Numbers

My fascination with numbers relating to basketball goes only so far. I've always attempted to provide numbers I think are relevant and critical to the story. With that upfront statement I also say loudly you can become bogged down with numbers. In addition are unnecessary to tell the story. Where am I am going with this rant? The start of the NBA season is some 20 days away and several pre-season previews have been written. I read one recently and it contained so many statistical numbers it caused me a headache. Numbers are important at times until they strangle the point of the story. I certainly hope I haven't done that with any of my stories. If you are a person who works with numbers or loves them more power to you.

Really

Last season LeBron James was not the only Heatle to endure a season long stream of criticism, Chris Bosh was a close second. You and I read many of the same complaints the one's accusing him of being too soft. They accused him of not wanting to mix it up in the paint, that he preferred to play a perimeter center. It appears the off-season and Lockout period gave him time to bulk up, in addition a brand-new attitude. Bosh told The Sun-Sentinel "he's ready to play center." I think we might ask him Is a public announcement really required? Chris why not adopt the commercial line of your shoe sponsor Nike, the one that says "Just do it!" Action speaks a great deal louder than words someone once stated!

New York City a.k.a The Big Apple

"Shoe store, Rucker Park and Ground Zero," he said Monday. "Most exciting will be seeing The Garden tomorrow." That was the comment of Tiger Marcus Denmon in the Kansas City Star. Shopping and sightseeing aside he clearly demonstrated he was ready for the game against Villanova. Denmon put on show scoring 28 points on 10-16 shooting from the floor while grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists. Denmon didn't operate alone, Ricardo Ratliffe scored 17 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. Kim provided Villanova "English" lessons as he chipped in with 15 points.  I almost forgot Flip Pressey, only 8 points but 12 assists and 3 steals.  Two of Pressey's 8 points were a steal and dunk by this 5-10 point guard. 

The latest AP poll has Mizzou listed as the number 10 team in the nation. Reminds me of a story, Shaquille O'Neal was voted to the NBA's 50 All-Time Greatest Players team in 1996. O'Neal was selected despite the fact he'd only been in the league a brief 4 years. Other players selected were from the founding days of the NBA. There were complaints "how could Shaq be selected to an all-time great team since he'd only been in the league a short period? Shaq's response, "I didn't vote myself on the team!" That's for the KU fan who wrote the Kansas City Star stating Mizzou didn't deserve to be ranked number 10, guess what fella Mizzou didn't vote for itself!

It's not happening

Reports begin circulating at the close of last season, the Lakers were going to acquire Dwight Howard. Orlando wants no repeat of "Shaq part deux," they want a player of value should Howard become a free agent. Now it's being reported the Lakers are looking at point guard Chris Paul as well. The Lakers are "unsure" if Andrew Bynum will ever reach his potential and with no triangle offense the Lakers will now require a more traditional point guard which Paul is. A couple of reasons why a trade will not occur, large market teams (such as the Lakers) will be penalized more in a new collective bargain agreement. Jimmy Buss is calling the shots now for the Lakers and he is firmly in Bynum's corner. Chris Paul is a possibility but still that might be a stretch. Any additions to add my Lakers pleases me but I'm a realist too.

Business is good

Darren Rovell Sports Business Reporter for CNBC was interviewed last week on NBA TV. He pointed out several interesting business trends resulting in the apparent settlement of the NBA Lockout. Below is an area I thought worth exploring, all these companies closed upward December 29 on the stock market.

MSG +12.2

Footlocker +9.2

Finish Line +5.2

Nike +5.1

Take Two +5.0

Adidas +3.3

Could this upward trend have been the result of Black Friday or Cyber Monday? It's possible however it provided evidence what many in the financial community have speculated. No NBA play directly affects sales for these companies, limited commercials result in limited shoe and apparel purchases. I was somewhat surprised to see Madison Square Garden listed as a company trending upward. Even video company Take Two which produces the NBA 2K series is impacted. NBA 2K is only one piece of their highly successful product line but it appears to affect their bottom line as well.

I've had to overcome a lot of diversity." -- Bucks forward Drew Gooden on the ups and downs of his NBA career currently playing for his ninth NBA team.