Basketball from a fans perspective
Names the same
Butler secured its second commitment in the Class of 2017. Jordan Butler
6-5 shooting guard from Florida announced his intent to enroll at Butler University. The provision makes it Butler to Butler, maybe you don’t consider this humorous I do.
Say what?
Have you read Yardbarker.com in the past? The May 23 edition contained a quiz; “Name every men’s basketball coach of the Kentucky Wildcats since 1920” Rupp so dominated the basketball landscape in Kentucky there is no reason to go back to 1920. None of us are likely to be familiar to any of them except Rupp. History says five coaches prior to Rupp served as head coach between 1920 and Rupp’s hire in 1930. As you can see serving such a short tenure few names could have built outstanding programs. Rupp would spend 42 years at the helm of the Wildcats from 1930 through 1972. The names and terms after Rupp are likely to be more familiar to us:
Adolph Rupp 1930-1972
Joe B. Hall 1972-1985
Eddie Sutton 1985-1989
Rick Pitino 1989-1997
Tubby Smith 1997-2007
Billy Gillispie 2007-2009
John Calipari 2009-present
Okay!
Sometimes the thoughts of event can be mind-boggling, Team USA losing in basketball is not one at least for me. The headline on the NBA page read; “Why Team USA might lose the gold.” I didn’t read Kevin Pelton’s account however I’ll provide you mind. This team is good, really good but that must play a total game to win. The game against Serbia did not fit the bill as they came real close to losing.
I cannot fault LeBron and others who chose to remain at home. Consider this fact they began organized play in September and didn’t finish until mid-June. All of that time frame is not game time however players are on the court scrimmaging. I want Team USA to win however if they don’t nothing will change. As the balance of the world’s game grows we can anticipate close competitive play and that’s okay.
Building through the draft
Fans of the Warriors or Cavs are likely the only satisfied fans. Our team should be able to compete this rebuilding process must move faster. I cannot soothe the ruffled feathers of disgruntled fans. You can build a team through the draft and we look no further than the Warriors. Klay Thompson the 11th pick in the first round of the 2011 draft, Steph Curry 7th pick in the first round of the 2009 draft. Harrison Barnes now with the Mavs however the Warriors drafted him with the 7th pick of the first round in 2012.
Marreese Speights now with the Clippers was a free-agent signing however he was 16th pick in the first round of the 2008 draft by the 76ers. Mr. Heart and Soul Draymon Green---he would become the 35th pick in the second round of the 2012 draft. There are a number players drafted ahead of Green who don’t offer the value of Green. Signing that top-notch free-agency works, you get your man and he impacts your team almost immediately. Building a team slowly through the draft works too the problem it’s not a quick fix.
A change
It’s likely I’m late but have you noticed the trend? Once upon a time college coaches aspired to land NBA jobs lately it’s been the other way around. In this instance I’m speaking less about Larry Brown and Lon Kruger than others. Mike Dunleavy after a number of NBA stops interviewed and was hired as the Tulane coach. Avery Johnson serving as Mavs and Nets head coach is now coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide. We must include Chris Mullen in the count; he’s coached no NBA team but returned to the collegiate ranks to coach his alma mater St. John’s.
Mark Price was one of the Cavs all time great point guards, never an NBA head coach he’s assumed the position with the University of Charlotte. After serving as head coach with the Warriors and Kings Eric Musselman is now head man at the University of Nevada. It’s highly likely I’ve missed someone which is not intentional. The landscape has changed especially at the collegiate level. Added recently is another with vast NBA experience as a player but 0 as a coach. Josh Howard’s been hired by Division II Piedmont International this summer and will begun his first season as head coach soon.
