All posts by diegelam

Rugby

MLR Week 4 Preview

Entering the season’s quarter poll, there are two undefeated teams left. Contenders are beginning to establish themselves. What’s in store for Week 4?

San Diego Legion @ NOLA Gold

Where to watch: ESPN+ at 4PM EST Saturday

NOLA got back on track last week with a 27-20 win over Colorado. At 2-1, they have an early lead on the 2 seed in the East. San Diego, however, has been unstoppable thus far with an undefeated record and +45 point differential. The train keeps on rolling for the Legion.

Old Glory DC @ Austin Gilgronis

Where to Watch: NBC Sports Washington at 4PM EST Saturday

Old Glory looks to go streaking with a three gamer after a rough debut match. Austin has showed steady improvement, earning a draw last week and seem to have found something in flanker Dominic Akina and welcomed former All Black Jamie Mackintosh. DC completes the Texas sweep however, and goes to 3-1 on the season.

Utah Warriors @ Colorado Raptors

Where to Watch: FTF (For the Fan), Eleven Sports, KMYU at 6PM EST Saturday

Both of these teams have had mixed performances throughout the season, making this one tough to pick. Utah hands Rugby ATL a MLR debut win, outguns New England, then picks up a draw against the winless Gilgronis. Colorado has yet to put 80 minutes together.

However, I’m 0 for 2 predicting Raptors’ wins on the year, so at least won’t go down on that ship (so naturally, they’ll probably pick up their first win of the year). Utah wins a tight one.

New England Free Jacks @ Seattle Seawolves

Where to Watch: Fox Sports 2 at 10PM EST Saturday

The two-time defending champion Seawolves are 0-3. The upstart Free Jacks are +5 in point differential, but 1-2 in the standings. With backs agains the wall, expect Seattle to come out on top and put itself right back in the playoff conversation in a Western Conference that is struggling against its eastern foes out of the gates.

Toronto Arrows @ Rugby ATL

Where to Watch: ESPN+, TSN, WATL at 3PM EST Sunday

The Arrows are the only team keeping pace with San Diego thus far, carrying an undefeated record and +55 point differential into this one. Rugby ATL has been impressive, and seemed to be “saving itself” for this one, with several new starters introduced last week after a 2-0 start. Rugby ATL might be identifying itself as the best defensive team in the league.

Generally speaking a great defense + home field advantage would have me go ATL’s way. But I need to see someone knock off last year’s semifinalists before I pick against them. Arrows wear down ATL to score late and seal this one in dramatic fashion.

Rugby United New York @ Houston Sabercats

Where to Watch: CBSSN at 6PM EST Sunday

Houston has showed marked improvement this season, but has a rough early schedule. RUNY has bounced back from an opening season loss to look like the title favorites they are. With the signing of USA flanker Hanco Germiishuys RUNY bolstered its pack with a playmaker in the loose to complement further complement its potent backline. The visitors win, but it won’t be easy.

Last week’s picks: 3-3

Season: 6-6

Rugby

MLR Week 3 Preview

Last week was full of upsets and international stars getting their feet wet in MLR. How will this week unfold?

NOLA Gold at Colorado Raptors

Where to Watch: FTF Saturday at 6PM EST

After a dominant Week One win, NOLA slipped with a 22-10 loss last week. This talented Colorado squad is still searching for its first win after an 0-2 start. Tough one to pick, as both teams are capable of looking like a contender one week, and dropping a dud the next. I’ll go with the Raptors on home field picking up its first win of the year. If it goes the other way, Colorado will be in full-on panic mode.

Utah Warriors at Austin Gilgronis

Where to Watch: ESPN+/KMYU Saturday at 6PM EST

Utah picked up an impressive victory in a shootout over the Free Jacks last week. Austin showed some bright spots, but continues to struggle. Warriors improve to 2-1.

Old Glory DC at Houston Sabercats

Where to Watch: NBC Sports Washington, Saturday at 8PM EST

Old Gory is riding high after introducing The Beast and fixing its set piece issues. There might be even more reinforcements on the way, as New Zealand 7s veteran Declan O’Donnell has yet to make an appearance on the wing. Old Glory moves to 2-1 over the ‘Cats.

Toronto Arrows at Seattle Seawolves

Where to Watch: CBS Sports Network/TSN, Saturday at 10PM EST

Seattle has its backs against the wall, as the reigning champs are winless heading into this match against the undefeated Arrows. Look for the “Seawall” to slow a vaunted Arrows’ attack that sits second in the league with a +33 point differential. Home field advantage gets the Seawolves into the win column, but just barely.

