Published Monday through Friday
WOW!!!!!
I'm waiting on confirmation of this breaking overnight story. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN is reporting the Knicks and President Phil Jackson will part ways today. We can speculate all day long however if this story is confirmed it is understandable. In addition to the Knicks poor won-loss record there is the player issue. First it was Carmelo Anthony and after the 2017 was complete it was Kristaps Porzingis. Jackson had a sterling record as an NBA coach but 0 experience in charge of a team. It’s interesting I’ve read or heard little from the Knicks chief celebrity fan Spike Lee. Actor Michael Rapaport has been critical for several years about Phil Jackson.
2017 will forever be remembered Mr. Irrelevant becoming ROY. Don’t begin tossing rocks in my direction Malcolm Brogdon might wind up with a stellar NBA career but consider this fact. Without checking numbers Brogdon’s 10.2 ppg average might be the lowest figure ever registered by a ROY. This is certainly not intended to slight Brogdon’s future in the NBA its more the fact he had limited competition in winning the award. Someone might ask the question is that all there is?
The discussion occurring might not exist if not for injuries affecting two of the candidates vying for ROY, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid of the Sixers. Prior to the start of the 2016-17 everyone expected Ben Simmons to be named ROY; we know what occurred with that. Joel Embiid could have been the honoree if only he played more than 31 games. His 20.2 ppg and nearly 8 rebounds a game were close to outstanding if only he hadn’t played so few games. The injury bug bit Embiid once again, we begin to question can he play a complete season without being sidelined?
Bits n Pieces
You tellin’ me Austin Rivers and Meyers Leonard were drafted ahead of Draymond Green? How about Royce White from Iowa State, he was the number 16 pick in the first round and he’s no longer in the NBA. Its true Rivers was a number 10 pick by the Hornets in the first round and Leonard number 11 by the Blazers. Green chosen in the 2nd round with the 35th pick has been part of the glue that holds the Warriors together.
A children’s television program tilted “Where in the World Is Carmen San Diego’” aired from 1991 through 1996. The program centered on junior detectives who were challenged to answer questions regarding geography. Perhaps we could use the detectives’ geography skills again. Where in the world is Zhou Qi is the question, you remember Qi don’t you? He was drafted by the Rockets in the 2016 NBA Draft and then disappeared. The 7-2 Qi didn’t actually disappear he chose to remain in China playing for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, according to reports he’s in Houston hoping to play for the Rockets in the 2017-18 season.
Unlike a number of Mizzou fans I ain’t beggin’ any more to play Kansas in basketball. I was discussing the prospects for Mizzou’s 2017-18 season and a friend said; “I miss the days of Kansas and Missouri basketball.” I made no comment because that’s no longer my desire for the two to meet on the court. A few years ago we found Wichita State facing Kansas in the NCAA Tournament, should a similar scenario prevail have no issue with Mizzou and Kansas facing one another. I have absolutely no desire to play Kansas unless they reach out to Mizzou first.
The trade of Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn to the Bulls is strange based on a number of issues. Both players were considered candidates to replace Rubio in the Wolves lineup. Once the trade was announced my thought this was assurance Rubio had a sealed the deal on his future. Rubio can’t shoot worth a darn however there is no question about his ability to distribute the basketball and run an offense. Reports are the Wolves are still attempting to trade Rubio.
I don’t hate him
I’m really unsure when I wrote the uncomplimentary piece on Dan LeBatard of ESPN. Frank came back and said he liked LeBatard; this is me defending my original statement. Someone from the network placed a microphone in front of his face questioning Dwight Howard being traded to Charlotte. LeBatard straight face and all indicted the trade was the result of the “Kobe effect” or similar words. Howard played the 2012-13 season with the Lakers, there is no argument on my part all indications point to the fact the two did not get along.
Free agent Howard departed for the Rockets after the season where he remained for three seasons. He left the Rockets signing a three-year contract with his hometown Hawks. After but one season the Hawks traded him to the Hornets. My math skills are not great but let me see if I can undertake a count. Three years with the Rockets one year with the Hawks that’s four years. If we toss in the year since Kobe retired our grand total becomes five years. Come on LeBatard you trying to convince us after five years Kobe is still casting a shadow over Dwight Howard. Did Kobe use some sort of Jedi mind trick on Dwight Howard?
