Thank you

Words eye view first published date was April 4, 2011, I allowed the official first anniversary date to slip by without notice. There is additional information I wish to share with you, this blog began as a series of emails to friends and acquaintances. A friend suggested I publish Words in the form of a blog rather than email. After much thought I began composing the outline of the blog. Although most of my initial readers were in the Kansas City metro area word of mouth or something else caused the readership to grow. Shortly after it was begun I was quite surprised to discover a world-wide audience hungry for basketball news. I'm not ESPN however I've been able to provide you stories they ignore or simply don't have space or time to cover. Our audience has become the nations of the world and it details for all the globalization of the game we share a love affair with. My sincere thanks for becoming the audience for Words eye view.

Russia       Germany     United Kingdom     Latvia

Sweden     Malaysia     Netherlands     Argentina

Canada     India     Italy     Ukraine

Belgium     Brazil     Hong Kong     France

Thailand     Denmark     South Africa

I'm not sure I'd trade him

My friends have suggested (again) it's time for the Lakers to consider trading Andrew Bynum. Friends love to visit with me on their methods for fixing the Lakers, it's funny they don't want them (the Lakers) to win but are always offering me suggestions. Wilt Chamberlain was traded, Kareem Abdul Jabbar was traded and both are in the Hall of Fame and selected to the team of the NBA's 50 Greatest players. Whenever a player is traded the hope in all instances and I think we can agree Bynum could be traded but make sure the Lakers receive equal value in return. I refuse to validate Bynum's bad behavior, shooting 3-pointers, ignoring the coach during timeouts and parking his BMW in handicap parking spaces. Bynum is far from a Hall of Fame player however I might point out players of the past sometimes acted like knuckleheads too. Just to refresh your memory banks you may remember the Bulls Michael Jordan battling GM Jerry Krause or the gambling stories, I can even be critical of my Lakers and Magic Johnson. Remember Johnson had issues with his coach, after leading the team to a championship he fell out with Paul Westhead the following season. Reports were Johnson met with owner Jerry Buss demanding Westhead be fired. The solution, exit stage left Paul Westhead, enter stage right Pat Riley. Did Magic fire Westhead of course not but I doubt seriously if he gave Westhead a vote of confidence. You like technical fouls, remember Rasheed Wallace a talented 6-11 power forward who appeared to have no control over his temper. Wallace led the NBA in technical fouls almost every season until the suspension rule came into effect, I don't think the last few years he ever missed games due to suspension. I once read his mom would often call him and take him to task over his behavior. Don't know if this was an NBA thing or not I just never remember the explosions while he was at Carolina. I'm the Lakers general manager and I approve trading Bynum, remember equal value who should I receive in return for him, Dwight Howard? Finally from the zen master himself Phil Jackson. "Bynum is not quite mature, but everyone should relax and watch him grow up," Jackson said via email. "This year has been a big step for him offensively…nice to see…and when he takes up the mantle as defensive captain the Lakers can get back in the hunt." Of course Jackson was Bynum's NBA coach but a Jim Buss draft pick, I believe Jackson formed an important bond with the youngster. Mike Brown can do the same provided he has the time to develop the relationship. (Los Angeles Times)

The deal unraveled

Almost as soon at the handshakes and high fives were exchanged the deal begin unraveling, the deal for a new arena in Sacramento. I am not going to take time and detail step by step how we arrive at this point, I will just say Mayor Kevin Johnson must have said something to upset the Maloof's. One of the brothers was quoted stating "the mayor is calling me a liar," the most interesting portion the brothers claim they want to remain in Sacramento. I'm unsure if it's them or someone else however it was revealed a refurbished Power Balance Arena would be okay. Crazy as it might sound my logic says remaining in Sacramento is better than Anaheim, So Cal does not require 3 NBA teams! On the other hand if the Maloof's would look about 2,500 miles east there is an NBA ready arena with no major tenant. This arena contains a larger number of corporate suites than Power Balance plus NBA ready locker rooms and other facilities. They were going to work with AEG in Sacramento we already have AEG here managing Sprint Center. Who says you can never return home, let me correct that Kansas City was actually the teams original home but the most recent other than Sacramento.

Which feat is the most outstanding?

Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon of Pardon the Interruption always manage to provide a question for discussion or argument. Last Wednesday evening Laker Andrew Bynum grabbed 30 rebounds against the Spurs, Celtic Rajon Rondo dished out 20 assists against the Hawks. Both the Lakers and Hawks won their games,
Kornheiser posed the question "which feat is more significant in your view the 30 rebounds or the 20 assists"? Your answer is the correct answer, you can debate it among your friends and acquaintances.

"The toughest part of getting to the top of the ladder, is getting through the crowd at the bottom" - Anonymous