Did somebody inform him

I wonder if anyone informed Ricky of the derogatory words I expressed about him in the spring? I remember writing "his play has regressed" or "he wants no part of the NBA, he's probably scared." Of course I made those statements while Rubio was still in Spain. Drafted at age 17 my thought he wanted to stay at home. Yesterday was the youngsters eighth NBA game and the most noteworthy to date. He came off the Wolves bench dished out 14 assists, grabbed 6 rebounds scored 13 points with 1 blocked shot. I realize now I was off-base with my comments the kid can play and is good.

Disappointment
That's the only word I can think of after K-State manhandled my Tigers. I wasn't foolish enough to think Mizzou would remain undefeated. The Big XII at the top is very formidable, Mizzou, K-State, Kansas and Baylor represent the best in the conference. Note Baylor is the only Big XII south school on the board. My biggest disappointment is the manner Mizzou lost. Turnovers, poor shot selection and their attempt to force their will on the Sooners. K-State coming off a poor game against KU had to do something to redeem themselves. KU had applied the beat-down to K-State earlier in the week. I really don't like to look ahead however Mizzou playing at the top of their game could win 6 of their 7 games.


Urban versus Suburban
I watched an Outside the Lines feature on ESPN, the focus was the economic issues of Detroit and the 0-16 Lions. Several Detroit residents were profiled and interviewed, they all stated how much better they felt once the Lions became a winning team again. It was pointed out Detroit's (and any other cities) economic problems will not be resolved by successful sports teams. I don't believe any sports palaces of the immediate future will be built in the suburbs any longer. This is no statement of fact just an observation, think about this a minute where was the last new arena or stadium to open built. Ford Field home of the football Lions and Comerica Park the baseball Tiger's home are both in downtown Detroit and not in the suburbs. Those who live in the suburbs please don't consider this an indictment of where you chose to live. The Palace of Auburn Hills home of the Pistons is some 50 miles from downtown Detroit, that's about the distance from my home in south Kansas City (MO) to Lawrence (KS). The Palace might be the last suburban sports in existence for a long, long time. Back to Detroit, despite it's economic issues there is talk of the Pistons moving back to the city as well. There is talk and that's all it is at present the new ownership group is exploring a new arena for the Pistons. The new home would be built in a yet to be determined location in the downtown area.

Barclays Center

The $1 billion dollar arena and September grand opening is a story in itself. I've written a series of stories on the delays and resident complaints on the new home of the Nets. I'd lost track of time, I didn't realize how long it will actually have taken for completion of this enterprise. Liz Robbins New York Times wrote, "after more than eight years of lawsuits and construction delays, it will undoubtedly transform Downtown Brooklyn." Imagine eight years of legal wrangling and delays in construction but exactly how long is eight years? This is how long, a class of freshmen had just entered high school when the groundwork for the Barclays project was unveiled. Those students graduated four years ago and several of them entered college. Those high school freshman will receive their undergraduate degrees in May a full 3-4 months prior to the grand opening of Barclays Center. Ladies and gentlemen that's eight years, there is one other question. Are fans going to show up in November to watch a mediocre Nets team seated in a $1 billion dollar arena?

You pay your money I guess you take your chances

A portion of Spurs coach Greg Popovich's statement I fully understand, a better question is his view fair to fans who often pay a premium for game tickets? Last week the Spurs were in Houston for a game against the home town Rockets. Somewhere in the middle portion of the second quarter the Rockets began dismantling the Spurs. The Rockets did a number on the Spurs allowing Popovich to empty his bench. Popovich made this statement as he explained "to rest his veteran players." On the surface I think we can all understand however how about those fans who might have paid $75, $100 or more for tickets? Does Pop think this might be the last run of 35-year old Tim Duncan and 34-year old Manu Ginobili? The fan purchased the ticket(s) in anticipation of seeing Duncan or Ginobili on the court. We hear all the time the NBA is entertainment, how can it lay claim to that fact when it's key players are riding the bench?