Basketball from a fans perspective         

Commentary

Sports fans are never evidence of a team’s success or lack thereof.  We all have our opinions right or wrong, we voice them to our co-workers, friends or anyone who will listen.  At other times we read a story on-line and voice our opinion to the site via email or we use various forms of the social network but there’s another portion to this explanation. Rarely does ESPN, TNT or NBA TV place a mic in front of our face asking for our opinion.  How about the parents of athletes, there are occasions we’ve witnessed parents of NBA players being interviewed or articles written but it appears most parents prefer to remain in the background unnoticed by the public.  These parents rarely venture into the spotlight unless solicited or something noteworthy has occurred regarding their son. 

Of course, with almost anything there is an exception to this position, that exception in this instance is one LaVar Ball.  ESPN and every other media member is willing to place a mic in front of him asking him for an assessment of EVERYTHING.  He’s aimed his latest tirade at Laker Coach Luke Walton, I might disagree with Walton’s rotation or several other issues.  Walton has this advantage over me and LaVar Ball, he’s on top of the action.  Whether it be practice or game time decisions he’s got more basketball knowledge in his pinky finger than LaVar Ball has in his 6-foot 6-inch body. 

Maybe Walton is not the coach to lead the Lakers to the promised land however Laker management must be the decider not LaVar Ball.  ’As for Ball the old saying; “There’s no such thing as bad publicity certainly applies to him.”  He wants to generate publicity in whatever manner possible.  If this is the manner he must market his $600-dollar knock-offs I guess it is what it is.  It’s the other things that drive people to distraction, “His son is better than Steph Curry” before he sets foot on an NBA court, “He (LaVar) could take Michael Jordan one on one.”  No matter how outrageous LaVar Ball is its good for them, as for me the “dog and pony show” has worn out.  People became upset with the braggadocious behavior of Muhammad Ali but there was a dramatic difference, Ali went into the boxing ring and backed up most of what he said. 

As for LeMelo and LiAngelo they are going to be in for a real culture shock once they arrive in Lithuania, reports indicate the team and location are not the most ideal.  The photo where they will play looks as though it’s a nice looking high school gym, it doesn’t appear to be a professional arena.  In addition, the article pointed out the coach doesn’t speak English but hopefully something will be worked out prior to their arrival.  I stated this previously and will repeat it…. LaVar Ball has placed a gigantic bulls-eye on all three sons.  I hope for their sake they can be their own young men while still respecting their outlandish often over the top father.  These few words will not silence LaVar Ball if ESPN and other media continue to seek him out. 

Favorites

I have many favorite NBA players, some might be considered All-Pro.  That’s not my barometer for choosing them among the favorites.  I’ve witnessed a number not highly rated on their arrival in the NBA (Hassan Whiteside) but raising their level of play.  You might find this surprising not all my favorites are Lakers, at the time he played Kobe was the favorite.  Now it’s Jordan Clarkson due in part to his Mizzou connection and second year man Brandon Ingram. 

As for other teams Joel Embiid due to his local connection and Ben Simmons with the Sixers.  Although Steph Curry has shot lights out against my Lakers I still enjoy watching him play along with Draymond Green.  Boogie Cousins and Anthony Davis of the Pelicans while the Knicks have Kristaps Porzingis.   The Bucks have Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Blazers Damian Lillard and the Pistons Andre Drummond.  Finally, there is James Harden and Karl-Anthony Towns closing this out. 

Did you see it

‘NBA will replace NFL as ‘League of America’s Future’ so wrote Kareem Abdul Jabbar.  You remember him, don’t you?  Yes, that Kareem the one with the patented hook shot nicknamed “The Sky Hook”.  Kareem provided the reader many reasons he believes the future will see the NBA supplant the NFL in popularity among fans.  He cited the chief reason being CTE issues many former NFL players have undergone.  

We are already seeing dwindling numbers of youngsters playing football.  I read a report the medical community even says boys should not play the sport at least until high school.  Naturally with Kareem taking such a stance the emails came pouring in stating this isn't possible, probably 95% of them came from NFL fans.  Kareem could be wrong however evidence is trending in the direction he indicates, read his account in The Guardian for yourself.