LeBron Headed to Chicago

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a few billion times; if you’re a fan of an NBA team with cap room this summer, you can’t get enough LeBron in your life right now.

But if you aren’t one of those fans, you’re likely just shy of homicidal right about now. To those folks I say, put down your weapons of choice and slowly step away from this column. You aren’t wanted here. We’re about to do a triple backflip off the high-dive, canon-balling into a LBJ free agent theory. Hopefully smooching Wendy Peffercorn in the process.

We all want to know where the NBA’s most exciting player is going to play next year. The thing is, he may have already told us.

NBA Free Agency 101

With the start of NBA free agency just days away, I decided to kick-start The Summer of LeBron with a monster e-mail swap with ESPN Radio’s Corey Costelloe. What grew from the idea was a potpourri of free agent madness. We started out with LeBron, moved onto theories, then predictions and ended with the predictable breaking of my little Clippers’ heart.

Enjoy.

Exclusive World Cup Interview: Patrick Ianni

I recently had the privilege of sitting down and speaking with current MLS player, Patrick Ianni. Ianni is one of the bright young stars of American soccer and played with almost half the current 2010 team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I wanted to get his perspective on his current season with the Seattle Sounders, as well as his thoughts on Team USA’s run through the World Cup in South Africa.

Here is the transcript of that conversation:

Cory Ritzau on ESPN Radio Today

After Landon Donovan’s breathtaking, game winning goal in the 91st minute against Algeria in the rear-view-mirror, Not in HD’s own, Cory Ritzau will once again be joining ESPN Radio Bakersfield. This time he will be discussing the Round of 16 and the United States’ chances of making a deep World Cup run.

King of Commenting Competition: 2010

The time has come people, it’s time to show your stripes. It’s time to put your money where your mouths are, putting your creative and critical minds to good use. It’s time for the second annual, King of Commenting Competition.

We are looking to crown the most entertaining, comedic and intelligent reader and present to him/her, their rightful throne.

Here’s how it will work:

Hear Cory Ritzau Live on ESPN Bakersfield

World Cup beat writer and author of the Two Touch series, Cory Ritzau, will be joining ESPN Radio’s, Corey Costelloe, today in the 4 p.m. hour to give the skinny on tomorrow’s U.S. – Algeria matchup, as well as America’s chances of advancing to the Round of 16.

Two Touch: Random World Cup Musings

Brief observations thus far through the first 11 days of the tournament:

The Honesty Zone: Shaq-Kobe Unveiled

In riding the technological wave of the future, I’m typing this column using ultimate efficiency: airplane wireless internet. And let me tell you, it’s the greatest. So great in fact, it’s no wonder they soon plan on charging passengers $12.95 a pop to browse. Luckily for me, today is still part of Alaska Airlines’ free trial period.

Luckier for me still, I am soaring through the clouds on my way to Maui.

World Cup: Group C Madness

After eight days of play, we were witness to the craziest World Cup day to date, and yet somehow, still satisfying for fans of the U.S. Germany, who looked supberb in their opener, played in a game where cards were handed out at a rate that tallied the sixth highest total for a single game in World Cup history. In turn, Germany lost their star scorer early, battled the rest of the way a man down, missed a potential tying PK, and after all was said and done, fell to Serbia 1-0.

And in Group C we were witness to two crazy games, that now leave all four teams with an opportunity to advance to the knockout round.

USA-Slovenia Preview

With as much action and hype as the England match received, Friday morning’s contest will be even more vital for the United States’ chances to see through to the next round. Had the US lost last weekend, they still would have had a decent chance at advancing. However, if they lose tomorrow, you can pretty much bury the team right there in Jo’Burg.