Basketball from a fans perspective
I’m still unsure
Believe it or not Stephen A. Smith made a statement I slightly agree with. In discussing the Clippers and Doc Rivers he acknowledged; “I have no problems with Doc Rivers the coach it’s Doc Rivers the general manager I have a problem.” Despite my partial agreement with Smith I do have issues with Rivers the coach but I’ll leave that for another time and another discussion. I’ve written several accounts in which I voiced the belief Doc Rivers “saved” his son’s NBA career. Austin Rivers was likely headed to the D-League or Europe until his daddy swung a trade acquiring his services.
Young Rivers can play basketball he proved that his one year at Duke, the question in my mind and others is his ability to play at the NBA level. It’s not just adding young Rivers to the roster its also adding Lance Stephenson, Paul Pierce and Josh Smith. The three are all NBA veterans but can they mesh as a unit? Doc Rivers the coach must mold this collection into a cohesive unit. Those are just a few of the
off-season moves as general manager that we might be deemed questionable. You say we are nowhere near the middle portion of the season check back with me in April you say. Okay I’ll do that and if I’m wrong about this account I’ll admit it.
“Stand by Your Man”
In 1968 Country and Western artist Tammy Wynette released a single titled “Stand by Your Man.” The middle portion of the songs lyrics are; “And if you love him, oh be proud of him 'Cause after all he's just a man. Stand by your man; give him two arms to cling to and something warm to come to when nights are cold and lonely. Stand by your man, and show the world you love him. The lyrics are strictly ‘70’s so they are dated for the 21st Century but I hope you get the theme.
Lynn McHale wife of Kevin McHale took to twitter to stick up for her husband on his termination by the Rockets. One tweet was particularly funny if the matter of McHale’s firing was not so serious. Lynn said; “REPORT Kevin McHale was fired after asking James Harden to play defense during a practice. No one asks Harden to do something like that.” The world knows Harden is all offense and plays very little defense. The problem for Harden this season is two-fold, his defense has always only been average but his shooting is also suffering.
Crazy
Over the last few weeks I’ve detailed the predicament of several African student-athletes being cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Cheick Diallo was granted a waiver by the NCAA to travel with his Kansas team to Hawaii for the Maui Tournament. Despite receiving permission for the trip Diallo is still not cleared to play. Okay let me see if I understand this decision; a student-athlete can travel with his team but is not permitted to play. The university pays air fare for someone who might never be granted permission to play for the team. Should the no play decision be upheld does the NCAA reimburse the institution?
Education versus the NBA
I love NBA basketball; I love the college and high school game too. We often get caught up in the frenzy of the game and sometimes fail to consider the end. In this instance “what do you plan on accomplishing in life?” The high school player who believes he’s headed to the NBA better consider working on his jump shot and business management. I don’t have high school numbers but we could guess there are probably 200,000 or 300,000 boys across the nation. As for college the NCAA supplied these numbers.
NCAA draft eligible NBA Draft slots* Drafted Major pro
18,320 4,071 60 47** NBA 1.2%
*30 NBA teams with 2 rounds
**International players included
I didn’t figure the % but 1.2% of 18,320 athletes is a small number in the NBA, Europe or the NBA D-League. I once read it might be “easier” if we can use that term to become a neurosurgeon than becoming an NBA player.
It’s not hype this time
For a few weeks in late winter 2012 Knicks fans and the media became focused on guard Jeremy Lin. The outstanding run by Lin was dubbed “Lin-sanity” by the New York media. Not agreeing to a contract Lin would leave as a free-agent and sign with the Rockets and his play with the Lakers proved supportive however nothing quite approached that magical run with the Knicks. He’s now with the Hornets so we’ll see if there is further development to his game. There is no doubt Lin-sanity was media driven since the Knicks were so starved for good basketball. The same statement was made recently regarding rookie Kristaps Porzingis. This time I don’t believe the quick start by Porzingis is media driven the guy can play.
Maybe Stephen A. Smith should pay a little more attention to his ESPN colleague Brian Windhorst. He said recently; “Porzingis is the most exciting European player I’ve ever seen.” His numbers after this short point of the season are among the best for NBA rookies, 12.8 ppg and 8.6 rebounds. His game will continue to grow and he’s got a growing NBA following, according to the NBA you cannot purchase his jersey currently. Porzingis jerseys are on back-order having been sold out something I don’t believe ever occurred with Lin. IF Porzingis continues to grow his game in two or three years Knick fans might be sayin’ “Carmelo who”?
