Basketball from a fans perspective

A “NEW” Clipper home
The Clippers might gain a new home; they signed a 10-year extension so they are anchored to Staples through 2024.  What I found really interesting makes sense in the short term.  Contrary to the belief by many the Lakers don’t own the building AEG is the owner.  Laker fans were aware their team would be moving into Staples when it opened Clipper fans were not so sure.  

It seemed as though months before Staples was scheduled to open management signed a contract that was 1999.  The words of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer are worthy of note; “The Clippers operate in Staples as a third tenant.”  So we guess priority dates go to the Lakers, NHL Kings and finally the Clippers.  

I remember thinking it was odd for a city as large as Los Angeles to have two teams operating in one (Staples) building.  Maybe readers in SoCal have the complete story I don’t. The Clippers home from 1994-99 was the Honda Center in Anaheim.  The arena is certainly not ancient opening six years prior to Staples.

In any event it appears Ballmer is serious about a move, could the team locate back to the Honda Center or will Ballmer build his own arena?  He’s got enough money to do what Jack Kent Cooke did back in the day.  Upset with the City of Los Angeles Cooke built The Forum.  Finally a fan pointed to a fact I’d forgotten.  Laker retired jerseys 10 Clipper retired jerseys 0, Laker statues 5 (pending 1) Clippers 0.  Perhaps it’s a little more than the lease arrangement.  

Retirement---well not quite
You might remember last week we discussed Amar’e Stoudemire and his announced retirement from the NBA.  Truth is he’s retiring from the NBA but not from basketball. Stoudemire has been part owner of team Hapoel Jerusalem but will sell his share in order to suit up for the Israeli team. Reports indicate Stoudemire has signed a two-year contract.  

“Rome wasn’t built in a day”
And that certainly applies to the proposed Chase Center in San Francisco.  You might be familiar with the “Rome wasn’t built” quote.  “Important work takes time.  This expression functions as an injunction or plea for someone to be patient. “I’m unsure who the patient person(s) are in this instance.  The plan for the Warriors new arena was first announced in May of 2012.  

While arenas in Sacramento and Milwaukee were proposed near the same time or shortly after Chase Center are ahead of the San Francisco project.  The Kings will open Golden 1 Center in Sacramento this fall; meantime in Milwaukee the Bucks will open their arena in 2018.  The arena has been delayed by a battle in court rather than on the court.  The same opposition group continues to delay, delay and delay with lawsuit after lawsuit.  

Two players in front of him
Rajon Rondo was first, Derrick Rose second and Timofey Mozgov came in third. ESPN provided us their view of summer free-agents.  They indicate the three names were the worst acquisitions of the summer.  I’m going to leave Rondo and Rose to others lets check in on Mozgov.  I have no intention of going overboard with praise in the manner I might have done with Dwight Howard and Roy Hibbert.  

Mozgov’s numbers would offer no proof (6.3 ppg and 4.4 rebounds) for the reported $64 million dollar four year Laker contract.  I’m going to adopt a wait and see because Mozgov appeared excited to join the Lakers.  Perhaps that and the fact Luke Walton plans on “playing him a lot” could prove the emphasis for the 7-1 275 pound center to prove his worth.