With Derrick Rose it
might be 50% mental and 50% physical why his game has cease to exist. This week he signed with the Wolves through
the end of the season, but this is not long-term. He’s not going to replace starter Jeff Teague
at the point guard although the two are the same age. Rose is not moving in front of 21-year old
Tyus Jones, Jones represents the future for the Wolves at the point. This is bothersome on so many levels
witnessing Rose hanging on, he can no longer play the game at the skill level
he once exhibited. What does the future
hold for Rose, only he knows and that might even be a question remaining for
him.
International game
On more than one occasion I’ve mentioned
the NBA has become an international game.
We see evidence every time we attend a game or turn on our
television. If we look at the 2018 NBA
Draft Luka Doncic will be a lottery pick, I can make the statement with no
hesitation. One mock draft indicates
seven or more international players could be drafted in 2018. The latest figures I could uncover (2015-16)
indicate 28.6% of NBA players are foreign born, contrast this with 1980-81 when
the figure was 1.7%.
The numbers might be somewhat misleading
if we consider a Kyrie Irving or Dante Exum.
Both athletes were born in Australia while their families lived in that nation. If we consider an Emmanuel Mudiay or Semi
Ojeleye the figure might even be higher, both were born in the U.S. however
their parents emigrated from the African continent. Can we count Buddy Hield as an international player,
after all he was born in the island nation of The Bahamas?
Nirvana
One of the definitions
of Nirvana is: “A state of perfect happiness; an ideal or idyllic place.” SportsMoney a program on Fox Sports explored
the financial detail of the NBA at present and into the future. The picture painted in the next five years is
very bright for the league especially the Asian and European markets. The two guests who work in the financial
field indicated there are more potential buyers for NBA franchises than available. Where are those trolls who always respond by
claiming “Nobody is watching the NBA”, evidently that just ain’t true? This reminds me of that 1986 pop hit by
Timbuck 3, “The Futures So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades.”
Therefore
We near the end of the
college basketball season, the NBA will continue through April and conclude in June
with its championship. Much basketball
remains to be covered but that’s the story here. I had a friend say: “Why don’t you write
about other sports now since the basketball season is over.” There are a variety of reasons for the
basketball coverage 24/7 and 365. This
morning on SportsCenter they are discussing an NFL cornerback, yesterday on
local sports talk radio the Chiefs were a topic of discussion. The NFL season concluded weeks ago with the
Super Bowl, yet the sport continues to be covered, why not the same for
basketball?
Scottie Pippen, Sonics
You might not remember
this, the Sonics drafted former Bulls great Scottie Pippen in 1987. He arrived in the NBA with little known about
him, this was before the days of YouTube and our ability to see every player
highlights while they are still in high school.
Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause knew the name Scottie Pippen having scouted
him at little known University of Central Arkansas.
The Sonics drafted
Pippin and then traded his right to the Bulls in exchange for the Bulls rights
to Olden Polynice. The name Polynice is
probably only remembered by fans of NBA trivia.
Seattle with a lower pick chose Pippen with the 5th pick, the
Bulls with the 8th pick chose the late Jerry Krause receives a great
deal of criticism from Phil Jackson and even Michael Jordan. If not for Krause, there might not have been
six NBA Championships hanging from the rafters of the United Center. Pippen would often take on the role of
defensive stopper on the opposing teams best player.
“I’m from Missouri, you’ve
got to Show Me”
All
most anytime you present me with a possibility I say: “I’m from Missouri,
you’ve got to Show Me.” That is the
situation at this time, many are picking the Rockets to win the NBA
Championship I say show me. The Rockets
look unbeatable for much of the season on the other hand the Warriors have
played up and down most of the season. Whomever
the Warriors face in the playoffs might be like a shark smelling blood in the
water. They could rise and defeat the
Dub City crew in a seven-game series.
On
the other hand, the Rockets with two-point guards Chris Paul and James Hardin
score and distribute the basketball with ease.
In a seven-game series they could be beaten by an upset minded
team. It’s likely neither scenario plays
out and the Rockets face the Warriors for the Western Conference
Championship. Who wins the series, right
now March 9 with both teams fully healthy I’m going with the Warriors.
