NBA: Tired Of Baseball And Football? Hoops Season is Here!

So you don't care that the A's and Giants have both earned playoff berths? Think the 49ers two-game winning streak is a fluke? Well, for hoop fans everywhere, none of that matters because basketball season has arrived! NBA training camps opened around the country this past Monday and college basketball's "Midnight Madness" is just a week away!

This column is the place to get news, notes, analysis, and opinions about Northern California basketball. "On and Off the Court" will bring you season previews, team coverage, player profiles, and more from teams in your area! There will be reports on pro, major college, junior college and maybe even high school basketball action. And just for good measure, comments on some national sports issues will be thrown in there too!

You get the idea... so here we go!

* If Sacramento NBA fans want to see Chris Webber stay with the Kings, they better hope that the rest of the team steps it up a notch or three(hint, hint for you J-Will). C-Webb will be THE big-name free agent next summer unless the Geoff Petrie can get him signed to an extension.

* Dare I say the Golden State starting lineup looks tough? With Mookie Blaylock, Larry Hughes, Antawn Jamison, Danny Fortson and Erick Dampier, yes I do!

* Former UOP and current LA Clipper center Michael Olowokandi should be pleased to the see the talent level and overall depth of his team dramatically improved. However, when the season starts 5 Clippers will be 20 years old or younger. Even with all that talent, it remains to be seen whether or not this organization is capable of winning.

* After their first losing season in 8 years, the Pacific Tigers are older and more experienced. Can coach Bob Thomason get them back to post season play? One key will be the return of 6-10 sophomore center Tim Johnson who is coming off a medical redshirt season.

* Meanwhile, former UOP assistant coach Tony Marcopulos has taken the reigns of the men's basketball program at Cabrillo Junior College in Aptos, CA. He has plenty of work to do... the Seahawks were a combined 9-48 over the past 2 seasons.

* Speaking of a lot of work to do... Sacramento State's new Head Coach, Jerome Jenkins, has a tough job ahead of him. Then again, the Hornets were 12-39 over the past 2 seasons so things can't get much worse.

* One of college basketball's legendary coaches lost his this summer... but the IU campus sure got a lot safer! "Hey Knight," this hoop fan will be glad when you're out of the headlines for good.

* Just when I was beginning to think that sending NBA players to represent the U.S. at the Olympics might be unnecessary, a too-close-for-comfort gold medal game changes my mind in a hurry!