So far
The only playoff series probably over is the Heat and Bobcats, the Heat lead 3-0.  As for the other series the results are mixed with a few surprises for me.  The Mavs lead the Spurs 2 games to 1 in their series, the Grizz tied with the Thunder 2-2.  This is a super surprise, the Wizards of Washington leading the Bulls of Chicago 3 games to 1. 

“It’s good to be the King”
The above line was uttered by Mel Brooks in his 1981 movie History of the World, Part I. Jimmy Buss owner of the Lakers is probably repeating that same line. Despite the tact this Laker team finished the season with the worst in team history Buss has made the decision to retain D’Antoni. It’s good to be the king----opps owner. Individually the only positive I’ve heard from a player regarding the coach has come from Jodie Meeks. Both Chris Kaman and Jordan Hill have voiced concerns about D’Antoni’s offense and we know Pau Gasol‘s issues with it.

As for positives Kobe’s return should help next season but how much does he have left in the tank? Kobe will turn 36 prior to the season; in addition he will return from two devastating injuries. Will his legs give out in the “Run n Gun” offense we witnessed last season? Nolan Richardson’s Arkansas teams played a similar style of basketball however they played defense, how about the Showtime Lakers of the ‘80’s? Folks tend to forget those Laker teams ran, ran and ran so more. They had a Michael Cooper and others who played lock down defense.

Dinosaur rules in effect
I am not advocating marijuana use; I am advocating regulations that are fair in dispensation. The NCAA has proven once again it’s a body that has failed to evolve. They continue to provide us evidence they never, ever change regulations. Well that’s not exactly true its just the NCAA moves at a ridiculously slow pace making policy change.  Mitch McGary spent most of the season on the injury list; he was preparing to return next season for Michigan. The NCAA says an emphatic no, McGary given a random drug test posted positive for marijuana. NCAA regulations require a player be suspended for 1-year if they test positive for drug usage. We realize the NBA is pay for play

I trust his thoughts more than others in the media
The vast majority of sports media are not idiots. Readers might tend to believe I view the media in that light based on my commentary at times. I can point to Doug Gottlieb of CBS Sports as a media member with credibility. There are several reasons, he played college ball at Oklahoma State, and he also played professionally in Europe for several years. Eventually he moved into the broadcast media field after his playing days concluded.

He made a statement that caused me to change my judgment regarding Dwight Howard. Gottlieb said (I’m paraphrasing his comment) “Howard is not a scorer; he rebounds the ball well and is a shot blocker. He has few moves around the basket.” That’s the dilemma for us, we expected Howard to be a consistent 30 point game a scorer in the style of Wilt, Abdul Jabbar or even Shaq. It’s Gottlieb’s belief the talented Howard doesn’t have the gift of a scorer, could he be correct?

Well Phil has done it again
Phil Jackson has been on the sidelines for awhile. The print and electronic media have missed his commentary. They believe PJ is always good to open a “wound and cause blood loss.” He’s always managed to endear himself to opponents with his barbed tongue. Well he did it again, I’m unsure of how it started but his comments to Newsday will cause many a Spurs fan to “love” him.

“Tim Duncan making the salary he’s making after being part of a dynasty – not a dynasty, I wouldn’t call San Antonio a dynasty — a force, a great force,” Jackson said. “They haven’t been able to win consecutive championships but they’ve always been there. San Antonio has had a wonderful run through Tim’s tenure there as a player. He’s agreed to take a salary cut so other players can play with him so they can be this good. And that’s the beginning of team play”. All I can say is PJ loves to provoke controversy.