Basketball from a fans perspective
Handwriting is on the wall
A week or so ago I wrote George Karl was “A dead man walking” at Sacramento, rumors circulated for days Karl was soon to be fired. A strange development occurred later when it was announced the coach would remain in place. This week a Kings assistant coach was fired the move occurring without Karl’s knowledge. He would question the move through the media, NBA fans what does that tell us? I don't believe it is too difficult to figure out the next move by Kings management.
I heard it with my own ears
Sports talk radio and television has been extensive with reports of a Dwight Howard trade. It is likely he’s not traded before the Thursday deadline however he’s probably history anyway. He will be a play option free agent this summer and will leave the Rockets. Howard cannot seem to find the right fit no matter where he lands. It’s funny I have a friend who lives in Houston and we exchanged emails a few weeks back. After I made critical remarks about Howard he claimed; “He was damaged goods when he arrived from the Lakers.”
I stated clearly “His statement was untrue and besides the fact he’s (Howard) had 3 ½ years as a Rocket.” Jeff Van Gundy former coach and color commentator took it one-step further. Interviewed on a radio program about Howard I almost fell out of my chair with his declaration; “Howard would be in the Hall of Fame when his career is over.” Now keep in mind I am the person who said Dennis Rodman would never be elected to the HOF. I’m making the same statement about Howard however you know in advance my track record on this sorta stuff.
The cold weather
How does a kid from the Bahamas wind up at Oklahoma considering its winter weather? I’ve read winter in the Bahamas might reach a low of 70 degrees. Oklahoma is certainly not artic cold but the temperature can drop to the upper 20’s. I remembered Klay Thompson’s dad was also from the Bahamas, Nassau to be exact. Mychal Thompson migrated to Miami and from there to cold, cold Minnesota winters at the University of Minnesota. This narrative isn’t about the Thompson’s rather it’s about Buddy Hield Oklahoma sharpshooter. Hield is from Freeport in the Bahamas but found his way to the plains of Kansas attending Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita.
Wichita State recruited Hield so did Colorado, it’s interesting in the heart of the state Kansas didn’t make much of an effort to recruit him. Although there were a number of other schools on his radar Hield decided to head south in favor of Oklahoma about a three hour drive. The rest of Hield’s story is documented as his game improved each year at Oklahoma. His scoring improved from 7.8 ppg his freshman year to the present 25.6 (.510 field) as a senior. Last season he was Big 12 player of the year and has a good chance to repeat this award in 2016.
Social media
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest this story is no more than a 4 in fact it might even be a 3. Mizzou announced reserve guard Wes Clark had been dismissed from the team for academic reasons. Clark has taken to social media to contradict the earlier report, he states; “I quit the team.” Clark was recruited by Frank Haith so it’s possible there may have been issues with Kim Anderson. On the other hand what purpose does it serve for the school to announce “academic reasons” were the basis for Clark leaving? The point once again social media impacted an account.
