Basketball from a fans perspective
Bits n Pieces
Tim Leglar former NBA player and current ESPN analyst interviewed had this to say about the Clippers, this is paraphrased. “There is a question how far this Clipper lineup can go. Last season they were the fourth best team in the Western Conference this year with the departure of Kevin Durant they are the third best. The Thunder will make the playoffs but will not contend.” What do you think?
You win some and lose some; I purchased an Andrew Bynum Laker jersey figuring his tenure would be long-term. Later with the arrival of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash I debated which jersey to purchase. My wisdom leads me to purchase the Nash jersey although old by basketball standards I figured his run with the Lakers would be longer. I’ve not trashed either the Bynum or Nash jerseys they are not prominently displayed.
Somewhere former Sixer GM Sam Henkie is smiling after witnessing Joel Embiid’s debut. It was too late for the GM after being forced out of his job we didn’t “trust the process.” I too questioned what the heck Henkie was doing in fairness he couldn’t help Embiid was sidelined for two years after being drafted. After Simmons arrives in January the future looks bright in Philly unfortunately Henkie’s role in the re-build will be forgotten or overlooked.
It’s early however I will still pose the question. Is it Mike D’Antoni’s offensive scheme or is it the talent of guard James Harden? This is written after the first full week of action. Not only is Harden in the top five in assists he’s actually the league leader with 12.4 assists per game. He’s in front of John Wall, Russell Westbrook and LeBron James.
Peoria’s best
I’ve been a fan of Peoria’s (IL) Shaun Livingston for a number of years. The 6-7 point/shooting guard was a McDonald’s All American and Rivals 5-Star prospect when he graduated high school in 2004. After entertaining college prospects he decided in favor of the NBA at that time high school players were allowed in the draft. Livingston would choose the NBA over college. Livingston would become the 4th pick in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft. Stardom was anticipated as his NBA profile grew that is until February of 2007.
A devastating knee injury forced him to the sidelines for well over a year. Many believed his basketball career was over the only one who fails to take that into account was Livingston. Over the next four years Livingston would play a limited amount of games with a number of NBA teams, he even spent time in the D-League. The last two seasons the point/shooting guard has been a key reserve for Warriors basketball. His career numbers across the board will not be impressive it’s his heart and soul that impress me the most. Shaun Livingston doesn’t know what it means to give up.
Go figure
Other than being a little man (5-9) in a big man’s game I question a team’s direction. The Kings drafted Isaiah Thomas and just looking at the numbers had a fairly good three year run in Sacramento. He left in a sign and trade deal to the Suns and they would trade Thomas to the Celtics. He said in an interview; “The coach (Brad Stevens) made him an All-Star last season.” I happen to believe it was that fire that burns in your belly saying “I’ll show them just how good I am.” This Isaiah named after the other Isaiah (mom wanted a different spelling) has been fooling people for a number of years.
As we often state; “A big man must prove he can’t play while a little man must prove he can.” In the Pac 12 at Washington his numbers were good but not enough to warrant being a first round pick. Thomas was chosen by the Kings with the last pick in the second round of the 2011 draft. In that draft I’m quite sure Thomas didn’t rank in the top 10 the question you telling me there were 59 other players in the draft better than Thomas? Where is Jeremy Tyler or Darius Morris two players drafted ahead of this 2016 NBA All-Star? Oh I know; “A little man must prove he can play.”
