A few short years ago, during the wee hours of the morning near Cleveland, a 2008 white four-door Mercedes sped southbound on Interstate 71.
Know the area well. A relatively straight stretch.
According to a State Highway Patrol cruiser in the area, which was known for deer crossing, the speed limit was 65 mph, and the vehicle was clocked on radar at 101 mph.
The Mercedes naturally got pulled over.
Well...officer, meet LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James, meet the person who may have just saved your life.
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Since that probably long-forgotten highway incident, which later cost the basketball superstar $259 plus court costs (tipping change for him), James has moved on - literally.
He now of course dons the uniform of the Miami Heat, the 2011-12 NBA champions. As of Thursday night, he finally got his "ring" when the Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 121-106, to win the best-of-seven finals in five games.
Right now, James and compadres' Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are on top of the world - a very, very troubled world by the way. The trio has always had fame and fortune, and now they can add NBA champions to their life's resume - at least James and Bosh can as Wade already had one crown.
Goodie for the 3 amigos.
But as former Dallas Cowboys running back Duane Thomas was once quoted as saying, "If the Super Bowl is the ultimate game, why are they playing it again next year?"
Good point.
Just substitute NBA Finals or World Series or anything sports related for Super Bowl.
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It's doubtful that James gives a second thought to that traffic stop in Ohio. And, why should he? He knew he'd made a mistake, and he paid for it.
People of all walks of life get pulled over for speeding all the time.
Suppose, though, a deer had sprinted in front of James, or there had been a pedestrian or another car out there - or a fixed object on the highway?
But there weren't.
James got lucky.
Former Cavs player Bobby Phills was not as fortunate.
Before James' time, Phills, a member of the Charlotte Hornets at that point in his career, was reportedly driving his black Porsche 100 mph when he lost control and was killed in a three-car accident in N.C.
The other two drivers survived.
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Interestingly, later that day after James was issued a traffic citation, he and his girl friend flew to Las Vegas to celebrate his birthday.
You can do that if you're a celebrity and your name is LeBron James.
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When James got pulled over, the vanity license plate on his Mercedes read "KNG OF AK (King of Akron)."
Of course, now, he's really the King of Nothing in Ohio for the most part, especially in Cleveland, but in south Florida...well, that's a different story.
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And, finally, some joker in Cleveland really believes that before James' NBA career is over, he'll some day return and play for the Cavs.
Hope this James' fan (I think) isn't holding his breath - and doesn't get pulled over for exceeding expectations.
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Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor and can be reached at 376-5441 or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
