CORRECTION
I don’t like to make errors however I’m human; the lead story yesterday required correction. I indicated a possible move of Wichita State and wrote “AAC“ that was incorrect it should have read the “ACC.” It’s been corrected just in case you might have read the earlier account.
He’s gone
That list of high-profile programs I profiled in an earlier account we might include Georgetown to the list. John Thompson III was fired on Thursday after 13 years at the helm. As I indicated previously I believe III is a good coach who ran a clean program. The downfall appeared to be recruiting, over the last few years fewer and fewer talented players headed to Georgetown. Georgetown will likely hire a name coach I cannot imagine someone’s assistant bumped up to head coach at this school.
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Embrace the history
Kansas City one of the building blocks of jazz Charlie Parker, Big Joe Turner, Bennie Moten and Count Basie they and others spent time here perfecting their jazz styling’s. The 18th and Vine Jazz District has experienced revitalization however consider no radio exists. Not a single Kansas City Jazz radio station exists pathetic. As for basketball that’s a different matter, the city has tried to embrace its rich basketball history. Bet you didn’t realize Kansas City has served as host for 9 NCAA Championship Finals over time the most by any city in the nation. At the time the National Association of Basketball Coaches were searching for a Hall of Fame site Kansas City won hands down. In 2007 the College Basketball Experience opened; it contains numerous basketball exhibits plus a Hall of Fame.
The 80th NAIA Championship game was held on March 21, the championship for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has been held in Kansas City for all but 8 of those 80 years. Most don’t know professional basketball was in Kansas City before the arrival of the Kings. The Kansas City Blues played in the “Professional Basketball League of America” 1947-48. They only lasted that one year; George Mikan was a member of the Chicago Gear in the Basketball League of America validating its authenticity.
Several years later the Kansas City Steers would become a founding member of the short-lived American Basketball League (1961-1963) before the league folded. Five players from the Steers were picked up by NBA teams once the ABL dissolved. In 1972 the Cincinnati Royals would move to Kansas City and be re-named the Kings. Due to a lack of available dates in Kansas City a number of games were played in Omaha (NE). The Kings would continue to play in both cities until 1975 when the Kings began playing all their games in Kansas City. The Kings remained in Kansas City until 1985 when they were sold to Sacramento interests and moved to California. A number of minor league teams were active over the years but were not included in this account. Kansas City has a rich basketball history college and professional only a few acknowledge.
Bits n Pieces
A publication speculated there are possibly five NBA coaches who could be fired by seasons end. We can speculate all night and day, all five might be fired but suppose its only one? I believe that one to be Bulls Coach Fred Hoiberg. I’ve always been suspect of college coaches moving into the NBA. I’m still not sure about Billy Donovan although he appears safe for now. Hoiberg tittering at the edge of the cliff is not so fortunate. On paper it appeared the Bulls adding Dwayne Wade and others would contend for a playoff spot. The Bulls could still make the playoffs but I’m not sure if Hoiberg would still remain safe.
Mizzou fans have no idea if Michael Porter Jr. is on the way, there is no indication younger brother Jontay Porter is on the way also. As this is written we have no idea if Michael Porter Sr. will become part of Cuonzo Martin’s staff. Those are
Jazz center Rudy Gobert is having a break-out year this 4th year of his NBA career. I make this statement despite the fact his scoring average is a little over 13 ppg (13.5). It’s the other areas of his game that have risen significantly this season. The Frenchmen is shooting .657 from the floor, his rebound total is 12.8 and he’s the NBA shot block leader at 2.62 per game.
I can change my tune on an issue; I complained along with others regarding NBA teams “resting” players with no apparent injuries. Gregg Popovich gave me some food for thought, he says “resting players might extend a players career 3 or 4 years.” The NBA schedule is 82-games long however the playoffs are a different story. We decide the NBA Champion about three weeks before our 4th of July holiday, the month of July is nearly the middle of summer. So lets see we begin training camp in early fall play through the winter into spring. We crown the NBA champion after the calendar says its summer.
