That tie-in was taken to absurd lengths Thursday when, after a boy spelled his word just as time ran out, the announcer likened it to pro basketball player LeBron James sinking a winning shot at the buzzer.

Spelling isn’t a sport, of course, and its competitors aren’t athletes. Yet there’s a synergy just the same, as evidenced by the first Indian-American to win the event.

Balu Natajarian won it all 24 years ago and went on to a career with the Chicago Fire pro soccer team. As team physician.

Brian Ojanpa is a Free Press staff writer. Call him at 344-6316 or e-mail bojanpa@mankatofreepress.com .