There is a distinction between lack of talent and lack of effort!
-------Larry Laker
They call him coach because he can
Steve Fisher will forever be tied to the Fab Five and Michigan basketball despite the fact he‘s been head man at San Diego State since 1999. Although he’s never played for a national championship at the California school like he did at Michigan Fisher is still a winner. At the time Fisher was hired the basketball program was close to sinking into the Pacific Ocean. In fact that first season the Aztecs finished 5-23, from the 2005-06 season on the Aztecs have been consistent winners under Fisher. The 2010-11 team finished the season 34-3 and two years later his Aztecs compiled a 31-5 record. If we requested a list of winning college coaches it’s likely Fisher’s name would be omitted. He just produces a winner that’s why his players call him coach.
Consider this
Duke was facing number 2 undefeated Virginia. In addition the game was a road game for the Blue Devils and they were coming off a loss to conference rival Notre Dame. Later Duke announced guard Rasheed Sulaimon had been dismissed from the team the first time a player had ever been discharged. Duke wasn’t a deep team anyway but would be even thinner minus Sulaimon.
Virginia wanted to limit touches for Duke’s Jahlil Okafor which worked; Okafor was held to 10 points and 9 rebounds. The backcourt of Tyus Jones and Quinn Cook took over taking shot after shot to bring Duke back from the point of defeat. Freshman Jones with “ice-water” flowing through his veins sank a crucial 3-point basket with about 10 seconds remaining in the game. Final score Duke 69 Virginia 63 thus Virginia falls from the ranks of the undefeated. This leaves Kentucky as the lone Division I team with an unblemished record.
Point of diminished returns
I admit it I may have been wrong in my prior examination of Jason Kidd. I was highly critical of him last season leaving the Nets for the Bucks. In fact I wrote a critique of the move questioning why. It certainly was Kidd’s prerogative to change jobs however I thought he’d been favored in the hiring process in the beginning. Kidd had move from sitting next to the coach to becoming the coach in a single bound. He‘d put in no time serving as an assistant coach. I believed at the time the Nets must have favored him very highly. As for current Coach Lionel Hollins I’ve believed for quite awhile the guy can coach.
Despite this fact the 2015 Nets have played far below last season’s level. Sure injuries have impacted them as with other NBA teams but that’s not the single issue. Paul Pierce is in Washington now but his game has been headed downward for awhile, Kevin Garnett’s has eroded even more. The aforementioned players’ could no longer play major minutes. Perhaps seeing this team built for a short run Kidd might have believed the Nets had reached the point of “diminished returns.” There was no value for him to remain with a team headed downhill. All this could be true however maybe it’s just what I believe might have entered Jason Kidd’s mind and empacted his decision to leave the Nets.
Bits n Pieces
On several occasions I’ve mentioned Kansas City is home to what might be the largest contingent of sports architects firms in the nation. AT&T Center, Toyota Center, Barclays Center, the United Center, Pepsi Center and Philips Arena are just a few of the arenas Kansas City firms designed or partnered with other firms. Of course these firms cannot sustain revenue designing arenas and stadiums only. A friend sent an article from one of the San Francisco newspapers. Reading the article I discovered Manica Architects is responsible for the design of the planned arena for the Warriors, the building is proposed to open for the 2018-19 season. Bet you can’t guess what city Manica Architects is located?
I’ve mentioned previously I don’t believe in “moral victories.” As an example the first
Mizzou-Kentucky game the Wildcats won 86-37. In the second meeting Kentucky won again this time 69-53; final score was an improvement you agree? Well not exactly the Tigers finished 0-2 against the Wildcats and have never beaten them while in the Big 12 or SEC. Playing an improved game but still losing proves nothing except you didn't win the game.
Recently “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks died at the age of 83. This baseball legend won the 1958 and 1959 MVP awards despite the fact he was unable to lead the Cubs out of last place. In an exchange recently Stephen A. Smith decided Anthony Davis is not MVP worthy. He didn’t deny the talent he said; “Davis must lead the Pelicans into playoff contention.” The Pelicans are 24-22 as this is written and set in 9th place one below qualifying for the playoffs. It’s possible they could make the playoffs however if they don’t does that eliminate Davis from MVP consideration?
We are fast approaching the NBA All Star game. Last year at this time we knew David Stern would step down however we knew virtually nothing about Adam Silver. He’d served as deputy commissioner for years however he’d been in the background. How would he handle the job was the first question? He handled the first crisis dealt him swift and decisive action. I speak of Donald Sterling and forcing the sale of the Clippers, for that he receives an A. The balance of his tenure has been rather bland.
