Basketball from a fans perspective
‘Tanking’
Tanking is a word I hate; the word has come into common usage surrounding the Sixer franchise. I must admit the Lakers now fit there as well. Placing veterans Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng on the bench for the balance of the season is a clear indication. It’s imperative the Lakers secure a top three pick and the only method to be sure is for them to lose and lose and lose. The NBA attempted to address this issue in the past and the lottery was supposed to have been the ‘fix’ however it needs revision. The 1983-84 season the Houston Rockets had Rookie of the Year Ralph Sampson in their lineup, despite this fact they finished 29-53.
Late in the season playing a game against the Kansas City Kings who were not much better the Rockets raced out to a double-digit lead. Somewhere near the middle of the 3rd quarter they began pulling the starters. The Kings would catch the Rockets on the scoreboard and would win the game ensuring the Rockets finishing with the worse record that season. The first draft pick in the 1984 draft the Rockets chose 7 foot center Hakeem Olajuwon. The tandem of 7-4 Sampson and 7-0 Olajuwon became an early twin tandem; the Rockets finished 48-34 losing in the playoffs.
He’s hired
This is not the story as originally written, prior to publication Cuonzo Martin was hired at Mizzou. A writer (not me) believes the ability to recruit in St. Louis might be overrated. I’ve mentioned in the past how former football coach Norm Pinkel approached recruiting. ‘Close the border’ was his mantra Missouri talent should not ‘escape’ past the state lines. In this day of nation and world-wide recruiting is it that important?
All we need to do is check next door in the State of Kansas, there are three players on the roster the larger majority of their roster is from other parts of the nation and world. St. Louis along with the Kansas City metro are large population bases with plenty of prep talent however all of it is not headed to Mizzou. Winning programs, paths to the NBA for a smaller number are the keys to recruiting talent; facilities are likely at the bottom of a prospects list.
Early entry
I believe University of Washington point guard Markelle Fultz was the first underclassmen to declare for the 2017 NBA Draft. The second might be Marcus Keene the 5-9 point guard from Central Michigan, Keene led NCAA Division I programs in scoring in 2016-17 with 30.0 scoring average. He became the first to score 30 or more points per game in the NCAA since the 1996-97 season. Keene might look to the success of Isaiah Thomas of the Celtics and decide he can play at the NBA level too.
‘Fast Break: The Legendary John McLendon’
A friend of a friend filmed a documentary of John McLendon. We’ve discussed the coach in the past however this film covered a number of aspects of his life I was not familiar. As an example I guessed most black coaches in the 1950’s played at the NAIA level because that was their desire. Not true, McLendon petitioned the NCAA for inclusion but was denied. Walter Byers then NCAA Commissioner believed the teams were not ‘good enough nor was the coaching.’ Coaching at Tennessee State with future NBA players Dick Barnett and John Barnhill his team won three consecutive NAIA Championships.
Along the way we discover he was a quiet champion of civil rights integrating the downtown hotels of Kansas City. He was elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame as a contributor when he should have been voted in as a coach. In 2016 the oversight was amended with McLendon added as a coach. Earlier in 2006 McLendon had been elected to the College Basketball Hall of Fame. John McClendon a name that should be as hallowed as John Wooden, Adolph Rupp or Dean Smith. We now know him as a outstanding coach and champion of civil rights. A DVD can be purchased, KCPT-TV 125 E 31St St, Kansas City MO 64108.
