Has Vegas got it correct?
With NBA training camps opening Dan Patrick held a discussion this morning with his morning program crew, the discussion focused on odds where a select number of teams would finish. No big surprise Westgate Super book indicates the Cavs will win 58 games. You guys know how I feel about the Lakers however I found their odds on the Lakers to be-------I’ll just list it rather than provide commentary. Westgate Super book says the Lakers will win 31 games, well technically 31.5 in 2014-15.

It’s not just me
Several of you might remember I once wrote of my intent to limit writing Words during the summer. I concluded all eyes were on baseball, soccer and football. I have confirmation from another there is no such thing as an off season for basketball. The following is a segment of Dave McMenamin’s ESPNLosAngeles.com column of September 24. He wrote; “The NBA "off-season” is one of the biggest misnomers. The league gets talked about year round and there is always some kind of media out there with which to compete.” So there, I’m not the only one who believes there is no basketball off-season for news a guy who gets paid believes it too.

Big Three?
What do you think, I heard a broadcaster refer to the Cavs as the “new Big Three.” He pointed out they are younger than the LeBron/Wade/Bosh combo. As for the age factor I can agree LeBron was 25, Wade 28 and Bosh 26 when they came together. LeBron is and older 29, Kyrie Irving is 22 while Kevin Love is 25. Although the Heat trio didn’t win that first year all had previous play-off advantage. LeBron, Wade and Bosh all experienced post-season play prior to coming together as teammates on the Heat.

Wade won an NBA Championship in 2006 with a different crew. No requirement to detail LeBron’s playoff record how bout the others? Both Irving and Bosh have 0 playoff experience, both had the misfortune of playing on inferior Cavs and Wolves teams. The belief is the trio can successfully blend their talents to become a victorious maybe a championship team in the first season. The promise of next June is yet to be determined.

Headed to Wichita State
Point guard Tyrone Taylor attends Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham (VA). He is a local prospect attending Grandview High School in Grandview (MO) a Kansas City suburb. This 6-3 170 pound guard is rated a 3-star prospect in the Class of 2015 by Rivals.com. Last week Taylor made a verbal commitment to attend Wichita State next fall.

On the other hand
For me it’s difficult to lose a player without him ever sitting foot on court. He wasn’t involved in any criminal activity, it wasn’t an academic issue he just chose another path.  6-7 210 pound forward Cam Biedsheid is the athlete, he’d transferred to Mizzou from Notre Dame in December but transfer rules prohibited him from playing, he would be eligible for the 2014-15 season.

A number of stories have circulated why he’s leaving however I refuse to repeat what I’m unable to confirm. On the other hand Mizzou has a number of official and un-official visits scheduled in October. One of the visitors is Thomas Bryant a 6-10 230 pound attending Huntington Prep. Bryant is a 4-star prospect in the Class of 2015; Mizzou faces stiff competition for the services of the Rivals number 35 prospect in the nation. .

Roll of the dice
The NBA draft has often been a gamble, a roll of the dice. You draft what you hope (believe) will be an addition to your team however injuries and skill level often impact that choice. The NBA page on NBA.com ran a story on the 2007 focusing on Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. Oden emerged with all the credentials while Durant while talented was not in the same class with Oden. I’m sure a number of fans might believe the statement is an exaggeration. The Blazers with the number one pick chose Oden while Seattle (OKC) made Durant the number two pick. In addition to the limited time and career thus far Oden is facing a domestic abuse charge. Oden’s trial is still pending as this is written so we have no idea of his future status. Regardless of the court outcome his NBA career is likely over.

The post-Ray Rice sports world is quite different, if Oden isn’t incarcerated is there an NBA GM willing to take a chance on him at this stage? My how fortunes have changed, I remember when he left Indiana after his freshman year followed by teammate Mike Conley. I thought “Conley’s not ready for the NBA” my assessment was certainly in error there. Conley while no superstar athlete has certainly been a valuable contributor to the Grizzlies, who would have believed his NBA, would exceed that of Oden. Back to the draft a minute, the Blazers still receive a great deal of grief for their choice. I ask why, a scout compared Oden to a “youthful Bill Russell.” Durant was a skinny 6-10 small forward, there was no question on his shooting skill but given the choice Oden is the pick.