Headed home
The Lakers had a decision, they must reduce the roster to the mandatory 15 player limit by the season opening date. In a surprising move Yi Jianlian made it easier for the Lakers excusing himself, Yi asked the Lakers to release him thus his return to the NBA becomes short-lived. I’m unsure how this development occurred but Yi received little if any playing time. Out of the limited playing time and out of the NBA since 2012 Yi made the decision to return to China. Outside candidate and former Kansas Jayhawk Thomas Robinson made the roster along with Metta World Peace. Last years second round pick Anthony Brown drafted from Stanford was released.
The arena
Matt Barnes of the Kings took writer Marc Spears on a tour of the Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento. It reminded me of the change that’s come about in building new arenas across the nation. The Palace of Auburn Hills is located some 35 miles from downtown Detroit not a great distance but it remains a drive unless you live close by. The point is The Palace of Auburn Hills might be the last arena utilized by an NBA outside the city limits of a franchise. Consider just a few of the arenas opened after 1990, Wells Fargo Center, Target Center, Philips Arena, Barclays and Staples are all located within the city limits of the franchise they represent.
In a number of instances the arenas are located in the downtown portion of the city an area that was once abandoned as suburban areas grew. Perhaps the return to the cities is a sign of urban renewal or maybe a whole other thing. Although we have no NBA team the Sprint Center and Basketball Hall of Fame are located next door to the Power and Light District. The P&L District was an urban renewal project which greatly enhances downtown Kansas City Missouri. As for the oldest continuous use arena (1968) Madison Square Garden will never move from Manhattan, it’s been renovated twice since its opening the most recent in 2011-2013. If the Chase Center in San Francisco with a planned opening in 2019 will be located inside city limits.
Beware of the Phog
Cameron Indoor, the Dean Dome and Rupp Arena are among the most difficult arenas for opposing teams in the nation. There is one other, Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence Kansas. Kansas fans use the phrase “Beware of the Phog” but many in the nation might be unaware of its meaning. Forrest Clare “Phog” Allen was born in 1885 in Jamesport (MO) about 80 miles northeast of Kansas City. Phog took up the game at the age of 10 although the sport was new at the time. In 1904 Allen as a student enrolled at Kansas University and his coach the inventor of the game. His coach was Dr. James A. Naismith the inventor of the game.
Allen might be the longest tenured coach in history serving at the helm for Kansas basketball from 1919-1956. After recruiting the legendary Wilt Chamberlain Allen was forced to retire and never had the opportunity to coach Wilt. The accolades are too numerous to list however it should be noted Allen’s been enshrined in the College and Naismith Hall of Fame. As for the arena it opened in March of 1955 and has been renovated over the years four times. Consider this fact; *“Under Bill Self Kansas has a 206-9 record with win streaks of 69, 33 and an active streak of 40.’ With that type of winning streak you can see why the KU faithful say “Beware of the Phog” to fans of opposing teams.
*Wikipedia
Is it just talk?
“Laker fans say there will never be another combo as lethal as Shaq and Kobe.” Is that view just hot air or anywhere close to the truth. At this point with the passage of time we only have the numbers to access. Despite the two butting heads at times I wonder if there have ever been two teammates close to the numbers of Shaq and Kobe. Just check out these per game scoring numbers in a 5-year run as teammates.
Kobe Shaq
22.5 29.7
28.5 28.7
25.2 27.2
30.2 27.5
24.0 21.5
As proof they were just not a scoring combo they were busy on both ends of the floor. Kobe was All Defensive 1st team 3 times and 2nd team twice, Shaq was All Defensive 2nd team 3 of the five years. Both were adapt at passing the basketball to open teammates. We have no method other than the numbers to provide fans proof of how lethal these teammates were. Maybe the Laker fans are correct Jordan and Pippen were very good so has Curry and Thompson, how about LeBron and Wade?
basketball-reference.com
