“How ya like me now”
Celtics broadcaster (and former player) Tommy Heinshon would often state over the airways; “I love Walter” after former Celtic Walter McCarty would made an outstanding play. Viewing Kawhi Leonard’s play in the 2014 NBA Championships I could echo the same statement. After scoring but 18 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in the first two games of the series I heard; “I’m not impressed with his game.” In the next three games the 6-7 small forward scored 71 points and pulled down 28 rebounds. Leonard wasn’t one dimensional he wasn’t just offense. Leonard excelled on defense and at times defended LeBron successfully.

Bits n Pieces
It’s not exactly surprising Carmelo Anthony opted out of his contract and has become a
free-agent. The question, where is Anthony headed next season? A number of teams have been mentioned as possible destinations. It could be Houston, Chicago, Miami or maybe a return to the Knicks, stay tuned.

Baylor’s Isaiah Austin has been medically eliminated from Thursday’s draft. The 7-1 Austin had been projected to be a late first round choice. An EKG at the NBA Draft Combine revealed a medical condition known as Marfan syndrome. Simply stated overworking the heart could cause it to rupture. This is devastating news for Austin but not the end it could have been far worst if he died on the basketball court.

Anybody out there questioned the whereabouts of Cheryl Miller? Miller sideline reporter for TNT on its NBA broadcasts has a new job. In April she was hired as women’s basketball coach at Langston University, Langston (OK). Langston is NAIA affiliated and competes in the River Athletic Conference.

One of the names most likely announced on Thursday will be Elfrid Payton Louisiana Lafayette point guard. The 6-4 Payton may follow in the footsteps of point guard Damian Lillard being virtually an unknown. If you remember Lillard who emerged from Weber State became 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year playing for the Blazers.

Did you see the report ESPN’s Kenny Mayne conducted on Canadian basketball? The camera followed him questioning several Canadians asking if they could identify Dr. James A. Naismith. Mayne’s Person in the Street interviews only uncovered one person who was aware of Naismith and the fact this Canadian invented American basketball.

He’s the Man
The Lakers will have conducted the draft without a head coach. As I indicated earlier GM Mitch Kupchak indicated it wasn’t a necessity a coach had to be in place. As for the coach I’m going to take a chance here and report a story yet to be confirmed. I believe Byron Scott will be named head coach of the Lakers. This is not me say “I would be satisfied with any of the number interviewed;” I saw no “Mike Brown” in any of the names the media mentioned. Scott’s had a number of stops over the course of coaching career some more successful than others.

He coached the Nets team that played for an NBA Championship but lost against the Lakers. Scott has purple and gold running through his blood stream, he was drafted by the Clippers but spent his rookie year a Laker thanks to a trade. Scott and Magic Johnson were the backcourt combo on the Laker Showtime teams of the ‘80’s. Scott tutored the 18-year old Kobe Bryant in his second tour of duty with the Lakers. Kobe and Scott have a long relationship so I wouldn’t anticipate any drama between player and coach. Scott (with front office help) must re-build the Laker franchise to it’s previous heights.

There is no off-season
Last year I debated if I should continue publishing Words eye view during the summer months. I held the belief after the NBA Draft and free agent signings there was very little off season news. Maybe my view was off-base is there really any off-season for any sport? I’ll provide you examples, in late February I tune into local sports talk radio and the topic of conversation is Royals baseball. The major league season doesn’t begin until April and only pitchers and catchers are in spring training as that was written.  It’s the same for the NFL, TWC Sports Channel here continues to run Red Zone a program focused on the Chiefs.

It’s the same nationally too, a Derek Jeter’s retirement press conference was also telecast over several cable channels. 2014 is the last season for Jeter my question was it necessary to telecast this press conference in February? In the middle of the NBA and college basketball season other professional (and amateur) sports compete for coverage too. I’ve concluded there is no off-season, if you chose to read basketball stories in July that’s okay. You are just as liable to read a baseball account in December or a football story in April.