<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I must be crazy. A 20-plus hour ride on an RV on the day after Labor Day? I know, some of you are probably wondering what in the world I was thinking. But when you have a chance to roll with a soon-to-be Hall of Famer and his family (the ceremony is Friday and stay tuned all week and through the weekend for our coverage), you can?t turn that down. So here I am, on my way to Springfield with Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins and his crew. We?re only about an hour into the trip but a few things are already abundantly clear: 1) We?re riding in the Lexus of RVs. I don?t know the make or the model of this monster but this thing rides smoother than it should on these ragged highway roads. And for there to be this many people (I think our official count out of Dominique?s driveway was 14) in such close quarters, we?re doing well. At least no one has gone for anyone else?s throat yet. Ha. This does have a Road Rules feel to it, so stay tuned as the roadside drama unfolds. 2) The Basketball Hall of Fame needs to relocate to Gwinnett County. Or at least somewhere within a two-hour drive of Atlanta. According to the Internet directions, this trip should take anywhere from 16 to 19 hours. I?m guessing we don?t get there a minute under 24. I could be wrong but with this many people and children to boot, we?re going to have to stop somewhere for a meal and some leg stretching. 3) I have one of the best jobs in the world. My friends say it all the time but today it hits home. Despite reservations about a road trip this long (my rule is if it?s over two hours catch a flight), could there be a better way to go? I was surprised at Nique?s willingness to let the media (there are cameras from NBA TV and local stations filming various parts of the journey) have a behind the scenes peak at what has to be one of the most important times of his life. But he was adamant that we come along. I don?t know that I would be so gracious were the roles reversed. He and his family have been beyond gracious in this case. The Hawks should thank their lucky stars he doesn?t hold a grudge for them trading him all those years ago. 4) Speaking of the franchise, why haven?t the Hawks leaned on Nique the way other franchises have with their greatest players over the years? The Lakers are still cashing in on Magic?s smile and Larry Bird gets a standing ovation from the Boston crowd even when he brings his current team (Indiana) into town to smoke the Celtics in the playoffs. Sure, those guys and other legends like them have championship rings on when they show up. But only the fans born before 1985 remember those glory days. Nique remains the most recognizable face to be associated with the franchise yet he?s not used to market or sell this team the way you would think. Strange. 5) It?s already clear who the toughest member of the media contingent is here. While most everyone else has already fallen asleep, I?m wide-awake and ready to play some cards with anyone willing to lose their shirt. </div> Source
