LEBRON STRICKEN WITH FLU VIRUS

The H1N1 flu virus, more popularly known as ‘swine flu’ hasn’t become the full blown epidemic that alarmists originally feared, but it may have claimed a very big victim—Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James and two teammates have tested positive for the Influenza A.  The H1N1 virus is a strain of influenza A and the stricken Cavs are being treated for the more severe form of the illness as a precautionary measure.  Though LeBron and teammates Darnell Jackson and Coby Karl seem to be on the mend, their status is being monitored closely by team and league officials, as well as medical personnel.

LeBron came down with the flu early in the week, though the worst seems to be behind him.  He says at one point he slept for 22 straight hours:

“I can't remember ever being that sick”

The reigning NBA MVP spent two days in bed, where he says he drank over a gallon of water a day.  Still very congested, LeBron suggested that he’s getting better and that if his team was going to contend with the flu bug that he’s glad it happened now rather than during the season:

“I think I'm over it now. If it's going to happen, now is the best time. I don't wish anyone to be sick. I wish great health for everyone. But if this is the time the flu bug is going to hit our team, I'm glad it's happening now."

He returned to practice on Thursday and said that his teammates were far from sympathetic:

"You come back around and everyone is like, 'Ugh, you got the cooties. They don't want to be around you."

The Cavs have had a total of six players come down with the flu during training camp.  They’ve taken what they suggest are ‘proactive steps’ to prevent the spread of the virus and team spokesman Tad Carpenter said matters are well in hand:

"We feel very comfortable and confident that what we are doing is an appropriate course of action. The key for us is to approach things proactively and from a presumptive standpoint."

All three of the stricken players are traveling with the team for exhibition games in Texas this weekend where the Cavs will play Dallas and San Antonio.  LeBron is hoping to see action in at least one of the two contests.  Forward JJ Hixon and guard Andre Barrett have also suffered from the flu and are not making the trip.

The NBA regular season will begin on Tuesday, October 27th with Cleveland hosting the Boston Celtics in what could be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals.  Team officials are optimistic that their struggles with the flu will no longer be an issue by that point.