Basketball from a fan’s perspective
Did you hear?
In news of a surprising nature Kings guard Rajon Rondo says; “My relationship with coach has not been going too well.” We are surprised, no shocked is the better word. Just kidding folks sometimes humor does not come across in print. Much earlier I hinted the Kings represented a strange “marriage” of characters ready to erupt at any point. The owner, Boogie Cousins, George Karl and Rondo, place all the ingredients in a pot stir slowly and hope for no boil-over.
Native Son
If you were asked to compile an inventory of the top college coaches your count would name contain the names of Calipari, Pitino, Williams and Self and maybe Alford. It‘s quite possible you might omit Tom Izzo at Michigan. Most coaching bios detail a succession of moves around various portions of the nation. There are always exceptions to that statement and Izzo is that exception. Tom Izzo has spent his entire career in the State of Michigan, born in the Upper Peninsula he would go on to play guard at Northern Michigan. After his playing career concluded he served as head coach of a Michigan high school and would later serve as an assistant coach at Northern Michigan and later Michigan State.
In 1995 Michigan State would hire Izzo as its head coach and the rest is history. His first team finished the season with a .500 record 16-16, in his 18 years since the ’95-’96 season his Michigan State teams have never won less than 17 games. Three times his teams have won more than 30 games with a high of 33-5 in the ‘98-’99 season. We can count him among the small number of active coaches who won an NCAA Championship. He’s coached his team to nearly 700 (694) victories during his time at Michigan State, Izzo has tasted much success coaching without leaving the State of Michigan. Perhaps the only remaining accomplishment is a Hall of Fame selection and that’s coming in time no doubt.
Bits n Pieces
Did you hear rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell requested a locker next to Kobe Bryant? Russell stated he’s unsure how long Kobe’s going to be around and wants to learn as much as possible from him. “It’s easier talking to him in this manner rather than having to walk across the room.” Makes sense to me but I wonder if Russell has heard any of those stories that Kobe bites.
Folks comparing Larry Brown to Bruce Pearl need to consider a few facts. As this is written SMU appears to be in a holding pattern regarding the status of Brown’s job, of course the school could change its mind and fire him. As for Pearl Tennessee fired him in March 2011 after an additional set NCAA infractions were uncovered. August of 2011 the NCAA gave Pearl a three-year show cause penalty for lying to the body. I’m not making an excuse for Brown wrong is wrong; stories about a life-time ban from coaching are ridiculous. Besides the fact at age 75 it’s likely SMU is Brown’s final stop on his coaching career.
I never say never however I wonder if Dwight Howard realizes the significance of his statement. The Rockets center said; “I could play 10 or 11 more years.” As Howard prepares for birthday number 30 I don’t doubt his statement I question if it’s possible baring injury. In the past Howard’s never appeared to have a great off-season work ethic. As he grows older its going to be more and more difficult to play at the level he believes.
Watching Tarik Black play for the Lakers in a pre-season game I thought back to his days at Kansas. The 6-9 Black was the starting center until he was displaced by Joel Embiid. Black went un-drafted in the 2014 draft while Embiid became the 3rd pick in the first round of that draft. Black would sign with the Rockets but was waived in December 2014 and would sign with the Lakers. Black appears to have secured a reserve role with the Lakers former teammate Embiid is yet to make an appearance in an NBA game.
