Basketball from a fans perspective
An instant classic
I can add little to the events you may have witnessed Monday night. Villanova winning over North Carolina 77-74 with a 3-point basket with roughly three seconds left in the game. Congratulations to both teams for a well-played game and one for the ages.
GQ
There should be no argument from anyone Villanova’s Jay Wright is a winner. Wright is a winner on the basketball court and in the wardrobe department. I’m unsure if the fashion magazine GQ gives out winning awards for best dressed but that definition fits Jay Wright. Okay maybe you are one of those guys who don’t do suits that are okay trust me I know menswear. In case you want to check me Google Jay Wright and check Images. Other than an occasional golf shirt or tracksuit the page is full of Wright in a variety of stylish suits in various colors and combinations. As further proof of the koolness of Wright he walks toward the scoring table after Jenkins sinks the winning basketball knowing it was good. Why jump up and down risk wrinkling your navy blue pinstripe suit even further.
Bits n Pieces
Doug Gottlieb CBS Sports was on the Dan Patrick Show recently. The discussion turned to the Warriors and Steph Curry. I’ve never read or heard anything to back up this story. He claims the team had no idea how good a player Curry would eventually become. Gottlieb says; “At the time the trade was made for Andrew Bogut the Warriors offered Monta Ellis or Steph Curry.” You know how the trade turned out the Bucks would decide in favor of Ellis which became a mistake.
I said I wasn’t going to make a call on this subject however I changed my mind. This is just a thought regarding 7-1 225 pound Thon Maker and the draft. Maker was born in Sudan (now South Sudan) emigrated to Australia and later the United States and then onto Canada. He graduated from Orangeville Prep (Canada) in 2015 and turned 19 a month ago thus he should be eligible correct? Maker could also say he’s an international prospect he only played his freshman and sophomore years in the United States.
We have another one of those “My dad can beat up your dad arguments.” This one involves former Bulls player Scottie Pippen who claims his Bulls team would sweep the Warriors of today. These discussions (or arguments) are silly as one who participated at one point I now say leave it alone people. Why are we always trying to compare teams or athletes from different eras? The game has changed significantly over time. Let’s say this; the ‘80’s game allowed a more defensive presence but today’s NBA players are better conditioned. Boy I'm happy I resolved that issue.
Convince me----please!
We are soon entering the “second” season or the NBA playoffs. I have no idea who wins the 2016 NBA Championships however I believe it won’t be the Clippers. As this is printed they sit in fourth place in the Western Conference, their likely foe the Grizzlies. There are several questions regarding the Cavs that cause me to continue to count them as a second tier contender. 1. The Clippers are cry-babies always near the top in receiving technical fouls; the head coach leads the way. 2. The “Lob-City” mantra the media hung on a team unable to even reach the Western Conference Finals.
3. Blake Griffin has improved his game each season however questions remain about his maturity. In addition until a recent series the Clippers were playing fine without him. 4. Nepotism at the top I’m bothered why Austin Rivers remains on the team based on his play “a point guard who looks for his shoot first.” 5. A bench that’s suspect if this team intends to contend. Finally the coach, Rivers won a championship in Boston it should be appreciated but has he been exposed trying to be coach and director of player acquisition?
