Basketball from a fans perspective

　
She did it
There were naysayer’s at the time Becky Hammon was named Spurs assistant coach last year. She certainly had plenty of basketball experience after an WNBA and Euro career. “Girls don’t play b-ball like guys do” might have been one of the nicer comments you might have heard. Becoming the first female assistant would come second to her latest accomplishment as a head coach. I know it’s only NBA Summer League but Hammon was able to lead her Spurs team to the Las Vegas title. The game was tied at the half however the Spurs would shine in the second half and defeat the Suns in a close game 93-90.

I realize a number of you might believe the Spurs team had the best personnel which probably aided them in winning the title. That certainly may have been the case however talented athletes don’t always win without adequate coaching. Hammon may never be hired as head coach in the NBA but her sterling performance might open the door for other women to state; “We might not be able to play with the Big Boys however we can certainly coach them.” Coach Popovich and Spurs management should be congratulated as well, they looked beyond the fact Hammon was a female and made the hire they believed was best.

Standby for further developments
Basketball standout Frank Jackson is an outstanding 2016 high school prospect; Rivals list him as the number 10 talent in the nation. The 6-2 guard lives in Lone Peak Utah is a Mormon and early on committed to Brigham Young University. Circumstances changed for the young man and he de-committed and opened the recruiting process again.

Prior to Jackson’s BYU commitment a high number of schools were attempting to secure his services including Duke University. At the time Jabari Parker was being recruited his status was similar to Jackson. Parker a Mormon was “headed” to BYU but changed his mind. In the recruiting process BYU lost and Duke landed Parker and there are quiet rumblings that might be the case once again. No definitive word on Jackson’s school decision yet I’ll try and update you as soon as it’s announced.

Stuff you knew but forgot
Have you ever had one of those moments when someone or something is brought to your attention, you say to yourself; “I knew that!” I was aware each of the five had been elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame, the story I forgot all four were drafted in the same year. NBA TV ran a feature on the Draft Class of 1984 and indicated this may have been the all-time best in NBA history. Four, count them four (4) Hall of Fame players all drafted in the same year. In draft order they were; Hakeem Olajuwon (1), Michael Jordan (3), Charles Barkley (5) and John Stockton (16).

In case you wondered about the second pick that year it was Sam Bowie selected by the Blazers. Portland has forever been the butt of jokes for passing on Jordan and choosing Bowie. The 7-1 Bowie came into the NBA with much promise his career was plagued by injuries he never had the NBA career envisioned by the Blazers and NBA fans. In addition consider this a non-factor in choosing Bowie over Jordan, in 1983 the Blazers drafted Clyde “The Glide” Drexler. Drexler played the same position as Jordan and it should be of note Drexler also is in the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Akron
When we think of Akron (OH) our first thought might be the All American Soap Box Derby or several tire manufacturers who once called the city home. If discussing basketball LeBron James might first come to mind. Did you realize Steph Curry was also born in Akron? Even earlier than LeBron and Curry two others may have first been responsible for placing Akron on the NBA map, both played at Central High School and were teammates. In addition their basketball contributions led both to the Naismith Hall of Fame.

The late Gus Johnson might have invented the term power forward. Johnson at 6-6 and 230 pounds personified power, he played from 1963-1973 most of it as a member of the Baltimore Bullets (Washington Wizards). Johnson was a 5X NBA All Star and 2X NBA Defensive First Team. His high school teammate Nate Thurmond was a 6-11 225 pound center who played from 1963-1977 most of it as a member of the San Francisco (Golden State) Warriors. Thurmond was a 7X NBA All Star and 2X NBA Defensive First Team and 3X NBA Defensive Second Team. While a member of the Bulls Thurmond recorded the only quadruple double in the NBA, 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocked shots.