Sometimes
Occasionally you hear or read a story and say “That can’t be true or did that really occur? “ St Louis University on the road at St Bonaventure lost the game and their bus too. After the SLU players showered and prepared to board the bus they discovered it wasn’t parked at the arena. It turns out the bus and driver had been pulled over by law enforcement 40 miles away and the driver placed under arrest. A breathalyzer determined she was legally drunk, we imagine the bus company dispatched another bus and a driver. Check other sources if you wish to verify this account.
Tossed him under the bus?
No judgment call just reporting the news, Magic Johnson made this statement about his advisory role with the Lakers. “At then end of the day I want to call the shots. “Now for those reading this here or elsewhere exactly what is Magic saying? Did he just “drive the bus on top of the body of Jim Buss?” Are the days of Buss at the top over? Will Magic also supplant Mitch Kupchak as GM of the Lakers? These and other questions will be answered over the next several weeks and months.
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The Oak
At 6-9 most trees are taller than Charles Oakley in this instance the crash is the incident. The circumstances of Oakley’s arrest remain in question. According to reports the former Knick power forward was sitting a couple of rows behind Knicks owner James Dolan, we are not clear how the turmoil began. Over the years and it’s been documented Oakley has voiced complaints regarding the direction of the Knicks and Dolan.
The initial news release by the Knicks hinted Oakley might have a “mental health issue.” After appearing to argue with security its clear from video Oakley shoved at least two security personnel. Oakley would be arrested and lead out of the arena he would be charged with three counts of assault. The Knicks are making more news off the court than on it, Phil Jackson attempting to trade Carmelo and now this.
Bits n Pieces
Point guard Lonzo Ball led the way for UCLA as they upset number 5 Oregon 82-79. Ball‘s triple-double numbers were 15 points (including a clutch 3-point) along with 11 rebounds and 11 assists. The NCAA counts assists in a different manner than that of the NBA. Ball’s recorded 6 triple-doubles this season.
The Wooden Award given to the best college basketball player has been reduced to the top 20. They range in height from 7 foot Lauri Markkanen at Arizona down to the 5-9 Marcus Keene of Central Michigan. The 20 players are comprised of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. The 2016 winner was Buddy Hield now with the NBA Pelicans; past winners read like a who’s who include Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Tim Duncan. In addition count Blake Griffin and Anthony Davis in the number too.
Although only one player remains with the team the Thunder had all three on the roster at one time. At the time the franchise was located in Seattle they drafted Kevin Durant in 2007 making him the second pick in the first round. The following year the Sonics made Russell Westbrook the 4th pick in the first round, the franchise located to Oklahoma City shortly thereafter. In 2009 James Harden became the third pick in the first round.
I listen to about half the stuff Charles Barkley however the other half (notice I didn’t say what half) is insightful. We’ve wondered why the Wolves have played so bad with so much talent. In a recent Wolves win Barkley said; “Tom Thibodeau likes control but he’s got to turn them young guys loose. Rubio is a good little player but he can never do what (Kris) Dunn and (Tyus) Jones can do.”
