So LeBron James can reach out to superfan "Clipper Darrell" — but not Lakers coach Luke Walton?
That was the question asked by an amused Mike Greenberg of ESPN during Friday morning's "Get Up" with Michelle Beadle and Jalen Rose.
Reacting to Yahoo Sports' story that the four-time NBA MVP had "zero contact" with Walton during his recruitment process, Greenberg, Beadle and Rose humorously named five Lakers folks with whom LeBron has talked since Sunday as he sails the Mediterranean Sea on vacation.
There's Lakers president Magic Johnson. That's a given. The legendary Kobe Bryant. Understood. And Cedric Ceballos (whom James called for permission to wear No. 23). But then there's Clipper Darrell, the superfan who's now switching his allegiance to the Lakers from the Clippers? Even Beadle's pal "Roberto," a yacht captain in Italy, allegedly chatted with James at a restaurant on the Amalfi Coast.
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But where, oh where, on the list is the Lakers head coach, Greenberg wondered. Walton's glaring absence could mean James is looking to pull one of his passive-aggressive power moves and install his own coach over Walton. Bonus points for Greenberg's reference to Gavin MacLeod from ABC's "The Love Boat."
“Here’s the point," noted Greenberg. "LeBron somehow had time to talk to Beadle’s ship captain friend. ... He’s chilling with Captain Stubing over there on the Amalfi Coast! And he’s talking to Clipper Darrell about coming on over to our side. But he doesn’t have five minutes to call up Luke Walton and say, 'Hey, what offense do you think we should run this year?'"
Add Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to the list as No. 6, noted Rose.
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Greenberg wondered what's next. Is LeBron going to talk Jack Nicholson, Ice Cube, Denzel Washington and the rest of the beautiful people who infest the courtside seats when the Lakers are winning before he chats with Walton?
Beadle could only laugh. "This does not look good," she admitted.
Greenberg and Co. were only half-kidding, but it was a funny TV bit that allowed the "Get Up" cast to enjoy themselves. It was the kind of moment I'd like to see more of from ESPN's expensive morning show.
This young show is at its best when the cast is funny and loose. Not lecturing or hectoring viewers with their hot takes. Or slobbering over the the oh-so-fashionable NBA — while sneering at the evil NFL.
Greenberg is the straw that stirs the drink. He's the morning show veteran. He knows how to keep it light, how to balance sports, news and humor in a way that attracts viewers who don't want to get too serious over their corn flakes.
If this show is going to succeed, it has to run through Greenberg. Moments like Friday were a nice highlight for him, Beadle and Rose.