There is a distinction between lack of talent and lack of effort!
-------Larry Laker
KU versus UK
I’m viewing Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption. They are debating the importance of tonight’s Kansas-Kentucky game. I don’t agree with either of them it’s far too early to be a must win game for either school. It might be far better in the school’s had an open date to play one another in late February or March. We’d have a much better idea which is the superior team.
Really!!!
Wonder why we rarely hear these complaints from NFL fans. Many of us follow the NBA much closer than the NFL, perhaps this development may have occurred at some point in the past. Have you heard this comment previously about the NBA? “How can an NBA team finishing at or below .500 make the playoffs is the comment. The .500 or below scenario team could play out this season in the NFL.
In the NFC South the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints are currently tied for first place with 4-6 records. The Carolina Panthers are 3-7-1 in second place; to be clear this is written November 17 with a significant regular season yet to be played. One or more of the NFL teams mentioned has time to improve their record; it is possible an NFL team could finish at or below .500.
The season
In recent years I cannot remember an off-season the NBA dominated the headlines as much as it did during the summer of 2014. A rich NBA draft in June may have kicked off the proceedings followed by a number of high-profile coaching hires. It concluded with free-agency and perhaps the biggest free agent name changing teams. Northern Ohio and Cleveland rejoiced when LeBron James announced “I’m coming home.” This move and others associated with the Cavs maintained the spotlight on them most of the summer. The free agent saga of Carmelo Anthony, “do I want to win a championship or get paid.” We believe he chose the money, fans of Anthony might believe I’m tossing rocks at him that’s not my intent just a simple explanation as I see it. As for new Knicks Coach Derek Fisher can he make a smooth transition from player to coach? Knick fans are certainly anxious to determine this.
In South Beach a number of fans are disappointed at the departure of LeBron, the Heat most likely won’t win the 2015 NBA Championship but are certainly not an awful team. Will Russell Westbrook rein in his game in and allow the Thunder to effectively compete for a championship? Further out west we could look toward the Warriors and ask the question can Steve Kerr move into the role of coach? Working in the front office of a team is certainly far different than managing 15 egos. The Rockets remain a question mark for me (and others). On paper a very talented team but you know the saying; “you don’t play games on paper.” Ownership drama is over in Southern California, can Doc Rivers manage to coach his Clippers to success in advancing to a championship?
A Kobe sighting
Not that Kobe---- this Kobe’s last name is Paras (Par-raas). He‘s a 6-6 guard/ forward from Manila in the Philippines, this Kobe moved to Los Angeles and in his junior year of high school. He must have skills UCLA has offered him a scholarship and he’s accepted the offer. There are a number of videos available of him in action on YouTube. As usual this is no prediction of future success at any level. For at least the next two years there will be two Kobe’s playing basketball in Los Angeles.
Love him or hate him
I’ve mentioned in the past I have a love/hate view of Mavs owner Mark Cuban. He’s insightful and promotes innovated changes for the NBA, love it. He says incredibly stupid things, hate him. The hate, everybody and their brother complains about NBA teams tanking (losing on purpose). We’ve heard these complaints regarding the 76ers last year and even this year (Mavs 120 76ers 70). I’m unsure if he actually uttered the statement however the media ran with a story indicating Cuban had stated; “The Thunder should consider tanking.” This might be a reference to both Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant missing with injuries. The NBA is the only pro league the issue of losing games on purpose is being discussed.
I’ve never heard of this being an issue in the NFL, MLB or the NHL. Once upon a time a bad team lost games because they were bad. The 1973 76ers finished the regular season with 9 wins and 73 losses a .110 percentage. A shortened season caused the 2012 Bobcats (Hornets) to finish with a 7-59 record. In neither instance was there any mention about losing games on purpose. I have no authority to ban tanking from the NBA vocabulary however it continues to concern me. For fans to discuss tanking is far different than an NBA owner entertaining the issue especially with the media. What do you think?
