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

I‘d be okay how about you?
A wild rumor has begun circulating; Kobe for Charles, the story has Charles Barkley leaving TNT in 2016. Barkley would be replaced by the retired Kobe Bryant. Personally I would have no issue if this change would occur and not for the reasons you might believe. Over the last several years Barkley has worn out his welcome with yours truly. He would become “the mouth that roared” with views often ranging far beyond basketball. Was/is Barkley entitled to express his political and social views on any subject matter? Of course that’s his prerogative and any other person.  I believe replacing Barkley the focus of the telecast and his sound bits would return basketball where it belongs. He's caused me to boycott half-time and
post-game programming, I mute the sound or change the channel.

?????
I want someone to sit down with me and explain re-classification. If a high student has enough units or credits they are eligible to graduate that part of the puzzle is simple. You’ve discovered as I have high school players of this era “move up or move down” dependent on input from a parent/guardian or the advice of an AAU coach. I’m not sure who is making the decisions for 7-1 Thon Maker however his “strange” journey continues. The youngster was originally born in Sudan but was partially raised in Australia. As a teen he arrived in the U.S., it gets better after first attending school in Louisiana he transferred to Carlisle High School in Virginia. He now plays for Orangeville Prep in Orangeville (Toronto) Canada.

Maker is considered the number one prospect in the Class of 2017 if he re-classifies he’ll move to the top for 2016. The ESPN Recruiting page pointed out an extraordinary fact. “He’s (Maker) living in his fourth country and attending his third high school in three seasons. Why? Where will he go next?” The only move that might not be scrutinized is the one that took him from Sudan to Australia. As many are aware that African nation has suffered turmoil for several years now. The other moves three high schools in three years certainly are certainly questionable. Bottom line the P-O-T-E-N-T-I-A-L of this prospect are unlimited college scouts have followed his progress since he was in middle school.


Expansion again---really?
This story is football related however if the conference approves expansion basketball and other athletic programs would follow. It was believed the change from BCS to a selection committee would resolve any issues in deciding an NCAA football champion. Despite the change controversy reigned again; Big 12 teams Baylor and TCU were left out of the playoff picture. One of the primary reasons given the Big 12 has no conference playoff thus clarifying the exclusion. Whether it makes sense or not the fix appears to be expansion rather than a playoff. The conference is exploring adding two schools Cincinnati and BYU. Forget the fact neither school is in the Midwest Time Zone the geographical location of a school no longer factors into the decision.

I hope we are proven correct
No argument from me I believed Julius Randle was talented. We witnessed evidence of this gift in the year he played at Kentucky. My only concern was a lefty without a right hand however he’s only 19-years old. A fan made this statement; “the 6-9 250 pound power forward is a combination of Lamar Odom and Z-Bo” (Zach Randolph). This is far too early to pronounce Randle is equipped to play at this level however many of us believe he will prove to be a valuable addition to the Lakers.

If he can fully implement the talent we believe he’s exhibited he will be the leader after Kobe retires. NOTE: This was written prior to Randle’s untimely injury, I believe he will still fulfill the promise hoped. We can look toward Laker great James Worthy; Big Game James broke his leg his rookie year yet returned to a HOF career. This is no prediction of that type of career for Randle but who really knows the future?

Basketball in the State of Missouri
A large number of universities and colleges exist in the State of Missouri however only five compete athletically at the D-1 level. I wonder the odds on all five programs to experience losing or near losing records in the same year. Well that’s exactly what’s occurred as the calendar has turned from December to January. I’m watching Missouri State (Springfield) losing to Northern Iowa. It’s likely they lose the game which would leave them with an 8-10 record. How about the other Division One programs in the state? Southeast Missouri record (Cape Girardeau) stand 9-10. The Billikens of St Louis University stand 9-9 as this is written. How about the University of Mo-Kansas City, the Kangaroos are a 6-13 team. In conclusion the Mizzou Tigers are 7-10 and not playing at the level we expected. I didn’t check Missouri D-II, D-III or NAIA schools surely there is a winner among them.