PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — Twenty-nine carpet-cushioned steps separate the door marked Adonis II from the Battle 4 Atlantis press conference room, and maybe fewer if you are a person with legs that carried you through 19 seasons of professional basketball. It’s not a hike. But it’s space enough to give and receive thanks, especially when the foot traffic is heavy in between, and especially if you are Juwan Howard and your team just spent a couple of hours getting everyone all excited about what can be now instead of what will be later.



The first high-five was immediate, arriving as soon as the Michigan coach passed the riding mower on his left and came into full view. A second followed, and Howard remarkably almost made it to the other side before a chatty passerby caught his hand for a third. There was one “Happy Thanksgiving!” There were a couple of rapid-fire “Go Blue” shouts as he drop-stepped left to turn toward his destination.