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

He can play
He just can’t play for Washington or Fresno State for that matter. The larger question can he play in the NBA? Robert Upshaw might be a name unfamiliar to a number of you. His name is well-known by NBA scouts, limited offensively his shot-blocking skill was going to be a key to an NBA career. The question becomes is the NBA in Upshaw’s future? The 7-foot 250 pound Upshaw has been dismissed by Washington Coach Lorenzo Romar.

First it was Fresno State now Washington the second time from a Division I program. The statement was brief “violation of team rules.” At this point we have no idea where he stands in the eyes of NBA scouts, certainly talent exists within him. The problem would appear to be his head. Will an NBA team be willing to take a chance of him come June? That question and others will remain unanswered at least for now.

“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”
You might be thinking of the classic 1967 Clint Eastwood movie yet that’s not the account in this story. This is a short account of Jack Molinas whose shadow in some instances still looms over college basketball. Almost anytime point shaving or the prospect of it existing many reflect on an earlier era. In this instance the time period is the late ‘50’s and early ‘60’s a far different time than today. Those who came in contact with Molinas today would probably not suffer the consequences of Connie Hawkins, Roger Brown and others. Who was Jack Molinas; the 6-6 Molinas was a talented basketbal player who set scoring records at New York’s Stuyvesant High and later at Columbia University.

How exceptional was Molinas you ask, he was skilled enough to become the 4^th pick in the first round of the 1953 NBA draft. He was drafted by the Fort Wayne (IN) Pistons who would move to Detroit in 1957. An investigation later revealed Molinas had bet on games while in college, he would be banned for life by the NBA and only played the one season. This would not be the last of Molinas he would remain around the game for years. Gambling and criminal pursuits would follow him the balance of his life. An investigation uncovered another point shaving scandal similar to one in the late ‘40’s. He wasn’t the only culprit however Molinas stood out along with college players Connie Hawkins and Roger Brown.

There were other players however those two names were most often mentioned having links to Molinas. As for Hawkins it was revealed Molinas had once provided the impoverished Hawkins $250. Molinas claimed later he never asked Hawkins to shave any points. Roger Brown’s story paralleled Hawkins except no money ever changed hands although he was acquainted with Molinas there was never any indication of financial gain on his part. Both players met him while high school prospects, their penalty without any trial dismissal from college and banned for life by the NBA although Hawkins was a freshman and Brown was on his way to college. In both instances there never was a “smoking gun” however the NCAA and NBA acted in a manner they would later regret. Hawkins and Brown would toil in various minor pro leagues and the ABA for a number of years; they would later sue the NBA and win their case and be awarded damages.

Hawkins would play the later portion of his career in the NBA while Brown chose to remain with the ABA Pacers. Much later Hawkins and Brown would be honored being enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Brown’s Hall of Fame induction would come after his death in 1996 of liver cancer, he was 54. As for Molinas this from Wikipedia. ^“Molinas was convicted for his role in the scheme and sentenced to 10-15 years in prison, of which he served five years. Molinas was said to have contacts with New York City mobster Thomas Eboli. He was murdered in 1975 in an apparent mob hit.”

^Wikipedia

This is a condensed version of events surrounding Jack Molinas, it should not be considered complete. If you desire further detail read: The Wizard of Odds: How Jack Molinas Almost Destroyed the Game of Basketball by Charley Rosen

This is a different age
His full name is Michael William Krzyzewski nicknamed Mike. Those of us who have difficulty spelling his name simply refer to him as Coach K. Coach K. has been served as Duke’s head coach since 1980. This past weekend he set a record which may be difficult to impossible to equal. His Duke team beat St. John’s which resulted in the coach winning game 1,000. He’s been the poster-boy for winning basketball but it’s not always been that way. After a successful coaching start at Army he was hired by Duke to coach their basketball team. For those who were not aware Coach K.’s first three years left little impression on the basketball world.

Duke’s 17-13 record was followed by 10-17 and then 11-17 two losing records in a row. In today’s climate a coach would be history, we have an example here. The media is full of complaints regarding Mizzou’s Kim Anderson in his first year. Winning 1,000 games is a personal accomplishment but it also reflects on the administration of Duke. The honors have been too numerous to count, just a few 4X NCAA winning coach, inducted in the Naismith Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame. In addition a gold medal winning Olympic and FIBA coach. There was no rush to judgment because the coach failed to win in a timely manner.