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

All Star game weekend
I will be the first, allow the panic to begin. To quote Dr. Peter (Bill Murray) Venkman; “Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria! “ The World team led by Andrew Wiggins beat the USA squad 121-112.

In advance of an official count I believe more of the world’s media will report on the game than for the Super Bowl/World Series combined. Soccer (football) remains number one in the eyes of the world but basketball especially the NBA is in second place.

Mo’ne Davis took the world and Little League baseball by storm last summer. The 13-year old girl with the 70 mph fastball dispatched many a male batter during the World Series. After her team was eliminated Davis indicated in an interview basketball was her favorite sport. She was invited to participate in the Celebrity NBA All Star game and proved just as skillful with a basketball.

Steph Curry put on one of the best exhibitions of 3-point shooting in memory. Winning the contest with a 27 score out of a possible 34. The other half of the “Splash Brothers” Klay Thompson failed to duplicate his initial first round effort. Zach LaVine was declared the Slam Dunk champ, LaVine was original and spectacular. These were certainly none of “Your Father’s” dunks.

Give him his due
Once you leave the scene it gives “them” an opportunity to bad-mouth you. Because Mizzou is experiencing the worst season in recent memory we are hearing negative talk regarding Frank Haith. As for Mizzou’s poor record thus far consider how much of the offense is missing from last season. The team is minus the 19.9 ppg of Jabari Brown, 17.5 ppg of Jordan Clarkson and 14.0 ppg of Earnest Ross. As for Haith consider these facts; in the three years he was at the helm the team never suffered a losing season. The improprieties Haith was accused occurred at Miami not Mizzou. In addition he was punished by the NCAA and that whole fiascos should be in the rear view mirror.

Funny thing I didn’t hear any similar conversation when Bruce Pearl and Kelvin Sampson were hired at Auburn and Houston. In the 11 years Haith has served as a head coach (Miami, Mizzou & Tulsa) he‘s only experienced one (1) losing season. As this is written Haith’s Tulsa team is 10-1 in the American Conference 17-6 overall. I didn’t follow Tulsa basketball previously so I had to check the record of last year’s team. The Golden Hurricanes finished 13-3 21-13 overall. The only negative on his resume his teams have not performed well in the post-season.

Speaking of coaches
A number of you might believe I did a number Friday on George Karl, believe you me that was not my intent. He probably is good person I just happen to believe his name outweighs his coaching skill. There is no requirement for a response of course he can coach. The NBA level requires conducting yourself different than a college coach. You have over half a team’s roster earning more money than you. A coach must have the ability to walk the line between teacher and disciplinarian. In nearly 25 years of coaching his teams have played for one (1) NBA championship that occurred in 1996. Unfortunately his Sonic team was dealt a loss by the Jordan Bulls. Over his career the teams he‘s coached (Cavs, Warriors, Sonics, Bucks & Nuggets) all have fallen short of the mark. Winning an NBA championship is not the only barometer utilized for accessing a coach’s performance.

I’ll take him
Rajon Rondo has already gone on record indicating he’s going to remain with the Mavs. He further indicated winning was key to his decision. Rondo is not a good shooter he might have attitude issues but I’ll take him. I’m gonna replace the Lakers Mitch Kupchak and seek Rondo’s services. Its likely Steve Nash fails to return plus as I indicated earlier he’s 40 years old. Jeremy Lin is an NBA talent but at this point I’d have to consider him a reserve point guard. Ronnie Price is an adequate point guard but a career backup who’s been pressed into service as a starter. That leaves rookie Jordan Clarkson, he’s got size (6-5) speed and shooting skill. It’s my belief Clarkson might be more a combo than a pure point. So as you can see the Lakers are still lacking that veteran presence at the point. Rondo is only 28 years of age he’s just reaching his prime, baring an injury he could blend his skill to this roster.

Did you read this?
If you were to compare the two players the average fan would state Tim Duncan’s career has exceeded that of Scot Pollard. Duncan has been 3X NBA Finals MVP, 5X NBA Champion and 2X league MVP. Duncan will go into the Naismith Hall of Fame and College Hall of Fame as soon as he’s eligible, what about Pollard? The 6-11 265 pound Pollard had an 11-year NBA career playing for 5 different teams. Rarely during his career did he find his name penciled in as a starter.

Why the comparison between the two, it revolves around the Spurs Greg Popovich. The coach recently revealed around draft time he “liked Pollard better than Duncan due to the ruggedness and defense he played at Kansas.” It seems the coach preferred Pollard over Duncan in the 1997 NBA Draft and had to be talked into Duncan. NBA history as it relates to the Spurs may have been quite different if Pollard had been drafted.