Excuse my rant
I’ve come to the conclusion the overwhelming majority of Laker fans are solid. Like me they love the team, they are disappointed when the team loses. Then we must discuss the “Other. “ The other is the spoiled segment of fans who sit on their hands. If they attend games at Staples they arrive late and leave early. They are critical of management, the coach and a number of Laker players. Of course the criticism does not manifest itself in all three areas at the same time. This group of spoiled fans is always proposing a number of wild outlandish trades. The trades they formulate always causes me to say; “what where they thinking?”

Rick Majerus
After taking a leave of absence the coach will be unable to return. Health issues will prevent Rick Majerus from returning to the helm at St. Louis University. During his 29 years as a head coach he compiled a 517-215 record. His coaching stops include Marquette and Ball State; most probably remember him from his longest tenure position as head coach at Utah. The coaching fraternity and many fans (me included) will miss Majerus prowling the sidelines.

Jim Calhoun
Okay the good along with the bad, last week I wrote of Mizzou’s Alex Oriakhi. I indicated I didn’t see him play at UConn but read letters of compliant regarding his transfer. Now Alex is talking and he just needs to zip it, briefly he stated Jim Calhoun and the UConn coaching staff had no confidence in him. He was removed from games every time he made a mistake. He credits Frank Haith and staff for restoring his confidence. His issues at UConn might be valid but he’s in Columbia now not Storrs (CT).

Speaking of Mizzou
You must see the guy play, that’s my view of Phil “Flip” Pressey. At 5-10 or what ever I never thought of him as an NBA prospect. Perhaps that might still be the case but I’ve been witness to the growth of his game. Yesterday against the Stanford Cardinal his line read; 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals and 18 points. 35 minutes on the court for this smallish point guard only 3 turnovers.

You know the story
Thought it worth mentioning the 138 point game of Jack Taylor. Taylor of Grinnel College (IA) Division III school broke the collegiate scoring record. His team beat Faith Baptist Bible 179-104. My only question who was guarding; I meant to say watching Taylor?

Knicks
Whoever is crown basketball King of New York City might be concluded early? The Nets were making loud noises all last spring and summer on their move to Brooklyn. They said they would become New York’s basketball team. The Nets have arrived was the prevailing view. Not so said Knicks season ticket holder Spike Lee, in addition this resident of Brooklyn pledged his allegiance to the Knicks. Based on early season play it appears the Knicks remain supreme and the mark for good basket in The Big Apple. As this is written the Nets are 6-4 which is certainly noteworthy. On the other hand the team across the East River at 4 Penn Plaza is 8-2. The teams are one, two in the Atlantic Conference.  Their November 1 match scheduled at Barclays was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy, circle November 26 for the first Battle of New York.

What’s the deal?
Another Pau Gasol trade story is making the rounds. I’m a little unsure what folks expect of this 32-year old talent. In the reported trade the Lakers will trade Gasol for the Hawks Josh Smith. Those who might be unfamiliar with Smith he’s a 26-year old power forward and talented. I haven’t seen Smith play enough to determine if he’d actually be an upgrade over Gasol. The problem (at least with the Lakers) has been “he’s not tough enough. “ I’m not going to bother with checking numbers because they often fail to provide a true picture. I’m going to keep an eye on both players leading up to the trade deadline to determine in my mind if a trade is viable.