He’s been a Laker fan for awhile
We’ve heard stories Player A is drafted by Team B, this is how the initial interview goes. “I’ve always wanted to play for Team B this is the team I rooted for when I was kid.” Laker rookie Julius Randle made a similar pronouncement on being selected by the team. NBA TV began profiling teams for the upcoming season and was providing coverage of the Lakers. The host had the studio crew display a photo of 10 or 11 year old Julius Randle. The youngster was sporting a Kobe Bryant number 8 jersey in the photo.
Nine more years
We’ll have the same crew for nine more years; the NBA renewed the television contract with Turner Broadcasting and ABC/ESPN. The agreement becomes effective in the 2016-17 season and extends through 2024-25. The New York Times is reporting “the monetary amount of the agreement will be $2.5 billion dollars per year.” I’ve stated previously never dispute financial compensation to players, teams or a league; I take this stance because we often have incomplete data to foster an accurate conclusion. I do however believe it’s within my outlook to dispute stupidity.
“NBA still exists? a joke of a league, full of criminals, no defense. There was more parity in the 90s. nowadays it seems the same team wins every year. NBA should take a note from MLB and NFL”” How about this gem; “wonder if whites quit watching or going to the NBA games.what would happen?” You can agree or disagree with the report however there is no requirement to pose brainless questions. Should we remind writer number one the number of NFL players’ currently suspended or pending judgment? As for the second writer if you enjoy a sport why deprive yourself of the opportunity to either see a game in person or view it on television.
I try to be careful
Often stardom is evident at a very young age that was the prediction for Lew Alcindor who later would change his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He displayed above average skill as an 8th grader. Michael Jordan may have been into baseball more than basketball at a comparative age. You remember the story of him being “cut” from his high school squad, no Hall of Fame career for him in basketball correct? Where am I headed with this rant you ask, a 7-footer is scheduled to visit a major college the problem he’s playing at a junior college.
A number of significant athletes have emerged from junior colleges and gone on to have successful junior and senior years at a 4-year institution. I have no facts to back this statement up however memory says most of them have been guards or forwards. There are few stories of 7-footers emerging from a junior college to have stellar careers. Often grades are not a detriment to attending a 4-year school often for big men it’s being unable to transfer their skill to the next level.
Chicago’s NBA connection
If you hold a conversation on the NBA and Chicago the belief is the discussion might center on the Bulls. That’s easy to understand, the Bulls (1966) if you are under a certain age the Bulls are the only NBA team they have ever known. Most people even residents of the Windy City realize another NBA team once existed in the city. The 1961-62 season saw the expansion Chicago Packers come into existence, they were awful finishing the initial season with an 18-62 record. The only bright spot may have been drafting the late Walt Bellamy. The 6-11 center nicknamed “Bells” would go on to become the 1962 NBA Rookie of the Year. Bells would go on to become a 20,000 point scorer in the NBA although he only spent the 1963 year in Chicago. The franchise didn’t trade him immediately they just changed team names and moved.
The 1962-63 season the Packers became the Zephyrs and you might ask why the name change? It was said the nickname of the team reminded many of the Chicago Stockyards. The basketball team “stunk” so badly and the name connection to the stockyards was too much. As for the relocation the Zephyrs franchise moved at the end of the 1963 season headed for Baltimore. The 1963 NBA Rookie of the Year was forward Terry Dischinger who was drafted by the Zephyrs. The Zephyr name disappeared too replaced by Bulltets when the team moved to Baltimore. Much later the franchise would move once again this time to Washington D.C. where they currently reside. With the negative play on the court the Packers-Zephyrs had a rare feat back to back NBA Rookies of the Year.
