Basketball from a fans perspective
I didn’t forget
Don’t ignore Damian Lillard; he arrived from Weber State with an attitude. One that shouted; “Don’t ignore me just because I played at a small school.” Lillard would go on to become NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013. Fast forward to this season and Lillard was overlooked once again this time for the All-Star game. Friday evening against the NBA Champion Warriors the point guard torched Steph Curry and the Warriors. Lillard scored 51 points had 7 assists and 6 steals in leading his Blazer team to a 137-105 win.
Remember when
Do you remember three years ago a time we believed Anthony Davis “couldn’t” shoot? In truth he could always shoot at Kentucky there wasn’t a requirement for him to score the school had plenty of scorers. It seems every year he adds to his shooting inventory even adding a three point shot. On Sunday the 6-10 Davis had a career game against the Pistons, 59 points and 20 rebounds as he shot 71% from the floor.
The Pelicans expected to compete have not had as good as season as expected. A report indicated the Pelicans were looking at a Davis trade to the Celtics. Coach Alvin Gentry said no way are trading Davis, “We wouldn’t trade him for Tom Brady.” Few have accomplished a 50 point 20 rebound game in NBA history. Chris Webber and Shaquille O’Neal accomplished the feat and Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50 points and 20 rebounds for the 1961-62 season.
A second chance
Over the years we’ve heard reports of coaches in all sports being fired for a variety of reasons. There are probably few occasions why a coach might not be offered a second chance. As you are aware the Knicks are operating with an interim coach Kurt Rambis in place while conducting a search for a replacement. One of the names mentioned in connection with the job is Scott Brooks; he served as head coach of the Thunder from November of 2008 through April 2015. Brooks was fired when the team missed the playoffs for the first time in six years.
This is not Scott Brooks rather Kevin Durant, several media reports have hinted “Hiring Durant’s former coach might be a lure for the free-agent to head to Gotham.” I remember back in the day players wanting to sign with the Bulls and Lakers because of the opportunity to play for Phil Jackson. After P.J. Carlesimo was fired in time Brooks managed to turn the fortunate’s of the Thunder around and they became competitive. If Brooks is hired strictly for his ability to coach fine, it it’s with the intent to lure Durant well that’s a different matter in my mind.
“The light at the end of the Tunnel”
My loyalty to a sports program sometimes causes me a problem. I’ve made statements which on second thought say look at this again. That’s the case with Mizzou basketball and Coach Kim Anderson. The team contained only one senior two junior college transfers and the balance comprised of underclassmen. I believe my expectations may have been set too high. This mixture of new, holdovers and transfers would take time to mold into a team.
The 2016-17 will be Anderson’s third and the team will contain only two Haith recruits. In addition the freshman will become sophomores and the second year players will enter their junior year and finally there will be three seniors. “The light at the end of the Tunnel” is not another vehicle headed toward Mizzou its the program emerging from the darkness.of losing seasons.
