Basketball from a fans perspective 

“Dirk Dingler”
The late Stuart Scott of ESPN hung the nickname “Dirk Dingler” on Dirk Nowitzki later in his NBA career. For those unfamiliar with the nickname it was the name of the central character in the movie “Boogie Nights.” Who is Dirk Nowitzki you ask, he‘s just the most successful Euro NBA player in history.  He was not the first player from the continent but certainly he’s become the most noteworthy.  Dirk entered rather unique company having scored his 30,000th point in the NBA.  

This is a feat few have accomplished in the NBA Kareem, Malone, Kobe, Jordan, Chamberlain and Erving. Dirk had his hall of fame ticket validated years ago however I wonder if anyone in 1998 dreamed this dream. He was drafted by the Bucks with the 9th pick in the first round his rights were traded to the Mavs.  He would never see the City of Milwaukee except as a visiting player. The 38 year old from Wurzburg Germany surely has exceed everyone’s expectations even his own.

Bits n Pieces
A change is quite evident in the White House with the November election.  For the last 8 years President Obama has filled out a bracket for the NCAA College Basketball Tournament in a manner similar to many of us.  Over the last few years we’ve discovered the president had no more expertise than we do in filling out his brackets.  Andy Katz’s annual trip to the White House is over at least this year.  Contacted in the middle of February the Trump administration indicates the president has expressed no desire to participate in this endeavor.    

Bill Self is on the list for the Naismith Hall of Fame, it’s certainly unclear if Self receives enough votes.  Time to re-visit HOF voting once again plaver versus coaches being added.  Rick Pitino Louisville and Jim Boeheim at Syracuse suffered instability in their programs and in both instances it wasn’t the teams’ won-loss record.  This is not, I repeat not aimed at Bill Self and Kansas however a question remains.  Why do we insist former players must be retired for a period of time yet an active coach can be voted into the HOF at any point?  

A Laker fan website claims the team passed on DeMarcus Cousins.  The Kings reportedly wanted small forward Brandon Ingram in a trade.  The question do you trade the “here and now for the future?”  It’s not like Boogie is old he’s only 26 years old with 6 and ½ years of NBA experience. Ingram is a teen (19) and will not turn 20 until next September.  

Possible movement
Wichita State has very long history in the Missouri Valley Conference; the Kansas school has been a conference member dating as far back as 1945.  All that might change at some point in the future.  Gregg Marshall now in his 10th year has placed the school on the national map once again.  Marshall once again has led Wichita State to another 30+ win season.  As for the move the rumor is the American Athletic Conference is looking at adding Wichita State to its number. Stay tuned on this one for further updates as they occur.  

Chief Triangle
I’m unsure who gave him the nickname, Chief Triangle was given to Phil Jackson in his days as head coach of the Bulls.  It was a reference to Jackson’s belief in the effectiveness of the triangle offense.  I believe in Phil Jackson, I believe in the triangle offense however I have reservations.  It was effective in aiding the Bulls to 6 NBA Championships same for the Lakers in winning 5 won while PJ was at the helm; how bout other instances you ask?  We know what’s occurred the last few years with the Knicks utilizing the offense.  Brian Shaw now a Laker assistant tried to utilize the triangle while head coach at Denver.  

Same for Jim Clemons while he coached the Mavs and then there is Kurt Rambis at the Wolves. Finally there is Bill Cartwright who coached the Bulls for a time period.  Besides either player for PJ or serving as an assistant coach all four have another connection all were fired as head coaches.  Don’t get me wrong the triangle offense is probably highly effective when you have Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant running it in Chicago.  It’s effective when you have Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol in Los Angeles spreading the floor.