Loyalty
Does it even exist in today’s world might be the question. Watching NBA TV and the discussion topic once again was the Irving-Thomas trade. Host Dennis Scott said; “Kyrie knew he was going somewhere Isaiah Thomas believed he was a Celtic for life. Thomas must now think about finding a school for his children.” Scott continued with his statement however I believe the question is clear.
Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City without a word to teammate Russell Westbrook. Jae Crowder might have believed he was a Celtic now he’s a Cav having been included in the trade. These are but a few examples, I’m sure you might have others I failed to mention. I’m just not sure the NBA of 2017 there is such a thing as loyalty either by players or teams.
The Great Alaska Shootout
It’s been played every year since 1978 but after 40 years no more. The University of Alaska Anchorage indicates the tournament this year will be the last. The school indicates the growth of tournaments in the lower 49 and Puerto Rico plus the school could no longer afford to underwrite the tournament. It’s too bad this is one of the tournaments that always had a top notch collection of teams and athletes.
It’s me
I honestly believe there are sore feelings remaining between Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and LeBron James. I’m not going to reiterate the history between the two simply take a look at the future. Reports have circulated for quite awhile pending free-agent LeBron was headed out of Cleveland after the 2018 season. The reported destination was the Los Angeles and the Lakers. This story has been affirmed again this time by Ric Bucher for Bleacher Report.
Now hold a minute Larry Laker first you inform us you don’t want Paul George and now it’s LeBron James. The elite LeBron would likely make the Lakers immediate contender that’s the up side. The down side some rookie or second year players’ development might be stalled sitting on the bench watching LeBron play the bulk of the minutes. I’m going to end this in the same manner I did with Paul George. IF LeBron signs with the Lakers I have no intention of booing and hissing the move. I will continue to be a Laker fan during and after LeBron James retires or goes somewhere else.
Bits n Pieces
The version of Madison Square Garden at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza is the fourth arena since 1879 with the same name on the entrance. MSG is the oldest arena in current use by an NBA team; opened in February 1968 the arena has been renovated twice. You ask if there will be a fifth MSG……..very likely at some date in the future. In June 2013 the arena was given a 10-year lease, at the end of the term MSG must move to another location or negotiate a new term. MSG might not be the oldest operating NBA arena if Seattle returns to the NBA. Currently there is a project to renovate Key Arena which opened in 1962.
In case you missed this earlier Kim Anderson wasted no time in securing another job. After being fired at Mizzou many believed he’d sit on the sidelines for awhile or maybe take an assistant coaching position. March 5th Anderson was relieved of his position at Mizzou on March 24 it was announced he’d been hired as head coach for Pittsburg State (KS) a Division II basketball program. The school is located approximately 160 miles south of Kansas City (MO).
I’m unsure if this is true you be the judge. The NHL Blues began play in 1967; in 1968 the Hawks left St. Louis for Atlanta where they have since remained. It was said; ‘The hockey team drove the NBA out of town.’ I’ve always believed there were two different groups of fans, NHL and NBA. Few people I know claim to follow both sports with fervor, in a smaller market such as St. Louis and with a winter schedule there might be some competition. By the way the last year the Hawks were in St. Louis they finished 56-26.
