I'm excited because

There is no-way my cable company can charge me the full season rate for NBA League Pass. Doesn't matter If the NBA begins play next week, next month or next season I will have managed to save several duckets! This lockout just might prove financially rewarding to me after all! Update to this story: Word is there might be an 82 game season if this is settled by Tuesday so I might not save after all. 

Certainly not official but
The best guess on the 2012 draft order? The NBA has already indicated collegiate and Euro talent will continue to be scouted, short season or no season. Which team is awarded the number one draft choice? A shortened season would provide a starting point if it's 60 or even 40 games because you'd be working on positioning. No season period and every team 0-0 who is awarded the first draft choice? Perhaps it will work in this manner the worst team in the Eastern Conference will flip a coin with the worst team in the Western Conference. This would be based on their conclusion of the 2010-11 season. If that scenario plays out the 19-63 Cavs will call heads or tails against the 17-65 Wolves. The balance of the draft would be conducted in this manner a team's 2010-11 record key to their draft position.

Remember the name

Amedeo Della Valle is a 6-4 195 pound point guard from Italy. Della Valle will begin play this winter at Findlay Prep Henderson Nevada, Henderson is located about 18 miles from downtown Las Vegas. We don't know if he has an NBA future but it's interesting he chose to play high school ball here rather than Europe. Early reports indicate Della Valle has skills and his shooting will actually allow him to play both guard positions. Several colleges have already begun the recruitment process among them Arizona, Cal and Gonzaga to name a few. Because Findlay Prep's schedule includes most traditional national high school powers we should have an opportunity to access his game. In past years ESPNU's schedule has included several high profile high school games. In 2005 I was able to view the Blazers Greg Oden and his Indianapolis (Ind.) North High School play.

Correction

This is an update to an earlier story, the recent ownership change with the Philadelphia 76ers. The news release identified Will Smith purchasing a minority share in the team. Will and Jada were identified as part of the new ownership group of the 76ers, I have no idea why Will was the only identified family member at the time the story was released. In any event my apologies to Jada, no disrespect intended.

Is it enough?

I checked the USA/ESPN poll, the AP and Coaches poll, all have the Tigers of Missouri at number 25.  I poised the question to Mizzou fans is it enough, allow me to explain. In past years I believe the bar was set too low by Mizzou fans. This mindset allowed the program to simply get by. I believe deep down many Mizzou fans say "we can't compete with Kansas or Texas!" I don't believe that mind set existed with coaches Snyder and Anderson or with the current coach Frank Haith. I believe successful or not they coached to the best of their abilities based on their teams strengths and weakness. I believe Mizzou fans have lowered expectations and therefore no championship aspirations. I don't expect an NCAA Championship this season but I expect a Big XII Championship! Is this view realistic, probably not but for me it's more than simply competing. Years ago I reminder a professor repeating this statement over and over during our class time, "we are striving for perfection." I didn't truly comprehend at the time why he continued to repeat the same statement over and over again, now I truly understand. Set the bar too low and you will always under achieve! Soon you accept the effort as the norm and state: "I probably can't do any better!"

"There are lies, damn lies and statistics."

attributed to Mark Twain