A few years ago, in writing the book "Fab Five," I discovered that Steve Fisher had paid a friend of Juwan Howard's a tidy sum to coach at Fisher's summer camp. This stunned me. Hiring this friend -- who then brought young Juwan to Ann Arbor as a camper -- and even interviewing this friend for a coaching position at the University of Michigan, was, to me, unseemly, and perhaps an NCAA violation.So one night, at Fisher's house, I confronted him about this incident. He was uncomfortable, admitted what he'd done, but said, "It happens all the time in college basketball."
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Jerry Jones is talking to me, something about revenue sharing or marketing ideas, but it isn't the conversation that holds me, it's his look. His eyes are wide, bigger than they need to be, his mouth is curled up in the corners as he speaks. His neck is tight above his expensive white shirt collar, his complexion is ruddy, and, to me, he seems slightly crazed, his words appear to fly from his own mouth straight into his ears, fueling him with energy. He enjoys listening to himself.
Would it surprise you that Dennis Rodman acted relatively normal on Sunday? That he didn't throw a tantrum? That his hair was neither strawberry nor pistachio? That he had no new tattoos engraved in his skin? That he played the whole game without an ejection?Would you be shocked -- or disappointed?Here is how the media works around Rodman. He was surrounded after Chicago's victory Sunday, and was peppered with questions about his return to the Palace.Was it a special game?"Nah. I just tried to win."Did it feel weird being back?
Well, football fans, the NFL playoffs, known to insiders as "games that are actually close," are now officially over. Which means: Time to duck.Over the next two weeks, you will be bombarded with Super Bowl Previews, Super Bowl Extras, Super Bowl Insiders, Super Bowl Extravaganzas, Super Bowl Close-Ups, Super Bowl Analysis, and Super Bowl Commercials Featuring Michael Jordan.After which will come the actual game, a nail-biting 52-10 victory for the NFC team.
Mitch Albom writes about running an orphanage in impoverished Port-au-Prince, Haiti, his kids, their hardships, laughs and challenges, and the life lessons he’s learned there every day.
