5-at-10: LeBron, SEC media days and who won the weekend

Monday, July 14, 2014

From the satellite offices in Hoover, Ala., we bring you a fast-paced 5-at-10. (Notice we did not say, quick-worded.)

photo LeBron James

LeBron goes home

Did anyone hear what's up with LeBron?

Seriously, wow, good thing nothing else happened in the free world.

That said, it's a complete game changer for the Cavs and the city. Cleveland has already sold out of season tickets. Estimates have LeBron James return to the Caves will net the franchise close $100 million and could mean close to $1 billion for the city if he stays there long term.

We are surprised by the move. And pleased.

The dominos in free agency have fallen quickly since. Carmelo is back in NYC. Bosh, Deng and Birdman have inked in Miami. Side props to Houston for letting Dallas overpay Chandler Parsons. Nice job.

And does any one have any doubts that the lessons and stink that lingered with James after the debacle that was The Decision left a mark? LeBron's letter was pitch perfect Friday and now the page has been turned.

Of course, we saw on The Twitter that someone posted we knew Mike Slive would have this wrapped up before SEC media days.

Speaking of...


SEC media days

photo SEC Southeastern Conference

Football unofficially starts today with the hand-wringing and interviews and the silliness that is SEC media days outside of Birmingham.

We're already here and ready to go, and we brought reinforcements -- Downtown Patrick Brown (check), David Paschall (check) and even ESPN 105.1 FM cohort Well Guthrie (check).

We also know that Auburn starting quarterback Nick Marshall will not be here after getting a citation for marijuana over the weekend. Think that will come up today for Auburn's Gus Malzahn? We say yes.

If you want full-time coverage of the event, we'll be going live right here at timesfreepress.com all day through Thursday. We'll be checking in on the 5-at-10 and updating Twitter (@jgreesontfp) and then at 3 p.m., Press Row will be live on the scene. Listen in on 105.1 FM and right here.

Giddy-up.


Nice little sports week

SEC media days. British Open. Baseball at the halfway point.

Man this time last week we were slower than the bad waitress at the Cracker Barrel.

Now? Boom.

But don't think we missed that little event on Sunday. You know the one that had loads of folks on the edge of their seats worldwide.

Yep, Danny Uggla got suspended.

Egad son, don't you know the sports hierarchy of rules and regulations.

If you are Jameis Winston, crab legs can walk away. As Crash says, "you win 20 in the show you can let the fungus grow back on your shower shoes and the press will think your colorful. Until you win 20 in the show, it means you're a slob."

Uggla was late and got suspended for a game. Fredi G says it is an internal matter (kind of like indigestion we suppose) and will be handled internally (which is way better than an external matter handled internally and vice versa).

C'mon Dan. Dude, you're so far below the Medoza line you're approaching the Mensa line for crying out loud. Now you are going to be a clubhouse distraction?

OK, we'll ask? How incriminating are those pictures Uggla has of someone high up in the organization?

Otherwise, it seems past time to cut the cord.


This and that

-- Speaking of the Braves, despite all the head-scratching and hair-pulling, this bunch is nine games over .500 (52-43) and tied with Washington for first in the NL East.

-- Germany won the World Cup and we all won the weekend because we can now go back to ignoring soccer. Yay.

photo Tiger Woods

-- Brad Kesosloswoaksjekfski won the NASCAR weekend taking both the Nationwide and the Sprint Cup race. Somewhere Coach K smiles.

-- Heading into the British Open, golf superstar Tiger Woods says he can do whatever he wants. Uh, Tiger, considering you had like 12,000 mistresses scattered around the globe, hasn't that been the case for years? Oh, he's talking about his surgically repaired back. OK. Proceed.

-- Jimmy Smith became the fifth Baltimore Ravens player to be arrested this offseason. Hmmm, that seems high. Unless of course they are requiring every player to get pinched, and in that case, they have some work to do before OTAs start.


Today's question

We're going to have a slew of SEC football stuff, so hang on.

We have our Monday regular "Who won the weekend" so there's that.

Also, who do you like the British Open (anyone up for a contest)?

Go and see you soon -- and frequently.