Last Friday I explained to you in so many words my concern playing Baylor in Waco. They meet Baylor again but this time in Columbia. I almost forgot I was so excited by the 89-88 Mizzou win I failed to inform you which team won. I am lost for words with this "tiny" team and it's 7 scholarship players, I now fully understand how you can run a four guard lineup. Next season with a much taller team the offense will change because there will be no need to play four guards. Mizzou was rated number five in the nation prior to this game. Baylor was number three so the Tigers could be voted number three after this weekend, in addition to the win Mizzou managed to outrebound a much taller Baylor team. Baylor's front line stood 6-11, 6-9 and 6-7 so you could see clearly they should have held a rebounding edge. Mizzou didn't play an error free game, they took the occasional bad shot or turned the ball over at critical times, times I felt they could have shut Baylor down period. A casual observer reading the box score would assume they beat Baylor by one point, Baylor tossed in a 3-pointer as the horn was sounded. It pains me to make this statement, a Mike Anderson Mizzou team would have lost this game. The focus was on Ricardo Ratliffe as it might have been having to shoot an rebound and play defense against a much taller Baylor front line. My eyes were on 5-10 Phil (Flip) Pressey, his box score read 18 points on 55% shooting, seven assists, five rebounds and six steals. Pressey actually outrebounded 6-11 Perry Jones III, in conclusion "I have faith in Haith!"
I confess I'm guilty of of sometimes falling prey to the media hype surrounding the "new" York Knicks. Notice the new in this instance is in lower case letters, there is a reason. Early on I thought adding Tyson Chandler would make a difference defensively. Guess what, I think Chandler has made a difference how bout the power forward and small forward? He can't provide defense for his position and the other two as well. I didn't foresee it would be necessary to convince Anthony and Stoudemire there is a defensive side of the court. I realize this is the NBA but if your coach doesn't emphasis defense how do you fix the problem? Mike D'Antoni is a coach who wins more than he loses but his teams never advance very far in the playoffs because his teams (Phoenix and New York) play little if any defense. Please, please no Isiah Thomas---you think the situation is critical know watch the series of events if Thomas is ever allowed on the premises again.
As I mentioned I don't predict I only speculate, here's one for you to mull over, I'm speculating on Jared Sullinger Ohio State power forward. Sullinger announced early last spring he would be returning to Ohio State for his sophomore year. Although he had an outstanding freshman year the threat of an NBA Lockout probably entered the picture. This son of a coach would only see his NBA stock rise as he continues play in his sophomore season. His weight at 265 pounds certainly bodes well for the NBA, my only question might be his height, can he play power forward in the NBA at 6-9? By that last statement can he adjust to play as a power forward in the NBA? Then I look at the Spurs DeJuan Blair at 6-8 and 270 pounds, Tiago Splitter at 6-11 and 240 pounds was intended to be the next center for the Spurs but can't seem to dislodge Blair. Then there is Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer who is also 6-9 weighing in at 266 pounds. I guess we see how good Charles Barkley was playing power forward at 6-5 and 1/2 inches in height, it's strength, stamina and the ability to shoot decent to play power forward in the NBA.
I hope you had an opportunity to see Shabazz Muhammad display his skills. ESPNU televised the entire tournament so I was able to view Findlay Prep and Simeon which is the number one team in the nation. Muhammad's Bishop Gorman team was matched again DeMatha in the Hoop Hall Classic in Springfield (MA). Bishop Gorman is is the number 24 team in the nation, DeMatha was rated number 5. Muhammad's Gorman team defeated DeMatha dropping them from the ranks of the undefeated. Muhammad certainly did not disappoint as he scored 37 points, the scoring was only a part of his outstanding game. Muhammad continues to give no indication of his college choice. A number of NBA coaches and scouts were in attendance at this tournament.
Just finished an article where Michael Jordan states "Kobe is the nearest player to my game!" Naturally an article such as that the haters come rushing to the front with their opinions. The haters use all sources to invalidate MJ's remarks. The first is Colorado and the rape charge against Bryant, he had sex with the woman no doubt that occurred however the case was settled without a formal trial. The accuser settled for a large sum of money, I never remember reading the figure just the fact it was large. They state "he (Bryant) is responsible for Shaq being traded, they say the team could have won several more championships if Kobe hadn't been so selfish." Those are just two of the remarks I've read over and over and over again, now that Bryant is facing divorce that too will be added to the hater arsenal. The majority of critical remarks don't often relate to Kobe's production on the basketball court. There's a reason why, Kobe's number speak for themselves. Has he conducted his life off the court responsibility, no doubt he's made mistakes I couldn't argue with that statement. I'll close this exercise with a question for you. You are the coach for a mythical team, time remaining of the game clock is 5 seconds. Who would have take the shot, would it be LeBron, Dirk or Kobe? If MJ says Kobe's game most closely resembles his I think the argument is over!
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