Basketball from a fans perspective
Is the NBA in his future?
Marfan syndrome is a medical condition it’s likely only those in the medical field are familiar with. Isaiah Austin probably never heard of either prior to the diagnosis. The 7-1 Austin decided in favor of leaving Baylor for the 2014 NBA draft, prior to the draft being conducted a medical check-up discovered he suffered from Marfan syndrome. From WebMD; “Is an inherited disease that affects the body’s connective tissue, which provides the strength, support, and elasticity to tendons, cartilage, heart valves, blood vessels, and other vital parts of the body. The condition is fairly common, affecting 1 in 5,000 Americans. It is found in people of all races and ethnic backgrounds.”
Activity such as a strenuous game of basketball could be fatal in relation to the heart muscles. Austin’s hopes for an NBA career vanished just like that; Adam Silver and the NBA did an unusual thing. The NBA drafted Austin the evening of the draft realizing he’d never play in the association. Fast forward to November 30, 2016 Austin announced his doctor cleared him to resume basketball activity. This is written at a point we are lacking complete detail we don’t know if Austin will be allowed in the 2017 NBA draft or just medically cleared to play basketball. This we do know November 30th becomes a re-birth for young Mr. Austin.
Now versus last year
I promise this is the last time I will compare the 2015-16 Lakers with last years team. Starters D’Angelo Russell and Swaggy P. were sidelined as the Lakers went into United Center on Wednesday evening and beat the Bulls 96-90. The win was the Lakers 10th of the season, last year it was February 2nd before win number 10 was registered.
I don’t hate them
The Clippers I believe are a reflection of their coach Doc Rivers. I have maintained for a few years now their inability to get pass the second round is not a talent issue. It’s clearly a coaching issue I also believe River’s coaching ability is overrated. Check his coaching record the Celtics were traveling in the opposite direction before Doc decided to check out. He landed on his feet taking the Clipper job with an “assembled” team in place. Folks are always saying Phil Jackson’s never built the Bulls or the Lakers. We could easily make the same statement about Doc Rivers.
Paul Pierce was already in place with the Celtics when Doc arrived, Danny Ainge traded for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. It’s easy to win when you have Jordan/Pippen or Shaq/Kobe that‘s what they said about Jackson. Might we make a similar statement about Doc? I don’t hate Doc or the Clippers I continue to believe the Clippers and him are overrated. Teams are oftentimes a reflection of their leader, the Knicks and Suns lead the NBA with 20 team technical’s guess which team is in second place with 18 as this is written? Prove me wrong please, advance past the second round so I can eat crow.
Still the best
I hope fans of the Big 12 are realist, the Kansas win over Duke 77-75 is noteworthy but does it prove anything? The Big 12 trumps the ACC you say, well not exactly. When you are the number two conference in the nation you try harder i.e. the Big 12. Conference fans sometimes tend to view the strength of this conference through the eyes of Kansas basketball.
Kansas is good, really good but they are the exception rather than the rule. Is this the year Baylor rises and unseats Kansas in the role of conference leader? As this is written TCU is undefeated, will they continue to play top notch basketball? The surprise thus far is Texas which was expected to compete is 3-2 at this point.