RUNY at Rugby ATL

Where to Watch: ESPN+ Sunday at 3PM EST

Rugby United New York (RUNY) got back on track with a balanced effort from its forwards and backs. The momentum continues with a victory over a scrappy ATL side.

New England Free Jacks at San Diego Legion

Where to Watch: Fox Sports 2 Sunday at 7PM EST

New England is the latest to try to stop the 2-0 Legion. With 73 points in its first two games, the Free Jacks can score with anybody. But how will the defense hold up against a San Diego attack that has put up 82 points in its own right? Not well enough, I say. The home team breaks 50 on the way to the win in a high-scoring affair.

Last week’s predictions: 3-3

Season record: 3-3

Rugby

MLR Week 2 Recap

Warriors 39—New England Free Jacks 33

The first match of the week set the tone for the rest, as Utah held on to hand New England its first MLR loss.

A 13-12 match at halftime was opened up by back-to-back tries from the Free Jacks. Ill discipline proved the squad’s undoing, however, as Utah took advantage of two New England men in the bin to get right back in it. In the end, it was the Try of the Week at 76′ that sealed this one for Utah.

RUNY 49—Austin Gilgronis 31

Credit coach Greg McWilliams for shaking up the roster after a disappointing 2020 debut. After a flat start last week, Mathieu Bastareaud moved into the pack at #8 and his impact was felt all over the pitch. He scored the game’s first try at the back of a driving maul, helped set up the second by drawing the attention of the defense and had a number of nifty offloads and big tackles throughout his shift.

Moving the big Frenchman to the pack played double dividends, as Bastareaud’s replacement at 13, Cal product Troy Lockyear, scored two tries in his RUNY debut.

Rugby ATL 22—NOLA Gold 10

Rugby ATL continues to impress, with a 2-0 start to its first MLR season. NOLA Gold struck first with a try from Lindsey Stevens at the back of the maul, and this defensive affair was just 7-5 at half.

Back-to-back penalty kicks gave Rugby ATL an 11-7 lead at 53′ before Carl Meyer responded 10 make it 11-10 four minutes later. That would be all the points for NOLA on this day, however, as the ATL defense held with Rury Van Vugt scoring a late try to seal this one.

San Diego Legion 49—Colorado Raptors 22

Can anyone stop the Legion? The impressive start continues with a second straight dominant win, this one over a Raptors’ squad that falls to 0-2.

It was back and forth early, but a first half run that included Ma’a Nonu’s first MLR try saw San Diego turn a slim 10-8 lead into a 31-8 advantage. Colorado got it within 31-22, but the result was never much in doubt. The Legion look like a team on a mission.

Toronto Arrows 27—Houston Sabercats 22

One of two matches this week decided in stoppage time. Houston had a two-man advantage, and used just about all 15 players in a maul that started at the Toronto 22. Houston powered across the try line but was held up as as the Arrows needed all 83 minutes to secure this one.

The Sabercats nearly stormed all the way back from 24-5 down but will drop to 1-1 on the year as the Arrows improve to 2-0.

Match of the Week: Old Glory 28—Seattle Seawolves 22

Not just the Match of the week, but the Match of the Year, thus far. And it’s not really close. Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira’s presence was immediately felt as he helped stabilize the Old Glory scrum, which was on roller skates alst week. Local product Dante Lopresti (Potomac Exiles) showed hooker might be his spot moving forward as, likewise, he helped the DC lineouts. But this one was about the drama.

The DC hosts struck first and second for an 8-0 lead, but Seattle was only getting started. A couple of Seattle PKs made it 8-6 before fullback Dylan Taikto-Simpson found wing Doug Fraser, in what has the makings of a devastating combo in the back three. Another Seawolves’ PK made it 13-9 at the break. The second half is when the fun truly began.

It took only two minutes for Seattle to close it to 13-12, then another two to take the lead 19-13 via a nice phase that led to a #8 Riekert Hattingh try. Then it was Old Glory’s turn to chip away with a PK from fly half Jason Robertson 19-16. Seawolves’ wing Brock Staller followed up with ayet another penalty conversion and the advantage was again six, 22-16.

Wing Roberts-Te Nana took one in next and Robertson hit the pivotal conversion to give Old Glory the lead, 23-22 with 21 minuted to go. The scores held for 18 minutes before the home team scored again, but the conversion was no good to give the Seawolves a chance.

