No excuses friends
Friends and acquaintances continue to “inform” me how bad the Lakers have played this season. They do this figuring I’m not watching the games. I have taken their comments in good nature, I’ve refused to dwell on the numerous injuries the Lakers have suffered. It’s always been my belief (fair or unfair) a team needs quality players behind its front line. Laker backups on this team have not been very good. As for the Heat that’s another story.
A number of their fans have continued to explain the teams up and down play. I hear; “they (Heat) or “Wade’s injury has impacted the up and down play.” The latest I heard; “Battier is not having a good year.” The latest came from a member of the media Stephan A. Smith; “LeBron is banged up” was his observation. The NBA is at the halfway point of it’s long 81 game season. I’m certainly not stating the Heat won’t repeat. I refuse to excuse the Lakers for their poor play this season. It would be interesting if Heat fans adopt that same view.
The Celtics rebuild
I don’t regularly read Boston publications, in addition I don’t tune into the NESN Network either. I’m unsure the prevailing views of Danny Ainge in New England these days. I would bet money a number of Celtic fans might have been upset with Ainge. The trade of Pierce/Garnett/Terry caught all of us off guard; fans may have been more upset trading Paul Pierce than Garnett and Terry. The departure of the Big Two (Allen left earlier) cleaned the slate, the Celtics could begin rebuilding in earnest. In fact the injured Rajon Rondo was the only remaining Celtic who played major minutes for them. In earlier times it’s said baseball programs were sold with the call; “Ya can’t tell the players without a program.” That adage may well represent the 2013-14 Celtics.
A good loss?
This time of year the media begins focusing on the possibility of NCAA tournament teams. A term has come into common usage which I believe is a little strange--see if you agree. I hear a particular team being discussed and the term “bad loss” is listed. I might pose the question is there such a thing as a good loss? The early season loss by Duke (4) to Kansas (5) might be an example. The positions have been reversed now, as this is written Duke has slid to the number 17 slot while Kansas lies at number 6.
A fierce rebounding machine
His NBA career scoring and rebound totals are matching, 11.9 ppg and 11.9 rebounds a game. Those were the numbers of Bill Bridges 6-6 228 pound power forward, Bridges took up residence at Kansas immediately after Wilt Chamberlain left for the Globetrotters. Bridges was drafted in 1961 by the Chicago Packers, the team would later move to Baltimore becoming the Bullets. Much later they would move from Baltimore to Washington D.C. and are now the Wizards.
Bridges chose to sign with the Kansas City Steers of the ABL and remained with them until the league folded. He then signed with the St. Louis Hawks who secured his draft rights. The NBA was a far different league in 1962 however there were few players his size with such outstanding rebounding prowess. 6-5 Elgin Baylor is the only player of that era exceeding Bridges (13.5) in rebounding. Bridges managed a 13-year pro career playing for a number of teams. He retired as a member of the Warriors in 1975 another name of note.
