Who was he rooting for?
Did you see the exchange between Denzel Washington, Spike Lee and LeBron James? The television camera caught the trio prior to game four exchanging pleasantries at Barclays Center. We realize Washington lives in Southern California now however were you aware he was born in and grew up in Mount Vernon (NY)? For those who might be geography challenged Mount Vernon is about 25 miles or so from Brooklyn. As for life-long Knicks fan and Brooklyn resident Spike Lee could he be at the game to root for the Nets?
“Stupid is a stupid does”
You remember the headline is from the movie “Forrest Gump” but it could just as easily apply to the Cavs. Why would the Cavs re-hire a coach they fired previously? Did Brown perform a feat(s) worthy of re-hire? Perhaps he gained wisdom while employed by the Lakers, wisdom not displayed the first time around. Maybe the majority of questions must be addressed by Brown. Did financial considerations impact a Cleveland return. Maybe the bottom line Brown is stupid for taking the position again. I don’t believe Brown is a terrible person, he knows basketball, it’s my belief his best work lies as an assistant coach. With the Mike Brown firing there are now seven head coaching positions open, you can send your resume (not in any order) to the Pistons, Warriors, Knicks, Wolves, Lakers, Jazz or Cavs. NOTE: Reports indicate Stan Van Gundy has been hired to coach the Pistons.
This is gonna continue to get messy
Mess might be an easy term to apply to the present situation. My first thought Commissioner Silver acted swiftly and forthright regarding Donald Sterling. The resulting aftermath is a totally different matter. Shelly Sterling is stating; “she wants to remain owner of the Clippers.” Even more interesting her side indicates Coach Doc Rivers is okay with Shelly taking over the team. I believe if an owner named Sterling or a family member is in charge of the Clippers in the fall there will be problems. I have come to the conclusion ownership of this team has become an ego question for both Sterling’s. The team was purchased in 1981 for $12.5 million and is estimated to be worth between $500 and $700 million dollars.
The drama created will ensure the Clippers remain headline news despite what might they might accomplish on the basketball court. There is one party who’s escaped blame in this fiasco----that is former Commissioner David Stern. Stern had no direct involvement but was aware of prior legal issues involving both Sterling’s. This mess is an embarrassment to the NBA and its too bad for the league I think is the best in professional sports. Defenders of Donald Sterling have indicated he was taped illegally in the initial tape. Okay you may be correct, what about the Anderson Cooper interview on CNN? The rambling sometimes disjointed interview may not prove Sterling is racist; it does prove he’s over simplified the facts and has made Magic Johnson the problem.
A point guard
Mizzou lost a junior college point with the coaching change, it's always a good idea to have a veteran presence at the point. Mizzou played Hawaii last November I don’t remember much about the game other than Hawaii lost the game. This past weekend “5th year” point guard Keith Shamburger tweeted he would complete his collegiate career in Columbia (MO). If we check his shooting numbers he was average from the floor but managed 5.4 assists per game for Hawaii. If Shamburger is allowed to transfer how Mizzou will be affected is unknown at this point. It is interesting he chose Mizzou over Auburn and Ohio University.
Superman versus Superman
Shaquille O’Neal TNT analyst continues to offer critical remarks regarding Dwight Howard‘s game. Feuds sometimes have strange beginnings; I believe the Superman persona may have been the basis for this one. When he arrived in the NBA in 1992 Shaq chose a number of nicknames for himself one being Superman. Howard arriving in 2004 also laid claimed to the nickname Superman. The two combatants have gone back and forth over the years covering a variety of issues many such as whose Superman unrelated to basketball. Shaq has stated on occasion there’s been little growth in Howard’s game during the course of his career.
Howard has relied more on his physical prowess than growing his game. The player we witnessed in the 2009 Finals is basically the same we saw in the 2014 playoffs. Physical talent aside there’s been little mental growth to his game. I wrote at the time and I still believe Howard left the Lakers because he didn’t want to be the man. Kobe has maybe two years left; Howard would have become the man, he talks the talk but fails to walk the walk. Okay you say Shaq did the same thing leaving the Lakers too. I believe Shaq left because he couldn’t be the man with a young Kobe hitting his stride.
