Alan Greenwood

LeBron James is right.

That may be the first, and likely last time that line will appear in this space.

Asked about the possibility of the NBA playing in empty arenas until the coronavirus threat eases, James said:

“We play games without the fans? Nah, that’s impossible. I ain’t playing if I ain’t got the fans in the crowd. That’s who I play for. I play for my teammates, and I play for the fans. That’s what it’s all about.”

If a monumental public health crisis erupts, professional sports should simply suspend their operations until they get an all-clear signal. Of course, that would mean sacrificing lots of the TV money that makes the big-league world go ’round.

If they can make it through work stoppages caused by labor issues, owners can do the same under these dire conditions.

OFF LIMITS: Major League Baseball players have found a silver lining in the coronavirus threat. MLB clubhouses were the first declared off limits to reporters, which means players no longer have to hide from scribes before or after games.

Hopefully the ones who actually have something interesting to say will make themseles available in interview rooms. Unfortunately, even the most quotable athletes are made bland standing at a podium or sitting at a table with the TV cameras’ red lights on.

HELLO AGAIN: The most fantastic rumor of the Tom Brady watch has landed.

How about Brady going to San Francisco and Jimmy Garoppollo coming back?

As a story, it coulnd’t get much better than that. The talk-show lines would be humming 24/7.

At least Bill Belichick would have a chance to show that he was right all along.

TIME TRAVEL: March 11, 1985 – “If Nashua High School basketball coach George Noucas was a little worried about the quarterfinal showdown with Salem on Saturday night, one play midway through the first quarter made him feel a whole lot better.

“Guard Kevin Brown sifted through a sea of wide bodies in the lane, stole a rebound, and with a Salem player draped over his shoulder he somehow flipped a shot toward the basket. It dropped in off the backboard, but Noucas was more interested in Brown’s reaction.

“When I saw Kevin come out of the pack and throw his fist in the air, I knew we were all right,” Noucas said. “Kevin is a (big-) game player, maybe the best I’ve ever coached. And his intensity is contagious.”

Noucas’ faith was justified. Nashua won, 75-63, led by Brown’s 28 points, 11 assists and six rebounds.

Contact Alan Greenwood at 594-1248 or agreenwood@nashuatelegraph.com

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