NO……PLEASE NO
I saw the report on SportsCenter and later on TWC Sportsnet. I almost screamed out loud when I saw it-----NO, PLEASE NO! What prompted my response you ask? The report indicated the Lakers had a 6.3% chance of acquiring the number one pick in the 2014 draft. If that should occur memories of the first lottery in 1985 came to me. The Knicks were one of the teams which qualified based on their won-loss record. There were a number of quality athletes in the 1985 draft however Ewing was considered best of all. New York fans had become familiar with Ewing, his Georgetown team played in the Garden on several occasions during his tenure in college. Former Knick and then director of basketball operations Dave DeBusschere was assigned to represent his team at the lottery.
The NBA desiring a successful team in New York City placed one of the cards in the hopper slightly bent. DeBusschere reaching into the hopper was able to easily locate the card. The following month the Knicks with the first pick drafted Ewing, does that really make sense? There were seven cards placed in the hopper which was turned several times. How could DeBusschere have been able to locate the “correct card?” Conspiracy theorists have been busy with this tale since 1985. No way do I wish to see the Lakers be fortunate enough to win the pick, we’d be witness to the the beginning of another “NBA conspiracy?” The NBA office determines the Lakers return to glory. In addition I’d never hear the last of it from friends and acquaintances of mine.
Faith in Haith
Reports indicate Tulsa approached Frank Haith not the other way around. He is still a winning coach despite an average 2013-14 SEC season; his overall record is still good. Haith was 76-28 and 34-19 in one Big XII and two SEC seasons. He stands 205-129 and a career .614 winning percentage. I believe the Miami mess worked against Haith with many of the Mizzou faithful. I suppose a certain bunch thought Haith was not a good X and O coach. I’ve mentioned this previously a number of Mizzou fans think this program is Duke, North Carolina or Kansas. As a Mizzou fan I must tell the truth even if it hurts, nobody is gonna bust down the door for this job. Who replaces Frank Haith is the next big question. Kansas City talk radio tossed out several number of names, names I’m unsure are looking in the direction of Columbia Missouri. The names are worthy but would they be interested in the job?
Greg Marshall Wichita State and Shaka Smart VCU are the top names mentioned. Ben Howland successful at Pitt and later UCLA was another name. AD Mike Alden has quite a task in front of him, he must open the Mizzou coffers and write a check with a large number of zeros. The next sentence might sound mean spirited, that is not the intent just the truth. Alden cannot choose an assistant coach whose desire is to become a head coach, he cannot hire a head coach from an obscure program. Whomever AD Alden chooses hopefully he doesn’t make the decision alone. It would be wise to use a team of consultants to aid him in choosing the next coach. Finally it was refreshing to hear the radio interview with former player Kim English. English defended Haith despite the fact he was not one of the coaches recruits. .
They played beyond expectations
Phoenix Suns and Coach Jeff Hornacek should be congratulated for their regular season winning record. It’s noteworthy because the Suns were supposed to be one of the teams tanking. They were supposed to lose games in order to enhance their 2014 draft position. A funny thing occurred, somebody forget to inform the Suns, and instead of bottoming out they barely missed the playoffs. To give you an idea how well they played they finished the season with a 48-34 record barely missing the Western Conference playoffs. In the Eastern Conference the Nets made the playoffs finishing in the 6th slot, their record 48-34.
Only a report
His father is Arvydas Sabonis former Euro player and TrailBlazer. The political climate of the era did not allow the elder Sabonis to play in the NBA, he began play as a 31-year old rookie. In the time Arvydas played he proved to be especially skilled as a passer. Did I mention dad was elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2010. His son is not as tall (dad is 7-3), and dad played at 292 pounds. 6-11 230 pound Domantas Sabonis has enrolled at Gonzaga and will be in action this fall, he played for Unicaja of the Spanish ACB league but didn’t sign a pro contract.
He’s now a star
The Blazers Damian Lillard was already under contract to Adidas recently he signed an extension to the agreement. I’m not going to discuss the $$$ I’d rather talk about the why of the extension. Adidas has a significant number of NBA players under contract but no one whose on-court game is on the rise, say what? The Rockets Dwight Howard doesn’t have star power, how about the Bulls Derrick Rose or Tim Duncan?
Lillard’s game has risen significantly in the eyes of many NBA fans. A virtual unknown he emerged from Weber State to become the 2012-13 NBA Rookie of the Year, this year he’s led his Blazer team into the playoffs. As for the athletes mentioned I don’t believe Adidas is thrashing any of them or any others wearing their shoe brand. Consider this tidbit the players mentioned have peaked their game is not ascending, as for Rose his injuries has tarnished his star power. See his “No Rings” commercial for Adidas, it’s really funny.
