Basketball from a fans perspective                                                                                         
Tommy Hawkins
Hawkins died last week at the age of 80; probably few reading this even remember the former 6-5 forward.  He was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1959 and moved with the team to Los Angeles the following season.  If you checked Hawkins numbers you will discover they were not spectacular.  

It should be of note Hawkins was the first African American at Notre Dame to be selected an All American.  Hawkins would fill the role of 6th man for talented Laker teams.   Hawkins would later play for the Cincinnati Royals (Kings) but conclude his career with the Lakers.  After retirement he began a second career as a broadcaster one of the first groups of former athletes in the role R.I.P Tommy Hawkins.

Bits n Pieces
We often hear of family poverty being the chief reason athletes leave school for the NBA.  Klay Thompson left Washington State after his junior year, his dad former NBA and current Laker broadcaster Mychal Thompson.  I believe there might have been no reason for young Thompson to leave school early.  Earlier we could make the same statement about current Laker Coach Luke Walton.  Luke’s father Bill should have been able to provide financial security.  Today we have Shareef O’Neal son of Shaquille, he’s headed to Arizona but is already stating he might be one and done.  I’ve never witnessed young O’Neal play I have no idea if he’s ready for the NBA I do know this there is no financial need by Shareef O’Neal.

I’m still not buying Chris Paul’s’ departure from the Clippers.  There is no requirement for Paul to acknowledge why he decided to leave the team.  On the other hand the reported stories as to why must have been concerned to Austin Rivers.  If not why did he contact Paul?  I’m not sure what to expect of the 2017-18 Clippers minus Paul they should be +.500 team.  They should be a playoff team; they will not be a championship team.  

At the time Words eye view first began publishing it was Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  Soon I began to realize there was far more news than could be accommodated publishing three times a week.  Words is now being published daily which I hope to continue into the future.  Thank you for your continued support from this basketball fan.

The Thunder
I wasn’t sure what to expect of the Thunder after the completion of the season.  Despite the spectacular year of Russell Westbrook (triple-double, MVP) being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs there were questions.  After the name Paul George had him headed to Cleveland, the Lakers and other destinations he lands in Oklahoma City.  George could still bolt next year for the Lakers or some other team.  Although well received on landing in the city I believe he still remains a potential free agent next season.  

The Thunder will not crash land next season however questions remain; I believe most of us understood why Westbrook shot the ball so much.  He was the OFFENSE, what occurs when the point guard must again share the ball.  George might not be a volume shooter but he remains a player who wants the ball.  With the addition of George and other moves I’m going to adopt a wait and see attitude.  As I indicated the Thunder certainly are not going to be terrible but it would be a gigantic stretch to see them as a potential conference contender.  It’s likely they make the playoffs again beyond that I couldn’t speculate any further.