Basketball from a fans perspective
Bits n Pieces
The count has been reduced by one, Bol Bol indicates Oregon and Kentucky make his final count. Arizona was eliminated but it might have more to do with pending judgment than anything. If you check earlier accounts the 7-2 Bol had reduced the number to five and Arizona was in the mix. Arizona was included when the number was reduced to three, my theory may be bogus however it is food for thought.
The remark Panthers QB Cam Newton made to a female reporter considered sexist might never occur regarding college or the NBA. It's simple the men's and women's basketball game might be played slightly different but it remains basketball. There are thousands maybe into the millions of women who play the game at a high level over the smaller number who experience touch or tackle football. Just my thought doesn't make it correct or accurate.
Sorry I couldn't help it and I certainly don't intend to take credit for originating it. The 1981 movie classic Escape from New York was connected with Carmelo Anthony's name in several headlines. I've seen Anthony's name connected with the movie on several NBA websites. In any event I think it's funny don't you?
Basketball fans I can't get too excited about the news, Rivals listed their Top 10 candidates for All-American recently. In the age of one and done athletes in my view the selection once considered important holds little if any prestige for me. 20-30 years ago it was quite an honor to be selected an All-American it just falls short in this day on the other hand it could be me.
Pop
It might be his no nonsense look Gregg Popovich IS THE NBA, that's not always been the case for the Spurs coach. I've read "He only wins because of Tim Duncan." Well Timmy is retired and he's still winning, maybe there is no championship to boast of however his resume contains five. Where did it all began you ask......at the Air Force Academy of all places, he played basketball on the academy team as a 6-2 point guard. Popovich fulfilled his five year obligation to the Air Force and left the service in 1970. As for the coaching part it began at the academy were he returned in 1973 as an assistant.
From that point it was Pomona-Pitzer a Division III program as head coach, he would serve a year as a volunteer assistant while Larry Brown was head coach. Pop was assistant at two NBA teams before beginning his tenure at the San Antonio Spurs in 1996. How much longer is the 68-year old Pop going to remain on the job? Only he knows for sure and this Laker fan will be sad the day he decides he no longer is coaching the Spurs. Back in the day it seemed his Spurs were always battling my Lakers for Western Conference supremacy.
Speaking of coaches
Brett Brown has kinda been in the background, Brett who you ask? He's the coach of the Sixers has been since 2013. For a number of reasons more fans outside of Philly were more familiar with former GM Sam Hinkie over that of Brown. The Sixer coach played for Rick Pitino at Boston University from there it was Australia as an assistant for the Melbourne Tigers. Brown would serve with the Spurs on two separate occasions but prior to that he won two National Basketball League Championships as head coach. In 2013 he was hired as the head man for the Sixers.
His resume certainly looks impressive but the knock is he's not been a winner with the Sixers. Perhaps its the view of many the Sixers first began "tanking" with him at the helm. Did his GM insist his teams lose games on purpose to improve the draft position of the team? No one will ever admit it if the conversation occurred. If your team (Sixers) never improve what's the purpose of losing games on purpose? We don't know if this is the year however it appears to be the case if healthy the Sixers should be substantially better. If that should occur maybe we discover how good a coach Brett Brown is.
A conversation
Me: Are you anxious for the start of the NBA season?
Friend 1: We already know who is going to win.
Me: Are you saying the Warriors are champs before the season even begins?
Friend 2: Them are the Cavs.
Me: That's been a prime compliant echoed by many fans the last few years 30 teams but only one or two with a real opportunity to win.
Friend 2: That could be OKC now with George and Melo.
Me: Maybe not enough basketballs to go around.
Friend 1: George could adapt his game as for Melo that might be a different story.
The end
