Basketball from a fans perspective
That’s life
I read the ESPN story, Greg Oden is back at Ohio State but this time as a student-coach. It seems such a short time ago the Blazers were in Kansas City for a pre-season game, I don’t remember if he was a starter but I did see him in action. I had no idea at the time his NBA career was going to be so short lived. Injuries forced him to the sidelines his rookie year and it was one injury after another after another. It seemed he couldn’t last a complete season without one injury or another sidelining him for major portions of the season. In the 2007 NBA Draft All-Star was written all over Greg Oden.
Fact is one scout went so far as comparing him the legendary Bill Russell with the defensive prowess he‘d demonstrated his only year of college basketball. How how high was the stock of the 7-footer, Oden was drafted ahead of Kevin Durant. Oden’s 28-years old now and any hope of an NBA career is over, hopefully he stays on course graduates locates a coaching job somewhere. Oden had an altercation with a former girl friend several years back but it appears he’s got his act together now. Here’s hoping he continues to get his life outside of basketball stable.
Just sayin’
LeBron James campaigning for Hillary Clinton did something different. For the most part NBA players have remained in the background regarding politics. Michael Jordan once criticized for not being active said; “Republicans buy basketball shoes too.” Former Knick Bill Bradley might be the best known basketball player turned politician. After his basketball career concluded would go on to serve three terms as U.S. Senator from the State of New Jersey.
Dave Bing Pistons guard played 12 years in the NBA, he filled the unfinished term of a Detroit mayor who was forced to step down Bing would run on his own winning one term before deciding to not seek a second term. Kevin Johnson long-time Suns guard returned “home” to Sacramento. Johnson would be elected mayor in 2008 and won re-election in 2012. Tom McMillen played in the NBA from 1974-1986, later he would serve 4 terms as U.S. Congressman from the 4th District of California. McMillen might be the tallest serving congressman in history at 6-11 inches.
The late Mo Udall spent a year with the Denver Nuggets however he served as a congressman from Arizona from 1961-1991. There are others who might have been omitted but a small list to indicate how many NBA players answered the call of civic duty. Former NBA center Chris Dudley ran for governor of Oregon in 2010 but lost the race to the incumbent governor. This account is not intended to be complete but simply wanted to detail how a number of former NBA players have tossed their hats into the political ring.
The NBA in India
Former Commissioner David Stern was the driving force behind expanding the world-wide footprint of the NBA. Prior to him relinquishing the reins as commissioner the NBA opened an office in India hoping to gain additional talent. Satnam Sing Bhamara became the first player from India to be drafted in the NBA; he became the 52nd pick of the Mavs in 2015. Currently playing for the Texas Legends of NBA D-League he soon will have a fellow
D-League countryman.
In the recent 2016 draft 6-9 Palpreet Singh was chosen by the Long Island Nets. These are but baby steps in the hope India will become another nation that begins developing talent in the direction of the NBA. Someone might question a portion of the Bhamara entry. Technically he’s the second person of Indian descent; Sim Bhullar wasn’t drafted but signed a free-agent contract in 2014 with the Kings. In addition it should be noted Bhullar was born in Toronto Canada although his parents emigrated from India.
Friday it begins
My channel switching begins in earnest on Friday of this week. We have NBA basketball on NBA TV with the Clippers facing the Thunder at 7:00 p.m. Central Time. On ESPN the Armed Forces Classic kicks off at the same time with Arizona facing Michigan, in the nightcap well see Indiana versus Kansas. At 7:00 p.m. Central Time ESPNews will telecast LaSalle facing cross-town rival Temple.
