THE MAIL
I'm a lifelong fan of Dale Earnhardt's. After reading that Austin Dillon, a 23-year-old donning a black cowboy hat, was going to be running Earnhardt's number 3, I immediately went into boycott mode. I can only imagine a wet-behind-the-ears leftfielder, in his first year in the bigs with the Yankees, wearing Babe Ruth's number 3. Count me gone!
George Lyda, Gray Court, S.C.
(Blue) Devil of a Duo
Being a Michigan alum, I don't root for Duke. However, Jeff Benedict's insightful article (The Education of Jabari Parker) has reinforced for me what a great coach Mike Krzyzewski is. Parker and Duke are very fortunate to have him at the helm.
Jim Folger, Dallas
Great job by Benedict of giving us an inside look at the relationship between Parker and Coach K. You would like to see Parker return to Duke for another year, but that seems highly unlikely.
Ralph B. Richardson, Skokie, Ill.
Later Could Be Greater
The Case for ... Tyler Ennis (SCORECARD) got me thinking about this year's NBA draft. Based on the high expectations for the class, it definitely has the potential to be the most overhyped draft in history, featuring inexperienced freshmen who haven't necessarily lived up to expectations yet. Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Andrew Wiggins will go in the lottery, but the real winners could end up being the teams with the later picks. Players such as Creighton's Doug McDermott and Syracuse's C.J. Fair, who will each have four years of college experience, could be the undervalued jewels of the class.
Ben Reed, York, Pa.
A Class of His Own
I read Jack Dickey's article on Derek Jeter's announcing his intention to retire at the end of the 2014 season (SCORECARD). There is only one word to describe Jeter: classy. Baseball will be at a loss when he leaves the game. The steroid era has given the sport a black eye, but Jeter has been a breath of fresh air.
Gregory Boudreau Halifax, Nova Scotia
The text below the headline for Dickey's story says that Jeter's career was "little else" than a monument to excellence. What on earth is wrong with that?
Bruce W. Rider, Grapevine, Texas
First Place? Not Quite
In the piece about Daytona International Speedway's overhauling its grandstands after 55 years (SCORECARD), Tim Newcomb refers to the Daytona Rising project as turning the track "into racing's first stadium." I guess Newcomb hasn't been to Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee?
Terry Marshall, Athens, Ga.
Great story about Duke basketball, but is it my imagination or in the cover photo is Coach K wearing the same old pair of Nikes that I wear when I cut the grass?
John Huffman Centerville, Ohio
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SOCIAL MEDIA
The Sixers retired Allen Iverson's jersey. Where does he rank?
DAN JACKSON As far as scoring? Top five for sure. Pound for pound? Arguably the best ever.
NICK PILGER He crossed over more people than the Golden Gate Bridge.
CHUCK ADAMS He had an uncanny ability to get to the rim.
MORGAN SAILORS Not worth the money he was paid. Only thought of himself. Shorter version of Carmelo.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
I'm so fortunate to have met Matthew Shepard's parents and brother tonight after @BrooklynNets win in Denver.
(@jasoncollins34)
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AL TIELEMANS/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (COVER)
FOR FEB. 24, 2014
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DAMIAN STROHMEYER/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (IVERSON)
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FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS