Basketball from a fans perspective
Can they win three straight?
This is written prior to the game so I have no idea who won. I pose the question can the Warriors win three straight games and force a game seven? It could occur in fact as recently as last season. The Clippers holding a 3-1 lead over the Rockets would eventually lose the series. If the Warriors are losers than its time to re-tool for next season. This is the team that was “built for the future” according to owner Joe Lacob.
Last two hires
NBA coaching ranks are full (for now) the last two open coaching positions have been announced. The Rockets and Grizzlies have hired the man they wanted to coach the team. Heat assistant David Fitzdale will now take the reins of the Grizzlies. We don’t know Fitzdale so this one requires a wait and see how it develops. As for the Rockets they hired a well-known name Mike D’Antoni. This is D’Antoni’s fifth head coaching job, Denver, Phoenix, New York and Lakers are on his resume.
Did you know?
Kevin Love is an NBA star however celebrity was in his DNA prior to his arrival in the NBA. He would first became a household name at UCLA, later it would be the Wolves. Once LeBron returned to Cleveland in his role as de-facto general manager he orchestrated the trade for Kevin. As for Kevin’s bloodline Kevin’s father and uncle were NBA player Stan Love and Beach Boys founder member Mike Love.
Stan Love was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in 1971 played for the Lakers and last played with the ABA Spurs leaving the game in 1975. Older brother Mike Love helped found the musical group the Beach Boys in the early 1960’s. Famous for their surfer sound the musical group would later move into the rock and pop music area. Although most members are now in their 70’s they are still musically active.
The Duke connection
For those who might question why the Duke love fest yesterday. I’d read an earlier report indicating Duke players had not experienced much success in the NBA. The better question might be what the people’s barometer of success is? I once questioned if Kyrie Irving was prepared for the NBA after a brief 11 games at Duke. He suffered a severe ligament injury to his right big toe which sidelined him the balance of his freshman year.
Luol Deng is another former Duke player who’s found a permanent home in the NBA now with the Heat. We could even include former Duke standout Shane Battier in the number too. He came into the NBA as an offensive player but retired a defensive specialist. Battier was a 2X NBA Champions and 2X All-NBA Defensive Second Team member. Coach K. has turned out a number of highly successful NBA players despite what some might believe.
Older senior
He's not a senior citizen although in NBA circles A.J. Hammons might be placed in that category. Hammons is 24-years old and his age might be a draw back for a number of teams. He's likely a second round pick or perhaps a free-agent signing for the Gary Indiana native. Hammons numbers at Purdue have been sound over four years, this past season numbers 15.0 ppg, 8.2 rebounds and nearly three block shots a game. One downside similar to most big men this 7-foot center suffers at the free-throw line. He’s not “DeAndre Jordan” at the line however .709 was his best in four years.
