Colburn Comments
Once upon a time, when I used to teach parenting classes, I tried to help parents realize paying attention to whining children inevitably leads to more whining.
National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern should have been in one of my classes.
The NBA started this season with a twist — it switched from leather basketballs to a new synthetic-covered ball developed by its longtime supplier, Spalding.
The ball was supposed to provide improved handling and consistency, but the most evident consistency has been the resulting complaints of the NBA millionaire players.
It's too sticky when dry, they say. It's too slippery when wet, they grouse. Some even say the ball has cut their fingers.
Cut their fingers??? These guys better not open their own mail — they might wind up in intensive care if they get a paper cut.
The NBA Players' Association went so far as to file an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.
So, in spite of the fact the NBA reports statistical improvements in shooting, scoring, and ball-related turnovers since switching to the new ball, Stern gave in to the whining Monday.
"The most important statistic is the view of our players," said Stern, announcing the immediate return of the leather ball.
This from the man who failed to consult the players at all before making the switch to synthetic.
For the player making the NBA average salary of $5.215 million, this should come as welcome relief, as they will no longer have to spend needless money on Band-Aids.
Do you get the impression I'm just a little jaded when it comes to professional athletics?
* * * * *
When Roy Williams bolted KU for North Carolina, I had my own idea about who the next head coach at KU should be.
I wrote a letter to the KU athletic director to advocate for a coach I was certain had a bright career in front of him, even though his head coaching experience to that point was somewhat limited.
I told them to hire Mark Turgeon.
I rejoiced with my fellow Jayhawkers when we landed Bill Self as head coach. But still, I wished it would've been Turgeon.
Wichita State is ranked eighth in the latest AP Top 25, the best for the WU-shocks since the early 1980s. Shocker fans are giddy.
KU is ranked 11th, falling from its preseason high, and Jayhawk Nation is uneasy watching a team in search of an identity.
However, I prefer statistical models. One of my favorites is the Sagarin rating index in USA Today.
Who does Sagarin's formula come up with as the top team in the land right now?
Wichita State! On the other hand, KU is 42nd, a much more accurate rating at this point, in my opinion.
The Jayhawks have won with superior talent, and lost from lack of team identity. Self is struggling with his crew to find consistency.
Contrast that against Turgeon, who doesn't have any individual players ready to jump to the NBA. They just have a team.
A darned good TEAM.
I'm not down on Self, but I'm still high on Turgeon. He's a heck of a coach. WSU was lucky to keep him.
