Basketball from a fans perspective
Not the outcome expected
As NBA fans we become spoiled, we witnessed talent rich 2014 and 2015 NBA Drafts. The jury is still out especially the most recent draft although the belief is there is talent there. I’m sure many believed the 2000 draft was also talented, that’s not always the case I believe the 2000 NBA Draft may have been the worst in NBA history. On reading my last sentence your first thought is “He’s being far too critical. “ Okay allow me to point out a number of the picks from that draft. Kenyon Martin appeared to have all the tools while at Cincinnati thus he would go on to be the number one pick in 2000 by the Nets. Martin announced his retirement over the summer as for his NBA career; he never reached the level projected for him as a number one. He wasn’t a terrible player but he wasn’t that good either as he managed to play for five different teams during his NBA career.
I know you remember the second pick Stromile Swift from LSU don‘t you? Before he left the NBA in 2009 his highest scoring average was 11.8 ppg. The fifth pick that year might be the best of the bunch Florida’s Mike Miller drafted by the Magic. Miller was recently traded from the Cavs to the Blazers and they would become his 8th team (he‘s now with the Nuggets). Hedo Türkoğlu also remaining active had several successful seasons mostly for the Kings who chose him with the number 16 pick. The 2000 draft consisted of players who were valuable reserves but that‘s about all, without further research I’m unsure if any players in that draft ever appeared in an All-Star game. What’s so amazing to me I find it difficult NBA teams could add 58 players in that year and not one turned into an All Pro player. You might think I being too mean-spirited that‘s not the case just check out the 2000 draft for yourself don’t just take my word.
Rock theme
Unless you are a fan of rock music the tune titled Sirius might be unfamiliar to you. It’s a 1 minute 54 second instrumental featured in the Eye in the Sky album by the Alan Parsons Project. The album released in 1982 might be identified as much as the intro theme for Chicago Bulls home games. It came into usage during the Michael Jordan era but has continued to be used to the present time. Sirius has been used by a number of other sports teams throughout the nation. Although not attached to any team or sport the musical group Queen must be heard most often at sports events.
We Will Rock You, Another One Bit’s the Dust, We Are the Champions recorded in the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s are often heard to this day. There are others, Celebration by Kool and the Gang usually at the end of a tough series. We have Jump Around by House of Pain and Jump by the Pointer Sisters at the time there is jump ball to be decided. How about Start Me Up by the Rolling Stones or the Black Eyed Peas Lets Get It Started. There are other artists and songs not included but just wanted to give you an idea how crowds at sports events are often pumped up before, during and after the game.
Whole lotta hatin’
I wanted to ensure I repeated the quote exactly as stated. “The Lakers are the fourth best team in California. They lucky the Sparks ain’t playing they be the fifth.” The quote was the articulate Charles Barkley TNT broadcaster and former NBA player. Okay Charles we get it you hate the Lakers, how long have you had this condition? I ask the question because at least the last two years the Lakers have not been playoff relevant. Why not focus on those teams like the Warriors, Cavs or even Spurs. Baring injuries those teams (and others) are playoff bound. You have a perfect seat on the sidelines talkin’, talkin’, talkin’ and talkin’. Never mind if you are correct because the audience has little opportunity to call you out when wrong. I’m calling you out remember one of your more infamous quotes regarding Yao Ming? Most scouts predicted Yao would be a success in the NBA although they had no idea of his ceiling.
Well for Charles it was a different story, during a 2002 TNT broadcast he informed Kenny Smith; “I’ll kiss his (your) ____ if Yao Ming scored 19 points in a game.” Of course Yao Ming would go on to score 9,247 pts (19.0) and in 2006-07 scored 25 points a game for the Rockets. Injuries shortened his career to but 9 years but they certainly were good. One more for good measure this from last year’s playoffs; “They’ve (Warriors) had a terrific season. But I don’t like jump-shooting teams. I don’t think you can make enough jumpers to win four series in a row. I’ve said that for 25 years, not just now. I think you physically manhandle them inside.” I could probably locate several more infamous statements by Barkley but for me the one regarding Yao stands out. It seems to me Barkley expends a great deal of oxygen discussing a team (Lakers) he obviously hates.
On the sidelines
Big name coaches will have their assistants in charge of the team. As you are aware the off-season saw well known names forced to the sidelines by the NCAA. Jim Boeheim will view nine Syracuse games from the locker room or his home. We are not exactly sure if is permitted on campus but you get the idea. Same for Larry Brown at SMU as his assistant will handle coaching duties for nine games too. As this is written a cloud continues to hang over Louisville’s Rick Pitino, the issues been discussed at length. As for Roy Williams at North Carolina a great deal of “smoke” rose regarding bogus classes at the school.
To date there’s been no confirmed “fire”. Consider this fact the coaches mentioned have long tenure at their school or in the case of Brown a long coaching career. I’m borrowing this statement from an analyst; “It’s a shame these kinds of events have come to the surface near the end of their coaching careers.” Two years ago the NCAA forced former Mizzou Coach Frank Haith to the sidelines for a number of games. Although I wasn’t pleased I accepted it the NCAA is the only governing body in place. Rarely does the university impose penalties on itself. Hopefully at the time the NCAA makes a decision its made in the sunlight rather than a dark backroom.
