Points: Nuggets 3, T-Wolves 2, Lakers 1

Coaching: Who’s Frank Hamblen? He’s not Rudy T. He’s not Coach K. He’s not Phil Jackson. In sum, he’s probably not good enough.

Kevin McHale probably shouldn’t have pulled plug so soon on Flip Saunders. Saunders was a great coach, and a playoff upset this year would have re-invigorated his team. Now, McHale’s got himself on bench. Let’s consider other 1980s Celtics as coaches --- ML Carr, Danny Ainge, Larry Bird. Moderate successes, yes, but are any still coaching? There’s a reason why… eventually, they all underachieved. Putting an underachiever with a group of underachievers probably isn’t best mix…

George Karl is a savvy veteran coach. You can say all you want about his conspicuous lack of jewelry, but he’s won 60 games twice. The Nuggets have never won 60 games. The Nuggets have been on fire since he got job from Michael Cooper by way of Jeff Bzedlik, recently winning six in a row. ‘Melo’s game is more diverse, more guys are getting quality minutes, and team seems to play with a confidence and unity previously lacking. Karl was right addition here, even counting rumors that he might be looking to ship Anthony away for his fear of playing tight defense.

Points: Nuggets 3, T-Wolves 2, Lakers 1

Remaining Schedule:

The Lakers, who are 20-11 at Staples Center, play only 10 of their remaining 23 games at home. In addition, they go on a road trip next week which features games at Dallas, Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, and Indiana. They end season with relative cream puffs Golden State and Portland, but play three consecutive games right before that against Phoenix, Sacramento, and Dallas. All of those games are at home, but are still tough draws.

The Timberwolves, only 17-14 at home this year, play only 9 of their remaining games at Target Center, and their last two home games are against Seattle (on pace for 59 wins) and San Antonio (on pace to win West). In addition, they have road games at Phoenix, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Dallas sprinkled throughout their final month and a half.

The Nuggets are 18-9 at Pepsi Center this year, and play 14 of their final 23 contests at home. In final month, they do travel to Minneapolis, but they also get 2 games against Hornets --- worst team in league --- and also play Portland and Golden State, both in Mile High City. The Nuggets also draw Grizzlies twice in final three weeks. While Grizz are playoff-bound themselves, it’s a favorable match-up for a streaking Denver squad.

Points: Nuggets 3, Lakers 2, Timberwolves 1

Intangibles Kobe needs to reach playoffs as a No. 8 seed, score 50 points every night, and off No. 1 team in West. In some ways, it would help restore his credibility and erase notions he can’t do it without Shaq. Also, it might help Frank Hamblen not become an assistant again next year.

The Timberwolves need to prove their 2003-2004 campaign was no joke, and some of their contract year players could benefit from extra playing time and bigger stage of playoffs.

The Nuggets are young, and aren’t expected to do much besides make playoffs. They have a determined team and a determined coach, but aside from Anthony keeping pace with LeBron (who’s probably going to make playoffs this year), team doesn’t have a ton to prove right now.

Points: Lakers 3, Timberwolves 2, Nuggets 1

The Final Score: Nuggets 10, Timberwolves 7, Lakers 7

Karl’s bunch is streaking, all right --- straight into a first-round date with best of West.

I have a book in final stages of preparation in USA titled "Positive Aikido, 45 yrs of Traditional teachings ". Arthur Lockyear most prominent writer on Aikido is also gathering information on history of "Aikido in UK". I also understand that Sensei Williams is also preparing something on same lines.

Once a fellow Aikidoist has read history of our Aikido then perhaps you will realise why few of us that are left from early days are so protective of its origins.

Prior to this claim of 47 years, Mr. Poole has always chosen to totally ignore me and my existence when attending British Aikido Board meetings. Maybe he feels that if he ignores me he then can ignore his true history.

During time Mr. Poole was in my beginner’s class, he was always a good student, and I can never recall any problems or concerns. I have no concerns either regarding Mr Poole’s impersonation of O'Sensei on poster I received, nor do I envy fact that he is only person to my knowledge to ever have a grade in" Budo". However I do have grave concerns for true principals of Aikido, and just as importantly its survival as a creditable Martial Art.

The planned celebration by M Poole is to take place in April. I have written to Mrs. Shirley Timms, secretary to British Aikido Board, to ask British Aikido Board to authenticate Mr. Pooles claim. Mrs. Timms told me that this would take some time. I suggested to her that now was right time, before he commits himself to "celebration".

On Saturday 11th of March 2000, I traveled to Birmingham with Sensei Derek Eastman's (The 4th survivor from 1950’s) son, Mark. This was first time he had attended a General Meeting of British Aikido Board, he could not believe how proceedings went.

On arrival at meeting Mrs. Timms hurried ahead of everyone else, I can only assume to advise Chairman Toni Davies that I was here to speak at Item 11 of agenda, which was any other business. This is only time that you can bring any other issues to attention of board). After sitting in meeting for almost 3 hours we eventually reached Item 11, any other business, and as quickly as I stood up Chairman called meeting closed. I asked to be allowed to speak and Bill Smith Sensei one of most respected men in Aikido, called out "Let man speak" and again "Let man speak". This is an abuse of privilege that we have never seen before in British Aikido Board. I was refused permission to speak and raise matter of Mr Poole. I have been told that Mr Poole claims to have trained in France and that he has a letter from O'Sensei. In those early days we too trained in France, we still have contacts in France, so it would be possible to check out this claim. With reference to letter from O'Sensei, I have no comment.

In its hurry to dismiss item 11 from agenda, board also omitted very last item on agenda, which was date of next meeting.

By protecting Mr. Poole from what would have been a simple question of authenticity British Aikido Board have actually accepted his claim to rewrite history of British Aikido, and given him their full approval.

When I carry out a display of Aikido I always use a couple of beginners to try to encourage other people to join, I have a 8mm film converted to video clearly showing Mr Poole in 1967/8 as a beginner.

Addition:

AIKIDO in THE UK

The origins and history of Aikido in UK started with its introduction by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1955 and his first student was Sensei Ken Williams. A small select group of dan grades developed around Sensei Williams at Abbe School of Budo, Hillingdon Middx.

Apart from Sensei Williams there are only four survivors from those early days, Sensei's Foster, Ellis, Reynolds & Eastman. When Sensei Foster and I were training at "HUT" in 1950s I am sure that neither of us ever thought that we would still be involved in Aikido 45 years later. Sensei Williams always had great faith in future of Aikido, and would often say to me that Aikido would grow to be most popular martial art in UK, and all early dan grades would one day be full time professional teachers. The promotion of Aikido in those early days was such a struggle that although I felt just as passionately about Aikido as Sensei Williams, I must admit I did not share his vision.

The early history of British Aikido is a colourful one with many anecdotes as we early teachers tried to promote Aikido. Now after 45yrs those original four are still teaching and promoting Aikido.

After all these years I (Henry Ellis) still feel as passionately and dedicated as I did in those early days. I have always had a strong and positive approach to Aikido and I know that other teachers and I are all very proud of our history and our small part in development of what was once only a vision of Sensei Williams. Today that vision is now a reality.

I trust that any true student of Aikido will know that I care little for my own promotion but only for Protection and Promotion of Martial Art of Aikido that I have devoted most of my life to.

Yours in Budo, Sensei Henry Ellis