I spoke way too soon
On Monday I wrote on the Bulls-Wizards game from Rio, I mentioned the broadcast team announced the game from Chicago. I also stated that was my first knowledge of such an occurance.  Well it happened again, I’m viewing the Lakers-Warriors game from Beijing China on NBA TV. Laker broadcasters Bill McDonald, Stu Lantz and James Worthy were not in China they were in the Time Warner Cable SportsNet studio conducting play by play. I am going to go out on a limb and guess this may be the future anytime NBA televises a game outside the continental US.

New York City
"The City Game: Basketball from the Garden to the Playgrounds” was the title of a 1970 book written by Pete Axthelm. For those who might not have read the book it was intermixed with stories of street basketball in the City of New York City and follows the 1969-70 Knicks. Playground ball in the city produced many legendary names; among them were Earl “The Goat” Manigault and Peewee Kirkland. These legendary players and others honed their skills in games at the legendary Rucker Park in Harlem. It‘s the belief the cities emphasis on playground ball has been partially responsible for the amount of basketball talent produced.

The largest city in the nation continues to produce a vast amount of basketball talent although a number of them develop their talent outside of the five boroughs. Think Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Julius Erving, Metta World Peace and Elton Brand to name just a few. According to basketball-reference.com the Greater New York City area has produced a total of 304 players who played and or now playing in the NBA. One of the latest talents produced is Terry Larrier; he’s rated the number 39 by Rivals in its Class of 2014 prospects. This 6-8 205 pound small forward is from the Bronx. Shaka Smart at VCU recently received a verbal commitment from Larrier.

Bits n Pieces
The Heat roster contains two players who are possibly at a cross roads in their NBA careers. They are talented small forward Michael Beasley and of-injured center Greg Oden. Beasley has clearly demonstrated over his brief NBA career he lacks maturity. As for Oden he is a different story; he came into the NBA with such promise as a number one draft choice. Oden has never managed to remain healthy enough to play sustained minutes during his career.

I said I would leave Dwight Howard alone but I couldn’t resist this tidbit. Rapper Snoop Dog (or Lion if you prefer) discussing Howard. “He (Howard) would rather sit in the passenger seat than drive the car.” You draw your own conclusions what Snoop meant.

Former Kansas City King Center Joe C. Meriweather died on Monday. He spent 10 years in the NBA the last 5 as a member of the Kings. At the time he retired he remained in the area until a few years ago. Meriweather coached the Park University (Parkville MO) woman’s team. I had an opportunity to meet him once; he left us far too soon at 59 years of age.

New coach, new playbook and new conference all face Missouri-Kansas City this season. The team finished 5-11 in the Summit League and 8-24 overall. The off-season move to the WAC is an upgrade. Coach Kareem Richardson has managed to recruit a number of players to the school. A last place finish is projected by the media which certainly is not shocking considering the number of changes.

Look toward 2014
I’m checking out the 2014 NBADraft.net site and they forecast a continuation of freshman and sophomores drafted ahead of upperclassman. This is no guarantee of the actual draft order, many players remain in school while others draft stock slides downward. It should be pointed out the first 14 choices the site lists are all underclassmen or international players. Senior Doug McDermott of Creighton is accorded the honor of being the first upperclassman to possibly be drafted.

It’s been mentioned previously baseball and the NBA might be the only sport an athlete is drafted on potential. I’m unsure if I’ve heard the term utilized in describing the potential of NFL players, I don’t know enough about hockey to make that statement. The jury remains divided on early entry into the NBA, it’s my belief at least one year of collegiate basketball better prepares a player for the rigors of the NBA game. A player should not be required to attend college just to play in the NBA; a 3-year rule needs to be adopted by the NBA. Allow high school players in the draft once again, those choosing colleges would be required to remain 3-years