Basketball from a fans perspective
Published Monday through Friday
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Derrick Rose signs with the Cavs, what does this signing represent for the Cavs? I have absolutely no idea the MVP version of Rose left "the building" a number of years ago succumbing to a series of injuries. Although he remains a good player he certainly is no longer All-Star caliber but maybe that might be enough alongside LeBron James. With the Kyrie Irving news perhaps the belief is he will replace Irving in the starting lineup. Even more interesting to me is the Kobe Bryant connection to this story, Kobe remains retired at this stage but this tidbit of information.
Kobe haters who know my love for the Lakers and number 24 reminded me monthly, weekly and several daily what a poor teammate Kobe Bryant was. “He ran Shaq out of town” or “He wasn’t a good for the team” or “Kobe takes too many shots.” There were others but I highlighted many of the statements I heard over the years. Now that Kyrie Irving indicates he’s got no desire to remain a teammate of LeBron all I can hear are crickets. I’ve contact two in particular receiving no response. I’m not trying to pick on LeBron or anyone else but consider this fact. There could be a basis for Kyrie desiring to leave the public has no clue, a different matter when that player you want to extricate yourself has allowed you to play in three consecutive NBA Finals winning one.
No wonder
Steve Ballmer dislikes the fact his Clippers remain in second place with most of the Southern California populace. The popularity exists despite over the last several years the won-loss record of the Clippers has exceeded that of the Lakers. A recent survey by the Southern California News Group must drive him crazy. This is the third year they have surveyed the 50 most powerful sports figures in Southern California. Just in case you wondered or didn’t read the details there are nine pro teams plus six division one programs in the Metro.
Individuals such as former boxer Oscar De La Hoya Mayor Gil Garcetti and Angels outfielder Mike Trout were included in the survey. Jeanie Buss Laker owner finished in first place, what about Ballmer you ask? Ballmer finished in eighth place behind Eric Garcetti mayor of Los Angeles and Stan Kroenke Rams owner as an example. Surveys are just that, there is no basis of fact just someone or a groups view of a subject. Ballmer remains a billionaire despite where he finished in this opinion poll.
Super teams
No….…..I’m not referring to the Warriors or any other NBA team past or present. The reference is actually to college teams. High school All American Lew Alcindor and NYC native chose to attend UCLA in 1966 soon afterwards All American Lucius Allen signed with the school too. I’ve never read anywhere the former Wyandotte HS guard from Kansas City Kansas was acquainted with Alcindor but I’m sure they were aware of one another. The AAU existed back then but nowhere near the level it currently exists.
The youngsters of today either play on the same teams or become acquainted with one another through AAU basketball. It’s likely there are more “assembled” teams than we might realize. A portion of this story is yet to be confirmed, Shareef O’Neal son of Shaquille O'Neal is a 6-8 forward Class of 2018 prospect. Young O'Neal committed to Arizona in April, Bol Bol son of Manute Bol is a 7-1 power forward also in the same class. Bol is rumored as this is written to be headed to Arizona as well. O’Neal and Bol attend different Southern California high schools although they became teammates on a summer AAU team in 2017.
