Several years ago I exchanged emails with the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission regarding NHL in Kansas City. The head of the organization had stated "he thought hockey was a better fit in Kansas City over the NBA!" Naturally I disagreed with him and we traded emails back and forth for a short period. He said the NHL was more viable because it had been restructured during the year of it's lockout, it was in better financial shape than the NBA. The old saying, "all that glitters is not gold" is certainly true regarding the NHL. I was watching Pardon the Interruption on ESPN recently, one of the hosts indicated the Atlanta Thrashers were on the verge of moving to Winnipeg Canada. The NHL purchased the Phoenix Coyotes long before the NBA purchased the Hornets and the Coyotes have been on life support the last several years. My point, with the exception of the east coast (Boston, New York) and Canada the NHL has only had moderate success in other areas of the nation. The NHL and hockey is a Canadian sport loaned to us and I'd like a hockey person to respond to my question. With the exception of the core group (Rangers, Bruins and Blackhawks) and perhaps the St. Louis Blues is there a hockey success story we can point to?

Mizzou Coach Frank Haith received another commitment as he and his staff continue recruiting. Former Grandview High School power forward Quantel Denson 6-9 230 pounds is the player. Denson plays at Hutchinson Kansas Community College and is a 2012-13 addition. The other two players are committed for the 2013-14 season. The following is from HutchNews.com: "Quantel Denson went through bouts of inconsistency, there was never any question about his athletic ability. He finished the season averaging 6.5 points and 4.0 rebounds a game. He also swatted 27 shots and shot a shade under 50 percent from the floor." So to date Coach Frank and staff have received commitments from three, Denson for 2012-13 the other two 2013-14.

Noise emanating from Fox Sports states Dirk Nowitzki belongs in the Top 25 of all-time NBA greats. For many of you this might appear to be a "hate on Dirk" because he was directly responsible for beating my Lakers. Not so, Dirk is a great player, Top 25 all-time I don't think so. A good playoff series does not automatically elevate you to the realm of Michael, Chamberlain and others. Dirk has been magnificent against the Thunder and remains their main offensive threat shooting or passing the basketball. As human beings our view of the world is somewhat restricted by what's in front of our face. It's easy to state who is the "greatest" when the player is an active in 2011. Give you a quick example discussions revolve around all-time great centers few will mention the name Nate Thurmond, this former San Francisco Warrior played pre-ESPN and TNT. NBA television coverage was limited during the time he played. Wilt Chamberlain was asked at one point in his career who was the toughest opposing center he ever played, he didn't mention Bill Russell he said Nate Thurmond!

Speaking of Dallas I will be surprised if the Thunder win this series. If you are a fan of Russell Westbrook you can cease reading at this point. First things first, I've not been a Westbrook fan since his NBA arrival. At the beginning of his career it seemed he shot entirely too much for a point guard which causes his overall game to suffer in my estimation. In each of his first three seasons his turnovers have continued on an upward trend which is not good. Westbrook is lighting quick but unlike Tony Parker and others his field goal percentage is only average. I once heard an analyst state "it's difficult for a combo guard in the NBA." Steve "Franchise" Francis was the first player the term combo guard was applied. Francis put up some fairly decent numbers but his career was over in '08 after nine seasons. Either Westbrook becomes a pure point guard or the Thunder move him to shooting guard both elements of his game suffer at this stage.

The melodrama continues in Sacramento "you can't have it both ways" is a well-known statement for the residents of Sacramento. As reported earlier fans of the Kings were granted a reprieve, the team would remain in Sacramento for one additional year. The question of the arena remained unresolved and was a key piece of the purported move to Orange County. Yesterday It was announced a new arena will cost approximately $370 million dollars but no indication who pays. The pay issue continues to be the key problem for many residents of Sacramento, I did not read a single citizen letter to KCRA in Sacramento approving the project. Either fans must bit the bullet and pay for the arena (in some manner) or allow them to move to Orange County, Las Vegas or Kansas City.


A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
Winston Churchill