Sorry you still can’t convince me  
It’s not my intent to continue a dialogue on Greg Popovich, in fact this will be the last covered by me unless there are developments worth comment. Popovich’s coaching move against the Heat has been validated by several in the sports community. I don‘t care how many line up on Popovich‘s side I continue to maintain it was incorrect. I’m not okay with him sending 3 of his starters and a key reserve home. Many of you might think because I’m a Laker fan and they too have an older roster I might be in favor of this move. I’ve heard all sorts of positive superlatives tossed in Popovich’s direction, “he’s an NBA Champion coach, and another stated “he (Popovich) knows what’s best for his team. 

Friday morning ESPN’s Mike Greenberg attempted to draw a comparison to NFL teams benching key players near the playoffs. Greenberg‘s off-base on his argument, the two sports are not comparable in this manner. This from a Spurs fan; “Popovich checked the schedule back in July and made the decision at that point.” If you believe that explanation you might also believe in Bigfoot and alien abductions. Sorry folks I cannot agree with Pop on this one and I believe the commissioner is correct in some sort of punishment for the Spurs. Bottom line this could have all been avoided if Popovich had been sneaky. Why didn’t he just sit them on the bench and play them limited minutes? He could have lied when questioned why they played so little (migraine, upset stomach etc.) Sending them back to San Antonio on a commercial flight became an insult to the league. NOTE: As I was completing this NBA office announced the Spurs organization will be fined $250,000

A decision was reached
Michael Dixon Jr. at Mizzou is over, this talented basketball player is withdrawing from school. He says he intends to complete his education (and basketball possibly) at another university. By now you might be aware Dixon had been suspended, hadn’t played a single minute since the start of the season. The prospect of a Dixon and Phil Pressey backcourt could be one of the best in the nation, now it’s only Pressey. A rape allegation against Dixon was raised last August, the Columbia ((MO) Police Department investigated the complaint but found no evidence to file criminal charges. Dixon remained unable to play due to possible disciplinary action by the school. Last Thursday a second female accuser came forward indicating Dixon had raped her in 2010. The university and Coach Mike Anderson informed her they would support her decision no matter the outcome. Later she declined to press charges “because he was a basketball player.” This is troubling on several levels, it appears Dixon has issues the most telling portion of this story his attempt to maintain innocence. The second accuser might have just been a scorned woman, the 2010 incident a different story. Worst yet is allowing friend and former teammate Kim English to defend you. Hopefully Dixon will learn a lesson and understand NO really means NO!

I hate the term
Several weeks back I explained how I hate the term BCS which has wormed its way into collegiate basketball discussions. BCS is a measurement for Division I collegiate football teams not basketball. I’ve read another term I’d like to see the media curtail ---mid-major, what exactly is a mid-major? Is it student enrollment or conference affiliation? Allow me to cite a couple of examples. If we just looked at student numbers it would appear Notre Dame rather than Sam Houston State would be a mid-major. The student enrollment at Notre Dame is 11,733, at Sam Houston State in Huntsville (TX) it's 17,618. Is the criteria different for a Cal-Poly beating UCLA or Youngstown State upending Georgia?

His announcement
Several might remember the story written on Karl Towns Jr; he's a 6-11 high school sophomore.  He spent last summer playing for the 16 and under Dominican Republic team coached by John Calapari of Kentucky.  Towns is from Metuchen (NJ) however one parent is from the Dominican Republic.  Entering his second year of high school the youngster has decided to announce his college choice tomorrow.  The schools on his list, North Carolina, Rutgers, Florida and Kentucky.  It should be noted Towns was in Lexington (KY) last weekend for a visit.