Basketball from a fans perspective
NBA Global Games
The Pacers are playing the Nuggets in London England as this is written. Tonight the Mavs and Suns will face off in Mexico City. On Saturday the Suns will play the Spurs in Mexico City. The London game was played before 18,689 quiet souls in the O2 Arena. I didn’t realize the early start time and maybe the large lead by the Nuggets might have some impact on the crowds’ enthusiasm. The Nuggets won the game 140-112 playing mostly reserves in the second half of the game. In the nightcap the Mavs beat the Suns 113-108 before 19,874.
Private versus Public
We have an issue on the Kansas side of the metro which likely exists in other portions of the nation. Bishop Miege a private school has risen to a point of domination in its sports programs, from all indication there’s no evidence of improprieties. The issue of private versus public was brought to light by a former student of Basehor-Linwood. The young lady indicates Miege a private school can ‘recruit’ throughout the metro while public schools are limited by district boundaries. Nothing wrong yet that view is likely correct wherever you might be located. Miege ‘recruited’ two basketball brothers from the Kansas City (MO) side of the metro. Both would go on to play at the Division I level.
Her research proves in this classification (700 enrollment) private schools have won an overwhelming majority of sports events. I have no reason to doubt her research I question the validity of it. Just to state to the television reporter ‘People are getting tired of this’ is certainly not enough evidence proving a change is required. Did I mention she graduated from Basehor-Linwood and Miege are in the same enrollment classification? Should we consider the 52-0 score registered by Miege in a football playoff game against Basehor-Linwood might have something to do with the issue? Despite the concern she expressed; ‘The Kansas State High School Association indicates they will explore changes’ but didn’t offer much beyond that.
The father or the son?
We’ve seen a number of father-son combos in the NBA; you ask who’s had the more successful pro career? It depends as an example Andrew Wiggin’s dad Mitchell had an NBA career but most of his pro years were spent in Europe. His son Andrew in his third year is light years ahead of his dad already. Back in the day Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant played for the Sixers alongside Dr. J. and others of that era most of his pro career was spent overseas too. His son Kobe is headed to the Hall of Fame as soon as he’s eligible. In the early days of the NBA the late Dolph Schayes played for the Syracuse Nats who would later move to Philadelphia and change names becoming the 76ers.
Schayes was elected to the Naismith and College Hall of Fame. Danny Schayes played 18 years in the NBA for seven teams, the 6-11 he retired with a 7.7 ppg and 5.0 rebounds. The late Ernie Vandeweghe had a seven year NBA career playing for the Knicks in the late ‘40’s retiring in 1956 for son Kiki it was a far different story. Kiki retired as a player in 1993 a nearly 20 ppg scoring average. All sons of Rick Barry excepting the youngest had NBA careers. None compare to their dad who is in the Naismith and College Hall of Fame. There are other father-son combos the names mentioned are just a few.
Fear the Deer
The Bucks made plenty of noise last June with their draft choice. The team made Thon Maker the 10th pick in the first round but it’s the ‘other’ rookie who is playing more minutes. This is no declaration of a mistake the 7-1 Maker clearly has talent the leap from high school to the NBA is a ‘Grand Canyon.’ Malcolm Brogdon was drafted in the 2nd round and an injury has allowed the 6-5 guard to move up in the rotation. It’s unlikely he receives any votes for ROY however this former University of Virginia Cavalier has demonstrated he can play at this level. From a financial standpoint a 1st round choice earns more however it’s not always a talent issue. Ask the Lakers Jordan Clarkson also a second round choice.
