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

“What you done for me lately”
I you listen to pop music you might recognize the title of a 1986 Janet Jackson hit. Thunder General Manager Sam Presti might have said the same thing to former Coach Scott Brooks. Under Brooks direction the Thunder made the playoffs in the first five years he coached the team. During the season Westbrook missed a number of games despite becoming Mr. Triple-Double. No need to detail the medical report of Kevin Durant. Finally we come to Serge Ibaka whom I believe is the heart and soul of the Thunder. After Ibaka went down I wrote I believed it would be difficult for them to make the playoffs.

They fooled me they came up one game short of making the playoffs. Despite this fact it probably wasn’t good enough to earn Brooks a reprieve. On the surface it appeared none of the trio mentioned had any apparent problems with Brooks. It will be interesting to discover who replaces Brooks. Billy Donovan is reported to be a friend of Presti is that enough to persuade him to leave Florida? In other coaching news ever heard a coach fire a player? I know I haven’t but that’s exactly what Mavs Coach Rick Carlisle said when questioned on Rajon Rondo. He indicated the point guard had played his last game with the Mavs.

Prove me wrong
I said it at the time and I will repeat it---Shaka Smart is a good hire for Texas. Check out the number of NBA players that played at Texas. Kevin Durant, LeMarcus Aldridge and Tristian Thompson are just a few names that former Coach Rick Barnes recruited to play for him in Austin. The state made famous by its “Friday Night Lights” high school football programs has seen basketball creep ever so gradual into the hearts and minds of Texans.

Football (high school & NFL) will always remain number one however basketball can do nothing but grow. As an outsider it appeared Barnes had no recruiting issues he didn’t appear to maximize the talent he gained. Was there an X and O problem or inter-action with his players his teams though talented appeared to under achieve? As for Smart he leaves VCU with a 163–56 (.744) record and the entire State of Texas to recruit. Shaka Smart is a good choice as head coach; there will be an adjustment period. I expect Texas to be in the running for a future Big 12 Championship.

Bits n Pieces
The Atlanta Hawks have been on the market for quite awhile. Entrepreneur Antony Ressler purchased the team along with several partners for $850 million dollars. There are several in the ownership group including former NBA player Grant Hill. Does Hill give up his co-host responsibility on NBA TV’s Inside Stuff?

The fat lady has not begun singing nevertheless she’s tuning up. On April 20 I wrote my belief the Clippers and not the Cavs were under more pressure to win. After Friday evening’s beat down the Clippers are teetering on the edge of the cliff. It appeared the Clippers played as individuals rather than a team. Final score Spurs 100 Clippers 73.

Hiring a bunch of name coaches will not guarantee SEC basketball success. The SEC is no longer John Calipari and Billy Donovan (if he remains) as names. Avery Johnson won at the NBA level but must demonstrate he can be successful at Alabama. Rick Barnes Tennessee, Bruce Pearl Auburn and Ben Howland Mississippi State were all winners at there previous stops.

“Dynamite comes in small packages” is an age-old adage. It implies extensive damage is often done by a relatively small explosion. That might be the case with the Warriors Steph Curry, he‘s now acknowledged as one of the best shooters in the NBA. Due to his size it was necessary to prove his talent. Curry was a 5-8 125 pound basketball player when he entered high school; he now stands 6-3 and 190 pounds.

　
“He’ll figure it out”
Kentucky came up short in the NCAA Championship I know who’s likely to have won the campaign for 2015 high school talent. John Calipari and Kentucky are the clear winners in the recruitment process. A small number of prospects remain uncommitted yet Kentucky might be as a possible destination as the school is on their list. The number 1, 10 and 48 prospects on Rivals have committed or signed on the dotted line they are:

6-11 215 Skal Labissiere
6-3 215 Isaiah Briscoe
6-5 180 Charles Matthews

In the days and weeks ahead we’ll discover the destination of other prospects. One of those intriguing uncommitted prospects is 7 foot Thon Maker who reclassified into the Class of 2015. All will not head to Kentucky although the performance of the Wildcats will likely land a number of prospects. Is every freshman willing to play the limited minutes of Calipari? The answer is no however Calipari was able to convince the 2014-15 group the value of team play and the players bought into his plan.