Basketball from a fans perspective
Something you don't see everyday
This past Saturday Coach Cuonzo Martin held "Pro Day 2017". "Mizzou's student-athletes received the opportunity to show off their skills in a normal practice environment." There were 35 NBA personnel from 24 teams in Columbia to watch Mizzou players run through a series of basketball drills. There are many that might dislike this development and find it offensive
A number might see this as a college basketball subjugating itself to the will of the NBA. Let's not kid ourselves for years the NBA has utilized college basketball as a farm system. Roy Williams, John Calipari and others have used this "wink-wink" arrangement for years as they have savor a working relationship with the NBA. Please note I DIDN'T CLAIM these coaches or others have done anything illegal or even unethical by cultivating NBA friendships.
I will wait
The Clippers less Chris Paul will look different this season. Patrick Beverly acquired in the trade becomes the point guard. He will not remind Clipper fans of Paul but will be a better defender. The Clipper page on ESPN.com NBA page contains a interesting note....the depth chart. I've only seen parts of one exhibition game and in that one the announcer explained "Austin Rivers is injured."
Yes that Rivers is listed as the starter at the shooting guard. I've let it be known for quite awhile I believed young Rivers remained in the NBA due to Doc being his coach. My opinion is no shared across the board, for every five letters agreeing with my take I read two or three claiming "Rivers is a quality NBA player." Rather than continue my complaint if true he's the starter I'm going to back off. I will allow his play on the court as a starter determine his value.
Who uses what
We sometimes focus on the shoes but what about the basketball, it's a very visible part of the sport we love. This is a short list of the companies whose basketball's are most visible. Spalding has been in use by the NBA since 1983, it's also utilized by the WNBA and the G-league. Wilson supplies basketballs for the NCAA game both men's and women's division. Rawlings is the official sponsor for AAU basketball while Nike provides the EuroLeague with basketballs. To be clear these are not the only companies producing basketballs however they corner the market in numbers.
This is sad in so many ways
We all want to be paid, that's understandable, that's also the case for disposed Louisville Coach Rick Pitino. This is where it gets interesting Pitino's attorney claims the coach is not fighting over his termination it's money that appears to be in question. According to USA Today Pitino has a contract running through 2026 which would pay $40 million dollars.
What to do, what to do?
If you've been a reader for awhile you might remember the story, I have two Laker jerseys that are not displayed. Andrew Bynum 17 (remember him?) and Steve Nash 10 and the story follows. Bynum after displaying talent "the wheels" fell off the wagon after the Lakers decided to trade him. As for Nash after a HOF career in Dallas and Phoenix he managed but two years in a Laker jersey.
Nash signed a free-agent contract and played 50 games the first year and 15 the following season before retiring. What do I do with the jerseys became the question. Former Lakers Norm Nixon and Rick Fox wore number 10 and 17 respectively, I thought for awhile. Why not display the jerseys with the Lakers name prominently displayed? If questioned I could explain the history but state; "Norm Nixon wore number 10 and Rick Fox number 17 two former Lakers who contributed significantly to the championships of this franchise."
