Pistol Pete was a scorer he could score inside are out, create in the open court. Knock down a twenty foot jump shot or pull up for a soft jumper in the middle of the lane. Pistol could drive to the hoop or score in the lane seventies style on anyone who had the misfortune of guarding him. Pistol Pete if he played today would be a Street baller, he was absolutely way ahead of his time. He was quicker than Earl Monroe. Contrary to what others think of him he was quick on defense as well.

Pete Maravich would take over game . One against five. Pete Maravich averaged 44 points per game in an era when there was no three point line. He was a phenomenal player who could do just about anything on a basketball court. Someone estimated that if Maravich played with today’s three point line he would have averaged 57 points per game.
Maravich had so many moves that no one could stop him. Pistol Pete Maravich lift on his jump shot was simply amazing. He was a showman extraordinaire on the basketball court. The world truly misses a basketball Legend; Pistol Pete Maravich.

Allen Iverson is perhaps as they say in boxing the smallest and greatest pound for pound player to ever play the game. Rocket quick with a silky smooth jump shot; Iverson has a lunch bucket mentality with a big time game. He can light it up in the open court. Iverson’s crossover dribble is legendary. His jumper from twenty-five feet out is deadly. Iverson has a skill at backing up his defender with his quickness and using the dribble to break the ankles of his defender.
Iverson’s game is special. He always came to play no matter what and he gave it his all even when he was the best talent on the team . Allen Iverson is a multi talented player who can light it up with his ability to use his quickness to free up a fabulous transition game.

A shooter can make shots and do it consistently. A shooter can make 15 or 20 shot in a roll.

Larry Bird was a shooter. He could shoot with either his right or left hand. He had a killer instinct. He came to play. He was not quick. He had a silky smooth shot and his release was text book. Bird understood the game, because he lived the game. He was a shooter and a competitor. He would do whatever it took to win a ball game; primarily because Bird was a shooter.
Bird ruled the three point line and he led the Celtics to 3 NBA Championship in the eighties. Bird was just that good. He knew where he was on the floor and although he did not get lift with his jump shot, he could get his shot off easily because of timing and the ability to use both hands.
If you could beat Larry Bird, you would have to out think him. No area on the court was a weak spot for Bird, such was his range.

Rick Mount- Little known by today’s players. Rick mount was a sharpshooter who could fill it up from twenty to twenty five feet. He could do it consistently and it earned him a respectable career at Purdue and a career in the American Basketball Association during the late sixties and early seventies.

Earl Monroe-Earl Monroe created the spin move. Later perfected by Magic Johnson, and used by nearly all NBA players today. Monroe could shake and bake in slow motion. He was not exceptionally fast, but skilled players have a way a creating their shots and Monroe did it with moves. He was adept at moving through and around in close quarter around the basket to make soft floaters in the lane. Monroe was not a jump shooter, but he was a creator, a magician with the basketball.
The better the competition, the more Monroe raised his game. He was in a word silky smooth a creator with the basketball. Earl Monroe was the greatest one on one player that ever lived. He was an innovator who could create his shot based on the situation. Pete Maravich had this skill as well, Maravich had the total package, but in terms of creating a shot; there was no one better than Earl “The Pearl” Monroe.

Eric Gordon-As it turns out Eric Gordon only played one year of College basketball but his game is destined for greatness in the NBA. There are not many players that you get excited about watching. particular offensive players that can take it to the hoop and create while doing it or pull up for a long 25 foot jump shot. Gordon is a throwback. He’s strictly a scorer. He played in a style like Maravich without the show time theatrics. Gordon is a scorer, plain and simple. He has one idea and that is to get to the basket, either by slashing and driving or creating and driving all in one quick motion.

He has tremendous lift in his jump shot and tremendous moves close in the mode of Earl Monroe. Make no mistake this player is the real deal. I predicted he will go within the top five in the  NBA draft. Gordon went number six to the Clippers. Gordon’s release is lightening quick. He can come off a screen shooting. He is an exceptional player and totally gifted, given his young age.

College coaches continue to make the big bucks. In addition to their huge contracts. Huge incentives, shoe contract, television shows, uniform contracts and incentives for winning. A Division I college coaching job is not at all a bad proposition.

College basketball is a big time business. Especially for the major Division I institutions where the rich just keep getting richer. The one and done athletes continually select the large top ten schools for their one year of college basketball sabbatical; someplace where they can get great exposure and raise their draft position.

It is winning a proposition for College coaches at the power Division I colleges, because not only do they have an excellent chance at going to the big dance; but they have a great shot at winning it all. To do so means an incentive bonus for the coach and a huge payday for them school.

To hire a well known coach is like hiring a marketing brand in itself like. Roy Williams, Bill Self, Ben Howland, Lute Olsen, Rick Pitino, John Calipari, all are big time coaches that are tremendous draws. The blue chip college athlete is more than likely to choose their school. What that means is usually a cash bonanza for both the coach and the school.

While the coach and the school make out the one and done blue chip athlete makes out even better. Where does it leave the other less talented players? They do get scholarships and a four year college education; if they take advantage of the opportunity. Lute Olsen after losing California High Schooler Brandon Jennings possibly to European Professional Basketball, has vowed that he will never again recruit one and done players. Olsen calls the rule that requires a high school player to not enter the NBA draft until they turn 19 years of age, a farce. Most elect to attend one year of college.

Many coaches don’t see it the same way as Olsen. Tim Floyd Head Coach at USC , who signed OJ Mayo to what turned into a one year contract, said his one year with Mayo did wonders for his program and for the school.

Tubby Smith says who wouldn’t want to coach the best talent available even if it is for one year.

But something is inherently wrong when colleges place so much emphasis on cash cow sports and not enough on making sure all students both athlete and non-athlete have a real chance in life, by making sure that they receive a college education.

The Cost of attending a four year college; both state and private has skyrocketed to the point, that the average student would be hard pressed to fund a college education and it would be harder for the parents as well. As it stands now colleges are in the middle of misguided rules set up by the NBA and it is affecting everyone; coaches, players and their families, and not to mention involving unscrupulous agents as soon as high school player hit the recruiting radar screen