Basketball from a fans perspective
Published Monday through Friday
Game Five
The game was “Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier or George Foreman” a heavyweight championship bout. Back and forth in the first half as each team traded baskets no team pulling more than three points ahead of the other, halftime Cavs 61 Warriors 61. The Cavs have come out in the third quarter wanting a return home, as they raced out to a 10-point lead which was reduced to eight. With 1:08 left in the third period the Cavs have an 11 point lead which was reduced to 9.
End of the third quarter Cavs 93 Warriors 84 as Irving and LeBron lead the way. LeBron 36 points 12 rebounds and 6 assists, Irving 29 points end of the third. As for the Warriors Klay Thompson led the way as he kept his team in the game scoring 35 points. The Cavs dominated the fourth quarter led by James and Irving duo as for Love he was there but hardly a presence during the game. Final score Cavs 112 Warriors 97 as Irving and LeBron both scored 41 points.
McDonald All-Americans
Checking the incoming list of prospects for Mizzou I see no McDonald’s All-Americans. Of the five prospects four receive three stars and one 0 stars by Rivals. Does that pose serious problems for the upcoming season? I don’t believe any more than normal. A number of schools have been quite competitive every year without being considered “NBA factories.”
We could check out the victory by the 2016 NCAA Champion Villanova as an example. Gonzaga, Butler, Wichita State and Stephen F. Austin are just a few of the several successful programs without loads of McDonald’s All-Americans. It certainly aids the cause of any school to attract high profile athletes but it’s not always necessary to produce a winner, ask Mark Few (Gonzaga) or Gregg Marshall (Wichita State). One more noteworthy issue with the exception of Villanova all the schools mentioned are considered mid-major.
The NFL
Nate Robinson the 5-9 point guard is no longer in the NBA his 11-year career over. Robinson attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship before beginning play in the NBA. Robinson always expressed a desire to play in the NFL and he had a tryout with the NFL Seahawks. Can Robinson make the transition from the NBA to the NFL at age 32?
What you doing?
I didn’t violate my boycott I’m not viewing ESPN’s First Take. Unfortunately I cannot avoid Stephen A. Smith and his sometimes questionable commentary on the NBA page. The latest tirade; Smith’s upset with the NBA for suspending Draymond Green. Kiki VanDeWeghe NBA vice-president of basketball operations offered an explanation for the suspension. I’m not going to detail VanDeWeghe however agree with the leagues reasoning or not there was clarification.
The NBA made its decision regarding Green, Stephen A. Smith and nobody else has responsibility for player actions on and off the court. This is written prior to Game Five and I have no idea how this will affect the Warriors. Sometimes past issues result in future actions. *“This was Green’s fourth flagrant foul point, which resulted in the automatic suspension. He (Green) also has five technical’s and was fined $25,000 for kicking Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams in the groin during the Western Conference finals.”
*Kansas City Star
“No Excuse Just Produce”
40 years of Drew League basketball in the heart of the ghetto South Central Los Angeles. It’s beyond a doubt the most competitive summer league tournament in the nation. You better be prepared to defend your manhood if strive to play in the Drew, the game is strictly a man-eater you will be challenged. In addition to being challenged you just might be embarrassed too. There are referees however unless there is blood few fouls are called.
Streetballers along with college and NBA players dot the rosters of the Drew League. The tiny gym at Charles Drew Middle School at the corner of Compton and Firestone was packed to the rafters with fans wanting to witness the best summer league basketball in the nation. In 2012 the league moved to the King Drew Magnet High School located at 1601 E 120th Street Los Angeles. The theme rings just as true today as it did 40 years ago; “No Excuse Just Produce.”
