Bits n Pieces
Steph Curry headed to college as
a Rivals 3-star prospect at the time he was a 6-2 165-pound guard when he entered Davidson University. He’s now grown to 6-3 and checks in at 190
pounds, the point? He was an unheralded high
school player who attended a smaller university, he becomes a continual NBA All-Star. Sounds as if it this story might be a great script for a movie.
I’d mentioned this previously
but thought it was worth a repeat, the Kings drafted two of the best big men in
the NBA currently and they were drafted the same year (2010). Even more interesting neither is currently
with the team although Cousins lasted longer. The Kings chose 6-11 270-pound DeMarcus Cousins with the 5th pick in the first round. In the second round the 33rd pick would become 7-foot 270 pound Hassan Whiteside. At present Cousins is a member of the Pelicans while Whiteside is with the Heat.
Would you believe the Lakers
are ahead of the Clippers at this stage of the season? In the Pacific standings the Lakers are 6-10
.375 and the Clippers are 5-10 .333.
Meantime in the Northeast Division the Thunder are 7-8 .467. It’s early however the playoff the Clippers
and Thunder would fail to qualify if the season ended today. In the East the Celtics minus Gordon Hayward
have been scorching hot with a 15-2 record and surprise, the Embiid/Simmons
Sixers are 8-7. As for the Cavs their play has been up and down but stand 9-7 currently.
LeBron James has crowned
himself King of New York, how about Joel Embiid for King of Los Angeles? Embiid led the way as his Sixer team beat both
the Clippers and Lakers on Monday and Wednesday. His box score for the two games read 78
points, 31 rebounds, 9 assists and 8 blocked shots while shooting .625 from the
floor. All I can say I’m extremely
impressed with the Big Man hopefully he can remain healthy.
I’m not going to ignore the problem
Words eye view has not covered the Justice Department/FBI investigation into college
basketball extensively up to this point in time. The principal reason the investigation is not
yet complete. I have a degree of comfort
in discussing a few facts related to basketball, this does not extend to
possible criminal activity. If you
remember I laid out the information in front of me on the UCLA trio however I
asked you to make up your own mind the degree of punishment.
This we know for now a small
number of assistant coaches have been terminated and in some instances
arrested. We can state former Louisville
Coach Rick Pitino is the only well-known coach thus far to date fired. Over the years I’ve read many unflattering
terms about Dick Vitale due to him not addressing issues. I’m certainly not placing myself in the
category of a Vitale however I must be vocal in my criticism of those who cheat
in whatever method it becomes. As additional
“real” substantial news is made known commentary will be provided.
The building’s rich history
Julius “Dr. J” Erving has long
been retired but I guess not in the arena where much of the legend
continued. If you remember Erving was
drafted and played for the Virginia Squires of the ABA prior to his arrival in
New York. The Nassau Memorial Coliseum
opened its doors in 1972 and was the home of the “New York” Nets of the ABA
until 1977. In 1976 Dr. J. left for the
Sixers where his exploits on the basketball court would continue to grow.
Although the Nets left the Long
Island Arena many years ago its continued to serve as home for many other sports
franchises. The NHL Islanders, the arena
football Dragons and lacrosse and soccer franchises. The Long Island Nets of the NBA G-League have
begun play in the arena made famous by Dr. J.
The good doctor was requested to attend a ceremony his Nets jersey
number 32 would be retired. The
venerable arena on Long Island will continue to be used into the future.
