Bits n Pieces

Most times we have no idea how far a team will advance in the playoffs, losing is one thing but losing due to critical injuries probably hurts even more so. Depending on the type of injury often the recovery time will not allow the player to return to action. The Bulls are that team, they are done this year even if they manage to beat the 76ers. A headline might read "injuries to starters Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah doomed the playoff run of this team." For the second year in a row the Bulls battle cry will be wait till next year.

Speaking of playoffs how about close-out games?  The Lakers and Celtics missed an opportunity to eliminate their opposition.  If they eventually lose the series they can point their fingers at themselves and the lost opportunity of that close-out game.

The records indicate the Hoosiers of Indiana have won 1,687 games since they began playing basketball in 1901. The Kentucky Wildcats have won 2,092 games beginning in 1903 and concluding this season. The Big 10 Hoosiers and SEC Wildcats both storied programs have played an annual match up the last 43 years but no more. The series has been concluded because Kentucky wants to play the game on a "neutral" site, Indianapolis or Louisville. Bloomington Indiana is a short 53 mile drive from Indianapolis, Louisville is 77 miles from the Wildcats Lexington Kentucky home. Seems to me playing the game at a neutral site would be St. Louis or Chicago not in the same state of both teams.

SI.com recently ran a list of early entry players for the NBA draft, rather than a name a particular players height and weight jumped off the page at me. Raymond Taylor's name was listed along with a number of others. Taylor played at Florida Atlanta University and is a 5-6 145 pound point guard, I've never seen him play so I have no idea of his skill set. Think he might be too small for the NBA, remember 5-7 Spud Webb, 5-5 Mugsey Boggs or
5-5 Earl Boykins?

The other day on the Dan Patrick radio program the host reminded me of a fact I'd forgotten. He was discussing the Celtics Paul Pierce and how valuable he is to the team. "Paul Pierce was not even the best player on his (Kansas) team Patrick stated, the best player was that left-hander Raef LaFrentz." I'd completely forgotten Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce were on the same Kansas team. LaFrentz had a successful collegiate career, this 6-11 240 pound power forward/center ended his Kansas career second in scoring and rebounds to Danny Manning. He was the 3rd pick in the first round of the 1998 draft and had an 11 year NBA career. He averaged 10.1 points per game and 6.1 rebounds with four NBA teams. Contrast this with Paul Pierce who is headed for the Hall of Fame after he concludes his career.

It's great to be a celebrity fan of an NBA team---all we need to do is ask Spike Lee. Nike has designed a special pair of Knick shoes for the team's number one celebrity fan, of course the shoes are in Knick orange and blue. The shoes contain two one-of a kind specialty additions, the left shoe heel contains a photo of his "Mars Blackmon" character made famous in the long-ago Air Jordan commercials. The right shoe heel contains the logo of his production company "40 Acres and a Mule."

Some KU fans are stuck on stupid, they continue to delude themselves into believing "Mizzou will face recruiting problems moving to the SEC." One could only come that conclusion if for example 100% of Mizzou's football and basketball recruits are from Kansas City (MO). I think KU fan might be interested in this Kansas City Star story, last weekend several recruits were on campus including one from Memphis. The story indicated his parents were excited about the possibility of their son playing at Mizzou. Of course KU fan you realize Memphis is in Tennessee and the University of Tennessee is an SEC school. I have no idea of the football program but it's a fact Kansas recruits few instate players. The success of it's basketball team is comprised of players recruited throughout the nation. While finishing this story Mizzou gained another commitment, Jordan Clarkson is transferring from Tulsa University. I have no idea if this 6-4 180 pound guard can play however he scored at a 16.5 point a clip game for Tulsa. He will sit out the 2012-13 season but will have two years of eligibility.