I’ve never felt thrilled for another city’s fans. Not like this.
That is nearly the exact same intro I used for my column May 14, 2010, the day after the Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics — AKA the final game LeBron played as a member of the Cavs until his return last year.
You’ll notice, though, that it’s not EXACTLY the same intro. We’ve got one key word that’s different. Forget “ill.” Add “thrilled.” Continue reading “This one’s for Cleveland.”
Time to Settle Accounts
June 21, 2012: Witness.
The text arrived 20 minutes after the buzzer sounded, 20 minutes after the Heat were champs, 20 minutes after LeBron got his ring.
“It shoulda been us…” Continue reading “Witness.”
On the John
The Rise and Plateau of LeBron James
Originally completed May 15, 2011
When the final buzzer sounded on Thursday night’s Bulls-Hawks game, my excitement for Bulls-Heat overwhelmed me. We were at Rokwelz Bar in Orland Park waiting for G to perform, and Ricky and I were seated at the bar drinking Budweiser and Blue Russians and discussing every angle of these 2011 Eastern Conference Finals. Already the commentators were remarking on the difference between the Bulls’ post-series celebration and that of Miami’s one night earlier; while the Bulls high-fived and slapped backs and strode confidently toward the locker room with their 20 point victory in hand, the Heat’s advancement to the conference finals provoked a veritable hug-n-tears fest, LeBron and Wade and Bosh and Juwan Howard holding each other and shaking and soaking in the home crowd’s love. Continue reading “On the John: The Rise and Plateau of LeBron James”
On the John
Burn on, big river, burn on
Originally completed July 9, 2010
A nine-year-old Cleveland boy woke up this morning a new man. His world crumbled last night when the words “South Beach” fell on his ears. He was sitting in his inflatable Cleveland Cavaliers chair when it happened, wearing the child-sized JAMES 23 jersey his parents bought him for his eighth birthday. It was the only item on his list that year. Continue reading “On the John: Burn on, big river, burn on”
On the John
Keeping it all in house
Originally completed July 8, 2010
Let’s talk about LeBron, the Bulls, NBA super teams, free agent decision-making, corporate sports, intimate relationships, and the future of professional athletics.
It happens today. After many moons, after many false scoops, LeBron James tells everyone who cares where he will be balling for the next few years.
Where’s he signing? That question has been traveling two years to get here. And now it’s here. And you have to say. Call it… Continue reading “On the John: Keeping it all in house”
On the John
The Waste Land
Originally completed May 14, 2010, 2:51 AM
I’ve never felt ill for another city’s fans. Not like this. This is a nightmare. This is tragic. Okay, fine: it’s sports-tragic, not real-tragic. That’s what we tell ourselves. That’s what we mutter to ourselves in moments like this. And we’re usually right.
But not today. Because when it goes down the way it did for Cleveland this week, the dread seems real as a car wreck. Your team is not supposed to fall in the second round when it has 2010 LeBron James. That is not in the script. Hell, your team is not even supposed to fall in the East playoffs when it has 2010 LeBron James. Your team is supposed to battle the West’s champ in June. And now June will be the cruelest month… Continue reading “On the John: The Waste Land”
On the John
On big dogs and home runs
Originally completed April 29, 2010
It’s deck time in Los Angeles, the final sit in the sun. Five hours from now I will board the Southwest Chief and return to my native Chicago, two weeks of west coast life in the bag, eyes square on the future.
A good way to go, yes? Grab an experience and bring it home until you’ve transformed “home” once and forever. That’s the idea, anyhow. Continue reading “On the John: On big dogs and home runs”
On the John
Shot through the heart
Originally completed April 26, 2010
ED. NOTE: Game 4 of the Cavaliers-Bulls series left Mr. Silverstein confused and agitated. He contacted us last night through an “emotional interpreter” who told us that the writer was unable to produce or file any copy. After much coaxing and some early-morning deal-making, Mr. Silverstein released the following column.
I am out of new ways to describe LeBron James. Yesterday’s half-court jumper was a basketball act I’d never considered realistic. I have never been more demoralized or impressed by a third quarter jump shot. Just an absolute nightmare of an amazing J. Continue reading “On the John: Shot through the heart”
On the John
King Crane Fly James battles the Bulls
Originally completed April 23, 2010
I walked into my brother’s room early this morning in search of a towel. On my way out I heard his voice saying “Jack, can you do me a favor?”
“What’s up?”
“Grab a paper towel and kill that mosquito.”
I found this to be an ominous request. Most people request a lone tissue for the execution of a single insect. I grabbed two Kleenex out of the box and walked back into the room. “Hurry man,” he instructed safely from his bed. “Get it now while it’s behind the door.” Continue reading “On the John: King Crane Fly James battles the Bulls”
On the John
When the going gets good
Originally completed April 20, 2010
Joakim Noah might be good. Actually-Good. Always tough to tell with young bigs. Marcus Fizer was not nearly the bust we remember. He just had no luck. Couldn’t stay healthy, couldn’t get extended minutes, played out of position as a rookie, never played for a team that won more than 30 games. Continue reading “On the John: When the going gets good”
ReadJack.com 