Bits n Pieces
Mama Deborah was not showing any favoritism when she attended the Knicks-Nets game. See son Robin Lopez plays center for the Knicks while twin brother Brook is the center for the Nets. Mama’s attire for the game a Knicks jersey topped off by a Nets beanie on her head, no mention which bench she sat behind.
As for the game itself Big Shot Chauncey Billups was in the ESPN studio with Sage Steele. Questioned by Steele he said; “We knew last year this guy (Kristaps Porzingis) was going to be a good NBA player after seeing him play last summer against pros.” If Billups had this information from the summer I wonder why Stephen A. Smith didn’t with the NBA connections he claims.
Steph Curry might own the world but Davidson is certainly the exception. The school was questioned recently about retiring his jersey; if you remember he left school after his junior year. Davidson as with a number of other institutions does not retire jerseys until a diploma is earned.
Phi Slam Jama
Guy Lewis coached at the University of Houston for 30 years; this long-time coach died recently at age 93. Lewis preferred an up tempo game at a time many were playing a more traditional and methodical game. His Cougar teams in addition to sprinting up and down the court were a testimony to the slam dunk hence the nickname Phi Slam Jama by his Drexler, Olajuwon team. Lewis was the coach for three Hall of Fame players; Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon and Elvin Hayes.
Lewis himself was inducted in the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2013. His Houston Cougar teams won 592 games while only losing 279; he was 2X AP Coach of the Year and one time UPI Coach of the Year. Lewis was among the first number of coaches in the southwest and southeast to recruit black players, his success on the court led to other schools to follow suit. R.I.P. Guy Lewis a giant in the sport of basketball and life.
Compared to whom?
In the past I’ve mentioned the tendency to compare a potentially talented youngster to an established NBA star. I believe it’s often unfair because it places undue pressure on the younger player. We use it because it’s one of the few methods available to aid us to gauge the ability of the athlete, we compare them to someone we are familiar with. I try to refrain from this practice but even I have been guilty in the past. This time it’s not me its Yahoo Sports and Marc Spears. Spears wrote an account titled “Next LeBron James? Ben Simmons looks ready to grow into the role.” I enjoy reading Spears so I hope this doesn’t appear critical of him or his writing style.
I may have missed this one
I’m unsure about you but I rarely hear members of the media admit errors. I’m not a paid member of the media but have no problem admitting if I’m proven wrong. Last season after the Mavs released Rajon Rondo I stated I didn’t want him on the Lakers. My belief was based on problems between him and Mavs management. After the Mavs released him he signed a one year contract with the Kings, okay this is the end I believed. Well at least through early December Rondo’s proved me wrong, he’s leading the NBA in assists at 11.0 per game and scoring 12 points a game. The 6-1 Rondo is snatching down nearly 7 and a half rebounds a game. The Kings won-loss record is below .500 however Rondo’s effort has been exemplary.
Okay I’m a hater too
My hatred might be different because mine is for Los Angeles, not that team the other one----- the Clippers. It began several seasons back with ESPN and others titling the team “Lob City. “ This was a reference to Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and others being high flying dunk artist. All the dunks in the world didn’t help when the team shortcomings were exposed in the playoffs. It continued with the arrival of Doc Rivers as coach, how long had the Laker jerseys remained visible in Staples? My guess was at least 10 years; the first thing Rivers he does is cover have the jerseys covered when the Clippers are the home team. It seems every season the Clippers are expected to advance out of the Western Conference but they have a problem----they don’t do it. They fail to each year to advance despite roster additions aside they don’t know how to win in the playoffs.
After running rough-shod over NBA competition during the regular season the warts of the Clippers become exposed in the playoffs. Back to the coach a moment, he makes comments to the press and then when questioned on the meaning retreats. Rivers statement earlier this year about it being beneficial to the Warriors not facing the Clippers last season in the playoffs. He forgot his team was a loser after holding a 3 games to 1 lead against the Rockets and losing the series. When questioned about his comment; “That’s not what I meant.” Well that’s what you said what is the public to believe Doc? Finally there is Cliff Paul’s (State Farm Ins commercials) alter ego Chris Paul. The talented Paul has never led the Clippers or the Hornets deep into the playoffs. They (whoever they are) continue to pronounce him the best point guard in the NBA, that view is subject to debate.
