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The Real NCAA Basketball Scandal
LeBron James says the NCAA is corrupt.
I’ve always heard the narrative that they get a free education, but you guys are not bringing me on campus to get an education, you guys are bringing me on it to help you get to a Final Four or to a national championship…the NCAA is corrupt, we know that. Sorry, it’s going to make headlines, but it’s corrupt.
Of course LeBron avoided corruption by ascending into the NBA straight out of high school.
Here’s The Real NCAA Basketball Scandal
The players are the only ones who don’t get paid. Legally.
Kentucky coach John Calipari thinks players should be able to get loans using their pro potential as collateral. Kind of like an advance to an author from a publisher. But what if you’re not a pro prospect? Too bad. You’re lucky to get a scholarship.
Here’s everything else you need to know about the Scandal according ESPN.
The Block
Before game three of the NBA final series against Golden State, Number 23 noticed old Number 32 in the stands. LeBron James trotted over and bowed to Jim Brown. Brown was pleased. He called the salute, “one of my greatest sports moments.”
One of his other great moments was The NFL Championship in 1964. It was Cleveland’s last major sports title, until LeBron and his co-workers ended 52 years of frustration Sunday night.
The Block
Brown and James bookended five decades of sports despair. Hope was crushed during those years by “The Drive“, “The Fumble“, and “The Shot.”
But now we have “The Block.”
LeBron used speed, grace, and power, to chase down Andre Iguodala and smash his layup into the glass. At Deadspin Chris Thompson called it, “the greatest individual athletic feat in a game of basketball that I have ever seen.”
It reminded me of Jim Brown’s second, third, and fourth efforts half a century ago.
I’m still watching The Block – over and over. You can too, here, here, here, and here.
Click the image for full size
Go here to see some of my less gushing LeBron cartoons through the years.
Sportsman of the Year
Sports Illustrated has named LeBron James its sportsman of the year. He did win an NBA Title and Most Valuable Player award to go along with his Olympic Gold Medal. I think he’s the best player I ever saw. But I never felt that the way he quit on his team in the 2010 playoffs, and then colluded with Dwayne Wade to take his talents to South Beach, was very sporting.
(Full disclosure: disgtruntled ticket holder.)
Heat of the Moment
LeBron James and Dwayne Wade had a little fun at Dallas Maverick star Dirk Nowitzki’s expense after he played game 4 with fever and sinus infection.
Fishy in Miami
Guys propose marriage on the Jumbotron all the time at sporting events so why shouldn’t LeBron let down the home town fans on national tv – for a second time, if we’re counting playoff performances? The thing is, LeBron loves the spotlight so much it’s possible he was using his ESPN infomercial to make a confession.
By dumping on his Cleveland teammates again, this time to run off with Dwade and Heronimous Bosh, could he be guilty of collusion?
According to the same ESPN (this time wearing its reporters hat), NBA commisioner David Stern has said, “he’s been assured at the “highest level” that there will be no sitdown among LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the other superstars”. Well, that’s good to know. Otherwise it might seem suspicious that the threesome signed with the same team for less – 30 million less in James case – than they could have earned elsewhere.
