My friend John Ireland is the brilliant sideline reporter you've probably seen on the Lakers broadcasts. He's also the co-host of the Mason and Ireland program on 710 ESPN Radio. His usually astute analysis of the state of the Lakers missed the mark a bit before the stunning Lakers loss to the Cavaliers this week and now he's paying the price. Check out the email he sent to me and other pals explaining how he wants to make good on a flip remark made without considering the consequences. I think the way he's dealing with his embarrassing gaffe speaks to what a great broadcaster and good man John is. I made a donation and if you want to help him out, there's a link in his note.

All....
 
To those of you who know me, this story will not come as a huge surprise.
 
At the start of the recently concluded 13 day, seven game, Lakers road trip I said something that turned out to be pretty stupid.  Dave Miller, the coach who works on our pre and post game shows, said:
 
"I'm worried about the Lakers on the last game of this trip, in Cleveland--they could lose."
  
Me:  "Dave, are you crazy, it's Cleveland.  They've won eight games all year and is the worst collection of players in the NBA.  You sound like an idiot.  I would quit my job and walk home from Cleveland if they lost that game."
 
Last night in Cleveland, the Cavs beat the Lakers, 104-99.
 
Now I don't really think anybody expected me to walk home from Cleveland (although many would be happy if I quit my job), but I shouldn't get off the hook with nothing either.  So I've reached a "settlement" with Dave.  I've agreed to walk in the Autism Speaks walk at the Rose Bowl on 4/23, and to try and raise money to fight Autism.  Those of you who know my family know that this is a cause that means a lot.  So with that in mind, I'm going to help Autism Speaks raise some money off of my big mouth.  
 
I've set up a "donor page" for my walk.  You can sponsor me, and when I finish, all of the money goes to Autism Speaks.  To get things started, I donated $1000 in the name of Dave Miller (least I could do).  
 
Here's where you come in:
 
Go to this link:  http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=442586&lis=0&kntae442586=175887835725444FB109EBF46C13FA12&supId=321410639
 
You can donate $5, or much more--whatever you feel comfortable with.  I symbolically set up a goal of $2344, which is the exact amount of miles from Cleveland to LA.  I hope to raise much more, but that's the minimum.
 
Can you help an obnoxious, know-it-all, loudmouth sports guy out?
 
Many thanks,
 
JI