True to to form, Seattle showed its championship mettle, turned the ball over on the kickoff, and got deep in Old Glory territory. The Seawolves crossed the try line at 80+, but were held up as DC secured its first MLR victory in its home debut.

Rugby, Writing

MLR Week 2 Preview

New England Free Jacks @ Utah Warriors

Where to Watch: FTF TV, Eleven Sports live Saturday at 2:30PM EST, tape delay 5PM Sunday on NESN

The New England Free Jacks shocked the MLR world with a debut victory against RUNY, one of 2019’s semifinalists. The perfect debut continues on the road against the Utah Warriors.

Austin Gilgronis @ RUNY

Where to Watch: ESPN+ Saturday at 6:30PM EST

Austin is in a transition period, and got worked 38-10 last week. Hard to see a different outcome on the road against a RUNY squad that will be hungry to prove that last week’s loss was just a fluke.

Houston SaberCats @ Toronto Arrows

Where to Watch: ESPN+, Sunday at 2:30PM EST

Tough one to pick. Houston continued last season’s late momentum with a Week One win against a talented Colorado Raptors’ squad. Toronto, meanwhile, picked up a blowout win against Austin. I’ll give the Arrows the edge at home.

Seattle Seawolves @ Old Glory

Where to Watch: NBC Sports Washington/ESPN+, Sunday at 3PM EST

A Match of the Week contender. The Beast has landed in DC and Declan O’Donnell should be available after missing Week One with the flu. Bouncing back against the two-time defending champion Seawolves—coming off a Week One loss, no less— is a tall order, however. Seattle picks up the victory to spoil Old Glory’s home debut.

Colorado Raptors @ San Diego Legion

Where to Watch: ESPN+ Sunday at 6PM EST

Another early contender for Match of the Week. There will be a lot of talent on the field in the forms of Rene Ranger, Digby Ioane, Ma’a Nonu and a host of Eagles in the Legion backline. The Legion take it to move to 2-0.

Rugby ATL @ NOLA Gold

Where to Watch: CBS Sports Network at 6PM EST

Rugby ATL debuted with a strong win last week. However, NOLA Gold is a tough order for any opponent when healthy. It’s full speed ahead for one of MLR’s most exciting teams, as NOLA Gold starts out 2-0.

Rugby, Writing

MLR Week One Recap

Houston Sabercats 21-Colorado Raptors 12

Houston follows up on a strong finish last season to secure the home victory against Colorado. The Raptors have reinforcements on the way, but the opening-week loss has to be a bit concerning to a team that was disappointed to miss the playoffs last season after losing in the championship in Year One.

Rugby ATL 28-Utah Warriors 19

Rugby ATL secures the home win its debut match. ATL has to be happy, recovering from a 19-8 deficit in the second half to secure take the debut victory.

NOLA Gold 46-Old Glory 13

In the best of times, it was going to be a tall task for Old Glory to keep up with NOLA’s pace in its first game together. Absences of The Beast and Declan O’Donnell certainly didn’t help matters. Old Glory faces another tough match next weekend vs. the two-time defending champion Seawolves, who are also coming off a loss. For NOLA, can they keep this pace up for all 16 weeks and finally capture that elusive playoff spot?

New England Free Jacks 34-RUNY 14

The absolute shocker of the weekend. The star-laden semifinalists go down in brutal fashion to the upstart Free Jacks. Was RUNY feeling itself a bit much in Week One, or are the boys from New England here to stay? Big-name signee Mathieu Bastareaud looked a bit frustrated in his debut, so that is one to watch for RUNY moving forward.

Toronto Arrows 38 -Austin Gilgronis 10

No surprise her as last year’s semifinalists continue their winning ways. Austin is struggling to find an identity off the field as much as on it, with a new ownership group and three names/rebrands in three years. It’s a talented roster that will be bolstered by the additions of Adam Ashley-Cooper and Roland Suniula, but after two listless seasons, including an 0-16 2019 campaign, this team needs to see improvement— soon.

*Game of the Week: San Diego Legion 33-Seattle Seawolves 24

The Championship Rematch did not disappoint. Seattle looked like it was going to continue to dominate this rivalry with an early 10-0 lead. However, it was all Legion from there as the squad popped off for a 33-0 run. Ma’a Nonu made his presence felt in his MLR debut, assisting in two second-half tries.

The Seawolves showed their championship heart to fight back and make it competitive at the end, but the damage was well done. Seattle has proved to be a late and postseason team, however, and will have plenty to say as the hosts in the April 12th rematch.

