Basketball from a fans perspective

“The Big Fundamental“
The nickname Shaq gave Tim Duncan was intended to be funny but it became more than that.  I must admit at the beginning I once hated Duncan; it seemed he was always hitting a shot that led to a defeat for my Lakers.  A 19 year NBA career few could equal 5X NBA Champion, 3X NBA Finals MVP and twice NBA regular season MVP and NBA Rookie of the Year.  Those are just a few of the accomplishments during his NBA career.  Duncan is more than awards he might be the last of the good guys’ one we never expected to read involved with drugs, assaults or arguing over playing time or his contract.  This tiny bit of information is far from detailing the brilliant career of Tim Duncan.

At one point the belief had been Karl Malone was the best power forward in NBA history, Malone is now in second place.  Now that Wade has move on its likely Kobe and Duncan will be the last to play for one team their entire NBA careers. The Naismith Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame wait for Duncan in a few years.  We’ll miss Duncan’s classic bank shot in a manner similar to the Kareem sky-hook.  Surprised there was no farewell tour for Duncan last season?  I'm not although he might have been debating whether to retire he probably didn't want to draw any attention to himself.

“Whose town, my town!”
I found Tom Penn’s comment interesting the other evening viewing the Laker summer league game.  Penn worked in the front office for several NBA teams and currently serves as an NBA analyst for ESPN.  During one point of game Penn said; “I live now in L.A. and it’s still a Laker town.”  There was no purpose for him to make the statement other than to indicate the re-build has begun in earnest.  Penn made his declaration after three sub par seasons with last year being the worst in Laker history.  In addition this was made despite the superior play of the Clippers over the last 3 plus seasons.  

Landing pad
It would sure be terrific if the NBA and colleges could get together and do away with
“One n Done.”  I’m not picking on the youngster but Malik Newman might be using Kansas as a landing pad only.  This highly touted guard signed with Mississippi State and had a fairly good rookie year however problems developed with Coach Ben Howland. Newman declared for the NBA draft and perhaps didn’t receive the assurance he believed withdrew his name.

Newman failed to hire an agent so he had the opportunity to return to school but it wouldn’t be Mississippi State.  The new “landing pad” this time is Kansas where he must sit out a year.  As for you fans of the Jayhawk program it appears you’ll have a very talented athlete added to the roster.  Allow me to be the first don’t expect Newman to remain in Lawrence through his senior year, if it should occur I certainly will be shocked.

He’s on the way
You remember 76er big man Dario Saric don‘t you?  The 6-10 power forward from Croatia was drafted in 2014 by the Magic and his rights traded to the 76ers.  Saric remained in Europe and became one of those players “lost” in Sam Hinkie’s assemblage of talent.  A player Hinkie would draft but not play due to injury or something else preventing them from appearing on the basketball court.  At least with him the mystery is over as Saric indicates he’s headed to the America and the 76ers training camp.