Basketball from a fans perspective
“You paid what?”
I’ve stated time and time I find it difficult to discuss the salaries of athletes. For one I’ve held a long-time belief 99% are over-paid compared to educators, police, fire and EMT. Athletes fall in the realm of entertainers although I certainly consider them professionals. Few are capable of walking in to an NFL or NBA training camp and performing at the level required. Now the disclaimer is out of the way let’s discuss Laker center Timofey Mozgov. There was loud screaming by many in the NBA community when the Lakers signed Mozgov over the summer. The signing in many minds was the dollar amount and length of the contract four years. I will admit I had reservations about Mozgov not the money or length of the contract I was more concerned if he could play.
I have been critical of decisions made by the Laker front office but consider this. Bear with me on this account; it just could have occurred this way. On the June 23rd NBA Draft they were able to draft 19-year old Ivica Zubac from Croatia. Knowing it might take some years for the youngster to adjust to NBA play we’ll get a center we believe can “stand in the gap” until Zubac is ready. To date (middle December) Mozgov has filled that need adequately. I’ll repeat an earlier statement, he’s not going to make fans forget the play of Wilt, Kareen or Shaq. He’s not going to wow anyone with his basketball acuity but he can play the game. I’m unsure if it was Byron Scott’s offense but Roy Hibbert looked totally lost at times last season Mozgov is a baby step or two better.
I‘m guilty but so are you
We award words of praise to indicate a persons worth, we especially are guilty in the world of sports. Superstar is most common but not the only one used. Mavs owner Mark Cuban has painted himself into a corner once again, he says: “Russell Westbrook still won’t be a superstar unless Thunder win.” Cuban says a superstar leads his team he says the Thunder missed the playoffs in 2014-15 when Durant missed much of the season. Sometimes Cuban has been guilty of sticking his foot in his mouth sometimes he speaks the truth. I have my own opinion of Westbrook but defer to you, is Cuban correct in his assessment?
“Why do they ask such dumb questions? “
I believe Pelican Coach Alvin Gentry might say to himself “Why did he ask me that question? “ The visiting Sixers had not won a road game in like forever (actually it was 23 consecutive). Playing in the Smoothie King Center I’m sorry the name still solicits a laugh from me the Sixers won the game. It was the post game press conference that becomes this story. A member of the media asked Alvin Gentry (paraphrase) “If he was concerned about his job security.” I thought to myself what an incredibly dumb question to ask after a tough home loss.
Where other than coaching (any sport) is the quality and level of your task visible for the entire world to critique. The coach or manager is always scrutinized on the manner they handle game management. The fault often lies with the media, in an attempt to write a story they are often guilty of becoming the story by asking provocative questions. In this instance I’m sure the media person did not stop to take into consideration the quality of the team other than Anthony Davis the Pelicans are not very well-stocked with quality players.
“Lighting rod“
Kentucky’s John Calipari is a lighting rod of controversy. Cynics question; “How is he getting all that talent at Kentucky? “ The other issue connected to talent is he seems unconcerned if a player is there one year or four. There are even questions if he’s a good X and O coach, you name it somebody has a negative to describe Coach Cal not me. Let‘s just say I don‘t know the man but have admired his work from afar. As for the talent is he’s gone on record; “If you want to take 30 shots a game, your not playing for me.” He’s not always coached in this manner the other stops at UMass and Memphis was different.
At Kentucky he’s become a one n done specialist getting kids to buy in to his program because they believe he’s the best coach to get me into the NBA. We believed Anthony Davis had talent, we thought Boogie Cousins had skill; we witnessed a glimpse of what Karl-Anthony Towns could do. Just as skilled is the shooter Devin “Lights out” Booker or point guard John Wall. All left early for the NBA and became even better in the NBA; on second thought maybe they were just as good at Kentucky. Calipari’s system rotating players in and out didn’t allow us to see the potential of these and other Wildcats.
