Bits n Pieces
Last season was disappointing to fans of the Chicago Bulls, the season came to a screeching halt with the devastating injury to point guard Derrick Rose. The Bulls had come into the Lockout shortened season with a deep maybe the most talented bench in the NBA. The Heat had played for the championship but this was a new year. Many thought their depth and Derrick Rose would over power the Heat with their talented trio but limited bench, of course this view changed after Rose was injured. Over the course of the summer free agency has changed the team over last season; six players who played prominent roles will now draw paychecks elsewhere. Even more dreadful it’s reported Rose might not return before late March or April. Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf says there is no rush to get Rose back into the lineup. He claims he’s not going to allow Rose to return until the doctors give the okay. That’s interesting because over the years Reinsdorf has been painted as a less than enthusiastic owner. I remember him being interviewed after his Bulls had won one of their championships. The first words out of his mouth “I wonder how the White Sox (which he owns) have done?” Your basketball team has just won an NBA championship and the first word from you is whether your baseball team has won that evenings game. I think anyone could have understood Reinsdorf if this were near the end of the baseball season, it was the middle of June!

We should always be open to change, even if the change involves basketball rules. The change this person is suggesting is not a fix in my view. Many of you might remember the story I writer earlier this year regarding Mamadou Ndiaye. For those of you who didn’t read the story Ndiaye is a 17-year old high school senior who originally hails from Senegal. He’s enrolled at a small private school in Southern California. Ndiaye is 7-5 inches and 310 pounds; he’s the tallest high school player in the nation, in fact he is taller than any present NBA player. Although Ndiaye is a raw talent (his coach’s statement) he towers above his high school opposition. 22.9 points per game and 13.2 rebounds a game and naturally 7 block shots a game provide evidence of his junior year numbers these numbers with limited offensive skills around the basket. After reading the story several respondents wanted to voice their view of him and the game. This letter was probably the strangest I read, “Time to change the rules of the height of the basketball goal, or have height of players within six inches of each other, regardless of particular height. Ever heard of level playing field.” I’ve voiced my opinion regarding changes in the game and especially how height has become a key element. Ndiaye’s coach thinks he’ll play professionally somewhere in the very near future. (cbssports.com)

This time Jalen Rose is correct at least in my opinion, media “borrowed” the term Fab 5 which is proof a number of their membership is indeed lazy. That’s the claim of Rose, rather than search for an alternative name for America’s gymnastic team it’s far easier and more convenient to recycle a name. Rose was upset several in the media have dubbed America’s gymnastic team “the Fab Five.” For those unaware the name was first coined for the 1991-93 Michigan basketball team, a team of Rose and other youngsters. A response to the story from another reader stated, “maybe that’s why Pat Riley trademarked the term “3-peat.” Rookie Hornets forward Anthony Davis indicated some weeks back he might trademark unibrow. Based on the lazy media it might be a good idea if he intends to be paid he needs to take legal action as soon as possible.

　
I’ve stated previously a significant number of Laker fans are spoiled and even arrogant. These fans have come to expect the best from the team and its front office. There are two individuals who operate under the microscope of Laker fans, they certainly have been scrutinized and criticized by Laker fans and interesting neither is a player. Jimmy Buss the owners’ son and general manager Mitch Kupchak, both have been targets for the ire of Laker fans. I’m going to give both a shout out for their efforts this summer. Dr. Buss while remaining in place as the owner turned over most of the day to day operations to son Jimmy. Laker fans were very critical of Jimmy right from the start not allowing him an opportunity to gain work experience. I remember reading stories “the spoiled rich son of the owner.” As for Kupchak he served under the tutelage of Jerry West who was the master at analyzing talent and making trades. Kupchak too suffered significant criticism from many of the Laker faithful due to his apparent “lack of action” by many Laker fans. Since free agency started July 11 the Lakers have been one of the most efficient and effective teams in the NBA, this team has been almost totally re-tooled.

With salary issues staring the team squarely in the face Jimmy Buss gave general manager Kupchak carte blanche to improve the Lakers. The team signed free agents Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison, and then resigned their own free agents Jordan Hill and Devin Ebanks. The trade was then concluded sending Dwight Howard to the Lakers in exchange for Andrew Bynum. Josh McRoberts and Christian Eyenga were included in the Howard trade, arriving from the Magic was Chris Duhon and Earl Clark. Friday afternoon when the Howard trade was officially approved Kupchak announced the signing of 24-year old free agent shooting guard Jody Meeks to this mix. Both Buss and Kupchak deserve praise for their proactive efforts this summer, other than Laker fans Pau Gasol might be happiest of all. All summer I’d been reading reports that indicated he didn’t want to leave the Lakers. Prior to the completion of the Howard trade there was a report he’d contacted Kobe, he was supposed to have been assured by Kobe “as long as I’m here you’ll be here!” It’s now up to Mike Brown to prove he can coach this talented assembly of athletes.