Talking Points: Cavaliers give-away is a major award

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This contest is over. The Cleveland Cavaliers have wrapped up the 2012-13 NBA title for most innovative promotion.

On Dec. 5, the Cavs will give away a miniature version of the “leg lamp” made infamous in the movie “A Christmas Story.” You remember . . . the old man enters a sweepstakes, wins a “major award” that arrives in a shipping crate marked “Fragile” (to which Dad says, “Fruh-JEE-lay. Must be Italian”), and discovers it is a lamp in the shape of a woman’s leg covered in fishnet nylons. High comedy ensues.

Kudos to the Cavaliers for turning this into a memorable promotion, even if it does include an unsightly Key Bank logo. Now, we triple dog dare you to attend the Cavs game on Dec. 5.

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When word got out that Kentucky coach John Calipari wowed a prized basketball recruit with his NCAA championship ring, North Carolina coach Roy Williams decided to one-up him.

Williams visited Julius Randle of Dallas and brought along a case of 30 rings. Conference titles. Final Fours. National titles, etc. But according to USA Today, the ring that wowed Randle wasn’t even won by Williams. It was Michael Jordan’s 1992 NBA championship ring, which Jordan gave for the coach to use to inspire players.

“I was just shocked,” Randle said. “I couldn’t believe I was holding Jordan’s ring.”

Don’t know whether that will influence Randle’s college decision. But it’s safe to say Williams is the King of Bling.

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Want to know how much of a pitcher’s paradise Safeco Field is? Overall this season, the Mariners are last in the AL in runs with 3.8 per game. But in road games, Seattle is fifth in the league in runs, averaging 4.6.