The Halfcourt Trap Vol. I, No. 39.

As I recover from the sensory overload last weekend in Louisville, here are the week’s hoop topics.

1. Raising Arizona? Lute Olson is certainly wasting no time reshaping the face of his program. Miles Simon is out, Russ Pennell is added to the staff. All indications are that undergound coaching legend Mike Dunlap will eventually sign on to take Kevin O’Neill’s former spot as lead assistant. Also, ace recruiter Josh Pastner is likely headed to Memphis to assume Derek Kellogg’s former duties. For a program that has prided itself on stability, U of A looks awfully disfunctional.
2. Spurs Last Stand. The model franchise of the last decade appears to be on the ropes. They have looked a step slow in the first two games against New Orleans. Failure to protect their homecourt will result in the end of their season and multiple personnel changes.
3. Eastern Conference Horror Show. The East’s marquee team facing the conference’s iconic player. Seems perfect. However, Game 1 of the Cleveland-Boston series was arguably as bad a playoff game as the League has seen. Better offense will be needed to keep people from reaching for a barf bag.
4. Teacher v. Pupil. West Virginia and Ole Miss have signed a home and home series. That will reunite Bob Huggins and his star pupil, Andy Kennedy. With both programs on the uptick, those have the potential to be fabulous games.
5. Round and Round. The NBA continues to show that they are completely creatively challenged when it comes to hiring head coaches. The same guys continue to be recycled, while top assistants like Mario Elie and Adrian Dantley are denied their opportunity. Sad and pathetic.
6. Kobe’s Coronation. The Laker superstar received his first MVP award this week(Deservedly so). Now, if his team can capture the NBA title, he will have distanced himself from the field and proven himself to the League’s standard bearer.

Until next week, stay classy, Volnation.