Bits n Pieces
Brooklyn’s Barclays Center is the winner this year; it will serve as home for the 2013 NBA Draft. This is a departure from the usual location Madison Square Garden.

Do you think some NBA team will finally hire Brian Shaw? I think it’s about time; he should at least be given the opportunity to prove he can’t coach at this level. The Bobcats gave Mike Dunlap the courtesy; I almost forgot they interviewed Shaw as well but hired the recently fired Dunlap.

He was joking wasn’t he? The Spurs Tony Parker is claiming he “invented” the tear drop shot. No doubt he is an expert at the shot but inventing it that might be another story. His story makes sense however I hope he wasn’t serious. Parker claims he developed the shot as a child to allow him to shot over taller players.

It was no surprise the Blazers Damian Lillard was named Rookie of the Year. What was a surprise to us this is only the fourth time in history the vote total has been unanimous for Rookie of the Year. *Ralph Sampson in 1984, David Robinson 1990 and Blake Griffin 2011 also received this honor. I could be mistaken but Lillard coming from Weber State and a 4-year player to boot he wanted to make a statement. (*ESPN.com)

The Charlotte Hornets might come into existence once again; the Pelicans (Hornets) are not moving back to the city. Charlotte was the home of the Hornets prior to the New Orleans move. At the time Tom Benson acquired the team he expressed a desire for a name more identified with New Orleans and Louisiana, the team will become the Pelicans next season. Now that the Hornets name have been replaced there is movement, stories are circulating the Charlotte Bobcats will renounce that name and will become the Hornets.

I will continue to monitor these stories
Two NCAA stories involving Mizzou and Kansas will be closely followed by me. This certainly is no reflection on Bill Self or the athletic department at the school. It should be noted this is not the first time for an occurrence of this type. This saga involves Ben McLemore his former AAU coach and $10,000. *“Darius Cobb, took money this past season. Cobb accepted $10,000 and other travel perks from a man named Rodney Blackstock, who runs Hooplife Academy, "a sports mentoring organization based in Greensboro, N.C.," Blackstock presumably did so under the hope of becoming McLemore's agent once he left Kansas.” NCAA rules state McLemore could be declared ineligible although he did not receive any financial gain. If the NCAA rules against Kansas last season wins would be vacated including the Big XII Championship. It’s yet to be determined if the story can be proven so currently it’s in limbo.

The Frank Haith saga at Mizzou is nearly 30 years old, forgive me I exaggerate its only three years in August 2013. You probably had no idea it was that old did you? I am sure the key figure former booster and convicted felon Nevin Shapiro received a speedier trial than this. It’s still a mystery (if true) how the NCAA was able to gain access to Coach Haith’s banking records. It was our belief only government agencies had this ability; maybe the NCAA has become bigger than the Federal Government? I stated many months (maybe years) ago I believe in a system punishment is due Haith. If for some reason Haith is declared innocent he will still be guilty in the court of public opinion. With all the stories, record leaks a casual observation would tend to think the worse. In closing whatever decision is reached in either case I have no confidence in the NCAA. The organization has lost all credibility with this writer. (*USA Today)

“The reports of my death has been greatly exaggerated”
The quote above is from Mark Twain American writer and humorist. The Twain quote is for my neighbors’ son. Shane always wants to poke fun at me regarding the Lakers (he’s a Heat fan). We had not talked since late January or early February so you see where this is leading. He was so excited to see me working in my yard. Naturally he began by playing taps for the Lakers, he gave me 55 reasons the Lakers won’t ever win another championship, and I took it all his commentary with a smile on my face. Once he paused he asked “how many championships do the Lakers have?” I stated they had won 16, “it’s about time they give somebody else a chance to win.”

Shane has the same problem as other Laker haters; they resent the number of NBA Championships, they hate Kobe Bryant or they resent Hollywood image. Prior to Shane leaving I informed he don’t believe the Lakers will never ever win again; there have been down years for the Lakers. The key of course the losing years have never been sustained over a long period of time. Don’t expect this proud franchise to become a Charlotte or Sacramento clone. In closing one final question, why is it okay to hate the Lakers but love the Heat? I wish somebody could explain that for me, I haven’t figured it one out yet.