A few tidbits

We knew this was coming
Paul Westphal is out as coach of the Kings, relieved of his duties by the general manager. Fired after a 2-5 start, has the NBA been playing two weeks yet? The byline says it all, the problem was the talented but troubled child DeMarcus Cousins. I'm unsure if Westphal made a mistake but he announced to the press Cousins had requested a trade. Cousins and agent followed his statement by saying no such demand had been made.   Westphal was on a short leash anyway, the team under achieved last season.  You know the age old story, "it's always easier to fire the coach than fire the team!"

Have you noticed
I have stated previously the impact of football specifically the BCS on conference realignment. Have you noticed the BCS term creeping into basketball discussions? A recent example, I heard an ESPN studio host refer to a school "as a non-BCS school," interesting commentary on the BCS isn't it?  Interesting because the story he was reporting was regarding basketball and not football.   

I'll take one of them
The Lakers starter at point guard is 37-years old, the backup point is 31. The Wolves have 31-year old Luke Ridnour as their starter backed up by 21-year old Ricky Rubio. Backing Rubio is 27-year old Jose Barea, do you see where I'm going with this story? Wednesday night Rubio came off the bench scoring 12 points and handing out 10 assists in only 32 minutes. No, I'm not suggesting the Wolves trade Rubio to the Lakers, I am proposing the Wolves trade Ridnour to the Lakers. This trade will allow Rubio to become the Wolves full-time starter, Ridnour will provide a slightly younger veteran presence at the point for the Lakers. Besides since Mike Brown is running a conventional offense it shouldn't be too difficult for any point guard to pick up.

Did you hear this
Andrei Kirilenko ain't coming back! Reports over the internet indicate Kirilenko is going to stay in Russia and not return to the NBA. He's an unrestricted free agent and still young enough to help a team. Should Kirilenko decide to come back next season as an unrestricted free agent he should be a good pickup for an NBA team.

Charles, it's about the money and fame

On a recent segment of NBA TV Open Court Barkley voiced an opinion I thought interesting. He said "people never say Dan Marjerle never won an NBA Championship, they say Charles Barkley never won an NBA Championship. We both were on the same team!" Allow me to explain to Charles, it's all about the fame and earnings. This is not a negative toward Dan Marjerle or other player, they didn't possess the star power of a Charles Barkley. For that reason alone fans focus on the Barkley's, Malone's and Stockton's of the NBA.

Which team is better
Daniel Hudson of bleacherreport.com providing a ranking for the starting 5 of each NBA team. A team's bench strength was not part of his assessment. See if you agree with his selection on the top 5 teams? Currently point guard Baron Davis is injured and not in the starting lineup for the Knicks.

1. Bulls-Rose, Hamilton, Deng, Boozer and Noah

2. Thunder-Westbrook, Sefolosha, Durant, Ibaka and Perkins

3. Knicks-Davis, Fields, Anthony Stoudemire and Chandler

4. Heat-Chalmers, Wade, James, Bosh and Anthony

5. Lakers-Fisher, Bryant, Barnes, Gasol and Bynum

I don't think I told you

After arguing with myself for I know must have been two weeks I finally came to a decision. I had NBA League Pass added to my cable package, I wanted until Saturday December 24 at 11:59 p.m. Just kidding I didn't wait till nearly midnight just wanted to give you an idea just how hesitant I was. There were two issues that caused my indecision, I still held residual anger over the Lockout. In addition my continued anger over the commissioner and his heavy-handed action regarding my team (Lakers). We'll see how this goes, if it's determined there are enough games on TNT/ESPN/ABC/NBA TV I might cancel it around the 30th game or so.

Who are those guys?

That was the line from the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid! It might be applied to the idiots who continue to pronounce doom and gloom for Mizzou in the SEC. Do these idiots realize in football the SEC is divided into east-west divisions? Do these same idiots realize LSU and the other powers are in the west, Mizzou has been placed in the east! As I stated once before I make no predictions other than Mizzou will be okay. As for basketball that's a different matter, I don't wish to appear arrogant but I foresee Kentucky and Florida being the main competition and maybe Vanderbilt. Keep squawking Jayhawk fans continuous statements make you appear jealous. Are you jealous because nobody wants you despite your excellent basketball history? Interesting when the shoe is on the other foot isn't it?