The Big O
Basketball great
Oscar Robertson is 79-years old now, despite his age he continues to follow the
game that made him famous and he would become The Big O. I mentioned on Friday the critical remarks
aimed at Oklahoma’s young point guard Trae Young. There is no doubt he’s struggled with aspects
of his game, at the same time he’s certainly not as horrible as some of the
words we’ve heard. Young tweeted on
Thursday Robertson telephoned offering encouraging words after his somewhat
downturn in play.
From the statement
made by Young all we can gather is he was truly humbled by the telephone call
from one of the greatest to ever play the game.
If I could make one statement to him it would be continuing to play your
game. Don’t pay any attention to Stephen
A. Smith and others offering critical remarks on your game. Those doing most of the complaining couldn’t come
close to your skill level in their youth.
Ill feelings
still exist
Celtic jersey number
34 belonging to Paul Pierce was retired on Sunday. In attendance at the ceremony was Doc
Rivers Clippers coach, Rajon Rondo member of the Pelicans and Kevin Garnett who
is retired. Missing from the ceremony
was Ray Allen who was also part of the 2008 championship team. Allen wasn’t ill nor any of his family
members, Allen was off playing golf.
Allen had “jumped” ship signing a free-agent contract with the Heat, he
chose to leave the Celtics prior to the eventual breakup of the championship
roster of Rondo, Garnett and Rivers.
Later Allen was quoted as stating there was much love for Pierce and the
others. Could have fooled me.
The original Mav
Before there was
Mark Cuban there was Donald Carter, Carter along with Norm Sonju were the
original owners of the expansion Dallas Mavericks team born in 1980. Carter and Sonju sold most of their interest
in the team in 1996 to H. Ross Perot Jr. In 2000 ownership would change again
as the Perot group sold the team to Mark Cuban who remains as owner. As for Carter it was easy to spot him,
usually seated on the front row wearing his classic cowboy hat. Despite what might appear to be a flamboyant
personality I’m unsure if I ever remember him being interviewed. Carter retained ownership in the Mavs (4%)
and could be seen at Mavs games on occasion. Carter died February 14 at the age of 84, R.I.P. Donald Carter.
Bits n Pieces
As most of you are
aware I’m not a big-time LeBron fan. I
have no argument with his talent issue, he's the best there is currently. The bothersome
point for me is noise surrounding his potential move. We have no idea what might occur in July even
LeBron probably is unsure however this is my question. If he intended to leave Cleveland why did he
return in the first place? Dan Gilbert
might be near the top of the list as the worst owner in the NBA, there is no
requirement for him to love the guy.
Larry Nance Sr. was
drafted by the Suns in 1981, he spent 7 years in Phoenix prior to a 1988 trade
to the Cavs. He would spend the balance
of his career (1994) as a member of the Cleveland Cavs. Larry Nance Jr. was drafted by the Lakers in
2015, February 2018 he was traded to the Cavs.
Father and son drafted by other teams but play for the Cavs.
Hey NBA fans do you
realize San Diego had two NBA teams at different points in time? The “San Diego” Rockets came into existence
as an expansion team in 1967. This
version of the Rockets was not very good and in 1971 they were sold for $8
million to Texas investors who moved the franchise to Houston. Next was the former Buffalo Braves who
arrived in 1978 and were reborn as the Clippers. San Diego would remain home until 1984 when
the team moved north to Los Angeles.
If Oklahoma’s Trae
Young manages to lead NCAA Division I teams in points and assists he might
not be the first player. The assist
portion is what I speak of, it wasn’t until 1983-84 the NCAA began tracking
assists in the same manner as scoring.
We don’t know, it’s possible an Oscar Robertson or Pete Maravich could
have led Division I teams in scoring and assists in the same season.
