Devoted to Sport

When I went to university in Ohio I went to a lot of Cavaliers games with a good friend who's supported them forever. And ever since Lebron James was drafted by his hometown(ish) team the story has always been the same.

Lebron will, if not always then a great deal of the time, attract a double, sometimes triple team from the defense. When this happens nine times out of ten he finds the open man. More often than not over the last 3 seasons that person has missed the open shot.

Well if the supporting cast can play like it did against Dallas last week Lebron's location next year might not be as far from home as first feared.

Mo Williams scored 25 points and was perfect 7-for-7 from 3. Anderson Varejao had 15 points and had a perfect night shooting. Even Delonte West, after struggling so far this season contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Adding to that Lebron's 25 points and 12 assists and the high-energy defense that the Cavs play at the Q, Clevland should take a lot of confidence from dismissing a powerful West Coast team.

However, it's not all rainbows and roses. Performing like this at home is one thing. But in an Eastern Conference where Boston and Orlando will be battling it out for home court advantage the real test will be to see if the supporting cast can bring their 'A' games on the road. There's no question Lebron will get his but unless the likes of Williams, West, Moon, Z and Varejao can perform the Cavs will be heading home early, again.

After an Olympics in 2008 that saw Great Britain bring home a record number of medals, and with them a load of new sporting heroes it's easy to understand why this year's award may not be carrying the same sort of anticipation.

That said, there are still a number of worthy winners from all arenas of British sport, not least of all Ashes winning captain Andrew Strauss (pictured top left).

Getting one over on the lads from down under (like Rugger World Cup 2003) always adds that bit extra to victory. Despite a fairly rocky first test where the captain's sportmanship was scrutinized, Strauss took all the pressure of his team and delivered victory for England. Consistently England's best batsman and worked well with all his bowlers few would deny Strauss' claim to SPOTY 2009.

Jensen Button and David Haye, two world champions in F1 and Boxing respectively are also in with a shout. Importantly as well they are what we would call "personalities". Button's lifestyle reflects that of royalty more than an athlete but his performances, particularly in the beginning of the F1 season make him another worthy winner. David Haye is rarely lost for words and probably has the biggest personality of all candidates this year. Having defeated a modern day Goliath and backed up all his prefight banter Haye is my choice for the award but I don't think he will win.

From the world of athletics, Jess Ennis, world heptathlon champion and Philips Idowu, triple jump world champion will both be in with a chance. Jess' performance was truly inspirational, especially after a serious injury and Philips always brings life to a relatively faceless event.

Some will argue for Andy Murray, Britain's tennis sensation but not actually having won a major yet puts him out the running, although no doubt he will win this award sooner rather than later.

What is sad though, at least in my opinion, is that there are no footballers with a real chance of winning. In the last few months our 2018 World Cup bid has derailed with a mixture of condemnations and resignations. Having a big footballing personality that could lift and unite our bid, I believe would do wonders. Hopefully a successful campaign next summer might deliver us such a hero but by then it might be too late.

Strauss to win but Button in with a shout!

Out of the champions league and out of the title hunt. Hard for Liverpool fans to deal with at the end of April, let alone end of November.

After last season's second half performance many predicted Liverpool to kick on and win the Premier League. Although I didn't share their optimism I certainly didn't expect them to struggle as they have done.

So where do Liverpool go from here? It can seem like this season can't be over quick enough for Liverpool and their fans. A Europa League win and FA Cup might go some way to appease matters but in my opinion they would be scant consolation.

What Liverpool MUSN'T do is panic. I wouldn't go out and splash the cash in January, not that they can anyway, and I wouldn't sack Benitez; he's got proven pedigree at the European level.

What I would do is start utilising the squad to its capacity. The season is pretty much over in terms of their major preseason goals so it seems to me to be a good time to blood some youngsters and therefore make an honest assessment of what areas need improving in the summer.

Secondly, I would get behind Rafa. I don't mean the fans because they've always been and will be there for the manager. But Mr. Hicks and Mr. Gillet need to, quickly. Or they need to figure out ownership ASAP.

This summer all I can see happening is Real Madrid coming and making a ridiculous offer for Rafa. If the current owners are still in place I don't see anything but them accepting the offer. Although Gerrard will never leave and Torres won't for some time it will be interesting to see the turbulence that will follow should Rafa go back to Madrid.

Watch this space because this story is far from over.