“Everybody” is playoff caliber
The headline is a little misleading; it’s an attempt to point out the weak, weaker, weakest NBA Eastern Conference. The Nets will be a playoff team; although they have played better they are still four games under .500 at 18-22. They have company, the Bobcats and Wizards have also lost more than they have won---they too will make the playoffs.

He’s home chillin’
Remember back a few weeks ago, everybody was “rushing” to sign free agent Andrew Bynum. The Heat and Clippers were just two of the teams anxious to sign the 7-footer. A report unconfirmed indicated Bynum was unwilling to sign for the league minimum. At this point I admit ’m surprised I thought for sure he’d be signed by now. Will Bynum appear in another jersey this season? That question is unresolved in the mean time Bynum’s’ at home chillin.’

They will improve
UMKC slipped past New Mexico State 68-66, New Mexico State came into the game with a 14-6 overall record, 3-1 in the WAC. The Kansas City school was 5-11 and 2-2 in the conference as the game began. Given time Coach Richardson might be able to turn this downtrodden program around.

No timetable
Reports are circulating Kobe has set no timeline for his return. The NBA seasons’ at the halfway point is there really a need for him to “rush” back? Last year the team playing badly most of the season made a dash to qualify for the playoffs. Prior to the season with Kobe, Nash and Howard in the lineup the belief was this teams should win an NBA Championship. Of course we remember what occurred. This season they will not make the playoffs Kobe should attempt to heal. If he comes back at the end of this season or next year either is okay.

The league nobody knows
The 3-point basketball did not originate in the American Basketball Association as most fans might believe. Another pro league had originated the extra point basket years earlier, most have no idea the American Basketball League ever existed. The league only played one full season 1961-1962, it commenced the 1962-1963 season but folded on December 31, 1962. The late George Steinbrenner became a household name as owner of the baseball Yankees. It was the ABL where his name first surfaced as owner. Ohio native Steinbrenner became owner of the Cleveland Pipers of the ABL. Harlem Globetrotter owner Abe Saperstein had been promised an NBA franchise which was not to occur. The owner of the Globetrotters was upset because he’d been promised a franchise and he believed NBA owners had reneged on the offer.

Although the league only lasted a short period there was talent in the league. Connie Hawkins, Bill Bridges and Dick Barnett were just two of this leagues star who would go on to successful NBA careers. The league also had the first African-American coach in a major sport; the late John McClendon served as head coach of the Cleveland franchise. Kansas City had a team in the league the Steers who were highly successful on the court. The Steers were Western Conference Champions but lost the 1961-1962 Championship to Steinbrenner’s Cleveland Pipers. The following year although the league folded at the end of 1963 the Steers were declared ABL Champions. The league folded for two basic reasons---teams lacking adequate financial backing and no television contract.