They serve as co-hosts
New York City has two NBA teams so why shouldn’t both teams serve as hosts? The NBA will award the 2015 All-Star game to the City of New York. The Knicks and Nets will serve as co-hosts for the game. The game will be played in Madison Square Garden the remainder of All-Star events will be held in The Barclays Center.
Bill Self over Coach K?
According to the Kansas City Star quoting Jeff Goodman of ESPN Bill Self is ahead of Mike Krzyzewski in the eyes of the NBA. Ahead in that Self is considered the top candidate for the next head coaching position to open in the NBA. Self has always maintained an “I’m available” attitude whenever he’s been questioned by the media. There are several factors other than Self’s readiness. His coaching record has been impeccable at every stop including Kansas; in addition he’s won an NCAA Basketball Championship. As for Coach K., he’s continued to state publicly on more than one occasion there is no desire for him to leave Duke. A key for Coach K. might be his age; he will be 67 years old before the current season is complete.
Although his status is unclear at this point Coach K. might be looking toward retirement rather than the NBA. In actuality he’s probably more NBA ready than Self, he’s coached USA basketball on six different occasions. A number of the current high profile players know him personally; the same statement cannot be made on behalf of Bill Self. On the other hand Self just turned 50 which is probably an ideal age to coach an NBA team. Allow me to pose this observation; you have a friend who works in the private sector. One day he calls you and indicates he‘s been offered another position. Your friend says “This job offers me larger salary; in addition it offers prestige only 30 other guys hold a similar position.” What do you advise your friend, take the job or pass on it?
He’s a proficient shooter
I read 40-year old Steve Nash says he’s ready for the 2013-14 season. I have no doubt a healthy Nash will contribute to the success of the Laker team. He was racked with injuries his first year in a Laker uniform, he didn’t have the opportunity to fully display his talent. His numbers all across the board were all down but certainly decent for a point guard. Nash shot .497 from the floor and .438 from the 3-point line. He scored 12.7 points per game while distributing nearly 7 assists a game. This morning’s discussion on TWC Sports Net someone said; “how healthy can a 40-year old feel?” I can agree with that statement, Nash was never the speediest guy anyway. Injury free, limited back to back game minutes and plain lesser minutes should extend his career for at least another season.
Where is he now?
Recommended to read is Jonathan Abrams in Grantlands.com September 19 edition, Abrams wrote an in-depth story on Korleone Young. Several of you might be unfamiliar with Young; he was a 6-7 213 forward on his way to an NBA career. The only problem Abrams points out Young’s NBA career lasted all of 15 minutes. The Wichita (KS) native declared for the NBA draft in 1998 his senior year in high school. Young (and several others) have became the primary reason for the age 19 or one-year after high school graduation rule. Read the article, excellent journalism piece.
How about owner, that’s no nickname
Shaquille O'Neal was fond of providng the media with a number of nicknames he gave himself. Interesting in the fact his latest nickname is actually not one-----it's owner. He's been confirmed as one of the minority owner of the Sacramento Kings. You remember the Kings, that team he punished on the court while a member of the Lakers. That team he nicknamed "The Queens," Do you suppose an apology might be in order?
