The Draft

Don't forget to check tomorrow, a special edition devoted to the NBA draft will be published.

M.I.A.

They say everyone should change careers at least once in their lifetime, former Tarheel Hubert Davis will embrace change soon. He will be missing in action as an ESPN analyst this coming season, Davis is headed to Chapel Hill (NC). Davis will begin serving as an assistant coach on Roy Williams staff. No indication from the world wide leader who will occupy the seat between Rece Davis and Digger Phelps on College Gameday. Congratulations to him as he begins this new life journey.

The future of UConn men's basketball

An ESPN 5-star Class of 2014 prospect listed UConn and several other schools as possible future destinations. 2014 is two years away and the young man has adequate time to change his mind if UConn will become the school of choice. A much larger question will the basketball landscape change as well in two years time? Larry Brown at age 71 was hired at SMU thus becoming the nation's oldest basketball coach. Jim Calhoun at UConn is a close second at 70, unlike Brown health issues have dogged Calhoun over the last several years. There are problems far beyond Calhoun's health, the men's basketball academic progress has been called into question. The NCAA now has a rule in place that states failure of a school to maintain academic standards will prohibit them from post-season NCAA play. In addition the number of scholarships the school can offer are reduced. UConn could win 30 games in the 2012-13 season and still be unable to compete in post-season play. The basketball outlook in Storrs (CT) is rather murky at this point in time.

I cannot participate

There have been several stories written about NBA busts, in fact I've written at least two. In my defense I wrote the stories after the players had competed a number of years in the NBA. Unlike the good guys at NBC Sports I cannot participate prior to the draft. Five reporters weighed in on who would likely be an NBA bust. There are always questions surrounding draft choices, questionable attitude, questionable work ethic and others issues. These are but a few issues that might contribute to a player becoming a draft, the team itself might be key as well. How often has a change of scenery allowed a player to excel with one team over another. I'm uncomfortable referring to anyone as a bust until they step onto an NBA court.

New Arena

Prospective collegiate players have an established order they utilize in choosing a school. This list might not be incomplete however I read and hear the following most often:

1. The coach

2. School
3. Facilities

Item 3 has almost become as important to prospects as items 1 and 2, this scenario is certainly playing out at Oregon State University. There are arenas across the nation steeped in tradition as example KU's Allen Fieldhouse and Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium. Who could forget The Palestra in Philadelphia opened in 1927 and still in use. This building is the home of Big 5 Basketball (La Salle, Penn, St. Joseph's, Temple and Villanova). As the years roll by these arenas are gradually being replaced by newer and fancier buildings. This trend is certainly evident in Corvallis Oregon as groundbreaking for a new arena and training facility was recently held. Former OSU/NBA players Gary Payton and A.C. Green were invited to participate in the ceremonies. Coach Craig Robinson (President Obama's brother-in-law) announced to the gathering when he was hired four years ago a new arena was at the top of the list. A state of the art arena and adequate training facilities are very much in demand today.  Gary Payton: "OSU could now compete with the UCLA and USC and other Pac-12 schools."

You realize why

Just in case you'd forgotten do you remember why the Thunder lost? I am the culprit, I picked them over the Heat. This proves once again the difficulty in predictions. Now both franchises state they are looking at the possibility of NBA dynasties. I can say to both good look and warn them it's easier said than done. The Mavs made no dynasty pronouncements after winning the NBA championship last season. Going into the season almost all the experts picked them to defend their title, how quickly they moved from a championship to a contender. The Heat certainly proved the Thunder have holes in their game, can they patch the holes and prevent the ship from sinking before winning a championship? Kevin Durant is in Oklahoma City for the duration, as for his teammates there are questions. The Thunder certainly played inspired basketball but must contend with the Spurs, Clippers and Lakers next season in the West, yes I said Lakers. The Heat after succumbing to the Mavs in the championship round last season rose to the top. Who might contend in the East next season? Certainly a "healthy" Bulls team would be included in the mix, how about a Pacer team which played at an inspired level to a point or a Hawk team. Their are minefields spread throughout the Eastern and Western Conference, let's see who contends first before announcing a dynasty run.