Basketball from a fans perspective
Talent
Either you have talent or you don’t, Gordon Hayward has talent Hayward can ball as they say. Why has he been “invisible” in the NBA you ask? He played his college ball at Butler which has a national rep but hardly on the level of a North Carolina, Duke or several others. Once Hayward was drafted it was the Jazz and Salt Lake City, the Jazz have few national television appearances.
Unless you live in the metro Salt Lake area you failed to see the accession of Hayward. Since arriving in the NBA in 2010 Hayward’s stock has been trending upward for a number of years. The 6-8 forward became an NBA All-Star in 2017 and is the leader of this young Jazz team. It was Hayward who led the way for the Jazz as they eliminated the Clippers in the playoffs.
Pension while playing
Vince Carter might be the first player to accomplish this qualify for his pension while still an active player. Just kidding folks, a player must be fully retired before they can qualify for a pension. To borrow the nickname Kenny Smith gave him “The Half Man Half Amazing” Carter will turn 41 years of age in January 2018. The upcoming 2017-18 season is significant in the fact it will be Carter’s 20th year in the association.
Do I continue?
I’m not sure of the future direction; Words eye view began in 2011 as a Monday, Wednesday, Friday publication. I had a well-intention friend say; “Now that basketball is over why you don’t write on football or baseball?” I said; “Why, this is not intended to focus on anything but basketball. There are occasions we’ll cross over and discuss other sports however that is the exception, 99.5% of the time it’s basketball.
Did I say basketball, I thought I might state it again this is a basketball publication. As the calendar turns to May the world of basketball does slow. The NBA is the only professional basketball being played however there will be AAU and NBA Summer League to cover. I shall see how this plays out, if the news slows considerably Words will revert to a Monday, Wednesday, Friday publication.
The real reason
I believe the word is out why the Valley passed on University of Missouri Kansas City. The positives I saw they said; “look over there.” I saw an up and coming Division I program in an urban setting. This would be lacking now that Wichita State was leaving. Springfield (MO) is a large populace city (Missouri State) but in my opinion not very urban. Although urban Chicago qualifies and is already a member Loyola University appears to be pretty much ignored by basketball fans. According to the Springfield Ledger UMKC suffers the same fate a failure to draw fans.
Helicopter
You’ve heard the term “Helicopter Parent” haven’t you? That parent hovering above their children that fits LaVar Ball. LaVar Ball will not shut up long enough for the media (and me) to leave him alone. I had read late in the season Ball had issues with the Chino Hills basketball coach. It appears losing the state championship might have been the final straw for Ball. Stephan Gilling leading Chino Hills to a 30-3 was fired.
Imagine a basketball coach with a 30-3 record fired due to a parent’s complaint and interference. LaVar Ball doesn’t have that much power however I believe someone in authority must have grown tired of Ball’s moaning and complaining about Gilling. It’s a shame they found it easier to fire the coach than the parent. Despite this teams outstanding record they begin a search for the third coach in three years. Wonder why so many coaches and a winning program? Ball contacted claims he had nothing to do with the school firing Gilling.
