The teams met four straight years from 1997-00

It starts Saturday with the Chicago Bulls, the overall No. 1 seed, hosting the Philadelphia 76ers. Then it's Miami against New York, with James and Anthony just a couple of the big names in a series loaded with star power.

And with history.

The teams met four straight years from 1997-00, the Knicks winning three of the series and earning a draw in the fights. The animosity doesn't exist between these players—James and Anthony have known each other since high school before entering the league together in 2003—but you bet it's still around for the organizations and fans. 

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Ilya Bryzgalov overcame another shaky start to stop 23 shots

Couturier admitted to feeling some jitters before the series opener. Funny, he hardly looked nervous when his third goal of the night sewed it up with 1:49 remaining before Giroux's empty-netter completed the scoring.

"He's 19, but he plays like he's 28," Giroux said.

Ilya Bryzgalov overcame another shaky start to stop 23 shots for the Flyers, who never blinked after getting down by multiple goals for the ninth time in their past 14 games.

"You have a choice to win the game or give up," Bryzgalov said.

The Lakers fell eight games behind Oklahoma City

The Lakers fell eight games behind Oklahoma City after losing to the Thunder, 102-93, on the night Fisher returned to play against his former teammates.
A volume of stories could be written on the differences between the teams, but it was condensed Thursday to the ridiculous speed of Russell Westbrook.
The former UCLA guard had 36 points and six assists, clearly outplaying Ramon Sessions, the point guard the Lakers acquired the same day they traded Fisher.
The third-quarter scoring was all that needed to be known. The Lakers had 19 points, Westbrook had 17.

Young conceded he was in position to drive to the basket

Thaddeus Young or Elton Brand or Jrue Holiday or any other player on a roster full of players unequipped to sink a big-time shot.
In fact, shortly after Iguodala's airball, Young, who had rallied the Sixers back into the game by scoring nine of his 17 points in a 1 1/2-minute surge in the fourth, missed a 16-footer that would have drawn the Sixers even with 39.8 seconds left.
Young conceded he was in position to drive to the basket but instead settled for the jumper.
"I don't even know where to start," coach Doug Collins said after the Sixers lost for the seventh time in nine games. "It just seems like it's been the same old script here at home against these really good teams.

tark contrast to 2008 draftmate Joe Flacco

Going into Year 5, he's been solid if rarely spectacular for the Falcons. There's little question about the dedication, intelligence or leadership of the one-time Pro Bowler. Ryan boasts a 43-19 (.694) regular-season record highlighted by efficient play (88.4 career passer rating), but he's notably gone 0-3 in the playoffs, a stark contrast to 2008 draftmate Joe Flacco. Finally healthy for a full season in 2011, his abilities were showcased for all to see as he became the fourth player in league history to pass for 5,000 yards in a season while leading the Lions to their first playoff berth since 1999. Is this the rule or the exception for a player who missed 19 games in his first two seasons.

What you want to see is for him to keep making progress

What you want to see is for him to keep making progress, to get back to the point where you can say he's making all the throws and doing the things he needs to do," Irsay said. "The truth is it's a slow progression and to say that he would hit a ceiling on Dec. 15 or Jan. 1 and he's not going to get any better, that's really uncertain."
Manning's health and finding a successor are only part of the equation.
Some outsiders want a complete overhaul -- getting rid of Caldwell, vice chairman Bill Polian or general manager Chris Polian.
Irsay told reporters he wouldn't give up on the Polians, who turned the franchise from an also-ran into a perennial Super Bowl contender, because of eight losses. He also voiced support for Caldwell, saying "not just any guy" could have led the Colts to the AFC title two years ago or four straight wins to clinch the AFC South last year.
Manning hopes to have more answers next month.
"If I'm at a level where I'm cleared to practice, then the greatest venue to see where you are is on the practice field," Manning said.
Until then, Irsay is pleading for patience.
"We have not had this much uncertainty in a long, long time, but I think it's exciting," Irsay said. "I'm more interested in getting back to greatness and having a chance to sustain it. I'm not interested in middling around at 8-8 or 9-7 and sneaking into the playoffs for the next decade."

Among the former NHL players in the crash were Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei, Karlis Skrastins

Among the former NHL players in the crash were Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei, Karlis Skrastins, Karel Rachunek and Josef Vasicek. Brad McCrimmon, a former Red Wings and Flyers defenseman, was Lokomotiv's new head coach. 

Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun, a Czech native, was distraught after hearing the news of the plane crash because one of his close friends was on the aircraft. The veteran netminder played with both Skrastins and Salei in the NHL. Vokoun asked to not speak with reporters, according to a team spokesman. 

Washington prospect Stanislav Galiev, who is in town for rookie camp, knew three of the young players on the flight.

"I'm shocked; it's very sad. I had a couple good friends there from world junior team, I played with them," said Galiev, who said he knew Sergei Ostapchuk, Yuri Urychev and Daniil Sobchenko well. "You know travel every day [as an athlete]. You don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, it's just life."

Players and officials from leagues across North America and Europe expressed their shock and sadness Wednesday. 

"Though it occurred thousands of miles away from our home arenas, this tragedy represents a catastrophic loss to the hockey world — including the NHL family, which lost so many fathers, sons, teammates and friends who at one time excelled in our League," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a news release. "Our deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of all who perished."

It is unclear how the KHL will proceed after losing nearly the entire roster for one of its franchises and whether it will attempt to reconstruct Lokomotiv, possibly through a draft, so that the club can participate in this year.

"We are working to find an appropriate way to honor this club and begin the healing process from the deep loss so many of us feel today," the KHL said in a statement. "This tragedy remains our primary focus. We ask for patience as we find an appropriate way to proceed with the 2011-2012 season."