Basketball from a fans perspective
“Were number one!”
Which college will begin the famous; “Were number one” chant? The strange, wild and bizarre world of college basketball 2015-16 version continues. On Saturday number one Oklahoma in the AP Top 25 was bested by Kansas State. North Carolina number one in the USA Today Coaches Poll lost to the Notre Dame Irish. This is written prior to the latest poll however it’s probable Villanova or Maryland move into the top spot.
“Where there’s smoke”
Are you familiar with the old adage where there’s smoke there’s fire. 1. “If it looks like something is wrong, something probably is wrong. “ The reported improprieties with Louisville basketball cost a former assistant coach his job with the University of Missouri-Kansas City. You might remember the story escorts were supposed to have been supplied to players and recruits to provide sexual favors. Coach Rick Pitino claimed he was unaware of the alleged allegations and coverage of the story ceased. Last week Louisville announced no post-season basketball for them, what do we read into the statement?
1. Idioms; the free dictionary. COM
Compared to whom?
You might remember a few weeks ago I mentioned Stephen A. Smith said he believed Ben Simmons game was nearest that of former St. John’s forward Walter Berry. Not only did I challenge Smith’s statement but so did Seth Greenberg suggesting Smith was off base. How do other ESPN media members view Simmons game you ask? On a recent NBA Countdown program the following are the views of the analyst on who they think he compares.
The upfront disclaimer said he’s not going to be but we believe he might be closet to. Jay Williams says; “Magic Johnson.” Doris Burke chimed in with this response; “Although he’s bigger he compares to Draymon Green.” Jalen Rose said he believes he’s a combination of two players; “Lamar Odom and Grant Hill.” Fran Fraschila may have stated it best; the one criticism of Simmons game has been his lack of aggressiveness and shooting at times. Fraschila said; “If he doesn’t shot you have a 6-10 Rajon Rondo.”
A trio+one
The Rush brothers might be the best set of brothers to ever step onto a basketball court in Kansas City. JaRon the eldest brother he may have been the best high school basketball player Kansas City ever produced. While he and brother Kareem were enrolled at Pembroke High School they were a dynamic duo. JaRon was destined for Kansas but changed his mind and enrolled at UCLA. He left after his freshman year expecting to be drafted into the NBA. The call from the NBA never came; later JaRon was derailed by personal demons that caused the high ceiling to remain unfulfilled. His teammate and younger brother Kareem played at Mizzou and had a 12 year NBA and Euro career. The youngest brother Brandon was a high school standout at Kansas City’s Westport High School and Mount Zion Academy in North Carolina.
Enrolled at Kansas he left after his junior year for the NBA and with the Warriors is on his fourth NBA team. Shea doesn’t have the credentials of his dad JaRon or uncles Kareem and Brandon but can play. Shea is a 6-6 185 pound small forward attending Barstow High School in Kansas City. Shea’s in his senior year, although he’s made no commitment yet he’ll play for a college somewhere next fall. If Shea doesn’t earn a spot on a teams pro roster don’t be surprised to see him in a boardroom, he‘s a student first and athlete second. I titled this report “A trio+one,” I’m unsure if any of the uncles have off-spring playing basketball.
Naming rights
I believe we can relate to the financial reward attaching a company name to the front of a stadium or arena. Sometimes it’s just not a good fit in my opinion and I will provide examples. In 2014 The Pit home to the University of New Mexico Lobos announced a name change. The famous arena would become the WisePies Arena (AKA the Pit). WisePies Arena & Salad is a local Albuquerque restaurant. 1999 through 2014 the home of the Hornets (Pelicans) was known as New Orleans Arena. It was re-named the Smoothie King Center after Smoothie King a food retailer that caters fruit blended fruit-based drinks purchased naming rights.
The KFC Yum Center a 22,000 seat arena was opened with that name, the arena is home to Louisville basketball. KFC, Kentucky Fried Chicken need I go any further? The Sacramento Kings play in the Sleep Train Arena which will soon be replaced by the new Golden 1 Center. I hope Native Americans are not offended, there is nothing wrong with the name I believe it sounds strange on the front of an arena. The Phoenix Suns home was America West Arena until last season when it was re-named Talking Stick Resort Arena. There are stadiums and arenas omitted in this report but you get the idea I hope.
