From the "Talks too much" studios, so Tom other than that, how was your Monday?
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts during the first half of Game 5 against the Chicago Bulls in a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) LeBron rules
His team short-handed facing a critical Game 5, LeBron James was nearly flawless.
James scored 38 points on 14-of-24 shooting and did not commit a turnover in a must-have 106-101 win over Chicago. Cleveland leads 3-2 with Game 6 in Chicago on Thursday.
No Kevin Love and a limited Kyrie Irving left James playing anywhere from shooting guard to power forward on defense and point guard to center on offense, and he was simply staggering.
Yes, we have always been pro-LeBron, but even his biggest detractors would be hard-pressed to knock last night.
His final stat line included 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals and three blocks - team highs in each category. And one of his blocks - a transition stop of a potentially game-tying Derrick Rose lay-up in the fourth quarter - arguably was the game's biggest moment.
James is now tied with Michael Jordan for the most playoff games with at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists with 51. Yes, a big part of that is having more playoff games today, but still.
It's moments like last night that make us remember James' true greatness.
It's also the chance to remember how much fun watching true greatness can be.
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Brady fallout Day 2
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gestures during an event at Salem State University in Salem, Mass., Thursday, May 7, 2015. An NFL investigation has found that New England Patriots employees likely deflated footballs and that quarterback Tom Brady was "at least generally aware" of the rules violations. The 243-page report released Wednesday, May 6, 2015, said league investigators found no evidence that coach Bill Belichick and team management knew of the practice. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool) Well, what happens when arguably the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL - who is married to a super model who makes $40 million a year - gets in big-time hot water?
He hires a big-time, gunslinging attorney.
Tom Brady had some troubles and was put in NFL timeout. You may have heard about it. Had something to do with his balls being soft. Alas.
Anyhoo, the league suspended him for four games and took a first-round and a fourth-round pick from the Patriots.
Now Brady has hired Jeffrey Kessler for his legal team.
Who is Jeffrey Kessler you ask? Well, in the NFL's eyes he is a combination of Matlock, Jack McCoy and Perry Mason.
Who was the guy the NFLPA turned to to help Ray Rice?
Who was the guy the league turned to to get Freeman McNeil's contract overturned and Reggie White's deal settled back in the day that paved the way for free agency in the league?
Who did Bill Belichick hire to fight and beat the NFL and the New York Jets in Federal Court in 2000?
That was Kessler, Kessler and, yep, Kessler.
So an appeal seems eminent, but the question still looms if Brady's not guilty why has he not cooperated?
Either way, you don't hire Kessler to take your medicine and settle. You hire Charles Pittman for that - 877-9800 is the way to go - and move along.
Game on.
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FSU in-fighting
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston calls out a play during drills in an NFL rookie minicamp in Tampa, Fla., Friday, May 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) So Bobby Bowden thinks Jameis Winston was an off-the-field "embarrassment."
Here's ESPN's story about the former FSU coach's interview on the Paul Finebaum Show.
Bowden's quote is a little more clear and less controversial than the money word that grabbed all the headlines:
"I think it's a consensus among Florida State fans and boosters that he was an embarrassment in a lot of ways to the university," Bowden said on ESPN's The Paul Finebaum Show. "He won a lot of ballgames, probably one of the best football players that ever attended Florida State, but he hurt himself off the field. The good news is he's young enough to get over that. He just can't make those junior high school decisions that he made when he was in college."
Hard to argue with much of that to be honest. Winston made some boneheaded decisions for sure. (Although we think the crab legs thing was Jimbo Fisher and the football program letting Winston take the wrap on a faux shoplifting charge rather than mess with the NCAA about football players getting free food at a local grocery store.)
It will be interesting to see how the FSU brass react to Bowden's directness since he is making $250,000 a year as a "fund-raiser" for the Seminoles.
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Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches drills during an Alabama NCAA college football practice, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/AL.com, Vasha Hunt) This and that
- TFP SEC ace David Paschall has a very interesting take on Alabama and Nick Saban picking up the pace. Paschall asked Saban directly about his view, and Saban said his opinion has not changed and that more plays means more chances for injury. What has changed apparently is Saban's personnel, so he apparently - and correctly - is OK with that sacrifice if it puts his team in the best position to win football games.
- Giancarlo Stanton hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium last night. Literally. He is the fourth player - joining Willie Stargell, Mike Piazza and Mark McGwire - to go all Elvis and leave the building. Here's video of the 475-foot homer.
- James Harden went nuts to keep the Rockets alive last night. The Beard went 26-11-10 in a 124-103 Game 5 win over the Clippers. Game 6 in L.A. is Thursday night.
- Speaking of the NBA, two huge Game 5s tonight as the Hawks host the Wizards and the Warriors host the Grizzlies. Each series is tied at 2. Both games will be on TNT.
- Braves closer Jason Grilli took the loss last night as the Reds scored the game-winner in the ninth for a 4-3 victory. So it goes. Just keeping you updated is all.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks at an NFL football news conference Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers will play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in an NFL football NFC Championship game. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke) - OK, Aaron Rodgers is pretty good at this life thing. Dude is the reigning NFL MVP. Dude is dating Olivia Munn, who is very easy on the eyes. Dude just won Celebrity Jeopardy by beating an astronaut and a successful business man. Dude got Alex Trebek to do the 'Discount Double Check'. And he has zero questions about the air pressure of his balls.
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Today's question
Have you offered up a mailbag entry? Why not?
OK, in honor of Mr. Jeffrey Kessler, Esq., let's do our Rushmore of TV/movie lawyers.
Whatcha' got?