We have no idea if he can coach
Long-time assistant coach and former player Brian Shaw has been hired. He will succeed George Karl as head coach of the Nuggets. It seems Shaw interviewed for just about every open NBA coaching position over the last two years. For reasons unknown none of the franchises would hire him, no explanation was ever given. Shaw will inherit a competitive and very talented team; the Nuggets were a Top Five Western Conference team. Will Shaw’s Nuggets team implement the Triangle Offense he was a part of as a player and coach.
It might be all about the money
I made it clear earlier I was okay with the direction the Lakers chose, they could re-sign Dwight Howard or simply allow him to walk. I was aware the Lakers were in a position to offer Howard added assets over other NBA teams, I didn’t realize the depth of a Laker max contract. At the conclusion of the Laker playoffs series stories began circulating the Mavs and Rockets wanted to sign him. Both teams had an advantage over the Lakers, no state tax in Texas. I’ve changed my mind after reading a column by Sekou Smith NBA.com. If you pay attention to numbers you might be aware of what I just discovered.
Smith claims the Lakers can pay Howard $30 million dollars more than any another team. Outside of the tax issue I’m sure Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston could offer Howard commercial opportunities outside of basketball. We cannot project the commercial dollars earnings, it’s an unknown amount. Its possible commercial endorsement opportunities in Los Angeles may be equal to or even exceed DFW and Houston. Howard could still sign with either of these teams or maybe another. If we check out the big picture it might be difficult for him to leave should the Lakers offer him a max contract, what do you think?
Win some, lose some
Hopefully folks won’t read more into this story than is there; Mizzou announced two freshman players had left the program. Guards Dominique Bull and Negus Webster-Chan left for an opportunity for more playing time. Of course starting point guard Phil Pressey has departed for the NBA. There is still a question as to whether he will be drafted this week, despite Pressey leaving Mizzou’s backcourt should still be in reasonably good shape. Not surprising news to those who follow the program, Pressey and Coach Haith seem to clash at times. The backcourt next season will change however I believe it will be 6-5 Jabari Brown at the two joined by 6-4 combo guard Jordan Clarkson. The Kansas City Star reporter who provides coverage of Mizzou foresees 6’0” freshman point guard Wesley Clark as the starter. Clark is a Rivals 4-star prospect Class of 2013. Unless Clark demonstrates his skill from day one I cannot imagine a freshman starting at the point. A late addition is Rivals 3-star prospect Shane Rector a point guard. The backcourt will also contain 6-5 shooting guard Earnest Ross.
A question mark on his play and late addition Deuce Bello has been added. Bello is a 6-4 shooting guard transferring from Baylor. Naturally this “new” backcourt will require adjustments (particularly at the point) but it certainly should be satisfactory. As for the frontcourt we’ll discover early if 6’11 260 pound Keanau Post can make the adjustment from junior college ball to Division I. Waiting in the wings is 6-9 240 pound Tony Criswell who spelled Alex Oriakhi at the center position last season. Stefan Jankovic at 6-11 230 pound returns for his sophomore year. He saw limited minutes as a freshman; he even displayed 3-point range. Two other returnees 6-9 and 6-10 saw limited playing time. There are two incoming freshman power forwards; one 6-8 and 6-9 which should provide additional frontcourt depth. It’s not just me tossing out superlatives; MaxPreps CBSSportsline.com subsidiary ranks this incoming crop of Mizzou athletes 18th in the nation. ESPNU rates them 21st in the nation which ain‘t to shabby. As you can see the recruiting is there, it’s up to Haith and the assembly to translate the skill to success on the court.
College is better
First of all I have no stats proving proof of my statement. It’s my belief it is far easier for a visiting NBA team (unless it’s the Bobcats) to win on the road over a collegiate team. There is one exception to my theory, it‘s Oklahoma City which retains a college atmosphere for the NBA Thunder. As for colleges visiting teams are intimidated playing in Rupp Arena, the Dean Dome or Allen Fieldhouse. In collegiate football fans are often referred as the “12th man,” I could utilize the same phrase for basketball. In several of the vociferous arenas the fans become the “6th” man on the court.
