Two Things that Go Great Together

The NBA and Jane Austen! I can't say anything more than the Wall Street Journal did today:

If the Knicks are some kind of cross between Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins, which team is Mr. Darcy?

If you polled NBA players on that question, odds are you'd get a lot of blank looks. Except in the Miami Heat's locker room: Dwyane Wade is apparently a big fan of "Pride of Prejudice."

Yes, really. Last night Mr. Wade spoke at a Miami college about Jane Austen's classic novel, part of a celebration of Penguin Classics and an NBA literacy initiative. Mr. Wade says he's read the book a couple of times, and has a pretty wise quote about it on Penguin's Web site: "Class struggle, overcoming stereotypes and humble beginnings, getting out of your own way and letting love take over: these are things I can relate to, definitely. Reading the Classics is like opening a door to a world that at first looks so different from mine, but when I look closer, is filled with people who struggle with the same things I do."

The news sent AustenBlog into paroxysms of delight; as for the Fixers, we refuse to be cynical about the role the hand of marketing might be playing in this one: "Pride and Prejudice" is a pretty great book. And we dare you to tell us this poster isn't cool.

And, in case you were wondering, Mr. Wade is averaging 27.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 6.8 apg, and headed for the playoffs. All because of Jane Austen.