I’m surprised
I don't know about you but I'm shocked, no surprised!  It's December 7th and the Kentucky Wildcats record is 5 wins and 3 losses.  Has the Calipari magic run its course, will the Cats disappear never to be a force again?  Have Cat fans made the adjustment this years team might not be as good as the NCAA Championship team?  An information crawl on television indicated the Cats failed to finish in the Top 25 poll for the first time since 1990.  Of course its early, there is yet time for this team to develop.  As for the Calipari magic, is there really such a thing?

Did the Heat mail this one in?
Carmelo Anthony was forced out of the Knick lineup. Stitches would prevent him from playing against the Heat in Miami. No Carmelo no problem, point guard Raymond Felton led the way with 27 points and 7 assists. Rasheed Wallace, Steve Novak and J.R. Smith all scored in double figures off the Knick bench. The Knicks occupy first place in the Atlantic Division 1 ½ games ahead of the Heat.

Let’s be fair
I'm watching the NIT Season Tip-Off and Doris Burke is providing color commentary; I've read a number of uncomplimentary complaints regarding Burke. It might be noted few relate to her competence. The criticism often expressed involves Burke’s attractiveness rather than competency. If a male was in place rather than Burke would we utilize the same criteria, I think not. The NBA and colleges don’t have a monopoly on this issue; we witness these “airheads” in all sports broadcasting. While discussing looks there are a few male analysis that could not be described as handsome. Hannah Storm, Krista Blunk, Cheryl Miller and Ann Schatz and others perform their role on the same level as most men. One other fact to digest, where is it written women must provide commentary or write regarding women’s sports only? Males have been providing play by play, writing on women’s sports for years. Ask Cheryl’s brother Reggie how he became such a prolific shooter? He’s admitted on more than one occasion Cheryl “schooled” him on the backyard court.

Say what?
We all know the brilliant career of Paul Pierce; most likely this former Kansas athlete will be enshrined in both Hall of Fames. Kansas fans love to point out the number of pros in the NBA but an interesting fact. Despite the success of Pierce can you name a handful of successful big men? Kansas has sent a large number of big men into the NBA, most have become journeyman in the NBA. I was viewing a game recently and former player turned analyst Stephen Bardo pointed to an area. He said and I paraphrase; “Many Kansas big men don’t have successful NBA careers; the offense they run (Kansas) the ball is delivered to them in areas on the court NBA defenses don’t permit.“ The following players had successful collegiate careers but were reduced to journeyman roles in the NBA. Nick Collision, Raef LaFrentz and Greg Ostertag, the jury is still deliberating on the Morrison twins. Injuries curtailed his NBA career but we could state 6-10 Danny Manning had more than a journeyman role. Current Kansas big man Jeff Withey registered an impressive game against San Jose State, 16 points, 12 rebounds and 12 blocked shots. Withey is listed as a potential first NBA round draft choice on several mock sites. Bardo’s observation on Kansas offensive schemes causes me to be cautious in any NBA worthiness.

I missed this one
Of all the names the Hornets might chose I missed this one. Purchasing the team last April Tom Benson stated he wanted a name more closely identified with New Orleans and Louisiana. The deed might have been done, USA Today is reporting “the Hornets will be renamed the Pelicans as soon as next season.” I didn’t realize the significance of the name, “Pelicans was the former name of the city's minor league baseball team from 1887-1959 and 1977.” In addition the Brown Pelican is the State bird of Louisiana. There might be a domino effect; the Hornets name rights might move back to Charlotte its original location. Saints owner Tom Benson owns the rights to the name Pelicans. The nickname for the sports teams of Tulane University is the Green Wave, the school’s mascot--Riptide the Pelican. A number of people including many in the NBA media are critical of the proposed name change. A Pelican doesn’t exactly strike fear in anyone but it’s the owners’ choice.  The name choice will eventually become comfortable in the same manner of the Wizards and Thunder.  Both of those choices were underwhelming at the time, we have just grown accustom to them.