ALLAN THE MAN

Awed by the Filipinos' passion for basketball, LeBron James wonders why it took him so long to visit the Philippines.

What stood out for the Miami Heat star? The Filipinos' passion, especially for basketball.

"So far, so great. I'm so happy to be here," he said. "It's a great culture. They're (Filipinos) passionate about what they do."

Some Pinoys can be enterprising but not always in a proper way.

Scalpers quickly took advantage of the LeBron James fever by peddling tickets for James’ “Witness History” Manila tour through online classified ads.

Music boomed, confetti rained down and strobe lights beamed through billowing smoke as Miami’s NBA team celebrated their second-consecutive championship with a parade through the downtown on Monday.

Players, coaches and personnel rode on buses and trucks through the streets, including along Biscayne Boulevard to the American Airlines arena for a rally.

Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the highest-paid professional athlete in the United States with expected earnings of at least $90 million this year from just two bouts, according to Sports Illustrated magazine.

The 36-year-old welterweight - considered the best defensive boxer of his generation - topped the magazine's Fortunate 50 list, issued on Wednesday. Mayweather also took the top spot last year, earning an estimated $85 million, again from just two fights, the magazine reported.

The suggestion that he's a flopper drew a grin as wide as his wingspan from LeBron James.

Miami's superstar shot down the accusations from the Chicago Bulls, saying they reminded him of the days when some claimed he was overrated and questioned his ability to lead a team to a championship.

"It's kind of the same (as when) I heard people say I was overrated," he said Sunday (Monday, Manila time). "It's kind of like the same response."

The NBA made it official Sunday, announcing Miami Heat superstar LeBron James was a near-unanimous choice as Most Valuable Player, earning the award for a second straight year and fourth time overall.

James’s victory in the voting had been widely reported since Friday, although when asked about it the player himself had urged reporters not to “jinx” him by jumping the gun.

He needn’t have worried.

James garnered 120 first-place votes from a possible 121 which included a 120-member media panel and a fan poll conducted on NBA.com that counted for one vote.

WASHINGTON – LeBron James had yet to claim an NBA championship when he arrived in Miami two years ago, boldly predicting multiple title runs with Heat teammates Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.

Now, as the NBA prepares to open its 67th season on Tuesday, “King” James is coming off a crowning achievement, having won his first NBA title with the Heat last June and then guiding the US Olympic team to London gold in August.

LONDON OLYMPICS 2012 – The United States Dream Team of NBA stars captured their second successive Olympic men’s basketball gold medal and the 14th overall for America by beating Spain 107-100 in Sunday’s final.

Running unbeaten through the tournament as they did in 2008 when they also beat Spain in the final, the US multi-millionaire lineup of NBA elite claimed their fifth crown in the past six Olympics.

“I’m on cloud nine. It’s such a huge honour,” US star Kobe Bryant said after his final Olympic bow.

“It’s hard work and perseverance. I feel very fortunate to go to the Olympics twice and give it a go. I feel very lucky. It was nice.”

The Americans improved to 62-1 since revamping the national team program after settling for Olympic bronze in 2004.

“It’s a relief because if we don’t come back winners it’s a disaster,” US assistant coach Mike D’Antoni said.

But reigning European champion Spain, routed by the US NBA stars in a pre-Olympic exhibition game last month in Barcelona, stayed with the defending champions to the very end, keeping within reach until the final minutes.