Basketball from a fans perspective
Wonder if she‘s still upset?
The Warriors-Pacers game on Monday was noteworthy, Klay Thompson’s 60 point total was outstanding. His single game score places him in first-class territory. Wilt Chamberlain, Bernard King, Larry Bird, Allen Iverson, Tom Chambers and Kobe Bryant accomplished the feat. Wilt and Kobe totaled 60 points scored on more than one occasion. The match between the two teams reminded me of another story it was March 13th 2012 to be exact.
On that date the Warriors traded guard Monta Ellis to the Pacers. Players are often upset by trades and fans as well. I don’t believe I ever remember reading of a front office being in tizzy due to a player trade. The fiancée of Warrior owner Joe Lacob was upset with the development, it seems she and Monta Ellis’s wife had become good friends. That was 2012 and the latest information I could uncovered they remain unmarried, they are still a couple.
CORRECTION: It was pointed out I left Michael Jordan off the list of 60+ individual game scorers. My mistake and sorry MJ, that's probably the first time in his life he's been overlooked except when he was cut from his high school team as a sophomore.
“Damn if you do damn if you don’t”
“A situation in which one can’t win” is the dictionary definition of the term. This is not a case of one individual versus a gathering of souls. Michael Jordan received accolades for his play on the court but off the court was a different matter. He was criticized in some circles for failing to address civic or political issues.
LeBron James publicly supported Hillary Clinton for president, word spread recently LeBron and a number of the Cavs would not stay at the Trump SoHo hotel when the Cavs visit this week. In came the emails critical of LeBron although he said absolutely nothing to any media members. There you go; a situation in which you cannot win, if you address an issue you are criticized if you ignore an issue you are also criticized.
Lowered expectations
The 2016-17 Wolves were over-flowing with young talent; they were going to make a great deal of noise this NBA season. The Wolves had back to back Rookies of the Year in Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. They also had vital talented pieces in Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio. They drafted point guard Kris Dunn from Providence. For the most part the Wolves were a young team with a few veteran teammates. Tom Thibodeau former Bulls coach was hired to lead them.
A funny thing (not comical) occurred, as this is written the Wolves are sitting in last place in the Northwest Division of the NBA. The Wolves have registered a 6-14 record which is suprising to most including me. I can admit I have no first-hand information in fact I’ve only seen them play twice thus far. I’m offering no reason why the bad play just why? At the same time there remains ample opportunity for the “young” Wolves to make some noise however they must get started soon.
Overnight sensation
There’s a saying “An overnight sensation is someone becoming famous in a short space of time.” In reality it’s often several years before someone gains celebrity status. That’s doesn’t quite fit the case of Heat center Hassan Whiteside we knew his name ahead of last seasons break-out year. Whiteside was rated the 87th prospect in the nation by Rivals in the Class of 2009. He chose to attend Marshall University although Charlotte, South Carolina, Kentucky, Auburn and Ole Miss had expressed interest in him. Its likely Whiteside would have remained at Marshall if not for his coach. Coach Donnie Jones left Marshall for UCF after Whiteside’s freshmen year.
Whiteside decided in favor of the NBA and declared for the 2010 draft but was not ready to play at the NBA level. He was extremely raw and in addition suffered from maturity issues. Drafted by the Kings in the same draft as Boogie Cousins he bounced around before becoming a starter mid-way through last season but continued to deal with his maturity. After he was suspended by the NBA Dwayne Wade last season took him aside and detailed how important it was for Hassan to remain on the floor for the Heat. It would appear at this point the Heat are committed to Whiteside and he appears content. His future is unlimited as the Heat build around him.
