Passion rather than stupidity
This is somewhat unfair for me to attack someone without hearing the discussion from the beginning. I turned on my television to ESPN this morning in the middle of an interview in progress. An individual unfamiliar to me stated; “MLB had a better drug policy than the NFL or NBA.” At that point I changed channels; his comment was without merit to me. Earlier I’d seen a Bob Costas interview on The Today Show. Veteran baseball broadcaster Bob Costas was discussing the possible lifetime ban on the Yankees Alex Rodriguez and several other baseball players. I thought to myself who was the ESPN guy attempting to fool the public. MLB earlier suspended Ryan Braun for the season, as I was completing this piece it was announced A Rod would be suspended at least through the 2014 baseball season.  Braun, Rodriguez and 11 other baseball players have received season ending (50 games) suspensions.

I don’t remember the NFL or NBA ever suspending that number of players for improper drug usage. Because I didn’t view the entire interview perhaps the individual was attempting to point out MLB uncovered the offenders and took action. I have no idea of the drug policy of the NFL or NBA, as for basketball I admit I’m passionate about it, at the same time I don’t blindly believe there are no issues of concern relating to drug use. Uncovering offenders (in MLB) and punishing them certainly is not providing proof of a superior league drug policy over the other pro leagues. This is the largest number of players suspended at one time since the Black Sox scandal of 1919. The better question in any sport might be why doe the offenses occur rather than my league is better than yours.

I offer no explanation
During the NBA Championship series Coaches Greg Popovich and Erik Spoelstra both addressed the high turnover rate in the coaching profession. Did you realize since the end of the season 12 of the 30 NBA teams have either hired new coaches or in the process to hire. The NBA has endured a number of ownership changes over the past three years. Maybe the new group of owners are not satisfied with how quickly the fortunes of their teams have changed. Sometimes the moves are plain bizarre, the Cavs were not moving at the pace owner Dan Gilbert thought he fires Mike Brown. He then hires Byron Scott and when Scott is not as successful as the owner thought he fires Scott. He replaces the fired coach with Mike Brown who was fired by the Lakers.

Changing coaches certainly doesn’t appear to be racial as an example; the Nets Avery Johnson who is black was fired last December and replaced by white P.J. Carlesimo. The interim coach was not retained and Jason Kidd who is black was hired in his place. I just did a quick check of NBA teams I think this is pretty accurate. Popovich (1996), Spoelstra (2008) and Brooks (2008) may be the longest current tenured coaches in the NBA. The Bulls Tom Thibodeau has been on the job since 2010, as for his counterpart Pacers Coach Frank Vogel it’s 2011. Kevin McHale of the Rockets was also hired in 2011. You think failure to win is the issue? Winning doesn’t guarantee longevity either look at Del Negro (Clippers) and Karl (Nuggets), both were fired at the conclusion of record winning seasons. If you are offered the opportunity to serve at as head coach for an NBA team it might be a good idea to keep your suitcase packed, you just never know. Time line and dates; www.wikipedia and www.espn.com/nba

“You can’t really do that”!
After Mizzou first hired football Coach Gary Pinkel he made this statement; “we’re going to close the borders.” He intended to ensure the best football players in the state would be recruited by Mizzou they would not leave the state. The statement sounds nice but it’s not practical for a variety of reasons. Recently I wrote of Class of 2016 talent Jayson Tatum, I mentioned he was being recruited by Mizzou and Kansas. A Kansas City Star reporter writing on Tatum mentioned Mizzou had lost on two St. Louis talents Bradley Beal and Ben McLemore. He didn’t detail the reasoning behind both players choosing to leave the state. At this late date it’s impossible to detail the recruiting process, this is fact Rivals indicates Mizzou had offers on the table for both players. Beal headed south to Florida and McLemore headed west to Kansas.

You wanna know what’s funny?
Once upon a time (when high school players could declare for the draft) I heard this cry. “College basketball is being ruined by all these youngsters going into the NBA.” The game might be ruined but I believe in a different manner, many youngsters who never applied to a college are still not there! They enroll at XYZ University however everyone knows they are only “student/athletes” for one maybe two semesters. These student/athletes declare for the NBA Draft at the conclusion of the collegiate season. Those same people who claimed college basketball was impacted by high school athletes are now making the same statement regarding the one and done athlete. Just a few points, a citizen of the U.S. can vote at age 18, they also can legally sign a contract at the same age. In addition no parental signature is required to enter military service. As an 18-year old you are prohibited from purchasing alcoholic beverages (age 21) and you are also denied entry into the NBA. Others claim the NBA should adopt the college baseball rule. You enroll in college you obligate yourself for the next three years. Why force someone to attend college who has no desire (at age 18) to become a student?