best overall moves this summer?

1. San Antonio – 71.2%
2. Orlando – 17.3%

Also receiving votes: Cleveland, Toronto, Washington

Last year: Philadelphia – 51.9%

Which team will be most improved in 2009-10?

1. Washington – 48.3%
2. L.A. Clippers – 17.2%
3. Oklahoma City – 13.8%
4. Toronto – 6.9%

Also receiving votes: Boston, Memphis, Minnesota, San Antonio

Last year: Miami, Portland – 25.9%

Who will win the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year?

1. Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers – 79.3%
2. Jonny Flynn, Minnesota – 10.3%
3. Tyreke Evans, Sacramento – 6.9%
4. Stephen Curry, Golden State – 3.4%

Last year: Michael Beasley – 48.1%

Who is the best international player in the NBA?

1. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas – 64.3%
2. Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers – 10.7%
3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 7.1%
4. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio – 7.1%
5. Steve Nash, Phoenix – 7.1%
6. Tony Parker, San Antonio – 3.6%

Last year: Dirk Nowitzki – 66.7%

Who is the best defensive player in the NBA?

1. Dwight Howard, Orlando – 46.4%
2. Ron Artest, L.A. Lakers – 17.9%
3. Kevin Garnett, Boston – 17.9%
4. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers – 7.1%

Also receiving votes: Trevor Ariza, Houston; Shane Battier, Houston; Rajon Rondo, Boston

Last year: Kevin Garnett – 44.4%

Who is the best head coach in the NBA?

1. Phil Jackson, L.A. Lakers – 37.0%
2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio – 33.3%
3. Jerry Sloan, Utah – 18.5%

Also receiving votes: Rick Adelman, Houston; Larry Brown, Charlotte; Stan Van Gundy, Orlando

Last year: Gregg Popovich – 53.8%

There’s an athlete beef brewing in the city of Cleveland.

LeBron James called Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards “childish” for allegedly punching Edwards Givens, a friend of James’, outside of a club early Monday morning.

“I’ve never crossed paths with Braylon before, but it seems like there’s a little jealousy going on with Braylon and me and my friends. I have no idea why,” James said on Monday. “I’ve never said anything to Braylon at all. But for him to do that is very childish. My friend is 130 pounds. Seriously. It’s like hitting one of my kids. It doesn’t make sense.”

I know how to handle myself as a professional athlete and I take care of my friends and my family. It is unfortunate that some guys don’t understand that. You are a role model to kids and you should carry yourself that way on and off the field. And I carry that. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize myself or my family. I’m one of the guys that look at being a professional athlete at more than just being out on the court.

A blast from LeBron was the only thing Edwards has caught this week, as the wide out was shutout in yesterday’s 23-20 overtime loss to Cincinnati.

Edwards wasn’t arrested and there are no charges pending against him, so it makes you wonder what actually happened last night.

Regardless, when the King is calling you out, you automatically know it’s a battle you aren’t going to win.

If you have heard the new Drake track “Forever” on the radio, the song is for the LeBron James documentary “More Than a Game.”

It’s in select theaters on Oct. 2 and I have the opportunity to check out a screening of the movie this week.

I’ll report back on my thoughts, but in the meantime, peep the trailer.

Giving back

“Represent to the fullest…”

Nas – One Love

I began writing in 2003, and while that may not seem like a long time…it was also the year of the legendary NBA Class that boasted LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Mo Williams. Before I started covering the NBA full time…I carved out a niche in women’s basketball, and the high school hoops scene…that is until I met a person with a familiar name.I met Carmelo Anthony during his rookie campaign, and as our mutual respect grew…I can wholeheartedly say that his stellar play, and star power helped to jumpstart my career, as I was called upon several times to pen stories about him. One thing I’ve always admired about him was his willingness to return to Baltimore, MD, and give back from his heart to the community at large.

This year is no different as the Charm City’s local legend co-hosts the Mario vs. Melo Face-Off Weekend, from September 4th-5th.

Details on this event are as follows:

R & B sensation Mario Barrett and NBA All-Star Player Carmelo Anthony have teamed up to give back to their hometown of Baltimore, MD, with “The Mario vs. Melo Face-off Weekend” benefiting their charitable organizations: The Carmelo Anthony Foundation, and Mario’s Do Right Foundation.

Throughout the years, these two stars have made extraordinary philanthropic contributions to the City of Baltimore, helping empower underserved youth and proving to be powerful forces at the center-stage of entertainment, as well as in the community.

Friday, September 4th – 10PM – 2AM, Star-studded party, indulging guests at a lavish secret location.

Saturday, September 5th – 1:30PM – 4PM, Celebrity Softball Game, with celebrities and supporters, as they are in attendance to participate in the name of friendly competition.

For all the hype Nike made about LeBron James getting dunked on, was anyone else a little disappointed to see the end result?

It’s just one more black eye for LeBron James, who I refuse to acknowledge as “King” until he grows up.

If Nike and LeBron wanted to make good with the fans, they would do one last puppet commercial with Lil Dez dunking on LeBron and Kobe filming the whole thing.

Genius, right?

It will never happen but one can dream …

LeBron James, I’m calling your bluff, sir.

In an attempt to woo Trevor Ariza from signing with the Houston Rockets, James told the forward that he would return to Cleveland after he becomes a free agent in 2010.

Riiiight.

Whatever it takes to get ahead … right?

After all that, it still didn’t work as Ariza is expected to sign with the Rockets on Wednesday.

Nice try, though.

Why Ariza would want to go to Houston baffles me if he could get the same money from Cleveland.

Playing time is important but who cares if you’re scoring 20 points a night if you’re competing for the eighth spot in the NBA Playoffs.

“LeBron!, LeBron, LeBron”

‘Nuff said.

Baby James was ready to speak, one night after his Cleveland Cavailers were sent fishin’ and knocked out of the NBA playoffs by the Orlando Magic.

Baby Bron stormed out in a tissy after Saturday’s game, skipping the postgame press conference and refusing to shake hands with his Olympic teammate Dwight Howard and the rest of the Magic players.

“It’s hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them,” James said. “I’m a winner. It’s not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand.”

Way to set a good example to the kids who look up to you, LBJ.

For all of those who are wondering if LeBron > Kobe, is there any doubt who the best player in the NBA is?

If you haven’t had a chance to see the Kobe and LeBron Nike puppet commercials, you’re missing out on comedy.

It will be even funnier when LeBron and the Cavs don’t make the playoffs but that’s for another post.

The Kobe and LeBron puppets stopped by the set of Sportscenter. Check out the video: