Basketball from a fans perspective
They not flashy
I realize the headline is not grammatically correct the Kansas City Royals are always on the outside looking in. Despite winning the World Series and in two consecutive fall classics the “experts” look past them to others. In the NBA it’s the Spurs and despite the fact both the baseball and basketball team play in smaller metro areas of the nation it’s the teams.
“They just not flashy,” both the Royals and Spurs win without a great deal of acknowledgement by the media. It’s often been stated Gregg Popovich has the privilege of having Tim Duncan anchor the Spurs for 19-years. The statement is true however it’s more than the Duncan factor. With two games remaining the Spurs are 65-15, few are actually paying attention for two reasons. The mercurial run of the Warriors and the fact they not flashy.
No, the other Jones
If you know anything about golf history you state the name Bobby Jones and one of the greatest golfers in history come to mind. This is the other Bobby Jones the one who played basketball and played it quite well. You say how I could make this statement about a guy with an 11.5 ppg and 6 rebounds a great player. The numbers don’t tell the true story of this Carolina Tarheel who would first play for the Nuggets while in the ABA.
A medical check uncovered an irregular heartbeat and it was reported the Nuggets believed his health would become an issue; they traded him after the 1977-78 to the 76ers. He would move from a starter’s role to sixth man where his career blossomed. Just a few of his accolades; NBA Champion (1983), 4X NBA All-Star, 8X All Defensive First Team, NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1983). In the ABA he made the All-Rookie First Team and was 2X All ABA Defensive Team. Bobby Jones was one of the best sixth men to ever play in the NBA.
I can speculate with the best
The Lakers have a need for a center that can play; Roy Hibbert has proven he cannot play at least for the Lakers. The Lakers have a large amount of money to spend on acquiring free-agents. I just learned the Heat don’t have the Bird rights for Hassan Whiteside. I’m going to link the paragraph to provide you an idea where I’m headed. The Lakers have a dire need for a center; Roy Hibbert cannot play any longer at a high skill level. The Lakers have a large amount of money to spend on free-agents and the Heat has no Bird rights to Hassan Whiteside.
1. The Bird Rights “allows a team to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own free agents at an amount up to the maximum salary.” The Lakers will not become a better team immediately however upgrades at two positions would enhance this team significantly. Imagine this Whiteside at center, Ingram or Simmons at small forward, Randle at power forward. The guards could change but currently its D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson whether Russell goes is yet to be determined. That sounds exciting to me make it happen Jeannie. Notice I said Jeannie because brother Jimmy Buss will step down as he promised. The only question is the coach; I’m not sold on Luke Walton replacing Byron Scott. I could coach that Warriors team maybe not to 70 wins but wins and I have limited experience coaching.
1. Wikipedia
Don’t bother me
I’m not an ESPN Insider so I couldn’t read the piece Chad Ford wrote. Several respondents were complaining about Ford’s inaccuracy with his mock draft in the past. Guess what people it doesn’t bother me one bit for a couple of reasons. We are not privy to team strategy meetings we have no idea of the order of selection and who is chosen. I cannot defend Ford except to say it’s a best guess on his part based on workouts and information he gathers as a member of the media. We can’t check his record but we can look at the 2015 NBADraft.net mock versus actual:
Mock Actual
1. Minn-Karl Anthony Towns 1. Minn-Karl Anthony Towns
2. Lakers-D’Angelo Russell 2. Lakers-D’Angelo Russell
3. Philly-Jahlil Okafor 3. Philly-Jahlil Okafor
4. Knicks-Emmanuel Mudiay 4. Knicks-Kristaps Porzingis
5. Magic-Kristaps Porzingis 5. Magic-Mario Herzonja
6. Kings-Mario Herzonja 6. Kings-Willie Cauley-Stein
7. Denver-Justise Winslow 7. Denver-Emmanuel Mudiay
8. Detroit-Stanley Johnson 8. Detroit-Stanley Johnson
9. Charlotte-Frank Kaminsky 9. Charlotte-Frank Kaminsky
10. Miami-Myles Turner 10. Miami-Justise Winslow
I can’t speak for Chad Ford’s mock because I can’t see it but it certainly doesn’t look as if NBADraft.net was very far off. If you notice the selection order was off by one or more positions. In another instance the only solid miss would be including Myles Turner in the Top 10 of their mock.
