The advisor
By now you’ve heard the news, Magic Johnson is returning to the Lakers in an advisory capacity. What exactly that entails will be forthcoming over the next several days and weeks. I’m not going to read anything into his coming on board except to say Jim Buss your days running things “alone” may have come to an end. For Laker fans this is a reminder of the pledge Jim Buss made several years ago. He promised if the Lakers were not a contending team by season end 2017 he would relinquish directing the team. The Lakers have equaled last years worst won-loss (February 1) record in team history that‘s a good thing. With roughly half the season remaining they are likely to be improved over last season.
The bad thing they are not at a point of contending for a playoff berth. The progress has been slow in the re-build however even the worst critic can see they are improved. As for general manager Mitch Kupchak I remain unsure of him and have given him a pass for this reason. I’m unsure if his hands have been tied by upper management i.e. Jim Buss in decision making. 2010 was the last time the Lakers won an NBA Championship and 2013 the last time they made the playoffs. The team needed a change and you might remember I was unsure regarding Luke Walton he gets a passing grade as the team does appear improved. I continue to believe Jeannie Buss should be running this team and I might get my wish.
I didn’t do the math
Some math wiz at ESPN.com NBA claims Russell Westbrook has a 57% chance of averaging a triple-double this season. I trust the numbers are correct but how about these numbers, Westbrook shot 39% from the floor in January. He averaged 6 turnovers a game during this same time frame. Hopefully you had a chance to see the video ESPN put together; I don’t own the rights so I can’t list it. Bottom line they claim if Westbrook had played in Oscar Robertson’s day he would have numbers of 50-17-17. ESPN indicates the game was more wide open in 1961-62 than it is now which made for more possessions and opportunities to shot.
Okay I think we get that the game has evolved but to the point Westbrook would average 50 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists, I find those figures a little difficult to believe. We are already witness to a drop off in his shooting last month, if we tele-port him to 1961-62 consider this. You think Chamberlain, Russell or others would allow Westbrook to simply stroll down the lane without dishing out punishment? The NBA of today is far less physical than it was back then. How do I know I reading comments from former players such as Charles Oakley and he played in the ‘80‘s. I have no proof but rest assured it’s my belief Robertson was punished physically every time he drove the lane.
Basketball and the NFL
Charlie Ward won the Heisman Trophy playing quarterback for Florida State. He chose the NBA over the NFL playing most of his career for the Knicks. There are others who played basketball but would instead be known for NFL football. Antonio Gates tight end for the Chargers just broke the pass receiving record of Tony Gonzales. I remember first seeing Gonzalez wearing a basketball jersey playing for Cal long before I ever knew he played football. He probably wouldn’t have made an NBA roster as for Gates that’s a different story.
In Gates final season at Kent State the 6-4 260 pound Gates averaged 20.6 ppg, 7.7 rebounds and 4 assists. Julius Peppers of the Packers and tight end Jimmie Graham of the Seahawks were reserves for North Carolina and Miami (FL). Two Kansas City high school basketball standouts Vernon Vanoy and Art Strozier chose the NFL over continuing their basketball careers. Former NFL players Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens played football and basketball in college.
In 1969 the NFL Chiefs drafted 6-10 255 pound Morris Stroud, Stroud had played football and basketball at Clark Atlanta University. Although he caught a number of passes over the course of his career Coach Hank Stram had him perform a task now illegal. At the time an opposing team attempted a field goal Stram would station Stroud near the cross bar and have him attempt to bat the ball away. I was unable to locate the year however at some point the NFL Rules Committee made this tactic illegal, if attempted the kicking team would automatically be awarded 3 points. Former wide receiver Randy Moss didn't play basketball in college but he did in high school. The 6-4 Moss was quite a leaper in the NFL and high school and Jason Williams a.k.a. White Chocolate his high school teammate claims Moss could have played in the NBA.
Northwestern University
The Evanston (IL) School is adjacent to the City of Chicago; it’s unique in a number of ways. It the only Big 10 school that’s has no state affiliation it‘s a private institution. Alumni from the school read like a who’s who in the entertainment industry. Warren Beatty, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Stephen Colbert and Mike Wilbon are just a few of the celebrities who were once students at Northwestern. Despite numerous entertainment stars few have come from the world of sports. The NCAA Tournament was first held in 1939 in all that time Northwestern has never ever been a participant that is until this year. I had to get to the record books; twice before Chris Collins arrived the school had back to back 20 win seasons both times a trip to the NIT. Last season they finished 20-12 and 9th place in the Big 10. As this is written the Wildcats have an 18-4 record and it highly likely they make the NCAA tournament for the first time in the school’s history which is outstanding.
