I wonder if LeBron James learned Sunday night that you don't need three superstars to win an NBA championship.

While the two-time MVP complained after he left the Cleveland Cavaliers last July 8 that he didn't have enough talent around him to achieve that goal, the Dallas Mavericks  pulled off that feat with a 105-95 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 6 to capture the title.

Ben Curtis wasn't sure that shooting 8-under par on the weekend at Muirfield Village Country Club was a good omen for Monday's 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier.

But the Stow resident turned in his low round in nine appearances in the Memorial Tournament Sunday with a 5-under par 67. He finished with a 7-under total of 281.

Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel finally emerged from his Upper Arlington home Saturday evening in response to a rally of about 200 supporters at his doorstep.

According to the Associated Press, after the crowd sang a disparaging song about arch-rival Michigan, Tressel responded, ''Don't forget: Nov. 27th we're going to kick their ass!"

Stow resident Ben Curtis has played in every U.S. Open since 2004. But his participation in this year's event June 16-19 at Congressional Country Club depends on how he fares in Monday's 36-hole qualifier at Brookside Country Club and The Lakes in Columbus.

Shooting 69 in Saturday's third round of the Memorial Tournament, Curtis didn't plan to get in some holes at either qualifying course over the weekend.

After recording a hole-in-one Friday at No. 8, Steve Stricker continued to play almost as if destiny is on his side at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

Stricker posted an eagle-2 on the second hole in Saturday's third round, then followed with an eagle-3 on the fifth hole. That put him at -13 under par; he currently stands 12-under through six holes, two in front of Matt Kuchar.

Rory McIlroy, the 22-year-old sensation from Northern Ireland, listed his favorite courses (presumably in the United States) after he fired a 6-under par 66 to share the first round lead in the Memorial Tournament Thursday.

On Friday, McIlroy stood 7-under through No. 12, in sole possession of the lead.

Australian Jason Day was recently granted playing privileges at Muirfield Village Golf Club because his wife, the former Ellie Harvey, grew up in Lucas, Ohio near Mansfield.

That was news to Muirfield designer and Memorial Tournament founder Jack Nicklaus and it made for some comical moments during his annual tournament press conference Tuesday.

Masters champions are allowed possession of their green jackets for a year, then they must be kept in their lockers at Augusta National Golf Club.

This year's winner, Charl Schwartzel, is not wasting that opportunity. The South African is carrying it in his suitcase as he travels around the world.