The NBA in China
Contrary to what you might think I talk very little basketball to my wife.  She asks few basketball questions with a few exceptions.  An example might be a conversation the other night.  I turned on NBA TV at 11:30 p.m. Central Time, the Heat and Clippers were on.  My wife asked "why is this game on so late?"  I explained the teams were playing pre-season games in China.  Basketball especially the NBA version is very popular in China; I'd venture to say it might be more popular in China than any European nation.  Just a guess on my part no facts, football or soccer would appear to be the sport of first choice in Europe.  Sure there are a number of very good basketball teams in Europe along with a significant number of fans.  As for China the NBA has a venture planned.  "The NBA Center---a basketball extravaganza that will include a gym and an NBA-themed cafe, a restaurant and a store as well as an interactive gaming area and a children's zone--will be placed at the center of a $1.5 billion, 800-hectare, or 2,000-acre, property development being built by a Chinese company.  The NBA declined to say how much it was investing in the center but said it would be the first of several it planned to set up throughout China."  (New York Times) 

The jokes will flow all year long
I read the AP headline and then read it again to ensure I read it was correctly. The Kings announced a multi-year naming rights deal on Power Balance Arena. The Sleep Train Mattress Company will assume naming rights. Several fans were way ahead of me, take note I didn’t think these up. The Kings new slogan: "We lose, you snooze.” "The Sacramento Kings, your ticket to a better nights sleep."

Is he serious?
I thought the ESPN headline was unusual, I’m not an insider therefore I was unable to read the story. “Battle at SF looming for the Lakers” the headline reads. Mike Brown’s choice might not be the correct one but it’s more important than my choice---he’s still the coach. The battle if there is one is partially based on the off-season acquisitions of Howard and Nash. Holdovers Kobe and Pau has caused many (including this writer) to assume small forward Metta World Peace might no longer be a starter. The writer must attempt to point out someone will replace World Peace in the lineup, I wonder who? The roster contains a number of small forwards however all fall short of the skills of World Peace. Devin Ebanks is more athletic and younger but certainly not the defender of MWP. Newly acquired Earl Clark is taller (6-10) but his shot appears no better than World Peace. Do you seriously do you think UCLA rookie Reeves Nelson will supplant him? Antawn Jamison has the best shooting skills of all however he was acquired strictly to upgrade the bench. The projected lineup is ideal for World Peace, he‘ll have the opportunity for even more open shots, of course he‘s got to sink a significant number of those open shots. MWP has slowed defensively at age 32 but picture this Kevin Durant slips by him and is met at the rim by Dwight Howard or Pau Gasol.

Football is the culprit
Words eye view is a blog dedicated to basketball however football has affected collegiate basketball across the nation.  Nearest to us in Kansas City if the Big XII conference, Texas A&M and Mizzou both left the Big XII for the SEC last season. The prior year two other Big XII schools left, Colorado for the Pac 12 and Nebraska for the Big 10. Of course by now you are aware West Virginia and Texas Christian University were added as replacements for the loss of the aforementioned schools. The Big XII conference is 12 in name only; there are 10 schools in the conference currently. There was talk of adding Notre Dame prior to its move. South Bend Indiana is nowhere near the Atlantic Ocean; this failed to deter Notre Dame from joining the Atlantic Coast Conference with the exception of football and hockey. Boise State and San Diego State in the Pacific Time Zone are joining the Big East Conference (Eastern Time Zone) for football only. The idea of conference teams playing in the same time zone has been kicked out of the front door.

Much love!
I have much love for Derek Fisher, especially the toughness and the locker room leadership. For me those elements made up for his shortcoming as a shooter and ball distributor. With the positives out of the way it’s been pointed out the Lakers could immediately re-sign Fisher. It was originally assumed this was not possible until next season however this is not true. The Lakers don’t need 38-year old Fisher, there I said it.