“Throw it down big man”
I witnessed video of a 7 foot eighth grade player; this was no AAU highlight video the youngster was in action in a varsity game. I saw this 7 foot prospect lay the ball up time after time in warm-ups and through out the game. Lay-ups are a violation in the mind of former NBA player and current ESPN television analyst Bill Walton. We have been witness to more than one college game he will state; “Throw it down big man.” I’m with Walton on this issue I dislike seeing Big Men lay the ball up gingerly on the backboard. Granted there are times a lay-up is necessary however Big Men should exhibit a power game around the basket.
San Diego
We’ve discussed Seattle, Kansas City, St. Louis and other cities no longer home to NBA teams. What about San Diego a city with over 3 million population larger than a number of current NBA cities. In 1967 two expansion franchises were added in the NBA in Seattle and San Diego. Despite drafting Elvin Hayes and two future NBA All-Stars poor play and low attendance caused the owner to sell the team. The ownership group was in Houston and in 1971 the team moved to Houston and continued with the Rocket nickname. San Diego would remain without NBA basketball until 1978 when the Buffalo Braves moved to San Diego and changed the team name to the Clippers.
In 1984 San Diego would lose another franchise as the team took Interstate 5 north to Los Angeles. 1973 through 1975 the Conquistadors of the American Basketball Association called San Diego home. The team had the distinction of Wilt Chamberlain serving as head coach although it was only for one season. I hope this does not appear to be a slam at the city there are probably a number of reasons why San Diego is no longer mentioned as a possible destination.
I thought it was interesting reading home grown talent Bill Walton’s take on the basketball misfortunate’s of San Diego. In an ESPN.com story Walton takes the blame for the demise of the NBA in his home town. He’d signed a 4-year contract but injuries forced him to the sidelines much of the period before the team would relocate to Los Angeles in the 4th year of the contract. Walton missed the entire season the first year, he played in 32 the next and 46 the last season the team was located in San Diego.
The path ahead
If my favorite team (Lakers) I would consider writing another story. Awhile back I wrote my belief the best method of re-building a team was through the draft. Well let’s take an opposing view and see if we can check out alternatives. There is the free-agency option, the team/coach could be responsible for Shaquille O’Neal moving to the Lakers more recently LeMarcus Aldridge to the Spurs and Kevin Durant Warriors. Although LeBron James returned to Cleveland he used free-agency to aid him in his initial quest for an NBA Championship.
As indicated you must have a coach (Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich) or past team success (Spurs, Warriors and at one time the Lakers) in order to attract quality free-agents. How about trading to improve a team? It’s always been my belief trades are not always beneficial; Team A acquires a player from Team B hoping the change will be improved play. Most often (my view) trades don’t provide adequate results for either team. Is there a conclusion here you ask? The draft, free-agency and trades can all prove effective there is no one answer because a team could lose in all instances. There can also be rewards in all three instances.
In Kansas
Sometimes folks arriving here have no idea where we they are in the country. Allow me to give you a brief example, a well-know musical group one during their opening said; “We are glad to be in Kansas” the only problem they were in Kansas City Missouri not Kansas. These are two cities located opposite of one another one in Kansas and across state line one in Missouri. Why two cities with the same name in two different states, I’m relieved you ask. Kansas City (MO) was incorporated in 1853 as the “City of Kansas,” across the state line was several unincorporated towns.
In 1872 “old” Kansas City was incorporated in March 1886 five municipalities came together and formed the “new” Kansas City (KS). Sorry I got distracted the Suns coach Earl Watson hails from Kansas City (KS) and graduated from Washington High School in the city. He attended UCLA where he was teammates for a period with Baron Davis. Watson was drafted by the Sonics in 2001 and played for a number of NBA teams during his 13-year career. He began his NBA coaching career as an assistant in the NBA D-League team, later serving in that same capacity with the Suns. Watson was named interim head coach at the time Jeff Hornacek was fired. April 2016 Watson was given a 3-year contract to coach the Suns.
