Basketball from a fans perspective
Canada in the NBA
The Vancouver Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors expansion teams were an addition to the NBA in 1995; the Raptors were a new franchise however Toronto was not new to the NBA. In 1946 the Basketball Association of America predecessor of the NBA began play one of those teams was the Toronto Huskies. It was reported a number of folks wanted the expansion team to have the same name as the 1946 team.
The Husky logo closely resembled the likeness of the Timberwolves so you can see why the Raptors became the choice. In any event the 1946 team only lasted one season, low attendance, poor play and coaching problems was a factor in the team folding. The Huskies finished their one and only season with a losing record 22-38. It’s possible a number of Canadians might not be aware of this portion of the nation’s basketball history.
Great Minds
You know what they say about great minds….never mind forget that. If you remember on August 31 I compiled my list of all-time great Laker coaches. The fan website Lakers Nation September 11 must have read my blog, they compiled their own list. Here’s the comparison for you.
My list Lakers Nation
1. Pat Riley 1. Phil Jackson
2. John Kundla 2. Pat Riley
3. Phil Jackson 3. Bill Sharman
4. Fred Schaus 4. Paul Westhead
5. Bill Sharman 5. Del Harris
I’m have no disagreement with the choices just a difference of opinion; I can see why they choose Westhead and Harris over my selections. Westhead was an assistant coach who took over for head coach Jack McKinney. McKinney suffered a bicycle accident early and was lost to the team for the season. Westhead took over and was able to lead the team to an NBA Championship in Magic Johnson’s rookie year. West only lasted two seasons at the helm after falling into disfavor with Magic Johnson he was fired 11 games into the 1981-82 season. As for Harris his Laker teams won 224 games in 4 years and earned a playoff spot in each year except his last. Harris was fired 12 games into the 1998-99 season, note the names Riley, Jackson and Sharman are on their list and mine.
Bits n Pieces
I admit at the time reality television began to creep into our lives I watched a few of them. After a time I began to believe “they are pretending the cameras are not there but they are acting.” Shortly thereafter I extricated myself from all reality television. Now the man we all love to hate is about to begin his on reality program. By the time you read this “Ball in the Family” on Facebook will be available on a laptop, desktop or IPhone.
Kevin Durant is closer to the subject than any of us. He claims LeBron James “will remain in Cleveland.” We are not sure of his relationship with Dan Gilbert however consider this view. I wasn’t pleased at the time LeBron left for Miami and his return pleased me. Leaving again for whatever reasons becomes a concern for me. On the other hand LeBron doesn’t care what I think.
I posed the question in an earlier account would the Celtics draft Michael Porter Jr. with the pick they received in the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade? The team drafted Jaylen Brown from Cal in 2016; last June they drafted Jayson Tatum from Duke. Both are small forwards but so is Michael Porter Jr. Next year the Celtics could have one 21 year old and one 20 year old and a potential 19-year old. Can you say the Celtics are full at the position; someone is leaving exactly who might be the question.
