Bits n Pieces
Mizzou is practically invincible at home, how unbeatable you might ask? The Tigers have won 85 of 89 games played at Mizzou Arena since the 2008-09 season. Most Mizzou fans are aware of the success at home; their hope is the road record improves significantly on away games this season.
Talk of the Lakers being worse on defense this season with no Dwight Howard might find this surprising. They really weren’t that good with Howard in the lineup. It was pointed out recently the Lakers finished 18th last season in team defense. Certainly noteworthy the team finished in the bottom half of the NBA.
The Clippers have one of the most exciting frontcourts in the NBA. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan dunks are nightly features on SportCenter, unfortunately neither can translate their high wire act to the free-throw line. Last season Griffin shot a feeble .660 from the line while Jordan was a infinitesimal .386.
Tampering rules don’t apply to me. The Pacers are playing a 3-guard lineup with Paul George at shooting guard. After an outstanding year he’s replaced the injured Danny Granger in the lineup. I could see Granger in a Laker uniform and the starting small forward.
One of those ESPN Insider stories, it reads; “Most overpaid/most underpaid players.” Dumb article it’s the teams’ decision to determine a players worth. Since the beginning of time there have been athletes in all sports over and under paid. I guess ESPN will be adjusting NBA salaries in the future.
Former player turned broadcaster Reggie Miller has ventured on to the limb. He’s picked his former team the Pacers to defeat the Heat in a 7-game playoff series. Interesting prediction on his part.
One more time\
Mizzou’s Frank Haith is not going to appeal his suspension, I’m posing what I believe are valid questions for the NCAA. They will never be answered to my satisfaction and there are probably others, I will now put this baby to bed. In conclusion I question myself; I hope my belief in the man is not misguided. When I first read his bio 3 years ago I became intrigue with his life story more than his basketball. Perhaps that’s the reason I continue to support the coach.
*Mizzou athletic director Mike Alden indicated a background check was made of Haith prior to his hire. Why didn’t the check uncover any of these improper actions?
*The NCAA was paying a portion of Sharpiro’s legal fees until it was revealed by the news media. Was this a deal in exchange for his testimony?
*Was the NCAA investigation based solely of the testimony of convicted felon Nevin Shapiro and Yahoo Sports?
*Constant news leaks occurred over the past 2 and ½ years prior to last Tuesday. Did the NCAA investigate who within their organization was responsible for the media leaks?
Managing personalities
Dan Patrick was discussing the baseball Dodgers, I’m paraphrasing his quotes. Patrick said; “a good manager must successfully manage personalities.” I thought about his statement and its relationship to basketball. I believe his view certainly relates to our sport as well. Patrick went on to state; “there is so much emphasis on in-game strategy, the key to a victorious team is the athletes.” Who are the successful coaches and have they managed success at other stops? Larry Brown currently at Southern Methodist University is 73 years old; he’s endured few losing seasons over the course of his 41 year career despite a significant number of collegiate and NBA teams. Brown has often been described as a teacher, I’m unsure if I’ve ever heard him described as a great game strategist. His success might be two-fold, teacher and he “manages personalities.”
Former Bulls and Laker Coach Phil Jackson is another, I doubt seriously if anyone would consider him a master strategist. Some might believe it was the triangle offense that led to all those NBA championships with the Bulls and Lakers. That wasn’t the key ingredient; PJ was a master at “managing personalities.” Notorious bad-boy Dennis Rodman, it was my belief he would be a negative influence on the Bulls, I’ve never read or heard any Bulls player claim Rodman was disruptive. I believe John Calipari at Kentucky is one of the “managing personalities” coaches too. There are many who fail to believe Calipari belongs here, anytime you take a freshman laden team to a NCAA championship. There are other coaches we fail to mention who could be included. They also have the attribute in “managing personalities. “
