Kevin Who?
A site I peruse regularly contained an account of the Top 10 coaching hires at the conclusion of the season. Patrick Ewing at Georgetown, Cuonzo Martin at Mizzou was just a couple of names mentioned. The name unknown to most of us was their pick Kevin Keats at North Carolina State at the top spot, who is Keats? This former Rick Pitino assistant turned around a losing program at UNC-Wilmington. He’s 44-years old which place him in the category of being a young head coach at a major university. He’s got his work cut out for him turning around a losing program however given time the North Carolina State faithful will be rewarded with this hire.
Game results
Too many playoff games and time does not permit adequate coverage on them all. In addition by the time you read Words eye view its “old” news. Unless there is something noteworthy I’ll allow your local news, ESPN, Fox Sport and CBS Sports to update you.
Trivia
I love trivia especially if it’s regarding subject matter I’m familiar with. How about this question. The last NBA game was played by the Seattle Sonics in 2008; despite the intervening years there are two former players who remain active in the NBA. It you said Kevin Durant was one of the two you got 10 points; Durant played his rookie year in the Emerald City.
The team moved his sophomore year and underwent a name change becoming the Thunder. If you can name the other player before skipping to the bottom of the story you get 20 points. Okay the countdown begins, who is the other Sonic still active in the NBA? Cue the theme music (use your imagination). His name is Nick Collison, drafted by the Sonic in 2003 the Sonics/Thunder franchise is the only NBA team he’s ever played for in his 14-year career.
“Double idiot”
I admit I was aware of the reported improprieties regarding North Carolina basketball. Like most of you I was waiting for the NCAA to make a recommendation for punishment. In between time I was paying more attention to Carolina on the court than off. The issue was raised again not by anyone associated with the NCAA or Carolina. Wallace Loh president of Maryland raised the issue even suggesting the punishment might be the “death penalty.” In 1987 SMU football suffered this penalty for infractions regarding the program.
There are several red flag issues; regardless of what Loh believes should occur the NCAA is the governing body. The secondary question Maryland is in the Big 10 and North Carolina remains affiliated with the ACC. What possessed the president of Maryland to comment on a school in another conference? Maryland left the ACC similar to Mizzou leaving the Big 12. Mizzou might wish to renew its rivalry with Kansas, I could see talk along those lines. I cannot imagine administrators from either school commenting on a serious penalty. Carolina’s Roy Williams response, “He’s (Loh) a double idiot.”
Good to go
The Lakers are looking ahead just in case; GM Rob Pelinka has gone on record with the plan. On May 16 the draft lottery will be held, the Lakers could lose their top three pick and the five game winning streak is the chief reason. I am pleased the Lakers continued to play to win rather than tanking. Winning might entail losing in the draft and that is the main reason for a back-up plan. Thanks to a trade the Lakers will have a first round pick it’s just later in the first round it’s a late one (28).
There certainly is no guarantee on late first round or 2nd round picks however it’s not doom and gloom. I was curious regarding second round draft picks who became solid NBA contributors. Below are just a few who provide evidence of second round talent. Although he’s just getting started Laker Jordan Clarkson has been a solid contributor as a starter or off the bench. Clarkson was the 46th pick in the second round of the 2014 draft.
- Manu Ginobili
- Draymon Green
- Gilbert Arena
- Marc Gasol
- Paul Milsap
- DeAndre Jordan
- Monta Ellis
