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

2015
As we enter the new year there are NBA surprises, these are just a few. As this is written the Hawks are playing as if they want to win the NBA Championship, their 26-8 record is best in the Eastern Conference. The Warriors were good last season they have been even better this year (27-5). How about the Raptors, is the “Drake” influence the basis for improved play? They are in third place currently in the east playoff standings.

Those are the good as for the bad, Cavs are 19-16 and you say “they are above .500 they are not that bad.” We can all agree to a point except this Cavs team has LeBron James on its roster. The Clippers have a better record (23-12) but sits in sixth place in the playoff picture. Have the Spurs roster finally aged enough they are non-contenders; the team is in seventh place with a 21-14 record. In conclusion the Cavs, Clippers and Spurs are still contending for an NBA Championship.

A point guard
Oak Hill point guard Terrence Phillips verbally committed to Mizzou over the weekend. Phillips is a 3-star prospect in the Class of 2015 and becomes the third prospect for next year’s team. Phillips measures 5-10 and weighs 170 pounds; he’s the younger brother of Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings.

"Who are those guys? “
The quote is from the 1969 movie classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The two outlaws were on the run at the time Cassidy uttered the line. Kentucky’s John Calipari and Florida’s Billy Donovan might believe a similar situation has risen. The two powers have dominated SEC play over the years however LSU might be sayin’ “move over.” Coach Johnny Jones secured the services of Ben Simmons considered the number one prospect in the Class of 2015 on Rivals and ESPN Recruiting Nation. The 6-9 225 pound Simmons signed a letter of commitment in October 2013.

As the calendar flipped over to 2015 the school received a verbal commit from 5-star prospect Antonio Blakney. Rivals rate the 6-4 Blakney number 13 in the Class of 2015. This talented shooting guard was sought by several schools including my Mizzou Tigers. Successful recruiting shouldn’t be a shock or a surprise for Johnny Jones he was able to lead North Texas to five consecutive 20 win seasons. He assumed the helm at LSU and has continued moving, last year (his second at the helm) the team finished 20-14, as this is written LSU stands 11-2.

On the other hand
This is rant number 99 or 1,000 regarding no NBA team in Kansas City honestly I’ve lost count. Then the other day I told my buddy; “New York has two NBA teams and we can’t even get one.” I stopped a moment and thought about my statement, New York might have two NBA teams but they are mutually terrible. As this is written the Knicks stand 5-20, the Nets are a little better at 10-12.

I love basketball especially the NBA variety however NBA tickets are far more expensive now than 1985 when the Kings left for Sacramento. I can only speak for myself I’d have a difficult time “giving up” my hard earned cash to see a lousy team perform two or three times a week. Purchasing season tickets that would be out of the question. So what do me and thousands of others do? The question is better answered by you I know what I’m going to do.

Say what you mean and mean what you say
I’m not exactly sure where and when I first heard the headline above. In any event I think it might fit this account. Kobe Bryant and has played long enough there is no need for him to send hidden messages. Example, he praised the basketball talent of the Gasol brothers indicating they honed their skills learning the game in Europe. Kobe stated “AAU basketball doesn’t teach our kids how to play basketball.” My initial response why is this statement so shocking, we have long been aware a number of high school and college coaches hate AAU basketball.

Hate might be a strong word for me lets just say AAU basketball and its coaches don’t rate very highly with them. Secondly Kobe made this statement after playing (and losing) to the Gasol Grizzlies a writer speculated Kobe’s statement was aimed at his Laker teammates. Wonder how this writer could come to such a silly conclusion. I believe Kobe is big enough and opinionated enough to say exactly what he wants to say to whom he wants.