They just might have an advantage

Darko Milicic all 7 feet of him remains in the NBA; he became an amnesty victim of the Wolves. He could have sought opportunities in Europe he chose to remain here; Milcic signed a 1-year contract with the Celtics. He’s had a checkered NBA career but his role might be somewhat different with the Celtics. The stretch run last season had 6-11 Kevin Garnett playing the bulk of the minutes at center. In addition to Milcic the Celtics drafted 7 foot Fab Melo from Syracuse and they added veteran center Jason Collins. The Heat have Chris Bosh at the five or center position, he’s backed up by Joel Hamilton and Josh Harrelson. The Heat has the advantage at the small forward the Celtics at the power forward. The Celtics at the point over the Heat at the point guard. The Celtics have the advantage over the Heat at the center position in talent and number. The belief might be “your better than us at several positions but we are going to pound you down low.” We shall see how this develops over the course of the season and into the playoffs.

A reminder

Information update for many who tend to forget history. At one stage during the 2010-11 season the Heat was 9-8? Playing barely above .500 with a lineup of LeBron, Wade and Bosh. Of course you remember how they finished don’t you? The team eventually jelled and even managed to later play for the NBA Championship that year. It’s worth remembering the slow start of the team as they attempted to adjust play as a unit. Does this story sound familiar for another NBA team?

I wish someone could explain this

One of the two highly touted Class of 2012 athletes has been cleared to play. UCLA announced 6-9 shooting guard Kyle Anderson and Rivals #3 is eligible to play. The case for his 6-6 teammate Shabazz Muhammad’s (Rivals #1) is still open. Anderson was under investigation due to alleged ties to an NBA agent. Muhammad’s story is essentially the same questions regarding unauthorized travel among other issues. I think we all understand amateur versus professional status. The issue requiring clarification for us, how can an athlete enroll in August and then not be cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse on November 1? This is not the first incident of a similar nature, it probably will be repeated until the NCAA gets its act in order.

Stop me if you heard this

I'm really joking; those of you in Boston or Miami might have been aware earlier than me. Often time even with free agent signings I don’t crunch the numbers. I don’t do it for a number of reasons, the chief reason we are not privy to the contract decision making, and we have no idea the basis for player A earning more than player B. The Heat signing Ray Allen surprised me; I’m even more surprised at the caw-caw flying back and forth between Allen, Rondo, Garnett and occasionally Doc Rivers. Those of us on the outside never have the true picture but this is the circulated report. This one flew right past me at the time, I just plain missed it. The Heat was reported to have signed Allen to a 3-year contract at $9 million a year. Prior to Allen signing with the Heat his former team was reported to have offered him a 2-year contract at $12 million a year.

Is it the same thing?

Former ESPN and NBA TV broadcaster Andre Aldridge would often use the term. Jason Jackson current Heat broadcaster also used it. Both often refer to the NBA as “The Association.” Ever wondered why the NBA is an association while the NFL, MLB and NHL were leagues? It might have been as simple as the parties coming together. Two “leagues” who became one, the National Basketball League was founded in 1937 while the Basketball Association of America begun in 1946. A definition in Dictionary.com states “the act of associating or state of being associated.” These two would merge in 1949 to become the National Basketball Association. Historical: Although the National Basketball League might have been considered minor league it eclipsed baseball in one aspect. A significant number of athletes were in military service due to WW II. Two teams signed African-American players years prior to Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball. (Wikipedia)