A Miami move
Surprise, surprise Andrew Bynum is back in the league at least through the end of the season, the Pacers signed the 7-foot 285 pound Bynum. Coach Vogel can turn to 6-11 250 pound Ian Mahinmi or Bynum to back up 7-2 290 pound Roy Hibbert. The Pacers had a height advantage over the Heat previous to the Bynum signing; this move will only enhance that advantage. What do you think?
The landscape definitely changed
Hopefully you had an opportunity to view the David Stern retrospect on NBA TV. Friday the network covered the 30 years he served as commissioner of the NBA. Despite my sometimes negative commentary on many of his executive moves he did indeed change the landscape. I think I‘m safe in stating today’s NBA is the most diverse and has the most international rosters of any professional sport.
I believe the vast majority of these changes can be traced to Stern. One key I will cover is the NBA Championship. At the time Stern became commissioner the game was a tape-delayed broadcast. I know for a number of younger readers that’s difficult to comprehend but that was the NBA of 30 years ago. The Ernie Johnson interview will provide you far more information than I can provide in this brief account. Goodbye Commissioner Stern you have been good for the NBA.
He’s the decision maker
The Fox Sports.com headline read; “Reality check, should Peyton hang ‘em up after Super Bowl?” Of course the story dealt with Bronco’s quarterback Peyton Manning. The question is a valid one however isn’t retirement Manning’s decision? We could apply this same scenario to Kobe Bryant, a number in the media and a number of fans have suggested he should retire. It should be noted excluding the Lakers those desiring Kobe retire are likely not Laker fans. Over my lifetime I have been witness to a number of athletes who played past their prime all for a variety of different reasons. To retire or not is still in the hands of Peyton Manning and that other guy, Kobe Bryant.
Bits n Pieces
The Cavs announced they are retiring jersey 11 worn by Zydrunas Ilgauskas; the ceremony will take place March 8, 2014. After suffering a series of injuries early in his career this 7-3 center from Lithuania managed a 12-year career with the Cavs. He retired with the 2nd most block shots and points scored in Cavs history.
We are all guilty of unfair comparisons me included. I wrote of prospect Elbert Robinson, because he’s 7 feet tall and 300 pounds and committed to LSU I connected him to Shaq. Of course you remember the Big Aristotle played his college ball at LSU.
An ESPN reporter is claiming NBA scouts claim the gap between Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker has narrowed. Did they forget Parker was the number one prospect in 2013 and Wiggins was number one in 2014 until he re-classified.
In other Wiggins news I might be wrong so be it, here goes. I’ve read and heard complaints on Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins. “He drifts in and out of the offense, lacks aggressiveness at times” are just a few I’ll mention. The play of the Kansas point guards have been up and down which impacts Wiggins’ game. Consider this Wiggins might be one of those players whose game is tailored more for the NBA.
Two NBA coaches whose teams made the playoffs last season are now serving as television analysts. One of them is Lionel Hollins who was at the helm of the Grizzlies. Many of us were surprised at the time the coach was not invited to return. Even more interesting the Grizz might miss the playoffs.
