The Bizzaro world of Lamar Odom

With roughly two weeks left in the regular season the Mavs made the move. They fired Lamar Odom, Odom has played in a season-long fog so this move is not totally surprising. I think most of us figured this story would conclude in this manner but much, much later. The Mavs at times have not played like defending champions but it's not all Odom's fault. I've mentioned at least once, no Tyson Chandler or Jose Juan Barea and maybe no sense of urgency. To those who complained in December the Lakers received nothing in the trade but a sack of beans you now have your answer. The Lakers received the Mavs number one draft choice for a player no longer part of the Maverick organization. Just in case you were thinking Odom out loud he cannot play for another NBA team he's not actually on the market. In a strange move the Mavs did not release Odom, he is inactive which means they could still trade him after the season in conjunction with the draft. There are other portions of this decision but I wanted to cover the main items of interest.

He's announcing today too

Today is the big day, Shabazz Muhammad number two player in the Class of 2012 announces to us where he's headed to college. He will have company he probably didn't figure, Nerlens Noel 6-10 center and number one in the Class of 2012 will also announce his choice. ESPNU will telecast a Signing Day Special 7:30 p.m. eastern time today. Muhammad has reduced his list of possible schools and these are not in any order to UCLA, Kentucky, Kansas and Duke. This statement was made at the McDonald's game last month. “Shabazz is by far the best player here,” one Western Conference scout said of the senior swingman from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman High. “It’s not even close. He’s the only one who can play in the NBA tomorrow." Noel's list of schools are Georgetown, Kentucky and Syracuse. Anthony Bennett is another high-profile Class of 2012 uncommitted player, he's a 6-8, 230 pound power forward from Brampton Ontario, Canada. Bennett's list of schools include Florida, Kentucky, Washington, Oregon and UNLV. Is it possible all three could be headed to Lexington Kentucky? No way that's gonna happen or could it? (Marc J. Spears, Yahoo Sports)

Am I overlooking the Spurs?
The Spurs have the second best record in the Western Conference. This team has been one of the more successful NBA franchise for a number of years. Over the last 2-3 years the team begin aging. Naturally aging meant drafting and trading for additions to the roster in addition Coach Pop did something I thought somewhat odd.  I have been critical of coach Pop for resting Duncan and Ginobili during the season never his coaching. I figured it was unfair to fans in visiting arenas, they pay premium dollars to attend NBA games. They attend games expecting to see "Timmy" and Ginobili on the floor. As mentioned earlier Pop has managed to infuse youngsters Kawhi Leonard, DeJuan Blair and Daniel Green into the starting lineup. Veterans Stephen "Cap'n Jack" Jackson and Manu Ginobili infuse a veteran presence when they come off the bench. The team has certainly flown beneath everyone's radar this season including mine.

I guess it could happen

The good folks at ESPN.com asked the question would Doc Rivers consider drafting his son Austin? The thought hadn't cross my mind till I read Henry Abbott's tweet, I decided to check draftexpress.com and nbadraft.net. Draftexpress has Rivers as the number 17 in the first round, the Celtics pick is 18. NBAdraft net projects Rivers to be the number 10 pick in the first round. Depending on positioning and player movement in the draft it is possible the Celtics could draft young Rivers. I was curious and did a Wikipedia search, there have been a number of coaching fathers and player sons in NBA history, none has ever coached the son in the NBA. The father and son were often not in the NBA at the same time, one other interesting note. There were fathers who coached in college while the son was in the NBA.

Father                              son

Mike Dunleavy                 Mike Dunleavy Jr.

Dolph Schayes                 Danny Schayes

George Mikan                   Larry Mikan

George Karl                      Coby Karl

John Lucas II                     John Lucas III

Butch van Breda Kolff       Jan van Breda Kolff

When is a deal incomplete?
It's not a deal when a handshake agreement between the parties begins unraveling soon after. After announcing in February a deal had been struck and the Kings would remain in Sacramento the deal is in danger of falling apart. According to CBSSports.com and the Los Angeles Times the Maloof brothers haven't "officially" signed off on the arrangements. The brothers Maloof balked at paying pre-development costs and the NBA stepped up and paid the $200,000 the Maloofs refused to pay. All I can say at this point is stay tuned for further developments, the Kings might be headed to Anaheim after-all. I pose this question to you, why is David Stern so involved here yet did virtually nothing to save the Sonic franchise for Seattle? Perhaps the Seattle franchise was a done deal once Oklahoma City interests purchased it, we often make statements we regret that's not new nor unforgiving. It seemed Stern made a number of negative statements about the Seattle efforts to retain the team. This deal is coming apart faster than an Andy Roddick serve, I have no method of proving proof of this statement. I believe the brothers Maloof want this deal to fall through. That would allow them to move the franchise to Anaheim which was the intent last year. The Royals (Kings) would have already completed their first season in So Cal, if you take time to rename a franchise that should be a clear indication of your thought process. (CBSSports.com and Los Angeles Times)

It's over now

Please don't do this, don't resort to violence in order to resolve your sports disagreements. The game has already been played and we know Kentucky was the winner, there's no telling how deep a fan's loyalty lies. The rivalry between Kentucky and Louisville is probably just as rabid as that of any Mizzou and Kansas fan, I couldn't pass up this story and wanted to share it with you. "Police had to be called to Georgetown, Ky., dialysis clinic after a fight broke out between two patients over Saturday's Final Four match. A Louisville fan who was waiting to be hooked up to a machine struck a Kentucky fan who was already receiving treatment." The paper reported the two had actually quit their fight prior to the arrival of the police. I truly understand I just don't know what to make of this, how about you? (Louisville courier-journal.com)