Bits n Pieces

I bet you hadn't thought about this, I'm sure this story might have played out previously somewhere I just don't remember. In 2011 Mike Anderson left Mizzou for the job he always wanted head coach at the University of Arkansas. Now that Mizzou in the SEC Anderson will be facing several Mizzou players he and his staff recruited. The conference schedule hasn't been released yet however we can guess most likely Arkansas and Missouri will face off against each other. Fayetteville (AR) is 300 road miles from Columbia (MO) the nearest SEC school to Mizzou. Flip Pressey, Michael Dixon Jr. and Laurence Bowers will all face Arkansas and Mike Anderson, this should only play out through the 2012-13 season but it is kinda ironic isn't it?

My wife's cousin just graduated high school, Jewel indicated to us she was exploring the possibility of attending several schools them is Virginia Commonwealth University. My first thought was she would have an opportunity to see VCU Rams and coach Shaka Smart up close. Smart burst on the national scene two years ago as his VCU team made an unprecedented and surprise run in the NCAA tournament. Coaching offers came flying in to this now 35-year old head coach but he said "thanks but no thanks." He expressed a loyalty to the athletic department and VCU certainly unusual in this day and age. VCU teams have registered a 84-28 mark over the last three seasons winning an average of 28 games a season. If Smart continues to turn out winning teams offers from other schools will continue to flow in, the offers and the financial rewards will only increase. The question might be how long will he stay in Richmond (VA)?

I have come to the conclusion LeBron James is not the problem. it's clearly the media, for this very talented athlete it's become a "damn if he does, damn if he doesn't" story. They lavish praise when he succeeds but go over the top when he errors. The good folks at the top of the list are those at ESPN, they have been guilty of building up this 6-8 260 pound athlete into a 10 foot tall 400 pound behemoth. James is not blameless, he bears a degree of responsibility for several of the issues that continue to dog him. I think James is a genuine nice guy, he was universally appreciated prior to him leaving for South Beach. Once he left Cleveland the world became divided into two camps, those that loved him and those that hated him, there appeared to be no middle ground. James probably feels like he's walking on eggshells with every action he's involved in. I still am unable to figure out why James must shoot from the perimeter, his game (and body) are built on penetrating to the basket. It appears he lacks confidence at times in his ability to knock down the shot, drives to the basket are another matter.

I always remain cautious when discussing the Los Angeles Clippers, this past season was a dream sequence wasn't it? Did the team truly make the playoffs, did they play until the second round? A portion of my skepticism was based on this teams front office and the rumors circulating about coach Vinny Del Negro. Del Negro probably saved his job coaching this team into territory it had never seen previously. Everything appears steady and then comes word general manager Neil Olshey leaves the franchise to become GM of the Blazers. "Olshey was named GM on March 9, 2010 upon the firing of GM and head coach Mike Dunleavy." In a little more than two years the grass appeared to be greener in Portland than Los Angeles. Also interesting is the fact Olshey had been working without a contract since October of 2011. Is this the beginning (of the end) after but one successful season? I don't wish to be a doom and gloom guy but based on the past history of this franchise?

 

It's interesting, ESPN is the only major sports website to make the change. The change I refer to is the name New Jersey in front of Nets, all other sites continue to list the team as the New Jersey Nets, only ESPN has made the change to Brooklyn Nets. I've checked all the websites, CBSSports, SI.com, Yahoo, Fox Sports and the Sporting News, their NBA page has made no name change as of June 7. Another note on the Nets and the move to Brooklyn, I had indicated earlier I've never visited NYC so there might be dynamics I'm unaware. I'm curious how 19,500 folks manage to navigate traffic to arrive at MSG for Knick games? The reason I'm posing the question I've read complaint after complaint about the impending traffic flow around Barclays Center. I'm reading complaints and the arena is yet to open, yet to hold even it's first event. Several of the stories have revolved around how this change will affect the quality of life in Brooklyn. Surely whoever is raising quality of life as a question must be joking, what does an arena have to do with quality of life? We can be sure traffic in and around the arena will increase on evenings the Nets play or when other events are held, we can be assured parking surrounding the arena will be impacted by the arena too.