He's the first
D'Angelo Allen a 6-6 185 pound small forward was in Columbia (MO) over the weekend.
From what might have first appeared bad becomes good, the recruiting concern. Associate head Coach Tim Fuller had been recruiting Allen so that certainly worked in the favor of Mizzou. Allen a Texas native (Dallas) is the first of what is hoped will be a continuing number of talents to the Mizzou program. Somebody in the athletic department was thinking it might be good for Fuller to remain a member of the coaching staff.
He’s becoming a legend
Blood does not flow throw Damian Lillard’s veins; I believe its ice water. By now I hope you’ve had an opportunity to see his 3-point buzzer beater that sunk the Rockets. I’ve maintained for a time Weber State may have been one of the few schools willing to offer Lillard a scholarship. We fast forward four years to the 2012 NBA Draft, the draft contained a number of players from high profile institutions.
Weber State and Lillard were probably not in the count. Blazer scouts begged to differ with the general consensus; they had seen him play and projected him as a potential talent. The team made him the 6th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, this 6-3 195 pound point guard was later honored as 2013 Rookie of the Year. In 2014 he made his first NBA All-Star team, his future is certainly on an upward trend.
Part II
Rocket fans your better than that, I’m referring to the email responses I read in the Houston Chronicle. One letter in particular; “They didn’t start the clock until he (Lillard) was already shooting.” Another writer referred to “home town time keeping,” a reference to the game being played in Portland. These letters and others caused me to review the last few seconds of the game again. 0.9 seconds remained when official play resumed.
I had no stop watch however my thoughts went back to the ‘04 Laker-Spurs playoff series. The Spurs defending NBA Champions were upset as Fisher tossed in a 3-point shot with 0.4 left to win the series. As for Lillard he broke off a double screen and hit a 3-pointer from the left side of the court. It appears a number of Rocket fans have purchased tickets on the Conspiracy Theory Bus Line and have climbed on board. In addition they forget the referees must review the shot before it’s ruled an official field goal.
The search begins
It could be George Karl, Byron Scott or Lionel Hollins or somebody else. The somebody else could be college coaches Kevin Ollie or John Calipari. I’m referring to D’Antoni’s replacement as head coach. My first choice is Lionel Hollins ex-of the Grizzlies. Hollins strictly because he thinks defense first one of the principle issues facing the Lakers. In second place Byron Scott, former Laker and veteran coach. Scott has a mixed record very good while coaching the Nets only average at other stops. George Karl, I’ve never be a big-time Karl fan however the guy is a winner. I believe (check me please) Karl’s had only one or two losing seasons at a number of NBA stops.
I suppose Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Duke’s Coach K. could make the transition to the NBA somewhat trouble-free. Neither I believe is in a hurry to leave the collegiate ranks. Sitting in an outside position may be Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg; he’s got NBA connections as a player and in the front office of the Wolves. Management indicates they are taking their time selecting a replacement head coach. Taking time doesn’t concern me based on the success that three of the last four coaches had not named Jackson.
