Pleasantly surprised
I don’t believe anyone will mistake the Western Athletic Conference for the ACC or Big 10. Many questioned how the University of Missouri-Kansas City would adjust to the more competitive WAC. First-year Coach Kareem Richardson is on his way to turning the program around for the Kansas City school. UMKC is 9-18 overall, 6-8 in the conference. So far the school is hanging on, fifth place in a nine team conference. The schools first year in the WAC has been quite interesting much better than many expected.

Bits n Pieces
During the Whitney Young-Prime Prep basketball telecast one of the ESPN commentators was discussing Jahil Okafor of Whitney Young. He said; “Coach K. has never had a player of his caliber.” I believe he was referring to Okafor as a true center, 6-11 and 270 pounds he may be the best big man ever to play at Duke.

The Steve Nash experiment with the Laker is likely over and it's become that---an experiment. He’s likely to miss the balance of the season. Nash played 50 of 82 games last season, so far he’s played in 10 this season

Michael Jordan retired for a second time in 2003. His retirement didn’t prevent Nike from release of new Air Jordan’s periodically. Reebok must be following in the same manner. They have made available The Kamikaze the model Sean Kemp wore as a member of the Sonics. Not a Kemp fan how about Shaquille O’Neal? As a rookie and through his first few years in the NBA Shaq was a Reebok man. His Shaq Attaq model is also available once again.

The Nets intend to sign Jason Collins to a second 10-day contract. Injuries to the Nets big men indicate its likely Collins may finish the season with them.  I believe eroding skills and age played a key role in Collins not being signed until the second half of the season.  

He can’t get a job
On occasion Isiah Thomas shows up on NBA TV as a studio analyst. That appears to be the only job he’s held since he was terminated as FIU head coach.  Thomas has continued campaigning for a job but no one appears to be listening.  "Piston for life” Thomas was to be hired for a front office position once he retired, the job offer never occurred. In 2009 Piston owner Bill Davidson who was reported to have made the offer died. In 2011 a new owner Tom Gore purchased the team from Davidson’s widow.

In recent weeks Thomas met with Gore and stories begin circulating the Pistons were going to hire him. The report was quickly quashed by Piston management with an indication the meeting had nothing to do with hiring Thomas. As for Thomas I’ve mellowed my commentary, his past career might be a double-edged razor. He may have received too much blame for some past difficulties and too much credit for others. No NBA team appears to be willing to hire him in any capacity, has Thomas been ostracized by the NBA?

 African talent
Joel Embiid is headed to the NBA, this is no prediction of future stardom for this native of Cameroon just a fact. Embiid is certainly not the first athlete to emerge from the African continent. I think we can agree the best athlete to date must be Hakeem Olajuwon from Nigeria. Olajuwon played his college ball at the University of Houston along with Clyde Drexler and was part of that Phi Slama Jama crew. Olajuwon spent the bulk of his career with the Rockets; he managed a Basketball Hall of Fame career. Next up might be Dikembe Mutombo known primarily as a defensive specialist who on occasion could score. Mutombo became identified with wagging his finger after blocking a shot “not in my house.” The NBA eventually banned his finger wagging considering it a taunt. Mutombo from the Democratic Republic of the Congo played his college ball at Georgetown. A number of Africans have managed NBA careers; they have come to the NBA from 10 African nations:

Senegal
Nigeria
Cameroon
Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
South Sudan
Tanzania
Egypt
Gabon
Mali