Bits n Pieces
Well the Yankees----opps Lakers have done it again! They managed to steal the sports headlines on a night the NFL pre-season started and the Olympics were primetime on television. The trade of course was acquiring Superman II, that’s what I will use to describe Dwight Howard because Shaq was the first Superman. The haters have emerged already; I read an early comment “its okay for a player to move to another team as long as he doesn’t announce it on television!” We all realize this was a veiled reference to “LeBrongate” three years ago but there is a difference. Despite the writers view (and maybe others) this was a trade, it might have been orchestrated by the player however Howard was not a free agent.

This is going to sound arrogant but it’s the truth, the Lakers are an aggressive organization. They have a winning tradition and winning is key for this franchise. You will never hear the Lakers described as rebuilding; no five or even three year plans---its winning and it’s winning right now! Are Laker fans arrogant, yes a number of them are. Are Laker fans spoiled; of course they are, winning begets a brat mentality to a significant number. In the recent past I expressed my concerns on this trade because I’m a Bynum fan. I thought (and still do) Bynum in certain areas is on the same level with Howard. A healthy Howard is certainly the superior defensive player and rebounds better. Bynum shoots free throws and has better offensive skills around the basket. On paper this new and improved version of the Los Angeles Lakers is certainly superior to last season however games are not played on paper.

As for the bench it’s become younger while retaining a veteran presence, newly acquired free agent forward Antawn Jamison and veteran guard Steve Blake represent the only members of the bench over age 30. Jordan Hill 25-year old forward-center provided a spark off the bench last season; he chose to resign with the Lakers rather than sign elsewhere. It should be noted in the Howard trade the Lakers received two veteran players, 29-year old point guard Chris Duhon and 24-year old forward Earl Clark. In addition they added 24-year old shooting guard free agent Jody Meeks late of the 76ers. The bench has improved considerably while actually becoming younger. We are months from training camp; the composition of the team could possibly change later. Perhaps the two remaining question will Howard’s surgically repaired back be ready in time for opening season?  Can Mike Brown coached this assemblage of talent? 

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are headed north to play exhibition games against two Canadian schools in October.  I wondered if any NCAA school had ever played a regular season game against Canadian competition. After researching the question I discovered Simon Frazier University in Burnaby British Columbia is an NCAA Division II member. “On Friday, July 10, 2009, the NCAA announced that it has accepted SFU as a Division II member that will begin after a two year transition period. SFU will compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. It is the first Canadian university to be accepted as a member of the NCAA at any level.” To date Simon Frazier remains the only NCAA Canadian school, it should be pointed out there are three Canadian NAIA members. The Great Northwest Athlete Conference is comprised of 10 member schools; naturally the schools are primarily located in the Pacific Northwest region. Montana State University, University of Alaska Fairbanks and Central Washington University are several of the conference members.  Just thought the
information might be of interest, I know it was to me.  (Wikipedia)

Mizzou's Marus Denmon probably caught most of the Mizzou faithful off-guard with his latest move.  After an outstanding senior season the Spurs made him the 59th pick in the second round of the 2012 NBA draft.  As a second round choice and with a number of guards already on the Spurs roster Denmon would have difficulty gaining playing time.  He might have landed with their D-League afflitate but that might not have been as benficial to grow his game.  He and his agent decided France and Chalon-Sur-Saone might be a better option, it might well be.  The deal is only 1-year and the Spurs will retain his draft rights.

The Dallas-Fort Worth metro population contains nearly 6.5 million folks, with numbers that large you can understand how the metro produces its share of basketball talent.  The latest talent to stash in your memory bank is Kendal Harris.  Harris is a 6-4 195 pound point guard attending Bernker High School Richardson Texas.  He's a Class of 2013 prospect; he is still undecided on a college choice however Mizzou is one of several schools with an offer on the table.  As for his prospects ESPN and Rivals award him 4-stars while Scout.com rates him a 3-star prospect.