Do you want to own a pro basketball team?
I was checking the ABA website for an update on the league's status. The reformed ABA was never intended to compete with the NBA but provide areas of the country an opportunity to view pro basketball. I'm unsure about other areas of the country but it was clear the Kansas City Knights were under financed even for the ABA. After sparkling play their first few years (including an ABA Championship) the team ceased operations in 2006. By 2008 Kansas City once again became home to the ABA, this new team the Kansas City Spartans would began play in late fall. After much styling-n-profiling during the summer and early fall the team ceased operations after a handful of early season games. The Kansas City Star later reported the team was arrears in it's lease of Municipal Auditorium. In any event the ABA website is still seeking new owners, wonder what the start up cost is? Oh well, another dream for another time.


Shaq and TNT
CNBC is reporting the recently retired Shaquille O'Neal will surface at TNT, the network is yet to confirm the story. Once again proof positive the American public will continue it's love affair with Shaq. He is one player who could never do wrong, when Shaq left for Miami in the publics mind Kobe was the villain. Shaq was always forgiven no matter the circumstances. Many fans quickly forget how often Shaq would enter training camp out of shape from his second career as an entertainer. Unless we are informed differently we must assume Shaq will be an in-studio host rather than an in game commentator. Can you imagine the exchanges between The Big Aristotle and Sir Charles?


What should I do?
The other day my wife invited her cousin to view "my man cave" for the very first time. After checking it out and complementing me she said, "well your team (the Lakers) didn't win." I offered no response but thought how should I respond or what does she expect me to say? Should I remove the jerseys from the wall, do I take down the championship banners and plaques? Do I strip the room because the team failed to win the NBA Championship? Are the 16 NBA Championships suddenly negated because the Mavs won the championship? It makes me wonder if Saints fans trashed their fan gear because the team failed to defend it's Super Bowl Championship? It might be noted the Yankees failed to defend their World Series win too. At this point I'm more concerned about the lockout than the Lakers competing next season whenever that might occur. Stay tuned there will be more to this story.


Food for thought
KU's Bill Self recently chimed in on the one n done rule. The NBA rule that states a high school player must attend college one year before submitting his name for the NBA draft. This is just one of the many issues to be resolved in the latest talks between owners and players and Self thought it was worth revisiting. Self says, "a high school player should be eligible for the draft however if a player attends college he must remain in college three years." The view expressed by Self is not new he's just the latest to state his opposition to the current NBA rules. I have gone back and forth on this rule for several years but for a variety of reasons have come to one conclusion, allow high school players in the draft. Make up your own mind but if you can provide me a valid reason for maintaining the current body of rules please contact me.


Playing cornerback for the _______________
Nate Robinson has a different NBA lockout story. Robinson now playing for Oklahoma City says he is considering an NFL tryout if the lockout persists. Robinson at 5'9" certainly has leaping skills, few players can match his 43" vertical. The proof of his leaping ability is winning the 2010 Slam Dunk Championship. Football as a high skill level is not the stretch one might imagine for him. Robinson was actually recruited as a cornerback for the Washington Huskies and later moved to the basketball team.


History is something that never happened, written by a man who wasn't there.
- Anonymous