BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
Another one
I don’t know anything about George Washington basketball; secondly I don’t know Coach Mike Longeran. This I do know Longeran no longer has a job at GW, the school decided to replace him. Reports circulated he was abusive to several of his players. He becomes another in the line of coaches terminated based on treatment of players by a coach. Mike Rice Jr. served as Rutgers coach from 2010 to 2013; he was fired for abusing his players.
In 2014 College of Charleston fired Doug Wojcik for the very same reason. The coaches mentioned were not the first terminated for abusing players nor will they be the last they are just among the most recent. By the time Bobby Knight arrived at Texas Tech in 2001 we are not sure if it was age or something else he certainly coached differently. Knight was an institution at Indiana; he might still be coaching if not for “the incident. “
One of his players claimed abuse which Knight denied later video surfaced appearing to confirm Knight had his hands around the player’s neck. The university adopted a zero tolerance policy the next incident he was out the door. Walking on campus it was reported a student said “Hey Knight” which caused the coach to grab the student by his arm. Knight was asked to resign when he refused the school fired him. Bottom line there must be a cut-off point that allows a coach to teach and preach but not abuse. I have no idea of the parameters involved in coaching but they must exist.
He was impressed
Jaren Jackson is a 5-star recruit from Indianapolis (IN), the 6-10 Jackson is one of the highly sought after prospects (Rivals 15) in the Class of 2017. The young man had several schools recruiting him including Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Wolverines. Jackson made his choice know recently picking Michigan State. He said; “The coach was being inducted in the Naismith Hall of Fame on Friday and Sunday he was visiting me.” I guess effort like that can impress a young man.
A name you should know
Jerry Lucas is a name from the past you should know. At 6-8 230 pounds Lucas with the Knicks faced 7-1 290 pound Wilt Chamberlain of the Lakers in the 1973 NBA Championship. Luke didn’t battle down low giving away too much height and weight to Chamberlain. He would shoot from the outside attempting to draw Chamberlain away from the basket; the Knicks win the 1973 championship four games to one. Working backwards Luke came from Middletown (OH) to the Ohio State where he was an All-American. At the time Luke graduated college the Cincinnati Royals (Kings) made him a territorial pick but there was competition.
The American Basketball League a short lived competing league, Luke would sign with the Cleveland Pipers however lawsuits between the Royals and Pipers resulted in him missing a year. The ABL would later fold and Luke would become a member of the Royals. Luke had double-double numbers for his NBA career 17.0 ppg and 15.6 rebounds. This is but brief glimpse at portions of Luke‘s history, there are numerous accolades not mentioned. He’s also been afforded a double-double in the College Hall of Fame and Naismith Hall of Fame. Jerry Lucas a name from the past you should know.
Tell me what you really think?
The NBA page on ESPN.com featured a story on China’s Yi Jianlian. I certainly don’t intend to detail the story rather the after affects. There were six emails responding to the piece and five of them were negative. At times in the past I’ve written jaded stories but I hope with purpose. Several of the letters used the term “scrub” and other terms. They pointed out Yi’s past failure with several teams in the NBA. The Lakers will be NBA team number five however he’s now 28-years old, although he’s been playing in China the NBA will not be new.
We still don’t know how Luke Walton plans on playing him. As for the Lakers we know rookie Brandon Ingram will be coming off the bench initially. Walton has confirmed this story as for Yi and the balance of this story we must wait and see. These letter writers forgot one key fact Yi is only operating under a 1-year contract if he fails he’s history. As for me I’d like to see what a 7 foot 250 pound forward/center can accomplish.
