They beat out Kansas!
Trae Young is a five-star point guard prospect in the Class of 2017. He‘s rated the 14 best player in the nation, until Thursday he remained one of the last of high profile uncommitted prospects. Young’s made his decision known, he turned down Kansas and a number of other high profile programs choosing to play for Oklahoma. Did I happened to mention Young lives in Oklahoma in fact the City of Norman home to the University of Oklahoma?
You didn’t really believe Lon Kruger was going to allow Young to “escape” and head north to play for Kansas did you? Reading comments from the Topeka Capital Journal a couple of letter writers believe this is not shocking news considering Young is from Oklahoma. I maintain it is a big deal because Kansas attracts talent from all over the nation and internationally so to me it is a big deal.
Harbinger of gloom
That’s me, however allow me to briefly explain, the youthful and young adult me loved All-Star time. I really enjoyed seeing all the players competing against one another on the basketball court. Now I enjoy and look forward to to the Rookie Challenge, skills competition and slam-dunk contest more than the game itself. That’s down right heresy for someone claiming to be an NBA fan enjoying those events more than the game. It’s certainly an honor for the players selected to play in the All-Star game as for me the other events are more interesting.You thought it was me; we have it from the mouth of a former player of his. I’ve held the believe Glenn “Doc” Rivers is overrated as a coach. I didn’t say he couldn’t coach I think he’s a good coach but great that’s open for debate. We hear praises from all those connected to the NBA doesn’t matter if we are watching ESPN, TNT or NBA TV. Glen “Big Baby” Davis thinks Rivers merits as a coach are inflated due to a single NBA Championship.
Davis should know first hand, he played for Rivers in Boston and Los Angeles. Rivers with the Celtics won the 2008 NBA Championship with the trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. The next year with the same roster the Celtics would lose in the semi-finals, Rivers has coached the Clippers since 2013. The Clippers have made the playoffs every year under Rivers but has never played for the Western Conference Championship.
They are (just as) capable
Those who report the sport we trust are knowledgeable and capable. That’s all we ask with the following exception those delivering our basketball news must be male. Allow me to inform you where I’m coming from, in an earlier time all we wanted from women in sports television was to be attractive never mind if they had little knowledge of the game. Case in point I once read the pretty face at the NFL desk back in the 1960’s was providing scores and said; ‘Cowboys 16 Chiefs 24’ instead of the winning team first. We begin this account with four media members. Ramona Shelburne in the role of reporter and writer has worked for ESPN since 2009; she’s covered the NBA and the Lakers.
This former college softball player is quite knowledgeable regarding basketball and has been found to be accurate and concise in her reporting. Also working at ESPN is analyst Doris Burke a former point guard at Providence. She first began her broadcast career in radio covering her alma mater. Burke has served in the role of analyst for ESPN covering the WNBA in 1997. In 2000 she became the first woman to serve as analyst covering the Knicks. For the last two years she has been visible providing insight on ESPN’s NBA telecasts.
Brooke Weisbrod similar to Burke has served as analyst for the men and women’s game. This former Coastal Carolina basketball player has worked for WGN, Fox, Big Ten and the ESPN family of channels. She is quite knowledgeable regarding the game and offers expert commentary. Rachel Nichols serves as host for ESPN’ program ‘The Jump’ on the air for the year two. She too handles her job in an exemplary manner interviewing and asking probing questions of her guests’ former NBA players. These are but a few women covering men’s basketball and the majority perform their role admirably they are just not male. Unfortunately we tend to judge their competency by how they appear on screen not their knowledge.
