Basketball from a fans perspective

They left too soon (in my opinion)

At the time your favorite player is traded or leaves in free-agency several things occur.  You might be upset to a point of being downright mad.  Eventually the anger subsides, and sadness sets it.  You will see your favorite player again but this time and into the future he will wear the uniform of the enemy.  Recently on The Starters program on NBA TV it was Throwback Thursday, the panel brought up the name Nick Van Exel and his exploits while a Laker. 

I reflected a moment and thought Nick was one of my favorite Lakers despite the fact years later the Lakers would trade “Nick at Night.”  Several Lakers failed to finish their careers with the team, like Nick they were traded or left in free-agency.  I believe a select few distinguished themselves while wearing purple and gold.  Who are they you ask they were keys to success on the court for the Lakers.  For all the balance of their NBA careers were 

spent toiling for other franchises but they remain favorites for Larry Laker. 

Shaquille O’Neal 1996-2004 Dominant big man in three consecutive Laker championships. 

Nick Van Excel 1993-1998 His arrival signaled the return to playoff basketball.

Norm Nixon 1977-1983 Key member of two Showtime Championships.

Eddie Jones 1994-1999 6-6 Jones 3X All Defensive Second Team.

Lamar Odom 2004-2011 Sixth man of the Year and a key sub. 

Robert Horry 1997-2003 As a reserve player “Big Shot” Rob sank numerous key baskets.

Pau Gasol 2008-2014 His arrival help win two NBA Championships.     

Owners, chairman or something else?

I’m sure Bob McNair owner of the NFL Texans never assumed his statement would create such a firestorm. The Colin Kaepernick story impacted the NBA and its players in several ways and it reached into the NBA.  The comment made by McNair demanded an apology, he didn’t choose his words wisely stating; “We can’t have the inmates running the prison.”  Draymond Green of the Warriors then chimed in stating “He didn’t like the word order and believed Chairman” was a better choice of words, without checking further Green’s view might be fueled by America’s history with the issue of slavery.  The Mavs Mark Cuban is demanding Green apologize to the NBA.  How about everyone slow down on this one, McNair was wrong. 

Two wrongs don’t make for something to be correct, Green and Cuban are wrong, Green for suggesting the change and Cuban for insisting Green apologize.  Chairman doesn’t adequately address who is ultimately responsible for operations of a team.  According to Merriam-Webster the word chairman has two definitions. A. “The presiding officer of a meeting, organization, committee, or event.  B:  The administrative officer of a department of instruction (as in a college).  For our purposes A. would appear to be the top choice however even that has shortcomings.  Most teams fall under the category of single proprietorship's; “It simply refers to a person who owns the business and is personally responsible for its debts.”  This exercise will not resolve the controversy just clear some of the confusion. 

It’s not Mizzou…. it’s Bill Self with the problem

I will repeat an earlier statement this Mizzou fan has no desire to reprise the Border War game with Kansas in basketball. The problem is the stubborn attitude of Kansas Coach Bill Self, we cannot determine the issue with Bill Self and his refusal to play Mizzou.  Just to say you don’t want to play is no explanation to me.  When questioned this was the response from Self from the coach, see if it makes sense to you.  

1. "I'm not going to say never," Self said. "But I don't think there's been any change in our position as far as the university goes. I'm the spokesman, I guess, on this, but trust me, I'm not the only one that feels that way.  There was a very large contingent of KU people who weren't happy that we were doing this initially -- until they realized it was a good cause.”  Bottom line Self is the athletic department and its policy.  After the exhibition game was played many on the Mizzou side wanted to revive the game but it ain’t gonna happen.  It’s Self, Self and Self until someone else from the administration stands up and says; “We don’t want to play Missouri.”  In a manner of speaking this tact is not too surprising Self refuses to play Wichita State as well.

1.  ESPN.com Mitch Sherman ESPN Staff Writer

Bits n Pieces

The Pistons Andre Drummond needs to make a change, the roster lists the Piston big man as 6-11, he doesn’t realize 7-foot players make more money.  We could make the same statement for Pelicans big man “Boogie” Cousins also listed at 6-11.  I don’t know the money thing to remain true in today’s NBA however it did at one time and this is supposed to be a true account of the Knicks Willis Reed.  While at Grambling College (now University) during practice a coach asked him one day; “How tall are you?”  Reed responded; “I’m 6-9” to which the coach said; “In the NBA they pay guys 6-10 more money.”  That certainly might apply to guys 7 feet and taller.  By the way to this day the NBA Encyclopedia lists Willis Reed as 6-10.

I watch the NBA on TNT as you imagine however I no longer watch “Inside the NBA.” I quit watching due to a few inane comments made by the “Mouth of the South” Charles Barkley.  I didn’t hear this first hand only read it.  Discussing LaMarcus Aldridge this is Barkley; “He's a terrific player, but he's one of those guys… he makes me nervous. I don't like people who don't get mad, Ernie. I don't trust people. Like vegetarians. That's not a thing. Everybody likes meat.”  I certainly am not a vegetarian however I do know folks who are Charles and they DON’T eat meat. 

Many Cavs fans were upset with Kyrie Irving, “how dare him leave a championship team.”  The cause of even greater consternation was the report statement attributed to him “he wanted his own team.”  What kinda talk is that, he’s playing with the best player in the world currently…why leave?  We have no method of probing Irving’s mind to determine his thoughts.  I believe if we could there might be at least one reason, this is Cleveland down the road from Akron LeBron’s home town. No matter what I accomplish it will always be overshadowed being a member of LeBron’s team.