Basketball from a fans perspective
"The Hawk"
Connie Hawkins nicknamed "Hawk" died on Friday, he was 75 years old and said to be in poor health in recent years. He was "Dr. J. before the good doctor arrived on the scene." We never got to see him in his prime, he was a 27 year old rookie who'd was banned from NBA play at one time. Hawk had the misfortune of being tied to a gambler, this association would force him to leave the University of Iowa his scholarship revoked. 1960 American sports was different, it was guilt by association.
Hawk had been given money by the gambler but was never proven to have participated in point shaving were others were actually guilty. After losing his scholarship he would play for the American Basketball League Pittsburgh Rens, Harlem Globetrotters and later the Pittsburg/Minnesota Pipers of the American Basketball Association for the first years of his pro career. Hawk through an attorney would sue the NBA and forced the league to admit him. He stood 6-8 a slim 210 pounds the Hawk would soar often defying gravity. Hawk would often stand on the perimeter holding the ball like a grapefruit in his huge hand.
Despite being banned from the NBA on unsubstantiated charges he never held any animosity toward the NBA. Hawk retired in 1976 a member of the Hawks after playing for the Lakers and the Suns his first NBA team. Hawk was one of a number of outstanding basketball players to emerge from Brooklyn (NY). From Boys High in Brooklyn to the Naismith Hall of Fame R.I.P. Hawk, your soaring grace is now on display in heaven.
Laker ownership
Sports franchises changed ownership quite frequently not so with the Lakers. Over the years the Lakers have probably changed ownership fewer times than the majority of other NBA teams. I believe this to be correct as best my research can determine. Founded in 1947 two Minneapolis businessmen Bob Berger and Morris Chalfen were the first owners
having purchased the Detroit Gems franchise which had disbanded. The two owned the team until 1957 when they sold the team to another Minneapolis businessman Bob Short
The Lakers after championship runs began to trend downward. The team losing games (and money) looked west. Short made the decision to move the team to Los Angeles in 1960. Short retained ownership until 1965 when Canadian businessman Jack Kent Cooke assumed ownership. Kent Cooke eventually sold the team to Dr. Jerry Buss in 1979. When Dr. Buss died in 2013 son Jim would run the franchise until 2017 when sister Jeanie took over the operations in a family feud coup.
Bits n Pieces
Former Coach Kevin McHale dropped a bombshell on NBA-TV recently. McHale stated: "Harden not a leader" referring to guard James Harden. A couple of issues to point out 11.2, that's Harden's per game assist total from last season. McHale coached Harden while head coach of the Rockets. I'm gonna allow you to make up your mind on the McHale comment without any view I might express.
Lonzo Ball and several other rookies need time to adjust to the rigors of the NBA. After but a few games exhibition games we expect him and others to play like grizzled veterans. Sure we could admit he's struggled at times he's also failed to sink his shot. All might be true but how about allowing an adjustment period? There is quite a jump from college basketball to the NBA, few rookies "hit the ground running." If Lonzo is struggling in January then I'd share the same concerns I've heard expressed.
Greed sometimes creates corruption or we could say sometimes corruption creates greed. Either might be the case if a report in the Louisville-Courier Journal is correct. The newspaper claims Louisville's "Rick Pitino took in 98% of the cash the school received in the Adidas shoe deal." I have no idea nor have I read a figure however it's got to be in the millions of dollars don't you think?
