Did you read or hear?

I always held several concerns regarding reality television. My chief concern the "realism" might be faked due to the presence of television cameras. Either this scene was scripted or Kris Humphries is dumber than a sack of rocks. On "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" Humphries appeared shocked when he was informed his bride Kim had been married previously. What's even worse (for me) I spelled Kardashian correctly on my first effort! Among the celebrities invited to "Dancing with the Stars" is Metta World Peace the artist formally known as Ron Artest. I was correct regarding Texas A&M's desire to leave the Big 12. I wonder if my buddy will admit I was right and he was wrong? Andre Drummond at UConn might be a one n done, do you still recruit him and others who might be on the same path? Not so fast, at least that's the comment from Yao Ming's agent. Almost immediately after his retirement a Chinese media person announced he'd nominate Yao as a contributor to the game. As a contributor the 5-year rule is waived and Yao could be inducted in 2012. Yao's said in so many words let's put the brakes on this speeding train for now.

Do New Yorkers (Brooklyn in this instance) love to complain?

The Barclays Center and Atlantic Yards project has been delayed numerous times over the years. Lawsuits, environmental impact studies, eminent domain and other issues set the project back 3-4 years behind it's original completion date. The end is in sight at least for completion of Barclays but the complaints continue to roll in. A couple of weeks back I read in a local paper citizens were upset due to a sports bar opening a block from the arena. The article pointed out no rowdiness or other issues had come to the forefront. The common complaint "we don't want this to look like 42nd Street (NY) or Bourbon Street." Adding to their complaint was the prospect of other businesses opening to take advantage of the arena, I think several should be welcomed into the world of free enterprise. L Magazine reports the sidewalks surrounding the Barclays Center will be smaller than the 2006 environmental impact statement. I'm no engineer but from the design information it appears the sidewalks will be about two feet smaller than originally projected. The column closes by stating "And Bruce Ratner (Nets) retains his spot in the pantheon of Brooklyn supervillains. There is at least one more complaint on the horizon, Coke versus Pepsi. The present agreement is with Pepsi, Barclays has signed an exclusive deal with Coca-Cola for Barclays. (thelmagazine.com)

No matter where you begin your journey

The name Josh Harrellson might cause many of you to scratch your head----who is this guy? Harrellson was the Hornets 2nd round pick in the 2011 NBA draft who was traded to the Knicks. This St. Charles Missouri native and Kentucky player began his NBA journey at a junior college. He played at Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Illinois (near St. Louis) for one year prior to signing with Kentucky. By no means am I predicting a long and distinguished NBA career for the 6-10 275 pound Harrellson. The point is if you have a little talent and continue to work on developing your game you are sometimes only limited by your desire. This story is intended to provide a thought for my wife's cousin, he's at Southwestern on a basketball scholarship.

Life support

The bison that once roamed the American plains were almost hunted to extinction, they were saved by conservationists and other well intentioned groups. Although their numbers have dwindled herds of bison still exist today. Too bad another group of persons can't save the Big 12 which is about to become extinct. The conference will not survive, it's falling apart in front of our eyes. How did we arrive here, there are probably several issues but the chief culprit might have been members of the old Big 8 Conference. When the Southwest Conference folded the thought might have been "let's merge with those Texas schools and all that money." Little did they realize eventually the money meant Texas (University that is) would receive a larger share of the pie and have the greatest clout in the direction of this conference. This Big 8-Southwestern Conference football merger that became the Big 12 will fall apart within the next three years.

Funny

Celtic fans might not be amused by this story. SI.com columnist Joe Posnanski recently wrote "In 1986, Michael Jordan scored 63 in the real Boston Garden." I didn't focus on the point totals just the last portion of his sentence "real Boston Garden." I guess the name TD Garden doesn't hold the same legitimacy to him of the old Garden.

"Everybody on a championship team doesn't get publicity, but everyone can say he's a champion."

Magic Johnson