Not enough space or time

Limitations on both the above prevent me from exploring the NBA lockout or even do justice to what is a complicated puzzle. One thing I do know, there are a significant number of high profile NBA stars who will not suffer! These players have made large sums of money, no NBA season is really okay with them. There are 30 NBA teams and say each has 14 players on it's roster, that's 420 players. This is a guess on my part but I would say 150 or 200 of that number will be in serious trouble on November 15th. If the season were to start on time the first checks would be issued on that date. This I've said over and over fans might not like the idea there is no basketball it will not affect their livelihood if they are employed. Many will chose my path, focus on the college or high school game while others will gravitate to the NFL, NHL or soccer. The arenas in NBA cities might remain dark but ABC, ESPN, Fox Sports and others will continue broadcasting sports. Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller were interviewed on NBA TV this past Tuesday, the host asked each how they thought the lockout might conclude. Miller was more optimistic than Barkley but both agreed a year long shut down might occur. If that should occur the NBA might as well close shop at least under it's present format. Casual fans long ago deserted the sport longing for the days of Magic, Bird and Jordan. The playing field must be leveled fairly, before the season was over last year it's "where's LeBron going?" At the conclusion of this season the same scenario occurred this time with the Hornets Chris Paul. The Milwaukee Bucks should be on the same level as the Knicks or Lakers in biding for a players service. Management is guilty too, they have overpaid a significant number of marginal players and they have done this over the last several years. Miller says owners need to get their act together, "hire general managers and scouts who are able to access talent!"

Bad hands

I'm sure you've read or heard stories regarding a players good or in some cases bad hands. Of course the good hands players catch practically everything tossed to them. Kobe Bryant tells this story about former teammate Kwame Brown. He claims during a game against Detroit he passed the ball to a wide open Brown under the basket, Brown proceeded to fumble it out of bounds. "He informed Bryant to not pass him the ball, he said he was nervous, if I catch it and he fouls me, I won't make the free throws." I was witness to a similar play on television once, I'm unsure who passed the ball to Brown on a very catchable pass which went right through his hands out of bounds. I don't ever remember a Laker player being booed as vociferously as Brown was that evening, I truly felt sorry for Brown that night. (Probasketballtalk)

Midnight Madness

Tonight the annual ritual of Midnight Madness begins. For those unfamiliar with this event universities across the county hold an informal basketball practice at midnight Friday night. Former Maryland coach Lefty Driesell began this exercise in October of 1971, he used it as aid to build excitement and fan support for the Terrapins. Driesell discovered NCAA rules prohibit teams from any organized practice prior to October 15th. The trend of Midnight Madness has spread across the nation, if you have ESPNU or ESPN be sure to tune in tonight. Coverage is usually provided from Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke and Kansas just to mention a few of the schools.

They must be joking!

Stephon Marbury was the first I think, his company was the first to market an economical basketball shoe. His company introduced the Starbury line of shoes in September 2006. Competition soon followed from K-Mart with it's Protege Line endorsed by Al Harrington and other players. Shaquille O' Neal signed a deal with Payless to market his Dunkman shoe. As shoe prices soared into outer space these were attempts to provide a quality low priced basketball shoe. The unfortunate part kids appear to be unimpressed by these shoes, they still want Nike, Adidas and Reebok. No cost study is necessary, check out the feet of the nearest teen and you'll see most likely they have a $100 plus pair of shoes. Nike announced a new Kobe shoe for 2012, the cost $200. I'm unsure of LeBron's 9 PS Elites one source indicates they will be $170 while another states $250. There is still a market for these high prices shoes other than by professionals. My six year old grandson loves Kobe Bryant but I think I will "allow" his dad to purchase his Kobe VII's.

Am I being fair?

Fox Sports.com contains a top 10's list, a list of all-time greats in the NBA. Question, Is winning a championship(s) the true barometer of a athletes career? The other issue, the era of the player how do you factor a 1950's or '60's player from one who played in the 1990's or '00's? The top 10 for point guard and shooting guard was somewhat accurate in my view. My questions revolved around the list they compiled at the power, small forward and center position. They list Scottie Pippen at number six and Elgin Baylor at four. LeBron James is the number five all-time greatest small forward in NBA history! Is Shaquille O' Neal the number four greatest center ever? The centers in front of Shaq are Wilt Chamberlain at three, Kareem Abdul Jabbar number two and Bill Russell number one. Dennis Rodman recently elected to the Hall of Fame made the list of power forwards. Does he belong on a greatest list strictly for his rebounding prowess? He's number ten on a list that contained the names of Karl Malone, Tim Duncan and Charles Barkley.

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take!"

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