SI’s Lee Jenkins is receiving kudos on Twitter for landing the scoop that LeBron James will return to the Cavaliers. FoxSports.com’s Bruce Feldman wrote, “Congrats to SI & @SI_LeeJenkins for coming up with a massive scoop getting the LeBron goes home to the Cavs story.” ESPN Radio 710 L.A.’s John Ireland: “What a great get for @SI_LeeJenkins One of the best writers I know. If I was LeBron, I would have gone to him too. Bravo.” ESPN’s Jemele Hill: “As a journalist, I have mad respect for SI and Lee Jenkins. Helluva scoop.” The Cauldron’s Andy Glockner: “Great job by @SI_LeeJenkins and SI to have that and keep it so quiet.” SI’s Grant Wahl wrote, “Proud to work alongside @SI_LeeJenkins. Quality in every aspect of modern journalism. (Not a screamer, either.)”
Jenkins, who had been working on a separate story “about the next phase” of James’ career, e-mailed his editors last Saturday saying getting the exclusive on James’ return to Cleveland “was a possibility.” Jenkins on Wednesday flew to Las Vegas, where James was conducting a camp, then met with the four-time MVP Thursday night “before writing the essay with him.” He e-mailed the story “to his editors around mid-morning on Friday.” SI Managing Editor Chris Stone said that only about six SI staffers “saw the piece before it went live.” Stone: “I can't tell you how stressful the last 24 hours were” (ADAGE.com, 7/11).