Rugby, Writing

MLR Season Predictions

Eastern Conference Playoffs:

  1. RUNY (Bye)
  2. Ontario Arrows
  3. Old Glory

The addition of Mathieu Bastareaud to an already explosive and experienced backline carries RUNY through to the bye. Newcomers Old Glory recover from a relatively slow start as they gel to capture the final playoff spot in the East and upset last year’s semifinalist Ontario Arrows in the first round.

Eastern Conference Semis

RUNY’s cohesion and experience end the dream debut for Old Glory. RUNY avenges last year’s heartbreaking semifinal loss to play for ‘Ship.

Western Conference Playoffs:

  1. San Diego Legion (Bye)
  2. Seattle Seawolves
  3. Colorado Raptors

The Raptors have been a disappointment in the MLR thus far, but serious investments in the forms of Rene Ranger and Digby Ioane get the team into the playoffs. However, defense beats offense as the Seawolves advance once again.

Western Conference Semifinals:

San Diego finally gets vengeance over Seattle, who bounced them in the semis in Year One, then stole the championship at the death from the Legion in Year Two. The grudge match in MLR’s first true rivalry proves to be the game of the year.

MLR Finals— San Diego over RUNY

The Legion brought in Ma’a Nonu in the hopes that he can push the squad over the top, and he does jus that. Nonu proves to be the perfect addition to a backline that features Eagles Nate Augspurger, Dylan Audsley, Ryan Matyas and Mikey Te’o (sevens responsibilities pending). Of course, it all starts up front and the loss of Paddy Ryan will hurt. But the forwards are able to do their job just enough throughout the year to retain ball and let the backs do their work.

MVP: Ma’a Nonu

Nonu’s still got plenty left in the tank, and his experience proves to be a weekly nightmare for the weekly opposition. Look out for matchups vs. Thretton Palamo (Old Glory), Bastareaud, and the Rene Ranger/Digby Ioane combo in Colorado to highlight the season.

Rugby, Writing

Old Gaelic Defends Home Turf with Win over Philly Whitemarsh



Old Gaelic Rugby Football Club came back and held on for a tight 26-23 victory over Philly Whitemarsh on Saturday. Its final home match of the fall was kicked off by a pregame helicopter show, setting the stage for an exciting day of rugby.

Old Gaelic came out strong, driving the ball right down the pitch agains the Whitemarsh defense. But a missed opportunity inside the 10 gave the ball pack to the visitors and the PWM 8-man finished a long score. Gaelic responded six minutes later with an impressive run from #13 Jase Martin and the Brady Reisman boot knotted it up at 7 apiece.

Just when it seemed like Gaelic might take some momentum it got sloppy with both defense and repeated penalties. PWM  capitalized with two penalty kicks sandwiching a converted try to take a commanding 20-7 lead. With Captain Hart knocked out of the match due to injury, things did not look good for the Black and Gold.

But right after the second penalty kick, Martin sparked the offense again. This time he found winger JC and OG was right back in it. Just four minutes later a well-orchestrated red zone offense culminated in a “QB” try from flanker Alex Diegel and the clutch Reisman boot made it 21-20 Gaelic. The defense closed out the half and the home team went to the break with the lead and the momentum.

However, it only took two minutes for Gaelic’s toughest opponent to rear its ugly head once again—itself. Yet another penalty gave the PWM 9 a shot at goal, and he struck his third to take the lead back. Gaelic wasted no time, marching the ball right down the field and got a near-try from hooker Nick DeTorre. Instead “held up” was the call and Dan Roth—who came in for the injured Hart at 9— got the ball back from #8 Curtis Brillhart and scored the decisive try. Reisman’s boot was off this time, meaning Gaelic had to defend the three-point lead for the final 32 minutes of the match. And it did just that.

Ferocious defense, impact reserves making big plays, and a possession-based offense won the day for Gaelic. Though of course it had to make things difficult with penalties but three long attempts from Philly 9 failed to split the uprights. The third and final attempt resulted in a 22M which Reisman executed with a little dink, recovered by fullback Matt Leggett, who hit Diegel, who then fed flanker John Kroesen and Gaelic flipped the field to just about seal the match.  But of course the Black and Gold had to scare the home crowd one more time. A penalty at 79′ and counting gave Whitemarsh a scrum at 50. The pack chose the final scrum of the match to steal one  with a brilliant hook from Nick DeTorre;  8-man Lee Townsend smartly kicked the ball out of bounds and victory went to the Gaelic!

