Full circle

Talk about coming full circle the Houston Rockets had Jeremy Lin under contract last season but they released him. Someone or perhaps it was a group decision the Rockets coaching staff decided he had skills but might not be NBA ready. Releasing Lin allowed the Knicks to sign him and the balance of the story has been covered extensively by the media. After a successful half-season came free agency and surprise, the Rockets came calling again. This time rather than indicating he couldn't play they came calling with a $30 million dollar promise. Of course the Knicks matched the offer, 99% of the time I refrain from judgment calls on any players contract. Folks tend to forget Lin was a two guard learning the responsibilities of a point guard on the fly. I'm not doubting Lin-sanity it's real, I'm just unsure if real translates into a $30 million dollar contract. I'm sure the Knicks hope Jason Kidd will mentor Lin and hopefully all can discover if Lin-sanity is real or just phase of 20 or so games.

What jersey number

Newly acquired Laker Steve Nash must chose a new jersey number, that jersey is not available. Laker jersey number 13 is retired and hanging in the rafters at Staples Center. Wonder how the Clippers feel looking up and seeing all the Laker jerseys hanging and not a single Clipper jersey. That's the problem when two teams share the same arena. In any event back to the purpose of this story, Laker jersey 13 belongs to the late Wilt Chamberlain. As this was completed Kevin Ding of the Orange Counter Register tweeted Nash has chosen jersey 10 for next season. As for Chamberlain he played for two other NBA teams so the following numbers were not all scored in a Laker jersey but they are part of his Laker legacy and are certainly noteworthy. Over the course of Chamberlain's 14-year career he scored 31,419 points (30.1 ppg), 23,924 rebounds (22.9 rpg). Many consider Chamberlain a scoring machine only and he did indeed score a significant number of points. Proof he wasn't about scoring alone he contributed a surprising number of assists, 4,643 (4.4 apg) to his career numbers. Chamberlain held the record for most all-time points scored until Abdul Jabbar broke the record on April 5, 1984.

Can you say student-athlete over athlete-student

I'm sure those in the Los Angeles metro especially those who follow the game know the name Zena Edosomwan. Edosomwan is a 6-9 235 pound power forward Rivals rates a 4-star prospect, he's the son of a Nigerian immigrant . Edosomwan fits the role of a student-athlete, this Class of 2013 prospect is headed to Harvard to play for Tommy Amaker. Although Amaker coaches Harvard he follows in the footsteps of another highly successful Ivy League coach. Princeton coach Pete Carril compiled a 514-261 record in 29 years at Princeton in route to winning several Ivy League Championships. Tommy Amaker continues to win while recruiting scholars who just happen to be good basketball players, see Jeremy Lin.

Coach Byron

There are a number of guys I give the benefit of the doubt. I do that because I like them, I've always been partial to Cavs coach Byron Scott. I go back to the days when he was Magic Johnson's backcourt teammate, Scott was on the receiving end of many of Magic's assist. At a point in time many thought the team would turn to number 4 once Phil Jackson retired. I listen intently to an interview on the Dan Patrick Show and picked up this little gem on the Cavs draft choice. "We saw tape on Waiters (Dion) and we liked him, I went back to review tape to see what I didn't like!" Scott was describing the assessment of Dion Waiters, 6-4 215 pound shooting guard from Syracuse. Scott said "he wasn't worried about the fact Waiters didn't start a game he was there at the end of the game." (The Dan Patrick Show)

There will never be parity

The NBA can never be the NFL, i.e. large market versus small market teams. We know free agents are still attracted to New York (Brooklyn included), Boston, Dallas and Los Angeles. The aforementioned cities are certainly not the only large market teams in the NBA however the vast majority of movement takes place in those cities. I'm not saying free agents don't sign with small market teams or large market teams not mentioned but if you check the records most of the movement is between the large market teams cited. An example might be Jason Terry, large market (Dallas) to large market (Boston). I know Michael Beasley agreed to an offer by the Suns and Hasheem Thabeet agreed to sign on the dotted line with the Thunder, those are exceptions. The only teams that could afford Steve Nash were the Knicks, Mavs and Lakers. Cleveland could have offered LeBron James more money however he chose to sign with the Heat. There are examples I've overlooked however the court will be leveled when the Milwaukee Bucks compete with the Knicks for a free agent. This event will occur on the "12th of never." The NFL always talks parity something that will never occur in the NBA.

Strange move

Former Laker assistant and Mizzou head coach Quin Snyder has a new job, probably not the job most thought he might receive.  This summer he interviewed for the head coach position with the Bobcats and Magic. The Magic have yet to hire a coach but Snyder is no longer available. He's been hired as an assistant coach for CSKA Moscow.