Hey Jason   
I wonder if Jason Whitlock realizes Kobe Bryant has dished out 39 assists in the last three games?  That computes to 13 assists a game which is interesting.  Whitlock the former Ball State football player turned Fox Sports writer has remained a vocal critic of Kobe. He’s been claiming since the beginning of time Kobe is a bad teammate and is a shooter only, at least over the past three games he's certainly in error with that rant.  Whitlock (along with other media types) believe playing one sport (football) allows them insight into another sport (basketball). He’s said Kobe doesn’t pass the basketball. I’m not a LeBron James fan like Whitlock but that doesn’t prevent me from seeing the talent of James. As an added note point guards are not always about distributing the ball, a point guard should take his share of shots too. That’s the view of Steve Nash’s mother and it appears he listened to her. She told him “you need to shoot the ball more.” Friday night he scored 15 points against the Jazz and Sunday afternoon it was 17 against the Thunder.

I understand
We are clear with the recent press conference by Mayor Kevin Johnson. He announced a number of folks with deep pockets had answered his call for potential buyers. We understand his desire (and fans) for the Kings to remain in Sacramento however I have questions for Mayor Johnson.  Is your groups financial offer equal or exceeds the amount of the Seattle group?  How can the owners be forced to sale to the team to this new assembled group?  How do you propose to address the arena issue which was never resolved? This is no slam-dunk for Seattle however it would appear they are in the driver’s seat rather than the late arrivals to the table.

Someone pointed out this fact so I don’t intend to take credit for it. “The NBA will receive upwards of $30 million in relocation fees in a Seattle move and $0 if the Kings remain in Sacramento.” Which side of this issue might you suppose the Board of Governors will vote? Will they vote with the fans or with future financial considerations? I sympathize with Kings Fans however those of us in Kansas City have been where you are currently. Our demographics are similar (population) however different in one respect, we maintained major league baseball and NFL football. Once the Kings leave major league sports will no longer exist in the area but you will survive. Our city is still on the map, yours will too despite the possibility of losing the Kings.

Really????
I’m guilty; I cannot provide the name. One of our local radio talk show hosts was discussing the Sacramento situation with a national media person. This person’s perspective turned out to be quite different from most. I am going to paraphrase a portion of his conversation; “the NBA regrets leaving Seattle in the first place. The NBA market is built for a city such as Sacramento; the Kings will remain in Sacramento however the NBA cannot afford to turn down Chris Hansen money. The NBA will place an expansion team in Seattle.” I can agree with his statement and this is no slam at Oklahoma City. The NBA moves out of a metro area that contains the 15th largest population to one ranked 43rd.  There is no competition for the sports dollar in Sacramento with no other major sport.  The finanical potential for the NBA is astronomical however an expansion team I doubt it.  I've been wrong before but I cannot see the NBA expanding at this stage just adding an expansion team.

A similar story
Andrew Bynum’s injury story is a reminder of another big man---Greg Oden. The Blazers have received plenty of flack since 2007 for drafting Oden number one. I say why not, Oden was an All-American at Ohio State in 2007. He averaged almost 16 ppg while grabbing nearly 10 rebounds a game; he added to his total 3 block shots a game. As for Wooden Award winner Kevin Durant he scored at a 25.8 ppg clip while grabbing 11 rebounds a game at Texas. The Blazers spent a great deal of time attempting to determine which of the two players to choose. Did the Blazers make the correct choice; of course they did they chose a 7-footer with unlimited potential versus a 6-10 with future possibilities. .

I remember reading scouting reports indicating Oden might be the second coming of Bill Russell. That might be a stretch but many scouts projected this to be the NBA future for this 7 foot 250 pound center. Who wouldn’t draft a big man who knew how to play defense, the Blazers had no idea Oden would suffer a succession of injuries which would forced him out the NBA at age 24. An ESPN report indicates Oden is determined to come back in 2013-14. As for Bynum he’s managed to play a number of more games than Oden but he too has succumbed to injuries. Hopefully Bynum and Oden will regain health and continue their NBA careers. Reports have circulated both the Heat and Cavs are interested in signing him next season. If he’s regained his health this might be a good move for the Heat.