Basketball from a fans perspective
This is different
I agreed to serve as an assistant coach for a second grade team which is gonna be different. I’ve never coached a co-ed team it’s been strictly boys until now. The youngest level ever was 6th grade. The league official said; “We don’t have any referees, double-dribbles are permitted in fact sometimes the kids just pick up the basketball and run with it.” What have I got myself involved in? I will keep you posted the league does not start until early January.
An early test
After an exhibition game next Friday Nov 11 and the following Tuesday UMKC begins the 2016-17 season in earnest. Friday UMKC journeys to Omaha Nebraska to take on Creighton University. The Bluejays finished 20-15 last season and are almost always competitive in the Mo Valley. On November 15 UMKC takes on another Valley school this time its Drake and this game will be played at Municipal Auditorium or the Muni as we know it. Neither game will make or break the 2016-17 season, they should provide us a degree of insight into the prospects of Coach Kareem Richardson and his Kangaroos, good luck ROOS!
“Can a leopard change its spots?”
You’ve heard the old adage above; it simply implies people sometimes find it difficult to change. Has Nick Young aka Swaggy P. changed his stripes? I believed he was on the way out of town and even said as much. I believed he was all offense and little defense which would lead Laker Coach Luke Walton to one conclusion, he was one dimensional. Well it appears (at least in training camp) there is a new and improved Swaggy P.
It’s been reported Lakers are referring to him as Bruce Bowen. Bowen of course was the long-time Spur who sacrificed his offense for a defensive presence. Bowen’s career last a number of years with his emphasis on the defensive side of the ball. Perhaps that becomes Swaggy P.; he’s made the roster however it remains to be seen if this current defensive stance will continue.
Bits n Pieces
This is shocking news, I’m actually exaggerating. Ray Allen aka Jesus Shuttlesword announced he is retired and we guess its official. He’s not seen the inside of an NBA locker room since 2014, it seemed every few months his name was mentioned. Allen would be coming out of retirment mid-season he could avoid training camp and play in roughly 40 games. First he was headed back to Miami, then when LeBron returned to Cleveland the rumors began he was heeaded there. He won an NBA Championship so Celtics stories were the next rumor, the stories were all over the NBA map. It appears this is the end of Allen’s playing career.
The Spurs have been one of the most successful teams on the court and at the box office. Do you realize this all might not have occurred if not for Dallas? The Dallas Chaparrals were a charter ABA team in 1967. They had difficulty drawing fans and began farming out games. For the 1970-71 season they became the Texas Chaparrals playing games in Fort Worth and Lubbock, they would return to Dallas the following season. The team moved to San Antonio in 1973 changing the team name to Spurs. At the time the ABA-NBA merger occurred the Spurs were one of four ABA teams absorbed into the NBA.
I don’t know about you I’ve read a number of stories on the 2016-17 Warriors. Funny thing despite the addition of Kevin Durant nobody is picking them go 82-0 and that‘s okay with Draymon Green. Green delivered the gospel for the 2016-17 season, “There was too much pressure last season on us to break the Bulls all-time win record.” I believe they will continue to play at an accelerated pace but nowhere near that of last season. The Clippers will compete but the Warriors should be able to win the Pacific Division over them.
One game a season fails to make, I was impressed with James Hardin against my Lakers. 34 points and 17 assists, this is the guy who doesn’t pass the basketball but was moved to the point. I was suspicious when Mike D’Antoni indicated Hardin would be moved to the position, the Rockets lost the game however he was key to the Rockets effort.
