Basketball from a fans perspective
I think I’ve made it known
Despite what many might perceive Phil Jackson is among the best in the NBA. I’m not referring to front office management I’m referring to coaching teams. You know the record 11 NBA Championships while coaching the Bulls and Lakers. As for Phil Jackson President of the Knicks word came the other day “The Knicks were not running the triangle.” Jackson’s long been associated with the triangle offense however I’m borrowing this from a commentary. “If he (Jackson) is so worried about the Knicks running the triangle why doesn’t he come down and coach them.” Strong statement and one I can agree with.
Confusing
Before you go crazy allow me to clarify before you read this. I’m not claiming anything illegal has occurred in the past or up to including the present time. You might have read the NCAA had ruled 7-foot Omer Yurtseven will miss 9 North Carolina State games. The ruling was based on monetary compensation he received playing for a Turkish team. Remember Enes Kanter now with the Thunder, the same issue was raised with him.
In Kanter’s case he never was declared eligible to play at Kentucky and later declared for the NBA draft. I researched the monetary figure Yurtseven was supposed to have received $1,000 while Kanter was paid $33,000. If you’ve read Words eye view any length of time you realize I’ve long believed the NCAA sends out mixed messages. Does the NCAA maintain a maximum or mininum financial compensation a student-athlete can receive? How about receiving clothing or shoes are they considered part of a financial incentive, I’m confused are you?
“I’m with him”
He didn’t exactly make the above statement but he did join the group. Chris Hansen hedge fund manager has been quite vocal in his attempts to return the NBA to Seattle. It was mentioned recently he had a deal in place to purchase the Kings and move them to Seattle. Kings fans need to bow down to David Stern everyday, if not for the commissioners’ last minute intervention we’d be discussing Chris Hansen and his role as owner of the “new” Sonics.
In any event Seahawks Russell Wilson announced he would become part of Hansen’s group which plans on building an NBA/NHL arena in the city. Hansen also counts two of the Nordstrom brothers’ as partners. The brothers are associated with the department store chain. Whether the NBA is expanding or not there will be a new “NBA” ready arena in Seattle in a few years. Even more interesting this arena will be built with private funds.
We just don’t know sometimes
The NBA season is not a month old however I believe the Lakers made a good off-season move. No I’m not referring to drafting Brandon Ingram although that’s a good thing. I not am talking about Jordan Clarkson or D’Angelo Russell either. I’m referring to the signing of 7 foot 275 pound Timofey Mozgov late of the Cavs. I admit up front I hadn’t seen Mozgov play much after all the Cavs had assigned him a permanent seat next to the coach. During the Cavs championship run he was nowhere to be seen having been replaced by the smaller more agile Tristan Thompson. At the time the Lakers signed Mozgov to a 4-year contract for $64 million dollars loud expressions echoed throughout the NBA.
I didn‘t say much but was also confused by the signing “What in the expletive are the Lakers doing” was proclaimed by many in NBA circles. This guy couldn’t play for a contending team what could he provide for one re-building I thought? Much later you might remember I wrote; “He (Mozgov) will not allow Laker fans to forget Wilt, Kareem or Shaq but he will be serviceable. So far his offensive game is limited however he makes up for it by being a presence clogging the lane blocking shots and rebounding. He’s 30 years old so we shouldn’t expect him to be the long-term solution at center. The hope is 7-1 Ivica Zubac will begin playing more and more minutes and adjust to NBA play at the center position. In the NBA Summer League rookie Zubac appeared to have a more diverse offensive arsenal than Mozgov however he’s still raw.
