JR's Sports :60 - King James To Correct "The Mistake"
Here's why I believe LeBron James played his final game as a Cleveland Cavalier this past 2009-2010 NBA season.
He is desperate to win an NBA title and unfortunately for Cavs fans it simply will NOT happen in the city better known as "The Mistake By The Lake."
King James is looking for the BIG stage, and that stage is definitely not in Ohio. The greatest stage in the NBA is of course Madison Square Garden in New York. That would be the story book franchise for the game's best player to go and perform.
Just think of some of the all-time great Knick players to lace them up and run up and down the Garden floor over the years. Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Willis Reed, Patrick Ewing, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Dave Debusschere, Bill Bradley, Dick Barnett, and Phil Jackson.
Yes, the great Phil Jackson.
The Zen-Master has compiled an overall coaching mark of 1098-406 in 19 seasons with a .704 winning percentage. And, he's looking for more.
What a way to close out a sensational coaching career having coached the greatest player of all-time in Michael Jordan, then of course Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, and finally King James himself.
What a legacy.
Rumors are already flying indicating that Jackson will stepdown as head coach of the defending World Champion Los Angeles Lakers once the post-season concludes.
My belief is that Jackson will stepdown as the Lakers coach to take over the head coaching duties of the Knickerbockers OR the Chicago Bulls.
That's right! Two of the most highly profiled franchises in the NBA.
Jackson will become LeBron's next coach. It's a no brainer, and they will unite either in Chicago or the Big Apple.
The John Calipari talk of being a package deal with James is just that, all talk. He will remain at the University of Kentucky.
Phil is the only coach who will be able to harness Lebron and the King Camp. He's proven that with Kobe Bryant. The results, NBA titles. That's what King James wants and needs.
So it's just a matter of whether or not Jackson wants to coach in the place where he began his playing career, or the place where he began his NBA heading coaching career. It's a coin flip, and boy what a heavy coin to flip.
Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and VP John Paxson would welcome both Phil and Lebron with open arms (and open purse strings as well). $95-mil plus endorsements for LBJ and $20-mil per for Phil's second go-around in the Windy City.
New York and Chicago both offer the BIG stage, city, dollars, and marketing. So forget the talk of the Clippers, Nets, Miami Heat, and even Cleveland. These markets simply can't compete.
Derrick Rose needs support and James will definitely bring it and thet two of them will eventually elevate each other, the city, and inevitably that Larry O'Brien trophy.
The stage is set, it's just waiting for Phil to flip the coin. If James remains in Cleveland that would be a BIG "Mistake.".
Start Seeing Motorcycles
Motorcycle Awareness Month ends today..
Tonight at 9- a WGN News 'Cover Story' on how I got hit, and how you can not. I get back in the saddle with some guys who really know how to ride- and they offer some tips for staying safer than I did.
The guys I'm talking about are motorcycle cops from all over Chicagoland. They tell me why my crash was 'textbook,' a term I've heard a lot since last September, and how the average rider can use the same skills the pros learn on a closed course to keep them safe on the open road.
It's pretty good stuff, but I've gotta tell ya- I was literally sick about getting back on a bike again- especially a 900-pound police Harley. It was good, though. I'm still not in a big hurry to start riding again- but it was good.
I've got to thank the Elk Grove Village Police Department, Illinois State Police, Evanston PD, Schaumburg.. the list goes on.. 14 different departments were out riding that day-- all great guys.. REALLY good riders. If you ride, I hope you get something out of the piece. Crashes happen, what can I say. Best to prepare yourself. Even these guys have close calls all the time, while riding with sirens and lights.
Still recovering from my spill- in some ways a lot more slowly than I had hoped- but I'm still pretty grateful. Thanks also to my amazing docs at Rush, who put me back together, and to neurosurgery resident Dr. Ali Ghods, a motorcyclist, who helped me with the piece.
My thoughts and thanks also go out to my dear friend and fellow rider Jo Giovannoni, who continues to recover from her crash last summer- and who continues to ride. I know it ain't easy living with pain, but Jo smiles through it; a pretty good example to the rest of us.
I know in an earlier blog I promised more info on how I was fast-tracking my recovery. It's a program that's working wonders for me, and I feel like it's pretty important. It's also a little bit out there..so I've wanted to be careful how I characterize it. Plus- I've been really busy. The old Number 9 has me running my tail off these days from the second I get in the door, so quite frankly I just haven't had a lot of time to do the job, the odd Cover Story (like tonight's) and keep the blog going. But I really feel like what I went through and the things I learned can really help some people. I certainly hope so. So I promise a subsequent blog will reveal how anyone can improve their health and well-being, how those who, like me, have suffered a life-altering health setback can make big strides toward recovery, and how maybe -MAYBE- they can even have a better life than they did before. That's what I'm shooting for.
In the meantime, some important safety tips. They are below.
If you ride.. God love ya-- ride safe.
If you drive.. please keep an eye out for 'em..
-tn
Motorcycle Training-
And a nod to the Zaffke family-
Jo
So awful that a nice lady like this should be in pain b/c she rides a motorcycle.. After an accident that wasn't her fault. I can relate.. but it's such a shame.
-t
Good Morning Tom,
My surgery was Friday at 10 a.m. I had a bad reaction to pain medicine after surgery. Instead of getting released by 1:30pm I was released from the hospital a little after 6pm.
I didn't get to talk to Dr. Schroeder after my surgery to find out exactly what was done to my knee as he was in another surgery.
I have an immobilizer on that stretches from mid-thigh to just above my ankle (certainly does immobilize!).
My pain / discomfort is not as bad as I expected. Actually my pain level is probably equal to or less then the days prior to surgery.
They sent over a CPM device (continuous passive movement). I use it 4 to 6 hours a day for the next 3 weeks. It moves the knee/leg up and down - - I'd call it a gentle form of physical therapy. I'm sure there will be more physical therapy to come.
I'm anxious to speak with the doctor and find out exactly what was done.
Hope this email finds you well.
I look forward to watching your Cover Story tonight -- I've sent the info to all my friends to make sure they watch.
Your hard work on that story will Save Lives!
Tom, Big THANKS From me and thousands of other m/c riders .... Jo....
