Anybody remember Scottie Pippen’s statement “LeBron might be better than Michael Jordan?” The basketball universe erupted, critical comment after comment rained down on Pippen for his bold statement. How could Pippen come to this conclusion, its basketball heresy to state LeBron could have superior game to MJ? The next day or so Pippen was “forced” to retreat from his statement, the basketball world then relaxed-----at least for a brief period. Enter stage right Jim Boeheim Syracuse coach and Team USA assistant coach. Boeheim made essentially the same statement as Pippen but guess what? I haven’t heard near the criticism of Boeheim as I did Pippen, I think the whole argument is stupid! Why must we continue the debate on who is superior especially athletes from different eras, this is one dispute I refuse to join.

I was discussing the upcoming SEC basketball season with a friend and Mizzou‘s move to the SEC. I informed him of the ESPN column Doug Gottlieb wrote, you remember the one he predicted Mizzou could win the 2012-13 SEC conference. I related the same story I’d written last week to my friend the fact that “Gottlieb must have fallen and bumped his head.” I further stated “Gottlieb must have forgotten Kentucky and Florida are in the SEC.” I really don’t like to project or predict future events however maybe Gottlieb might not be too far off base. Early in the conversation I informed my friend coach Calipari had a dynamite incoming freshman class. I then reflected on last season, “Cal had a group of freshman who might have been a once in a lifetime group.” This group of freshman in addition to being very talented responded well to Cal’s coaching. We know the end result, an NCAA championship. Bernard stated “it might be possible for Mizzou to win.” He said “the 2013-14 season Florida would be completely reloaded (ESPN rates their incoming class #1) this upcoming season might be totally different, they will be good but not necessarily conference champ level. Last season was indeed a perfect storm for Kentucky. Despite the corps of incoming freshman this group might not be talented enough or respond in a similar manner as the prior freshman team.
　
KU fans make me laugh out loud at times; they continue to harp on Mizzou winning in the SEC doesn’t matter if it’s football or basketball. Honestly I don’t understand how any KU fan could begin debating Mizzou football, basketball is a different story but football? They also entertain potential recruiting problems in SEC territory. How come KU folks venture into worlds yet to occur? Everyone can certainly recognize the landscape has changed in relation to recruiting; to state a kid from other SEC state couldn’t be recruited by Mizzou is ludicrous! Quality programs attract kids from all over the nation; all that’s required is for these KU folks to check out their own basketball roster. Few of the athletes recruited to play at KU are from Kansas; they are attracted to KU by a good coach and the winning tradition of the program. To simply state Mizzou will have trouble recruiting is untrue and a statement ripe in error, winning programs football or basketball will always attract the top notch athlete. I might pose this question to the KU faithful; Missouri borders the SEC states of Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. Where is West Virginia on the map in relationship to other Big XII schools?

Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon has become a tutor to the stars since his retirement. Several years back Kobe Bryant spent a portion of his summer working with Olajuwon. At the conclusion of the summer Kobe indicated how much the tutelage of Olajuwon improved portions of his game. This summer a new student is in Houston to learn the “Dream Shake” and other offensive moves perfected by Olajuwon. Knick power forward Amar’e Stoudemire is the latest player to be tutored by Olajuwon and he’s now pronounced himself ready for NBA action. I don’t think anyone ever questioned Stoudemire’s offensive game it’s his defense that appears to suffer at times.