Basketball from a fans perspective
A valid point
In discussing my story on Warren Jabali my friend Dwayne asked the question. I informed him I consulted with several people before concluding he was the best ever prep player in Kansas City history. He questioned the fact people who never witnessed Jabali play came to this conclusion despite never having the opportunity to see him play for themselves. They depended on their fathers, uncles and others eyewitness accounts. Dwayne’s question was valid; we often decide the greatness of a player without the ability of seeing them in action or against one another.
We depend on video and sometimes black and white film of the era which is not conclusive. Perhaps that’s my issue with Russell Westbrook’s pursuit of Oscar Robertson’s triple-double record. I’m guilty of looking at numbers only however I’m not the only one ESPN took a stance far different from mine. They compared the time-frame of Robertson and decided Westbrook would have averaged 50 points and 17 rebounds a game had he played in 1961-62, that I find difficult to believe.
Speaking of the draft
We’ve discussed One and Done on numerous occasions, I believe one area we failed to cover adequately is the injury possibility. Colorado once had a highly touted player in his sophomore year. A number in the media speculated he would declare for the NBA draft however he chose to return to school. He was injured severely during his junior season returned as a senior and was never drafted. Mizzou once had an NBA prospect that became just an average player after injury and never made it to the next level.
I remember reading former Spurs player Sean Elliott’s mom did something rather unique at the time. Elliott a highly touted player at Arizona was expected to leave early for the NBA. Instead he returned for his senior year with a Lloyds of London insurance policy in his back pocket. His mom wanted the diploma for her son; she took out the $1 million dollar policy on her son in the event of injury he would be paid. The payout might be small by comparison to the money to be made in the NBA. If you must go to work on a 9-5 job $1 million dollars is a large sum of money for a youngster to be begin a working career.
Black history moment
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball in 1947 when the Dodgers added him to their roster in 1947. The trials of Robinson became part of American History and the movie 42 detailed a portion of his story. If you are under a certain age it’s difficult to truly understand the significance of this momentous event. Baseball was the nations’ number one sport; the NFL and the new NBA were afterthoughts in the mind of most Americans. Truth is told college football was a greater draw back then over the NFL.
A black man breaking the color barrier in major league baseball was earth shattering. As for the NBA it was a far different story, the 1950-51 season saw the first black players in the NBA. Chuck Cooper was drafted by the Celtics, Nate “Sweetwater” Clifton signed with the Knicks and Earl Lloyd would suit up for the Washington Capitals. It’s likely the appearance of the three was cause for concern in some circles. There is no indication Cooper, Clifton or Lloyd experienced the overt racism that Jackie Robinson endured his first years in the majors.
The unknowns
If I said the Cleveland Cavaliers you immediately think LeBron James or Kyrie Irving. As for the Warriors Steph Curry or now Kevin Durant come to mind. I say Knicks and Carmelo Anthony comes to mind as for the Thunder its Russell Westbrook. Teams are often easily identified by their star players but who are the Lakers who lost their identity with the retirement of Kobe last season. The Lakers have a bunch of young players but no identity. Michael Jordan is identified with the Bulls only despite the fact he played for the Wizards before retiring however we only see MJ in a #23 Bulls jersey.
NBA players move through trade or free-agency despite this fact they remained attached to a single or maybe two teams. As an example Shaq played for five NBA teams (Magic, Lakers, Heat, Cavs and Celtics); he’s forever attached to the Magic and the Lakers the other teams don’t easily come to mind. Dirk Nowitizi will retire a member of the Dallas Mavs by now that’s the only team we identify him being part of. Dominique Wilkins will always be a member of the Hawks although he played for two other NBA teams in closing out his career. We see the green and white of the Celtics and only Larry Joe Bird comes to mind. With the Sixers Dr. J. and Allen Iverson played for other teams but are attached at the hip to Philadelphia.
Quit whining
The local media drives me nuts at times, every time Kansas loses a basketball game they go into complete shock. First of all Baylor lost leaving Kansas alone in the top spot of the Big 12. For some unknown reason the local media seem to believe Kansas is incapable of losing which obviously isn't true. "Human sacrfice, dogs and cats living together. mass hysteria" were the words uttered by the Dr. Peter Venkman character played by Bill Murray in Ghostbusters. That could represent much of the Kansas City sports media every time the Jayhawks lose.
