Did you realize?
Louisville winning the NCAA Tournament was significant in a manner most of us missed.   The Kentucky Wildcats were the 2012 NCAA Champions and in April we witnessed the Louisville Cardinals performing the same feat. I checked the records, since 1939 there have been a number of repeat champions, on rare occasion’s champs from the same conference. The only other time we had back to back champions two Ohio schools were involved. In 1960 we witnessed the Ohio State Buckeyes winning the championship, the following year the Cincinnati Bobcats won. The 2013-14 season will see both programs reloaded especially Kentucky. If one of these teams wins the NCAA they will establish a new standard. Three consecutive championships won by the same state. The state could rightfully declare itself king of the collegiate basketball world? (Wikipedia)

This is Part II
I wrote a piece the other day regarding Kobe Bryant; this is written for all those who believe I have issues with LeBron James. I actually like James; he is one of the most talented players I’ve ever witnessed. I have long sense placed the Cleveland drama in my rear view mirror. It might be beneficial for all of us to consider the same approach. For those who continue to refer to me as a “LeBron hater” allow me to explain. You must be a certain age and have seen a number of athletes over that period before pronouncing one athlete the greatest ever. How about LeBron’s strength, this event occurred prior to the days of the break-away rims. I witnessed Wilt Chamberlain’s furious dunks severe the metal rim of the basket. Darrell Dawkins once broke two backboards completely, one in Kansas City. I remember the 6-5 220 pound Oscar Robertson dominating 6-2 180 pound guards “watching” him because they certainly couldn’t guard him effectively at his size. Prior to Robertson’s arrival no one had played the guard position with such size. Many of the small forwards of the day were his size.

You say no big man can touch LeBron in his distribution of the basketball, hold on for just a moment. Did you realize the 7-1 Chamberlain led the NBA in assists? Think he was just a scoring averaging 50 points a game for one season? The 1967-68 season witnessed him leading the NBA with 702 assists, an 8.6 per game average. It’s unnecessary for me to mention the 6-8 Magic Johnson in discussing assists. How about the speed factor? LeBron weighs more (240? versus 225) however he is the same height as Laker great James Worthy. End line to end line I could state 29-year old Worthy might be the equivalent of LeBron in speed; unfortunately we have no means to compare the two. As for rebounding I will begin and end with the 6-5 225 pound Elgin Baylor. After you read this I know what many of you are saying; “he’s talking about guys from the olden days.” You are partially correct however the NBA as with other sports is constantly evolving. I cannot, will not discount the accomplishments of those who came before LeBron just because they played in a different era. Those giants of the game set the stage allowing us to witness the exploits of LeBron James.
(a number of dates and reference numbers www.basketball-reference.com)

On the left coast
The media is ripe with stories on whether Dwight Howard will resign with the Lakers. Maybe the focus could be shifted slightly to consider the similar circumstances for free agent Chris Paul. Especially after their playoff implosion (2 consecutive wins followed by 4 successive losses). Clipper fans the Blake Griffin injury didn’t impact this playoff series in the manner you tend to believe. This is a collection of thoughts of mine. A different circumstance prevailed on the left coast this past season---the Battle of Los Angeles. The surprise for me (and others) the Clippers were the clear winner in the standings. The Lob City crew finished in first place in the Pacific Division, the Lakers finish third. In addition they finished ahead of their Staples Centers rivals for the first time in history. Will this happening signal a change in allegiance by the majority of Southern California? Will Chris Paul and his Lob City crew become the preferred team in Los Angeles?

I have no psychic powers but I doubt this will occur I’m sure the Clippers will gain a significant number of fans and that’s good for them. This is not a Knicks-Nets battle for the hearts of fans. It’s my belief unless there is an NBA Championship banner hanging in Staples the Clippers will remain “second!” Without a championship the only fans gained will be those in Southern California. The Lakers will continue to maintain a national presence. This was to be the Clippers year, they almost caught the Lakers last year, the lockout season the two almost finished equal, the Lakers one game better at 41-25. The Clippers advanced to the second round of the playoffs before losing. This year with a sparkling 56-26 record expectations were high in Clipper land and a 17-game winning streak didn‘t hurt. The Clippers hopes were dashed once again with a first round loss to the Grizzlies. With all the hoopla surrounding the Clippers they finished no better than the Lakers---both teams first round losers. Ralph Lawler long time Clipper broadcaster was reported to have said; “Lob City has become Sob City.”

Teammates
The athletic history of McClymonds High School in Oakland (CA) is rich and unique.
I can’t be for sure regarding this statement however the school might be the only one in the nation with two high school teamates enshrined in the Hall of Fame.  Two teammates with Hall of Fame careers, one in basketball the other in baseball. Quit scratching your head and guessing I’ll provide the names for you. Basketball’s Bill Russell and baseball’s Frank Robinson are the two high school teammates who went on to Hall of Fame careers in their sport. Robinson holds far too many awards to detail a complete list. He holds the distinction of winning the MVP award in the National and American League. Robinson was able to accomplish a rare feat, triple crown winner. In 1966 while a member of the Baltimore Orioles he accomplished the feat. Robinson wasn’t the first or last Triple Crown winner, leading the American League in home runs, runs batted in and batting average quite a feat. As for Bill Russell is it really necessary to detail his accomplishments at the University of San Francisco and later with the Celtics. Russell is another story waiting to be told.