There is a distinction between lack of talent and lack of effort!
-------Larry Laker
Retire number 16
In the midst of another losing streak Laker fans demonstrated their appreciation of Pau Gasol. Management passed out “Thanks Pau” tee-shirts and presented a video tribute prior to the Lakers-Bulls game. Even Kobe fresh from surgery and reported still in pain met with Pau before the game. I’m unsure if it will occur however I’d certainly would be okay if it did, I believe Gasol’s number 16 should be hung in Staples Center. In my opinion he’s the BEST power forward in Laker history. For this non-scientific poll we’ll consider power forwards from Laker championship teams only.
The name Harold “Hap” Hairston might be unknown to many of you. He played power forward on the 1972 Laker the first to win a championship in Los Angeles. His teammates included Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and Gail Goodrich. We could consider Kurt Rambis and AC Green both occupied the position at different time frames with the Showtime Lakers. During Phil Jackson’s tenure as coach three power forwards provided significant contributions, Robert Horry, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol. Of all the power forwards Gasol is the only one who will be elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame once eligible.
Who is this guy?
People are asking questions about Heat center Hassan Whiteside. He’s burst on the NBA landscape recording several outstanding games. He’s a 25-year old 7 footer who played collegiate ball at Marshall University. In 2010 Whiteside would become the third pick in the second round of the 2010 draft. He remained on the Kings roster through 2012 since then he’s been on a basketball odyssey. D-League to Lebanon to China and back to Lebanon and China again. Whiteside landed once again with another D-League team. On November 24 2014 he signed with the Heat and was assigned to Sioux Falls in the D-League but was recalled two days later.
Early in January Whiteside recorded his first double-double, he is scoring in
double-figures and rebounds. On January 25 Whiteside recorded a triple-double with a record 12 blocked shots in a game against the Bulls. Will he continue to exhibit January numbers for the balance of the season? History often states it takes big men a greater amount of time to adjust their game to the NBA level. In any event this might be the “feel-good” story of 2015. I can see the story written about him; “A journeyman career was in front of him given but given an opportunity to play Whiteside has become the Heats rising star.“ Well it could develop in that manner couldn’t it?
He love’s coaching
Prior to Larry Brown’s arrival there was little to cheer about Southern Methodist basketball. SMU experienced few winning seasons from the 1995 season up to the time
Brown was hired. That first year under Brown’s helm the Mustangs finished with a 15-17 record. Last season’s team finished 27-10 and this years team is on its way to a second consecutive 20 win season (9-3 as this is written). I’ve written previously the SMU Mustangs might have the oldest active coach (74) in history.
Brown is coaching at an age most men have long since retired however he coaches for love of the game. One thing for sure no age discrimination existed when he was hired at the age of 71. With Coach K. passing the 1,000 win plateau I wondered about Brown‘s won-loss record. As this is written Brown has only won 405 collegiate games. As for his coaching in the pro ranks that’s a different story. He won 229 games while coaching in the ABA and another 1,098 in the NBA for a grand total of 1,732 games.
Rivalries
After viewing the Kentucky-Louisville battle of the state I wondered about others. From an outside view North Carolina-North Carolina State doesn’t appear to be too much of a rivalry. North Carolina-Duke certainly is a natural rivalry; the two schools are located less than 30 minutes drive time from one another. Although the two schools are located in the same city I’m unsure if UCLA-USC is a true rivalry. Someone once said; “in order to have a true rivalry victories cannot be one-sided.” For the most part in basketball UCLA has been the dominant team. Michigan-Michigan State might appear to be rivals but it appears at least in football its Michigan-Ohio State.
As for my next door neighbors it’s difficult to view Kansas-Kansas State as true rivals, as with others this one leans heavily toward the Kansas side. Kansas might have had more a rivalry with Missouri in football and basketball that goes back to the early portion of the 20th century. We hear a great deal of conversation about Alabama-Auburn although this one too appears more football heavy than basketball. I would guess Georgia-Georgia Tech in the same manner the pigskin sport over the round ball. There are others I’ve failed to mention due to space constraints you can add those you believe belong here, this is just “food for thought.”
