Basketball from a fans perspective
It’s amazing
Seeing the Grizzlies Vince Carter running up and down the court at 40 years of age is really amazing. How hold is 40 you ask, teammate Deyonta Davis was two years old in 1998. The Lakers Brandon Ingram and Thon Maker of the Bucks were one year old and several other NBA competitors. In 1998 the Warriors made Carter the 5th pick in the first round and like the Energizer Bunny still going and going and going.
Injuries
There was a desire to not attempt coverage on the entire playoffs. My intent was to provide more in depth once the championship round had begun. Then the injuries occur, the injuries. It’s early so we have no idea how the loss of Rondo and Griffin will affect their respective teams. Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a right thumb fracture in Game Two against the Celtics. He claims he will “be out two weeks”, I’m not medically trained but that seems rather soon to return from the injury.
Meantime in Salt Lake City Clipper forward Blake Griffin suffered an injury to the plantar plate of his right big toe. The initial prognosis for Griffin is missing the balance of the playoffs. That old sayin’: “Injuries are part of the game” could never be more correct. Before the playoffs began I could have stated neither the Bulls nor Clippers are expected to win the 2017 championship. I made the statement with both teams in relatively good health with both teams suffering key injuries------well.
My momma
I remember from my childhood what my mother told me as if it was yesterday. She said; “Don’t tell people what you intend to do go ahead and do it. “ Sounds real close to the motto Nike once used, where am I going with this rant you ask? LaVar Ball did it again; he took issue with former coach and Nike executive George Raveling’s quote regarding the elder Ball. Raveling said he (Ball) “Is setting basketball back 100 years.”
As President Truman once said; “If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen.” Mr. Ball prepare to be criticized for some of the outlandish statements you make, he‘s now stating his Big Baller Brand will compete with Nike. “We’ll have Nike shaking in their boots” were the words from Ball. With the prospect of millions for son Lonzo and the other brothers he should have the financial resources to launch his brand. I wish I could give him the advice my mom gave me, “Don’t tell people what you intend to do go ahead and do it.
In rarified air
5-star prospect Kevin Knox had several coaches fly into Tampa (FL) to meet with him and his parents. This past Tuesday it was Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton followed later by John Calipari of Kentucky. On Wednesday it was Carolina’s Roy Williams then Cuonzo Martin of Mizzou concluding with Coach K. of Duke. In the space of two days Florida State, Kentucky, North Carolina, Mizzou and Duke all came vying for the services of the 6-9 yet to commit prospect. Which one of these programs has never been in this exclusive company previously?
Speaking of coaches
Surfing the net I came across a 12Up, a story really stood out. Titled; “Four Coaches who could be fired at the end of the season.” It wasn’t the article as much as the email response I read. The overwhelming majority of emails dealt with the Bulls, Fred Hoiberg and the Bulls front office. The other three coaches mentioned barely registered with fans, what does that say to us? The Bulls have a significant number of passionate loyal fans who want better than what they have witnessed. The issues facing the Bulls certainly cannot be fully covered in such a short space but I love the zeal of their fans. I haven’t read any comments since the Bulls have taken the lead over the higher favored Celtics.
