I question this
I have mentioned on more than one occasion writers love to forecast events of the season. I can understand a team’s position or who wins the MVP as for the other aspects you must take with a grain of salt. My belief has always been to view them with a skeptical eye because forecast often fail to produce the results projected. With that said allow me to discuss the latest ESPN.com revelation. They forecast they believe NBA teams that will experience turmoil during the 2014-15 season. I read it and certainly it’s not all baloney, my question is how can you predict with a degree of certainty player A and newly acquired player B will clash on the court. Predicting team turmoil is a little beyond my ability (and maybe ESPN.com as well).

“Mr. Referee”
I once heard a referee (don’t remember his name) state; “An official should be invisible; he shouldn’t over shadow the game.” I’m unsure if that statement fit 74-year old Dick Bavetta, he never was invisible. At the same time he was Mr. Consistency during his time on the court, at times he did become visible but always appeared fair in his rulings. Bavetta retires after 39-years of officiating NBA basketball perhaps the longest tenured referee in NBA history. It’s not often one will say they miss a referee however I can make the statement with conviction. Thanks Dick for your time on the court and enjoy your retirement.

“Mr. Excitement”
Did you have an opportunity to see any portion of the Steve Ballmer “pep rally”? I’m referring to his introduction as owner of the Clippers. Some of you might believe I have a problem since he owns the other Los Angeles team. The last three seasons of competition have clearly favored the Clippers prior to that no clear rivalry existed. When the teams met the Lakers were perennial winners, in addition they hold the all-time won-loss record versus their Staples Center co-tenants.

Bill Self versus Mizzou
I’m sure this will upset my Kansas friends but I don’t understand why Bill Self refuses to schedule Mizzou. First point Mizzou was not the first school to leave the conference, Colorado and Nebraska left the year prior to Mizzou’s SEC move. Point two none of the other Big XII schools seem to have an issue scheduling Mizzou, Texas A&M, Colorado or Nebraska. Last season Kansas played Pac-12 Colorado figure that one out. It appears Kansas is the only school with issues scheduling Mizzou on the basketball court. Mizzou played new Big XII Conference member West Virginia last year, Texas A&M had Big Ten Nebraska on their schedule. Oklahoma State also played Colorado last year while Oklahoma faced Texas A&M.

The trend most likely will continue although much of the non-conference schedule is yet to be finalized. Announced earlier Oklahoma State will play Mizzou at the Sprint Center in December. The silliness existing between Mizzou and Kansas after 100 years of action on the court is ridiculous. Should the two teams ever meet the Jayhawks would appear to be heavily favored at least for now. It’s not just Mizzou Self refuses to schedule Wichita State as well. It was apparent Wichita State the best college team in the State of Kansas last season. Sorry sports fans I lay the blame for failure of Mizzou-Kansas to renew their rivalry these two former at the feet of Bill Self. I believe Self is one of the most successful collegiate coaches but he’s missed the boat on this one.

They refuse to fix anything
I once wrote the NCAA is a unique position, they can fix much of their 1950 operation. Well they intend to conduct business as per usual. After asking for court delays on the Ed O’Bannon case it goes before the judge. The courts ruled in favor of O’Bannon indicating the NCAA owed the former UCLA basketball player and others financial compensation. Instead of moving on Mark Emmert announced the NCAA intends to appeal the judgment. The year is 2014 everywhere except the headquarters of the NCAA, there it’s 1953.