I hope I'm wrongThat thing I said I wouldn't write about, well I'm going to write now. I tried to not focus on the the NBA lock-out hoping instead owners and players would come to an agreement. I refused to believe the worst case scenario many in the media and that of several players. Last week it was announced training camp and the pre-season have been cancelled. As I write this we are now in day 80 something and no closer to resolving this impasse than 80 something days ago. How did we arrive here---I have but one word greed! I'm not calling either side out because I think both parties must share blame equally, most owners are probably not in as bad a financial shape as voiced. The 11 or 12th player on most NBA rosters with even a 5-year career might possibly earn half the lifetime earnings of an hourly wage earner. The real losers are not the fans, fans can focus on the NFL, college basketball or finger painting if they desire. Many (like me) will miss the NBA but we can manage to discover other pursuits. The real losers are those working class folks who depend on the NBA for their very employment. The arena and concession personal plus satellite employees who sustain their families through their NBA wage. Shame, shame on the owners, players and sports agents, this is not the NFL or Major League Baseball. They cannot cancel the season without consequences, casual fans already have a negative view of the NBA!  A shortened or no season at all will aid the view these casual fans all ready hold.  In any event I'm making advance preparations just in case. My plan is to focus on the college game in person and on television, in addition to check out some of the significant area high school teams.

Please excuse me
It's not my wish to overload you with Barclays Center stories however this one is noteworthy. Bruce Yormark, CEO of Net Basketball said "they have had to weather 40 lawsuits and numerous community lawsuits. We will officially open the building September 28, 2012." I knew the number of lawsuits was tremendously high but had no idea the number was that high. (Hoopsworld.com.)

Perry Ellis
The Kansas Jayhawks scored a major coup the other day. Perry Ellis 6-8 forward from Wichita gave his verbal intention to the school. Ellis is the number one high school player in the State of Kansas, ESPNU lists him number 37 in the class of 2012. In other border war news Tony Criswell, 6-9 230 pound forward gave Mizzou's Frank Haith his verbal commitment for 2012. Criswell rated 3-stars by Rivals is from Independence Kansas Community College and will enroll in the fall of 2012.

You cannot hid
Proof positive it is impossible to hid, you will be discovered if you exhibit any degree of basketball talent. Chris Haynes of Slam Magazine wrote an article on 5-9 point guard Colin Slater II. Slater is 13 years old, yes that's correct I said 13. This eighth grade prodigy averaged 28.1 points, 10.5 assists, 10.1 steals and 8.2 rebounds per game for Granite Ridge Intermediate School, Fresno California. Those are certainly impressive numbers don't you agree?  At this young age no one is certain if his game and height continue to grow. His grades, interesting you should ask Slater has a 3.7 GPA. With those grades if he continues to excel in the classroom will have no problem qualifying for any university. A key too, the kid appears to be pretty humble in the interview. (Chris Haynes, Slam.com)

Change your tune
Viewing old NBA film of my Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn pronounced them "World Champs!" Yes, the term might have been prevalent at the time Hearn was broadcasting but no more. You know the story, the "American" game was invented by a Canadian YMCA teacher James A. Naismith. The growth of the game over the last 30 years has been noteworthy---this in part by the NBA. Of course numerous college coaches have journeyed to Europe, Asia and Africa to conduct clinics. I've stated before the game will never eclipse soccer (football) as the world's number one sport but I'm comfortable with this view. I would wager a young citizen of the world would be able to identify a photo of LeBron James or Kobe Bryant over that of Peyton Manning. I'm not kicking dirt in Manning's face it's fact, kids in Europe, Asia and Africa are probably more familiar with NBA stars than any NFL or Major League Baseball players.

"There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going."

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