Basketball from a fans perspective
Defunct franchises
We’ve discussed re-located NBA franchises, the Kings moving from Kansas City to Sacramento the Lakers from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. This discussion is Basketball Association of America and National Basketball League teams which no longer exist. The BBA and NBL would merge in 1948-49 to become today’s NBA. Washington D.C. had a pro team long before the Wizards even existed. The Capitals were a BBA team and played from 1946-1951. Most noteworthy event their first coach was the legendary Celtic Coach Red Auerbach. Toronto also had a BAA team which only lasted one season 1946-47. A Huskies player Ossie Schectman has the distinction of scoring the first basket in the “new” league against the Knicks.
The State of Iowa was represented by the Waterloo Hawks a NBL team, formed in 1948 the team folded in 1951. In 1972 when the Cincinnati Royals moved to Kansas City a contest was held to change the name of the team. The choice was Kings being the winner after all the baseball Royals were already in town, you can’t have two pro teams in the same city with the same nickname can you?
We assume in an earlier time in history it didn’t matter. Pittsburgh had a basketball and baseball team with the same nickname? The Pirates (basketball) were an NBL team; founded in 1937 they played the next two years. 1940-43 the team did not play likely due to World War II; the team would go defunct in 1945. One team the Chicago Stags began play as a BAA team (1946) and actually moved into the NBA with the merger but went out of business in 1950. These are but a few of the BAA and NBL teams which went out of business.
NOTE: Same nickname same city however it wasn’t basketball. Cardinal baseball is historical but what about football. The Chicago Cardinals of the NFL were a storied franchise tracing their roots back to 1923; they played football in the Windy City until 1960 when they moved to St. Louis. They didn’t bother with changing the nickname they just kept the old one. Media at the time had to designate which Cardinals they were referring to until 1988 when the NFL franchise relocated to Arizona.
Backup
I was proven incorrect once again; Derrick Rose will miss some games due to the trial. If you remember I first suspected he might be suspended for the duration of the trial and then discovered I was mistaken. The order of the day Rose will likely miss games as the trial progresses based on game dates.
Successful without the NBA
We are all guilty, guilty of measuring a successful basketball success using the NBA as the blueprint. Could a player have a stellar career without the NBA? You bet they can, we need look no further than Coney Island’s Stephon Marbury. Drafted by the Wolves four other teams would utilize his skill before he headed overseas. There was no doubt about the talent of this 6-2 point guard just check his early record. It appeared Marbury fell into disfavor with teammates, coaches and the front office.
In 2010 Marbury would leave for China, since that time he’s played for three Chinese League teams and has been on the roster of the Beijing Ducks since 2011. Marbury’s been a 3X Champion a Finals MVP and been selected for six All Star Games. How popular is Marbury, for starters just like Jordan, Johnson and Abdul Jabbar he’s got a statue erected in his honor. The lawn area alongside the LeSports Center where the Ducks play is the location of the statue. Marbury’s received a “green-card” or permanent residence status only the 5th American player to receive the honor. In addition he’s made a movie. At age 39 Marbury has received accolades he might have expected from an NBA team believe me he’s at a happy point in his basketball career and life. His 2008 salary was reported to be in the range of $20 million dollars.
Second coming
Joel Embiid of the 76ers scored 12 points in limited time on the court. If he is fully healthy and able to remain at play I don’t believe offense is his greatest attribute. Sure Embiid can score if called on but excuse me if I make a comparison. His movement on the court reminds me of Hall of Fame player Dikemebe Mutombo. I for one have stated it’s unfair to compare a youngster who’s barely in the NBA versus a Hall of Fame member.
Consider this tidbit of information Embiid was not the starting center until well into the spring semester. In addition to witnessing his play at Kansas I looked at the numbers. The 40 minutes per game projection by www.sportsreference.com indicates Embiid would have scored 19.4 points per game pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked 4.5 shots per game at Kansas. The block shots number is what stands out to me. I’m one guy rooting for Embiid to remain healthy.
