BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE

Listen to the man
It probably wouldn’t do any good; I’m referring to Stephen A. Smith listening to someone other than himself.  During a podcast former Knick coach and current ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy issued a noteworthy declaration.  “The Knicks have the talent to win 50 games this season but notes several factors have to fall into place.”  Anybody (besides Smith) who pays attention to the NBA realizes its no slam dunk for the Knicks.  There is no guarantee the Knicks win 50 games but I agree with Van Gundy we could witness an improved 2016-17 Knicks team.

The high school game
Since its inception basketball at the high school level has been played   throughout the nation. There were several areas the high school game was more popular than others, New York City, the States of Kentucky and Indiana.  This focus is on Indiana unlike other areas of the Hoosier State had but one boy’s high school tournament.  The 1986 movie Hoosiers starring Gene Hackman was a fictional story however based on a historical event. 

Milan High School defeated played Muncie Central 32-30; Milan at the time had a population of less than 1,500 souls.  Muncie Indiana’s population was over 51,000 people at the time this game was played.  For the 1997-98 season the Indiana State High School Association divided schools into four division.  According to basketball-reference.com over the years the State of Indiana has produced 162 NBA and ABA players, just a few of the current active NBA players from Indiana:

Mike Conley
Eric Gordon
George Hill
R.J. Hunter
Courtney Lee
Trey Lyles
Zach Randolph
Jeff Teague
Cody Zeller
Tyler Zeller

Former NBA players:
Shawn Kemp
Glenn Robinson
Oscar Robertson
Scott Skiles
George McGinnis

The newest NBA “castle”
Golden1 Center opens in Sacramento on October 10; the new home of the Kings will seat 17,500 for basketball.  Naturally the arena will be utilized for more than just basketball concerts and the rodeo are just a few of the events scheduled.  David Stern saved the franchise for the city of Sacramento.  The team was likely headed to Seattle if not for Commissioner David Stern.  For his help in securing the team for the City of Sacramento the street leading up to the arena is now 500 David Stern Walk. 

Thanks but no thanks
Rumor every year has John Calipari or Bill Self leaving for the NBA, on occasion its both of them. My response why is this even a question for these two.  An NBA team would have to pay both large sums of money to leave Lexington Kentucky or Lawrence Kansas.  The information I uncovered indicates Calipari earns $8 million dollars a year less bonuses.  Self could stand a raise however he makes $3 million a year according to KMBC TV9 Kansas City there is a loophole which shields some of his salary from Kansas tax.  

I’m not close to being a financial guy so I’m not going to attempt an explanation.  In addition to the tax situation Self has only two years remaining under his present contract.  We can rest assured he will command a significant raise.  The other factor both have personalities (players) to handle as head coaches, the parallel to coaching an NBA team full of different players is quite different from college age youth.  I could be wrong about both however I seriously doubt it.  I could foresee an up and coming college coach (Brad Stevens type) headed to the NBA over these two.