He’s got another job
We can and should always seek employment if we desire. The circumstances of the hire can be quite bizarre on occasion---this is one of them. In a strange and unusual move the Nets Jason Kidd suddenly wanted out. The Nets front office gave him permission to converse with the Bucks. The next bit of information provided stated the Bucks had hired Kidd as head coach. Whoa just a minute don’t the Bucks already have a head coach? Yes and no, the bizarre part they fired Larry Drew once they announced Kidd was the new coach; he was traded to the Bucks for two second round draft choices. We discovered Kidd wanted player input with the Nets which they supposed to have said no. Although there is no word if the Bucks have granted Kidd the player personal wish it appears that might be the case.
I‘m borrowing from John Finestein sportswriter; “Kidd has violated the coaching allegiance, you don‘t get anyone fired in order to take their job.” We realize the Bucks have a new ownership group in place but firing Drew after just one year tops the bizarre list. Understand this Kidd leaves an old team that made the playoffs to one (promising) that won only 15 games this past season. I wanted to research and determine if any similar story had occurred anywhere in the sports world. The nearest similar incident might have occurred in major league baseball. The Cleveland Indians had a General Manager named Frank Lane who was notorious for player trades, he even once traded managers. *“In 1960 during his tenure with the Indians, he (Lane) swapped manager Joe Gordon in exchange for Detroit Tiger skipper Jimmy Dykes" Wikipedia
“There’s no place like home”
Derrick Rose was drafted by his hometown Chicago Bulls, Nick Young wasn’t drafted but managed to wear the jersey of the Clippers and Lakers, Los Angeles is home. As for others Denver native Chauncey Billups played first at Colorado and the Nuggets on two separate occasions. Udonis Haslem has never left the State of Florida, just kidding folks. He was born in Miami, played at Florida and with the exception of one years play in Europe he’s spent his career playing for the Heat. Indianapolis’s George Hill returned to play for the Pacers after being originally drafted by the Spurs.
His bio is similar to Haslem he didn’t venture too far to attend college, IUPUI was his choice. If you are unfamiliar with the initials of Hill’s school its Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. Cleveland was not home for LeBron James but Akron 50 miles or south is his birthplace and former home town. There are others who may have been omitted but I wanted to provide you background for this account. Often it might appear a player is not pleased with his destination in the case of Jabari Parker he probably was pleased. The Bucks made this Chicago native the second pick in the 2014 draft. Milwaukee is not home for Parker but its only 100 miles north from his home town of Chicago.
The statement is asinine
Leftover kaw-kaw from the NBA Championship, I’m a little surprised at Kevin Durant calling out Kwahi Leonard. It probably wasn’t intended to be mean-spirited but it appeared to be. How the question originated is unknown I’m only responding to the Durant answer. “They (Spurs) run no plays for Leonard.” From all indications Durant’s statement is most likely correct. On the other hand this has always been my belief, isn’t it more important for Leonard (or anyone else) to ready to score a basket(s) when called on? A further point for Durant and anyone else, below average games one and two didn’t prevent Leonard from becoming series MVP. He averaged 17.8 ppg shooting .612 from the field and .579 from the 3-point line. Leonard’s number might not have been called but he was ready and apparently able.
“It must be the shoes”
The exclamation “must be the shoes” was echoed by Mars (Spike Lee) Blackmon in a series of Michael Jordan Nike commercials. This was prior to MJ having his own brand of Nike’s. In any event the news is the Jordan brand has signed another one, hours prior to the draft Jabari Parker Chicago native and new Buck inked a contract. The dollar amount was not provided; he joins new Jazz guard Dante Exum who signed with Adidas earlier in the year. Shoe contracts will make both players wealthy prior to either sitting foot on an NBA court.
“It‘s old but I’m not sure if it’s practical”
I’d mentioned to an acquaintance Kansas City officials were debating how to best utilize Kemper Arena. His response to my statement; “I thought they had torn it (Kemper) down already. “ The story of Kemper Arena in Kansas City is certainly interesting. The arena was built specifically as a host building for the American Royal. The Royal is an annual horse and livestock and rodeo. In addition Kemper allowed the Kings to move from tiny (10,000) Municipal Auditorium to a 17,500 seat arena in 1974. Fast forward, in 2007 the city opened the new Sprint Center. The Sprint Center became a regular destination due to its more easily accusable location. It might be added with AEG managing the building a steady venue of top notch concerts became the norm.
Gradually over the years a number of events gradually moved from Kemper to the Sprint Center. After by-passing Kansas City for a number of years the NBA now visits regularly for pre-season games. Two proposals have been placed before the city council, one calling for demolishing the building and the other a usage change. In other parts of the nation the old arena no longer in continuous use has seen the wrecking ball. Reunion Arena in Dallas once home to the Mavs no longer exists and so do several others. As this was completed the problem might be resolved, Kemper is being considered as a historical building.
