Letters
Three Kings
It might be asking too much of three men—all under the age of 25—to save a professional sports league, but I wouldn't put it past Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (Generation Now, Oct. 23). As the superb article by Chris Ballard detailed, these three guys cut across almost any social or geographical boundary. Let's leave the legacy questions alone until they're finished playing and for now just enjoy the ride.
Richard Slate, Beverly, Mass.
One of the great things about D-Wade, LeBron, and Melo—as Generation Now notes—is that they all like each other and are great friends. In an earlier generation Dr. J, Bird, Magic and MJ all went to war with each other, sometimes almost leading to fights. I don't think you can call these three young guys rivals until they start to hate each other, just a little bit.
Adam Strauss, Elkins Park, Pa.
The NBA needs about 100 more players like Carmelo, LeBron and Dwyane.
Rick DellaRusso, Darien, Conn.
I find it interesting that Fastball (Oct. 23), about the speedy young guards changing the way basketball is played, did not feature Tony Parker of the Spurs. Not only is he just 24 years old—younger than Kirk Hinrich—but he's assumed the go-to-guy role on the team and he's already two rings up on all of the players mentioned. I guess I'm just another Spurs fan who feels his guys never get the credit they deserve.
Abe Novy, San Antonio
Job Security
Go Figure (SCORECARD, Oct. 23) says that only three coaches have defeated all 32 NFL teams. I think it's more remarkable that Bill Cowher has defeated 31 teams while coaching one franchise.
Corey Dickerson, Danville, Va.
Sweat Shop
Steve Rushin's Boyz in Da Hoodie (AIR AND SPACE, Oct. 23) was really on the mark. My wife at long last understands why I stopped her from throwing away my favorite sweatshirt: an old, frayed-at-the-hems SPORTS ILLUSTRATED XXL garment I received from y'all years ago as a reward for renewing my subscription.
Tom Dodson, Colorado Springs
Defending Huggins
I enjoyed the LIFE OF REILLY (Oct. 23), but I need to shed light on another side of Bob Huggins, about whom Rick Reilly was critical. I was a volunteer tutor for the Cincinnati men's basketball team several years ago, teaching math and English. Huggs was adamant that the players do their schoolwork. He demanded that the players give their tutors their fullest attention. I always got the impression that he felt his duty was to save the "bad apples," and this was a large part of why he went after so many juco transfers. This obviously didn't help his graduation rate. I cannot justify the DUI—it happened around the corner from my house, and I certainly would not appreciate my wife, kids or self being in jeopardy from any drunk driver—but there is a very good side to Bob Huggins which cannot be ignored.
Tom Wegman, Cincinnati
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Redemption
The 2006 World Series matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers rekindled memories of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED's Oct. 7, 1968, issue, which helped cement the reputation of the SI cover jinx. The cover pictured the Cardinals' starting lineup, assuming ace Bob Gibson would be pitching, seated in the locker room at Busch Stadium and included the title the team had earned a year before—WORLD CHAMPION ST. LOUIS CARDINALS—as the reigning champs were heading into a Fall Classic that they lost in seven memorable games.
Kevin McFarland, Belleville, Ill.
THREE PHOTOS
WALTER IOOSS JR. (NBA COVERS)
PHOTO
NEIL LEIFER