NBA championship format
Casual fans have asked me why the NBA has 2-3-2 game format for it’s championship series. The change occurred back in the ’80’s and I’d forgotten the background for the change. *“The 2-3-2 format was first introduced in The Finals in 1985, about the time that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics made the championship round their personal playgrounds. Because of the four-hour flights and strictly commercial travel, it made traipsing back and forth across the country five times in a series quite impractical.  Those days, of course, are long gone. Teams now travel on luxurious charter flights that can leave the night after games or the following day if they so choose."  The NBA is considering a return to the 2-2-1-1-1 format.  *NBA.com

Sorry NBA fans
I hate stated awhile back I would leave Dwight Howard in my rear-view mirror, I cannot after his most recent statement. To paraphrase his quote; “I hated to leave Los Angeles but I wanted to win.” On the surface sounds innocent enough if he played for a number of unsuccessful franchises which I refuse to name. Understandable if Howard said “they haven’t won an NBA Championship since 2010”. Again he would be correct; it will be four years next June since the Laker won it all.

Clipper Matt Barnes claims “Laker fans live in the past it’s a new age the Clippers are Los Angeles now.” I have some news for Howard and former Laker Barnes, this franchise has won 16 NBA Championships. The only other franchise with a significant number of championships is the Celtics with 17. No argument Dwight the Lakers had become an older team, you left because you thought they would never vie for a championship again ever? Well not this upcoming season but never, that’s a long, long time.

“The ship be sinking”
It’s hoped Nets fans will not be upset with this account, it’s important for the Knicks to remain successful for the sake of the NBA. The Knicks are a storied franchise plus they operate in the largest metropolitan area in the nation New York City. As for the headline; “the ship be sinking” was a quote attributed to Michael Ray Richardson. He uttered the often quoted line regarding the 1980 Knicks. We must begin this tale with owner James Dolan; it’s often difficult to determine the moves of owner Dolan. We heard stories Dolan wanted to re-hire Isiah Thomas in some role. He wanted to do this despite the Knicks suffered through a catastrophe period with Thomas at the helm. Of course the entire mess could not be laid strictly on the shoulders of the coach. The front office was complacent too, a house cleaning was required; the coach and several front office personnel were removed.

As for the latest Dolan move, he’s replaced Glen Grunwald as president and general manager with Steve Mills. Grunwald and Donny Walsh who departed earlier were key to “plugging holes in the sinking ship” the Knicks had become. Hey, wasn’t Mills the guy who recommended Dolan hire Thomas initially? Wasn’t Mills in charge of the front office during those disastrous years? After missing the playoffs for 6 straight years the last 3 have seen them in post-season play. They even managed to win a playoff series for the first time in forever. I always wish to approach any change in circumstance from a positive point. I’m certainly don‘t wish to predict dire predictions with Mills returning to the front office. Hopefully Mills has grown and learned and the Michael Ray prediction won’t come true for a second time.

A settlement reached
Media reports indicate former UCLA basketball player and plaintiff Ed O’Bannon has reached a partial settlement in his case. Defendants Electronic Arts and Collegiate Licensing Company have agreed on an undisclosed payment amount to O’Bannon. The NCAA portion of this lawsuit remains open.

I’m too old
ESPN is reporting this story (not yet confrimed) the Nets and Heat will have nicknames on their jerseys when facing one another. “King James, The Truth and Big Ticket” might be placed on the jerseys of LeBron James, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett respectively.  This nickname thing returns to a fad popularized by the XFL, many may be too young to remember the XFL.  This was a football league founded in 2000 by WWE owner Vince McMahon, it only operated one year.  The leagues claim to fame might be the jersey worn by Rod Smart of the Las Vegas Outlaws.  His jersey read; "He Hate Me" in reference to XFL players Smart claimed disliked him.  Simply stated I'm okay with nicknames they don't belong of the back of basketball or football jerseys.