In court rather than on the court
To refresh your memory banks, I have no legal training in addition I’ve never worked in the legal field. Business Law 101 and 102 were the only legal courses required to secure my undergraduate degree. In mid-summer the NCAA requested a trial delay in the Ed O’Bannon suit until 2014. Last week the association requested their organization be dropped from the suit. The parties are the NCAA, EA Sports and Collegiate Licensing Company, the complaint these organizations were party to the players’ likeness being utilized in games. The athletes were never contacted for their permission nor did the athletes (including O'Bannon) receive any compensation. O’Bannon’s attorneys filed the suit for this former UCLA basketball player in 2009. O’Bannon’s legal team in recent days is requesting the court this suit be deemed class-action; this would allow athletes of other sports to be included. This lawsuit is now in its fourth year and certainly nowhere close to being resolved.

“Be afraid, be very afraid”
I’ve seen countless movies over the course of my life, often I don’t remember the movie the line came from. That’s the case with our headline I don’t remember the title of the movie. In any event a week or so ago incoming Commissioner Adam Silver announced “there are no NBA teams on the market.” We guessed he was pronouncing the NBA was in good shape. The Friday morning headline; “Incoming NBA commissioner Adam Silver says Bradley Center unfit for league.” Talk has circulated for a number of years a replacement arena in Milwaukee is needed. I am not projecting anything however I guess we can state David Stern was an excellent tutor for Silver. He follows up the earlier statements by saying; “how important Milwaukee is to the NBA."  He’s correct a 45-year history---on the other hand anybody remember the Seattle Sonics?

The number of celebrity alums is staggering
I was researching Abraham Lincoln High School (Brooklyn NY) prospect Isaiah Whitehead and uncovered additional information to share. I think most of us were aware the school produced NBA basketball talents Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair and Lance Stephenson. We probably didn’t realize the celebrity graduates of the high school.

Abraham Lincoln opened back in 1929; the following are just a few of the famous names to graduate since that time. Well known NBA broadcaster Marv Albert, in addition actors Lou Gossett Jr. and Harvey Keitel, singer Neil Diamond and playwright Arthur Miller. The school also produced a number of well-known scientist, attorneys and financiers. As for basketball Whitehead is the latest talent to emerge from Lincoln. Whitehead gave Seton Hall a verbal commitment recently. This 6-4 195 pound shooting guard is a Rivals.com 5-star prospect and listed as their number 14 prospect in the Class of 2014.  Wikipedia

Don’t allow his stature to mislead you
He stands 5-8 and weighs in at 150 pounds however the question might be asked can he play? Its clear Kentucky’s Rick Pitino thinks he can, wondering who the athlete might be. I’m glad you asked he’s Tyler Ulis is from Chicago Heights (IL) 30 plus miles from downtown Chicago. YouTube video is available of him in action which is probably good if for one reason alone. Video of a 6-10 or 7-foot high school athlete in action might not provide a true picture. The athlete is often matched up against a player 5 or 6 inches shorter, with Ulis what you see is what you get. In this instance the moves, the shooting and ball distribution looks impressive. Did I mention Rivals list him as a 4-star prospect in the Class of 2014?

“I’m from Missouri; you’ve got to show me”
This age old quote has been utilized by me in the past, that’s the case here. “Hakeem Olajuwon raved about Dwight Howard and Jeremy Lin, claiming that the Houston Rockets duo is "very deadly.” Before Rockets fans begin lobbing hand grenades in my direction allow me to explain. Lin was quoted earlier in the summer he felt the Rockets coaching staff had lost faith in him last season. Does the arrival of Howard automatically strengthen his position with the coaching staff?

As for Dwight we remember the problem he experienced with the Lakers. Either he didn’t adhere to D’Antoni’s system (which was and always has been pick and roll) or the Kobe factor played to his displeasure. I realize a number of Laker fans remain upset with Dwight, as for me he’s history. I wished he would have remained but he chose Houston over Los Angeles. I’ve been a fan of Jeremy since I first witnessed his play at Harvard. His NBA career did not begin with a great deal of
success---when given an opportunity to play (Knicks) he demonstrated he could play.  Play at an
All-Star level can be debated, as for Lin-sanity that was New York media driven.