Coaching Notes:

What a great team win. Every player who stepped on the pitch made a huge impact. Forwards were strong in the set pieces and set a physical tone. Backs made timely breaks and largely shut down arguably the best (and noisiest) backlines we’ll face. If you didn’t get time, your dedication and work at practice still make all the difference. The “club-first” mentality was on display in all ways, exemplified by Old Boy and CV Coach Dan Morris making an emergency jersey drop off for our opponents (even though the jerks didn’t end up needing them ha).

Don’t rest on our laurels. We took a huge step toward a 5-1 fall but still have work to do. We’ve got a scrappy Phoenixville team looking to make noise at the D2 level. We’ve got some guys unavailable; it will be a tough match and we must prepare accordingly. See you at the field Tuesday and Thursday.

Great win, gents.


Writing

Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2017 Mock Draft

In spite of the AFC Championship’s final score, the Pittsburgh Steelers are not as far from from the New England Patriots as it seems. The full stable of offensive weapons and a defensive playmaker or two should close the gap. Here’s the draft that can get them there:

  1. Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU. His NFL Draft profile lists him as “Experienced island corner with slot reps over last two seasons. Best suited for all forms of man coverage. Should compete as special teams performer.” Sound like someone who Pittsburgh could have used last season? Yeah. Punt/kick return ability a bonus, as Steelers were pedestrian there in 2016.
  2. Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn. Strong, sets the edge. Thick frame currently weighing in at 261 lbs. Sounds like the perfect protege’ for James Harrison. Should make some splash plays while learning from and spelling “The Ageless One.”
  3. Marcus Williams, S, Utah. Long, strong, and fast (6’1″/202lbs/4.56 40). 5 Ints and 5 pass break ups show coverage chops. Could be used in sub packages while groomed as the safety of the future behind Mike Mitchell.  3B (Compensatory pick). Jake Butt, TE, Michigan. A first-round talent that blew out his knee in the Senior Bowl. Tight end is not an immediate need so no need to rush him on the field. It looks like the Steelers are giving Ladarius Green another year to prove he can stay healthy and Jesse James was solid in his absence. Interesting to see what project Xavier Grimble can do after getting his feet wet in the NFL last season, when he made impressive contact catches. Butt can maybe make some plays as a rookie. If not, he still solidifies the position’s future.
  4. Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington: Highly productive player from a smaller school who’s draft stock tumbled due to a disappointing 40 time. Remind you of anyone?
  5. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh. A well-rounded “thumper” that will get the yinzers excited. Looks like a good complement to give Bell some rest and step in if injured. Possible starter down the road if he impresses and Steelers can’t come to terms with Bell long term.
  6. Jerod Evans, QB, Virginia Tech: “Burly frame that can absorb punishment and hand it out if necessary.” If there’s one team that would lick its chops at that QB description, its the Steelers. Great season in one year as starter for Hokies. Young, some were surprised he didn’t come back for another year. Another trait Steelers look for in draft prospects.
  7. Darius English, DE, South Carolina. The Steelers like to swing for freaks late in the draft and see what they can do with them. They also like tall DEs that can get into passing lanes. At 6’6″ with a 4.63 40, English fits the bill. Steelers will have to decide if they want him to add bulk to his lean frame (238lbs.) or develop him as an OLB. A perfect practice squad candidate.

Pittsburgh Steelers “Dream” Draft

What a Steelers draft would look like with a couple of unlikely but not inconceivable draft day slides.

