Basketball from a fans perspective
“One thing I could do…was finger roll”
George “Iceman” Gervin could do more than finger roll but the line became standard for him. He attended Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti but left school early, at the time the NBA was not drafting underclassmen. Off to the Virginia Squires of the ABA where he first gained a national reputation in 1972.
The ABA team strapped for cash sold Gervin’s contract to the Spurs. The Iceman would have his most productive years with the Spurs as they would be one of the few ABA teams absorbed into the NBA. 26,000 points, 5,000 rebounds and 2,700 assists for the 6-7 185 pound shooting guard. Gervin would be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame and the College Hall of Fame.
Bits n Pieces
Tubby Smith has been coaching big time basketball since 1991, in this period he’s served as head coach for a number of schools. Texas Tech team made the 2016 NCAA Tourney and becomes the 5th team he‘s taken to the “Big Dance.” Let’s count the schools; the first was Tulsa, then Georgia followed by Kentucky. He led Minnesota into the tourney and now Texas Tech.
Kanye West and his tweets have become outrageous lately. Normally I would refrain from writing anything connecting with West but I couldn’t pass this one up. You might be aware a few weeks back the Clippers mascot Chuck the Condor was introduced to a Staples crowd. As for West he sent this tweet out; “Steve Ballmer (Clippers owner) can I redesign the Clippers mascot” Interesting in that the return tweet was under the name Chuck the Condor. It read; “I miss the old Kanye”; I cannot or should not add anything to this story.
Doc Rivers proved to be Doc Rivers once again. In their game against the Clippers the play is right in front of the coach; Chris Paul is dribbling the ball he appears to step on LeBron James foot and slips to the floor. He tosses the ball toward the back court and is intercepted fast break Cavs score. Rivers began yelling at the official and received a technical foul. The Clippers are not league leaders in technicals the Rockets have 65 to date. As for Rivers team they are in second place with 64, coach has 5.
Jordan Clarkson has provided a nickname for the back court of Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell; he wants the combo to be known as The Swag Brothers. A writer questions if anyone has bothered to mention this to Swaggy P.? I don’t believe that should be a huge concern I have serious doubts Nick Young will be a Laker next season. If I’m wrong I’ll return and admit my mistake.
Outside the Lines
ESPN ran a story on the Louisville basketball scandal last Sunday on Outside the Lines. Louisville may have earned a trip to the post-season tourney this year but is on a self-imposed ban. After early discussion of the story I’ve decided to sit back and wait for all the smoke to clear. Coach Pitino is yet to be interviewed by the NCAA which will occur in April. Andre McGee has not talked to the NCAA and its unclear if that will ever occur. An attorney interviewed says “He’s (McGee) not in coaching and the NCAA has no authority over him.” Along with others I must wait for a final judgment.
