Morning Jolt: Jordan puzzled by LeBron joining Heat

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 19, 2010

Monday, July 19

Today's must-see content delivered straight to you.

Is the new Big Three offending the NBA's old guard? The latest Big Three backlash came Sunday from none other than Michael Jordan, who contributed his weighty opinion to the debate about whether LeBron James should've teamed up with two superstars instead of trying to beat them. "There's no way, with hindsight, I would've ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, 'Hey, look, let's get together and play on one team,'" Jordan said after finishing tied for 22nd in the American Century Championship golf tournament in Stateline, Nev. "But that's ... things are different. I can't say that's a bad thing. It's an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys." ... "Mike and I are in 100 percent agreement on this," Charles Barkley told the Arizona Republic this week. "If you're the two-time defending NBA MVP, you don't leave anywhere. They come to you. That's ridiculous. I like LeBron. He's a great player. But I don't think in the history of sports you can find a two-time defending MVP leaving to go play with other people." (CBSSports.com)Comment

Nats could move bats for D

Lack of production from their 3-4-5 spots may have the Nationals ready to deal. Adam Dunn, cooling off after a long tear, struck out twice on Sunday and left five men on base. Josh Willingham also left that many men on base, his three-run double on Friday the only exception to a long weekend for the left fielder. ... Maybe this is part of the reason general manager Mike Rizzo is at least open to trade offers for two of his three sluggers (Dunn and Willingham) -- because the Nationals aren't winning many games with them in the lineup. If they've got an offense that's supposed to be this good, and it's led to numbers in the bottom third of the NL all season, why not at least consider the possibility of selling off a couple parts and trying to win another way -- perhaps by improving the NL's worst defensive team? (masn.com)Comment

Lions GM: Stafford already a veteran

Matthew Stafford is a rookie no more. General manager Martin Mayhew said he already has been able to see the difference in Stafford this year. "I think he lost some of that newness and that rookie (aspect) and that sort of everything was new to him," Mayhew said during last month's minicamp. "I think he's becoming a veteran and a pro. I think he's communicating with the receivers more. I think that's big. And he's developing a good rapport with Calvin (Johnson), which is important." Besides improving the chemistry with his No. 1 receiver, Stafford also is getting more help around him with new players like receiver Nate Burleson, running back Jahvid Best and tight end Tony Scheffler. And that has helped give Stafford more options and made him feel more comfortable. (Detroit Free Press)Comment

Must-See Photo

Brian Schneider knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of a home-plate collision, but that didn't stop him from plowing into Geovany Soto to notch a Phillies run in the ninth on Saturday (AP).

Must-See Video

Louis Oosthuizen may have run away with the claret jug, but the British Open wasn't entirely devoid of exciting moments. Among the best? Miguel Angel Jimenez's ridiculous bank shot.

Game To Watch

Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers, 7:05 p.m. ET