Basketball from a fans perspective
How it started
A number reading this might be too young to know the history behind Team USA being comprised of NBA players. We must return to 1972 to fully comprehend the basis. Team USA Silver Medals for the second place finish in the Munich Olympics were never picked up; the medals remain in storage in Lausanne Switzerland. At the time Team USA was comprised of college and AAU players, despite this fact America still dominated men’s basketball. At some point in the mid to late ‘60’s nations began building national teams, the former USSR was one of the countries. The shorten version of the story Team USA “won” a close game 50-49.
*“One referee apparently whistled play to stop with a second remaining in regulation after hearing an earlier horn and seeing an error at the scorers table. The inbounds play was done over again; yet again the Soviets failed to score. However the Secretary General of FIBA ordered the clock reset again at three seconds. This time the Soviets scored. The U.S. later filed a protest to no avail.” The final score read USSR 51 USA 50. Team USA refused its silver medals and to this day has never been picked up by any team members. Two members Kenny Davis and Tom Henderson have stated in their wills their descendants could not claim the medals.
*Wikipedia
The second coming???
One grew up in New York City the other Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both are 7 feet tall, the weight difference between the two is minimal. One specialized in shooting and perfecting the sky-hook the other is learning to shoot it. The reference of course is to former Laker center Kareem Abdul Jabbar and new Laker center Ivicia Zubac.
One of the Laker fan websites claims Zubac is working on shooting the skyhook; he’s working with assistant coach Bill Bertka. Another former center Shaquille O’Neal says; “Bill Bertka is a legend and taught me a lot. He was vital to my career”. Don’t get ahead of me this is no claim Zubac is the second coming however he could be an improvement over the last few Laker centers.
“Who let the dogs out”
Was the titled of a 2000 pop hit by the Bahamian group Baha Men. This is not about the group or the song but it is about dogs. We’ve discussed animal team mascots in the past and my research uncovers the fact when it comes to dogs there are two breeds ranked highly. There are a few Greyhounds and Huskies but no Pit Bulls, German Shepherds or Dobermans.
There are even Salukis (Southern Illinois University) which describes them as a “slight hound and is typically deep chested and long-legged.“ A smaller number of other breeds are listed number two most popular is Terriers and at the top of the list Bulldogs. I stopped counting but estimate there are three to four times more Bulldogs than any other breed.
Georgia Bulldogs
Butler Bulldogs
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Bryant Bulldogs
Fresno State Bulldogs
Brooklyn College Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Drake Bulldogs
Gardner-Webb Bulldogs
McPherson College Bulldogs
Yale Bulldogs
Ferris State Bulldogs
The list above is not close to complete; there are over 43 universities and colleges across the nation utilizing the Bulldog as a mascot. Finally consider this bit of information, Georgetown’s mascot is nicknamed Jack the Bulldog I can uncover no facts indicating a Hoya is a bulldog.
Celebrity fans
The entertainer Drake must be added to the list. I’m unsure if I included him in the list of celebrity fans. Drake a Canadian can be located most evenings sitting in an expensive seat at Raptors games. He joins Spike Lee and Michael Rappaport with the Knicks, Jay-Z and Beyonce Nets fans. Eminem was born in St. Joseph (MO) but grew up in Detroit where he became a Pistons fan. Actor Matt Damon remains devoted to the Celtics from his Cambridge youth.
Comedian/actor Mike Epps an Indianapolis native has expressed loyalty to the Pacers. Out west we have Jack Nicholson who is identified with the Lakers along with Denzel Washington and Andy Garcia. I once read Billy Crystal became a fan of the Clippers because he was unable to secure Laker tickets. This is certainly not complete just a few celebrities who consider themselves NBA fans. This list does not include celebrity/owners Justin Timberlake, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith and Usher.
