Where in the world is----------
The Republic of Cabo Verde or Cape Verde? It’s a nation comprised of 10 islands located about 350 miles from the West Africa coast. Other than geography what else does Cape Verde offer us? Well among other valuable commodities might be one Walter Tarvares. Tarvares is a 7-2 265 pound center who is projected to be a second round draft pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He’s tutoring in the ACB League in Spain, the term tutor is used because despite his 22 years he’s only been playing basketball since 2010. According to reports to date Tavares is more a rim protector than an offensive threat. You and I know how much the NBA covets players with defensive skills.
I’m sure they might ask
The Wizards may have one of the tallest front lines in the NBA. They have 6-11 240 pound Marcin Gortat at center and 6-11 250 pound Nene Hilario at the power forward. At small forward they have “little” Trevor Ariza at 6-8 and 225 pounds. I’m sure fans of the Wizard might ask the question “you wait till playoff time to discover a fact we‘ve known all along?” I offer no excuses other than I plain overlooked them, no further excuses offered. It’s my belief now the Pacers may be in trouble despite winning on Wednesday. To step out that shaky branch one step further the Wizards front line could give the Heat problems. We know height presents issues for the Heat that’s the reason the Pacer made the move for Bynum. In addition the Heat signed Greg Oden to aid their height issues.
MVP
I missed some but I called this one correctly months ago, I stated Kevin Durant would be the 2013-14 MVP. You might believe Durant receiving this honor would create no controversy-----right? Well you guessed wrong this is a sample of what I’ve heard. “They had to give the award to Durant. “Who are they and why was it necessary to “give” the MVP to Durant? Might I remind detractors the award is regular season it has nothing whatsoever to do with post-season play. LeBron James has won four regular season MVP awards, was 2013-14 a down year that caused him to lose out?
LeBron is still LeBron, I have no difficulty tagging him a super-star at the same time he has no monopoly on the award. I have mentioned on more than one occasion the difficulty I perceive Durant has playing alongside Westbrook. While Westbrook was on the injured list Durant took the Thunder on his shoulders and led them despite the fact Westbrook was on the injured list. Don’t give me that; “they had to give it to Durant” he won because he was more valuable to his team than LeBron was this past season.
Too bad
The SEC/Big 12 Challenge was announced earlier this week. The Mizzou Tigers will travel to face the Oklahoma Sooners; the Florida Gators will be on the road facing the Kansas Jayhawks. It’s too bad the matches couldn’t have been the two long-time rivals Mizzou-Kansas, I can hope can’t I?
He’s talking
Steve Kerr has met with Phil Jackson and no decision has been announced yet. Kerr has no previous coaching experience, should he be offered the position of head coach he’ll venture into foreign territory. Kerr played for Jackson while a member of the Chicago Bulls and has experience with the triangle offense. Kerr has served as President of Basketball Operations and General Manager for the Suns, he‘s been an NBA analyst for TNT on two separate occasions.
Looking for an owner?
Commissioner Silver’s announcement the Clippers were to be sold caused all kinds of strange and usual stories. Probably the strangest one circulating the day after the press conference the Clippers were headed to Kansas City. Who would own the team was never made clear. Magic Johnson purchasing the team was quickly denied by Magic. Also mentioned as potential buyers were boxers Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya, it should be noted the two inquires were separate and not intended to be a partnership.
On the other hand medial mogul Oprah Winfrey’s interest was to partner with David Geffen and Larry Ellison, all three billionaires. There appears to be no shortage of potential owners for the Clippers. Of course that makes for another question, if the NBA is such an awful business venture why are multiple buyers always standing by. Without researching the question I can only think of three or four instances an NBA franchise lasted an extended period on the market. There were circumstances not directly related to finance which allowed those teams to remain “for sale.” .
