Basketball from a fans perspective
The NFL
From time to time I must provide the basis for the publication. I was asked “Why don’t you cover the NFL or college football or even baseball”? Words eye view is an attempt to impart basketball from a fans perspective. Don’t wish to offend but if you want NFL, college football or baseball this is not the website. You might ask; “Why are you writing about basketball in July and August?” This is my response one of the local television stations has a Chiefs program on every Sunday evening 12 months of the year. I believe it’s okay for you and me to talk basketball in the same manner.
It ain’t that easy
Several in sports media have hinted the Lakers are in the perfect draft position. Picking second all they must get done is draft the player the 76ers don’t. Sounds simple enough is it really as easy as they make it out to be? Let’s check past NBA draft history? In 1983 Steve Stipanovich was taken with the second pick by the Pacers, that draft also contained Byron Scott, Dale Ellis and Clyde Drexler to name just a few. In fairness a Stipanovich injury cut short his career after a brief five seasons. In 1984 the Blazers chose Sam Bowie and with the third pick the Bulls chose Michael Jordan.
Bowie too suffered injury and never rose to the level expected although he managed to play 11 years for a number of NBA teams. You might ask the question how about the draft in more recent years. In 2005 Marvin Williams would become the second pick with the fourth pick the Hornets chose Chris Paul. 2008 Michael Beasley was chosen two and Russell Westbrook number four. Can you see the direction I’m going with this assessment, drafting talent is not automatic or easy as a number in the media would lead us to believe. Not only are NBA teams hoping they are making the best choice they also hope the prospects avoids injury that curtailed the careers of Stipanovich and Bowie.
Got his man
There was excitement in some circles at the time Shaka Smart moved to Texas and the Big 12. The Longhorns finished 11-7 in the conference and 20-13 overall in Smart’s first year. There is some concern in Austin losing four starters from last season however help is on the way. Arriving this fall is Andrew Jones a 6-4 shooting guard from Irving Texas, a late addition is Jarrett Allen a 6-10 220 pound center/forward and the number 15 prospects in Rivals 2006 list. Added to the mix is
6-11 230 pound center James Banks from Atlanta. With the holdovers plus these newcomers Texas should be competitive in the Big 12. Unless a coach inherits a “ready-made” roster whatever that is they must be given adequate time to implement their program. For me that number is year four, if a team hasn’t shown improvement in that time perhaps the coach should be shown the door.
Mislead
I’m the guy who picked the Cavs to win the NBA Championship the fat lady is not singing yet however she’s got to be tuning up. What happened, did the “weaker” Eastern Conference mislead us allowing the belief the Cavs were superior than appeared. Playoff victories over the Pistons, Hawks and Raptors certainly provided us proof this team from Cleveland was ready to be crowned. A strange occurrence on the road to their coronation as champions they ran into a roadblock in the form of the Warriors. Wednesday in Cleveland Game Three what do we expect or rather what should we expect the outcome?
Identical
I read the ESPN comments of Warriors exec Jerry West on Steph Curry. Bottom line West believes Curry could have easily played in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. West claims Curry would have been knocked on his fanny more in those days however he would have gone to the free throw line more. At the time West played for the Lakers he stood 6-2 and weighed 175 pounds, Curry is 6-3 185 pounds nearly identical stats.
