Bits n Pieces
I’m going to paraphrase a Mike Greenberg quote from his “Mike and Mike” program on Monday. “I don’t know how (Roy) Hibbert will play tonight. His comment (the gay slur he uttered at the post game press conference) and fine (by the NBA) might affect his play tonight. I don’t know him but he seems like a nice guy.” I would guess if Hibbert had a child or parent with health challenges I could understand his play being affected. Making a dumb statement he made which he issued an apology shouldn’t be a game changer.

Why are members of the media indicating LeBron is headed back to Cleveland? We realize he will become a free agent in 2014 but Cleveland? A great deal of the animosity over LeBron leaving has dissipated with time but why must he return? Dan LeBatard Miami Herald made this claim two weeks ago. “This team (Heat) could play for a championship with just Wade and Bosh in the lineup, didn’t say they could win.”

Who should we believe--with their latest statement the Clippers “tossed” Paul under the bus? The initial account from the Clippers office indicated Del Negro was fired and Chris Paul played a role. Later Paul was reported to have objected to the story; he claimed nothing to do with the head coaching charge. The Clippers then retreated from their initial press release saying Paul played no role.

On Monday I wrote on Grant Hill’s retirement, Hill had retired over the weekend. I wrote Hill was Co-Rookie of the Year in ‘94-’95; he shared the award with Jason Kidd. On Monday Kidd announced his retirement too; both are destined for the Hall of Fame in Springfield (MA).  Kidd’s resume contains one line Hill was never able to accomplish NBA Champion.  Kidd was a member of the Champion 2011 Mavs. 

Darn, I’m reading the Clippers have nixed hiring Jeff Van Gundy. Looks as though I’ll be forced to continue using the mute button on my television.

He shatters the Georgetown blueprint
Otto Porter is not really that different, he’s an extremely talented sophomore and led the Hoyas in scoring and rebounding. He shatters the image of the school that only produces NBA big men. Porter is a 6-8 205 pound small forward expected to be chosen early in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft. The basketball history of Georgetown is rich in producing talented big men; Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo and Roy Hibbert are a small number.

Porter should have attended Mizzou, Porter’s home town of Sikeston (MO) is a 3 or 4 hour drive from the Columbia (MO). Porter was on everybody’s radar in high school except then Coach Mike Anderson, for reasons only known to Anderson they failed to recruit Porter. You might find this even more interesting The Washington Post in a column claims Porter might become the Cavs choice rather than Nerlens Noel, interesting.

Wally Pipp?
I have been a fan of Pacers forward Danny Granger since he left New Mexico and became a regular for the Pacers. Over the course of his 7-year NBA career he’s aided the Pacers to become an improved team. Unfortunately we didn’t see much of Granger this past season, injured he played in only 5 games and surgery forced him out of the lineup. Granger has been an 18.1 point per game career scorer with a high of 25.8 during the 2008-09 season. How would the Pacers adapt without this valuable player in the lineup?

Coach Vogel inserts Paul George in the lineup to replace Granger; the move would appear to be quite successful. George scored at a 17.4 point per game clip while pulling down 7.4 rebounds becoming a vital component to the success of the Pacers. Anybody remember the story of Yankee 1^st baseman Wally Pipp? Pipp asked for a day off which the manager granted. The manager wrote in Lou Gehrig’s name and Gehrig would go on to play 2,130 games and a Hall of Fame career.  Pipp never had the opportunity to "take himself" out of the lineup again.  I’m not “firing” Granger I just think the starting small forward next season for the Pacers will be Paul George.  I would be pleased to have the 30-year old Granger replace Metta World Peace, probably never happens I suspect.