There is a distinction between lack of talent and lack of effort!
-------Larry Laker

Will he play?
On Wednesday I wrote Semi Ojeleye was transferring from Duke. Ojeleye had established the high school scoring mark for the State of Kansas. Despite this fact he found little court time due to Duke’s deep and talented team. Wednesday afternoon came word Justin Robinson 6-7 combo forward will be a Duke walk-on player in 2015-16. Exactly who is Justin you ask, he’s the son of former Spurs center and Hall of Fame athlete David Robinson. The younger Robinson is not as tall as his 7 foot dad or as talented. The news release indicated Justin is a top notch student that sounds good because it’s likely we won’t see a great deal of him on the basketball court. A degree from an academic institution such as Duke is quite noteworthy to a potential future employer.

It’s my fault
Bucks forward Jabari Parker was projected to be Rookie of the Year by yours truly. His early numbers looked quite good and then came the terrible news. Parker was injured in Monday night’s game against the Suns; he was assisted off the court unable to walk on his on. Tuesday evening the Bucks announced Parker’s medical report pointed out a torn ACL, he will miss the remainder of the season. If I hadn’t predicted Rookie of the Year for him he might have finished the season unscathed. Because he’s only played 25 games thus far I wonder if he might be eligible for Rookie of the Year next season.

Can you say re-alignment?
I can agree with Mark Cuban to a degree, the NBA does require realignment but not in the manner he proposes. Awhile back I indicated the Grizzlies were in the Western Conference instead of the east where they belonged, why you ask? Memphis is in the Central Time Zone same as Chicago and Milwaukee. Geography places the city east of the Mississippi River; generally the river is considered the dividing line between the eastern and western portion of the nation.

How did we arrive here might be your next question? Many of you may have forgotten or were too young to realize the franchise came into the NBA as an expansion team in Vancouver. The Grizzlies began play in 1995 and lasted in the Canadian city until 2001, after the season they located to their present home base Memphis. A Vancouver British Columbia home meant the team came into the NBA as a Western Conference team. The NBA brain-trust allowed the team to change locations but failed to consider a west versus east move.

Aircraft Carrier
I was a little surprised Mizzou made an offer to Stephen Zimmerman; in case the name is unfamiliar to you he’s a 7-footer from Bishop Gorman High School Las Vegas. Zimmerman is a Rivals 5-star prospect and has received offers from all the usual suspects which usually excludes Mizzou. In most instances Mizzou has usually not even been part of the discussion for the services of high profile prospect like Zimmerman.

Consider the last high profile 7-footer at Mizzou played more than a generation ago. The name Steve Stipanovich might be familiar to several of you; he played from 1979-1983. He went on to play briefly in the NBA with the Pacers before injuries cut short a promising career. At Mizzou, Stipanovich became a 2^nd team All-American in 1983. To borrow a Dick Vitale term I’d love if this 7 foot 240 pound “aircraft carrier” would chose Mizzou, I can hope can’t I?

Divided loyalties
Once upon a time NYC had three major league baseball teams. The Yankees, the Brooklyn Dodger and New York Giants. The latter teams left for Los Angeles and San Francisco respectfully in 1957. Expansion brought the National League Mets to the city thus an American and National League presence. Chicago has the baseball White Sox and Cubs however New York, Chicago and Los Angeles are the only baseball thriving cities. In the NBA the Knicks have a rival in Brooklyn with the arrival of the Nets.

The only other city with dual franchises is Los Angeles with the Lakers and Clippers. A rumor circulated a number of years ago there might be another team added in Chicago however nothing ever came of it. Whether we are talking baseball or the NBA fans are loyal to that one alone. Ask Brooklyn born Spike Lee which team he favors? It’s not just him I’ve never heard a Knick fan say; “I root for the Nets” and vice-versa. It might even be worse in Los Angeles since the Clippers and Lakers share Staples Center.