Basketball from a fans perspective
Published Monday-Friday
The hot rumor
Reports are circulating the Sixers and Celtic are reported to be trading draft picks. I believe I’m correct NBA teams cannot “trade” players who are not under contract. The Celtics draft Markelle Fultz with the first pick and the Sixers draft Josh Jackson with the third pick the teams would then trade picks. Makes sense on several levels, the Celtics receive talented small forward Jackson and the Sixers receive perhaps one of the best point guards in the 2017 draft.
The Laker becomes a Clipper
Relax fans no Laker players have left for the Clippers just yet. What has occurred former great Jerry West Showtime architect while GM has returned. West is leaving his advisory role with the Warriors for the Clippers to work in the same capacity. Now the main question does Doc Rivers give up his de facto GM hat?
Better yet will Rivers listen to the former long-time president and general manager of the Lakers. After all West is the man who drafted Magic Johnson, traded for Kobe Bryant and signed free-agent Shaquille O’Neal? At this point in time I would tend to believe and trust West in player acquisition over that of Rivers. Can anyone point out any substantial accomplishment in player development by Rivers?
First it was Josh Jackson and then it’s ……..
We can only wait till Thursday but all sorts of rumors continue to fly regarding the Thursdays draft. The headline reads “Lakers draft a point guard” not earth shattering until you realize it’s not Lonzo Ball. Reports from Lakerland indicate former Kentucky guard De Aaron Fox just might be the pick. I’m not going to defend the story only report it.
Does it still count?
The news is only a day old nothings been finalized; Louisville must vacate wins for a time-period however it’s unclear if their 2013 NCAA Championship will be included. Several years ago a number of Kansas fans were howling loudly at the time Syracuse was placed on probation. In 2003 The Orangemen beat the Jayhawks for the national championship however the NCAA allowed Syracuse to retain the championship although infractions appeared to overlap the period. . Does a vacated title take away from the fact you actually won?
In Missouri and Kansas City to be precise Pembroke won three consecutive state championships with Jaron and Kareem Rush as members of the team. Years later improprieties were uncovered and the state titles were taken away from the school. Much earlier 1950 to be exact City College of New York won the NIT and NCAA Championship that same year. The school later discovered gambling issues existed with organized crime figures a several members of the team. If you check the history detail the NIT and NCAA still list the school as champion for that year.
The chief architect
Danny Ainge currently serves as president and general manager of the Celtics. Once upon a time as a player he was a teammate of Bird, McHale, Parrish and company. Ainge has been key to the Celtics return to the top ranks of the NBA. Ainge through trade and player acquisition brought Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to the Celtics joining Paul Pierce. After a 24-58 record this newly assembled team won 66 games and the 2008 NBA Championship. The Celtics would continue to be a playoff team until 2011 when the downward slide began. Exit Doc Rivers enter college coach Brad Stevens I along with a number off others felt uneasy about this move.
Other than Larry Brown few college coaches were able to achieve success at the NBA level, we soon found out Stevens would be different. After winning but 25 games in 2014 player trades and draft choices and of course Stevens the Celtics began climbing in the ranks. The Celtics lost to the Cavs (4-1) in this years playoffs but won two series (Bulls, Wizards). We approach the draft and the possibility of adding a Josh Jackson to their lineup. With all the moves and draft choices plus free agent signing one consistent in this has been Danny Ainge the chief architect.
