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LeBron James can now enter the conversation. Thanks to the Miami Heat’s 121-106 victory Thursday night (June 21) over the Oklahoma City Thunder, he has won one NBA title. Which means the comparisons to Michael Jordan — who won six with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s — can begin.
Rather than stay at home to watch the NBA Finals, some of us were at a Bo Jackson Give Me a Chance Foundation event. So was singer J. Silva. And, yes, that's former baseball star Ken Griffey Jr. in the background.
You see, King James is not worthy to be in any conversation without a crown. Because titles are the true barometer of greatness for great players (although Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton and several others might beg to differ). Well, such is the thinking of those who believe MJ is far and away the superior basketball player.
MJ was great, no question. LeBron could be as good, if not better. James, 27, has his first NBA title; Jordan’s first came at age 28. And it’s unlikely that James is going to take a break to play baseball the way Jordan did. If James plays 10 more years, he needs five more titles to tie Jordan. Not inconceivable. James already has been an all-star eight times (to MJ’s 14); he also has three regular-season MVP awards (to Jordan’s five). James has one Finals MVP to Jordan’s six.
Numerically, James could suprass Jordan. As a fan favorite, the same cannot be said. And whatever James accomplishes in the rest of his career in no way diminishes Jordan’s achievements. Plus people will be able to argue endlessly if they like regarding who is better.
For those who base greatness on NBA titles won, here is the list of the players with the most (all but Jim Loscutoff and Robert Horry are Hall of Famers):
11: Bill Russell
10: Sam Jones
7: Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Satch Sanders, John Havlicek, Jim Loscutoff, Frank Ramsey and Robert Horry.
Well, as long as we’re going to talk about the Miami Heat, we might as well include the Miami Heat dancers — and a video, of course:
OK, so the NBA season ended a little sooner than some of anticipated. Which means there still are members of the Chicago Luvabulls daners who have not been featured during the postseason. Have no fear; they still will have a place around here for inclusion during the summer. Today, we have Ashley, a veteran of the squad. Ashley Bond is a former Miss Illinois USA; she also is a multi-taking type who blogs at chicagonow.com (Body By Bond) and works as a personal trainer when she isn’t modeling or busy with other activities. To view her Luvabulls video, you can click here.
You can have your Derrick Rose jersey. We prefer Luvabulls dancer Ashley Bond's.
If it’s any consolation to contemporary Bulls fans (and the guess right about now, there is little to console them in light of the Heat’s championship), Derrick Rose is still better than LeBron James. Well, in terms of international jersey sales. International jersey sales at adidas locations outside the United States during the 2011-12 season.
2011-12 Top-Selling Jerseys Internationally
1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
3. LeBron James, Miami Heat
4. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
5. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
6. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
7. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
8. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
9. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
10. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
11. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
12. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
13. Amar’e Stoudemire, New York Knicks
14. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
15. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves
2011-12 Top Selling Jerseys in China
1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
3. LeBron James, Miami Heat
4. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
5. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
2011-12 Top Selling Jerseys in Europe
1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
2. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
3. LeBron James, Miami Heat
4. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
5. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
2011-12 Top Selling Jerseys in Latin America
1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
2. LeBron James, Miami Heat
3. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
4. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
5. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
In the pursuit of material for this space, your humble correspondent journeyed to Burr Ridge for an evening event for Bo Jackson’s Give Me a Break Foundation. Among the sports personalities on the scene were former baseball star Ken Griffey Jr., former basketball star Jim Jackson and former football star Eddie George. Plus many, many more. So coming away from the event with video seemed only reasonable.
Which explains why we have video of singer J. Silva, who will be performing the national anthem at Jackson’s golf tournament Friday (June 22) at Bolingbrook Country Club.
The lovely Jill Karsten is flanked by David Spada (left) and Elliott Harris after her "Sports & Torts" appearance June 21.
Another episode of “Sports & Torts” has been recorded for posterity so that generations not yet born will be able to hear from folks who had an impact on the 20th century, generally in the realm of sports. Or something like that.
The, show, which is available on talkzone.com and airs live on Thursdays at noon Chicago time, has attorney David Spada and Elliott Harris as co-hosts. The June 21 program features former baseball standout Maury Wills, former basketball star/coach/owner Billy Cunningham and former Ice Capades performer Jill Davidek Karsten. To view their efforts, you can click here.
To advertise on “Sports & Torts” (with the possibility of being in-studio when such lovely ladies as Jill are guests), persons may contact david@injuryinillinois.com.
Speaking of freedom of speech (and even if we were not), good news for those out there who don’t mind watching actress Charlotte Ross disrobe as she is about to take a shower.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday overturned out the Federal Communications Commission’s findings that television networks violated the agency’s indecency rules by broadcasting profanity and nudity.
The court said the FCC failed to provide fair notice to the networks of a stricter policy. One case involved Fox Television broadcasts of the 2002 and 2003 Billboard Music Awards in which Cher and Nicole Richie used profanity. Another case involved ABC, which was fined $1.4 million for showing Ross in a 2003 episode of “NYPD Blue” that featured her bare bottom. The fine was tossed out.
God bless America. Or nudity on TV such as Ross displayed. Or something like that.
For those curious about the scene in question, here you go:
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