Basketball from a fans perspective
Funny ejections
The Starters one of the features of NBA TV profiled a list of funniest
ejections. Some were funnier than
others. Rasheed Wallace was featured in
more than one old video. Sheed generally
led or was near the top of player technical annually. Sheed then with the Blazers was once ejected
for simply staring at an official. Tim
Duncan, stoic Timmy was ejected sitting on the Spurs bench. His mistake, the official whistled a foul on
a player and from the bench Timmy begins laughing.
It’s clear the official
probably believed Timmy was showing him up so directed the Spurs forward to the
showers early. Finally, Mo Peterson was
standing on the baseline prepared to inbound the basketball. Vince Carter walks over to Peterson and gives
him a playful slap and Peterson returns the favor. The only problem the official saw the second
slap automatic ejection for Peterson.
Don’t tell me funny stuff doesn’t happen in NBA games even if they are not
first intended to be hilarious.
What is reality
I held a conversation recently with
a Kansas graduate and our discussion eventually moved to basketball. I made the mistake of mentioning the success
of Wichita State and this was the response.
With a straight face he said; “(Gregg) Marshall’s been lucky for a brief
period.” This is my belief if Wichita
State wins the NCAA championship they will remain in second place in the minds
of many Kansas fans.
In 18 years as a head coach at
Winthrop and Wichita State the record indicates the coach has but one losing
season and one his team played .500 basketball.
His teams missed playing in the post-season only twice and one team was
NIT Champion. Up till last year (26-9)
his last three Shocker teams in reverse order went 30-5, 35-1 and 30-9. I reminded you before the classic line of the
late comic Rodney Dangerfield, “I don’t get no respect.” That certainly applies to Marshall and Wichita State basketball.
Please pass this on
I am issuing a public apology
to Thunder GM Sam Presti, I questioned his ability as a front office
executive. After all, under his watch
the team would loss James Harden, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Victor Oladipo
in a series of free-agency moves and trades.
There are probably other former Thunder players I might be overlooking
however that’s changed now.
I don’t think the Thunder are
ready to compete with the Warriors however Presti did a magnificent job in
first securing Paul George from the Pacers and later Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks. He’s done a skillful job in securing talent
for a small market team. Scratch that I
just drove through Oklahoma City traffic, it might not be Chicago or Atlanta
but its major league traffic and so is the team.
The
discussion about basketball television options I excluded a couple of
networks. My cable system allows me (and
others) in Kansas City to view Big 10 and Pac 12 games. In the State of Missouri, we border the
States of Iowa and Illinois both containing Big 10 schools. The Pac 12 is a different matter although I
certainly enjoy this choice as well.
College is no big deal for Marvin Bagley III at Duke and Mizzou’s
Jontay Porter. Both have moved from high
school into major college programs, both are scoring in double-figures although
Bagley as a starter has played more minutes.
Even more interesting Bagley and Porter should be in the middle of their
senior year of high school. Both
re-classified to play in the 2017-18 season.
The talking heads say some real
crazy things at times as you are aware.
I heard a media member state this on television recently. “LaVar Ball’s done a fantastic job he talked
the Lakers into to drafting his son.” If
you believe that view you also believe in the Bermuda Triangle, UFO’s and other
unexplained events. Don’t allow the
smile of Magic Johnson to fool you he ain’t no fool. He and the Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball believing
the youngster could play NBA basketball.
Sidebar if you believe in the Bermuda Triangle and UFO’s I won’t burst
your bubble go ahead however numerous statements made by LaVar Ball must be
taken with a grain of salt.
