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

Bits n Pieces
At the time I provided a list of incoming Mizzou players I overlooked Drew Lock.  Lock is a
6-4 205 pound quarterback who also played basketball at Lee’s Summit High School. He was chosen All Metro football player of the year in Kansas City. Lock indicates he wants to play basketball at Mizzou; it will be interesting to see if he becomes a two-sport athlete.

The guy with the difficult to pronounce last name was chosen NBA Coach of the Year. Hawks Coach Mike Budenholzer was accorded the honor over the Warriors Steve Kerr and the Bucks Jason Kidd. I believe Kerr is a good coach on the other hand he didn’t build this Warriors team. Although I was critical of Kidd leaving the Nets his coaching kept the Bucks winning and he led them into the playoffs despite no Jabari Parker.

Many in the media laughed at Phil Jackson for stating the Knicks could be better as soon as next season. The possibility of adding Jahlil Okafor or Karl Anthony Towns to a lineup along with a healthy Carmelo Anthony. I didn’t say championship but they could be significantly better next season.

Where are they headed?
7-1 Thon Maker is one of a small number of top 2015 prospects not yet committed. There are so many stories circulating its unclear exactly his status. One report indicates; “He’s not headed overseas to play” while another states; “He might wait to December to enroll in college.” I believe we could see Maker headed to Europe or China to play for pay. As for the December enrollment Maker gains not a single advantage I can think of by waiting till the spring semester. Maker certainly must add weight to his 210 pound frame in order to prosper at the next level.

The usual schools are in the list for Maker, just to name a few they are, Kentucky, Arizona, Kansas, and Louisville among a host of schools. Surprise, surprise Mizzou is included in the list having an offer on the table for him. In other recruiting news Brandon Sampson a Rivals 4-star and number 41 prospect made his decision known. Sampson had committed to St. John’s however the coaching change caused the Louisiana native to change his mind. Sampson committed to LSU and will remain at home and join forward Ben Simmons, guard Antonio Blakeney two highly rated prospects.

I said it first
Listening to ESPN’s Mike Greenberg on Monday caused me to say what. Greenberg was discussing Sunday’s Cavs-Celtics playoff game. Kyrie Irving led the way to victory scoring 30 points in the win. Greenberg said “LeBron might have a better situation with the Cavs than he did when he arrived in Miami.” Hey Greenberg if you read Words occasionally you’d realize I made that very statement months ago.

I pointed out Irving is much younger (23) then Wade was four years ago. In addition Wade’s body had absorbed abundance more injuries although he was healthy for the most part. I also stated just because this LeBron team is younger this is no prediction of an NBA Championship. Perhaps the mix of youngsters and veterans might be enough for the Cavs to climb the mountain this season.

His audition
Often I will return to an earlier report this is one of those accounts. The Heat’s Hassan Whiteside had a break-out season in 2014-15. Despite a couple of maturity setbacks during the season the path is clear for the 25-year old. The Heat waived Shannon Brown to sign the 7 foot Whiteside in November of 2014. He didn’t become a starter until the first of the year and since then his numbers have been dazzling. These are projected Whiteside numbers over 36 minutes, 18 points and 15 rebound a game. A true statement you cannot teach someone to be a shot blocker it’s an instinctive thing.

His nearly 4 blocks per game provides proof he’s got a nose for defense.  That’s the good news portion of this story now for the bad news. Whiteside may be a member of the Heat only through 2016, the Heat could trade him or he might simply walk. He was signed under the most recent collective bargaining agreement which in his case proves beneficial. The simple statement the Heat has no Larry Bird rights on him. In 2016 the Heat will bid for his services along with every NBA who are in need of a center. Whiteside could sign again with the Heat if he desires however it’s intended to point out his present team has no advantage. The 2014-15 season proved to be an audition for other NBA teams without him intending.