There is a distinction between lack of talent and lack of effort!
-------Larry Laker
Dueling point guards
No doubt on my part Chris Paul is a multi-talented point guard. For awhile I believed the Clipper was best in the NBA at the point but no more. I am placing Steph Curry at the top and have moved Paul into second place. I viewed one as more a passer (Paul) and the other a shooter (Curry). If we look strictly at the numbers that’s actually might be more the case. Paul leads the NBA with 10.1 assists per game while Curry is at 7.8 assists a game. As for shooting Paul is 18.9 ppg and .482 from the floor, Curry 23.7 and .483 from the floor.
Paul scored 27 points and dished out 9 assists as for Curry it was 27 points and 4 assists. The Warriors came back from a 17 point deficit to win the game 110-106. Curry had Paul on skates during one portion as he attempted to guard him. Check the video on YouTube if you have an opportunity. As this was completed an ESPN crawl came across the screen. This could be a red-flag for the Clippers, it read; “Clippers are 19-21 this season versus teams with .500 records.” Once a team reaches the playoffs all Western Conference teams have winning records.
He say’s “stay in school”
Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky didn’t really make that statement but he could have. When the 7 footer arrived on campus four years ago he had difficulty “walking and chewing gum” at the same time. How difficult well he finished his freshman year averaging 1.8 ppg. Yes I said 1.8 but it gets better, more playing time Kaminsky averaged an improved 4.2 ppg his sophomore season.
Kaminsky continued to work on all elements of his game and saw his numbers and play rise significantly. Last season as a junior he averaged 13.9 ppg and this year a high water mark of 18.4. Mock drafts are just that no commitment in any manner by an NBA team or a prospect. Interesting that both mock sites I routinely follow have the 7 foot 240 pound Kaminsky as a 1st round draft pick. I’m sure four years ago nobody believed Frank “The Tank” Kaminsky might one day be considered an NBA prospect.
Coaching news
The news is so swift often it becomes dated quickly; hopefully this will still be newsworthy as you read it. Tennessee moved rather quickly hiring Rick Barnes dismissed at Texas. On Saturday Barnes is out of a job by Tuesday morning he‘s got the Tennessee job. St. John’s chose former standout Chris Mullin to replace Steve Lavin. Mullin has no previous coaching experience although a long NBA career. (More on this hire in a later account). Travis Ford at Oklahoma State made the NCAA Tournament but could still be on the outside looking in. It’s been reported the school is considering a buy-out although he may remain in place.
As mentioned earlier Alabama met with Wichita State’s Coach Gregg Marshall however he said “thanks anyway. “ Marshall also rejected any talk of him headed to Texas signing an extension with Wichita State. VCU’s Shaka Smart becomes the leader for the Texas head coaching position. As for Smart he’s shown his loyalty to VCU is it time for him to get paid? Will Jeff Capel succeed the fired Herb Sendek at Arizona State? DePaul hired Dave Leitao an assistant at Tulsa to lead the Blue Demons. At some point during the next two weeks the major coaching positions (Texas & Alabama) will be made known. That’s all the coaching news to date stay tuned for further developing stories.
McDonald’s
The game was played at the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday evening. The East team scored 111 points holding the West squad to 91. Chieck (Sheck) Diallo was selected the games MVP leading the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-10 220 pound Diallo had a smooth spin move scoring one of his baskets. Diallo is one of several prospects yet to select a school. He attends high school in Centereach New York about 60 miles from New York City. Diallo is originally from the West African nation of Mali.
Haters will hate
I hope I’m not a hater, I realize there are teams, athletes, coaches and media members who I dislike but I hope it doesn’t appear I’m a hater. Here’s where I’m going with this account several in the local sports media have expressed their intense dislike for John Calipari. They acknowledge he’s a great recruiter however they question his coaching ability. I say hogwash to that type of statement, someone said; “It’s easy for John Wooden to win having (Lew) Alcindor and (Bill) Walton playing for you.” You cannot win with the talent Wooden had in the past or Calipari has now without coaching. After failing in that argument they search for another
Next up to remind us they claim Calipari cheats. They point out the fact once he left UMass and Memphis both schools were placed on NCAA probation. How about other “name” coaches who’ve experienced troubles. To date Syracuse under Jim Boeheim is the only school currently on probation the others are yet to be decided. North Carolina’s Roy Williams is likely to suffer some sort of NCAA restriction based on academic issues going back several years. I offer no proof however Kansas has suffered indiscretions with their program too. Even Coach K. has a skeleton in the closet yet to be resolved. If you don’t like Calipari that’s okay but don’t hint that he can’t coach and he’s the only one with skeletons in the closet.
