If you know me, or read the blog, you know I enjoy reading. I wish I had this interest as a young kid. Obviously with you reading the blog, you too enjoy reading.
Weather its a book or an article from a newspaper or magazine. It doesn’t matter, if there is information that is enjoyable and productive, I want to learn about it.
Here is a short list of books that I highly recommend:
1-Life’s Greatest Lessons by Hal Urban
2-How to be Like Mike by Pat Williams
3-Values of the Game by Bill Bradley
4-Townie by Andre Dubus
5-Daly Wisdom by Pat Williams with Peggy Matthews Rose
Zach Lowe of SI.com on the 50/50 split in the NBA
NBA commissioner David Stern and deputy commissioner Adam Silver made their informal offer public, telling reporters they pitched an even 50/50 split of basketball-related income. That would still be a huge drop-off from the 57 percent the players received under the old deal — about $280 million per year, and rising — but it also represents a major step up from where the owners started last year and from the 47 percent slice they offered players in the league’s last formal proposal on Tuesday.
Winston-Salem Journal on Chris Paul paying tribute to the late, great Clarence Gaines.
“This right here is a historic gym because coachGaines used to coach here,” Paul said.
Paul said that Gaines, who died in April 2005 at the age of 81, watched him play at West Forsyth High andWake Forest. Paul’s relationship with Gaines can be traced to Paul’s late grandfather, Nathaniel Jones.
“I used to have AAU practice here when I was a kid,” Paul said. “For a lot of kids who are here at this game, they probably don’t know much about coach, but I knew coachGaines personally, and he used to come by my granddad’s service station all the time.”
Paul said he often thinks of his relationship with Gaines because it’s closely tied to his grandfather, who was killed in a robbery in November 2002.
“At my house, I have a big picture of coachGaines because when I was in high school, he used to come watch me play,” Paul said. “I know he’s in heaven smiling down and wishing he could be here, and he probably is wishing some of these guys would have gone to (Winston-Salem State).”
Pete Thamel, an outstanding writer from the New York Times on the ‘Unofficial Visit’ in college athletics.
Coaches, recruiting analysts and an N.C.A.A. official said in interviews that illegal payment for a prospect’s unofficial visit was one of the most commonly manipulated N.C.A.A. rules. While the importance of unofficial visits has increased because of the speeded-up recruiting calendar with unofficial commitments, there is little scrutiny of how prospects and their families pay for the visits.
“It seems to be a real concern,” said Rachel Newman Baker, an N.C.A.A. managing director of enforcement, who said the N.C.A.A. had been studying the issue in both football and basketball. She added, “As we’ve been doing our outreach and meeting with folks, it seems like this has been on top of the list.”
Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press on Pistons head coach Lawrence Frank speaking at the University of Detroit coaching clinic this Sunday; L-Frank can’t utilize the Titan players in his demo.
Per lockout rules, NBA personnel aren’t allowed contact with college players, so Frank won’t be able to use Detroit Mercy players during his part of the clinic.
When college basketball practice begins later this month, NBA scouts must stay away. Normally, scouts attend early practices to evaluate players and see how they interact with coaches and teammates.
Because of the lockout, Frank will have to use other coaches when he gives his presentation on pick-and-roll defense and offense.
Hank Williams Jr. no longer with ESPN; Memo to the Mothership, get Eminem and his jam, ‘Lose Yourself’ for the opening of Monday Night Football.
The other day in an interview I heard former football coach Jimmy Johnson say, ”Ya gotta have some playmakers on your team to win games.”
Look-a-likes: Bob Brenly and Bill Cowher.
R.I.P. Steve Jobs.
Hoops135@hotmail.com
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore
