He should have retired earlier

If Phil Jackson was in place Derek Fisher would probably still be a member of the Lakers! New offense, new coach plus 37-year old legs no longer allow Fish to remain a Laker. We could state with conviction he was never a good shooter but he was certainly clutch at times. He wasn't blessed with blinding speed but still managed to take a large number of charges over the course of his career. Fish always managed to do all the right things, those things that allowed us to see him as a winner. We've been witness, far too many players who continue to played long after their careers have ebbed. Fish was one of those guys, his heart and his competiveness would not allow him to announce a date he was retiring. As a long-time Laker fan I've witnessed a number of players leave via the trade route, Norm Nixon, Nick Van Exel and most recently Lamar Odom to name a few. Word from Houston they have reached a buyout agreement with Fisher. "Fisher had a $3.4 million player option for next season and is expected to be officially waived Monday. Fisher would then be free to sign with any other team but the Lakers if he clears waivers by Wednesday." The previous agreement allowed a player to resign with his former team if he wasn't claimed by any team. Zydrunas Illgaukas did that very thing the last year he played for the Cavs. A suggestion was made for Fish to return as a coach to the Lakers, I could see that. (ESPN.com)

 

I didn't do it

For the first time since I don't know when I didn't complete an NCAA tourney sheet. My main reason, it seems every year I must chose between two favorites. There is no desire on my part to pick Mizzou or some of my favorites to lose a game. By avoiding a bracket I am allowed to watch whatever game I desire. If the chosen team loses I'm upset but only on a temporary basis. I'm not suggesting you do this next year but it's far easier for me to view the entire field of teams. It didn't work for me---Mizzou was upset by a very good Norfolk State team. I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach, I didn't expect Mizzou to win the championship but I hoped they would advance to the final four. Lehigh did the same thing to Duke which was also was a two seed while Ohio upset four seed Michigan. I guess upsets were in the air Friday afternoon and evening, oh well, there's always next year. I guess there is some justice, Florida blew Norfolk State out of the building, 84-50.

 

His-story

I was a little surprised by Laker Andrew Bynum's post-game comment after last Tuesday's game. Bynum had a monster game against the Grizzlies a double-overtime win and his numbers were outstanding. How about this 83% field goal percentage, 37 points 16 rebounds 1 assist 1 steal and 1 blocked shot. Bynum's played at near this pace over his last 5 games so the courtside reporter asked him after the game what did he attribute this increased display. He said, "I been working with Darvin (Darvin Ham, Laker assist coach) on my footwork, I can leap over anybody." The surprise for me with his statement, early in his career Bynum was being coached and shown the finer points of playing center by Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

Conspiracy theorist

I don't know about you but conspiracy theorist drive me nuts, area 51, flying saucers and the continent of Atlantis. They always come up with scenarios they only see, then try to convince us the validity of their often time wild theories. Conspiracy theorists exist in the NBA too, example the story regarding David Stern's possible retirement. A letter writer said of course he should retire "he's (Stern) responsible for referee Tim Donaghy cheating, the folded card that allowed the Knicks to draft Patrick Ewing. In addition Stern wanted the Lakers in the championship series and had the referees allow them to win their playoff series against the Blazers and Kings." The aforementioned is actually not one letter but a culmination of several letters. I wanted you to sample some of the strange folks out there. I have voiced my disagreement with David Stern over issues but none of the above are my choices. I know I must have missed at least 3 or 4 more conspiracy stories.

Mizzou recruiting news
Mizzou served as host to three candidates February 25th the weekend of the Mizzou-Kansas game. Devin Booker, a 6-4 shooting guard from Moss Point Mississippi. He's the son of former Mizzou All-American Melvin Booker. Also visiting was Larry Austin Jr. a 6-1 point guard from Springfield Illinois and Devonta Pollard a 6-7 small forward from De Kalb Mississippi. Booker and Austin are Class of 2014 and Pollard Class of 2012. Each has been given an offer but cannot sign until April 11, the spring signing period last until May 16. (PowerMizzou.com)