Rumors
The pop music group Timex Social Club released a song titled “Rumors” in 1986. If you are unfamiliar with the group or too young to remember it check it out on YouTube. The song is the lead-in for this NBA story, I intend to wait “until the dust settles” before proceeding further. There are so many NBA free-agent scenarios floating about I cannot keep up with them, I believe it might be just as difficult for you. For this reason alone I’m going to wait until the signings begin later in the month before attempting updates.
NBA coaches
The landscape apparently has changed hiring NBA coaches. We could begin our assessment by checking Jason Kidd’s resume. Kidd was hired by the Nets with 0 years of head coaching experience, he was a point guard in the spring and head coach in the fall of the same year. Prior to the Kidd hire the Warriors signed Mark Jackson as head coach, this former guard arrived from the ABC/ESPN Networks. In addition Jackson had no previous coaching experience. In the fall this season Steve Kerr will be at the helm for the Warriors with no previous experience. The same for Derek Fisher who will assume head coaching duties with the Knicks.
Fisher followed Kidd in that he too retired in the spring and will be head man in the fall. There is no one aspect to uncover why the rush to hire head coaches with no prior experience. Maybe this is an effort to avoid the coaching merry go round that‘s existed in the past. Example the coach at franchise A is fired a year or so later franchise B hires that same coach. Veteran coaches George Karl, Lionel Hollins, Byron Scott and others sit and sit and sit. NOTE: Just as this was completed it was announced the Nets had named Lionel Holliins their head coach replacing Jason Kidd.
Bits n Pieces
The NBA’s television agreement expires after the 2015-16 season. It’s early yet the networks are lining up preparing to bid for broadcast rights. For now it appears CBS will not be a bidder for the broadcast however Fox Sports and NBC will be competing against the current broadcast team. ABC/ESPN and TNT are the present broadcast partners along with NBA TV. NBA TV is owned by the National Basketball Association however it operates from the Turner Sports Studios. According to Wikipedia NBA TV International a feed of NBA TV can be seen by 40 countries around the globe.
I would never ever hope for catastrophe to befall a player, coach or anyone. At the same time there have been instances this same group have conducted themselves in a manner I managed to hold a grudge. I confess I held an adverse view of LeBron James when he first left the Cavs, over the last few years I no longer hold that view. On my radar is Bucks Coach Jason Kidd, given time I will mellow on him too.
Win or loss Shane Battier intended to retire from the Heat as was noted several weeks back. He’s now signed a mult-year contract with ESPN and will become one of their college basketball analyst. Battier has always struck me as a cerebral guy; he should do well in his new role after basketball.
Talk about “are you on your way out of town.” The Rockets in an attempt to lure Carmelo Anthony had a poster of Anthony in a Rockets uniform complete with a number 7 jersey. That might be considered a dis on Jeremy Lin who remains a Rocket as this is written his jersey number 7.
$$$$$
I attempt to refrain from discussing salaries of athletes and coaches and there are two primary reasons. There are more however these come to mind for me:
A. Athletes (and coaches) salaries earn far more in salary than educators, police and fire officials. They provide us entertainment however they cannot educate our children or respond to any health and protection issues that might occur.
B. Information provided is not always accurate which leads to inaccurate conclusions. I’m unsure of you but I have seen several salary discrepancies depending on the site. Our conclusions could be totally inaccurate if we are using inaccurate information. Many of you might remember the early computer term: “Garbage in, garbage out.”
C. Not directly connected but we can add the sage of Jason Kidd in our money discussion. It’s been reported (unconfirmed) at least one reason for Kidd’s move to the Bucks was wait for it, wait for it------MONEY! Both Steve Kerr (Warriors) and Derek Fisher (Knicks) would be earning more that Kidd and neither had any previous coaching experience.
My wife’s cousin has no problem with Lebron James earning a max salary yet complains to me about Kobe’s salary. His compliant has spread too many in the media, I heard CBSSports radio host Brandon Tierney claim “The Lakers have little room to sign free agents due to the Kobe contract.” First for my cuz, I believe it’s appropriate to reward a player for his (or her) past accomplishments. It’s not always intended for that player’s future contribution. As for the radio guy he’s only partially correct, the Lakers have cap room to sign free agents period. Would they be capable of signing LeBron, Carmelo and pay Kobe? I seriously doubt they could sign all three, I believe they could sign one and afford to pay Kobe too. Pat Riley holds no monopoly on the ability to be creative in signing players.
