NBA Owners
Two interesting stories regarding NBA ownership. Several years ago we were bombarded with critical statements regarding hip hop music and it's connection to the NBA. Several media types led us to believe that only NBA players were listening to rap music. For some reason they wanted us to believe only NBA players and not football or baseball players were listening to rap (you think so?)

My friend JW was the leader and chief critic of rap music and it's association with the NBA. Why do you suppose he's attached at the hip to a Kansas City rap artist, oh well that's another story for another time. JW hinted rap artists would one day lead to the destruction of the NBA. The leagues economic issues might be closer to the truth rather than rap music.

Several of these "bad boys" have taken on the role of NBA owner. To refresh your memory Shawn Carter (AKA Jay-Z) has owned a minority share in the Brooklyn Nets for several years. Nelly too has joined the ranks as an NBA owner, he purchased a share in the Bobcats at the time Bob Johnson was owner. He's remained in place under majority owner Michael Jordan. It might be a reach to include Usher as part of the hip hop group however he is an entertainer. Usher owns a piece of the Cavs franchise, of course Dan Gilbert is the majority shareholder.


How young is too young?
For years I've read of talent being discovered at an early age. Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) is the first name that comes to mind, I remember reading an article on him when he was an 8th grader. A similar story exists for the Lakers Lamar Odom, it was his sophomore year of high school the first time I read an article on him. Colleges no longer wait for prospects junior or senior year to begin the recruiting process. Early recruiting can be an issue as well.

Sophomore Ishmael Wainwright from Raytown South has now de-committed from Mizzou. To clarify for some of you a player is not bound to the school until he signs paperwork. At the same time an athlete can void the committment at a later date. Wainwright says Mizzou is still at the top of his list but he wants toexplore other opportunities. I have no problem with his statement, maybe Heath and other coaches should cease recruiting younger players. On the other hand if you don't recruit early on you might miss an Alec Burks?


Hall of Fame, maybe?
Recently I read an article regarding Allen Iverson and the possibility of him landing in Springfield. I thought for a minute, despite his "baggage" the guy had an outstanding career especially in his early years. Then my mind drifted to one Dennis Rodman and I'm sharing this story. I have a friend who was a big Bulls fan back in the Michael Jordan days. After Rodman retired he asked me if I thought he might be elected to the hall of fame, I told him I wasn't sure but I thought his off the court antics might cast him in a negative light with voters.

Rodman in drag (the wedding dress) and his association with Madonna were among his non-basketball antics. I looked up Rodman's numbers and then refreshed my memory he had led the NBA in rebounding for seven years and was also 1st team defense for seven years. Rodman will be inducted in the Hall of Fame later this year. I informed my friend remember our conversation regarding Rodman? With Iverson never say never, we don't know what might be the deciding factor for entry into the hall.


To be or not to be!
Laker guard Shannon Brown opted out of his contract and will become a free agent. I feel differently this year versus the prior year. Brown's leaping ability provided a spark off the bench for the 2010 championship run. His dunks caused many Laker fans to borrow the UPS slogan "what can brown do for you." Over the course of this recently concluded season I saw none of the flash or athleticism of the prior season, at the same time his defensive effort seemed to be lacking focus at times. In conclusion he is not a bad player, certainly not in my view. However his leaving will not cause any Laker fans to miss him.


On the road again
The family is traveling this 4th of July weekend. I thought at first I would wait for my return to begin writing. While checking a couple of websites I was prompted to write the above. Enjoy!


Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene.
A. C. Benson