Another commit

The NCAA is yet to announce it's completed investigation of Mizzou's Frank Haith. Apparently the investigation is not as important in some circles as the media would have you believe. Mizzou received another commitment, Travis Jorgenson a 3-star 5-11 162 pound point guard has given his verbal to the school. Jorgenson from Columbia (MO) is verbal for 2013 which means he has plenty of time to de-commit if he should desire. Haith and staff have a total of 6 commitments over the next two years.

I'm not connected

Larry Laker is not compensated or connected in any manner to this business venture, I'm providing you this disclaimer. Michael Jordan has returned to Chicago not with the Bulls however. This Chicago connection is related to the stomach of hungry patrons. Jordan has opened a steak house in downtown Chicago at 505 N. Michigan Avenue. You can check out the menu and other information at: mjschicago.com

When to re-tool
The team needs fixing, that statement might reflect several perennial playoff teams. The Lakers, Mavs, Spurs and Celtics all have ageing rosters which require an overhaul. The question is when to begin the process. With the Lakers the Janet Jackson tune comes to mind "What have you done for me Lately."  It seems there are "experts" willing to write the Lakers off because the team didn't 3-peat. Do you realize how difficult an accomplishment that is? 'll focus on the Lakers first, it takes no rocket scientist to realize Derek Fisher should be replaced. The triangle offense did not require a traditional type of point guard, that's changed. I have no idea how the offense will look but it will be nothing similar to the triangle of Phil Jackson. All the starters are 30+ with the exception of Andrew Bynum. The situation is not as bad as it might first appear, for reasons unknown Pau Gasol's play suffered in the playoffs. I have no doubt Gasol can return to form, as for the others they have at least one more serious playoff run left. The key is still Kobe Bryant, he must adapt his game to Mike Brown's offense while deferring more of his game to the inside crew of Bynum-Gasol. A Brown offense might actually work in Bryant's favor, I have little if any defensive concerns Brown's forte is defense.

Another father-son combo
I make no claim junior is headed to the NBA, you might remember the dad Tim Hardaway. Dad had a 14-year career in the NBA, the bulk of it with the Golden State Warriors. The son Tim Hardaway Jr. just completed his freshman year at the University of Michigan. Junior is a 6-5 shooting guard much taller and heavier than his
6-0 point guard dad. His freshman numbers, 13.9 pts .420 fg% .367 3p% not outstanding but certainly appear to point out his talent. It will be interesting over the next several years to see his future development as a player.

Ol Skool
Seeing Kevin Durant for the first time I was immediately reminded of George (Iceman) Gervin, this time I didn't repeat the mistake I'd made with Gervin. Prior to the NBA-ABA merger I followed Gervin's career as best I could, no national television contract meant keeping up with him through newspapers and sports publications. Once the merger occurred I thought the NBA would prove to be far more difficult for this 6-7 180 pound player, I said "as skinny as he is they will eat him alive in the NBA." If you check his stats out his NBA numbers were significantly higher than those he accumulated in the ABA. Career scoring average ABA, 21.9 per game, the NBA he was at 26.2. Field goal percentage ABA, .480 in the NBA it was .511. Over the course of his 13-year career he accumulated 26,595 points, 20,708 in the "tough" NBA. The 50th Anniversary of the NBA he was selected as one of the 50 greatest players and after his retirement was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Yes, although I thought Ice was too skinny for the rough and tumble world of the NBA he sure proved me wrong. (statistics, Basketball reference.com)

"Don't let other people tell you what you want."
Pat Riley