BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
“Whistling past the graveyard”
The headline is an old saying you don’t hear much anymore, I’m going to provide you the text book definition. “To attempt to stay cheerful in a dire situation, ignoring an upcoming hazard, hoping for a good outcome.” This from my favorite Coach Doc Rivers; “I think we can play with anybody, and we don’t feel like there’s a gap.” His comment was made regarding the Warriors with Kevin Durant added to the lineup. The Clippers are not in a dire situation however I like the last definition based on Rivers; "hoping for a good outcome." Don’t misunderstand me the Clippers are a good team, the question are they as Rivers indicates ready to challenge the Warriors?
The silence is deafening
Kobe Bryant is a polarizing figure in some minds, I’ve heard Kobe haters for the last three years yell and scream; “He needs to retire.” How about Paul Pierce his numbers have been inching downward for at least the last two seasons. There is no doubt he is headed to the Naismith Hall of Fame as soon as he‘s eligible what about the present? Pierce announced he’s going to play for a 19th season and then retire. My question why are there not large numbers of calls for him to retire ala Kobe Bryant? At age 38 Pierce will be reminded once again; “Father Time remains undefeated.”
The history, the history
I’m sure a first time or new reader to Words eye view might wonder. “Why does this guy spend so much time writing about the history of the game and its players? Depending on your age historical names and events of the game might be foreign to many readers. In addition basketball didn’t begin yesterday it’s got a rich history in urban cities, small towns and rural portions of the nation. In addition the history of the international game has grown as well. Proof is the number of international player’s coaches and contributors enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Bad blood
For the most part I believe the NBA today is superior to that of 1950 through 1980. We could say in a serious tone team A. wants to beat team B. but nothing like the old days there are rivals in name only. Once upon a time the Lakers hated the Celtics and vise-versa. We could make that same statement regarding the 76ers and Celtics, the Pistons and Celtics. The Knicks-Celtics, Bulls-Knicks and Bulls-Pistons are just a few of the teams that literally hated one another.
Celtic Kevin McHale close lining Laker Kurt Rambis on an attempted dunk. Isiah Thomas leading the Pistons off the floor in the ‘91 playoffs against the Bulls before the conclusion of the game. The time Larry Bird and Dr. J. had to be separated after blows were exchanged during a Celtic-76er game. There are other examples those mentioned are but a few. Today’s NBA players exchange pleasantries at the conclusion of games, they often appear to be BFF’s with one another. It’s my belief that might be a reason free agents might not have a great deal of adjustment to a new team. They are already buddies with members of the team they join.
NBA Team Salaries
I discovered some interesting information according to Hoopshype. Surprise, surprise the Blazers have the highest team payroll in the NBA. The champion Cavs are in second place. Where are the Warriors your ask, they are situated in the 8th position which is little surprising considering that figure now includes Kevin Durant. The Thunder are fairly well off, they are a consistent playoff team in 19th place followed by my Lakers at 20. In last place at number 30 is the team with the number one pick in the 2016 draft the 76ers. We cannot claim these figures are 100% accurate however the belief is they are likely close to fact.