  1. Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU. See above. With OLB being the deepest position in the draft, it seems like Steelers will lean toward best man corner available, unless there’s an OLB on the board that they have rated much higher than best CB.
  2. Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan. I’d seen some mocks that already had Peppers sliding to the early-to-mid second round. That was before his diluted urine sample. If the Steelers can get an athlete like this in the 2nd, they’ll get D Coordinator Keith Butler his shiny new toy to play with. A sub package Deone Buchanan-type, Pittsburgh will hope the splash plays he makes with his athleticism counter the ones he’s bound to give up while learning a new position in the NFL. He also doubles as a safety of the future behind Mike Mitchell. And of course, they’ll have to hope that the diluted sample was an aberration. The ultimate boom or bust pick.
  3. Derek Rivers, OLB, Youngstown State. Rivers is a bit of an enigma, as he shot up draft boards after his combine numbers. The expectations are of course tampered by his small school background at Youngstown. I’ve seen him mocked anywhere from 1-4. Great protege’ to the former Kent State project, James Harrison. (3B Comp pick) TE Jake Butt. See above.
  4. Noah Brown, WR, Ohio State. 6’2″/222lbs./4.49 40. All of the measurables, not all of the production. Pittsburgh reaches back into the undergrad Ohio State well (Ryan Shazier, Cam Heyward) and hopes to find gold again. Another guy mocked anywhere from  rds 2-4, teams will have to decide if they value production or combine numbers/potential more.
  5. James Conner. See above. This one just makes too much sense, seems like a lock.
  6. Jerod Evans. See above. Again, seems to make sense. But not as much of a lock as Conner.
  7. Demetrius Cox, S, Michigan State. While they find a way to get Peppers on the field and groom him for a long-term position, the Steelers could use some true safety depth in the backfield. Great measurables—6’1″/198/4.53 40—another rangy athlete to throw into the secondary mix. Cox had one pick in his lone season at safety. The year before he had three ints as a starting cornerback. The experience at corner points to coverage skills, something Pittsburgh needs in spades.
Rugby

Alexander Diegel Rugby Highlights

Highlights from rugby career of Alexander Diegel. Videos below show plays from club Potomac Exiles, as well as Mid-Atlantic select side, Capital Selects. Primarily a flanker, can also play 8-man and lock. Videos below are from games playing 4-8.

Potomac Exiles’ lock, blitz and clean hit on Rocky Gorge & USA Fly Half Ben Cima

Open Side Flanker for Capital Selects, tackle USA South 8 man behind gain line.

https://youtu.be/ci0p2440hPA?t=285

Open Side Flanker for Capital Selects, run around the edge to set up try vs. USA South

https://youtu.be/ci0p2440hPA?t=5179

Open Side Flanker for Capital Selects, steal kickoff vs. USA Rugby South

Potomac Exiles’ 8-Man, link up with center vs. Baltimore

Potomac Exiles’ 8-Man, game-winning try vs. Baltimore, defending #1 seed in MAC.

Potomac Exiles’ #6, try scored vs. Pittsburgh:

https://youtu.be/dGylFj0yUSM?t=1016

Potomac Exiles’ #6, counter vs. Pittsburgh:

https://youtu.be/dGylFj0yUSM?t=1210

 

Writing

LeBron James Goes to College, Brings Home Championship

“Miami, for me, has almost been like college for other kids.” LeBron James said this an in interview when he came back to Cleveland in 2014. He took a lot of heat (no pun intended) for leaving Cleveland for Miami six years ago. But he went there for one thing: to learn how to be a champion.

In his last seasons with Cleveland he was dragging an underwhelming roster to heights they wouldn’t have sniffed without him. IN 2007, He took a team that started Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes to the Finals and was swept by a far better Spurs team. The following year, he was upset by a hot-shooting Orlando Magic team that featured Dwight Howard at the height of his powers. He averaged 39 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in those Conference Finals. But it wasn’t enough. He was a “choker” for not getting the job done. He was chasing ghosts. He was chasing rings. He was chasing Jordan.

So he left. He left in the worst way imaginable, yes. And agreed, he left to create a team that would be the odds-on NBA Champs. He was helped by an NBA Finals MVP in Dwyane Wade. But he learned how to win. He learned how to be a champion. He “went to college” for four years. And then he came home.

He promised a championship. He went to the Finals the first year, taking a wounded Cleveland team that won just 33 games the year before with him. It was his fifth straight appearance, now with two different teams. Much like the Orlando series, he went down in historic fashion, this time good for 36, 13 and 9 per game.

Then he did it all over again. Down 3-1, he went for 82 combined in games 5 and 6. All that was left was to beat the greatest regular season team of all time for a third straight game, second at home. He didn’t go for 41. He dropped a triple double, just the third man to do it in an NBA Finals Game 7.

I won’t be shocked if some people still criticize, point to Draymond Green’s suspension or his 9 for 24 Game 7 shooting. Those people would be fools. The Cavs beat Golden State with Draymond three times, including two potential close out opportunities. Game 7 was a slugfest. And LeBron was Ali, a half-step step ahead of his opponent for just enough time to seal the win. It wasn’t pretty. But it was a winning performance.

I’m a Bulls fan. I should hate LeBron. But I grew up watching Jordan; I appreciate greatness. And I’m now willing to entertaining the GOAT conversation. He’s definitely in the top three with Kareem and Jordan. And he’s not done yet.