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We live in a dangerous age….

A public figure can say whatever they wish about a person in most instances without suffering any consequences. Former NBA player Jeff Teague make this statement on a podcast, “LeBron James was taking steroids while he played for the Heat!” LeBron doesn’t require me or anybody to defend his integrity but talk of this nature truly concerns me, Teague made this remark without offering a single shred of evidence. The majority of us are not close enough to the subject to say Yes or No but there is a danger and it begins here. A short time later Teague was quoted as saying; “He was just joking about LeBron James taking steroids.”

We could look at Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Alex Rodriguez to name a few as an example, all should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame, but they have been excluded to date. Why, because they were accused of taking steroids during their baseball careers.  Based on Teague’s “joke” what if the NBA decided to open an investigation regarding this issue? I don’t know Jeff Teague personally, I’m only familiar with him as an NBA basketball player. As far as his character that ship has sailed for me, there sure seems to be lacking, making such an accusation is not the least bit funny to me and maybe others. My headline pointed out the times we live in are dangerous and they truly are. If you accuse someone of a serious violation of anything prepare to provide us proof, we certainly cannot always consider what you utter to be the truth.

Thanks but…no thanks!

Memphis is a member of the American Athletic Conference, Memphis has a powerful desire to play in another conference. The school has made no secret of its effort to leave the AAC as soon as possible. If we look toward the west we find what remains of the Pac-12, they have lost a number of teams but seek to remain a power conference. Last year they invited Memphis to become a member and the response was from the school was this. They said, “Thanks but no thanks.” Apparently there were concerns that were not detailed by Memphis regarding the Pac-12 but wait there is more to the story.  

Memphis wanted the Big XII but the conference did not want them, they were turned down although nothing official is ever announced in these matters. I located this on 365Sports, although it was not related to Memphis it provides a basis, “The reason for rejection involve concerns about academic profile, athletic competitiveness, or financial stability.” Understand this, it’s reported this is the third time the Big XII has rejected a bid from Memphis. For the immediate future it appears these Tigers must remain members of the All American Conference for the foreseeable future. Texas and Oklahoma departed the Big XII for the SEC and began play in their new conference in 2024.  

365Sports

Where are the storytellers

I’m not going claim this originated from me but it influences me, maybe it will you as well. It was mentioned one of the issues with basketball and the NBA there are few individuals telling the story. Baseball had a following, it was once America’s pastime stories were handed down from grandfather to father to the son. Stories about Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and even baseball players of the Negro Leagues. I was unable to locate the name of the Negro League player but it was said; “He was so fast that he would turn off the light and be in bed before the room was dark.” Of course that’s not possible but just an example, wait there are more. Among the many quotes from the Yankee great Yogi Berra; “It’s déjà vu all over again.” Most of the basketball stories exist from an earlier time, this one from Marvin “Bad New” Barnes, he played for the ABA Spirits of St. Louis.

Barnes team had played Memphis (Eastern Time) and were preparing to board a flight back to St. Louis (Central Time). Noting the one hour difference in time Barnes declared “I ain’t getting on no time machine,” he rented an automobile instead. Someone once pretended to be a Pelicans player and joined the team warming up until he was spotted by sharp eyed security. I wonder if he might have made his way to the bench if not discovered? “The greatest comeback in NBA history occurred November 27, 1996, when the Jazz, down by 36 points to the Nuggets late in the second quarter (it was 70-36 at the half), the Jazz overcame this deficit to win 107-103.” The late Reggie Harding stood 7 feet tall, he was well known in the neighborhood. Harding had issues, one day he decided to rob the neighborhood grocery store. He disguised himself with a ski mask walking into the store, he stuck a gun in the face of the clerk. The store clerk took one look at this 7-foot holdup man, “Reggie get out of my store,” he left immediately without acquiring any money from the cash register. Where is Dick Vitale and others to entertain us about basketball.

The culture has changed

Mizzou basketball no longer occupies the space it once did, the one invisible or unknown to most of the basketball world. Currently when discussing SEC basketball Mizzou was once overlooked however that is no longer the case. I cite the 2025 freshman class as an example. With a high profile class of 2024 freshman perhaps it wasn’t necessary to recruit as diligently as in the past. Despite this fact and not really having an outstanding list of prospects this is what I found. The well-known rivals.com places Mizzou’s incoming talent number at 42 in the nation. On3.com has Mizzou at 38 while 247Sports.com says its 56.

If you are a fan of Duke, Florida or Kansas the ranking might not be impressive to you, allow me to explain a little further. There was a time in the recent past for Mizzou to be listed on anyone’s recruiting site which meant excitement for much of Mizzou Nation, now it’s expected under Dennis Gates. The former Cleveland State coach has finally solidified his place with Mizzou basketball and its fans. This has been a longtime coming as the school has waded through a succession of head coaches hoping to find a long term replacement equivalent to the former longtime coach Norm Stewart. This is a different age, no longer do coaches, AD’s or anyone for that matter fill an obligation to remain in place for life. Mizzou hires a Dennis Gates hoping 1. He creates a winning atmosphere and 2. He remains for an extended period of time, despite this hope at nothing is guaranteed. Despite what some might perceive as negativity on my part I am prepared for Gates to remain for a couple of decades.

The coach and his staff performed an admiral task over the spring and early summer in the transfer portal. Mizzou could start Sebastian Mack 6-foot 4 guard (UCLA) and Jayden Stone 6-foot 4 guard (West Virginia) in the backcourt. In the front court it could be Shawn Phillips 7-foot center (Arizona State) and Jevon Porter 6-foot 11 Loyola Marymount plus Luke Northweather also 6-foot 11 formerly at Oklahoma. I have doubts this will be the starting lineup however this is beyond a doubt the deepest Mizzou basketball team in recent memory. You can understand why most in Mizzou Nation are so optimistic and excited regarding the upcoming 2025-26 college season.