There is a distinction between lack of talent and lack of effort!

-------Larry Laker

Rand University
Rand is an unincorporated town in the State of West Virginia, its where former NFL All Pro wide receiver Randy Moss was raised. Rand University Is the title of the latest ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries this one focusing on Randy Moss. Hold on a minute I realize Moss had a long and distinguished NFL career as a wide receiver. I discovered (you probably were aware) Moss was also an outstanding high school basketball player.

Moss was a 6-4 shooting guard who from the video had hops. Remember all those leaping catches he made during his NFL career? Those moves may have come directly from the basketball court as the film detailed several dunks. Could Moss have played college basketball or even the NBA? We are long past the time frame to respond however based on skills Moss demonstrated in football why he couldn’t have been a success in basketball, baseball or track and field.

Part II
I wrote a response to a story written November 14, the writer was attempting to point out Kobe Bryant wanted to leave Los Angeles for the Knicks. The writer said “Kobe wanted an opportunity to play for Phil Jackson and the chance to win another championship.” I can sign off on one of the two---the desire to play for PJ. I hope Knick fans did not think my critical response was a slap in the face aimed at their team.

As this is written both stand, 3-10, the prospects for either to win a championship is remote at least for the near future. As for others, Philly is 0-12, Thunder 3-11 the Cavs stand 5-6. Can you explain the fixation ESPN and other media have with the Lakers? Consider this little gem with the exception of the 76ers and Lakers it was expected the won-loss record of the others would be superior-----correct? This is not intent to rain on anybodies parade its simply to point out injuries, age and other factors can severly affect a team.

"Sacramento” Kings
The Royals/Kings have set up home in several cities over the course of the history of the franchise. The team moved from Rochester (NY) to Cincinnati (OH) to Kansas City (MO) and finally Sacramento. Last weeks TNT telecast during a lull in the Kings-Bulls game the camera focused on retired Kings Jerseys in the rafters. Play by play announcer Marv Albert was correct identifying Bob Davies and the fact he played for the Rochester Royals. As for the others Albert eroded, he identified Nate “Tiny” Archibald and Sam Lacey as members of the “Sacramento” Kings. Wrong Marv both played for the Kansas City version of the Kings, Archibald and Lacey retired prior to the Sacramento move.

Dress for success
Years ago, there was a book with the above title. It detailed the who, what and why of men’s fashion. For many of you prior to the days of business casual the successful man wore a suit and tie. I pay strict attention to wardrobe choices of those men around me. It is not an attempt to access anything about the man just an eye for men’s styling. Recently ESPN.com writer Myron Medcalf provided us his Top 10 of best dress college coaches. I have no disagreement with Medcalf placing Rick Pitino of Louisville in the top spot.

As for his inclusion of Florida’s Billy Donovan, that is another matter. He defends his selection of Donovan “claiming that he (Donovan) doesn’t need the jacket to be fashionable. He’s comfortable with just a shirt and tie because his shirts and ties are always in harmony.” I would like to see Donovan prior to tossing his suit jacket aside in order to make my own judgment. I do not believe I remember ever seeing him completely decked out. Just a thought.

This is rare
Jabari Parker is the exception; he was drafted by the Bucks and appears to be happy. In recent years we’ve witnessed players drafted by small market teams, they usually lead to these conclusions. They force a trade (see Stevie Francis 1999 draft) or they sign with the small market team and play through the rookie contract. Once they become free agents they sign with a large market team (a host of players). As for Parker his stance might be different for several reasons, first Milwaukee is roughly 2 hours drive time from his Chicago home.

Two it’s my belief Parker is the second coming of Grant Hill, not the injury plagued Hill the Hill who before injuries appeared to be headed to the HOF. A number of scouting reports said Parker was not very athletic, my counter statement is it really necessary to be a super athletic to make it in the NBA? Duke and the ACC is not the NBA there are aspects of his game he must fine-tune, I have no doubt that will occur. Everyone missed the boat on the Blazers Damian Lillard; nobody picked him as Rookie of the Year. The 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year will be somebody overlooked or it could be Jabari Parker and not Andrew Wiggins