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

On second thought
This is a follow up to a report written last week regarding college coaches’ in the NBA. Nothing is ever set in stone just because college coaches have not been successful doesn’t say it will never occur. Billy Donovan has agreed to become coach of the Thunder. He certainly has the coaching resume to back up the hire and I will adopt a wait and see. Last week when mentioning coaches I forgot Brad Stevens of the Celtics.

Stevens left Butler and took over a Celtic team in the process of rebuilding after Rivers left to take the Clippers job. The first season under Stevens (2013-14) the Celtics finished 25-57. In his second year they finished 40-42 finishing second in the Atlantic Division and gained a playoff spot. No shame in them being eliminated by the Cavs after all the Celtics were in their first playoff run. The future looks bright for Stevens and the Celtics they have young team and a number of upcoming draft picks.

What do you think?
The final score read Spurs 111 Clippers 107, advantage Spurs 3 games to 2. This upfront disclaimer I didn’t see the game so my observations might not be correct. At the same time this is no declaration of an eventual winner this series could become tied once again. Wednesday morning I read Doc Rivers complaints regarding officiating of the game. I almost fell off my chair with laughter when he said “I don’t complain much. “ Coaches have complained about officiating since the Jurassic period, Rivers has never been bashful about voicing his objections to officiating.

For him to say he doesn’t complain is certainly erroneous. Let’s see what the box score reveals. Doc’s team was losers by 4 points; they shot 26-42 from the free throw line a sparkling 61.9%. As for the Spurs they went to the line 37 times and made 28 of them for 75.7%. I heard an ESPN reporter state “The Clippers have one of the best starting fives in the NBA but their bench betrays them.” To back the statement up the box score for the bench reads Spurs 48 Clippers 17. Perhaps someone should tap Rivers on the shoulder and point out it was his team and not the officials that cost them the game.

Bits n Pieces
I’ve said previously I’m no fan of the Cavs but I hate that Kevin Love is injured. I believe the Cavs can still go deep into the playoffs, is an NBA Championship in their future? I’m not going to go there let’s just wait for completion of the playoffs.

Who does Florida hire as a replacement for Billy Donovan? Florida has always been a football first school, Donovan is to be applauded for he managed to raise the level of play during his 19 years especially winning back to back NCAA Championships. Donovan replaced Lon Kruger who only experienced moderate success.

To no one’s surprise Andrew Wiggins was named 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year. Wiggins averaged nearly 17 ppg and close to 5 rebounds a game for the Wolves. Bulls power forward Nikola Mirotic finished a distant second. I can only speculate at this point however the Cavs might wind up losers, giving up Wiggins to acquire Kevin Love. The Love injury only adds to the speculation whether he stays or goes.

Recruiting news
Attention Duke Haters; Coach K. has struck gold once again. Brandon Ingram a 6-8 200 pound wing announced he’s head to Durham. Rivals list him as the number four prospect in the nation and a 5-star prospect. If you are wondering about Ingram’s height versus weight forget about it, he’ll be in the weight room Duke bulking up soon. Kansas basketball fans have been downtrodden losing to Wichita State. They can finally smile again, 6-9 220 pound power forward Cheick Diallo made his choice known.

Rivals have Diallo as the number 5 five prospect in the nation and a 5-star player. The native of Mali in West African played his high school ball in Centereach New York. This next report is surprising Kentucky traveled the junior college route on a prospect. Mychal Mulder a 6-4 shooting guard from Vincennes University chose Kentucky over Wichita State, Creighton and Indiana. Mulder scored at nearly 16 points a game and snatched 6.4 rebounds a game. Mulder will have two years of eligibility remaining at Kentucky.